Chapter 261: Chapter 261: A Suggestion
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded gravely, confirming they had already provided them to the twenty University Institutes...
"Tell the students from the University Institutes to hurry up and study everything about the Azure Flame Seven Walls."
"We absolutely cannot allow too many of the Small Institutes to occupy the Outer Courtyard slots. That’s the only way we can turn this situation around."
Zeng Quan lowered his voice, yet he spoke of their brazen plan to help the twenty University Institutes cheat.
The Azure Flame Seven Walls of the Azure Flame Sect had been carved up by the Seven Great Flame Countries forty years ago.
Each of their deans possessed a complete piece, so they had pooled them together for the students of the University Institutes to observe and study, all for the sake of the upcoming revival matches...
Dragon Flame Academy had already secured an Outer Courtyard spot, and so had Liyan Academy.
There could be no more accidents.
"As long as a dozen or so of the University Institutes make it into the Outer Courtyard, Beast Flame Academy will remain under our control."
"A single Dragon Flame Academy and a handful of Small Institutes won’t be able to make any waves. When the time is right, we’ll find an opportunity to crush them."
At Zeng Quan’s words, the higher-ups of the Beast Flame Academy once again broke into sinister smiles.
Their current isolation was only because the twenty University Institutes had been defeated. As long as they rose again, as long as they occupied the majority of the Beast Flame Outer Courtyard, everything that had happened before could be swept under the rug.
The filth, the stench, the targeted cheating...
As long as Beast Flame Academy remained firmly in their grasp, who would dare to question them? By then, all the Small Institutes would have been kicked out.
And once Dongfang Ren died of old age, the Small Institutes would have to come crawling back, begging to join their Beast Flame faction.
...
「On the other side...」
After returning to the spectator stands, Lu Chao and Sun Shijin quietly slipped away from the martial arts arena.
They spoke in hushed tones in a small grove just outside the arena.
Lu Chao was, of course, explaining the situation to Sun Shijin. His Life-taking Bone had advanced into a Heavenly Bone, and in the process, it had stretched and cracked his Earth-grade Myriad Bone, causing the aura of the Life-taking Bone to leak out.
It was only repaired thanks to the Heavenly Rank Myriad Bone sent by the Dragon Flame King.
As he listened to Lu Chao’s explanation, Sun Shijin’s face was etched with lingering fear.
"That was too close. Way too close."
"What about the Heavenly Rank Myriad Bone the Dragon Flame King sent? I’ll help you integrate it right away for the disguise..."
Right now, Lu Chao had only repaired the Earth-grade Myriad Bone. It was bound to shatter again later, so it had to be replaced as soon as possible.
Lu Chao gave a wry smile. "My Life-taking Bone absorbed it. It’s gone."
Although he couldn’t reveal the terrifying properties of his Life-taking Star-devouring Bone, he still had to tell him what happened.
After all, once the Heavenly Rank Myriad Bone had been consumed, there was no getting it back.
Sun Shijin was instantly struck dumb.
In the end, he didn’t press for details. The Life-taking Bone was a miraculous thing to begin with.
He could only say grimly, "I’ll find another one immediately. If not, we’ll have Marquis Longyin write to the Dragon Flame King again. It’s obvious the Dragon Flame King has already accepted the fact that you possess a Life-taking Bone."
After hearing Lu Chao’s story, Sun Shijin understood that Yin Ye must have already reported to the Dragon Flame King about Lu Chao possessing a Life-taking Bone.
He wasn’t too surprised by this...
The Dragon Flame King probably knew that he, Sun Shijin, also possessed a Life-taking Bone. He just hadn’t ever exposed the fact.
Lu Chao nodded, agreeing he would speak with Marquis Longyin.
Sun Shijin lowered his voice again to warn him, "Until then, you can’t fight anymore. It’ll be too easy for something to go wrong."
As things stood, if Lu Chao fought, he could shatter the Earth-grade Myriad Bone at any moment.
Lu Chao understood, of course, and smiled. "There won’t be any more fights for a while. We’re already a part of the Beast Flame Outer Courtyard. Once the revival matches are over, we’ll head back to the Dragon Flame Royal Capital."
