Chapter 41: Turbulence Upon Entering the Mansion

"Wow, is this really the Taichu Martial Academy?"

"It's so much more beautiful than the outside world. Even the air feels clearer and easier to breathe."

In a slowly moving carriage, Xiao Yu poked her head out, looking around with a face full of joy.

The surroundings were lush with greenery and wreathed in mist. The concentration of spiritual energy alone was several times higher than in the outside world. There were even many herbivorous animals grazing and looking up from the sides of the carriage path, adding a touch of vitality to the quiet trail.

Luoyun Peak, one of the smaller mountains within the Taichu Martial Academy, was a designated residential area for disciples. Mu Feng had earned the right to live here by passing the three rounds of assessments. Other disciples, of course, did not enjoy such superior living conditions.

Furthermore, every disciple who joined the Taichu Martial Academy was allotted one spot to bring along an attendant or family member. After all, the disciples arriving at the academy were sons and daughters from major powers, and the academy generally did not interfere too much in their private lives. However, these attendants were strictly forbidden from entering the training zones.

Mu Feng had naturally used his spot for Xiao Yutong. As for Xiao Yu, she had been brought in by Jia Zhuangxian.

"Hmph, see? I told you I could get you in, but you didn't believe me."

"It’s a real pity, though. If I didn't have to leave this spot for you to serve the Young Mistress, I could have given it to some other pretty lady. I could have been enjoying myself every single night!"

Jia Zhuangxian said with a cheeky grin, causing Xiao Yu to roll her eyes in annoyance.

"Alright, alright." Mu Feng waved his hand with a smile, cutting off their bickering. "Xiao Yu, help Yutong settle into the courtyard first. Zhuangxian and I are going to report in."

With that, he headed toward the central plaza of the Taichu Martial Academy with Jia Zhuangxian in tow.

Along the way, seeing the surrounding disciples with their exceptionally high cultivation levels, Jia Zhuangxian looked on with deep envy. He was only at the fifth level of the Qi Condensation Realm, which felt rather pathetic by comparison.

Before long, the two arrived at the central plaza. Countless new disciples who had just joined the academy were gathered there. The arrival of Mu Feng and his companion immediately drew numerous gazes.

"Wow, is that Mu Feng? I heard he defeated a disciple from the Sword Sect during the entrance assessment. His strength is extraordinary."

"Heard? It’s the truth! He was at the Spirit Entrance Realm and fought someone in the Profound Yellow Realm! If Jiang Wuying hadn't intervened, Xiao Ruoxin would have been done for!"

"He's a total monster. How many people in the entire Taichu Martial Academy could defeat someone in the Profound Yellow Realm while still at the Spirit Entrance Realm?"

The crowd murmured, their previous disdain and contempt now completely vanished. Defeating a first-level Profound Yellow Realm cultivator while at the ninth level of the Spirit Entrance Realm was an unprecedented feat, even within the halls of the Taichu Martial Academy.

Just then, a wave of confusion rippled through the crowd.

"Who is that guy? I've never seen him before."

"Why is he only at the fifth level of the Qi Condensation Realm? How can someone with such a low cultivation level get into the Taichu Martial Academy?"

"I heard he got in through an exemption quota. He’s the one with the lowest cultivation among those who were exempted. I think his name is Jia Zhuangxian."

Hearing the surrounding gossip, Jia Zhuangxian couldn't help but lower his head. In the past, even though he wasn't a martial artist, no one dared to criticize him because he was Mu Feng's lackey. But now, here at the Taichu Martial Academy, no one cared about such things.

"Don't pay any mind to their words. You just need to be yourself," Mu Feng said, patting Jia Zhuangxian’s shoulder with a smile of comfort.

Jia Zhuangxian managed to squeeze out a faint smile. "I understand, Young Master."

At that moment, a figure with a malicious expression, surrounded by a group of followers, stepped forward.

"Yo, when did the threshold for the Taichu Martial Academy become so low that they’re even admitting disciples at the fifth level of the Qi Condensation Realm?"

