The position of院长 (Dean) of Langya Academy was open for contention by any elder or above within the academy.
It was a matter of who was capable, where strength spoke for itself. As long as you could defeat the current Dean, you would become the next.
Zeng Qiyan had been coveting the position of Dean of Langya Academy for decades, but he had never won a challenge against Song Zhenwei in all these years.
Now that he had reached the Half-step Immortal Realm, it was time for him to hold his head high and seek revenge.
Song Zhenwei felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy and began to circulate his spiritual energy.
He glanced sideways at the immortal sword in Song Wei Qian's hand, feeling utterly helpless.
All this time, the sword spirit had maintained its aloofness, refusing to acknowledge a master or participate in the academy's internal disputes. Now, he could only rely on himself.
"I'd like to see how many of my moves you can take."
Zeng Qiyan sneered, revealing a set of stark white teeth.
As soon as he spoke, he attacked.
A surge of energy whistled through the air, and a massive palm of energy appeared, carrying immense power as it struck towards Song Zhenwei.
The palm stirred up a strong gale, emitting a faint aura of immortal spirit. Its terrifying power made one's heart tremble.
Song Zhenwei let out a clear whistle, his spiritual energy circulating wildly, and his body erupted with dark golden light.
He clasped his hands together, and a silver vortex appeared before him, like a millstone, blocking his path.
Boom!
The millstone shattered, and the giant palm also dimmed considerably. The residual energy pushed Song Zhenwei back more than twenty meters, his feet plowing long furrows in the ground.
Song Zhenwei was somewhat horrified, not expecting such a vast difference between them. It was true that breaking through the shackles and cultivating immortal spirit energy within one's body would lead to a qualitative change in strength.
Zeng Qiyan laughed triumphantly, looking down at Song Zhenwei. "I'm in a good mood. Kneel and beg for mercy, and I might spare you."
"Wishful thinking."
Song Zhenwei would never kneel before anyone.
He shot up into the sky, his spiritual energy surging. The void behind him distorted, and the phantom image of a soaring鹏鸟 (Peng bird) with wings spread wide appeared.
The Peng bird's wings unfurled, runes emanating from them, and a terrifying aura spread across the heavens and earth.
Song Zhenwei's aura reached its peak, unleashing his strongest combat power.
"Without entering the Immortal Realm, you are ultimately an ant."
Zeng Qiyan's lips curled into a sinister grin, and as his eyes opened and closed, they shot out terrifying golden light.
He took a step forward, the ground cracking beneath him, and in an instant, he was upon Song Zhenwei.
Hum...
Song Zhenwei's arms trembled, and the Peng bird behind him cried out. His entire body emitted a dazzling light and swooped down, its immense, cascading energy engulfing Zeng Qiyan.
Zeng Qiyan's gaze was cold, his hand clenched, and strands of ethereal immortal spirit energy coiled around his fist as he violently struck out.
The two energies collided fiercely, producing a deafening roar.
The violent energy swept in all directions, pulverizing the surrounding buildings on the spot. The entire courtyard was left in ruins.
Song Wei Qian bit her lip, her face filled with worry. She knew her old father was no match for Zeng Qiyan.
In the end, Song Zhenwei could not withstand the onslaught. The Peng bird phantom behind him was obliterated, and he himself was sent flying backward, crashing directly into a house.
He coughed violently, crimson blood flowing from the corner of his mouth, his face ashen.
"You are too weak, utterly不堪一击 (unable to withstand a single blow)."
Zeng Qiyan did not let Song Zhenwei off easily. He flew over, raised his foot, and kicked him away.
"Ah!"
Song Zhenwei cried out in pain, feeling as if several of his old bones had been broken.
He slammed heavily onto the ground, spitting out another mouthful of blood.
"What are you guys doing? Just because you're bored, you don't have to tear down the house."
Ji Mo, who had slipped away to urinate and was hiding inside, heard the commotion and came out to check. He saw this scene.
