C18 The Rules Can be Changed

Beize was taken aback by Lin Xi's actions; he had never expected the newcomer to attempt a bribe.

Yet, his face betrayed nothing as he continued to observe Lin Xi in silence.

But when Beize discovered that the Storage Ring contained a staggering thousand top-grade Spirit Crystals, he was visibly shocked.

A thousand top-grade Spirit Crystals!

Beize struggled to maintain his composure, realizing that the quality of these crystals far surpassed the annual stipend provided by the academy.

Lin Xi, perceiving the shift in Beize's demeanor, explained, "Senior, it was purely self-defense. He threw the first punch and nearly killed me, so..."

With a grave expression, Beize discreetly pocketed the Storage Ring, murmuring, "I understand, completely."

Lin Xi chose to say no more, letting his actions speak for themselves.

The unspoken truth was clear to all.

If you stand atop the hierarchy of power, the rules serve you. If your wealth is vast, the rules can be bent in your favor. But if you lack both power and wealth, the rules are custom-fitted to bind you.

Beize then returned with Lin Xi to the gathered crowd, announcing, "I've looked into the matter. This young man acted in self-defense. Yun Yi brought this upon himself."

Elder Soong stood there, dumbfounded, and managed to utter, "Vice Dean..."

Beize turned to Elder Soong, imparting his wisdom, "Elder Soong, one mustn't rush to judgment without a thorough investigation."

"Dismissed!"

With that, Beize soared away, followed closely by the Law Enforcement Hall guards.

Elder Soong was left behind, bewildered by the turn of events.

Sima Shangqing gave Lin Xi a knowing look and said, "Let's head back."

Taking Lin Xi's hand, she confidently led him away, leaving the onlookers in a state of astonishment.

Elder Soong watched Lin Xi's departing figure, lost in thought for quite some time.

...

Back in the hall, Sima Shangqing couldn't hide her astonishment after hearing Lin Xi's confession, exclaiming, "You're saying you bribed him!"

Lin Xi simply nodded.

"How much?"

"One thousand top-grade Spirit Crystals," Lin Xi replied.

Sima Shangqing, with a mix of disbelief and admiration, gave Lin Xi a thumbs-up. "You really are loaded!"

In the next moment, Sima Shangqing spoke with gravity, "Why did you kill him today? Even if he was harassing Ye Yuen, his actions didn't warrant death."

Lin Xi shook his head. "People always want to advocate for the underdog. If I weren't strong today, Yun Yi would have certainly killed me. It's the law of the jungle; strength is the ultimate currency."

"In truth, I didn't intend to kill him at first. I thought crippling him would suffice, but he harbored a murderous intent towards me. If I had let him go, he would have become a future problem. I was merely nipping a potential threat in the bud."

Lin Xi went on, "Besides, there are many more like him pursuing Ye Yuen. Today, I made an example of one to send a clear message: Ye Yuen's fiancé, myself, is not to be trifled with."

"It saves a lot of trouble down the line."

Sima Shangqing felt a shiver in her heart listening to Lin Xi's rationale. "You truly are a dangerous individual."

Lin Xi was aware that Sima Shangqing disapproved of his actions, yet he was certain that, given another chance, he would make the same choices.

Without further comment, Sima Shangqing sighed and turned to leave.

Upon entering the clouds, she found someone already waiting for her.

It was Vice Dean Beize. He handed her the Storage Ring that Lin Xi had used to bribe him, saying, "The boy's talent is commendable, but his methods are excessively harsh. Out of respect for you, I'll let today's incident slide."

Sima Shangqing accepted the Storage Ring, her silence speaking volumes.

Beize continued, "His methods may be harsh, but the young man's heart isn't corrupt. You should guide him well and ensure he doesn't stray."

Sima Shangqing responded, "Lin Xi's character has been shaped by his life experiences. His decisiveness is a means of survival, though some of his views are indeed too radical."

Beize added, "Still, a man ought to have some fire in him. Yun Yi got what he deserved, but remember, he was just bait put out by someone else. Be wary of the one pulling the strings."

With an impassive face, Sima Shangqing declared, "If anyone dares to lay a hand on Xi, I will eradicate his entire lineage!"

Beize couldn't help but let out a wry smile. "There's a reason Lin Xi became your disciple. You two are cut from the same cloth, neither of you can stand to be at a disadvantage."

With those words, Beize vanished in a flash, disappearing into the clouds.

...

Inside the hall, Lin Xi gazed quietly at the sky, understanding Sima Shangqing's intentions. She was concerned he might be too vulnerable, but Lin Xi believed that strength was the foundation of influence. Only by becoming stronger could he protect those around him.

Lin Xi cleared the jumbled thoughts from his mind. His drive to become stronger was not just for himself, but also for those who depended on his protection.

...

At dawn, within the hall.

Lin Xi gripped the Myriad Dao Sword, practicing the One-sword Spell, a sword skill he had sought from Ms. Loong Yuv the day before. This technique emphasized a single strike that could determine victory or defeat, life or death.

This sword skill required no Heart Method, no set movements, and had no fixed level. It was all about the essence of the sword, the mindset of the Sword Dao.

Lin Xi discovered that this technique not only demanded an understanding of the Sword Dao's mindset but also honed one's presence and aura.

He dedicated the following days to mastering this sword skill.

To Lin Xi, the sword was an instrument of death.

To wield it was to deal death.

In the midst of his Sword Dao studies, Lin Xi also explored Celestial Azure Academy, learning about the three most exceptional students: Ye Yuen, a disciple of Sima Shangqing; Su Ding, a student of Gu Dian; and Kuan Yuan, under the tutelage of Zhuh Maohe.

These were the three supreme talents of the academy.

Besides Ye Yuen, the other two had already ascended to the Black Tortoise Stage!

Additionally, the position of Chief Student for this generation at Celestial Azure Academy remained unfilled.

The Chief Student, simply put, was the leader of all the students, with the authority to oversee them and even command a portion of the academy's military forces.

More than just authority, becoming the Chief Student was akin to being the next dean, with access to a wealth of cultivation resources significantly expanded.

After Lin Xi finished reading, he found himself reflecting on the events of that day. He was certain that no one would come looking for trouble without a reason; there had to be a purpose behind their visit.

It might have been related to Ye Yuen, but Lin Xi suspected that wasn't the main issue. He recalled that Su Ding, the eldest son of the Su family from Celestial Azure City, was studying under the tutelage of Gu Dian.

The coincidences seemed too orchestrated to be accidental.

The conflict between the Su family and Lin Xi was far from resolved.

Nevertheless, Lin Xi wasn't overly concerned. He had his own strategies, but he preferred not to overexert himself. He adhered to a simple principle: respond to challenges as they come.

With these thoughts, Lin Xi tossed aside the book he was holding and asked, "Ms. Loong Yuv, do you have an advanced Heart Method? I'm aiming to advance to the Black Tortoise Stage."

Loong Yuv responded with a cold indifference, "No."

Undeterred, Lin Xi pressed on, "I'm sure you have one. Could you please share it with me?"

Her demeanor remained frosty as she repeated, "No."

"Scrooge," he muttered under his breath, "I'll just have to figure it out on my own."

Lin Xi felt a twinge of frustration. Although Ms. Loong Yuv often went to great lengths to assist him, he couldn't shake the feeling that she was keeping secrets. He refrained from prying further, trusting that she would disclose everything when the time was right.

Resigned to his situation, Lin Xi stepped out of the grand hall, determined to secure a Cultivation Heart Method and ready himself for the upcoming challenge of reaching the Black Tortoise Stage.