Chapter 133
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Upon hearing Bai Yi’s question, Murong Ying coughed lightly, picked up his teacup, and took a sip of tea. He merely offered an awkward smile, but said nothing.
“Could it be for any other reason?” Bai Yi pressed.
The old man, who had been sitting with his eyes closed in meditation, now snorted, “Isn’t it because of Qin Yuanzun’s scheming!”
Qin Yuanzun?
“It is said that a genius has emerged from the Liuyue City, and this individual is a descendant of a branch of the Qin clan. The Qin clan has called this young talent back to the main family to create a grand spectacle around him. That is why we are here!”
The elder opened his eyes at this moment, revealing an imposing aura that commanded respect without any need for anger.
“The current state of the Qingyun Academy is deplorable, filled with the influence of various powerful families. It truly needs to be rectified!” he declared.
Upon hearing this, Murong Ying glanced at Bai Yi, signaling him to remain silent.
The elder before them, Tang Chuyi, was a formidable figure. He was a master of the Yuanfu realm and had once been a commoner who rose through the ranks by passing the Qingyun Academy’s examination. He later became an elder within the academy.
Tang Chuyi had always been at odds with the powerful families within the academy, especially with Qin Yuanzun of the Qin clan.
The Qingyun Academy, as the premier institution of the empire, had a long history. Many of its elders and mentors were high-ranking individuals from powerful families such as the Qin, Chu, and Xiao clans. As a result, the academy had become divided into two factions: the Family Faction and the Academy Faction. These two groups had been engaged in a covert power struggle for years, each vying for their own interests.
Qin Yuanzun, as an elder from the Qin clan, held a significant position within the academy. Tang Chuyi, on the other hand, was a staunch member of the Academy Faction. The two had a long-standing animosity, harboring mutual resentment for many years.
The decision to hold the examination in Liuyue City had been strongly advocated by Qin Yuanzun. However, the academy had ultimately appointed Tang Chuyi, Qin Yuanzun’s arch-nemesis, as the chief examiner. This move clearly reflected the ongoing power play between the two factions.
Murong Ying, who had served as a mentor in the academy for many years, was well aware of these dynamics. Bai Yi, however, was a newly appointed mentor and did not yet understand the intricacies at play.
“Senior Tang, as the chief examiner this time, you must demonstrate the prestige and status of our Qingyun Academy,” Murong Ying said with a smile.
“Show off our status?” Tang Chuyi snorted again. “In the past, when we held examinations in various counties, finding even one or two geniuses was an unexpected delight. But now…”
“Senior Tang, that’s not quite accurate,” Murong Ying interjected with a conciliatory smile. “This time, it’s not just Liuyue City; four other cities are also participating.”
“So what?” Tang Chuyi dismissed the point with disdain. “It’s just a gathering of mediocrities from several cities instead of one. Despite the grand fanfare, I doubt more than ten people will make it to the third round of the examination.”
The Qingyun Academy, as the premier institution of the Qingyun Empire, had extremely rigorous admission standards. With a population of billions in the empire, tens of thousands participated in the academy’s entrance examination each year, yet only a hundred or so would pass.
Everyone aspired to rise to prominence, but not everyone had the fortune to do so.
Apart from the three examiners, there were also more than a dozen disciples sent by the Qingyun Academy, all standing in high spirits in front of the main platform.
At this moment, representatives from various powerful families began to appear on the surrounding platforms.
From Liuyue City, the Qin, Wang, Wei, and Yun families, the four major clans, ascended their stone platforms. In addition, families from Qingmu City, Wuping City, Shanyin City, and Yuechi City also made their presence known.
The onlookers numbered in the tens of thousands, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Then, a figure stepped out from the main platform and stood in the center of the training ground, suspended in mid-air. He coughed lightly, and gradually, the noise around him subsided. No one dared to make a sound.
The real beginning was about to unfold.
