Chapter 556: Undercurrents Surging, Crises Lurking

Muerxiu spoke last: "I will specifically instruct on spatial spells and communication techniques. Cultivation is not just individual practice; it requires cooperation with others. I want to help students build good interpersonal relationships and learn how to play their part in a team."

The three individuals' teaching philosophies each had their own characteristics, but all embodied the core idea of "Harmonious Symbiosis," receiving a warm response from everyone present.

Even more heartening was that every sect had dispatched its most excellent mentors, promising to share their respective unique secret techniques with the academy.

Wujizi stood up and announced: "The Wuji Sect is willing to dispatch the Taiji Sword Saint Wuji Zhenren to serve as a guest professor to teach the Wuji Taiji Sword Art."

Qingfengzi followed closely behind: "The Wind-Riding Master of the Qingfeng Sect, Qingfeng Laozu, will personally teach the Wind-Riding Divine Ability."

Shuiyun Xianzi announced via a sound-transmission array: "The Water-type Spell masters of the Bishui Sect will teach various Water-type spells, including healing arts and defensive arts."

One sect after another expressed their willingness to share their unique arts. This open teaching model had never appeared in the Cultivation World before, causing a huge sensation.

Qingfengzi stood up excitedly: "Fellow Daoists, this is a revolutionary change in the history of education in the Cultivation World! For thousands of years, every sect has regarded its unique arts as secrets, never to be passed on. But today, we are going to selflessly share these precious pieces of knowledge with all students. This will completely break the barriers of knowledge monopoly!"

His words drew thunderous applause from the entire venue. Many cultivators were so excited they stood up, cheering for this unprecedented educational philosophy.

Even more surprisingly, many powerful rogue cultivators also took the initiative to volunteer as mentors.

A rogue cultivator who looked to be in his fifties stood up and said loudly: "I am Tiequan Li Gang. Although I have no sect heritage, I have some insights into the path of body cultivation. I am willing to serve as the academy's body cultivation mentor to teach techniques such as the Iron Cloth Shirt and the Indestructible Vajra Body."

Another female rogue cultivator also stood up: "I am the Talisman Master Su Mei, having specialized in the Talisman Dao for several decades. Although I come from humble origins, I have unique insights into talisman production and usage, and I am willing to contribute my meager efforts to the academy."

"I am the Alchemist Wang Laosan, and I am willing to teach basic alchemy!"

"I am the Array Master Zhao Si, and I am willing to teach various practical arrays!"

More and more powerful rogue cultivators stepped forward to volunteer. Although they lacked illustrious backgrounds, they possessed rich practical experience and unique insights in their respective professional fields. These wisdoms and skills from the common people were often more practical than the profound theories of the sects.

Lin Xuan looked at these rogue cultivators who had volunteered with emotion and bowed deeply: "The righteous deeds of you seniors have deeply moved this junior. The reason Harmony Academy could be established is precisely because of selfless people like you. The academy will forever open its doors to all cultivators willing to share knowledge, regardless of origin or background."

The foundation ceremony proceeded in a warm atmosphere for an entire morning. When Yunyou Zhenren carved the four large characters "Harmony Academy" onto the main array stone, the entire Qinglong Peak radiated brilliant light once again, as if heaven and earth were celebrating this great moment.

After the ceremony ended, the academy's recruitment notice was immediately released. The content of the notice was concise and clear:

"Harmony Academy is now recruiting its first batch of students from the Cultivation World. Recruitment conditions: age under thirty, no restrictions on cultivation level, no restrictions on background; as long as one has the heart to pursue the Dao, one may apply. The academy will provide the highest quality cultivation environment, the most comprehensive curriculum, and the fairest teaching opportunities."

"Academy courses include: basic cultivation, martial arts techniques, spell divine abilities, alchemy and artifact refining, talisman and array techniques, character cultivation, team cooperation, etc. All courses are taught personally by top mentors from various sects and rogue cultivator masters."

"Tuition: None. All expenses of the academy are covered by the Reform Alliance; students only need to focus on cultivation."

"Application location: Applications can be made at the Xingyue Sect, Qingfeng Sect, Bishui Sect, and other sects of the Reform Alliance."

Once this recruitment notice was released, it immediately caused a huge sensation in the Cultivation World. Free cultivation education, top-tier teaching staff, and fair admission opportunities—these conditions held a fatal attraction for countless cultivators.

A long line soon formed in front of the Xingyue Sect's application point. A young rogue cultivator said excitedly: "I finally have the opportunity to learn authentic cultivation methods! This is just like a dream!"

A disciple from a small sect sighed with emotion: "In our sect, one has to wait many years to learn profound techniques, and one must also take solemn oaths. I never expected Harmony Academy to teach various unique arts for free!"

Even some disciples from large sects came secretly to inquire: "May I ask, if I leave my original sect, can I apply to Harmony Academy?"

Xiao Yuan, who was responsible for registration, patiently answered every inquiry: "Of course. Harmony Academy welcomes everyone who aspires to cultivate. We will not ask about anyone's past; we only care about everyone's future."

Within just three days, the number of applicants exceeded five thousand, and it was still increasing. Among these applicants were rogue cultivators, disciples from small sects, and even some young disciples from large sects who had applied secretly.

Facing such a hot application situation, Lin Xuan felt both excited and under immense pressure. The influence of Harmony Academy exceeded everyone's expectations, but how to select suitable students from so many applicants and how to arrange such a massive teaching workload were all issues that needed careful consideration.

Just on the second day after the successful holding of the Harmony Academy foundation ceremony, the intelligence department of the Xingyue Sect detected some abnormal movements.

The Elder responsible for intelligence gathering, Jiang He, hurried to the main hall and reported to Xingchenzi with a grave expression: "Sect Leader, we have discovered quite a few suspicious individuals in the vicinity over these past two days. On the surface, they are rogue cultivators coming to seek refuge, but their behavior is somewhat abnormal."

Xingchenzi asked with a frown: "What is the specific situation?"

"First, they are overly concerned with our defense arrangements, always intentionally or unintentionally asking about information such as guard post locations and patrol routes. Second, these people's cultivation levels are not low, yet they claim to be rogue cultivators wanting to join the Reform Alliance, which is suspicious in itself," Jiang He analyzed in detail.

Just then, Muerxiu hurried into the main hall from outside, looking equally grim: "Uncle Sect Leader, I just used the Void Path to patrol the surroundings and discovered some strange spatial fluctuations. Someone is using special concealment spells, attempting to avoid our surveillance."

Xingchenzi immediately realized the severity of the problem: "It seems the Righteous Alliance has already begun to act. Notify Xuan'er and the others immediately; we may have encountered trouble."