The gates of the academy were in an uproar!
Twelve towering jade-white stone pillars supported the grand entrance, majestic and awe-inspiring.
Everyone was abuzz with excitement—today, the heavens had been pierced! Someone had truly climbed the Celestial Stairway, broken through the trials, and shattered the tranquility of the Celestial Immortal Academy.
On the high platform, Shi Hao turned and caught sight of Qing Yi—also known as Yue Chan—dressed in pristine white robes that made her resemble a lily in bloom.
Even without revealing her true face, Yue Chan was breathtakingly beautiful, exuding an ethereal grace. Her long legs, striking figure, alluring curves, snow-white neck, delicate features, and luminous, soulful eyes made her seem untouchable.
Of course, Shi Hao had seen another side of her and wouldn’t be fooled. This woman was formidable, not someone ordinary men could tame.
He couldn’t help but recall the time he had captured her alive, even going so far as to hold a mock wedding ceremony and glimpsing her flawless jade-like body. A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
“Eh? He’s smiling at Junior Sister Qing Yi. He really is a…” someone began, nearly calling him a lecher before hastily swallowing the words and correcting himself, “Youthful and dashing!”
Many exchanged odd glances, recalling how Shi Hao had just muttered about bathing with the Ten Great Beauties. How brazen!
And now, staring at Qing Yi like this—was he really plotting something unscrupulous?
The young men nearby glowered. Though none were reckless enough to charge at him like bloodthirsty roosters, their resentment was palpable.
Shi Hao chuckled inwardly. Truth be told, she *was* his wife—though they hadn’t truly consummated their union, their past had been… eventful, to say the least.
*”What are you glaring at? That’s my wife!”*
Of course, he couldn’t say that aloud. The consequences would be unimaginable.
“Qing Yi, he’s really looking at you. Does he want to bathe with you?” Tian Yao teased, her sapphire-like eyes gleaming with mischief.
“Don’t speak nonsense. Didn’t Chen Lin say he’s a scoundrel?” Yue Chan replied with a serene smile, her flawless skin glowing with divine purity.
The surrounding young men sighed in relief. Facing Shi Hao head-on was daunting for all of them.
Only Chen Lin looked awkward.
“I misjudged him. How is he so strong? Could he have surpassed even the academy’s ancient sages? Just who is he?” she murmured, her cheeks flushed with regret.
Nearby, Wu Feng’s face was ashen. With a prodigy like this entering the academy, where did that leave him? Earlier, he had mocked Shi Hao, claiming the Celestial Immortal Academy wasn’t for just any stray dog. Now, he had practically forced the boy to climb the Celestial Stairway. The thought made him stagger, nearly collapsing.
Someone steadied him but quickly withdrew, distancing themselves. Everyone knew the boy who conquered the trials would become the academy’s most prized disciple, possibly even a successor on par with Feng Wu. Who would dare side with Wu Feng now?
“Junior Brother, you’ve done it! Today’s feat will be recorded in our academy’s annals. Oh, and if you ever get a chance to visit the Divine Lotus Pool, time it right—the beauties have a schedule,” someone boldly shouted from below.
The crowd erupted into chaos.
“Let’s have a proper chat when you return, Junior Brother!” another voice called.
“Pervert! Lecher!”
“Shameless! Scoundrel!”
The female students glared, their disdain evident.
On the platform, Shi Hao turned, sensing an arrival. He discreetly prepared his protective and escape talismans, confident he could leave at any moment.
But unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t waste them. He *really* wanted to visit the Divine Lotus Pool.
“Impressive,” an elderly voice remarked.
A golden-robed old man stood beside him, snow-white hair framing a face of profound wisdom. His aura was transcendent, like an immortal descended from the heavens.
He radiated kindness, his gaze warm and welcoming, yet everyone sensed his immense power—he had appeared on the platform without a sound.
“Could it be… the old dean has emerged from seclusion?”
Hearts raced. Even the academy’s top beauties widened their eyes, noticing the two Heavenly Gods standing frozen, staring at the platform.
Shi Hao’s ascent had shaken the academy, drawing the attention of these deities—yet now, they stood like statues.
The realization spread like wildfire: this *had* to be the long-secluded dean.
“Heavens! Is the dean going to take him as a disciple?”
