Translator: AnubisTL
Wind Cloud Pavilion, Cloud Mist Pavilion, and Myriad Success Pavilion—the three major information dissemination forces in the capital—extensively covered the Grand Harmony Academy's welcoming ceremony.
"The Most Pathetic Top Scholar in History, Hailing from the Sunset Glow Sect!"
"The Mastermind Behind the Most Audacious Cheating Scandal in Grand Harmony Academy's History!"
"Gu Feng's Shameful Past!"
"Gu Feng's Rise to Power, Starting with the Murder of His Second and Third Uncles!"
"Gu Feng's Robbery Spree—Even Underwear Wasn't Spared!"
"Whitewashing His Life by Groveling to the Ancestral Master, Ascending to the Throne of Sect Master!"
"Scheming His Way to a Fortune Worth Billions!"
"..."
Three days had passed since the welcoming ceremony.
Gu Feng and his Sunset Glow Sect remained at the center of public attention, with their popularity showing no signs of waning.
As the Sect Master of the Sunset Glow Sect and the leader of the five hundred top scholars in the Spirit Nurturing Examination Zone One, Gu Feng faced an unprecedented public relations crisis.
Every day, a flood of scandals about him were exposed, and the coverage was explosive.
In the capital's teahouses and taverns, storytellers emerged, painting Gu Feng as black as the bottom of a pot!
Gu Feng became known as the "Great Chu's Number One Scoundrel," and together with Monk Wu De, the "Great Chu's Number One Lecherous Monk," they were dubbed the "Twin Evils of Great Chu!"
When Monk Wu De learned of this, he was furious, feeling that being associated with Gu Feng was an insult.
Of course, Gu Feng felt the same way!
As the public outcry intensified, even Gu Feng's usually calm demeanor began to crack.
He summoned Shan Feier and asked her to help release a personal interview.
In the interview, Gu Feng was incredibly arrogant, mocking the public and unscrupulous information disseminators alike.
"Come at me... I love seeing you all furious but unable to do anything about it... I'm the top scholar, the number one genius of Chu... All your anger stems from jealousy, and jealousy makes you ugly... You bunch of garbage information disseminators, you should be worshipping me... Without me, your Image Stones would go unsold, and you'd struggle to even eat!"
This sent the entire capital into a frenzy, and even many disciples of the Grand Harmony Academy began to taunt Gu Feng.
Gu Feng, however, welcomed such people.
"Punching across the four seas, kicking through heaven and earth, I accept challenges from all cultivators below the second level of the Spirit Nurturing Realm!"
However, a challenge fee of 100,000 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones was required. If you had the money, step up; if not, stop blabbering!
Thus, a martial arts competition began!
Without exception, all challengers were defeated.
By the third day, the Grand Harmony Academy intervened to stop their students' foolish behavior.
When Gu Feng was in the Innate Realm, he could already defeat Shu Yuheng, who was at the second level of the Spirit Nurturing Realm. Now that he had advanced to the Spirit Nurturing Realm, who below the second level could possibly be his match?
These students, full of passion but lacking in strength, challenging Gu Feng was no different from handing him Spirit Stones.
On the day the Grand Harmony Academy intervened, Gu Feng was summoned by Prefect Chu.
Arriving at the Prefect Manor, Gu Feng swallowed hard and stepped inside with trepidation.
Upon meeting the renowned Prefect Chu of Great Chu, Gu Feng immediately began with flattery: "They say daughters inherit their father's best traits, no wonder Senior Sister Chu is so stunningly beautiful!"
Originally, Prefect Chu intended to sternly warn Gu Feng, but upon hearing those words, he immediately revealed a kind smile, and the atmosphere instantly became lively.
"Gu Feng, the incidents that occurred during the grand examination, I can pretend they never happened. If you don't want others to know, then you shouldn't have done it!" Prefect Chu looked at Gu Feng and said meaningfully.
Gu Feng didn't argue, just obediently nodded.
He was quite experienced in knowing when to put on what expression.
"During your time at the Grand Harmony Academy, I don't want to see any more paid challenges!"
"Of course, ordinary challenges are fine, but you can't use the name of a challenge to commit robbery."
"Understood, Prefect Chu!" Gu Feng said solemnly. In fact, after the recent events in Tranquil Sky City, the number of fools willing to challenge him for a fee had dwindled. Even if he wanted to use this method to swindle Spirit Stones, few would fall for it now, so he agreed without hesitation.
"Given your alchemy skills, I hope you can give up on alchemy, is that alright?"
Hearing this, Gu Feng was slightly stunned but still nodded instinctively. He felt that Prefect Chu's request for him to stop practicing alchemy was a waste of talent.
