Chapter 9: 9. When the Enemy is Strong, I Am Submissive; When the Enemy is Weak, I Strike with Heavy Fists

9. When the enemy is strong, I am submissive; when the enemy is weak, I strike with heavy fists.

Wu Yong also leaned forward and asked with concern, "Dean Huang, are you all right?"

Huang Ying, whose aura had returned to normal, shook her head lightly.

Indicating that she was fine.

Her gaze swept imperceptibly over her daughter, Qin Yuan, and the directions of A Fei and A Ji beside her.

According to her plan,

the next dean would be her daughter, her son-in-law, or a student.

Her daughter had sufficient talent, but her personality was too lazy; she would probably quit after a few days.

A Fei and A Ji both had good talent and personalities, but whichever one was chosen, the other would be resentful. Moreover, both were overly domineering and might not hold the position stably even if appointed.

Qin Yuan, with inferior talent and cultivation, a gentle nature, diligence, and a calm, unhurried demeanor, was perfectly suited to be dean.

Qin Yuan's observation was extremely sharp; Huang Ying's fleeting look of satisfaction did not escape him.

All along, for some reason, his godmother had been outwardly enthusiastic but secretly wary of him.

Why had it suddenly reversed?

Could it be that his godmother wanted him to be the next dean?

That was not impossible.

The succession of deans at the Luzhou Cultivation Academy had always followed a traceable pattern.

For instance, his godmother was a student of the previous-dean Zhu.

Wu Yong was also a student of the previous-dean Zhu.

The next dean could not be another student of Dean Zhu.

Following the principle of first come, first served, it should be his godmother's students first, then Wu Yong's students.

His godmother had always disliked taking students (not counting large lectures).

She had only taken four people in her early years.

Shen Shen Yaoqiao, A Fei, A Ji, and him.

Choosing between A Fei and A Ji was problematic either way.

Shen Shen Yaoqiao was unsuitable; she was a complete contemporary Wanli Emperor.

By any measure, he was the most suitable.

Thinking of himself becoming the dean of Luzhou Academy, watched by all,

Qin Yuan felt a chill of dread.

Just then, Wu Yong's voice interrupted Qin Yuan's thoughts: "The purpose of this Jiangnan Cultivation Conference is solely one: to form the Jiangnan Association, elect a president, coordinate all factions in the Jiangnan region, advance and retreat together, and enhance our advantages in the war against the Otherworld."

Upon these words,

the scene erupted into commotion.

Becoming president offered too many benefits.

People from Luzhou Cultivation Academy hoped the strongest, Shen Zilu, would take the post.

People from Jinling Cultivation Academy hoped their dean would take it.

People from Gusu Cultivation Academy hoped their most powerful person would take it.

Wu Yong's gaze fell on Qin Yuan's table, but he was looking at the breathtakingly beautiful Shen Shen Yaoqiao.

If Dean Huang passed the dean's seat to him, in return for her favor, it would surely be passed on in the future to someone closest to Huang Ying.

Shen Shen Yaoqiao was someone he had watched grow up; aside from a scattered personality, she had no major flaws.

Hmm, who is Shen Shen Yaoqiao looking at?

Uh, isn't that, what was his name again? Wu Yong couldn't recall the name for a moment; he remembered they were students ranked near the top of the first and second cultivation tiers.

Right, it was Qin Yuan.

Near the bottom of the second tier.

He also seemed to be Dean Huang's student.

Could Shen Shen Yaoqiao like Qin Yuan?

Wu Yong suddenly had an idea: to pass the seat to Qin Yuan in the future.

Inferior talent didn't matter; as long as the personality wasn't domineering and could balance all factions, it would suffice.

Qin Yuan's perception was extremely sharp; he immediately sensed Wu Yong's gaze, which carried a hint of appreciation.

With a turn of thought, he guessed Wu Yong's intentions seven or eight tenths of the way.

He roared inwardly, "Why does this world always treat me with such malice?"

"I just want to quietly be a person of the Dao of Lying Low; why is that so difficult?"

"I propose that Teacher Shen Zilu serve as president."

Someone made the proposal.

It received agreement from many.

If one were to find someone present whom everyone respected, it would undoubtedly be Shen Zilu.

Shen Zilu possessed a heroic spirit akin to Qiao Feng.

"There are many here more suitable than I,"

Shen Zilu, who had just entered from outside, hurriedly refused.

