Chapter 17: Competing for Golden Leaves

At the top of the towering, building-like Resonance Power Tree, Lin Feng and Xu Shanyue, the two heads of the First and Second Halls, were locked in a dispute over the distribution of Golden Leaves.

"Xu Shanyue, you should understand how many outstanding students are gathered in our First Hall. Their talent is far superior to the students in the other halls of Nanfeng Academy, so if they can be given better cultivation conditions, the results they achieve will far exceed those of the other students," Lin Feng said in a deep voice.

Xu Shanyue snorted coldly: "The First Hall is indeed outstanding, but is it the case that my Second Hall is full of trash unworthy of enjoying the Golden Leaves? Besides, there are fifty Golden Leaves on the Resonance Power Tree in total, and forty are already in the hands of the First Hall. Are you still not satisfied?"

Lin Feng frowned: "This is not a question of being satisfied or not, but that the students of the First Hall are inherently capable of unleashing the value of the Golden Leaves to a greater extent."

"I am not targeting the students of your Second Hall, but that is simply the fact."

Xu Shanyue sneered: "Isn't it just that you want to squeeze dry every resource of Nanfeng Academy so you can produce a few more students capable of entering the 'Saint Profound Star Academy,' add some luster to your resume, and eventually get promoted to the Saint Profound Star Academy yourself?"

In fact, it was not just the many students who viewed the Saint Profound Star Academy as their goal; even instructors of these intermediate academies like them viewed that place as a holy land. All their efforts were aimed at getting to teach at the Saint Profound Star Academy, which would greatly elevate their status, position, and future achievements.

Having such a goal was not a bad thing, but Xu Shanyue felt that Lin Feng was too utilitarian in his actions and only cared about his own interests. Just like when he kicked Li Luo to the Second Hall—there was actually no great necessity for that, as even if Li Luo had an Empty Resonance, he wouldn't truly hold them back.

At the time, Lin Feng doing that was likely more about using Li Luo to establish his authority, so that the outstanding students in the First Hall would not dare to challenge his authority shortly after he arrived at Nanfeng Academy.

Upon hearing this, Lin Feng's expression turned much gloomier, and he said: "Xu Shanyue, do not be unreasonable."

Other instructors of Nanfeng Academy nearby saw the two arguing with such heat and hurriedly spoke up to mediate.

The old Dean, named Wei Sha, also had a headache. The Golden Leaves on the Resonance Power Tree were scarce, and every hall wanted a larger share; this was understandable, as the students' achievements were also related to the evaluations and promotions of these instructors.

However, Lin Feng had been pestering him about this matter for a long time, and he had been dragging it out, but looking at it today, he still had to give an answer.

Wei Sha looked at the many figures on the Resonance Power Tree below, pondered for a moment, and said: "The Golden Leaves for the Second Hall cannot be distributed without reason. After all, we cannot completely deprive the students of the Second Hall of their desire to pursue progress just because the First Hall is more outstanding."

"If you both want to compete for the Golden Leaves, then you must rely on the students to fight for them themselves."

"How about this: the First and Second Halls will each find three students, with the requirement that their Resonance level cannot exceed the Sixth Seal stage. The two sides will compete. If the First Hall wins in the end, the Second Hall will give up five Golden Leaves. But if the Second Hall wins, the First Hall must distribute ten Golden Leaves from your share to the Second Hall."

As the old Dean's voice fell, Lin Feng and Xu Shanyue immediately stopped arguing, their brows furrowing.

"Dean, why should the First Hall have to lose ten Golden Leaves if we lose?" Lin Feng asked with dissatisfaction.

Wei Sha smiled: "Because the dispute over the Golden Leaves was raised by you first. Besides, the First Hall is already stronger; if you don't pay a heavier price, why would the Second Hall compete with you for nothing?"

Lin Feng frowned, thought for a moment, and finally said: "Fine."

In this kind of competition, although it was suppressed to the level of the Sixth Seal, their First Hall still held a great advantage.

Xu Shanyue was somewhat hesitant. Although the First Hall would have to give up ten Golden Leaves if they lost, he understood that the First Hall was, after all, the face of Nanfeng Academy, and the quality of its students far surpassed all other halls.

"Dean, in our Second Hall, only two people have reached the Sixth Seal level," Xu Shanyue said helplessly.

Lin Feng smiled and said: "Don't worry, the students of the First Hall won't let you drag it out to that kind of stalemate."

