C18 Playing Tricks

Before Xia Yi had a chance to take the pills Yang Zhangzhen had sent him, his tranquil days of convalescence were shattered.

After Su Ziyi and Zhao Jingjing emerged from their comas, it took less than half a day for Xia Yi to go from being hailed as the hero who fought the 'evil spirit' to being blamed as the instigator of the 'evil spirit's' wrath.

"If it hadn't been for that good-for-nothing Xia Yi drawing out the 'evil spirit,' none of this would have happened!"

With faces marked by sorrow and righteous anger, Su Ziyi and Zhao Jingjing quickly earned the trust of the majority of the Dragonflight Cloister's students and faculty, thrusting Xia Yi into the eye of the storm.

The news sparked widespread debate within the Dragonflight Cloister, with students and teachers everywhere gathering to discuss Xia Yi.

People were already curious. Xia Yi was the second to regain consciousness, waking up even before the more powerful Su Ziyi and Zhao Jingjing.

Without a Martial Spirit, what gave him the edge?

Nonetheless, the doubts were momentarily quelled when Dean Wu Liang personally announced the rewards for the four individuals involved.

It wasn't until Su Ziyi and Zhao Jingjing awoke and recounted their version of events that people began to 'see through' Xia Yi's facade.

As the 'evil spirit' incident wound down and public interest waned, this juicy scandal seized everyone's attention. Many who had long harbored resentment towards Xia Yi seized the opportunity to criticize him, claiming they had always seen through his pretense.

"I told you, even if he didn't desert us, he'd just be dead weight!"

"Ha, I bet he was so terrified that his legs turned to jelly. He wouldn't have been able to run even if he tried."

"He's delusional, thinking he could confront the 'evil spirit' when he was just out to find a Martial Spirit. Did he not fear being a liability? He must still think he's the Xia Yi of old."

"Now that he's lost his Martial Spirit, he's trying to gain fame through these antics. Xia Yi, you better not tarnish the Verdant Lord's good name!"

"You see, I've been saying this all along..."

Rumors were spreading like wildfire, becoming more "real" with each retelling. Some even resorted to throwing stones into Xia Yi's courtyard and leaving dead rats at his doorstep, demanding that Xia Yi, the so-called troublemaker, leave Dragonflight Cloister.

Upon hearing this news, Yang Zhangzhen was livid. He was aware that within Dragonflight Cloister and the wider Kisal Dynasty, there were many who harbored ill feelings towards Xia Yi. Xia Yi's former fame had earned him as many admirers as it had envious detractors. Yet, Yang Zhangzhen had not anticipated that students and teachers alike would stoop to such disgraceful behavior.

In a fury, Yang Zhangzhen sought out Dean Wu Liang and recounted the events at the Spirit Gathering Tower, urging the dean to intervene and quell the uproar.

Wu Liang's brow creased with concern. He had been preoccupied with the expansion of the Vicious Spirit and the Spirit Gathering Tower and had only just become aware of the rumors through Yang Zhangzhen's visit.

"Take a moment to calm down," Wu Liang advised, recognizing Yang Zhangzhen's outrage as a sign of his sincerity. However, Wu Liang was swamped with pressing matters and found it difficult to spare time for these petty issues. "I've heard Su Ziqi and Zhao Jingjing's accounts, and they don't seem to be fabricating stories..."

Yang Zhangzhen, sensing a hint of partiality from Wu Liang towards Su Ziqi and Zhao Jingjing, grew even more incensed and interrupted him.

"They're sidestepping the main issues and cherry-picking details. They may not be lying, but they're deliberately misleading others. How is that any different from defamation?"

Realizing Yang Zhangzhen was too agitated to engage in a drawn-out discussion, Wu Liang cut to the chase, "I'll have someone issue a statement later to clarify the whole situation."

With Wu Liang's assurance, the fury in Yang Zhangzhen's heart subsided significantly.

Wu Liang turned slightly, resting his elbow on the table's edge, and observed Yang Zhangzhen, whose expressions were unusually animated. Today, Yang Zhangzhen seemed off-kilter, lacking his usual composure.

"You seem to be quite close to Xia Yi. I heard that you even visited his home yesterday to deliver some medicinal pills?" Wu Liang inquired, well-versed in the day-to-day happenings within Dragonflight Cloister.

Upon hearing the news, Yang Zhangzhen couldn't help but let a smile spread across his face.

Seeing this, Wu Liang's curiosity deepened.

Yang Zhangzhen responded with ease, "I serendipitously came across Xia Yi's lecture on the 'Way of the Gentleman' and it resonated with me deeply. After entering the Spirit Gathering Tower, I successfully advanced my Unification of Martial Spirit to the second grade. My visit was to thank him for the insight he provided."

The Unification of Martial Spirit is a benchmark, divided into nine grades. Each advancement significantly bolsters one's strength, and it's said that reaching the highest grade allows one to ascend and explore the mysteries beyond our realm.

Yet, the higher one climbs, the more challenging it becomes to progress. Although the second grade is just the beginning, for a warrior, it represents an immense stroke of fortune.

Wu Liang, who has reached the fourth grade of the Unification of Martial Spirit, presides over the Dragonflight Cloister. His influence is considerable, both within the Kisal Dynasty and across Foglaostein.

Upon learning that Yang Zhangzhen had an epiphany after hearing Xia Yi's teachings on the 'Way of the Gentleman,' Wu Liang was thrilled and found it extraordinary.

"Xia Yi was already at the second grade of the Unification of Martial Spirit when he gained his reputation. Could his 'Way of the Gentleman' include his insights into that level?" Wu Liang mused with great interest.

Yang Zhangzhen pondered the dean's conjecture and found merit in it, nodding in agreement. "While each person's breakthrough is unique, the realm of the second grade Unification of Martial Spirit is universal. If he could indeed distill the essence of that grade's insights..."

At that moment, Yang Zhangzhen paused abruptly, looking up to see Wu Liang sharing his look of astonishment. Both were momentarily lost for words.

After a reflective silence, Wu Liang finally voiced the shared amazement, "Foglaostein's history spans millions of years, and we're well-versed in the categorization of warrior realms. Yet, throughout this vast history, we've only managed to articulate the realms beneath the Unification of Martial Spirit. The higher echelons remain undocumented, their wisdom uncompiled. Otherwise, ascending even a single grade within the Unification of Martial Spirit wouldn't be nearly as arduous."

"If Xia Yi truly possesses such talent and can distill the essence of one of the Unification of Martial Spirit realms, he would indeed make a name for himself across Foglaostein and be etched into history as a monumental figure!"

Wu Liang's eyes sparkled with intensity as he gazed at Yang Zhangzhen, containing the surge of excitement within him as he inquired deliberately, "Do you believe Xia Yi has such talent?"

Yang Zhangzhen remained silent for a long while, deeply contemplative.

The question was overwhelming and profoundly startling. As a second-tier warrior in the Unification of Martial Spirit, he found himself at a loss for an answer.

The disparity between a 'yes' and a 'no' was vast, akin to the difference between the heavens and the earth. Yang Zhangzhen, known for his integrity and steadiness, could not bring himself to lie about such a significant issue.

"I... I don't know," Yang Zhangzhen finally responded after much deliberation, his voice unexpectedly rough with emotion.

Wu Liang exhaled a sigh, understanding the gravity of the question. He himself wouldn't dare to jump to conclusions, so Yang Zhangzhen's response was hardly surprising.

"Share with me the details of Xia Yi's 'Virtuous Man's Path'," Wu Liang commanded.