“Disciple Shen, what are you doing after this? This old man would like to invite you for a drink, I hear you’re quite the drinker.”
Hearing that, all eyes shot towards the speaker.
It was an Elder that had a chubby physique. He was staring at Li Shen while his heart itching to grab him and take off with him.
He paid no mind to the stares directed at him by his fellow Elders, instead, all of his focus was on Li Shen.
Li Shen was taken aback by this and opened his mouth to respond, however, he was suddenly cut off by a yell.
“NO! Old third you fat pig, what are you trying to do?! Didn’t you hear disciple Shen is on his way to complete a mission for the academy?!”
Turning to Li Shen the speaker then said.
“Disciple Shen, how about I accompany you along on that mission? Perhaps I can “oversee” your mission so you don’t get in danger. After all, you can’t risk your life to get that thirty percent share of resources. With me “overseeing” your mission why not aim for a bigger percentage?”
As that old man spoke he would wink one of his eyes at Li Shen every time he said oversee, hinting at the fact that as a respected Elder and a Nascent Realm expert, he was willing to lower himself to help him subjugate a low-tier secret base full of Foundation Realm Demonic Cultivators.
However, another Elder quickly interjected.
And with that, the hall devolved into chaos. These six old men with spittles flying everywhere began arguing with each other over who Li Shen would see after this meeting. All while they drop not-so-subtle hints of giving him some benefits.
Meanwhile, Lin Dong and the other Faction Leaders had their mouths agape, wondering if these old men fighting over the attention of an Inner Disciple were really respected and revered Elders of the Sword Pavilion.
Lin Dong's scalp went numb as this was even worse than the outcome he had envisioned.
Not only did Li Shen reveal his ability to restore Disciples' talents, but he also showed the possibility of even improving these old bats' foundations!
Lin Dong as well as the others all felt a sort of gloominess wash over them as they watched the Elders argue.
Li Shen’s importance to them just shot up to unbelievable heights. But who were these people?
They were the Elders of the Sword Pavilion in the Inner Academy as well as people part of the decision-making in the entire Sword Pavilion.
No! Wait!
Lin Dong and the others' faces turned even paler.
Aren’t there nine Elders in the Sword Pavilion, and this was just six of them?!
Shivers.
Not to mention other old men like them in the other Divisions. If they catch wind of Li Shen’s Soul Art ability…
Lin Dong’s brain stopped working, he and the others can’t even comprehend the whiplash they’ll face when this news gets out.
“Alright, calm down.”
Ye Fei’s voice echoed out, and despite being soft it brought with it the weight of a mountain, forcing the hall into silence.
With that, Ye Fei let out a sigh before he said.
“I guess there’s no need to continue further with this trial? Disciple Shen has stated his loyalty to the Academy, I can’t imagine him using coercion methods to poach our disciples to join the Li Royal Family. And after all, disciple Shen has been working independently of his family. So, this trial is over with disciple Shen found not guilty.”
Ye Fei then stood up before he continue.
“Disciple Shen, see me after this on my mountain in the Conclave Academy. Postpone your mission to head outside.”
Ye Fei then went to walk away but an Elder suddenly yelled indignantly.
Hearing that the other Elders who were silenced by Ye Fei realized his intentions and shout in protest as well.
Ye Fei almost tripped over his feet when he heard these old men.
Cough Cough.
Ye Fei regained his composure as he coughed a bit and then said.
“No, it’s not like that. Do you think I’m like you old farts that had teachers that couldn't discipline you? My Foundation is stable so I have no need for disciple Shen’s ability.”
The Elders hearing this had on scowls, but remembering who Ye Fei’s Master was they couldn’t deny that his words were maybe somewhat true.
Ye Fei seeing the effects of his words nodded in a dignified manner but was secretly smirking in his heart.
‘Haha, you old farts might be my seniors but you’re still lacking when compared to me!’
After praising himself, Ye Fei grabbed onto Tai who was just about to make his escape before he teleported away.
He left the Elders feeling bitterness in their hearts.
Li Shen stood up and cupped his fists towards the Elders and Head Deacon before he turned to leave.
Everyone watched as he left, their gazes all having different emotions.
Especially Lin Dong, he was grinding his teeth causing it to be audible to anyone near him.
Frowning, Sua Yuming turned to him and spat.
“Thanks a lot.”
She then walked away before taking out her jade slip.
If it wasn’t for him setting up this situation in the first place Li Shen wouldn’t have bothered revealing that he possessed such an ability. Now that he have they had to deal with the repercussions.
The others all shot Lin Dong with similar discontented looks. Well, except for a burly Huang Fu. His expression was casual during all of this.
Lin Dong snorted at that. How could he have known Li Shen would have something like this up his sleeves?
They're showing anger towards him now, but he bet if he had succeeded in removing Li Shen from the Academy or at least from his position as Faction Leader, they would have been dancing with joy.
After snorting, Lin Dong took out a jade slip as well.
Whatever happens in the academy from now on wasn’t looking good for any of the Major Clans.
It was similar to when Fu Wei had been here, his hand had encompassed the entire Sword Pavilion and 2/3 of the entire Academy. Suppressing the voices of the Major Clans and almost bringing the Celestial Academy back under the Li Clan’s rule.
The day he left was when they all released the breath they were holding.
But now, his little brother they thought wouldn’t amount to anything revealed similar intentions.
They had to shift their focus onto him since he was now a threat that deserved the same attention as Fu Wei did.
They were done looking down on him for being a useless prince that couldn't cultivate.
However, the thought of them being too late couldn’t help but cross their minds.