"Mu Feng, don't tell me you’re abusing your authority to bring in just anyone? If you ruin the reputation of the Taichu Martial Academy, who will you answer to?"

Xuan Yuanting held a folding fan, eyeing Jia Zhuangxian with a mocking expression. In terms of martial arts, he was no match for Mu Feng, but he had plenty of ways to make Mu Feng’s life miserable.

Seeing who it was, Mu Feng sneered. "Young Master Xuan, Zhuangxian joined through the proper channels. There is no such thing as 'bringing in just anyone.' Besides, you didn't even pass the second round of assessments. Everyone knows who is more embarrassing here."

"You!"

Xuan Yuanting’s face turned incredibly dark. He wanted to retort but didn't know how. As the son of a general, failing to even make it to the third round had indeed infuriated his family. Mu Feng’s words had struck him right where it hurt.

*Thump.*

A dull sound echoed as a hand rested firmly on Xuan Yuanting’s arm. A tall, imposing figure stepped out from behind him. The man emanated a deep, heavy aura, his spiritual power surging with terrifying intensity. Just looking at him brought a suffocating sense of pressure.

"It’s him! Tuoba Heng, ranked ninety-eighth on the Heaven's Pride List!"

"I heard Tuoba Heng's father is a high-ranking official in the imperial court, the same faction as Xuan Yuanting’s father."

"Birds of a feather, indeed. If Mu Feng has offended this group, he’s going to have a hard time here."

Seeing the newcomer, the onlookers cast pitying glances toward Mu Feng. Despite Mu Feng’s formidable talent, he was still far too weak to contend with government-backed scions who had real influence.

"So, you are Mu Feng?" Tuoba Heng looked down at Mu Feng, his eyes cold and sharp.

"Any advice?" Mu Feng smiled faintly, cupping his hands in a polite gesture.

"Keep a low profile after entering the academy. If you have any more dealings with Ji Tu, don't blame me for bullying the weak," Tuoba Heng said coldly.

The threat in his words was heavy, making those around him shudder.

"What our Young Master does is none of your business. You’re just a loudmouth, mind your own affairs!"

Jia Zhuangxian, already in a foul mood, couldn't help but snap back at the man’s arrogance. Seeing someone as insignificant as a fifth-level Qi Condensation cultivator daring to speak to him in such a tone, Tuoba Heng’s expression darkened instantly.

"You're courting death!"

As the words left his lips, a powerful blast of energy swept toward Jia Zhuangxian. It was a terrifying strike from the Profound Yellow Realm, leaving Jia Zhuangxian with no way to dodge.

*Boom!*

Purple flames erupted suddenly, blocking the path in front of Jia Zhuangxian.

"Senior Brother Tuoba, isn't it a bit excessive to use such heavy force against a newly admitted disciple?" Mu Feng stood with his hands behind his back, flames raging beside him, his expression cold.

"What? You’re not convinced?"

"Do you think that just because you managed to defeat Xiao Ruoxin, you have the qualifications to bark at me?"

"I am not some waste who just stepped into the Profound Yellow Realm with an unstable foundation."

A murderous glint flashed in Tuoba Heng’s eyes. Mu Feng felt the same. Although Tuoba Heng was at the second level of the Profound Yellow Realm, killing him would merely be a bit of a nuisance.

Just then, a powerful, resonant voice cut through the tension between them.

"Welcome, all of you who have come from afar, to the Taichu Martial Academy!"

Seeing Elder Xiong arrive, Tuoba Heng withdrew his aura and cast a cold glance at Mu Feng.

"You should be grateful that Elder Xiong arrived early today, otherwise, you would have paid the price for your insolence."

With that, he turned and strode away. Watching Tuoba Heng’s retreating back, Mu Feng’s eyes narrowed, his inner murderous intent surging.

"Grateful?"

"The one who should be grateful is not me, Mu Feng—it is you!"