Inside the Spirit Stones Hall, Zou Yunhai's voice remained as calm as ever. It was as if he was not delivering a lecture to students but simply expressing his understanding of Dharmic Armaments.
A casual comment of his would leave the students enlightened, making them see the light. However, the need to pay close attention was extremely demanding on these newly matriculated students. They could only first write down whatever was said.
It developed to the point of them not being able to keep up with their note-writing. Many students began to murmur quietly as a way to relax. Wang Baole finally understood why the Dharmic Armament faculty only had three main halls. Just this hall that taught Spirit Stone refinement techniques had enough content to make it impossible to fully understand everything simply from attending a few classes.
He was somewhat exhausted, and Liu Daobin had finally snapped back to attention. He looked at Wang Baole and could not help but whisper, "Wang Baole, you are in trouble. I heard that several teachers have proposed to have you expelled."
His eyes were filled with pity, but when he saw Wang Baole's tiny bag, his face could not help but twitch.
"Which teacher said that?" Wang Baole was somewhat peeved. Although he had made up his mind and was prepared, he still felt annoyed.
Liu Daobin patted Wang Baole's shoulder and sighed inwardly. He reminded himself to use Wang Baole as a warning for himself. Just as he was about to console him, two people suddenly walked in from the hall's main entrance.
The two were obviously senior students. They wore black Daoist robes, unlike the other students. They had stern expressions, and the moment they appeared, all the senior students in the hall turned alert and attentive.
"What happened? Even people from the College Discipline Department have come!"
"It's actually them. There is always bloodshed wherever they appear."
Even though the freshmen did not know the duo's identity, they came to a certain level of realization from hearing the discussions of the senior students and noticing the duo's austerity.
Wang Baole's heart skipped a beat.
Zou Yunhai knitted his brows together as he looked at the two black-robed students. The duo politely greeted him by cupping their fists before handing him a jade slip.
After Zou Yunhai finished reading with knitted brows, he looked up and scanned the students. Finally, his eyes landed on Wang Baole.
Immediately, all the students in the hall traced his gaze with different looks on their faces. They received their answer. They knew about Wang Baole's situation. It seemed that the Lower Academy had taken notice and was here to punish him.
Even though Wang Baole already had a countermeasure to deal with the situation, he still felt somewhat nervous due to the environment he was in. Especially with the two black-robed students looking at him keenly. They were clearly not there for a friendly chat.
"Wang Baole, come with us," one of the two members of the College Discipline Department said coldly.
But before Wang Baole stood up, Zou Yunhai grunted coldly.
"Enough, that can wait until class is over. Leave for now."
The two College Discipline Department students paused when they heard that. They did not dare offend the teacher and could only tersely assent with their heads bowed. They retreated to the hall's entrance to wait. The lesson continued as Zou Yunhai ignored them.
Wang Baole felt relieved and looked at Zou Yunhai with gratitude. Although he already had a countermeasure, having more time was always better. It gave him time to perfect and clarify his thought processes. He closed his eyes and calmed himself.
Many of the students gloated for the remainder of the lesson, but that was still not everyone. Most students felt that the matter did not involve themselves and continued jotting down notes.
Liu Daobin sighed inwardly. He was unsure how to comfort Wang Baole. He knew that once Wang Baole was expelled, they would be people from two completely different worlds. Even if they bumped into each other in the future, it would still be an extremely regretful situation.
Time passed, and four hours later, Zou Yunhai finished his lesson and left. All the students instantly looked at Wang Baole. The cold gazes of the two black-robed students from the College Discipline Department also landed on Wang Baole.
"Do you want us to invite you?"
Wang Baole opened his eyes. He had a calm look on his face. The feeling he exuded felt different from the usual one. He walked down without a word, followed the two senior students, and left the hall.
With his departure, the hall immediately broke out into a cacophonous discussion.
"Is this Wang Baole really getting expelled?"
