“Old fart, do I really need to lie to you?” Lu Jun scoffed quietly at Master Lu.
“This is confidential information—only the Dean and a few grand elders know about it.
If you don’t believe me, go ask the Dean yourself!” Master Lu stared at Jiang WuShang, his eyes flickering with shock.
“If that’s true…
then his martial comprehension is far higher than anyone could have ever anticipated.” While they spoke, word of the divine golden light inside the library spread like wildfire across the academy grounds.
Within minutes, a massive crowd gathered outside and around the perimeter of the ground floor.
“Who is he?
Is he an intern or an elite genius from Class A1?” someone in the crowd whispered loudly.
“Can’t you see the token at his waist?
He’s an intern instructor!” another replied.
“And word is he’s assigned to teach Class C9.
He just joined today!” “Assigned to C9?!
How is that possible?
With talent capable of triggering a Sudden Enlightenment, why would he be assigned to the lowest class?!” “Look at him!
He’s flipping through those technique scrolls so fast—it’s like he’s just skimming pages, but the golden aura around him keeps growing stronger!” As the commotion swelled, senior instructors, department masters, and even grandmasters began arriving at the scene.
“A rare seedling…
a truly rare seedling,” a deep, resonant voice echoed through the floor.
An elderly man in embroidered white robes stepped through the crowd.
Master Lu turned, his eyes widening in surprise as he bowed with the utmost respect.
“Greetings, Grand Master Bai!” Grand Master Bai nodded politely.
“Master Lu, you’re here as well?” “I happened to be nearby when he entered the enlightenment state, so I came over to guard him,” Master Lu explained.
Grand Master Bai looked at Jiang WuShang, then turned his gaze back to Master Lu, frowning slightly.
“Master Lu…
can you tell me why a talent like him was assigned to teach Class C9 instead of Class A1?
Did he offend someone on the board?” Master Lu sighed quietly.
“It was Master Mu who handled his assignment today.
Master Mu claimed that all upper-tier classes were already filled, so he could only assign him to Class C9.” “Good…
very good!
Master Mu has certainly done Azure Academy a grand service!” Grand Master Bai sneered coldly, his temper rising.
“Master Lu, who is currently assigned to teach Class A1, and what is his talent rank?” “It is Intern Jiang Bai,” Master Lu answered honestly.
“His natural talent root is Mortal High-Rank.” “So the Vice-Dean is pulling strings behind everyone’s backs again,” Grand Master Bai said, his voice dropping into a dangerous chill.
“It seems certain people are beginning to treat the core rules of this academy like a joke.” “I dare not make assumptions,” Master Lu replied cautiously.
“Don’t worry.
The Dean and I share the same stance on this matter,” Grand Master Bai said firmly.
“I will head to the Dean’s quarters immediately to clarify this situation.
You stay here and guard this boy.
Ensure no one interrupts his enlightenment!” “Understood,” Master Lu nodded.
Inside his heightened realm of consciousness, Jiang WuShang picked up another ancient scroll from a dusty back shelf.
What’s this?
An unranked manual?
He flipped through the first half.
Even with the Enlightenment Card active, I can only decipher sixty percent of this content!
What grade is this scroll?
A Heaven-Rank manual…
or something beyond?
He pushed his cognitive processing to the absolute limit, scanning the remaining text.
God Rules?
True God Body Formulation?
What does any of this mean?
System, do you recognize this technique?
[Ding!
Analysis Complete: This is a remnant primordial body-refining manual.
Its classification exceeds standard God-Rank techniques.] Before Jiang WuShang could delve deeper, the six-hour duration of the Enlightenment Card finally came to an end.
The golden aura surrounding his body slowly faded back into his skin.
Opening his eyes, Jiang WuShang blinked, returning to normal perception—only to find hundreds of eyes staring directly at him from all directions.
Confused, he walked over to Lu Jun.
“Brother Jun…
why are there so many people standing around?” Lu Jun rolled his eyes.
“You remained in a state of Sudden Enlightenment for six whole hours on the ground floor!
And you’re asking me why they’re here?!” Jiang WuShang rubbed his nose awkwardly.
“Ah…
I didn’t think reading a few books would cause such a massive scene.” Lu Jun leaned in, asking with intense curiosity, “Brother Jiang, tell me the truth…
how many martial manuals did you actually manage to master during those six hours?” Jiang WuShang offered a calm, effortless smile.
“Every single manual present on this ground floor.
If I could access the upper floors, that would be even better.” In truth, every technique on this floor is now etched into my mind like the back of my hand, Jiang WuShang added mentally.
I can break down, recombine, and merge these concepts at will to create custom techniques for myself and my disciples.
“What a boastful liar!” a sharp, disdainful voice cut through the air.
A handsome young man dressed in lavish golden robes stepped out from the crowd, his chin raised arrogantly.
“I thought you were some kind of grand genius, but it turns out you’re just an arrogant braggart!” Lu Jun’s eyes narrowed as he stepped forward.
“And who are you to show such arrogance toward my Brother Jiang?
Whether he mastered all the manuals or not, what does it have to do with you?!” The young man sneered.
“Uncultured country bumpkins.
As expected, you don’t even know who I am.
I am Jiang Bai—the intern instructor of Class A1!
Now do you understand who you’re talking to?” Jiang WuShang looked at him, a strange, creepy smile creeping onto his face.
“Oh…
I thought it was someone important, but it’s just a Mortal High-Rank talent root user—Jiang Bai.” “Presumptuous!” a loud, authoritative shout echoed from behind the young man.
Master Ma stepped forward from the crowd, glaring at Jiang WuShang.
“How dare you address the Young Prince directly by his birth name?!
