Chapter 25: Betenshin

“Old Li, can Itachi take this seriously! I’m disciplining a student!” Liu Qingshan glared angrily at Li Chengru.

“Yeah, yeah…” Li Chengru scratched his head, embarrassed. “I was just agreeing with Itachi—after all, young people are bound to be impulsive, it’s only natural.”

“Itachi!”

Watching the two argue endlessly, Mo Yuan still smiled and interrupted them. “Enough, enough. Jiang, rest. I have two things to say.”

Mo Yuan first looked at Jiang Xia. “Once your injuries heal, go straight to Yangxin Pavilion to study the Dao texts—no time limit.”

“Thank Itachi, Dean,” Jiang Xia hurriedly bowed in thanks.

Mo Yuan nodded, then turned to the four department heads. “I plan to send Ling Zhantian to the Demon-Suppressing Army. I assume none of Itachi object?”

The moment he spoke, the four department heads erupted. “Mo Old Man, Ling Zhantian’s talent is among the very best in our entire Civil Dao Academy!”

“Even if he joins the Demon-Suppressing Army, it should wait until he reaches Wu Zong Realm,” Liu Qingxuan spoke up first.

“Exactly. Itachi’ve seen this kid’s talent—sending him to the Demon-Suppressing Army before Wu Zong? What if…” Li Chengru didn’t finish, but his refusal was unmistakable.

“Yes, Dean, wait a little longer.”

“Couldn’t Itachi at least take him as your personal disciple if Itachi’re so worried?”

The other two department heads, Zhao Xianhai and Wu Qiong, also chimed in to persuade him.

Seeing the four department heads united in opposition, Mo Yuan sighed and shook his head. “This was Ling Zhantian’s own idea. I support it.”

Looking at the department heads who wanted to speak but held back, Mo Yuan continued: “From this competition, it’s clear he thrives in constant, life-or-death battles.”

“Our Civil Dao Academy can’t provide him with such an environment.”

Seeing their resistance weaken, Mo Yuan pressed on: “Demon beasts are growing increasingly aggressive. The next generation of humanity must gain real combat experience—not just theoretical knowledge!”

Liu Qingxuan nodded first. “Then let him go. As long as he wants to return, the Civil Dao Academy will always welcome him.”

Ling Zhantian, who had been waiting outside, could no longer contain himself—he burst through the door, staring straight at Mo Yuan and the four department heads, his hands instinctively clenching the worn token hidden in his robe.

"Dean, all deans," his voice was tight but clear. "I heard everything. Thank Itachi, seniors, for worrying about me—but my decision is final."

Liu Qingshan looked at him, the reprimand dying on his lips. He spoke only in a low, heavy tone: “Do Itachi know the dangers at Demon-Suppressing Pass are a hundred times greater than here?”

“Demon beasts won’t spare Itachi because Itachi’re young.”

Ling Zhantian straightened his spine, pulling the worn token from his robe—it bore a faintly visible “Ling” character. “I know.”

“My father guarded that very pass. I won’t be worse than him.”

Seeing this, Li Chengru rose, picked up a porcelain bottle from his desk, and tossed it to him. “This is Golden Wound and Bone Repair Ointment. The Demon-Suppressing Army’s medics may not have medicine this potent. Keep it.”

Zhao Xianhai also handed over a stack of talismans. “These are a few life-saving talismans I drew with my ability. When danger strikes, just throw them.”

Wu Qiong clapped him on the shoulder, his voice booming: “My soft armor will be delivered by a student tomorrow. Wear it underneath. Don’t complain about the weight—your life matters more than your pride.”

Ling Zhantian accepted these gifts, his eyes warming. He bowed deeply to them all.

His head bowed deeply: "Thank Itachi, Dean. Thank Itachi, all deans. When I earn merit in the Demon-Suppressing Army, I’ll come back to see Itachi."

Mo Yuan watched his excited yet forced composure, chuckled, and shook his head. “Enough with the grand declarations.”