"Could it be anything else? Didn't you see the College Discipline Department? I've never seen anyone taken away by them who's ended up fine!"
Amid the discussions, many people ran out and followed. They wanted to watch the entire process. After all, this matter would cause great repercussions considering Wang Baole's specially-recruited status.
It even went beyond the confines of the Dharmic Armament faculty. Students from other faculties also paid attention to the matter after learning that Wang Baole had been taken away.
Wang Baole ignored the crowd following behind. He had an unprecedented calm about him along the way as he followed the two senior students from the College Discipline Department. They went straight to the Dharmic Armament faculty's mountaintop.
The two senior students walking ahead were sneering inwardly. They had taken away quite a sizable number of people over the years. There was no lack of people, like Wang Baole, who acted strong-willed. They would be impressed if Wang Baole could maintain his composure when he left the College Discipline Department.
The entire journey happened silently. The number of people that followed behind increased. Only when they arrived at a building on the mountaintop did the two senior students halt. They made way and gestured for Wang Baole to enter alone.
Wang Baole took a deep breath as he looked at the closed doors of the building. It was impossible not to be nervous, but he knew that he had to survive this ordeal. He gritted his teeth, and pushing open the door, he strode straight in.
The moment he entered the building, Wang Baole immediately felt dozens of pairs of eyes bearing down on him. In front of him sat dozens of teachers. Some were middle-aged, and others were elderly. All of them had stern expressions, but there were a few looking disappointed.
The old physician and Goatee were also among the teachers. In contrast to the old physician's calmness, Goatee appeared conflicted and did not seem to have the heart to continue.
Among them there was one who was clearly chairing the investigation. It was a thin middle-aged man. He wore a black Daoist robe, and his eyes shimmered. He had thin lips, and his body emanated an obvious frosty air. It made the building's temperature a lot colder than the outside.
Not all the people were teachers of the Dharmic Armament faculty. However, as Wang Baole was the Dharmic Armament faculty's specially-recruited student, the hearing regarding Wang Baole's cheating was held on Dharmic Armament Peak.
Noticing that Wang Baole had entered, the black-robed chairman spoke slowly with a cold tone. "Wang Baole!"
Wang Baole took a deep breath and went forward to cup his fist while speaking in a deep voice. "Yes, sir!"
"According to our investigations, you engaged in the consequential and vile act of cheating during the district test. According to the college's rules, the punishment should be in the form of immediate expulsion. As you are a specially-recruited student, we have summoned you here for a hearing!"
After the black-robed middle-aged man finished his piece, he turned to look at his colleagues, not giving Wang Baole so much as a chance to explain himself.
"My fellow colleagues, we can begin. I personally suggest that the punishment meted out to Wang Baole should be to revoke his privileges as a special recruit and have him expelled. The four Dao Colleges will be informed to never admit him again!"
His words seemed categorical and extremely cold as they resounded through the room. Wang Baole's expression changed. He wondered why a person he was meeting for the first time would be filled with such malice despite not having a grudge with him. His suggestion was practically ending any future that awaited him.
There was a brief silence before another teacher spoke coldly.
"He should be expelled. Such a despicable and shameless person has no right to be admitted into a Dao College!"
"That's right. I suggest that he be expelled, too!"
"Although the punishment is somewhat harsh, we are being irresponsible toward the Federation if we leave such acts unchecked!"
Teachers offered their views one after another. Wang Baole was a person of no importance to them. Since the black-robed man had set the tone of the hearing, there was no reason for them to refute him.
Wang Baole breathed slowly as he listened to the teachers. He did not move as though he had fallen into a daze. However, his hands were clenched. As for Goatee, he shook his head and sighed.
"The revoking of his status as a special recruit would be sufficient. Nobody is perfect. There's no need for such a harsh punishment."
However, he did not receive the support of the crowd. Soon, other teachers spoke, and expulsion became the main agenda that was discussed in the room.