After finishing the serious topics, Prefect Chu casually inquired about Chu Youhuan's situation at the Sunset Glow Sect.
To be honest, some of Chu Youhuan's behaviors weren't much better than Gu Feng's, such as borrowing money and not returning it, or—
But—
Gu Feng was no fool, of course, he would say whatever sounded good.
Seeing Prefect Chu as happy as a child, Gu Feng also smiled knowingly.
"The bond between father and daughter is as thick as blood..."
The two chatted for about an hour, and finally, Gu Feng left the Prefect Manor with five hundred passes to enter the Cultivation Tower!
The Cultivation Tower, originally named the Dragon Sun Moon Tower, is a mid-grade Earth-grade Artifact, inscribed with over twenty-three thousand runes inside and out. It was originally a treasure of the Great Chu Dynasty's royal family, but after Chu Youhuan's father established the Grand Harmony Academy, he acquired it at a great cost.
The tower has its own internal space, divided into nine levels, each of which can be further divided into ten zones based on the concentration of Spiritual Energy. The first level has up to ten times the Spiritual Energy, while the ninth level reaches a terrifying ninety times.
In contrast to its terrifying efficacy is its even more terrifying consumption. Activating it once requires four hundred thousand high-grade Spirit Stones, which can sustain a month of cultivation.
For ordinary cultivators to enter, they must meet two conditions: first, gather a hundred cultivators; second, pay four hundred thousand high-grade Spirit Stones, or alternatively, four billion low-grade Spirit Stones.
This is why the Grand Harmony Academy had to pay a price of twenty billion low-grade Spirit Stones for the five hundred top scholars from the Spirit Nurturing Examination Zone One.
Generally, the Cultivation Tower is rarely opened more than a few times a year.
Now, due to Gu Feng's antics, the Grand Harmony Academy was forced to sell off several Natural Treasures, tearfully gathering two million high-grade Spirit Stones, and reluctantly opened the Cultivation Tower five times in a row for the Sunset Glow Sect!
In the evening, Gu Feng gathered all the disciples of the Sunset Glow Sect.
They discussed the accommodation issue.
The Grand Harmony Academy is unlike any other sect in the Great Chu Dynasty.
Here, Cultivation Methods and Martial Skills can be freely chosen, without any cost, as long as one's cultivation level is sufficient, they can enter the corresponding method hall to select.
Correspondingly, the Grand Harmony Academy does not provide cultivation resources to its students.
Even accommodations, the Cultivation Tower, and the Trial Tower required the payment of corresponding Spirit Stones.
Of course, accommodations could be provided by the Grand Harmony Academy, or one could build their own.
Previously, the Sunset Glow Sect had too few cultivators admitted to the Grand Harmony Academy, so building a residential area would have been a waste.
But now, things were different. Gu Feng had brought two thousand disciples here, making the residential area a necessity.
"I have decided to apply for a plot of land from the Grand Harmony Academy tomorrow to build exclusive residences for our Sunset Glow Sect.
The standard will not be inferior to any other sect. It will be equipped with a Spirit Gathering Array, cultivation chambers, and an Alchemy Room. As for the Artifact Crafting Chamber, we'll address that a bit later!"
Upon hearing this, everyone cheered, including dozens of former Sunset Glow Sect disciples who had been admitted to the Grand Harmony Academy in previous years. Their faces were filled with happy smiles.
Living under someone else's roof was not easy!
The next day, Gu Feng arrived early at the Hall of Elders to get the land approved, and then he began large-scale construction.
Since the Sunset Glow Sect's funds were also sufficient, Gu Feng had everyone pitch in.
This was when the five hundred older disciples finally came in handy. Their Nurtured Spirit was particularly suited for construction work.
The strength of cultivators was immense, and in just three days, more than a dozen tall buildings rose from the empty land.
Of course, this move once again stirred up a frenzy in the outside world.
Sensational headlines like "The Top Scholar Doing Manual Labor—A Strange Tale!" spread far and wide.
"In three days, we'll enter the Cultivation Tower in batches!"
Gu Feng remained unfazed by the commotion and proceeded with his plans step by step.
"Innate Realm cultivators, don't rush. Once you successfully nurture your spirit, I will definitely find a way to get you all into the Cultivation Tower without you having to pay Spirit Stones!
All you need to do is focus on your cultivation. Don't let all my efforts go to waste with you still being unimpressive!"
Gu Feng was a very responsible leader. He did not deprive the older disciples of their right to enter the Cultivation Tower and solemnly promised to help the weaker cultivators.
