Many on the scene scoffed at Ji Mo's words.
Who would want to return to this godforsaken place? They wouldn't stay even if begged.
These people were full of anticipation, envisioning entering the Sheng Ling Academy with Zeng Qiyan for a new and bright beginning.
The group, vast and jubilant, set off for Sheng Ling Academy.
Halfway there, they encountered Liu Song, who had come to greet them.
"Elder Liu."
Zhu Chang stepped forward to greet him.
This incident had been spearheaded by him and Liu Song, forging a considerable bond between them.
Zhu Chang felt it was appropriate to proactively foster closeness and build a good relationship. After all, they would all be colleagues from now on, and he might need Liu Song's assistance.
However, his warm overture was met with a cold shoulder. Liu Song completely ignored him, not even sparing him a glance, and simply brushed past.
Zhu Chang's aged face froze. He couldn't understand why Liu Song was acting this way. Wasn't he incredibly enthusiastic just a few days ago, treating him like a brother? Why had his attitude changed so drastically?
Wu Kong, standing nearby, frowned, a bad premonition stirring within him.
Liu Song paid no attention to anyone else and went directly to Zeng Qiyan.
His attitude towards Zeng Qiyan was exceedingly warm. He adopted a very humble and respectful posture as he greeted Zeng Qiyan.
The Sheng Ling Academy had offered Zeng Qiyan the position of Vice Dean.
However, unlike the Lang Ya Academy, which had only one Vice Dean, the Sheng Ling Academy had several. Therefore, Zeng Qiyan was unaware that he would not be the second-in-command at Sheng Ling Academy, but rather one among many.
"Elder Liu, why are you being so polite? We are still quite a distance from Sheng Ling Academy."
Zeng Qiyan wore a brilliant smile. To have someone sent to greet him from so far away made him feel quite important.
This made him believe that leaving the Lang Ya Academy was a very wise decision.
"It is my duty, it is my duty."
Liu Song's aged face was wreathed in smiles as he exchanged pleasantries with Zeng Qiyan.
Then, he changed the subject and said, "Vice Dean Zeng, there is a matter I need to discuss with you."
"Please, Elder Liu."
Zeng Qiyan's brow furrowed slightly. He was displeased by the inclusion of "Vice" in the title, finding Liu Song rather tactless.
However, he was unaware that this was the norm at Sheng Ling Academy. Only Zhao Yan Yun could be addressed as Dean; all other Vice Deans had to be addressed with the prefix "Vice," and no one was permitted to overstep this boundary.
"Vice Dean Zeng, you've brought so many teachers and students with you, but the academy cannot accommodate them all," Liu Song stated.
"Cannot accommodate?"
Zeng Qiyan was stunned, his face filled with confusion.
The Sheng Ling Academy was incredibly wealthy and occupied an entire city. How could it possibly not accommodate a mere eight thousand people?
He observed the expression on Liu Song's face and quickly guessed the reason. Just as Song Zhenwei had said, the Sheng Ling Academy likely found these people undesirable.
"Liu Song, we had an agreement. The Sheng Ling Academy would accept however many people I brought. If you suddenly go back on your word, how am I supposed to save face? How will I explain this to them?"
Zeng Qiyan's expression turned grim. He had made grand pronouncements, and if he couldn't fulfill his promises, his reputation would be ruined.
Zhu Chang and Wu Kong, overhearing their conversation, felt their spirits plummet.
However, they quickly remembered that they were Zeng Qiyan's confidantes, and their entry into Sheng Ling Academy should not be an issue, so their moods lightened.
As for whether the others could enter Sheng Ling Academy, they couldn't care less.
"Vice Dean Zeng, you are a cultivator who has reached the Mortal Immortal realm. I assumed the people you brought would be elites, so their entry into Sheng Ling Academy should be no problem. But these individuals..."
Liu Song wore a look of indescribable difficulty, almost explicitly calling these people trash.
Seeing Zeng Qiyan's displeased expression, Liu Song continued, "This year, our academy aims to be the number one in the Southern Domain. These people will affect our academy's reputation."
"Competing for the number one spot in the Southern Domain?"
Zeng Qiyan was moved. If the Sheng Ling Academy could become the top academy in the Southern Domain, then his position as Vice Dean would be incredibly glorious.
But in the current situation, he had to make a difficult choice.
"Dean Zeng, many of these teachers and students are useless individuals who cannot stand on their own. Bringing them will only tarnish your reputation. It's fine to discard some of them," Wu Kong advised Zeng Qiyan.
He also felt that many teachers and students were not qualified to enter Sheng Ling Academy.
"Indeed," Zhu Chang chimed in, "The number one academy should have the standards of the number one academy. The entry requirements naturally must be higher."
Liu Song looked at Zhu Chang meaningfully upon hearing his words, his expression peculiar.
Zhu Chang, however, mistook Liu Song's look for approval of his pragmatism and offered him a friendly smile.
"Alright."
Zeng Qiyan compromised. In the face of profit, what was reputation? "Then I will only bring a thousand people into Sheng Ling Academy."
He figured that the teachers loyal to him, along with some students with good potential, would be around that number.
"That's still a bit too many."
Liu Song shook his head.
"Then, five hundred people?"
Zeng Qiyan conceded, but Liu Song still shook his head.
"One hundred people. That's the least I can do. You must understand, these are all my trusted confidantes," Zeng Qiyan stated.
"Vice Dean Zeng, let me be frank. The academy's stance is no more than twenty people, as there are only a little over ten teachers and students who meet the criteria for entry into Sheng Ling Academy. The entry requirement for teachers at Sheng Ling Academy is the Emperor Realm, and students must have excellent cultivation aptitude."
Liu Song laid out the academy's terms to Zeng Qiyan.
"What? Only twenty?"
This number caught Zeng Qiyan completely off guard, and he was unwilling to accept it.
However, he had no grounds for negotiation, as these were the entry requirements of Sheng Ling Academy.
Indeed, as Liu Song had said, fewer than twenty people met the criteria.
Zhu Chang and Wu Kong exchanged glances, their faces suddenly paling.
One had his cultivation crippled and had not yet recovered, while the other's cultivation was only at the peak of the Spirit Saint realm, still a considerable distance from the Emperor realm.
"Elder Liu, do you mean I can't enter Sheng Ling Academy either? Isn't this just burning the bridge after crossing it?"
Zhu Chang grew anxious.
"Elder Zhu, your cultivation is lost. It's best you return home and live out your days in peace," Liu Song said unceremoniously.
A cripple without cultivation still wanted to enter Sheng Ling Academy? He was dreaming.
"I refuse to believe Sheng Ling Academy doesn't have miraculous healing elixirs or heavenly treasures to restore cultivation."
Zhu Chang questioned.
"Naturally, we do, but... you know their value. Since you have not made any contributions to Sheng Ling Academy, it is unlikely you will be granted them."
Liu Song's expression was utterly cold, showing no trace of leniency.
Zhu Chang looked towards Zeng Qiyan, believing that if Zeng Qiyan spoke up, the Sheng Ling Academy would surely provide the medicine he needed.
However, Zeng Qiyan remained silent, ignoring his pleading gaze.
Clearly, he had no intention of interceding for Zhu Chang and was prepared to abandon him.
Zhu Chang felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his mind going blank. He felt like a clown.
He had been the mastermind behind all of this, yet in the end, he gained no benefits and was ruthlessly cast aside.