Chapter 385: A Grand Gift
"No problem, it must be due to the spirit isolating formation. As long as Zi Yan is confirmed to be in Beicang Spirit Academy, we'll head straight there."
Beicang Continent, Teleportation Array.
Perhaps because Xiao Tiance had read the original The Great Ruler, he had a favorable impression of Beicang Spirit Academy. As for Zi Yan's safety, he wasn't too worried. Having consumed the Dragon Phoenix Fruit, Zi Yan now possessed Dragon Phoenix bloodline a bloodline far stronger than even the Taixu Ancient Dragon. Anyone with an ounce of insight would first consider subduing her rather than destroying her.
Xiao Tiance waved his hand, leading his group into the void once again.
At the same time, within Beicang Spirit Academy, an aged white bearded elder suddenly halted his cultivation. Opening his eyes, he gazed in the direction of Xiao Tiance's arrival and frowned.
"Such powerful presences... could they be here for that girl, Zi Yan?"
The elder stood up and flashed toward a spirit formation, quickly entering it.
"Headmaster!"
Beiming Longkun greeted the elder respectfully.
"No need for formalities, Beiming," the Beicang Headmaster waved dismissively. His gaze landed on Zi Yan, who was glaring at him with a mix of defiance and irritation.
The headmaster smiled.
"I just sensed several powerful presences heading toward our academy. If these people are your teachers, they should have the strength to protect you."
"Hmph! Old geezer, if my teacher really comes, I'll make him help me beat you up!" Zi Yan retorted, clearly displeased.
But the headmaster remained unbothered, smiling as he explained:
**"Little Zi Yan, I know you're upset, but understand this my actions are for your safety.
If not for Beiming's speed, you would have been targeted by the Molong Palace. They wouldn't treat you as kindly as I have."**
"Hmph! Old geezer, you just want me to be your academy's guardian beast. Don't think I don't know Beiming Longkun already told me!" Zi Yan shot back, her tone full of annoyance.
Both the headmaster and Beiming Longkun chuckled in response.
In truth, when Zi Yan was first brought to Beicang Spirit Academy, they had considered making her the academy's guardian beast. However, after learning she had a teacher, they abandoned the idea.
The lie about her becoming a guardian beast was merely a ploy to keep Zi Yan confined. Her mischievous nature made it likely she would have escaped otherwise.
Additionally, during her journey with Beiming Longkun, the two discovered that Zi Yan's body was naturally absorbing spiritual energy and converting it into a unique form of internal power. This made it nearly impossible to avoid detection by the Molong Palace.
Since Beicang Spirit Academy was not as powerful as the Molong Palace, a full scale attack would result in heavy casualties even if the academy managed to hold its ground. Left with no other choice, the headmaster resorted to imprisoning Zi Yan within a spirit isolating formation.
"What's so funny? There's nothing funny about this!" Zi Yan snapped, glaring at the two elders who were still laughing.
Though she appeared to be an adult, her personality was still that of a playful and straightforward child. Whatever was on her mind was always spoken aloud.
"Nothing at all, Little Zi Yan. If your teacher is truly here for you, you can leave with them when they arrive."
As the headmaster spoke, Beiming Longkun explained the entire situation to Zi Yan, who reluctantly believed him. She still felt frustrated but decided not to express hostility.
After all, despite being confined, she had been well fed and cared for during her time at the academy.
As Zi Yan mulled over her situation, both Beiming Longkun and the headmaster suddenly sensed an approaching presence. The two immediately left the spirit formation and appeared midair.
"Who dares trespass upon Beicang Spirit Academy? Entering so boldly isn't this a bit excessive?"
The headmaster's voice, infused with spiritual energy, reverberated through the academy.
In an instant, the academy buzzed with activity. Nearly all Sovereign level experts took to the skies, standing alongside the headmaster and Beiming Longkun.
"Headmaster! Beiming!"
More than ten Sovereign level experts appeared and bowed simultaneously.
At this moment, Beicang Spirit Academy was much stronger than when Mu Chen had first arrived in the original story. Back then, the academy had relied almost entirely on Beiming Longkun's strength to maintain its status.
Now, however, Beicang Spirit Academy was undoubtedly the strongest among the Five Great Academies.
As they floated midair, the experts of Beicang Spirit Academy turned their attention to the void. Moments later, several figures emerged from the spatial rift.
"Such terrifying presences! They haven't even released their auras, yet just one glance makes my spirit tremble uncontrollably," a Fifth Grade Sovereign muttered to himself, barely able to maintain his composure.
Weaker Sovereigns nearly fell from the sky.
"I am the headmaster of Beicang Spirit Academy. Greetings, esteemed visitors. May I know the purpose of your visit to our humble academy?"
The headmaster bowed respectfully, breaking the oppressive silence.
Xiao Tiance smiled faintly and nodded.
**"I am Xiao Tiance. I have come in search of my disciple, Zi Yan.
According to our information, Zi Yan was brought here by Beiming Longkun. If I have acted rudely, I offer my apologies."**
At that moment, Ling'er transmitted her voice to Xiao Tiance.
"Young Master, Zi Yan is indeed within that spirit formation."
Hearing this, Xiao Tiance nodded inwardly but chose not to forcibly break the formation. Instead, he smiled and returned the headmaster's salute.
The headmaster and Beiming Longkun exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise.
They could sense two Eighth Grade Sovereigns and two Peak Earth Sovereigns among the visitors.
However, they couldn't discern Xiao Tiance's strength, which meant he was likely a Heavenly Sovereign.
Realizing this, the headmaster quickly bowed again.