“To catch the eye of our academy’s strongest—is he about to receive personal guidance?”
Envy and awe rippled through the crowd.
“Are you sure it’s the dean?” someone whispered.
“Look at the Heavenly Gods—they’re stunned!” another retorted.
On the platform, Shi Hao bowed respectfully. Facing such a figure, caution was paramount.
“Would you join my Dao sanctuary?” the elder asked, his voice serene, his presence otherworldly.
“Can I soak in the Divine Lotus Pool for a few days first?” Shi Hao muttered.
The crowd gaped. Such an opportunity lay before him, and he was *bargaining*?
“Ha! Are you planning to steal a fragrant jade and find a Dao companion?” the elder teased, his wise eyes twinkling.
He glanced at Qing Yi below. “Not bad.”
The crowd was baffled. Was the dean… matchmaking?
Yue Chan’s heart skipped a beat under his gaze. The other beauties giggled.
“Junior Sister Qing Yi, you might just gain a Dao companion. The dean seems quite invested.”
“What fortune! Should we sisters share one?”
Their bold banter drew stares from the surrounding youths.
“Worry not. Join my sanctuary, and the Divine Lotus Pool is yours—just don’t neglect your cultivation for bathing,” the elder chuckled.
Sweat dripped down many brows. Even the academy’s top beauties blinked, amused by the dean’s youthful humor.
“I won’t disappoint you, Elder!” Shi Hao thumped his chest.
In the distance, Wu Feng collapsed, his face deathly pale. The sight filled him with dread—retribution loomed.
The elder flicked his sleeve, white tortoise shells clattering. “A quick divination reveals you’re fated with our academy. A Dao companion awaits nearby.”
His glance at Yue Chan was unmistakable.
Many young men groaned inwardly. *Dean, you’re overstepping!*
And his wording—*one* Dao companion? Did that imply more?
“Feng Wu isn’t here—she’s meditating on the Immortal’s legacy. Otherwise, she’d be a fine choice too,” the elder mused.
Shi Hao was puzzled. Why was this academy heavyweight so invested in matchmaking?
“Enough. Join my sanctuary, become my disciple. It’s decided—come with me.”
“But the Divine Lotus Pool…” Shi Hao pressed.
“Foolish boy! There’ll be plenty of time for that later,” the elder scolded lightly.
“Wait, is the dean really sending him to the pool? What if he *does* end up bathing with someone?”
“Let’s go.”
With a wave of his golden sleeve, space warped, a passage forming—a display of power that left all in awe.
Shi Hao followed, vanishing with him.
*Dong—*
A bell tolled, shaking the academy.
“The ninth trial’s bell—why now?”
The two Heavenly Gods snapped out of their daze, exchanging horrified looks.
“Someone… silenced the bell earlier?” one whispered.
“We were ensnared without realizing?” the other gasped.
Only the ninth toll would summon the academy’s mightiest. Yet someone had suppressed it.
“To the Celestial Hall!”
Behind them, students overheard, their faces pale. Something monumental had occurred.
A storm was brewing.
“Someone conquered the trials?” an elder in the Celestial Hall asked.
“Yes, but… he didn’t join us. We suspect *he* has returned,” a Heavenly God trembled.
*”What?!”*
The academy erupted. Surging auras pierced the skies—the mightiest had been roused.
This day, the academy would know no peace.
—
In a distorted void, golden light shimmered as the elder and Shi Hao emerged in a mountainous region.
“Elder, is this the academy’s depths?” Shi Hao asked.
“Close, but not quite,” the elder replied.
Shi Hao’s eyes widened. Ahead stood a pair of colossal gates, towering into the clouds, ancient and imposing, radiating an aura of the Great Dao.
Above them hung a plaque with four archaic characters: *Sanctuary of the Supreme.*
Shi Hao’s heart skipped. No mention of “Celestial Immortal”? Was this the elder’s retreat? And why did it remind him of the Supreme Hall—the peerless lineage that clashed eternally with the Immortal Palace?
He grew uneasy.
“Remember, this sanctuary is the pinnacle of all legacies. Once entered, there’s no turning back. You will fight for it!” the elder declared, his demeanor shifting into that of an unrivaled sovereign, his gaze piercing the heavens.
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