Upon hearing the crowd's uproar, He Tianwei glared fiercely at Jiang Chen, then turned around and left the Martial Arts Arena with the other disciples of Lu Buping, carrying Sun Zheqi.

"Enough!"

Jian Cangqiong spoke aloud: "Students, the challenge competition is over. This time, no one managed to advance to core student status. I hope everyone continues to work hard and cultivate. The challenge competition rules have been revised; I hope none of you forget. Now everyone disperse and go train!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

All the students bowed and saluted, then turned and left.

Jiang Chen cupped his hands in salute toward Jian Cangqiong and Dao Yeming on the platform and quickly leaped toward Southern Maniac Mountain. Hu Yiqiu, Yun Tao, and Wu Hen followed closely behind.

"This boy... With such a student at Changlin Academy, it is indeed a blessing for the academy!"

Jian Cangqiong looked at Jiang Chen's back and said with a gratifying smile.

"Cangqiong, it's time to make a choice. The conflict between Elder Wine-crazed's faction and Lu Buping's faction can no longer be reconciled!"

Dao Yeming flew to Jian Cangqiong's side and spoke in a low voice.

Jian Cangqiong's expression slightly darkened, and he nodded gently.

...

Through the battle in the challenge competition, Jiang Chen's name spread throughout the academy.

In the academy, people often discussed him, and even some instructors felt quite impressed.

But at the center of these discussions, Jiang Chen ignored any rumors and continued to train diligently.

After gaining insight from Hu Yiqiu's Great Dao Comprehension, Jiang Chen healed the Great Dao's injuries and went to other places of opportunity to train.

Rock Peak.

As usual, many students surrounded Earth Rock, comprehending the Earth Path.

These students maintained a certain distance from each other, forming a patterned distribution, roughly divided into three levels.

A quarter of an hour ago, He Tianwei, who had been cultivating above Earth Rock, left the rock due to a sudden matter.

Whoosh!

Two figures leaped from the mountain path, arriving at the cultivation area around Earth Rock.

"Senior Yun Tao! Junior Jiang!"

Some students who hadn't entered meditation status smiled and greeted the newcomers.

The first place Jiang Chen chose was Rock Peak; among the Five Elements Path, he hadn't comprehended the Earth Path yet.

Upon hearing the greeting, Jiang Chen and Yun Tao responded with smiles.

"Junior, the rules here are similar to Qingmu Forest. Below the rock are three levels, and the rock itself is the highest level, which requires ten points for two hours."

Yun Tao spoke softly.

"So much?"

Jiang Chen expressed surprise, looking at Earth Rock, and murmured softly, "No wonder no one is cultivating here."

"The reason no one cultivates above isn't just because it requires many points; it's because Lu Elder's faction has always occupied it and doesn't let others go up."

A trace of sarcasm flashed in Yun Tao's eyes: "They believe occupying it guarantees surpassing others in cultivating the Earth Path. What a bunch of fools!"

"This…"

Jiang Chen frowned slightly: "Even if Lu Elder's disciples occupy it, there must be times when they run out of points, no?"

"If only his disciples occupy it, they would indeed run out of points, but when they aren't there, Lu Elder occupies it. That shameless old man, leveraging contributions made during the academy's rebuilding, acts tyrannically. The Headmaster and the Four Great Elders give him face and don't care, yet he gets more and more insolent!"

Contempt appeared in Yun Tao's eyes.

"Lu Elder? Would cultivating here still work for him? Isn't it best suited for mid-stage Unity Realm Stage cultivators? He has already reached the mid-stage Unity Realm Stage pinnacle. Does he still need to gain insight here?"

Jiang Chen asked in surprise.

"Given Lu Elder's realm, he indeed doesn't need insights here, but he seemingly occupies Earth Rock to prevent his disciples from being surpassed. Actually, the difference isn't significant between the first level below and above, so nobody argues with him!"

A reply came from a gray-robed old man on the first level below the rock, looking towards Jiang Chen and Yun Tao.

"Greet the Dean Sun!"

Yun Tao bowed to the old man and then introduced Jiang Chen: "This is Sun Yao, the Dean of the Earth Study Palace."

"Greet the Dean Sun!"

Jiang Chen cupped his hands in salute.

"Jiang Chen, gain good insights. We old fellows are eagerly waiting to see you soar to the skies!"

Sun Yao said with a gentle smile.

"Thank you, Dean Sun, I will strive for it!"

Jiang Chen nodded with a smile.

Glancing at Earth Rock, Jiang Chen meaningfully said: "Senior, this place of opportunity is for the whole academy to use, not just Lu Elder's faction, right?"

"Indeed."

Yun Tao nodded without hesitation and then suddenly paused, looking at Jiang Chen in astonishment: "Junior, are you going to…"

"I've done some inquiring lately; my mentor and your temperament are too kind. Lu Elder's faction repeatedly provokes, yet you only counteract their moves, which only fuels their arrogance!"

Jiang Chen said calmly: "Today, let me take the initiative representing Southern Maniac Mountain!"

Whoosh!

With those words, Jiang Chen's figure flashed. Instead of jumping, he quickly threaded through the people below. He only leaped when he reached Earth Rock, landing atop it.

This action displayed Jiang Chen's respect toward those cultivating below, who included students, instructors, and a few elders. Flying directly over their heads would be impolite.

Yun Tao was momentarily stunned, then grinned: "Yes! Why should we always be troubled by them? Let's trouble them for once!"

"Senior, you misunderstand; we're merely cultivating. Earth Rock doesn't belong to their faction alone. As long as we have points, we can cultivate here, right?"

Jiang Chen smiled slightly and called softly.

"Right! We have points, why shouldn't we cultivate here?"

Yun Tao responded, learning from Jiang Chen, and also leaped onto Earth Rock.

The top of Earth Rock wasn't flat but had three surfaces at different heights; Jiang Chen sat on the lowest layer, Yun Tao on the second layer.

"I've long wanted to experience Earth Rock. Today, I'll accompany you two young ones for some fun."

Sun Yao's eyes brightened, and he chuckled as he leaped to the highest surface.

"Haha, Dean Sun is a person of profound character. Much appreciated."

Jiang Chen said with a laugh, knowing that Sun Yao's action was to help them share the burden. While the disciples of Lu Elder weren't present, they'd surely return soon.

Sun Yao smiled faintly; Jiang Chen's 'much appreciated' revealed that Jiang Chen understood his intentions.

Without further words, the three closed their eyes slightly and commenced insightful cultivation.

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