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Elder Shang hastily produced a jade talisman, his heart aching as he crushed it.
This talisman was a defense charm he had saved for critical moments, never imagining it would be used in such a situation.
Regrettably, there was no time for hesitation now. The incoming strike was immensely powerful, and sustaining a serious injury would be a true embarrassment.
As the talisman shattered, a golden spiritual shield appeared above his head. The golden light swirled, forming an impenetrable barrier around him.
The phantom image of mountains and rivers bore down heavily, causing the surface of the spiritual shield to ripple with spiritual light, as if under immense pressure, trembling violently.
Under normal circumstances, with the support of this shield, Elder Shang could have taken the opportunity to flee the battlefield.
However, the divine soul treasure above his head was somewhat peculiar.
The massive phantom image it conjured seemed to merge with the surrounding space, making it impossible for him to break free in any direction, as if the whole world was his enemy at this moment.
Half a quarter of an hour later, the golden shield could no longer hold and shattered abruptly.
The dimmed phantom image of mountains and rivers sank down once more, pressing down overhead.
Elder Shang quickly raised his Yuan Water Treasure Blade to block, but still, he trembled violently and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Such a series of high-energy outbursts naturally alarmed many on the island.
More and more people came to watch the excitement. Even a few stationed Celestial Realm elders arrived upon hearing the news.
***
Meanwhile, in the main hall where the leaders were meeting.
Even though the outer area was shielded by formations, blocking probes and most noise, those in the main hall could still sense the intense energy fluctuations.
Such fluctuations suggested a late-stage Celestial Realm power, didn't they?
Elder Yuanshui raised an eyebrow: "Someone come."
"Greetings, Master."
A core disciple in the early stages of the Celestial Realm, Fu Haibo, entered. Although not a direct disciple, he was one of Elder Yuanshui's more outstanding young disciples, usually close at hand to learn from him.
"Haibo, pass my order, whoever is sparring must stop immediately," Elder Yuanshui commanded. "After I finish here, bring them to me."
"Yes, Master." Fu Haibo took the order and left.
***
The elders were not immortals; how could they have anticipated that a mere Spirit Platform Realm practitioner was clashing with a Celestial Realm elder?
The crowd at the scene of the fight grew larger.
After unleashing the "Mountain and River Seal," Wang Liyao's face had turned somewhat pale.
The Mountain and River Seal, having exhausted its stored power, reverted to a small white jade seal and flew back, sinking into her forehead.
Clearly, the effort to wield such a powerful Mountain and River Seal had taken a toll on Wang Liyao.
The onlookers could tell that this "divine soul instrument" was mighty but not a conventional combat tool.
After all, if a mere Spirit Platform Realm cultivator could wield such a treasure at will, wouldn't they be invincible?
Nevertheless, it was an eye-opener for the disciples of the Yuanshui lineage, who were thrilled.
It was rare to see a Spirit Platform Realm practitioner stand against a Celestial Realm, perhaps once in a hundred years.
Having witnessed it with their own eyes, how could they not be excited?
The Ninth Miss of the Yuan Water Spirit Turtle was so excited she "roared" continuously. If not trapped by the prohibition, she would have rushed over to hug her master's thigh and act coquettishly.
Her master was too impressive, truly the opportunity Ancestor had spoken of.
As the number of onlookers increased, three stationed elders had come to watch. After asking the disciples about the incident, their expressions turned very grave.
The young girl with the "unremarkable" appearance, whose face seemed hard to remember, was probably beyond the description of a prodigy; she was likely the grand prodigy that the Purple Mansion Academy might not see even once in hundreds of years!
Only those who awakened their spirit bodies at the Spirit Platform Realm qualified as grand prodigies.
Such super geniuses were even coveted by the elders. It was said that for grand prodigies, ascending to the Celestial Realm was as natural as eating and drinking, without the need for ascension pills.
Even the Purple Mansion Realm, the lifelong dream of countless core disciples, was not too difficult an obstacle for grand prodigies. Only when aiming to advance further to the Divine Power Realm might they encounter some probability of failure.
In other words, any grand prodigy, unless they fell prematurely, would at least achieve the status of a Purple Mansion elder in their lifetime. With a bit of luck, they might become a Divine Power Realm powerhouse or even reach higher levels.
Unlike them, core disciples or non-prodigy direct disciples, who had a slim chance of even stepping into the Purple Mansion Realm.
Of course, among the younger generation in the Purple Mansion Academy, there was indeed a grand prodigy, and that was Green Calyx, a disciple of Elder Changchun.
However, Green Calyx had a special background, and Elder Changchun always instructed her to keep it secret. Therefore, only the elders of the academy were aware of Green Calyx's status as a grand prodigy; it was not a public secret.
"Who… who are you? Are you surnamed Wang? Are you from the Wang Clan of the Southern Desert or a descendant of the Daqian Wang Clan?" Elder Shang asked frantically, "Don't think that just because you have a strong bloodline, you can do whatever you want. The academy has its rules, and even the Daqian royal family cannot break them at will!"
"Elder Shang, you truly disappoint me, as does the Yuanshui lineage," Wang Liyao shook her head and sighed.
"The academy has always been revered for accepting disciples from humble backgrounds, not judging heroes by their family history. Once you join the academy, you are a disciple of the academy, addressing each other as brothers and sisters internally, and sharing honor and disgrace externally. I didn't expect it to change with you."
"Whether I am wrong or not, what does it have to do with which clan I come from?"