He was not being insincere or putting on a show.

He truly did not care at all about being president or anything like that.

Just then, a voice came from the sky: "How about I take the lead?"

This voice carried a strange power that made everyone present feel their minds stir and their limbs go numb.

In the next moment, a group appeared within the somewhat crowded Welcome Pavilion, accompanied by crimson divine light.

The leader, in human form, was tall. His entire body radiated the aura of a ferocious beast.

"Peng Demon King."

Shen Zilu called out the opponent's title with a wary expression.

Clearly, the two were old acquaintances.

Qin Yuan raised his head slightly.

He had heard of this person many times.

The greatest power on the other side of the Luzhou spatial rift, the Sage of the Demon Race, leader of the Golden-Winged Great Peng Division, known as the Peng Demon King, his strength was on the same level as Shen's father, at the Dao Platform Realm Stage One.

Coming neither too early nor too late, but arriving during the Cultivator Assembly, he was obviously here to cause trouble.

Qin Yuan glanced at the exit, which was nearly blocked, and prepared to retreat at any moment.

Qin Yuan's small action was not concealed.

A Fei and A Ji felt deep contempt in their hearts, yet their faces displayed warm, spring-like smiles.

One said with feigned concern, "Don't be afraid; with so many of us, they can't turn the world upside down."

One reached out and patted Qin Yuan's shoulder.

"Don't be afraid; sister will protect you."

Shen Shen Yaoqiao, stifling her laughter, put her arm around Qin Yuan's shoulder.

This made A Fei and A Ji feel a bit jealous.

"Shen Wild Donkey, long time no see."

Peng Wang did not hide the admiration in his eyes.

Ten years ago, he had fought Shen Zilu.

At that time, he had cultivated a Sacred Art and could not use his full strength; not only did he lose to Shen Zilu, but he also had the Wujiang Battle Armor left by his father snatched away.

After mastering the Sacred Art, he had always wanted to fight again.

Delayed by various matters, he had never been able to fulfill his wish.

Today, he could finally have his wish granted.

Shen Zilu nodded slightly, feeling somewhat eager to try as well.

He had not fought someone of equal rank for a very long time.

"Mom, why does the Peng Demon King call my dad Shen Wild Donkey?" Shen Shen Yaoqiao asked her mother via telepathy, confused.

"Your father wandered into another world in his youth and grew up among the Demon Race; the Demon Race names people quite casually."

Huang Ying responded via telepathy.

"Then what is Uncle Qin called?" Shen Shen Yaoqiao asked via telepathy again.

Huang Ying's expression paused slightly, then she transmitted: "Qin Elephant."

"I won't say much more; this time we represent the Demon Race in challenging the Human Race. Those behind me are all outstanding figures of the Demon Race. I wonder if the Human Race dares to accept the challenge?"

Peng Wang's words fell.

Immediately, the Welcome Pavilion erupted into noise.

Many people, faces flushed with excitement, trembled all over.

This was a great opportunity to become famous in one stroke.

As for fear...

That word simply does not exist in the Earthling dictionary.

For decades, the Earth side has maintained an overwhelming advantage.

"Gui Gui Liuqi."

Peng Wang's words fell.

No demon responded.

"Hmm."

Peng Wang's sharp gaze swept over.

A dark, unremarkable-looking young demon of the Demon Race stepped forward reluctantly.

Gui Gui Liuqi felt depressed inside.

He had only come to go through the motions, yet his teacher actually made him go first.

If only he had known, he should have shown himself to be stronger.

In fact, Gui Gui Liuqi was stronger than all of Peng Wang's disciples.

"This is my weakest disciple; only by defeating him do you qualify to challenge the other disciples."

Hearing this, the crowd who had been eager to try did not a single one step forward.

Beating the weakest disciple would be meaningless if you won, and embarrassing if you lost.

Only a fool would go up.

"I'll do it."

Qin Yuan stepped forward voluntarily.

For a moment, many strange gazes fell upon Qin Yuan.

Qin Yuan thought to himself, Now that I'm like this, my godmother surely won't want me to be the next Dean anymore.

A Fei and A Ji displayed expressions of contempt.

Just now he was timid and submissive; hearing the other was weak, he struck with full force.

Truly shameless.

The expressions of many students and teachers were much the same.

The new Dean, Wu Yong, however, wore an expression of appreciation.

Doing what others cannot do; Qin Yuan is a man with a broad perspective.