Only the old physician remained silent. The black-robed man did not seem interested in asking for the old physician's opinion. He stood up and was about to announce the outcome when Wang Baole raised his head suddenly, his eyes filled with anger and sadness.
"Teachers, please give me a chance to speak!"
The black-robed man frowned. The reason he had been so harsh was that he had planned on recommending someone else as the Dharmic Armament faculty's specially-recruited student. Yet, before he could make his recommendation, the title had been snatched by Wang Baole. He grunted coldly and was about to ignore him, but it was at that moment when the old physician spoke.
"Go ahead."
With him saying so, the black-robed man could only acquiesce as he looked at Wang Baole.
Wang Baole took a deep breath, his body nearly trembling. "Teachers, I did know that everything in the test was fake, but what did you expect me to do?
"Could I have told all the students that the so-called test was, in fact, fake? Could I have?" His final sentence was nearly delivered with a roar.
Without waiting for the teachers' response, Wang Baole appeared like he was in a fervent state as he continued in his elevated emotions.
"Once I reveal the truth to them, I would have wasted all the efforts already made by the school to administer the test. When that happened, I would have crossed the school. Tell me, what should I have done?
"In moments of danger, I saw my fellow schoolmates injured, some bleeding. And yet, I couldn't tell them everything was fake. All I could do was save them. Was I wrong in saving them? Tell me, what should I have done!"
The veins on Wang Baole's forehead protruded. His entire body was quivering like he was in a fit. He appeared to be venting all the anger in his eyes.
"Is saving people wrong? Should I not have saved them? Despite me knowing that everything was fake, I had to consider if I was cheating, thinking about the pros and cons of my actions. Do I have to act indifferent as I watch my fellow schoolmates cry, be injured, or even be killed? Could I even be considered human if that's what I did!" Wang Baole was nearly shouting at the top of his lungs. All his emotions were fully expressed, his voice echoing through the room.
All the teachers were stunned.
"All you saw was me acting. But I wish to ask each and every one of you, if you were in my shoes, what would you have done? Would you have turned a blind eye to the deaths or would you have rescued the people like I did?"
"I'm a student of Ethereal Dao College. I don't claim to be capable of changing the world and bringing world peace, but I, Wang Baole, am an upright man!"
Wang Baole's eyes were welling in tears. He raised his right hand and pounded his chest, producing loud thuds. Every word he said sounded extremely earnest. Many teachers were visibly moved.
The finale was most impactful with Wang Baole laughing out tragically.
"If sacrificing myself to protect others is considered a crime, I admit to it!"
"If being intelligent and sharp is considered a crime, I admit to it!"
"If that is the case, I, your humble student, Wang Baole, am willing to receive any punishment meted out to me!"
Wang Baole's voice boomed loud and clear as he suddenly bowed toward all the teachers!
The entire room fell silent. All the teachers drew a gasp as the looks on their faces changed constantly. They looked at Wang Baole in a daze. Every sentence he said contained righteousness and logic, shaking them to their very core.
The teachers like Goatee, who had seen Wang Baole's acting, felt moved, but they had a nagging feeling that something was amiss.
As for the black-robed man, he squinted and glared at Wang Baole. He wanted to say something but found no words. Although he felt that Wang Baole's statements were flawed, they were tightly bound with righteousness. He was very familiar with such techniques, one commonly espoused by high officials. However, it was rarely seen among students.
The feeling that denying Wang Baole's words meant that he was denying righteousness left him at a loss for words. When he looked at his colleagues, he knew that Wang Baole had survived. He sighed. The puny figure that he believed he could easily squash had suddenly transformed into a prickly porcupine.
The old physician gave a deep, meaningful smile as he closed his eyes.
Soon, Wang Baole walked out of the building. There were thousands of people surrounding it. Many of them were envious of his status as a specially-recruited student; others were gloating at his misfortune. They were planning to see Wang Baole make a fool of himself when a mighty voice boomed from inside the building, resounding throughout the Dharmic Armament faculty!
