"Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy?"
Mister Hao smiled faintly, looking at Mu Chen, as if understanding something, and nodded.
"Ah, then it's up to you."
The reason Mu Chen chose the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy seemed to be partly due to that girl, Luo Li, but that was not something Mister Hao needed to concern himself with. With Luo Li's current talent and strength, entering the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy would certainly make her a dazzling star. Although Mu Chen was also quite good, if he hadn't completed the final step on the Spiritual Road, it would be difficult to compare him with those prodigies who had gloriously emerged from it; the difference was not small at all.
But Mister Hao also knew that this difference would sooner or later be compensated for by him, because he knew very well that if it weren't for that incident, the final assessment on the Spiritual Road for Mu Chen would surely have been "King."
"Where are you two going?"
Mister Hao turned to look at Mo Ling and a disciple from the West Courtyard.
"I'm also going to the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy."
Mo Ling scratched his head, speaking awkwardly. After all, the Five Great Academies were an unfathomable and mysterious power to him, but with his trust and slight reliance on Mu Chen, he felt that following Mu Chen might make life a bit easier.
"I'm joining the Martial Spiritual Academy."
The disciple from the West Courtyard quickly replied.
Mister Hao nodded. So, the enrollment list for the Northern Spirit Academy was clear: two for the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, two for the Azure Sky Spiritual Academy, two for the Myriad Phoenix Spiritual Academy, one for the Martial Spiritual Academy, and one for the Saint Spiritual Academy.
"You have two months to prepare. Two months from now, return to the Northern Spirit Academy, and I will lead you to a gathering place for the Five Great Academies. There, you will meet new students from all four directions who have been admitted, and there is also an examination waiting for you. If your performance in the examination is too poor, you might even lose your spot. The danger is not small, so use these two months to cultivate and improve a bit more."
Mister Hao casually instructed the admitted disciples.
Chen Fan heard this and secretly groaned in his heart. Sure enough, the Five Great Academies were not that easy to join, and there was another harsh examination.
After Mu Chen heard this, his heart stirred. So, he might meet Luo Li there?
"Alright, you all performed very well in today's battle. Everything is over now. Go back. Two months from now, remember not to be late, not even by a single day."
Mister Hao waved his hand and slowly turned to leave.
At this moment, Chen Fan, Huo Yun, and Mo Ling finally let out a sigh of relief. Liu Mu Bai's gaze coldly swept over Mu Chen, then he furiously slammed his sleeve and left, looking extremely angry.
"Hmph, losing and still being so arrogant."
Chen Fan was also quite dissatisfied with Liu Mu Bai, pouting in mockery. He cheerfully turned to talk to Mu Chen.
"Mu Chen, it seems we'll be separated from now on. Hahahaha, the two of us at the Azure Sky Spiritual Academy will work hard to cultivate. I know that competition in the Five Great Academies is fierce. Be careful, or next time we meet, I might surpass you."
Mu Chen also smiled. The Five Great Academies were not small academies like the Northern Spirit Academy. They gathered outstanding talents from all four corners of the world, and it was not a simple matter to showcase one's abilities there.
Chen Fan, Huo Yun, and Mo Ling all secured their spots. They were extremely excited, chatting animatedly with Mu Chen for a while, then called their friends to go eat. Finally, only two beautiful girls remained with him.
"Congratulations!"
Hong Ling said with a slightly complicated expression. His performance today could be said to be the brightest star in the sky; who would have imagined that the strongest expert of the Heavenly Realm in the Northern Spirit Academy would suffer such a crushing defeat at his hands?
The ordinary boy from her memories was now becoming dazzlingly brilliant.
"I also congratulate Senior Sister Hong Ling."
Mu Chen smiled in return, then suddenly noticed Tang Tian'er's small, resentful face and smiled as he asked,
"Senior Sister Tian'er, winning a spot is a joyous occasion, why do you look so gloomy?"
"Are you that happy to be separated from me?"
Tang Tian'er pouted in annoyance.
Mu Chen smiled helplessly; at this moment, it seemed best to keep his mouth shut.
"Are you very close to that Luo Li?"
Tang Tian'er asked, her tone somewhat resentful, having clearly noticed Mu Chen's unusual expression when that name was mentioned.
"She's a friend from the Spirit Road, and just as beautiful as Senior Sister Tian'er."
Mu Chen said with a smile.
Tang Tian'er blushed and snapped,
"Such a glib tongue! Humph, when I enter the Myriad Phoenix Spirit Academy, I will definitely focus on cultivation. When we meet again, I will certainly represent the Myriad Phoenix Spirit Academy and utterly defeat that disciple of your Northern Heavens Spirit Academy."
"In that case, I beg Senior Sister Tian'er to remember our time together in the Northern Spirit Academy today and go easy on me."
Mu Chen put on a weak facade, cupping his hands and bowing to plead.
"Bah!"
Tang Tian'er looked at his appearance and almost burst out laughing, quickly covering her mouth with a soft giggle. Her clear, bell-like laughter made Mu Chen's tired body feel comfortable.
Liu Mubai, with bloodshot eyes, returned to meet Liu Qingtian. The entire group from the Liu Territory left the arena with grim faces, not forgetting to cast a dangerous glance at Mu Feng and Mu Chen before disappearing.
