Chapter 649: Either Fight Together, or Get Lost!

When those words were spoken, everyone's gaze turned subtle, and the elders of Shenzhou Academy instantly became the focus of the room.

The Elder Council of Shenzhou Academy has a total of thirty‑six elders, of whom thirty are Saints; the remaining six are not Saints but each possesses Xuan Emperor power and have outstanding achievements in other fields.

Among these elders, some have either deep or shallow ties to Huangjin City or Dan Valley, a well‑known secret within Shenzhou Academy.

However, the Academy adopts a turn‑a‑blind‑eye policy, does not intervene, and as long as they do not cross the red line, this subtle relationship can continue to exist.

Nevertheless, within the Elder Council it is unknown exactly how many elders are linked to Huangjin City or Dan Valley, or how many would betray the Academy at a critical moment and join the two major forces.

Now, after hearing Ling Tian say that, everyone became even more curious.

At that moment, an elder stepped forward and instantly became the focus.

"It's Li Zhanglao!"

A disciple of the Academy called out low.

Li Zhanglao is a highly respected elder of the Academy, but his stepping forward did not surprise anyone.

After all, earlier everyone had seen him get close with people from Dan Valley, especially when Ling Xueyao came to the Academy, Li Zhanglao accompanied her, making it clear his ties to Dan Valley were far from shallow.

Moreover, not long ago Elder Ye Xiu publicly cut out his tongue, and the Academy did not defend him; his betrayal of the Academy was also expected by everyone.

Li Zhanglao's gaze swept over Ye Qingran and Ye Xiu, his eyes filled with dark malice.

Ye Xiu cut out his tongue; today he will repay it a thousandfold!

After Li Zhanglao, several other elders subsequently stepped forward.

Some of those elders were expected by the crowd, while others surprised everyone.

"Elder Tang? He is also from Huangjin City and Dan Valley? Truly unimaginable!"

"Elder Zhao seems like an honest man, but..."

"I can't believe it, my most respected Elder Wang will betray the Academy!"

Soon, nine elders stepped forward, five moving toward Ling Tian and four toward Nan Gong Cang.

All nine of those elders are Saints; after they left, the Elder Council of Shenzhou Academy was left with only twenty‑one Saints.

On the Dan Valley side, the situation shifted, now having fourteen Saints.

As for Huangjin City, it now boasts as many as twenty‑eight Saints!

Combined, the two major forces have a terrifying total of forty‑two Saints.

As for Shenzhou Academy, only twenty‑one remain, half the number of the former.

Such a gathering of Saints has never occurred before.

Everyone's eyes flickered over those awe‑inspiring Saints, hearts racing, unable to describe their feelings at that moment.

Regardless, with so many Saints gathered at the Academy, this day is bound to change!

A sense of solemnity rose in everyone's hearts, making their moods grow heavy.

Seeing his side's formidable strength, Ling Tian smiled smugly, "Li Daoyun, you probably couldn't even dream that the Elder Council of your Shenzhou Academy would have so many elders on our side, would you?"

Li Daoyun nodded, "You're right; I truly hadn't thought of it."

Ling Tian sneered, pointing at Ye Qingran and others, "But Dean Li need not worry too much; we're not after the Academy this time, but them."

"If you choose to stand by idly, we can leave the Academy alone. But if you dare to bias them even a fraction, don't blame us for being unkind!"

"That probably won't work," Li Daoyun shook his head.

"What, do you think you still have the right to bargain with me?"

Nan Gong Cang spat coldly.

The alliance of Huangjin City and Dan Valley became an ironclad fact the instant Nan Gong Cang uttered that sentence.

The Academy's disciples were utterly shocked.

Has the millennia‑old Academy now to face a different destiny today?

"I don't, but she does," Li Daoyun said, pointing at Ye Qingran.

"Just because of her?" Ling Tian looked at Ye Qingran, showing a hint of disdain.

"Yes, just because of me."

Ye Qingran nodded, then, under everyone's gaze, uttered a heart‑pounding sentence.

"I, Ye Qingran, will single‑handedly challenge all the Saints of Dan Valley; do you dare to fight?"

If Ye Qingran hadn't spoken so clearly, they would have doubted they heard wrong.

Ye Qingran said she would single‑handedly challenge all the Saints of Dan Valley?

"Including the five who joined later?"

No one knows which curious kid dared to ask such a question.

Ye Qingran nodded, "Of course, including them."

Everyone: "......."

Is Ye Qingran crazy?

Including the five newly‑joined Academy elders, Dan Valley now has as many as fourteen Saints, and it's still unclear whether Ling Tian's own strength surpasses that of a Saint.

"Overestimating yourself!"

Ling Tian let out a heavy, cold snort.

Who does Ye Qingran think she is? On what grounds can she challenge so many Saints of Dan Valley?

Just because she once single‑handedly slew three Saints in the ancient battlefield ruins?

Even if her strength is indeed great, the combined might of a dozen Saints is not comparable to that of three Saints.

"Am I being overconfident? Just try and we'll know. Or are the Dan Valley elders all cowards who won't fight?"

Everyone was at a loss for words.

Is Ye Qingran practically begging the Dan Valley elders to fight, even resorting to provocation!

"Since you're looking for death, I'll grant it to you!"

Ling Tian bellowed gravely.

When the words fell, several Saint Elders came out.

"Either go in together, or get lost."

Facing the Saint Elders, Ye Qingran had no intention of taking action.

Presumptuous!

The Dan Valley folk gritted their teeth in hatred.

But the Academy disciples felt their hot blood ignited, boiling with fervor.