Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Interrogation
Zhong Lin’s words left Tang Wushuang and his master with nothing to say, and the surrounding students gasped in astonishment. This was the very definition of a meteoric rise.
Lin Shan, who had been a student in the regular classes, transformed into a member of the Genius Class with a single sentence from Zhong Lin, granting him access to more than half of the Academy’s resources.
And that wasn’t all. The Genius Class came with many privileges. One such privilege was that if a student violated the Academy’s rules, the Punishment Hall could not handle the case directly. Instead, Zhong Lin, along with at least five other Primordial Ocean Realm experts, had to deliberate and decide on the punishment.
Standing to the side, Lin Shan felt as if he were in a dream. Out of thin air, he had gained a master at the Primordial Ocean Realm—a master who was also the Head of the Punishment Hall and Vice-Principal of the Academy.
"Hmph, Lin Shan, enjoy your freedom for a few more days. I swear I’ll make you join Yue Xiuchuan in death," Tang Wushuang snorted. Then, led by his master, he flew away from the Battle Arena using Sky Control.
"Let’s go. We’ll talk later." With Tang Wushuang and his master gone, Zhong Lin spoke to Lin Shan. Then, with a sweep of his arm, he grabbed the boy and flew away.
The main parties had left, but that did nothing to dampen the excitement of the students who remained. Everything that had happened today was simply surreal.
Lin Shan had done one incredible thing after another. It was easy to imagine that in the near future, the name "Lin Shan" would be known throughout the entire Yanhuang Academy.
Carried by Zhong Lin, Lin Shan was brought all the way to the Genius Class district. This area was where the Academy’s Primordial Ocean Realm experts and Genius Class students lived and trained. Naturally, Zhong Lin resided here as well.
They arrived at a clean, refreshing courtyard. Though not large, it had a very comfortable atmosphere, complete with a rockery, a pond, and a small Bamboo Garden.
Furthermore, all the buildings in the courtyard were constructed from bamboo.
Descending from the sky, Zhong Lin landed directly inside the courtyard’s bamboo pavilion. He looked at Lin Shan, who still wore a bewildered expression, and smiled. "Sit. You can ask your questions now."
With that, Zhong Lin sat down first. Lin Shan took a deep breath to compose himself before sitting opposite his new master. A moment later, a servant arrived and steeped a pot of tea for them.
After the servant withdrew, Zhong Lin poured two cups of tea. Lin Shan used this time to gather his thoughts, then began, "Senior..."
Before he could continue, Zhong Lin feigned displeasure. "Still calling me Senior?"
At those words, Lin Shan understood and corrected himself. "Master, why did you accept me as your student?"
’It’s a simple question, but I really have to ask. A powerful man like the Head of the Punishment Hall wouldn’t accept a student for no reason, would he?’
Zhong Lin showed no surprise at the question. He took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Lin Shan, let me ask you: are experts of the Primordial Ocean Realm truly strong?"
"No," Lin Shan replied after a moment of thought.
Zhong Lin was very satisfied with Lin Shan’s answer. He nodded with a smile. "Correct. Experts of the Primordial Ocean Realm may be the strongest in Yanhuang Country, but not in the world beyond. The Celestial Spirit Continent is immense—so vast that even with a lifespan of several hundred years, a Primordial Ocean Realm expert couldn’t see it all. In the outside world, powerful cultivators are as common as clouds. There, the Primordial Ocean Realm is perhaps only considered average."
"As for old-timers like us at the Academy, we have almost no hope of breaking through the Primordial Ocean Realm in this lifetime. Without a breakthrough, one will naturally perish. This is the Celestial Dao; no one can defy it."
"A lifetime of cultivation, a lifetime spent comprehending Martial Arts... No one would be willing to take all that to their grave. Naturally, one must find someone to carry on their legacy."
As Zhong Lin spoke, Lin Shan began to understand his master’s reasoning.
"There are ten Primordial Ocean Realm experts at the Academy. Lin Shan, have you never wondered why an institution with a thousand-year history like Yanhuang Academy has only ten?" Zhong Lin countered.
After a moment’s thought, Lin Shan replied, "Those capable of surpassing the Primordial Ocean Realm have all left to venture out and temper themselves. The only ones who remain are those with no hope of another breakthrough."
"Exactly. It’s the difference between an eagle and a common chicken. For the truly capable, the world is their stage. Staying in a small place like Yanhuang Country offers them nothing."
"Lin Shan, I hope that you, too, will one day become a soaring eagle, and not remain confined to this small Yanhuang Country for your entire life."
Zhong Lin’s eyes were filled with hope as he looked at Lin Shan. That expression told Lin Shan everything: his master had no ulterior motives. He simply wanted to see him grow stronger. For Zhong Lin, being able to watch his student flourish in the final days of his life would be the fulfillment of a lifelong wish.
In his heart, Lin Shan truly accepted Zhong Lin as his master. With his doubts dispelled, the two began to chat pleasantly. It was then that another elderly man entered the courtyard.
The man had an ethereal, sage-like bearing, a stark contrast to Zhong Lin’s plain appearance. With a single, simple step, he used the Shrinking Inches technique and appeared directly inside the bamboo pavilion.
The old man’s gaze fell not on Zhong Lin, but on Lin Shan. "You’re Lin Shan?" he asked.
His voice was calm, yet it seemed to possess a magical quality that compelled Lin Shan to nod. "Yes, I am."
After confirming Lin Shan’s identity, the old man finally turned to Zhong Lin, who was sipping his tea with unnerving calm. The newcomer frowned. "The Third Prince went to the Principal. The Principal has decided to question Lin Shan personally tomorrow, and you’re still in the mood for tea?"
In all of Yanhuang Academy, besides the Principal himself, only the other Vice-Principal would dare speak to Zhong Lin in such a manner. Therefore, the old man’s identity was obvious.
"Sit down. My, have all your years of cultivating your temperament gone to waste?" Zhong Lin said softly, pouring a cup of tea for the newcomer.
"Lin Shan, this is the other Vice-Principal of the Academy. You may call him Elder Bai," Zhong Lin said, turning to the boy.
At his master’s instruction, Lin Shan respectfully greeted him, "Elder Bai." Immediately, the two elders began to discuss their strategy.
According to Zhong Lin and Elder Bai, although the Principal of Yanhuang Academy was a member of the Royal Family, he never meddled in their affairs and was famous for his impartiality.
While he might occasionally favor members of the Royal Family, it was only when justice was on their side. If reason was not with them, he would offer no help, not even to a direct heir.
The night passed in silence. Early the next morning, Zhong Lin led Lin Shan to the Academy’s Main Hall. This was where the hearing regarding his killing of a fellow student would be held.
At the entrance, Lin Shan saw Elder Bai. A grave expression crossed the elder’s face as they approached. The previous day’s discussion had yielded no solution; after all, countless people had witnessed Lin Shan kill his opponent.
