Chapter 820: The Alchemy Academy Is Finished

"We didn't come to attend a lecture. Zhang Xuan has been deceiving the students of the Alchemy Academy. We're here to see what underhanded tricks he's using..."

Knowing that if he kept dwelling on seniority, the other would spout a bunch of reasoning, Lu Feng flicked his sleeve.

"Stop the nonsense. If you're attending a lecture, just attend. Why dress it up so grandly? Today, no matter what you say, if you want to get in, you have to pay. Otherwise, I'll shout, and I bet many students would love to see your majestic presence as acting dean!"

Sun Qiang stretched lazily and curled his lip.

"You..."

Face flushed with anger, Lu Feng clenched his fists.

If this fool really shouted, he didn't need to think—his tenure as acting dean would be over.

He'd die of embarrassment alone.

"Dean, let's just go in first..."

Knowing the dean couldn't answer, Vice Dean Zhou quickly stepped forward and offered five high-grade spirit stones: "Here!"

"That's more like it!"

Sun Qiang's eyes lit up.

Internal members of the Xuanxuan Society didn't have to pay, and few outsiders came to listen. The tens of thousands of students and teachers who rushed over from the Alchemy Academy were mostly already members.

Having finally caught a sucker, naturally he wanted to extort as much as possible.

Anyway, his relationship with the young master had long been torn apart, so he might as well get what he could.

Surely the dignified dean of the Alchemy Academy wouldn't dare to openly break with the "uncle" of his guest elder in front of so many students.

If they did break, all the better—it would let him vent for the young master.

That morning, this guy had been quite arrogant.

"Hmph!"

Seeing Vice Dean Zhou hand over the spirit stones, Lu Feng trembled with anger. Ignoring the ecstatic Sun Qiang, he stepped inside.

The Xuanxuan Society's venue was spacious. Though it held tens of thousands, it didn't seem crowded. After walking a few steps, Lu Feng couldn't help stopping, his pupils contracting.

"Alchemist Lu, why are you here..."

Behind the crowd, an old man was staring ahead with shining eyes. Hearing the voice, he turned around. It was none other than... the famous veteran of the Alchemy Academy, Alchemist Lu Yi.

This Alchemist Lu, even if not as old as You Xu, was close—definitely over nine hundred years old, a true pillar and elder of the Alchemy Academy.

Because he couldn't break through, he had been resting in a separate courtyard for the last thirty years, rarely coming out. Even when Lu Feng convened the faculty meeting of the Alchemy Academy, he hadn't appeared... Why had he suddenly come here?

"Shh, don't talk. Listen to the lecture... Marvelous! Truly marvelous! Using this method for alchemy is simply incredible, incredible..."

Waving his hand, Alchemist Lu ignored his dean and continued looking forward.

"Alchemist Lu..."

Lu Feng's face was full of black lines. Just as he was about to speak, Vice Dean Qi tugged at him: "Dean, look at Alchemist Lu's clothes..."

"Clothes?"

One look, and Lu Feng's mouth twitched.

This elder of the Alchemy Academy was still wearing a master teacher robe, but on the chest were embroidered three big characters: "Xuanxuan Society." Clearly, even he... had joined!

"Not just Alchemist Lu, Dean, look..."

Vice Dean Qi pointed again.

Lu Feng quickly looked and spotted several familiar figures in the crowd.

"Alchemist Bai? Wasn't he traveling? He wouldn't even teach a single class, acted like it was murder... Why is he wearing the Xuanxuan Society clothes too?"

"Alchemist Ren... His Clear Fire Alchemy Method is the most popular course in the academy. He's one of the most contributing alchemists, on the academy's honor roll... and he joined the Xuanxuan Society?"

"Alchemist Qiu... I even studied under him..."

...

With every figure he saw, Dean Lu Feng's face darkened a shade. After seeing everyone, he felt he was going mad.

Some retired old-timers of the Alchemy Academy, whom he usually couldn't even invite, had all come here and voluntarily joined the Xuanxuan Society?

This student-organized society was more effective than his words as dean...

