Chapter 1897: The Black Demon Secret Realm
The so-called Black Demon Secret Realm was not truly a secret realm. It was actually the edge of five different planes. Everyone knew that the plane they lived in had been carved out by a great expert, allowing each side to develop on its own. Therefore, every plane had its own barrier.
However, no one knew that in the empty spaces between the barrier points, there existed a Black Demon Secret Realm. The demons there were not demonic cultivators. To describe them accurately, it was a base for evil demons.
Because of the power of a certain great expert, those evil demon bases had been sealed. Only after Elder Wu spoke did they realize that the seal on the evil demon base had likely cracked long ago. The reason everyone could live so peacefully now was because the teachers and students of the Sage Academy were constantly working hard to maintain it.
"It has been like this for five thousand years. Do not think that because we recruit students from many planes, it is easy to find students who are both wise and brave," Elder Wu said calmly.
"Originally, someone suggested that the schools of your four planes should join us. But the ancestors of our Sage Academy believed that if you joined, your students might lose their lives. So, they decided we would go first.
If our Sage Academy eventually perished, someone would naturally notify you. By then, you could step in to resist.
But now, I feel that the ancestor’s good intention was actually a confused choice. You should have participated from the beginning. Only then would you understand the true necessity of cultivation and the true responsibility of a cultivator."
Hearing Elder Wu’s words, Guan Feng and the other three elders felt ashamed. They had secretly mocked the Sage Academy for its decline. Now they realized it was not the Sage Academy that had declined, but themselves. No matter how well their academies were run, if disaster struck this world, their pampered students would be the first to suffer.
"After this competition, let some of them go to the Black Demon Secret Realm," Guan Feng said.
The other three elders looked at Guan Feng, wanting to speak, but ultimately said nothing.
Guan Feng looked at the three elders and said, "I do not know what plans your academies have. I intend to send people. My students have become arrogant. If I do not give them some setbacks, they will never understand that there are always people better than themselves. Sending them to the Black Demon Secret Realm is actually a good thing for them."
Guan Feng did not yet know how to change his students' mindset, but he understood one thing: going to the Black Demon Secret Realm might be a great opportunity for these students to break through.
Of course, it was unlikely that everyone would return safely. Many students might fall there. But even if they fell, they would at least understand that the world did not exist because of them; rather, they existed because of the world.
Guan Feng seemed to have an epiphany. His heart moved, and he found that his cultivation, which had been stagnant, was slowly circulating again.
She understood. It was because of her selfishness that she had led the Shangmo Academy astray, and thus her cultivation had stagnated. This was Heaven’s punishment. Now that she realized her mistake, as long as she changed, her cultivation would naturally improve. This was Heaven’s reward.
She understood and felt enlightened. This was the fate of a cultivator. A cultivator’s struggle was not against others, but against oneself. Only by defeating oneself could one become a truly qualified cultivator.
Watching Guan Feng leave with the other three elders, the Medical Elder looked at Elder Wu and asked, "You revealed the secret of the Black Demon Secret Realm to them today. Are you not afraid that the Dean will hold you responsible when you return?"
"I am not afraid at all," Elder Wu said with a smile.
"Moreover, our Dean said that our existence as healers is to cure people’s illnesses and heal the flaws of the planes, not to charge into battle.
Therefore, the other four academies should also enter this war. Only by truly winning this war can the various planes develop properly. We cannot rely solely on the Sage Academy patching holes here and there."
Speaking of this, Elder Wu sighed, "Besides, I fear that in not long, some of the seventeen of them will also have to go there. It is hard to part with them."
The Medical Elder also sighed, "Every five hundred years, a batch is sent. Fewer and fewer people are sent, but we have already sent many. However, it is truly difficult to find new students."
"Let’s take it one step at a time. I feel that there will be a miracle in this generation," Elder Wu said slowly.
"Really?" The Medical Elder’s eyes lit up. He knew that besides his high cultivation, Elder Wu was skilled in divination, and it was quite accurate.
"Yes. I cast a hexagram before coming. I found that vitality lies within this situation of nine deaths and one life. That is why I spoke as I did today.
The Dean also said that perhaps this thread of vitality can open a great path for us. So, he asked me to find a way to pull the other four academies into this. Today, the opportunity presented itself. Who asked them to come to us?"
Although Elder Wu appeared very direct, and his behavior seemed like that of a martial artist despite not looking like one, he was actually very careful inside. Otherwise, he would not have deliberately spoken as he did. And indeed, the effect was very good.
The Medical Elder patted Elder Wu’s shoulder and said, "Not bad, not bad."
Elder Wu directly slapped away the Medical Elder’s hand. "Stop patting my shoulder."
"If I do not pat your shoulder, how can I show my admiration for you?" The Medical Elder smiled, his tone full of teasing.
Elder Wu waved his hand, deciding to ignore him.
Another day passed, and the semi-finals and finals began.
It was very simple. They drew lots. Those who drew zero were given a bye, and those who drew the same number became opponents.
The result of the draw was that Shen Yang received a bye.
Zhu Yanyi was matched against Qiao Wenjian. This made Jian Feiyan and Ouyang Tianyun sigh helplessly. But well, they could not avoid it, so they played rock-paper-scissors again. Ouyang Feiyun won, and Jian Feiyan happily hopped off the stage.
Ouyang Feiyun had to sit with Shen Yang, waiting for the match between Zhu Yanyi and Qiao Wenjian.
Zhu Yanyi looked at Qiao Wenjian and sighed. This person was so stubborn, yet she happened to meet her.
Zhu Yanyi looked at Qiao Wenjian and asked, "What do you want to compete in?"
Qiao Wenjian looked at Zhu Yanyi and said, "I am good with a spear." After speaking, she took out a red-tasseled spear.
It was indeed a red-tasseled spear, but the red tassels gave a different feeling. Clearly, the material was not ordinary red tassel fringe.