Langya Academy has recently gained considerable fame and is in the spotlight.
In the Southern Domain, there are virtually no forces that dare to confront the Seven Fiends Pavilion directly.
Yet, Langya Academy, which was never taken seriously, dared to do just that, crippling Meng Qi, the mount of Sun Zhi, the leader of the Seven Fiends Alliance.
Given Sun Zhi's temperament, this is an irreconcilable enmity, bound to be a fight to the death.
This left almost everyone baffled as to why Langya Academy had such audacity.
What was their backing?
For their own safety, some forces and individuals with good relations with Langya Academy issued statements to distance themselves from the academy.
In Qianlong City, many were so frightened that they rushed to sell their properties and moved out immediately.
These people feared that if the Seven Fiends Pavilion sought trouble with Langya Academy later, the entire city might be affected.
Song Zhenwei acted discreetly, using the dowry money saved for Song Weiqian to purchase all those properties and land.
As a result, more than half of Qianlong City fell into his hands.
Song Zhenwei's quiet accumulation of wealth was not for himself, but with the thought that as Langya Academy became more famous, its teachers and students would increase, requiring expansion.
He had already begun planning to acquire the entire Qianlong City and transform Langya Academy into the premier academy in the Southern Domain.
This was because he was very optimistic about the upcoming Academy Ranking Competition, believing Langya would achieve a very impressive result.
"Ji Mo, pack your things, it's time to depart."
Song Weiqian arrived at Ji Mo's teaching quarters to inform him to get ready for the journey.
The venue for the Southern Domain Academy Ranking Competition was the largest city in the Southern Domain, Chizhang City!
Qianlong City was a long way from Chizhang City, and since Langya Academy was too poor to afford flying demonic beasts for transport, they had to depart a few days in advance.
This time, Song Weiqian would lead the team, taking Ji Mo and four students to participate.
Song Zhenwei had originally wanted to go as well; this was a rare opportunity to show face. He had been ridiculed by other academies every time before, and this time he would surely hold his head high and trample on their smug faces.
However, Song Weiqian felt that since they had offended the Seven Fiends Alliance, it would be better for Song Zhenwei to stay and guard the academy. With the might of the immortal sword, he should be able to protect the academy.
Ji Mo had nothing to pack, but he felt he was lacking a mode of transport.
He had no cultivation, and the journey was long. He couldn't possibly have his students support him as he flew, could he?
Ji Mo asked, "Miss Song, have you prepared a mount for me?"
"A mount?"
Song Weiqian was a little puzzled. With your strength, do you still need a mount?
Besides, the academy couldn't afford a mount that matched your status.
There used to be a Night Owl that barely qualified, but you ate it. Now, there's really no mount to speak of.
"How about, you ride me?"
Song Weiqian said.
Ji Mo was so startled that he coughed repeatedly, shocked by the remark.
Song Weiqian, realizing what she had said, instantly blushed. Her fair cheeks and delicate earlobes were flushed with a rosy hue.
"Mr. Ji, let me, Long Dazui, carry you. I'm very fast."
A creature emitting a faint green glow appeared, vaguely recognizable as Long Dazui.
He used to call Ji Mo by his name directly, but after they had ventured into the small forest together, he began calling Ji Mo "Mr."
Compared to before, Long Dazui had undergone significant changes. Dragon aura emanated from his body, and dragon scales had grown on his skin. His mouth was even larger than before, revealing a mouth full of sharp fangs when he opened and closed it.
His cultivation realm had reached the peak of the Demon Emperor realm, and he had even nurtured a faint trace of immortal spiritual energy within him.
It was estimated that in a short time, he would be able to take that crucial step and enter the Mortal Immortal realm.
Song Weiqian looked at Long Dazui and felt his aura, also shocked.
She knew that Long Dazui had made such progress after he had taken Ji Mo into the small forest. She felt immense regret, thinking how good it would have been if she hadn't been so reserved back then and had also ventured into the small forest with Ji Mo.
Ji Mo looked at the greenish Long Dazui, especially the green halo above its head, and felt quite disgusted.
He immediately refused, unwilling to ride this green creature no matter what.
In the courtyard, Yazhi, who was basking in the sun like a small cat and looking at everything with an arrogant gaze, stared at Long Dazui with its gem-like blue eyes.
It knew Long Dazui inside out. The creature was merely a small lizard that had gained sentience and transformed after accidentally consuming Dragon Blood Grass. Now, not only had its dragon bloodline become incredibly pure, but it had even touched upon the Mortal Immortal realm!
Such a transformation shocked Yazhi's very being. It felt that all its previous persistence was in vain; no matter how hard it cultivated, it wouldn't be as important as latching onto a powerful backer.
Without a doubt, Ji Mo was that formidable backer.
Therefore, all its dragon dignity and inherent arrogance were immediately discarded.
Yazhi quickly walked to Ji Mo's side, affectionately rubbing against his trouser leg with its body, and said with some shame, "Mr. Ji, I am willing to be your mount."
"With your small body, how can you carry me?"
Ji Mo looked at Yazhi's less than a foot long form, feeling somewhat speechless.
Yazhi's dragon pearl had regrown, and its strength had recovered significantly. It immediately revealed its true form.
Originally, Yazhi's true form was a dragon's head with a leopard's body. However, perhaps due to a mutation, its appearance had undergone a drastic change, and even its temperament was the complete opposite.
The current Yazhi was more like a snow leopard, with a body five meters long, covered in fluffy fur that shimmered with a faint silver radiance. Its large sapphire-like blue eyes were as clear as the starry sky, making it incredibly cute.
Ji Mo stroked Yazhi's soft fur, feeling very satisfied, but also experiencing a strange sensation.
Was it because he had been single for too long? Why did he find this big cat more and more handsome, feeling a sense of attraction?
Long Dazui stared at Yazhi, dumbfounded, drool constantly dripping from its mouth.
Song Weiqian's girlish heart also overflowed. Her beautiful eyes sparkled, and she couldn't resist the urge to pounce and pet it fiercely.
Just as she was about to act, Yazhi shot her a sharp glance, scaring her into retreating hastily.
Only then did she realize that this was no cute pet, but the bloodthirsty and ferocious Yazhi.
However, Yazhi no longer possessed its former bloodthirsty and brutal aura; instead, it exuded a faint sacred aura, which Song Weiqian found hard to believe.
"Very good, much better than the fat pig I used to ride."
Ji Mo praised it sincerely.
However, this remark offended the petty-minded Yazhi. To be compared to a pig was too hurtful.
It immediately reverted to its small cat form and, huffing with anger, hid in the flower bed.
After Ji Mo spoke a great many conciliatory words and promised to cook it more large meals in the future, he finally managed to coax it.
Duobao Snake, hiding in Ji Mo's embrace, cursed Yazhi for being shameless and then pondered if it should find an opportunity to act cute and ask Ji Mo for favors later.
Half a day later.
Ji Mo, Song Weiqian, Lin Mengmeng, Xuanyang, Wang Wenjian, Yazhi, and Duobao Snake, as a group, departed from Langya Academy and set off for Chizhang City.