Most crucially, they were listening with such rapture...

This was insane!

"Dean, isn't that... Lu Hui?"

Just as Lu Feng felt he was about to explode, Vice Dean Qi pointed again.

Lu Feng swayed again.

In the crowd, a young man was looking at the stage with excitement, eyes shining as if seeing his idol.

Who else could it be but his direct disciple Lu Hui, who had just reported to him?

When he left the library and went to the alchemy building, he wasn't with this guy. When did he get here... And what was with the Xuanxuan Society clothes he was wearing?

How long had it been?

Had he... defected already?

"Lu Hui!"

He couldn't help shouting.

Hearing the voice, Lu Hui realized his teacher had arrived. Hurrying out of the crowd, he bowed: "Teacher, I... I saw so many people coming to listen, so I couldn't help coming over. After listening, I thought... it was really good, so I joined the Xuanxuan Society..."

Afraid his teacher would scold him, Lu Hui quickly clasped his hands.

"Really good..."

Lu Feng choked, his face reddening as if about to bleed: "Are you going to drop my class too?"

"Well... if Teacher could allow it, that would be best!"

Lu Hui scratched his head.

"Allow your sister..." Lu Feng gritted his teeth so hard they might break, feeling he was going insane.

Just now he was so adamant, asking what was up with Zhang Xuan, and in less than ten minutes he defects... Are you really my student?

"I want to see what kind of magic this guy has..."

Unable to hold back, he looked up at the young man lecturing on the high platform.

At that moment, the young man had finished his lecture and was answering questions.

"Master Zhang, when I refine Quenching Yang Pills, the pill body always turns yellow after formation. How do I solve this?" an alchemist couldn't help asking.

"Quenching Yang Pills refine the yang meridians to make them purer. For such an effect, the refiner also needs abundant yang fire. Though your cultivation is fine, you've had a cold ailment since childhood, making you slightly weak. When refining this medicine, your essence energy is insufficient. Though the pill forms, its potency is not strong."

The young man on stage glanced and said: "If I'm not mistaken, the Quenching Yang Pills you refine are quite mediocre."

"Yes!"

This alchemist quickly nodded.

What the other said matched his experience exactly, without a single difference.

"Well, since you've joined the Xuanxuan Society, I can't abandon my members. Here is a sixth-grade Blazing Yang Pill. After taking it, you can expel the cold energy from your body. Not only will you have no problem refining Quenching Yang Pills in the future, but you can also advance your cultivation and break through the shackles of the Void Step realm!"

Zhang Xuan flicked his finger, and a pill flew over.

"That pill is mine..."

Seeing the flying pill, Vice Dean Qi's mouth twitched violently, and he couldn't help speaking.

This pill was none other than the one he had refined and placed in the pharmacy for sale...

"Yes!"

No one heeded his shout. The alchemist took the pill and swallowed it.

Gurgle gurgle!

Before long, spiritual energy gathered above his head, and with a loud roar, his aura soared to the heavens.

The Cocoon Seal realm had been reached!

"Thank you, Master Zhang!"

Having not only resolved his chronic ailment but also broken through, this alchemist was overwhelmed with gratitude. He bowed deeply to the young man on stage.

"Master Zhang, I..."

Immediately, several others raised questions.

The young man on stage answered each person's physique and problems with ease, and for those on the verge of breakthrough, he also bestowed sixth-grade pills.

The sounds of breakthroughs from the audience were incessant.

Watching this, Lu Feng and the other vice deans felt a pang of pain.

The pills he bestowed were all refined at great cost by them, each invaluable... and now this guy was just giving them away...

The more he thought, the angrier he got, nearly exploding. But Lu Feng knew that if he ran over to demand the pills back now, he would surely be thrown out by the students on the spot.

"Let's go back!"

Gritting his teeth, he turned and left.

The other had stolen his students, stolen his teachers, and was using his pills to win people over... The more he thought, the more frantic he felt.

If he kept watching, he would definitely die of anger on the spot.

But if he reported this to the Master Teacher Hall, he would not only be in the wrong but might even get scolded.