**"It is an honor for Beicang Spirit Academy to receive Lord Tiance.
Your esteemed disciple, Zi Yan, is indeed in our academy."**
As soon as the words left the Beicang Headmaster's mouth, he made his move, swiftly dismantling the spirit formation confining Zi Yan.
Under everyone's gaze, a beam of light shot into the sky before diving straight into Xiao Tiance's embrace.
"Wah! Teacher, you've finally come! Zi Yan missed you so much!"
Xiao Tiance held Zi Yan in his arms, a warm smile spreading across his face. Though Zi Yan had only become his disciple after he achieved Dou Di, she had always been a cherished student.
To be Xiao Tiance's disciple meant complete acceptance into his inner circle. The affection he showed Zi Yan in the years leading up to his departure from the Dou Qi Continent rivaled that shown to Zhu Kun.
This attachment explained why, upon seeing Xiao Tiance, Zi Yan immediately leaped into his arms.
"Alright, alright, didn't I come to get you?" Xiao Tiance gently patted Zi Yan's back, speaking with a smile.
"Hmph! You're still late!" Zi Yan pouted, her tone playful.
"Hahaha!"
On the side, Xiao Xuan and Xiao Tianming couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Hearing their laughter, Zi Yan felt slightly embarrassed. She quickly released Xiao Tiance and gave an awkward salute.
"Lord Xuan Emperor, Lady Empress, Uncle Tianming!"
"Haha, you little rascal," Xiao Xuan replied with a doting smile.
During their time in Tianwaitian, Xiao Xuan and Xiao Tianming had also grown quite fond of Zi Yan. When Xiao Tiance secluded himself to study how to break through the spatial passage, Xiao Xuan and Xiao Tianming had often taken Zi Yan on wild adventures across the Dou Qi Continent.
"Lord Tiance, now that you've arrived, I'll return this child to you. Since you've come from afar, why not let me play host to express our hospitality?" the Beicang Headmaster asked respectfully.
"Haha, very well!" Xiao Tiance nodded in agreement.
Soon, the group was seated in Beicang Spirit Academy's reception hall. The decor was simple, not luxurious, but it carried an academic charm befitting a teaching institution.
After everyone took their seats, Beiming Longkun personally served tea and sat beside the Beicang Headmaster.
"Lord Tiance, our academy's budget is modest, so we only have this simple tea. I hope you won't mind," the Beicang Headmaster said with a polite smile.
"Haha, it's fine. I don't concern myself much with such things," Xiao Tiance replied with a smile.
"My purpose in coming here was simply to retrieve my disciple. I apologize again for barging into Beicang Spirit Academy."
Xiao Tiance had always believed in reciprocating respect. Although his strength far surpassed that of the Beicang Headmaster, and even Xiao Tianming alone could render the headmaster helpless with the tools and arrays Xiao Tiance had provided, he was not one to flaunt power unnecessarily.
To someone who had saved his disciple, Xiao Tiance maintained nothing but courtesy.
Hearing this, the Beicang Headmaster's impression of Xiao Tiance improved considerably.
Initially, when Zi Yan had threatened to call her teacher to punish him, the headmaster had worried Xiao Tiance might be an unreasonable brute.
Now, meeting him in person, the headmaster felt a wave of relief.
**"Lord Tiance, I'm glad you understand. When Beiming brought Zi Yan back, she was targeted by our long time rival, the Molong Palace.
Thanks to Beiming's speed, we safely brought her back. However, the Molong Palace's strength is not inferior to ours in fact, their top tier combat power surpasses ours.
They are ruthless and will use any means to achieve their goals.
Zi Yan's body automatically absorbs spiritual energy, constantly converting it into internal energy. Without a spirit isolating array, her presence would have been easily discovered.
Thus, I had no choice but to confine her within the spirit formation. If any of this was inappropriate, I hope you can forgive me."**
The Beicang Headmaster decided to explain himself fully. Although he had come to understand Zi Yan's playful yet kind hearted nature, he couldn't gauge Xiao Tiance's personality. It was better to clear up any misunderstandings upfront.
**"Haha, thank you for your thoughtful actions, Headmaster. Rest assured, I am not an unreasonable person.
Not only were your actions intended to protect Zi Yan, but your academy also took care of her. I have no reason to fault you.
In fact, I have prepared a small token of gratitude for your efforts."**
Xiao Tiance smiled warmly as he finished speaking. With a simple thought, a golden figure suddenly appeared in the hall.
"Hiss! A Lower Earth Sovereign?"
Both the Beicang Headmaster and Beiming Longkun were shocked. At first, they thought Xiao Tiance was about to make a move, but upon closer inspection, they realized the golden figure, while exuding the aura of a Lower Earth Sovereign at its peak, lacked any trace of life.
Even Xiao Xuan, Gu Xun'er, Xiao Tianming, and Chen Yunqiao were astonished.
As owners of similar Heaven Demon Puppets themselves, they fully understood their value.
Yet Xiao Tiance had given away such a priceless treasure just because the academy had saved Zi Yan a gesture almost too generous to believe.
"Teacher!" Zi Yan exclaimed.
Though she hadn't seen such a powerful Heaven Demon Puppet before, she knew its value far surpassed the resources of the entire Beicang Spirit Academy.
Seeing Zi Yan's surprise and reluctance, Xiao Tiance smiled and motioned for her to stay silent.
Turning back to the Beicang Headmaster, Xiao Tiance explained:
**"Headmaster, this Heaven Demon Puppet was personally refined by me using the corpse of an Earth Sovereign and rare metals.
Currently, its strength is at the peak of Lower Earth Sovereign, but its combat abilities rival those of a newly ascended Upper Earth Sovereign.
As you saved my disciple, Zi Yan, I offer this Heaven Demon Puppet as a token of gratitude. Please accept it."**
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