"Father, what do we do now?"
After leaving the square, Liu Mubai could no longer hold back and blurted out the question. He was extremely unwilling; he had prepared so thoroughly to win that seed spot, only to fail at the last minute!
Liu Qingtian's eyes were malicious:
"Mu Chen has obtained a seed spot. Once he enters the Northern Heavens Spirit Academy, he will definitely receive many benefits. With his talent, I'm afraid his future achievements will be considerable, which would be a huge disaster for us."
"Then..."
Liu Mubai had to admit it; Mu Chen was indeed very dangerous.
"What's there to fear? Even if he has a seed spot, what if he doesn't make it to the Northern Heavens Spirit Academy?"
Liu Qingtian growled each word viciously:
"As long as we destroy the Mu Territory, then Mu Feng and Mu Chen are dead for sure. Although Mu Chen received a spot, the conflict between the Liu Territory and the Mu Territory is a battle of powers. Even the Five Great Academies cannot say anything about such an event. War requires bloodshed; if a small beast dies, who dares to demand fairness?"
Liu Mubai's eyes widened, also showing fierce malice:
"So when do we make our move?"
"No rush, aren't there still two months?"
Liu Qingtian narrowed his eyes and sneered:
"Your grandfather is about to come out of seclusion. As long as the old man successfully breaks through to the Three Thousand Realm, the Mu Territory will just be a pile of mud for us to trample and torment. I must give the Mu Territory a big surprise, lest they get wind of it and arrange for Mu Chen to escape. That would be a disaster for us that cannot be left behind."
Liu Mubai nodded vigorously.
"This matter, if we don't do it, then so be it. But if we do, we must pull out the roots! Absolutely no future troubles!"
Liu Qingtian cackled as he glanced back at the plaza one last time, then waved his hand and departed.
"Mu Feng, you and your son can just wait to die in blissful ignorance!"
With the conclusion of the quota competition, Mu Chen stayed at the Northern Spirit Academy for one day before returning to Mu Domain with Mu Feng. As soon as they stepped out of the teleportation array, Mu City was adorned with lanterns and festive decorations, the atmosphere as joyful as a grand festival. This was because Mu Chen, the young master of Mu Domain, had brilliantly secured a seed quota for the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, a truly celebratory piece of news for Mu Domain.
"Haha, Little Mu is truly excellent! He has brought great honor to our Mu Domain. He is the first person in the Northern Spirit Realm to ever obtain a seed quota!"
Zhou Ye and the others approached, his usual grim and stern expression completely gone, replaced by an extremely bright and joyful demeanor.
Hearing Zhou Ye's praise, Mu Chen scratched his head and chuckled.
"Alright, alright, I'm tired of hearing about this matter for the past few days."
Mu Feng smiled and waved his hand, then suddenly his expression turned serious as he said, "In the coming days, you must maintain high vigilance for me. Liu Domain lost the seed quota like that, and with Liu Qingtian's temperament, he certainly won't let it go easily."
Zhou Ye understood and nodded, quickly relaying the order downwards.
Returning to Mu Mansion, Mu Chen attended the celebratory banquet, then went back to his room. He stretched and twisted his body; indeed, the past month had been incredibly exhausting.
"In two months, I might be able to see her, right? I wonder if anything has changed over time..."
Mu Chen murmured to himself, his face showing signs of longing. With Luo Li's strength and talent, coupled with her Spiritual Road assessment, she would receive top-tier treatment at any spiritual academy. Yet, she still chose the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy. No one else knew the reason, but he knew it as clear as day.
"She has completed her Spiritual Road training; her strength is probably far greater than mine."
Mu Chen sat up abruptly. "This won't do. It would be too embarrassing to be so far behind her. Besides, she is so beautiful; outstanding talents will surely line up to pursue her."
On the Spiritual Road, he could protect her, but now it was different. Therefore, he couldn't be complacent because of today's small achievement!
Mu Chen took a deep breath, suppressed the fatigue in his body, and began to concentrate his mind, urging the Great Pagoda Art to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, entering a state of cultivation.
Suddenly remembering something, his consciousness sank into his body, flew to his Qi Sea, penetrated within, and silently stood looking at a certain spot.
There, a mysterious black paper silently floated, and above it was an enigmatic Mandala flower, its petals forming a beautiful purple cage. Inside that cage was the Nine Netherbird.
He stared intently at the Nine Netherbird, hesitated for a moment, then quietly transmitted a gentle thought into the cage.
As soon as the benevolent thought entered, the Nine Netherbird, which had its eyes tightly shut, suddenly stirred. Its sharp eyes burst open, radiating a powerful, ferocious aura. Its wings spread wide, and it fiercely lunged towards Mu Chen.
"Boom!"
It collided with the petals, causing the cage to shake and tremble. Its fierce eyes seemed to want to devour Mu Chen's consciousness alive.
Mu Chen was startled by it. After all, he couldn't keep it trapped like this forever. A giant bomb hidden in his body was very dangerous; he didn't know when it would explode. Perhaps at that time, it might shatter his body into nothingness. Therefore, the sooner this problem was resolved, the better.
After much deliberation, he felt that negotiation was the only option, but whether it would be effective, perhaps only heaven knew.
Nevertheless, a drowning man will clutch at a straw!