"According to the college's investigations, the student, Wang Baole, did not violate any rules in the freshmen test. He will retain his status as a specially-recruited student!"
The weathered voice resounded throughout the Dharmic Armament faculty, filled with stateliness. All the students outside the building could not help but jolt when they heard it, especially those who had been gloating prior to the announcement. They widened their eyes and struggled to close their jaws. It was unbelievable.
Instantly, there was silence outside the building. All eyes landed on Wang Baole as they watched him walk out in triumph. His red specially-recruited student robes stood out even more.
Everyone subconsciously took a step back and made way for him. They watched Wang Baole depart, and after a long while, there were audible gasps heard, which developed into an uproar.
"He actually walked out fine!"
"How is that possible? Didn't he cheat? Why did the announcement say that he did not violate the rules?"
Amid the uproar, Liu Daobin stood among the crowd. He was stunned as well. Heroic scenes of Wang Baole's performance in the test and the surprising scene of him pulling out a megaphone in the lecture hall surfaced in his mind.
Truly unfathomable! A moment later, Liu Daobin took a deep breath. He immediately realized that the reason Wang Baole had become a specially-recruited student was definitely not a result of plain luck. He could sense an extraordinary quality from Wang Baole.
Liu Daobin was not the only one stunned. Not far from him, the College Discipline Department seniors that had escorted Wang Baole to the building exchanged looks and saw the disbelief in each other's eyes.
While others were in an uproar, Wang Baole returned to his cave abode. News of the Dao College clarification that he had not violated any rules had been spread throughout the Lower Academy Island over the Spirit Intranet. Everyone that had paid attention to the matter was left shocked and baffled.
Instantly, Wang Baole's name filled the Spirit Intranet. And at that moment, Wang Baole was sitting on his cave abode's veranda, watching the Spirit Intranet with glee. Unlike how he had sullied his own reputation previously, he was feeling very pleased that he was becoming famous.
To become a Federation high official, the people's impression is extremely important. It looks like I have the necessary foundation. Wang Baole beamed with joy, feeling like he was one step closer to his dreams.
However, I must not let my guard down. Wang Baole recalled the black-robed man in the building. His vicious words and actions that were bent on dooming him left Wang Baole's heart palpitating.
This person is a high official of the Lower Academy Island, and I do not know his exact identity. I am in a very passive state. With this thought in mind, Wang Baole rushed to search on the Spirit Intranet. Only when dusk fell did he finally identify the person. His breathing turned rapid.
He's… the Vice-Chancellor! Heavens… Wang Baole's heart began thumping in his chest as he rubbed his eyes. After confirming that he had not seen wrong, he immediately turned nervous. The man's position was too high. From Wang Baole's point of view, the Vice Chancellor of the Lower Academy Island was a relatively high post.
I did not offend him. Does my family have some secret I'm unaware of? Did we once offend him? Wang Baole's thoughts ran wild. It was quite a headache. After a while, he recalled the high officials' autobiographies he had researched. His eyes revealed a look of determination.
Nearly all high officials will encounter political enemies successively in their lives. It can be said that as they rise up the ranks, they will battle their political enemies again and again!
This Vice-Chancellor is probably my first political enemy!
Having designated the man as his political enemy, Wang Baole immediately stopped panicking. Instead, his fighting spirit rose. He began considering the advantages he had as a specially-recruited student.
Although he had not left his residence during the past few days, he had learned about the privileges a specially-recruited student had on the Spirit Intranet. One of the privileges allowed him to go to the Treasure Repository of any faculty and borrow a Dharmic Artifact for free. The lease lasted five years.
With this thought in mind, Wang Baole quickly got up, left his cave abode, and found the Treasure Repository. With his identity as a specially-recruited student, he walked into the Treasure Repository after a series of identity verifications. There were students present, and they immediately recognized him on sight. Although some ignored him and continued their selection processes, most whispered excitedly.
