Chapter 921: The New Academy Head, Niu Niu Biaobiao

"Who are you recommending?" Li Li Jingzhe looked at Li Luo and asked slowly, his demeanor as if he had no idea who Li Luo intended to propose; the senior officials in the hall remained silent—could they really confront the Pulse Chief for pretending not to know?

Li Luo bowed his hands and said solemnly: "I recommend our Longya Pulse's benefactor, Niu Niu Biaobiao."

When Niu Niu Biaobiao first arrived at Longya Pulse, he had been granted the status of a benefactor; though he held no real authority, it at least signified his entry into the Longya Pulse's system.

Upon hearing Li Luo name him, Zhong Zhong Yushi smiled faintly—indeed, this was the person Li Luo had recommended.

After all, Li Luo had only been in Longya Pulse for slightly over half a year; he could not possibly have befriended the powerful marquises stationed outside the Pulse.

"Senior Flaghead Li Luo, Niu Niu Biaobiao has only joined Longya Pulse for half a year and has contributed nothing to Qingming Academy. I believe this alone makes it hard to win public support," Zhong Zhong Yushi said calmly.

"Within our Qingming Academy, many city governors stationed beyond our borders have labored tirelessly for years. If they learn a newcomer can easily seize the position of Academy Head, resentment is inevitable."

"If Senior Flaghead Li Luo truly wishes to recommend Niu Niu Biaobiao, I suggest waiting several more years—until he has earned some merit within Longya Pulse. Then, when he runs again, no one will have anything to say."

Inside the hall, the other senior officials remained silent, for by protocol, Niu Niu Biaobiao's candidacy did indeed seem irregular.

Li Li Rouyun, witnessing this, sighed inwardly—she had known pushing Niu Niu Biaobiao would face strong resistance. It was fortunate Li Luo was the one proposing him; his unique status and the Pulse Chief's favor meant the other seniors would at least show him some face. Had she been the one to propose, she would likely have been scolded.

Li Luo's expression did not change. He smiled coolly: "Second Academy Head, your words are mistaken. Though Niu Niu Biaobiao has only recently arrived at Longya Pulse, his contributions to Qingming Academy, I believe, are no less than anyone else's."

Zhong Zhong Yushi frowned slightly: "What do you mean? What contribution could he have made?"

Li Luo said calmly: "When Niu Niu Biaobiao escorted Qingming Academy's Grand Academy Head from Tianyuan Outer Shenzhou to Outer Shenzhou, he endured fierce battles, suffered grave injuries, and his Marquis Platform shattered—his cultivation stagnated for over a decade. Does that not count as merit?"

In the council hall, the senior officials exchanged glances.

Zhong Zhong Yushi froze, then his expression darkened. Li Luo was truly cunning—those events had been triggered when Li Taixuan and Dan Tai Lan provoked the Qin Li Tianwang lineage. Even Li Li Tianwang's faction had refused to intervene, proving it was Li Taixuan's personal affair. How could Niu Niu Biaobiao's involvement be considered merit?

But the problem was… Li Luo had not mentioned Li Taixuan's name—he had referred to his title at the time.

At that time, Li Taixuan was still Qingming Academy's Grand Academy Head.

With that title, Niu Niu Biaobiao's protection of him was, strictly speaking, a service rendered to Qingming Academy.

Could they possibly deny Li Taixuan's status as Qingming Academy's Grand Academy Head?

Or would they claim Niu Niu Biaobiao should not have protected Li Taixuan? To say that would enrage the Pulse Chief—and Zhong Zhong Yushi would be in deep trouble.

Thus, Zhong Zhong Yushi found himself unable to refute.

"Little Luo speaks sense," Li Li Jinpan said slowly, offering support. "Niu Niu Biaobiao's actions may not count as merit to other academies, but to Qingming Academy, they are genuine merit. With this merit, his candidacy for Academy Head should not be contested."

Li Li Qingpeng also nodded in agreement.

"The Grand Academy Head represents Qingming Academy's dignity. Niu Niu Biaobiao saved him—we must remember this debt, or else outsiders will say Qingming Academy repays kindness with ingratitude," Li Li Rouyun added.

At this, the senior officials glanced again at Li Li Jingzhe's impassive face and began to concur.

After all, the position of Academy Head was not theirs to decide.

Seeing this, Zhong Zhong Yushi's heart sank—he had been outmaneuvered in the matter of seniority by just a few words from Li Luo.

"Heh, it seems Niu Niu Biaobiao now has sufficient merit to run for Qingming Academy Head."

At this moment, the speaker was Zhao Zhao Xuanming, Grand Academy Head of Lu Jinguang Academy. He bowed to Li Li Jingzhe: "In that case, we now have three candidates. Shall we follow protocol and have them duel, with the victor taking the position?"

Upon hearing this, Zhong Zhong Yushi exhaled slightly—he was right. Even if Niu Niu Biaobiao had enough merit, there was still one problem: his strength was insufficient!