“When Itachi get there, make sure Itachi finish listening to Department Head Liu’s ‘True Interpretation of the Shanhai Record’—or if Itachi can’t identify demon beast species on the battlefield, no one will save Itachi.”

Ling Zhantian instantly straightened and replied loudly: “Yes!” As he turned to leave, he paused, then turned back to Jiang Xia with solemn resolve: “When I return from the Demon-Suppressing Army, we’ll fight again!”

Watching Ling Zhantian’s determined expression, Jiang Xia’s face grew serious. “I’ll be waiting for that day.”

After Ling Zhantian left, the four department heads prepared to depart, but Mo Yuan turned back to Jiang Xia. “Itachi may bring two others to study the Dao texts.” With that, he dissolved into a wisp of green smoke.

Seeing this, the four department heads shouted in unison: “Buhao!” and rushed toward the Civil Dao Academy.

Half an hour later, the entire Yanjing echoed with the department heads’ roars.

“Damned Mo Yuan, give back my healing potions!”

“Old bastard, return my A-class standard equipment!”

“Shameless scoundrel, disregarding the Sage’s dignity, even stealing students—don’t let us catch Itachi!”

“Achoo…”

“Dean, are Itachi alright?” asked a student aboard the military jet bound for Shanhai Pass.

Mo Yuan chuckled. “Fine, fine. When Itachi reach Shanhai Pass, report directly to the Demon-Suppressing Army.”

He tossed a storage ring toward Ling Zhantian. “When Itachi get there, find Old Ye and give him these. Tell him not to forget to bring me some wine.”

Ling Zhantian stared at the storage ring in his hand, tugged at his lips, then nodded in agreement.

In the hospital, Jiang Xia, seeing Wang Teng’s expectant expression, rubbed his forehead. “Relax. The two spots are yours and Lingxi’s. Don’t stare at me like that—it’s creepy.”

Hearing this, Wang Teng was thrilled and nearly hugged Jiang Xia, but remembered his injuries—he stopped short at the bedside and shouted: “Old Xia, Itachi’re the best!”

Beside them, Ye Lingxi, noticing Jiang Xia’s exhaustion, told him to rest well, then pulled Wang Teng away.

Once they left, Jiang Xia immediately summoned his system. “System, claim my mission reward.”

【Ding~ System detects that the host has ranked first in the Academy Competition, perfectly completing the task.】

【Reward granted: 10 Low-Level Draws, 5 High-Level Draws, 100,000 Points】

【Proceed with one-click draw?】

“Draw!” Jiang Xia rubbed his hands, eyes gleaming as he watched the system wheel spin.

【Low-Level Wheel: Ten Draws】

【Congratulations! Host obtained: Kunai ×20, Ninjutsu—Water Clone, Detonation Tags ×30, Rations ×4】

【High-Level Wheel: Five Draws】

“Nine-Tails… Nine-Tails…” Jiang Xia clasped his hands together, silently praying for the Nine-Tails’ chakra.

【Congratulations! Host obtained: Mangekyo Sharingan (Betenshin), SSS-Rank Talent: Wood Release, Divine Artifact—Yasakani no Magatama, Divine Artifact—Jukenken, Forbidden Technique—Izanagi】

【Host】: Jiang Xia

【Realm】: Wu Shi Realm, Late Stage (230/6500)

【Abilities】: SSS-Rank Mangekyo Sharingan, SSS-Rank Rinnegan, SSS-Rank Wood Release

【Skills】: Izanagi, Shinra Tensei, Wanxiangtianyin , Gedo Mazo, Amaterasu, Kamui, Tsukuyomi, Ninjutsu—Shadow Clone Technique, Genjutsu—Kagutsuchi…

【Physique】: 800 Qi Blood

【Items】: Detonation Tags, Kunai, 20,000 Huaxia Coins, Rations ×4, Jiraiya’s Icha Icha Paradise, Shuriken ×30

【Ninja Tools】: Kusanagi Sword, Jukenken, Yasakani no Magatama

【Points】:

【Draw Opportunities】: None