Dao Ming did not answer him, but observed carefully.
Seeing the young girl’s clear and organized demeanor, like a little fox, Qin Si’s phoenix eyes flashed with a hint of amusement, and he replied, "Naturally, it will be handled according to the rules."
"If academy elders abuse their power for personal gain, coerce and lure, or slander students, it has a major impact on the academy. Minor offenses will result in the removal of the elder's position and confinement to the Cliff of Reflection, while severe cases will lead to expulsion from the academy, with the academy cleaning its own house," Ling Yue, who had been silent, said quickly.
Yun Ying’s heart trembled, and she glared fiercely at Ling Yue.
Ling Yue stood with his head lowered, as if the person speaking was not him, but his mind was racing.
Alas, I finally found a chance to speak. Yun Ying, this lunatic, is so annoying.
"I believe the academy will be just and fair," Bai Shengyi said, looking at Qin Si with a half-smile.
Qin Si replied, "Of course."
He looked at Yun Ying, his gaze instantly turning icy. Even if the academy didn't provide justice, he would seek justice for the young girl.
"Very well, I, Bai Shengyi, swear that I did not kill Jin Lingyun, Jiang Ruomei, and Yun Youyue." Bai Shengyi said crisply. As spiritual energy flowed, her oath was formed, and she remained unharmed in her spot.
Li Shiqing, Zhu Wu, and Feng Wuya also took their oaths one after another. Jin Lingfeng glanced at Yun Ying’s somber expression and followed suit by taking an oath.
"Yun Ying, go to the Cliff of Reflection yourself," Wen Jiuyin said, shaking his head. It is her own fault; there is no one to blame. Now, even Senior Xi Lou would not dare to protect you.
"No… impossible…" A chill swept up Yun Ying’s back. She instinctively looked at Xia Xilou for help, her voice mournful and wronged, "Senior Xi Lou…"
Xia Xilou let out a light sigh, "Junior Sister, you go first. Let me discuss it properly with the Junior Brother…"
"Does Vice Dean Xi Lou mean to find a way to let Elder Yun escape punishment?" Bai Shengyi’s loud voice pierced through Xia Xilou’s intentions. After speaking, she lowered her head again, feigning an appearance of having spoken out of turn and being afraid.
But her words continued, "So, are we students supposed to be slandered and forced to take oaths? As Vice Dean, you lead by example in abusing power to protect wrongdoers? In such an academy, who would dare to enter in the future?"
Feng Wuya followed suit, "In any case, my Feng family would definitely not dare to let our disciples enter again. Vice Dean Xi Lou’s words truly chill us."
"I… I also think this is not good," Zhu Wu said bravely, despite his fear.
Because of Bai Shengyi’s words, the atmosphere in the main hall became stagnant for a moment.
It must be said that Bai Shengyi had completely voiced the thoughts of Wen Jiuyin and Ling Yue, and also stepped on Yun Ying’s tail, causing Yun Ying to jump up in anger and curse.
"Presumptuous! You little brats, stop spreading alarmist talk…"
"Yun Ying!" Xia Xilou frowned, his usually gentle and jade-like eyebrows showing a trace of displeasure.
Yun Ying suddenly had a bad premonition. Could Senior Xi Lou listen to those bitches and not help her?
No, Senior Xi Lou had promised their master that he would take good care of her…
Yun Ying kept trying to convince herself, but then she heard Xia Xilou say, "You go to the Cliff of Reflection first."
"Senior Brother… I… *cough*…"
Yun Ying was horrified to find that Xia Xilou had actually silenced her. She wanted to ask him why he was doing this, but then she heard Xia Xilou say—
"Yun Ying is stripped of her elder position and confined to the Cliff of Reflection for three years as a warning. What do you all think?"
Feng Wuya and Zhu Wu both looked at Bai Shengyi; they had always stood on the same front as her.
Bai Shengyi narrowed her eyes slightly. Xia Xilou’s actions did not seem like he was protecting Yun Ying, but rather like he was venting his anger on Yun Ying.
Interesting.
"Naturally, it is…"
"It is not."