After the placement tournament ended, Dragon Flame Academy would naturally have to return to the Dragon Flame Royal Capital to move their things to Beast Flame Academy.
They also had to gather their regular students to bring along.
But no sooner had Lu Chao finished speaking than Sun Shijin’s face clouded with worry...
"The Small Institutes will have a hard time getting through the revival matches. When the dust settles, Beast Flame will still be under the control of Zeng Quan and his cronies. It’s going to be very difficult for us."
At Beast Flame Academy, their Dragon Flame Academy would likely be isolated and helpless, every step a struggle.
Lu Chao thought for a moment before speaking with a smile...
"Elder Sun, don’t worry so much. At the very least, we’ve achieved our initial goal. Dragon Flame Academy won’t have to be disbanded."
Hearing this, Sun Shijin’s entire body trembled.
’That’s right,’ he thought. ’Our original goal was just to ensure the name of Dragon Flame Academy didn’t disappear, and we’ve already done that.’
Just as Sun Shijin’s mood brightened with this realization...
A voice rang out from above. "You two, so this is where you were. I’ve been looking all over for you."
Lu Chao and Sun Shijin looked up to see Marquis Longyin descending on his Demon Bird.
He leaped off as he spoke, landing gracefully before them.
Looking at the two of them, Marquis Longyin first offered his congratulations. "Congratulations, both of you. You’ve saved the name of Dragon Flame Academy."
Lu Chao smiled in return. "The congratulations are mutual. I’m sure the Dragon Flame King would not have wanted to see Dragon Flame Academy vanish into the annals of history. Thank you, Marquis Longyin, for your staunch support over these past few days."
Sun Shijin also chuckled and exchanged a few pleasantries.
But the small talk ended abruptly as Marquis Longyin’s expression turned serious.
"Young friend Lu Chao, my royal brother has sent me three letters. All of them express his full support for you in purging the Beast Flame Academy."
"However, it will be very difficult."
"Zeng Quan and his cohorts may be unpopular, but they no longer care about winning the hearts and minds of the small countries and Small Institutes. Their goal is to tyrannically turn the entire Beast Flame Academy into a domain for the Seven Great Inner Courtyards—or rather, a domain for the Saint Bone Zheng Family."
"And my royal brother’s intention is this: take down the Saint Bone Zheng Family."
His words had become direct. Previously, he would never have said something like "take down the Saint Bone Zheng Family" to Lu Chao.
But now, he was getting straight to the point.
Without waiting for Lu Chao’s reply, Marquis Longyin continued, "Just as you’ve said, my royal brother wishes to forge a true Beast Flame Academy—one capable of contending with Great Wu and the Nanye Dynasty. I wonder, young friend, do you have any suggestions?"
This was another direct statement, treating Lu Chao as an equal...
Before, Marquis Longyin had treated Lu Chao merely as a junior.
But now, his attitude showed he wanted to discuss matters of great importance with him. This was because of Lu Chao’s performance, and because Dragon Flame Academy had successfully passed the trial.
It was also because of his royal brother’s three letters.
And he was even speaking directly to Lu Chao, not Sun Shijin.
Lu Chao slowly looked up and spoke just as directly. "I have a proposal. If the revival matches are just as corrupt, then we should unite with Elder Dongfang and all the Small Institutes to create a second Beast Flame Academy."
At these words, Sun Shijin’s eyes widened. He thought Lu Chao was being incredibly bold.
Marquis Longyin’s eyes, however, lit up. "Explain," he urged.
Lu Chao narrowed his eyes slightly. "I understand the Dragon Flame King’s intention. He wants to eliminate the Saint Bone Zheng Family, but it must be done openly and justifiably. Their influence in the Dragon Flame Kingdom is too great, and now they’re colluding with the Six Great Flame Countries. This puts the Dragon Flame King in a very difficult position."
His voice was clear and firm.
By the same token, if Marquis Longyin hadn’t been so direct as to say "take down the Saint Bone Zheng Family," Lu Chao would not have been so forthcoming.
Marquis Longyin’s attitude was now crystal clear: the Dragon Flame King wanted him—Lu Chao—to be consulted on matters of state.