The greatest value of pills is not to be kept in a room and admired, but to be put to practical use.

The other was using his pills to play the good guy, but even he had to admit that they were used perfectly, maximizing their effect.

"Go back?" The several vice deans were stunned.

Weren't they here to cause trouble and bring the students back?

Just leaving like this?

"What else can we do? Do you think you can pull these students away now?"

Dean Lu Feng gritted his teeth.

"This..."

The vice deans shook their heads.

They couldn't even pull away the teachers, let alone the students.

"What do we do when we get back?"

All the Alchemy Academy's teachers were here, and all the students too. The entire Alchemy Academy was as good as finished... Going back, they'd be commanders without an army!

"What to do? I'll convene an elder council when I get back!"

Lu Feng gritted his teeth.

The other had won over the crowd. With tens of thousands of students united, even he didn't dare cause trouble now. He could only go back and convene an elder council to discuss countermeasures.

Otherwise, the entire Master Teacher Academy would be in chaos—teachers not teachers, students not students. What kind of institution would that be?

Where would be the semblance of a Master Teacher Academy?

"Yes!"

Vice Dean Qi nodded.

If this problem wasn't solved, the Master Teacher Academy would surely fall into great disorder...

What a mess. Just because of one You Xu, the Master Teacher Academy had become like this. He wished he could chop that guy up and feed him to the dogs.

"Let's go!"

Having made the decision, they turned and left.

Leaving the Xuanxuan Society and returning to the Alchemy Academy, seeing the empty hall that was once bustling with people but now had not a single soul, the several deans felt tears could fall at any moment.

When had the dignified Alchemy Academy ever been so miserable!

"Dean, maybe... you should go apologize to Master Zhang! Otherwise... I'm afraid the Alchemy Academy is completely finished!"

After who knows how long, Vice Dean Zhou couldn't help saying.

"Apologize? He's dreaming!"

Lu Feng gritted his teeth and let out a long roar: "Wait here. I'm going to convene the council of ten elders. Oh no, I'll also find Master Mu. If I don't have this guy who disrupts school rules arrested and tried, my surname isn't... Lu!"

...

In the tallest and most majestic building of the Master Teacher Academy, the best room.

Eleven seats were filled, with the ten deans standing among them.

"Dean Lu, why did you call us here so urgently? What's the matter?"

Dean Mi couldn't help looking over.

"Could it be... you've found traces of Senior Purple Sun Beast?"

"That would be great. We still have no news at all..."

The other deans all looked expectant.

From Zhang Xuan's arrival at the Alchemy Academy to all its teachers and students joining the Xuanxuan Society, it had only taken two or three hours. The speed was too fast; the other academies hadn't even reacted, let alone heard the news.

"It's not about Senior Purple Sun Beast, but a matter of life and death for our Master Teacher Academy. Everyone, wait a moment. I'll explain in detail when Master Mu arrives."

Lu Feng waved his hand.

"A matter of life and death for the academy?"

"Could it be that the alien tribesmen who captured Senior Purple Sun Beast have been discovered?"

"If so, a great battle may be unavoidable..."

...

Seeing Lu Feng's expression, and that he had even invited Master Mu, the deans exchanged glances, all looking solemn.

The Master Teacher Hall exists to spread teaching throughout the world, but more importantly, to protect humanity.

The alien tribe had captured Senior Purple Sun Beast a few days ago, surely planning some major move. Once they appeared, to protect humanity, the Master Teacher Academy must fully engage, without shirking responsibility.

Creak!

Amid the discussion, the door opened, and Master Mu walked in.

"Greetings, Master Mu!"

Everyone rose and clasped their hands in unison.

Master Mu was a seven-star master teacher from headquarters, presiding over the transition of the new dean. Everyone treated him with the respect due a teacher, not daring to overstep.

"Mm. Lu Feng, what happened so urgently?"

After inviting everyone to sit, Mu Yuan frowned.

"Master Mu, all the deans are here. I'll get straight to the point."

Lu Feng nodded: "Among this year's new students, there is one named Zhang Xuan. I'm sure you've all heard of him."

