Chapter 341: Academy Competition, Grand Elder’s Teaching

"We won't help Zhou Chen directly, but we can spread the word that the grudge between Zhou Chen and the Jiang Family is a personal matter, and our Academy will not interfere."

"However, if any third-party power dares to intervene and help the Jiang Family, they will be making an enemy of the entire Jixia Academy."

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of several Elders lit up.

"Brilliant!"

"This way, we aren't directly involved, yet we've clearly shown our stance to the outside world."

"It will be basically impossible for the Jiang Family to find external help now."

Bai Chongming nodded with satisfaction.

"Then let's do it. Release the news immediately."

"By the way, where is Zhou Chen now?"

An Elder replied, "Reporting to the Vice Palace Master, Zhou Chen returned to the Academy three days ago and is currently in secluded cultivation."

Bai Chongming smiled. "This kid is certainly calm."

"Anyone else who made such a big name for themselves would have been showing off everywhere by now."

"Alright, let him rest well. The Academy Competition is in ten days. With his strength, ascending to Core Disciple shouldn't be a problem."

Jixia Academy, Elite Disciple area.

Inside Zhou Chen's Immortal Cave.

Zhou Chen sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, a palm-sized model of a flying ship floating before him.

The flying ship was bronze throughout, its hull covered in dense runes, radiating an ancient and powerful aura.

This was the Top-Grade Venerable Rank flying ship—Xianyou Ferry—which he had intercepted from Jiang Beichen's Opportunity and received back through the System's ten-thousand-fold return.

Zhou Chen reached out to touch the ship, and a stream of information flooded into his mind.

[Xianyou Ferry: Top-Grade Venerable Rank flying ship, refined by an ancient Immortal. Can accommodate ten thousand people and contains an independent space. Its flight speed is extremely fast, its defense is staggering, and it can withstand a full-strength strike from a powerhouse at the Tenth Layer of the Venerable Realm.]

A flash of satisfaction appeared in Zhou Chen's eyes.

With this flying ship, his future movements would be much more convenient.

Moreover, the internal space of this ship was massive; it could be used entirely as a mobile fortress.

However, talking about speed without mentioning endurance is just being a rogue. In terms of cost-effectiveness, the Top-Grade Emperor Rank xuanyuan ferry was still more economical and practical, and it wouldn't be too flashy.

"Not bad, another trump card."

Zhou Chen put the flying ship into his storage ring, stood up, and walked out of the Immortal Cave.

Just as he stepped out, he saw Bai Mo standing outside.

"Senior Brother Bai," Zhou Chen greeted with a smile.

When Bai Mo saw Zhou Chen, a complex expression appeared on his face.

A few months ago, he was an Elite Disciple of the Academy, while Zhou Chen was just a newcomer who had just entered the gates.

But now, their statuses had completely reversed.

Not only did Zhou Chen's strength far surpass his, but even his fame crushed his own.

However, Bai Mo's mindset was decent, and he quickly adjusted.

"Junior Brother Zhou, has your seclusion ended?"

Zhou Chen nodded. "It just ended. I happened to be looking for Senior Brother Bai for something."

Bai Mo smiled. "I was also coming to find you."

"The Academy Competition is in ten days. This competition concerns the slots for Core Disciples, so I came to remind you to prepare early."

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhou Chen's eyes.

Academy Competition?

He really had almost forgotten about that.

But on second thought, this was an Opportunity.

He was currently an Elite Disciple; although his status wasn't low, his resource allocation still couldn't compare to a Core Disciple.

If he could promote to Core Disciple, he would not only obtain more resources but also further consolidate his position in the Academy.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Bai. I will prepare well," Zhou Chen said.

Bai Mo nodded, and after a moment of hesitation, added, "Junior Brother Zhou, you must be careful during this competition."

Zhou Chen raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

Bai Mo lowered his voice. "Within the Academy, not everyone wants to see you promoted to Core Disciple."