"If I, Wang Liyao, were born into a high-ranking clan, would you then consider whether you could afford to offend me? If I were from a humble background, could you oppress and suppress me without reason?"
"Since you appeared, have you asked what really happened? Just by listening to Shang Lexian's one-sided story, you convicted me without hesitation, isn't it because you think I have no backing and want to take the opportunity to suppress me?"
Her words left Elder Shang's face changing colors.
The other elders also looked at each other, slightly ashamed.
The academy had indeed become more mercenary over time, far from the pure initial intentions when it was first established.
"Girl, I don't care about your family background, nor whether you are a grand prodigy," Elder Shang regretted deeply, knowing he had provoked a formidable being, but now he had no choice but to stand firm and continued righteously, "I suspect you of stealing the academy's secret scriptures. If you don't surrender and come with me to the Enforcement Hall, I will have no choice but to suppress you."
At this point, he had no choice but to follow through.
If it turned out that the girl had indeed stolen, then all would be well, and he, Elder Shang, would have made a great contribution to the academy.
If this was a misunderstanding, then he, Elder Shang, was also enforcing the law impartially, and even if Elder Yuanshui came, he could argue his case. Even if the people behind the girl sought revenge, the academy would stand in front.
Having lived for three hundred years, he might not match the prodigies in strength, but he was far superior in handling such matters.
More importantly, now that he was in a difficult position, if he showed weakness and couldn't even suppress a Spirit Platform Realm girl, he would likely lose face and authority to continue in the Yuanshui Lake lineage.
As he finished speaking.
Elder Shang lifted his hand, and a circular-shaped treasure appeared in his palm.
He still maintained a righteous demeanor: "Wang Liyao, I give you one last chance. Admit to stealing the Yuanshui lineage's techniques, and I will personally plead for you."
He was cunning, still trying to trick Wang Liyao at this point.
"I haven't stolen anything, you have no right to control me, and I don't need your pity," Wang Liyao snorted coldly.
She had always been stubborn since childhood, never admitting wrong under pressure from anyone except her mother, especially when she was not at fault.
"Very well, since you are obstinate, then I have no choice but to use force!" Elder Shang was unable to save face and said.
Immediately!
He tossed the circular treasure into the air, which "whooshed" upwards and then grew in the wind, quickly expanding to a size of three meters in diameter.
This secret treasure, named "Qiankun Ring," was crafted in imitation of the divine treasure "Qiankun Circle." Although its functions were much weaker than the original Qiankun Circle, it still possessed powerful binding and suppression effects.
Under Elder Shang's control, the Qiankun Ring spun in the air and then fiercely pressed down towards Wang Liyao!
The powerful binding force manifested as streams of spiritual light, accompanied by a terrible pressure that surged towards Wang Liyao in an instant.
Wang Liyao was weakened and had no time to dodge.
Her expression stern, she decisively summoned her Heart Guarding Shield, with dense Yuan Water Xuan Qi pouring into it.
A thick umbrella-shaped energy shield immediately enveloped her.
The next moment.
With a "boom," the formidable binding force landed on the energy shield.
Wang Liyao's body shook violently, as if struck by lightning.
The floor tiles shattered under the immense pressure, and she sank down, her legs plunging deep into the ground.
Sweat dripped from her cheeks, and her face grew paler.
"Wang Liyao, if you admit your mistake, I will withdraw the secret treasure. Considering your exceptional talent and bloodline, the academy will surely be lenient," Elder Shang continued to increase the suppression force, persuading earnestly, "Why must you bring this hardship upon yourself?"
"I'm not wrong, why should I admit it?" Although Wang Liyao was struggling to hold on, she retorted angrily, "The one who is wrong is clearly you!"
Dream on if you think you can force me to admit wrongdoing by suppression!
"Fine, fine," Elder Shang said, unable to maintain his facade, "then don't blame me for capturing you and taking you to the Enforcement Hall."
With that, he pinched his fingers, ready to activate the Qiankun Ring again and increase the binding and suppression force.
"Sigh~~"
Seeing this, Wang Liyao felt indignant but sighed.
It seemed she had no choice but to use that item.
She had thought it wouldn't be necessary, but it turned out she had underestimated the ordinary Celestial Realm cultivators of the academy. Even if they weren't prodigy-level Celestial Realm practitioners like Uncle Fang You'an, they were still formidable, with endless trump cards, incomparable to the ordinary Celestial Realm ancestors of the seventh-rank clan families outside.
The fact that Wang Liyao felt a twinge of heartache indicated that it was an extraordinary item.
Suddenly!
At that moment.
A deep humming sound of a sword cry echoed through the sky.
A purple sword light streaked across the sky, rapidly approaching from afar.
The sword light was as cold as solid ice and as mighty as thunder, its terrifying sharpness captivating even before it arrived.
Simultaneously, an uncontainable angry shout exploded from the sky: "Shang, you've got some nerve, daring to bully a member of my Wang Long Yan's clan!"
"The Purple Lightning Sword! It's the Ancestor, Long Yan Ancestor has come~~"
Wang Liyao's eyes brightened, feeling a strong sense of support in her heart.
Her tense emotions relaxed instantly. Suddenly, her delicate body swayed and she fell backward!
But she did not hit the ground; instead, she fell into a pair of arms that were familiar and gave her a sense of security, and a man's voice she knew all too well whispered in her ear: "You girl, why are you still so stubborn?"
"Daddy~ Daddy is here~" In an instant, tears rolled down Wang Liyao's eyes, her lips pouted in a childlike expression of grievance, "Wuu~ I don't want to join the Yuanshui lineage anymore."