"Of course."

The deans nodded, only Mu Yuan frowned.

After arriving at the academy, he had sensed the aura of the Purple Sun Beast and gone out once. Usually, he cultivated in the courtyard. This Zhang Xuan... he hadn't really heard of him.

"Master Mu, this Zhang Xuan is..."

Dean Mi quietly explained.

"A master teacher who comprehended the Eye of Insight? The Master Teacher Academy actually produced such a genius?" After hearing the introduction, Master Mu's eyes lit up.

He didn't care about the feats of clearing the Weapon Refining Academy or the Physician Academy, or single-handedly challenging You Xu. No matter how good the auxiliary professions, they were still auxiliary!

For Master Mu, master teacher talent was the most important.

A master teacher who comprehended the Eye of Insight, as long as they didn't fall, their future achievements were foreseeable.

A genius of this level, not even in the Qingyuan Empire branch, but even in the Sage Clans, wouldn't appear once in a thousand years.

"Master Mu, I advise you not to be happy too soon. Let me finish... This person's talent is formidable. If he does good, it would be a blessing for the Master Teacher Hall. But if he does evil, I fear our entire academy will not withstand it and may be destroyed at any time!"

Seeing him so excited, seemingly intending to take on a disciple, Lu Feng quickly said.

"Do evil?" Master Mu nodded.

A master teacher with the Eye of Insight could see through disguises, see through the falsehood of things, reaching the essence. When lecturing or cultivating techniques, nothing could stop them... But if they turned to evil, it would also be extremely terrifying.

Although there were no similar records on the Master Teacher Continent for now, there had been cases of genius master teachers betraying humanity.

Seven thousand years ago, a common-born genius from humanity succeeded in the seven-star master teacher examination before the age of thirty, causing a sensation. Everyone thought this person would eventually reach eight-star or even higher. But... the Master Teacher Hall made a misjudgment over a matter, enraging him. He then killed all thirty-seven master teachers who had wronged him.

In that battle, an imperial capital covering three thousand miles was reduced to dust, and over a hundred million people lost their lives. The tragedy was no less than an invasion of ten thousand alien tribesmen!

Because the consequences were too severe, the Master Teacher Hall couldn't cover it up and had to issue a [Master Teacher Hunt Order], sending higher-level master teachers to encircle and annihilate him.

This genius, upon learning of the hunt order, fought while fleeing, using himself as bait to lure over nine thousand six-star and above master teachers to Fubo Ridge, where he set an ambush with the alien tribesmen.

That battle was earth-shattering. Though they succeeded in killing the genius, the Master Teacher Hall suffered enormous losses, losing three eight-star, one hundred thirty-four seven-star, and seven thousand six hundred twelve six-star master teachers!

History calls it the [Fubo Calamity]!

It can be said to be one of the largest-scale losses of the Master Teacher Hall in the tens of thousands of years since Confucius unified the continent.

Even the entire Master Teacher headquarters was shaken.

Because of this incident, the Master Teacher Hall changed its rules. When recruiting new master teachers, while talent was still important, character and morality also became targets of assessment.

If these two points were not up to standard, the greater the cultivation given, the greater the crisis it would bring to humanity.

Master teachers who comprehended the Eye of Insight were rare throughout history. Each was a brilliant, stunning figure who shook the centuries. If such a person was righteous, they would surely make humanity stronger. But... if they turned to evil, the consequences would likely be even more terrible than the Fubo Calamity!

"Could it be that this Zhang Xuan has improper intentions and lacks moral character?"

Master Mu asked with some doubt.

If so, they must be careful. Otherwise, a slight misstep could bring great disaster to the entire continent.

"How is that possible!"

Dean Mi couldn't help speaking: "This Master Zhang, in order to let more students enter the academy and make humanity stronger, gave away the forty thousand points he earned from his assessment to others for free. With such magnanimity, how could he do evil?"

"Dean Mi, don't be fooled by his appearance! Doing so is nothing but winning people over to establish his so-called Xuanxuan Society!" Lu Feng waved his hand.

