Chapter 456: Always Feeling Like I've Walked into a Wolf's Den

Arriving at this ancient palace, everyone was astonished as they looked at the palace's plaque.

Becoming Immortal Palace? Does it mean a palace where one becomes an immortal or demon god?

Immortal is the title for the middle three steps of divine beings; anyone who steps into the fourth through sixth steps of divine beings may be called an immortal.

This is not the first or third step of divine beings, but the middle three steps—even divine beings and demon gods cannot be certain they can become immortals.

But this ancient palace's tone is far too grand—naming itself Becoming Immortal Palace, doesn't that imply that whoever enters this palace will surely become an immortal?

Since ancient times, becoming a divine being or demon god has been difficult enough, let alone becoming an immortal or demon god.

Not to mention billions of living beings—even among hundreds of millions of cultivators, it's hard to produce a single immortal.

Here, it seems becoming an immortal is only the basics.

"This is Becoming Immortal Palace. The name should make its purpose clear—those who have not yet become immortals may enter Becoming Immortal Palace to cultivate. However, I suggest you first become divine beings or demon gods before entering Becoming Immortal Palace; aiming too high is no good thing."

Qingyun pointed to the left side of this Becoming Immortal Palace:

"The palaces over there are Becoming Divine Palace—as the name implies, the ancient palace for becoming divine beings or demon gods. Junior brothers and junior sisters, those of you still within the nine realms of living beings should head to Becoming Divine Palace ahead. Once you become divine beings or demon gods, then come to this Becoming Immortal Palace.

By the same logic, junior brothers and junior sisters who have already become divine beings or demon gods should cultivate in this Becoming Immortal Palace.

Oh right, regardless of which ancient palace, entering to cultivate is not free—it requires merit points. You can go to the Initial Battlefield to earn them. Merit points are determined by the strength and number of enemies you slay.

I don't recommend you go to the Initial Battlefield to earn them. It's not that I look down on you—it's just that the divine beings and demon gods who can go to the Initial Battlefield are all battle-hardened veterans. Though you are the elite of your respective realms, there's still some gap between you and the divine beings and demon gods of the Initial Battlefield.

And that kind of brutal slaughter isn't something you can adapt to right away. I suppose none of you here have experienced battles between hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of divine beings and demon gods, have you?"

Including the immortals and demon gods, everyone shook their heads.

Don't be ridiculous—those are divine beings and demon gods. Placed in any world, they could live freely and at ease; their numbers aren't exactly dime a dozen.

Tens of thousands of divine beings and demon gods in slaughter—where would you find that many divine beings and demon gods to kill?

Besides, they're only divine beings and demon gods themselves. Even if they're the elite among divine beings and demon gods, they still can't withstand a human-wave tactic from those of the same level.

And... one-on-one combat and being surrounded are very different from group battles. The divine beings and demon gods present have fought one-on-one, been surrounded, and surrounded others, but they've truly never tried group battles—especially group battles at the divine being and demon god level, where divine beings and demon gods are just the lowest cannon fodder.

Never having been to the Initial Battlefield and rashly going up, you'd die without even knowing how you died.

No one felt shame or took offense at Qingyun's utterly undisguised words—what he said was the truth.

"Earning merit points—going to the Initial Battlefield is just one way. It's fast, but you lose your life just as fast."

Qingyun was very patient, explaining to everyone slowly and methodically, leading them on a tour of Jixia Academy as he spoke.

"Besides going to the Initial Battlefield, there are other ways to earn merit points. First, go to the Merit Hall's merit mission board, complete the missions posted there, and you'll be awarded a certain number of merit points based on the mission content.

Second, go to the Merit Hall and turn in treasures like miraculous elixirs and medicines. Based on the value of the treasures turned in, you can exchange them for merit points.

Third, by raising your strength—each step you advance, you can receive corresponding merit points."

"Senior brother, you missed one—duels." The talkative junior sister raised a bright smile, like a little devil.

Qingyun replied: "I know, but duels are disadvantageous for them. I was planning to mention that last. Since little junior sister brought it up, you all listen.

Duels are the fastest way to earn merit points. The meaning is simple—you find an opponent to duel, wager merit points, and the winner takes the merit points.

Jixia Academy prohibits private fights, but does not prohibit combat—in fact, it relatively encourages combat.