Niu Niu Biaobiao had once been feared, but rumors said his Marquis Platform had shattered, his foundation damaged, and his strength now barely reached Second Rank Marquis. That power could never compete with the two candidates Zhong Zhong Yushi had endorsed.

"For an Academy Head election, strength remains paramount. If one fails this test, no matter how great the merit, it must be set aside," Zhong Zhong Yushi said slowly.

He spoke firmly, determined to prevent Li Luo from twisting the rules and letting Niu Niu Biaobiao slip through.

But to his surprise, Li Luo did not object—he nodded seriously in agreement: "Strength is an iron law. Only those who pass this test may assume the position of Academy Head!"

Seeing Li Luo's sudden compliance, Zhong Zhong Yushi glanced at him with suspicion—why had Li Luo worked so hard for Niu Niu Biaobiao, only to become so agreeable now?

Zhao Zhao Xuanming then said: "If so, we may arrange the duels among the three candidates."

But as soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the council hall sensed an astonishing surge of energy from outside the hall. The power was so immense that every senior's face paled, and they all rose abruptly.

"What's happening?!"

They turned toward the hall's entrance, frowning—how dare someone cause such chaos on Longya Mountain?

Yet they did not move to investigate, for Li Li Jingzhe, seated at the head, remained motionless.

The terrifying energy surged for a moment, then gradually subsided. But from its intensity, it was unmistakably the clash of two Marquis-level cultivators.

The senior officials frowned, then saw a figure walk into the hall. The man radiated an utterly ferocious aura; his bald head gleamed with harsh light. With every step, the space around him trembled violently, as if an ancient beast walked among them.

Only when the figure reached the hall did they recognize him—and their expressions changed sharply.

"Niu Niu Biaobiao?!" Zhong Zhong Yushi gasped, stunned.

For from Niu Niu Biaobiao, he now sensed an overwhelming aura of power—its strength rivaled his own.

Was this… Seventh Rank Marquis?!

When had Niu Niu Biaobiao healed his injuries and reached this level?!

Li Li Rouyun beside him stared wide-eyed, astonished.

Low murmurs rose through the hall.

Under the gaze of all, Niu Niu Biaobiao smiled—a grin that, on his heavily scarred face, radiated terrifying ferocity. He held a gleaming cleaver and said: "I just met two men outside. They said they were running for Qingming Academy Head. I had a long talk with them. They've withdrawn."

Everyone fell silent. From the terrifying energy surge earlier, it was clear they had indeed "talked" thoroughly.

But Niu Niu Biaobiao's words made it obvious: Zhong Zhong Yushi's two endorsed candidates had been defeated by him. This was unsurprising—even the Lord of Huangji City had not yet Entered Sixth Rank, while Niu Niu Biaobiao had now reached Seventh Rank. The gap was insurmountable.

What truly shocked everyone, however, was how Niu Niu Biaobiao had repaired his foundation. A shattered Marquis Platform was an extremely grave injury for any Marquis.

Some senior officials cast thoughtful glances toward Li Li Jingzhe, who had remained silent throughout. In all of Longya Pulse, only the Pulse Chief possessed such ability.

Thus, from the very beginning, Li Li Jingzhe's proposal to add an Academy Head position had been meant for Niu Niu Biaobiao.

In the hall, Li Li Rouyun's eyes sparkled with joy—Niu Niu Biaobiao's strength restored was the best possible news. He would surely win the position, and with his aid, she would finally have the power to oppose Zhong Zhong Yushi.

Zhong Zhong Yushi's face darkened and lightened in turns; finally, he sat back down in silence. It was over—he had lost his bid for the position, and Qingming Academy's balance would now be shattered.

Then Li Li Jingzhe spoke slowly: "Regarding Niu Niu Biaobiao's appointment as Sixth Academy Head of Qingming Academy, do you have any objections?"

No one spoke.

Li Li Jingzhe then said decisively: "If there are no objections, it is decided."

The many high-level members all nodded, then cast amused glances toward Zhong Zhong Yushi. From now on, within this Qingming Courtyard, Zhong Zhong Yushi would likely no longer be able to keep all affairs under his thumb, and most crucially, Li Li Jingzhe's stance on this matter made it clear.

This was a declaration to everyone that the Qingming Courtyard ultimately belonged to Li Taixuan and his son, Li Luo.

In the future, even if Li Taixuan never returned, once Li Luo gradually grew up, the position of Grand Courtyard Master of Qingming Courtyard would likely fall to Li Luo as well.

Zhong Zhong Yushi's coveting of that position would ultimately come to nothing.

There was no helping it — although Li Luo indeed had no deep foundation in the Dragon Fang Lineage, after all... who could blame the Lineage Chief for doting on this grandson who had been wandering outside since childhood?

And all these actions were clearly meant as compensation for Li Luo.

As long as Li Li Jingzhe remained in this Dragon Fang Lineage for even one day, no one in Li Li Tianwang's branch would be able to touch Li Luo.