Xu Shanyue's expression sank, and anger surged in his eyes.

The old Dean sighed and said: "Little Xu, don't worry. Even if you lose, I will make it up to the Second Hall next year. At this moment, it is only a month away from the academy's grand examination."

Hearing the old Dean say this, Xu Shanyue was silent for a few seconds, and finally could only nod in frustration. Clearly, in the old Dean's heart, the First Hall, as the face of Nanfeng Academy, was indeed entitled to enjoy some privileges that the Second Hall did not possess.

Regarding this, Xu Shanyue also knew he couldn't blame the old Dean, because this was human nature. If one didn't favor the most outstanding First Hall, would one favor the Second Hall instead?

"Then I will go make arrangements," Xu Shanyue said, and then turned and leaped down from the tree house.

Lin Feng wore a smile and also turned to make his arrangements.

Meanwhile, at a lower position, Bei Kun finally retreated with his people in a somewhat disheveled and unwilling manner. After all, Li Luo completely ignored his provocations, and on the contrary, his unconventional tactics made the people on his side feel a bit intimidated.

Young people were the most hot-headed; in fights between students, even if they had to break their scalps, they would grit their teeth and hold on for the sake of face. Who had ever seen someone who would directly find people from home to beat others up at the drop of a hat?

It was simply without any rules!

And as Bei Kun and the others ran away in a sorry state, many students in the Second Hall looked at Li Luo with strange expressions. Clearly, they had not expected that Li Luo would use such a method to resolve the other side's provocation.

"This of yours, isn't it a bit too lawless?" Zhao Kuo also scratched his head, came to Li Luo's side, and said in a low voice.

Li Luo gave him a lazy look and said: "He's allowed to come and bully me, an Empty Resonance, but I'm not allowed to bully others by relying on my status?"

"That's not what I meant..." Zhao Kuo wanted to retort, but was speechless for a moment and could only shake his head. This Young Hall Master's methods seemed a bit wild.

While they were talking, Xu Shanyue's figure appeared in front. He clapped his hands, directly summoned all the students of the Second Hall, and then briefly explained the upcoming competition with the First Hall.

And as soon as the words were out, there was an immediate outcry of indignation.

"The First Hall is too much! They occupy forty Golden Leaves, and they're still not satisfied? They want to come and snatch ours too?"

"This competition has absolutely no chance of winning. Our Second Hall only has two people at the Sixth Seal now."

"Sigh, might as well just concede."

"..."

However, after a moment of indignation, many students of the Second Hall became pessimistic. After all, the strength of both sides was clear; even with the restriction of the Sixth Seal, the Second Hall was still at a disadvantage.

Seeing the low morale of the Second Hall students, Xu Shanyue sighed helplessly and then arranged: "Zhao Kuo and Yuan Qiu will compete."

"Teacher, don't worry, I definitely won't lose face for our Second Hall. I will let them know that the Second Hall is not to be trifled with," Zhao Kuo said, his blood boiling and his face full of fighting spirit.

Yuan Qiu was a tall girl; she was quite calm and asked: "What about the third person?"

Xu Shanyue's gaze swept over the many students in the Second Hall, and everyone his gaze touched dodged, clearly lacking the confidence to step up.

Finally, he looked at Li Luo. After all, although Li Luo was said to have an Empty Resonance, he was proficient in Resonance Arts; if one were to talk about combat power, he was second only to Zhao Kuo in the Second Hall—of course, now one had to add Yuan Qiu.

"Li Luo, you go."

Xu Shanyue made his decision and said: "Don't feel pressured, it doesn't matter if you lose. You go first later; fight until you can't hold on, then concede and step down. If you can, consume as much of the opponent's Resonance Power as possible so that the people behind will have a higher chance of winning."

Li Luo was not particularly surprised to be picked; after all, there were only a few people in the Second Hall who could actually fight.

But clearly, Xu Shanyue's positioning for him was as cannon fodder, used to consume the Resonance Power of the opponent's participants.

Li Luo's eyes became somewhat deep. He had originally wanted to keep a low profile, but now it seemed that even the Heavens would not allow it.

Old Xu, you have no idea what kind of existence you have just picked. Today, the light on your face might be more blinding than the sun.

*Slap.*

Xu Shanyue's palm landed on Li Luo's shoulder, making him stagger, and a dissatisfied voice came: "Why is your gaze so dull? You aren't scared, are you?"

And so, the momentum Li Luo had just built up was instantly crushed by that slap.

(End of chapter)