After all, Jixia Academy exists to deliver fresh blood to the Initial Battlefield; combat power is the foundation.

Therefore, Jixia Academy arranges combat at regular intervals to test everyone's combat strength.

Oh, right—remember this: the combat Jixia Academy arranges is not without casualties. Combat is real combat; life and death are unavoidable. Unless one side concedes, you can fight to the death. If you kill your opponent, you can take everything they have, including merit points."

A chill rose in everyone's hearts.

People can die?

What the hell kind of "arranged combat" is this? It's clearly telling them to fight with their lives.

They didn't speak, just furrowed their brows slightly, and quickly understood the true intent.

And what Qingyun said next proved their thoughts.

"When you campaign on the Initial Battlefield, there are only enemies, no mercy. Once you're on the Initial Battlefield, you can only survive by constantly winning. If you can't win, you'll die on the battlefield.

The combat Jixia Academy arranges is actually to let you understand the cruelty of the Initial Battlefield. Combat is like life—the victor lives, the loser dies. There aren't that many other reasons. So, junior brothers and junior sisters, cultivate hard and win every combat arrangement Jixia Academy schedules.

Otherwise, next time we meet, it'll probably only be at your funeral."

As he spoke, a faint smile appeared on Qingyun's face.

On the surface it looked relaxed and at ease, but that chill made one's hair stand on end, creeping into one's very bones.

"I feel like I've walked into a wolf's den." Zhang Hao couldn't tell whether to laugh or cry.

Coming to Jixia Academy to study, he hadn't expected there'd be danger to his life. But then again, when have pies ever fallen from the sky?

"Oh right, some of you should have received Jixia Academy recruitment tokens, right? Those can be exchanged for merit points. That's all I have to say. Junior brothers and junior sisters, if there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me now."

Afterward.

One question after another, Qingyun answered each one for everyone.

Gao Xiang Hong, Jiuzhou Di Yi Xian, and others showed a hint of excitement. From their inquiries just now, they learned that Immortal Source Stones were precious and could be exchanged for many merit points.

It seemed the group leader really did have connections with Jixia Academy, and had even opened a small back door for them. Giving them Immortal Source Stones was the best back door, sparing them from having to worry about merit points after enrollment.

Immortal Source Stones came precisely from Jixia Academy—only Jixia Academy possessed them.

"Well then, junior brothers and junior sisters, welcome to Jixia Academy. I'll go cultivate now. If anything's unclear in the future, you can contact me or the junior brothers and junior sisters beside me.

Also, if your strength isn't sufficient, don't casually go to other palaces."

With that, Qingyun departed with the other junior brothers and junior sisters, heading to the Highest Immortal Palace to report the enrollment situation to Kamikawa Mitsu.

Watching Qingyun and the others leave, everyone was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"Why does Jixia Academy's teaching style feel so much like a university? They finish talking and don't care whether you understand or not—class is just over. And that scheduled combat thing is basically the same as midterms and finals."

Zhang Haoguang rubbed his chin.

Gao Xiang Hong, standing beside him, picked up the thread.

"There's still a difference. At worst, doing badly on midterms or finals gets you scolded. Jixia Academy's 'midterms and finals'—do badly and you lose your life. Otherwise, you lose and your merit points get deducted."

When he finished speaking, Gao Xiang Hong glanced around and said:

"Senior brothers, senior sisters, junior brothers, junior sisters, from here on out, just do whatever you need to do. I don't plan to head to the Deity Ascension Hall right now; I intend to wander around here a bit longer first. Does anyone want to travel together with me for company?"

The Academy of Sages' free-range style of teaching may not seem to be of much help to everyone, but from another angle, it is also a kind of freedom for them.

Which one of those present is not a pride of heaven, a titan of another realm? Who could stand being controlled? This teaching method of the Academy of Sages is still quite good.

If you want to study, go to the Scripture Hall, or go to the Merit Hall to exchange merit points and request a powerhouse to teach you, or go to the Lecture Hall to listen to the strong periodically expound the Dao.

If you want to cultivate, go to the Immortal Ascension Hall, the Deity Ascension Hall, or the Immortal Hall.

If you want to fight, go to the Battle Hall.

If you want merit points, go to the Merit Hall.

Afterwards, everyone dispersed with their own thoughts in mind—some cultivating, some sightseeing…

……