His actions deeply moved the more than two thousand Sunset Glow Sect disciples.
Even the former disciples who had been somewhat skeptical of Gu Feng now deeply respected him, bowing to him respectfully and addressing him as Sect Master.
"If any of you face difficulties, I will definitely help you solve them. Don't feel embarrassed, because this is the sect's Spirit Stones. I'm not foolish enough to use my personal wealth to subsidize you—I'm short on money myself!" Gu Feng sighed lightly.
He wasn't boasting when he said this. At the moment, he was back to being penniless.
Prefect Chu had imposed many restrictions on him, leaving him temporarily unable to find ways to earn Spirit Stones.
If this continued, even his own cultivation would become a problem. He might have to wait until next year for the dividends from the Swamp Fortress.
He realized that balancing the responsibilities of the sect and his personal needs was indeed a headache.
...
Fearing that the older disciples might face difficulties, Gu Feng personally escorted them to the Cultivation Tower.
"Deputy Sect Master Ouyang, I didn't expect you to be in charge of the Cultivation Tower!" Seeing an old acquaintance, Gu Feng stepped forward and bowed respectfully, offering a friendly smile.
"Hmph—" Ouyang Qi snorted lightly. He still harbored resentment over losing ten million Mid-Grade Spirit Stones to Gu Feng and naturally didn't give him a friendly look.
"I'm not in charge of the Cultivation Tower. I'm the supervisor for your batch of candidates!"
Hearing this, Gu Feng immediately understood. Each batch of candidates was assigned to a corresponding Deputy Prefect.
"Please take care of me in the future, Vice-Prefect Ouyang!" Gu Feng smiled as he approached, secretly slipping him a storage ring.
Ouyang Qi gave Gu Feng a meaningful look. This kid sure knows how to handle things.
Having received the benefit, his gaze toward Gu Feng became noticeably friendlier.
"Letting these elderly students enter is a complete waste of the precious Cultivation Tower qualifications!" Ouyang Qi muttered softly. In his view, Gu Feng's decision was unwise. It would have been better to let talented Innate Realm disciples enter instead.
"I brought them into Grand Harmony Academy, so I have to take responsibility!" Gu Feng smiled faintly, unbothered.
"Sect Master, rest assured, we will train with all our might!" The first batch of one hundred elderly students entering the Cultivation Tower each wore expressions of determination.
Ouyang Qi was momentarily stunned. For a brief moment, he sensed a youthful energy emanating from these seemingly aged students.
It was as if standing before him were not two-hundred-year-old elders but a group of vibrant young cultivators.
This left him deeply moved, a feeling he had never experienced before rising from within.
"Enter the Cultivation Tower!"
The one hundred cultivators filed in one by one.
"Vice-Prefect Ouyang, could you please have someone keep an eye on them? I'm afraid some of the old folks might overexert themselves and die inside! If any issues arise, notify me immediately. I won't let your efforts go unrewarded."
"Don't worry, it's my duty. I'll have the Elders pay extra attention."
Ouyang Qi sized up Gu Feng and suddenly realized that this kid was actually quite reliable.
With a chuckle, he turned and left.
After watching for a while at the base of the Cultivation Tower, Gu Feng headed to the Trial Tower.
The Trial Tower was a place for students to hone their martial skills. By paying Spirit Stones, they could enter and engage in simulated battles, identifying weaknesses in their techniques through combat with virtual demon beasts or cultivators.
Unlike the Cultivation Tower, breaking records here could yield substantial rewards, making it one of the few places in Grand Harmony Academy where one could earn Spirit Stones.
Gu Feng had long had his eye on this place but had been too busy to enter.
Originally, he hadn't planned to go for records, but he was simply too broke—he had no choice!
And so—
Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, he draped himself in a cloak and quietly made his way to the Trial Tower.
"I need to be quick, or Prefect Chu will surely issue another ban against me!"
Returning to the Prefect Manor, Ouyang Qi recounted the day's events to Prefect Chu.
The latter was highly satisfied and praised Gu Feng's actions, believing that he truly embodied the principle of teaching without discrimination and was a promising talent.
"As long as Gu Feng doesn't stir up trouble, he's quite reliable!" Prefect Chu openly expressed his admiration for Gu Feng.
"Indeed, Gu Feng has both capability and courage. He's someone who can get things done!" Ouyang Qi chimed in agreement.
(End of the Chapter)
📚 Read [FD] on Patreon.com/AnubisTL – Up to c300.🎊 [+2/4k]
☕ Support me and Read Ahead for just $5/mo.
🎯 Translated [2] Novels [745k+] Words and counting!