"Xuanxuan Society?" Master Mu looked over.

"The Xuanxuan Society is a student organization formed by Zhang Xuan. Students forming societies to unite master teachers and progress together—the academy doesn't interfere with that. But this guy, as soon as he entered the academy, started showing favors and forming cliques, clearly with ulterior motives!" Lu Feng said.

"Dean Lu, as a master teacher, please choose your words carefully!" Dean Mi's face darkened.

What did he mean by forming cliques?

A group of students organizing together is having ulterior motives?

"That's right, if my information is correct, this Teacher Zhang didn't know about forming the Xuanxuan Society; he was forced to establish it because the new students were being pressured by the seniors..." Wei Ranxue's expression also darkened.

Teacher, without evidence, it's best to speak little, otherwise, once convicted, one may never recover.

"Speak cautiously? I've been very cautious! Fine, since it's come to this, I won't hide it anymore. I'll lay out today's events, and everyone judge for me whether I'm wronging him!"

With a cold snort, Lu Feng recounted everything he had seen today in detail.

"You're saying... all the teachers and students in the Alchemist Academy have joined the Xuanxuan Society? Become members? Even many senior elders couldn't escape?"

"Now... the Alchemy Academy has become an empty shell?"

The room fell silent; the ten deans and Teacher Mu were all stunned.

It felt like listening to a story, hard to believe.

"Exactly! Teacher, the most important thing is the transmission of the master's teachings. For so many people to simultaneously drop courses, even abandon the academy, and join a student organization—I'm afraid this guy must have used some unknown means!"

Lu Feng's face twisted: "If we don't deal with it quickly, once it spreads to other academies, won't all the teachers and students of the entire Teacher Academy become his students, his one-man show?"

Everyone was silent.

Even Dean Mi, Dean Zhao, and others were too shocked to speak.

Previously, they thought this Teacher Zhang breaking through levels and collapsing a few buildings and passages was one thing, but they never dreamed... after one class, he had lured away all the teachers and students of the entire Alchemist Academy!

This was too terrifying!

If he gave a few more lectures, wouldn't the whole academy become his disciples and grand-disciples?

"Did you listen to his class?"

After a moment of silence in the room, Teacher Mu couldn't help but look over.

"This Zhang Xuan offered free classes to those who joined the Xuanxuan Society, and charged a high fee for those who didn't. Zhou Qing and I each paid a top-grade spirit stone to get in!"

Lu Feng snorted: "Of course I listened to the class, but the level was average, messy and full of flattering and seductive language!"

"Average?" Teacher Mu frowned.

"Exactly, didn't I mention earlier that he used despicable means to steal the academy's six-star pills? To win people over, he gave those pills for free to students on the verge of突破, creating a facade of generosity, making them even more devoted!"

Lu Feng described the scene he saw at the Xuanxuan Society.

"Applying knowledge to practice, if pills can be given to those about to突破, that's a good thing, but... using them to win people over is ulterior!"

Teacher Mu nodded.

The Teacher Academy aims to cultivate students; seeing students grow quickly is naturally welcome, but... if it's just to win people over, that's definitely improper.

"He definitely has ulterior motives!" Lu Feng quickly said: "Otherwise, how could he make tens of thousands of teachers and students so devoted all at once?"

"Cultivators vary in quality; everyone's understanding is different, so courses naturally differ. That's why Confucius proposed the idea of teaching according to aptitude. For one class to make all teachers and students admire and willingly join the Xuanxuan Society is indeed unlikely."

Teacher Mu shook his head.

No matter how great a teacher, there will be those who like and dislike him.

As long as one is human, it's impossible to be liked by everyone like money.

But... this Teacher Zhang achieved it, making it impossible not to find it strange.

"Since this happened in your Alchemist Academy, how do you plan to handle it?"

With a grave expression, Teacher Mu looked up.

"My idea is simple: the ten academies unite, expel this Zhang Xuan from the academy, and never allow him to set foot here again!"

Lu Feng sneered: "Then revoke his teacher qualification and forbid him from ever taking the exam again!"