"Some people feel that your growth rate is too fast and will threaten their positions."

"So… they might pull some tricks during the competition."

Hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Zhou Chen's eyes.

As expected, a tall tree catches the wind.

He had been too prominent lately, which would naturally arouse jealousy and dissatisfaction in some people.

However, Zhou Chen didn't care.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother Bai, but I am not afraid," Zhou Chen said indifferently.

"Whoever dares to come, I will beat them down."

Looking at Zhou Chen's confident expression, Bai Mo gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

True, with Zhou Chen's current strength, who else in the Academy could threaten him besides those few Core Disciples and Elders?

"Then I wish Junior Brother Zhou a triumphant victory," Bai Mo said, cupping his fists.

Zhou Chen nodded and watched Bai Mo leave.

He turned back into his Immortal Cave and began to think about his next arrangements.

Jixia Academy, Scripture Pavilion.

Zhou Chen stood before the Scripture Pavilion, looking at the towering ancient pagoda before him, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

He came this time to use his Opportunity to exchange for a Cultivation Technique.

Although he already had a top-tier technique like the Great Void Eight Desolations Formless Scripture, learning more secret arts and Divine Abilities was never a bad thing.

Furthermore, he wanted to take this chance to listen to the Grand Elder's teaching.

The Grand Elder was the true stabilizing force of Jixia Academy, with unfathomable strength, said to have already reached the Quasi-Immortal Realm.

A teaching from a powerhouse of this level was a rare Opportunity.

Zhou Chen walked into the Scripture Pavilion. The old man guarding the door glanced at him and nodded for him to enter.

"Zhou Chen?" the old man spoke.

"It is I," Zhou Chen cupped his fists.

"I heard you want to use your chance to exchange for a technique and also wish to listen to the Grand Elder's teaching?" the old man asked.

Zhou Chen nodded. "Correct."

The old man was silent for a moment before saying, "The Grand Elder has already agreed. In three days, at the Dao Enlightenment Cliff on the Academy's back mountain, he will give a lecture for you once."

A flash of pleasant surprise appeared in Zhou Chen's eyes.

The Grand Elder actually agreed?

One must know that powerhouses of this level are usually in secluded meditation on the Dao and rarely show their faces.

To receive his personal teaching was simply a massive Opportunity.

"Thank you, Senior," Zhou Chen performed a solemn salute.

The old man waved his hand. "No need to thank me; this is what you deserve."

"Go on. You can browse the first five floors as you wish. Whatever you want to learn, just take it."

After thanking him, Zhou Chen walked into the Scripture Pavilion.

As soon as he entered the Scripture Pavilion, Zhou Chen felt a dense scent of books.

The surrounding bookshelves were filled with various ancient texts and Secret Manuals of Cultivation Techniques.

Every book emitted a faint spiritual light, clearly not ordinary items.

Zhou Chen wandered between the bookshelves, casually flipping through various techniques.

Mystic Heaven Palm, a Medium Grade Emperor Rank palm technique with impressive power.

Flowing Cloud Steps, a Low Grade Emperor Rank movement technique with extreme speed.

Heavenly Heart Formula, a High Grade Emperor Rank Mind-Cultivation Technique that can enhance Divine Soul strength.

These techniques would be the prized treasures of major powers in the outside world, but in Jixia Academy, they were just ordinary collections on the first five floors of the Scripture Pavilion.

Zhou Chen was in no hurry to choose and continued walking upward.

Second floor, third floor, fourth floor…

The higher he went, the higher the grade of the techniques, but the quantity also decreased.

However, these techniques were of little use to Zhou Chen.

Thus, Zhou Chen began to read information regarding the treasures and secrets of the Tianxuan Continent.

Learning more common knowledge would prevent him from being unable to utilize an Opportunity after intercepting it, which would be a total joke.

Time flew by.

Three days later.

Jixia Academy back mountain, Dao Enlightenment Cliff.