The Treasure Repository appeared ancient. It looked like a five-floor pagoda from the outside, but inside, there were rows of shelves. Placed on them were Dharmic Artifacts filed by the Dharmic Armament faculty.
Some looked inconspicuous, others resplendent. One could see thousands of Dharmic Artifacts at a glance. It also showcased the deep heritage of the Dharmic Armament faculty. After all, every single item was top quality, meant to be rented or borrowed by students.
The rental prices depended on the Dharmic Artifact, but that was something Wang Baole did not need to consider.
Since it's free, I obviously have to borrow an expensive one. After scanning the first floor, he headed straight for the fifth floor under the envious gazes of the students on the first floor. Standing in the empty fifth floor, Wang Baole became increasingly aware of the perks of being a specially-recruited student. He began his selection.
This sword is not bad!
This bell looks beautiful, too.
This glove is good. It's completely silver in color, and it's obvious it's something impressive! After looking around, Wang Baole fell into a dilemma. He liked all the Dharmic Artifacts that were on display. He was momentarily unable to decide. This went on until his eyes landed on a white pillow made of jade. He was instantly attracted to it.
The pillow's name was Hallucination Dharma Pillow. It shared similar effects to the Hallucination Nexus, which was used during the test. It could create illusionary scenes, but due to its low grade, it was difficult to do overly complex things inside. Thus, few people borrowed or rented it. Besides, it was expensive.
If not for his experience with the black mask, Wang Baole would not have taken notice of the Dharma pillow. After some thought, he decided to borrow the Dharmic Artifact.
After registering the rental, Wang Baole left with the Dharma pillow. He was filled with anticipation along the way. He moved increasingly quickly before he began dashing back to his cave abode. He planned on unraveling the black mask's secrets.
In the dusking sky, there was still an evening glow, which spread across Dharmic Armament Peak, seemingly dyeing it with a thin, red veil. The warm colors exuded an indescribable beauty. It was made even better as the night breeze brought away the heat, replacing the area with a coolness. It made many students leave their dormitories and chat happily on the peak.
It was unknown if it was due to the redness of the evening glow that masked Wang Baole's specially-recruited student robes, but as he traversed the mountain trails, not many people noticed him. Instead, there were exclamations as people looked into the distance.
When he looked over, he saw a youth dressed in robes different from a specially-recruited student's. He wore pure white Daoist robes, which seemed to exude an elegant grace. However, he had average looks and was plagued by freckles.
Even so, there were a few female students beside him, their eyes filled with an intense glint.
Other than the girls, there were more than ten other students behind him. They surrounded him, some helping to carry his bag, others carrying Ice Spirit Water for him. The entourage was walking over from afar.
"It's the Head Prefect!"
"The Head Prefect of Spirit Stone Hall, Jiang Lin!"
Unlike the way they treated a specially-recruited student, all the surrounding students, regardless of gender, immediately went forward to greet the white-robed youth the moment they saw him. They were respectful and polite, as though they had met a teacher. It made the white-robed youth appear to have a noble air about him. He nodded in acknowledgment before departing with his entourage.
He had seen Wang Baole, but it appeared that to him, there was no difference between ordinary and specially-recruited students. One that was not a Head Prefect was simply a younger pupil and not his equal.
Wang Baole widened his eyes as he watched the departing white-robed Freckles. He felt a little green with envy, believing that Freckles had stolen his limelight.
What's a Head Prefect? Wang Baole snorted and lowered his head to open up the Spirit Intranet. He searched for the information while walking back to his cave abode. But as he did so, his breathing slowly turned abnormal. By the time he returned to his cave abode, he was completely shaken.
This… This is a Head Prefect?
Head Prefects were those who were ranked first on the Hall Roll of each faculty. The number of halls determined the number of Head Prefects. For example, the Dharmic Armament faculty had three main halls, so there were three Head Prefects!