Are you seeking death?!” Jiang WuShang’s smile broadened, turning dangerously cunning.
“Master Ma, if I’m not mistaken, royal titles carry zero weight inside Azure Academy.
Or is the Royal Clan attempting to challenge the absolute authority of Azure Academy?
If that’s the case…
Master Ma, are you declaring a rebellion?” Master Ma’s face turned green with rage.
“What utter nonsense are you spouting?!
Who is rebelling?!” “Then why can’t I address him by his name?” Jiang WuShang asked innocently, his voice carrying clearly across the silent library hall.
“Unless…
you’re prioritizing his royal status over academy law?
That would make you a spy planted by the Royal Clan!
Rebellious intent is bad enough, but acting as an enemy spy inside the academy…
that’s a death offense, isn’t it?” The surrounding crowd instantly burst into frantic hushed murmurs.
“Wait…
Master Ma is a spy for the Royal Clan?!” “Did he betray Azure Academy?!” “Think about it!
Intern Jiang Bai only has a Mortal High-Rank talent root, yet he was handed Class A1…
and Master Ma is enforcing royal hierarchy inside the library!
Something really is wrong here!” [Ding!
Host Gained 5 Emotion Points!] [Ding!
Host Gained 5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 50] “ENOUGH!” A thundering, pressure-laden voice echoed from the library entrance, instantly crushing the surrounding chatter.
A middle-aged man in vice-presidential robes stepped through the archway, his eyes cold with killing intent.
“Vice-Dean!” Master Ma gasped in relief.
He scrambled forward, bowing deeply while pointing a trembling finger at Jiang WuShang.
“Vice-Dean!
Look at the mess this insolent brat has caused!
I suggest we expel him immediately!
We cannot allow such a disruptive element to remain in our academy!” The Vice-Dean looked down at Master Ma coldly.
“Master Ma, explain clearly.
What mess has he caused?” “He…
he disrupted the peaceful order of the Azure Library!” Master Ma claimed hysterically.
“And when Intern Jiang Bai confronted him, he blatantly disrespected both Intern Bai and me!
He has no respect for his elders and is spreading treacherous slander about the academy’s masters!” The Vice-Dean turned his piercing gaze toward Jiang WuShang, his voice dropping to a freezing chill.
“Intern Jiang…
is what Master Ma says true?
Did you cause trouble here?” Jiang WuShang remained unfazed, bowing slightly with an easygoing smile.
“Vice-Dean, may I ask Master Ma to clarify exactly how I disrespected him or Intern Jiang Bai?
If I truly broke academy regulations, I will willingly accept any punishment.” The Vice-Dean glanced back at Master Ma.
“Tell him.
How did he disrespect you?” Master Ma pointed angrily.
“He addressed Intern Bai by his personal name without respect!
And he openly slandered me as a traitor and a Royal Clan spy!
He insulted a prince and spread wild rumors!” The Vice-Dean looked back at Jiang WuShang.
“Intern Jiang, how do you explain this?
You are indeed at fault for failing to show proper etiquette.” “Vice-Dean, may I ask a quick question regarding academy regulations?” Jiang WuShang asked smoothly.
“Speak.” “If I address Master Ma directly by his name without his title, is that considered misconduct?” “Yes,” the Vice-Dean answered.
“A junior intern addressing a Master by name violates elder respect rules.” “And if I address Intern Lu Jun by his personal name…
is that misconduct?” Jiang WuShang asked, pointing to Lu Jun beside him.
“No,” the Vice-Dean replied.
“Why is there a difference?” Jiang WuShang smiled.
“Because of status,” the Vice-Dean stated firmly.
“Interns share equal rank and may address each other casually.
But an intern cannot address a Master by name.
That is an established rule of Azure Academy.” Jiang WuShang clapped his hands together once.
“Exactly!
So how did I disrespect Intern Jiang Bai?
Has he already passed the Master Examinations and been promoted to a Master without anyone knowing?” Master Ma’s face flushed red.
“B-But he is a Royal Prince!
Addressing him casually is a direct insult to his royal blood!” Jiang WuShang turned his gaze back to the Vice-Dean, his smile sharpening into a razor blade.
“Vice-Dean…
after joining Azure Academy, does royal status hold any official authority over academy hierarchy?” “No,” the Vice-Dean answered coldly, his brow furrowing as he realized the trap.
“Then why is Master Ma insisting that because Intern Bai is a prince, I am forbidden from addressing him as an equal intern?” Jiang WuShang stated, his voice echoing through the entire hall.
“If Master Ma isn’t placing royal authority above the academy’s laws, what is he doing?
And why is he so eager to expel an Earth-Rank talent like me to protect a Mortal-Rank prince?
If that isn’t acting like a Royal Clan spy, then what is it?!” [Ding!
Host Gained 5 Emotion Points!] [Ding!
Host Gained 5 Emotion Points!] [Total Emotion Points: 60] “You…
you’re twisting words!” Master Ma yelled in panic.
“When did I put the Royal Clan above the academy?!
How does that make me a spy?!” The Vice-Dean raised a hand, cutting off Master Ma’s panic, though his own expression remained icy.
“Intern Jiang, Master Ma’s wording was merely improper.
This is clearly a minor misunderstanding.
Let us drop this matter here—you are making a grand fuss over a trivial issue.” “Drop it?” Jiang WuShang let out a soft, dark chuckle.
“Oh, Vice-Dean…
you’re mistaken.
We’re only just getting started.” He glanced past the Vice-Dean toward the upper balconies of the library, his eyes glinting with an unmistakable, wicked smirk.
“Greetings, Dean.
Since you’ve been watching from the shadows this whole time…
why don’t you step out and join us?”