Seeing Qin Si interrupt her, Bai Shengyi smiled and said nonchalantly, "I will listen to Vice Dean Senior Brother."
Qin Si directly ignored the words "Vice Dean," only feeling that the word "Senior Brother" had never sounded so pleasant. The corner of his lips, which had just begun to curl, drooped as he remembered the occasion.
"Cancel all of Yun Ying’s privileges in the Artifact Refining Peak, and confine her to the Cliff of Reflection for ten years."
Qin Si casually flicked away nonexistent dust from his red robe. His long, narrow phoenix eyes held the severity and indifference of frost and wind and snow.
"She is merely a ninth-tier artifact refiner. The academy could nurture you, and it can also take back everything it has given you."
Although Yun Ying was the youngest ninth-tier artifact refiner on the Divine启 Continent, in reality, her celestial fire for artifact refining was provided by the academy. The tools for artifact refining, the Heaven Tier middle-grade spiritual artifact rumored to be in her possession, were also equipped to her by the academy.
It could be said that without the academy’s support, she, a ninth-tier artifact refiner, was merely an empty shell.
"No!"
Yun Ying’s silent scream was met with her watching helplessly as Xia Xilou nodded. Her heart sank to the bottom.
"Thank you, Vice Dean Senior Brother, for upholding justice for us. If there is nothing else, we will take our leave," Bai Shengyi said, very satisfied with the outcome.
After all, compared to Xia Xilou’s perfunctory three years, Qin Si had truly struck at Yun Ying’s weak point.
"Yes."
Seeing Qin Si nod, Bai Shengyi did not look at anyone else’s expressions and left with Feng Wuya and the others.
Wen Jiuyin and Ling Yue, thinking of Yun Youyue and Qing Buli, whom they had not yet found, also took their leave, and incidentally, had someone take Yun Ying away.
A moment later, only Xia Xilou, Qin Si, Dao Ming, Qi Fei, and Sect Master Rong remained in the main hall.
Dao Ming, as the Sect Master of the Dao Sect, possessed unfathomable sword techniques and unfathomable cultivation. He was also a seed that had emerged from the Divine启 Academy. He was actually the most worried about the Divine启 Grand Gathering this time.
After all, if the academy’s performance in the grand gathering was not as good as in previous years, the sects from the outer continents would surely flock like sharks smelling blood, demanding more resources from the academy and ceaselessly exploiting the destiny of the Divine启 Continent.
But now, Dao Ming was relieved.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, are these the academy’s seeds for this session? It seems our academy has successors," Dao Ming said, greatly appreciating Bai Shengyi’s drive.
Perhaps others would consider her recklessness and overestimation of her abilities, but Dao Ming, as someone who lived by the sword, only felt that she was bold, meticulous, and extremely confident and determined. Such a person, if they left this abandoned continent, would undoubtedly stir up storms in the true Divine启 Continent in due course.
Dao Ming did not expect Qin Si to shake his head and say, "She is not."
Qin Si would not bear to let Bai Shengyi become a seed.
He said coldly, "Forgive us for the entertainment just now. Now that the academy visit is complete, it’s time for us to talk about business. Sect Master Rong, what is the meaning of you bringing three extra disciples this time?"
As he suddenly attacked, the smiling expression that had been on Sect Master Rong’s face slowly disappeared.
The pressure of a high-level cultivator was released without reservation, and Sect Master Rong lowered his voice and said coldly, "What, Vice Dean Qin, are you questioning our Xile Sect? Or are you dissatisfied with the Supreme Sect?"
The Xile Sect was a subordinate sect of the Supreme Sect.
According to the rules of previous years, the outer continent, that is, the true Divine启 Continent, would send people to visit the academy before the Divine启 Grand Gathering and inform them of the rules for that year’s gathering.
Of course, it was called a visit in name, but in reality, it was to monitor.
In the past ten years, the tribute paid by the Divine启 Academy had decreased year by year, but their participation in the Divine启 Grand Gathering had become stronger each year.
This made several sects in the outer continent very nervous, so this time they specially sent the Sect Master Rong Bugui of the Xile Sect, who was on good terms with Xia Xilou.