Apart from proving their excellence in their respective halls, Head Prefects had another title: Chancellor Disciples!
The Head Prefects of every faculty were considered disciples of the Chancellor. They addressed each other as senior and junior brothers. They were different from their fellow students. Aside from that, a Head Prefect had an authority that even specially-recruited students lacked!
Specially-recruited students only enjoyed a few more advantages compared to ordinary students, whereas a Head Prefect… held power in the Dao College. They were in charge of enforcing the college rules and regulations on the students of their respective faculties. Just this power alone left countless students nervous and awed!
This authority was considered extremely powerful in the Dao College. And most important of all, the faculty dean had no right to dismiss the Head Prefect. The reason was that Head Prefects were not appointed, but instead, promoted according to their results.
This was the rule of Ethereal Dao College. Only the Chancellor had the authority to dismiss a Head Prefect, but the altering of the rules was something even the Chancellor would not wish to employ unless it was something extremely vile.
Similarly, with such status and authority, a Head Prefect would not dare turn lazy and complacent. Once they were surpassed by others, they would no longer be first. They would instantly lose their title of Head Prefect and everything that came with it.
Wang Baole's eyes were burning when he read the information detailed on the Spirit Intranet. However, it was extremely difficult to become a Head Prefect. He recalled that the number beside the Head Prefect on the Spirit Stone Hall's Roll was 90. This represented that the Spirit Stones refined had a purity level of 90%.
Unless I can refine a higher purity Spirit Stone than him, it's completely impossible. Wang Baole sighed. He stopped his pangs of envy. He was not a person willing to be envious of others. To him, the reason a Head Prefect could be so impressive was that he had something that was far beyond one's reach.
Wang Baole stopped thinking about it amid regret and his aspirations. He took out the Hallucination Dharma Pillow and the black mask. After some thought, he activated the Dharma Pillow as the scene before his eyes turned hazy. His surroundings changed, and he found himself by an icy river.
A biting cold wind blew at him, jolting Wang Baole.
It's truly realistic. Wang Baole gave his surroundings a quick look. The sky was filled with snowflakes and the ground was covered in ice. He could even see some arctic critters in the distance. Everything looked extremely realistic.
Wang Baole quickly turned his attention back to his right hand. He drew on the experience from before. He had held the black mask in his hand before entering the hallucination realm, so when he lowered his head, he immediately saw the black mask in his hand. It was a blur. Its surface was clear in certain parts and blurry elsewhere. They were intercrossed as though the hallucination realm could not fully decompose its features.
It worked! Wang Baole became excited as he carefully observed. The mask turned stable after some time, but it remained incomplete. However, text that had previously appeared surfaced once again.
Perhaps because he could raise the mask up in front of him or some other unknown reason, the text appeared clearer. After Wang Baole carefully studied the text, he gradually discerned it.
Great Void Qi Devouring Art?
Wang Baole blinked and continued reading until he finished reading all the text. His body turned stiff before it began trembling. His eyes revealed an intense excitement.
Great Void meant the production of something out of nothing. Qi Devouring was something much more potent than Qi nurturing. To be precise, the Great Void Qi Devouring Art was similarly a method used to refine Spirit Stones, but it did not need Empty Stones to be used as vessels. Instead, it could produce Spirit Stones out of nothing by using one's body to devour Spirit Qi!
Due to not having any need for Empty Stones and the different method employed, the art produced Spirit Stones with purities that far exceeded those produced by the Qi Fostering Art! It could even produce the legendary perfect Spirit Stones that only Dharmic Armament grandmasters could refine, not to mention purities at the ninety-percent level. It was no longer an unreachable dream!
This… This… At that instant, Wang Baole immediately dismissed Ethereal Dao College's cultivation technique. The position of Head Prefect filled his excited thoughts while his yearning to be Head Prefect became his motivation. He became fanatical that very instant.
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