When Mar-Dule heard Sol ask about the strength of the people from the Western Region, his face became unnaturally serious.

“They’re unbelievably strong. When I fought them, I had to reveal my true cultivation base.”

“Sounds like you still beat them.”

Yoon-Jae said, but Mar-Dule shook his head.

“I took the number one position in the Heaven Arena before those people decided to try and climb the Martial Hall Rankings. In these four months, they’ve completely taken over the three Rankings. Even the Heaven Arena Rankings are filled with them, and when I fought them to keep my number one position, I defeated some and fought others to a draw. Given, I wasn’t going all out, but neither were they. Until now I don’t really know how strong they are, they’re hiding their true strength.”

Yoon-Jae’s eyes flashed as he asked.

“If our generation has so many geniuses that could bear the title as a generational genius, then it’s not a surprise they would similarly have geniuses like that. I’m guessing there are a few Spiritual Realm cultivators among them as well, is there anyone noteworthy?”

“Althorne.”

By how quickly Mar-Dule said that name Yoon-Jae and Sol’s expression turned serious.

Mar-Dule ground his teeth as he said.

“He’s someone from one of the Great Churches, the-“

“Ga-On Church?”

Sol tried to finish for Mar-Dule, but Mar-Dule shook his head.

“No, he’s from the Ga-Mon, Church. From what I read about the Seven Great Churches, the second strongest Church of the seven. I’ve also gotten reports that say they’re in a struggle for leadership with the Ga-On Church, who is the strongest of them.”

“Who cares about all of that? Come on, hurry and say what about this person makes you so wary of him.”

Mar-Dule shook his head once more.

“It’s just the feeling I get from him that makes my skin crawl. He seems like the type of person to dress like a scholarly monk and smile on the surface while hiding a sinister nature underneath.”

Sol’s eyes became cold when he heard that.

“That’s just how they operate. Never trust them, okay? And be careful of them, who knows what they might be planning in the Academy.”

Sol looked at both Yoon-Jae and Mar-Dule with a worried expression.

Yoon-Jae nodded, while Mar-Dule laughed and said.

“Don’t worry, they might be able to fool the ordinary disciples with their act, but they can’t fool those old codgers in the Academy. And I’ve already spoken to the disciples of my Runes and Formations Pavilion to avoid forming relationships with them. However…”

Mar-Dule suddenly frowned.

“There is this one guy that’s been going around trying to form a relationship with the Great Clans. He’s extremely persistent. His name is Cian, and he’s not only considered the number one genius of the Ga-On Church, but the number one genius in the entire Church. He also took up residence in the Alchemy Pavilion.”

Mar-Dule glanced at Sol when he said that last part. Yoon-jae did as well.

They weren’t fools, Sol seemed to have something against the Ga-On Church. And from the fact that he came from the Ibbian Mountain Range where the Church was known to commit mass slaughter.

Yoon-Jae and Mar-Dule paused here in their thoughts.

They could make their speculations, but they would never pry into something Sol didn’t want to talk about.

Sol remained expressionless, but ever so slightly his eyes flickered in thought.

Mar-Dule wanted to continue but hesitated whether to say what was at the tip of his tongue.

Sol smiled and said.

“It’s okay, you can say what you want to say.”

After a moment Mar-Dule said.

“I’ve never met him the guy, but based on the reports I received from the disciples I sent to keep an eye on him, he seems…”

Mar-Dule’s words trailed off for a bit as a strange expression appeared on his face. He then said.

“He seems off in the head. There are reports of him randomly screaming at female disciples at one moment and helping other disciples the next. I don’t get the sense he’s like that Althorne bastard, but he’s just… strange. I should probably also add that reports mention he’s been interacting with Little Zeel.”

Sol’s eyes flashed but calmly said.

“I’m sure Uncle Master would have done something if he had any thoughts of harming Little Zeel.”

Mar-Dule nodded.

“Little Zeel is safe, in fact, he’s become quite popular among the Alchemy Disciples. Especially the females.”

Sol smiled.

Like this, the three made their way back to the Martial Alliance Academy.

It took them a little over four days until they saw the large walls of the Martial Alliance City.

After landing the boat outside the city gates, they walk towards the Academy.

Sol looked around and could sense a stifling atmosphere engulfing the city. He can only imagine what the Academy was like since it was the epicenter of this tension.

Not too long passed and the three youths were at the foot of the Administrative Mountain.