"Miss Song, what are you waiting for? The Dean has been beaten like this, and you're still not making a move? Go chop this bastard to death!"
Ji Mo wanted to go help and simultaneously called out to Song Wei Qian.
"This involves the dispute for the Dean's position. I cannot interfere."
Song Wei Qian was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes. She wanted to help, but she couldn't break the rules.
Only when one side conceded would the battle end.
However, Song Zhenwei was clearly stubborn and refused to surrender.
"If you're not helping, at least give the sword to the Dean. You're being silly." Ji Mo reminded her.
Song Wei Qian looked bitter. The immortal sword had always remained neutral, never participating in the Dean's disputes.
However.
The next second, the immortal sword in her hand flew out and landed in Song Zhenwei's hand of its own accord.
Song Wei Qian was stunned, then overjoyed. She hadn't expected the sword spirit to be so obedient to Ji Mo.
Song Zhenwei's body trembled as the immortal sword released a surge of immortal spirit energy, which flowed into his body, rapidly healing his injuries.
He gripped the sword hilt, got up from the ground, and laughed uproariously with excitement.
At this moment, the immortal sword was completely willing to obey his command.
"You said that without entering the Immortal Realm, one is still an ant? I'd like to see how many of my swords you can take."
Song Zhenwei felt an unprecedented power, his entire body enveloped in immortal spirit energy, as if he were possessed by a war god.
"No, how is this possible? The sword spirit has no reason to help you."
Zeng Qiyan swallowed, his face ashen.
"The sword spirit doesn't want to help me, but Mr. Ji does."
Song Zhenwei wiped the blood from his mouth, knowing very well that the immortal sword was willing to be used by him because of Ji Mo.
He had been severely beaten by Zeng Qiyan just now, and now it was time for revenge.
"Just because you're at the Half-step Immortal Realm, you think you're so great? Let's see if I can hack you to death."
Song Zhenwei brandished his sword and stepped forward.
The immortal sword in his hand shimmered with brilliance, as dazzling as the sun, emitting an unparalleled sharp sword aura.
He raised the immortal sword high and brought it down with a single strike.
The terrifying sword aura flashed and disappeared, directly sending Zeng Qiyan flying.
As expected of a mid-grade immortal artifact, its power was truly immense. Zeng Qiyan could not resist it at all.
"Pfft..."
Zeng Qiyan coughed up blood profusely, his face filled with panic. If Song Zhenwei had not shown mercy and held back from delivering a fatal blow, this sword might have sent him to his demise.
The power of this immortal sword was terrifyingly beyond his expectations!
"Heh heh, you enjoyed beating me up just now, didn't you? Now it's my turn."
Song Zhenwei laughed and lunged at Zeng Qiyan.
Zhu Chang and Wu Kong walked leisurely towards Song Zhenwei's residence, already envisioning a beautiful future.
As long as Zeng Qiyan defeated Song Zhenwei and seized the Dean's position, they would also benefit, and their rewards would surely not be small.
"Once Song Zhenwei falls, Ji Mo will be finished too. Just wait and see how I finish him off."
Wu Kong was extremely excited, feeling that his great revenge was about to be realized.
"We can't let him off easily. We must torture him slowly, make him wish he were dead, and then let him die in infinite pain."
Zhu Chang's eyes were venomous, his face contorted with malice. "And his three students, they all have to die. Not a single one can be spared."
As they approached Song Zhenwei's courtyard, they heard screams from afar.
"Dean Zeng is still his usual self, liking to torture his opponents. I imagine Song Zhenwei is being dealt with quite miserably right now."
Zhu Chang and Wu Kong thought the screams were coming from Song Zhenwei, and they eagerly quickened their pace to watch, wanting to witness Song Zhenwei's tragic state.
Upon approaching and seeing clearly, the two were stunned like chickens.
The situation was completely different from what they had imagined.