Once the disciples had completely dispersed, Qin Ning was already standing at the counter. Xu Tongtian cleared his throat and stepped forward.
“You are Qin Ning, aren’t you?”
Xu Tongtian tried his best to remain calm, looked at Qin Ning, and said with a slight smile, “Have you come to receive your accommodation arrangements as an inner court disciple? Let me arrange it for you!”
Hearing this, Tang Yuan, who was struggling between the window bars, immediately stiffened.
“Did I hear that right?”
Tang Yuan was dumbfounded.
A dignified honorary elder, a Spirit Soul Realm expert, actually said he wanted to personally arrange accommodation for an inner court disciple?
What a joke!
“That works!”
Qin Ning said softly, “That way, I can avoid troublesome people.”
Xu Tongtian immediately waved his hand and said with a smile, “In that case, let’s go to my study to talk!”
“Alright.”
The group left with Xu Tongtian.
Tang Yuan was utterly bewildered.
What had he just seen?
Just now, an honorary elder like Xu Tongtian had looked like a gatekeeper disciple of the Spirit Pavilion inviting a distinguished guest to visit the academy.
That posture, those words, were simply… unusually respectful.
Why?
Was it because Qin Ning had won first place in this inner court trial?
That was impossible!
Just a new disciple who had passed a minor inner court trial, what was that in the eyes of an honorary elder, especially a Spirit Soul Realm master?
Tang Yuan scratched his head, unable to understand why this was happening!
Within the Heavenly God Academy, in the Heavenly God Institute, there was a tall mountain, upon which many palaces and temples were erected.
But at the very peak of the mountain, a simple thatched hut stood tall.
Outside the thatched hut, in front of a stone table, a figure in black sat silently.
In a flash, the sound of wind tearing through the air rang out again.
Another figure appeared in front of the stone table. This person wore a golden dragon robe, and an imposing aura slowly emanated from him.
“Tian An, you haven’t sought me out in many years!”
The middle-aged man who had just appeared spoke first.
“Ming Yong, you’ve been busy taking care of the Beiming Empire these past few years, how dare I disturb you!”
The two looked at each other and chuckled, their voices extremely calm.
“Speak, what is it?”
“It’s simple, I want to ask you about… the Eight Desolate Fiery Dragon Guard, and the activation of the Level 4 Spirit Gathering Array in your Beiming imperial palace.”
As soon as Institute Head Tian An said this, Emperor Ming Yong’s eyes flashed.
“Don’t misunderstand!”
Institute Head Tian An continued, “Was that matter caused by a young man named Qin Ning? Is that why you didn’t bother to dispute it when King You was deposed?”
“What?”
Emperor Ming Yong’s expression changed repeatedly.
Seeing Ming Yong remain silent, Institute Head Tian An continued, “Just a few days ago, the Four Symbols Sacred Pillars opened, the Azure Dragon Sword emerged, killing three honorary elders in my institute.”
Ming Yong let out a soft ‘oh,’ his face full of surprise.
As the emperor of the empire, he hadn’t even known about such a major event.
“I suppressed that matter!”
Institute Head Tian An said with a smile, “After all, that matter was too shocking. If the news were to spread, I’m afraid the Beiming Empire would no longer have a place on this Nine Nether Continent.”
“Was it Qin Ning who caused it?”
“Oh, it seems I guessed correctly!”
Institute Head Tian An sighed.
“Who exactly is that Qin Ning?”
"I don't know!" Emperor Ming Yong said truthfully, "But I advise you, that kid, don't provoke him!"
"I'll also tell you, he understands the history of the Northern Ming imperial family better than an emperor like me."
"The Eight Desolations Blazing Dragon Guard, the Level 4 Spirit Gathering Formation, and the Four Symbols Sacred Pillars, he... understands them to a terrifying degree."
"Towards him, I can only act cautiously. Even the choice of who inherits the crown prince position, I cannot but follow his wishes."
As soon as these words were spoken, Dean Tian An was greatly astonished: "Is that true?"
"The Eight Desolations Blazing Dragon Guard, burning away the eight desolations, with infinite power. If he can activate this formation, then if he wanted to kill both you and me, it would be as easy as eliminating weeds!"
"It's more than just that!"
Tian An said with a bitter smile, "Just one Four Symbols Sword Spirit within the Four Symbols Sacred Pillars could kill both of us."
Both fell silent for a moment.
It was like an unspoken understanding.
Whether it was the Four Symbols Sacred Pillars or the Eight Desolations Blazing Dragon Guard, they were all legacies left by their ancestors.
The progenitor, Tian Qing Shi.
Emperor Ming Yuan.
In those years, they were leaders standing at the pinnacle of the entire Nine Nether Continent.
And now, what they passed down is related to a sixteen-year-old youth.
Moreover, this youth knows more secrets than their descendants, even... holds them firmly in the palm of his hand.
"Since that's the case, I think, what about... the Profound Ming Grand Formation..."
As soon as Tian An uttered these words, Emperor Ming Yong's expression immediately changed.
"If he also knows how to activate the Profound Ming Grand Formation, then the Northern Ming Empire in this lifetime will surely rise!" Emperor Ming Yong said nervously, "And your Heaven God Academy will become a radiant light shining ten thousand zhang across the Nine Nether Continent, on par with the legacy of the ancient progenitor."
The Profound Ming Grand Formation!
Four simple words, yet they contained so many mysteries!
If this formation were to be exposed, the empires, high kingdoms, and even the powerful kingdoms across the entire Nine Nether Continent would certainly not allow the Northern Ming Empire a single day of peace.
"Regarding this, you should go and ask him!" Dean Tian An couldn't help but urge.
"Ask?"
Emperor Ming Yong gave a bitter laugh, "Haven't you seen his attitude? Do you dare to ask?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Dean Tian An's expression also darkened.
Indeed, that kid's eyes always sparkled with arrogant confidence, as if even if the sky were to fall, it would have nothing to do with him.
And he acted according to his mood. Even if this dean personally stepped forward, he wouldn't care, in fact, he had never shown respect.
But no one had any way to deal with him!
That kid held the secrets of the Four Symbols Sacred Pillars in his hand. With a single command, the sword spirit would pierce through any corner of the Northern Ming Empire and immediately strike down. Who would dare to touch him?
The two strongest figures in the Northern Ming Empire were, at this moment, completely helpless before a sixteen-year-old youth.
Emperor Ming Yong slowly said, "Regarding this, we shouldn't ask too much. Let's observe the situation first."
"Since Qin Ning has stayed at the Heaven God Academy, you must be careful and ensure that unrelated people don't get involved and provoke him."
"Who knows, if he feels happy, he might tell us the secrets of the Four Symbols Sacred Pillars and the Eight Desolations Blazing Dragon Guard."
Dean Tian An nodded.
Although this matter was unimaginable, for now, this was the only way.
Tens of thousands of years ago, how mighty was the Beiming Empire?
How glorious was the Heavenly God Academy?
But now...