Sol looked at the long staircase he had climbed when he first came here with his Master.

In the blink of an eye, a year and a half had already passed. Though he wasn’t in the Academy for most of that year and a half, it still felt strange climbing these steps now.

“Now that we’ve entered the Spiritual Realm, would I be forced to become a fourth-year disciple? I’m only turning fifteen in a few months, so I don’t have the experience of being an Elder in the Academy.”

Sol suddenly said.

Normally, if one was a third-year disciple and was able to enter the Spiritual Realm by the age of seventeen, they could either leave the Academy or enter the Inner Academy as a fourth-year disciple and become an Apprentice Elder.

An Apprentice Elder was simply a disciple with a bit more privilege and authority in the Academy.

Disciples from Sects and Clans outside would usually leave to become an Elder in their own organization, but for people like Sol who didn’t come from a Clan or Sect, they would stay as an Apprentice Elder and serve the Sect.

If they make enough contributions, they might be able to become an official Elder.

Hearing Sol’s question, Mar-Dule explained.

“That’s one of the structure-changes the Academy is planning on changing. The bar for entering the Spiritual Realm is being lowered by this generation. No doubt those Young Masters and Young Ladies from the Holy Sects and Great Clans in seclusion will return as Spiritual Realm cultivators. For now, you can stay on the Alchemy Mountain until the Academy announces the changes.”

Sol nodded before he took the lead and floated into the air. As he drifted towards the steps, the familiar suppression of the Heavenly Staircase fell onto his shoulders.

Sol took out his identity jade slip and immediately it shone with a soft light. The formation on the steps was nullified and he could freely fly towards the top of the mountain.

Yoon-Jae and Mar-Dule did they say as they followed next to him.

As he flew, Sol’s shoulder-length hair flapped wildly in the wind. He happened to glance down at the Heavenly Staircase and saw disciples looking back up at them flying through the sky.

Some had looks of envy in their eyes while some shrank back in fear.

Those who were envious were dressed neatly, while those who showed fear and caution had worn out clothes.

This kind of distinction made it easy to tell these people’s backgrounds. One set came from privileged backgrounds and didn’t face struggle, and the other had to work hard to get where they are now.

Sol preferred the later. With that type of caution, even if they didn’t have much talent, they could reach farther than most.

However, despite the distinction, Sol could tell they both had something in common when they looked at him.

Desire.

No matter who it was, everyone who stepped on the path of cultivation desired strength. Sadly, the cultivation world was a brutal place.

Sol had heard some stories about cultivation in the past from Abdu, and he said there was no way a place like the martial Alliance Academy where people can peacefully cultivate could have existed.

In those times, if you didn’t kill and create a river of blood then you’ll just end up dying by someone’s blade on their path to seek Immortality.

But Sol argued the cultivation world wasn’t any less bloody now than it was in the past.

‘Times haven’t changed since cultivation started. There is still bloodshed over meager resources between the weak, while the powerful harbor all of it for themselves.’

Sol still remembered the words his Master had told him after he had met with Son and the others.

Coming out of his thoughts, Sol asked.

“Mar-Dule, have any disciples admitted this year managed to climb the mountain?”

Mar-Dule thought for a moment then shook his head.

“No. Even though the focus is on the Martial Hall Pagoda, news of someone climbing the Heavenly Staircase should have still made rounds in the Academy. However, that Ushi brat made it past the halfway mark before saying he was bored and then left without finishing. People started saying he could actually climb it.”

When Yoon-Jae heard that he snorted derisively.

“Who would believe that idiot? It’s obvious he said that after he realized he couldn’t climb the staircase.”

Mar-Dule’s eyes flashed.

“He’s arrogant, but he has the strength to back it up. He’s been going around challenging everyone in the Academy. He even challenged me, but I refused.”

Mar-Dule expression became gloomy as he continued.

“I want nothing to do with him, he’s off in the head. It feels as if someone previously had him on a leash in the Land of Shadows but suddenly released him inside the Academy. Now he’s going around biting anyone he set his eyes on.”

Mar-Dule then turned to Yoon-Jae.

“Maybe you should go deal with him, you two are the same.”

Yoon-Jae’s expression changed.

“If I see that bastard then I’m going to burn him to ash.”

Sol forced a smile when he heard Yoon-Jae but continued to keep his mouth shut.

While he was flying, one particular disciple who looked at him with fear and caution, had weirdly winked at him.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep