Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

Marquis Yun arrived in a fury, but Elder Dean Han's unyielding stance made his position perfectly clear.

Celestial River Academy intended to shelter Ling Fei!

"Elder Han, your academy's student, Ling Fei, has committed monstrous crimes. In the Xiling Ruins, he killed the Dongyang Crown Prince, as well as your own students Liu Ming, Liu Yuan... and other geniuses. All of them were prodigies of our Empire, the very source of its hope! The loss of even one is a tragedy, yet Ling Fei killed hundreds. His crimes are too numerous to recount, and anyone would be justified in executing him. This Marquis was personally enfeoffed by His Majesty, the Celestial Emperor, and thus I have the right to apprehend this Ling Fei."

Marquis Yun's gaze turned cold as he spoke without a hint of courtesy.

"Therefore, I ask that your esteemed academy hand over Ling Fei, lest you be charged with harboring a criminal in the future." His tone was ice-cold.

His final words were laced with a clear threat.

"Heh, Marquis Yun, your words are but one side of the story." Elder Dean Han remained unperturbed, stroking his long beard with a faint smile. "As far as this old man knows, the only reason Ling Fei took action in the ruins was that Liu Ming and the Dongyang Crown Prince tried to kill him first. Miss Yurou of the Shangguan Family can testify to this. As for what followed, students from various academies were blinded by greed, seeking to kill Ling Fei for fame and reward. It is only human nature for Ling Fei to fight back in self-defense. As for these 'monstrous crimes' you speak of, I fear that is nothing but your own prejudiced and self-righteous assumption."

"Miss Shangguan can testify?" At these words, Marquis Yun's gaze turned cold.

He then said, enunciating each word, "That is merely Miss Shangguan's side of the story. On the other hand, hundreds, if not thousands, can testify that Ling Fei killed the Dongyang Crown Prince. Between the two, whose words are more credible? Is it not clear at a glance? Besides, the Dongyang Crown Prince was not only the son of the Marquis of the East, but also the Empress's nephew. By killing him, Ling Fei has blatantly defied the Celestial Might. By sheltering him, are you not afraid of inciting the Celestial Emperor's wrath and having him punish you all?"

Upon hearing this, Elder Dean Han's brow furrowed slightly.

Even the three Primordial Pill Realm experts at his side wore solemn expressions.

Clearly, this was the very thing they feared.

Otherwise, Celestial River Academy would have no reason to fear an ordinary Duke.

The Empress, however, was another matter entirely.

If the Celestial Emperor were to side with the Empress, Celestial River Academy would undoubtedly face enormous pressure and trouble.

The Celestial Emperor, one must understand, bears the fortune of heaven and earth. His Divine Techniques are boundless, and his words become law. He is not someone an ordinary person could hope to challenge.

However, the current Celestial Emperor was known to be wise and just. Since Ling Fei had not truly committed a grave sin, if the truth of the matter were explained, the Celestial Emperor would not likely punish them.

This was one of the factors that convinced the elders of Celestial River Academy to shelter Ling Fei.

"Heh, the current Celestial Emperor is wise and just. 'A Prince who breaks the law is judged the same as a commoner,' let alone a mere Crown Prince?" Elder Dean Han said with a laugh. "Since Ling Fei is a student of Celestial River Academy, our academy will naturally resolve this matter. If you, Marquis Yun, are truly determined to arrest Ling Fei, then please present an imperial edict from His Majesty first!"

"Elder Han, are you truly determined to shelter this boy?" Marquis Yun's gaze darkened as he spoke in a cold, grim tone.

"As long as a student of my Celestial River Academy has committed no wrong, we shall protect them!" Elder Dean Han's expression hardened, and he enunciated each word with force.

"Yes!" As he finished speaking, the Celestial River Academy students in the background couldn't help but let out a cheer.

They had been following Ling Fei's situation ever since the news broke.

Ling Fei was already a legendary figure at Celestial River Academy.

Many students admired him deeply, hoping he would one day bring glory to the Empire.

They never imagined that while he did indeed become famous, it would be as a wanted man hunted by all the major powers.

It was a deeply lamentable turn of events.

At the same time, a chill ran through many of their hearts as they despaired for the students from Humble Families.

Because they were from Humble Families, weak and powerless, they were destined to be crushed by the members of the Major Clans.

Even if someone came to kill you, you couldn't fight back.

Otherwise, you would not only be condemned but also endanger your entire family.

The thought was both chilling and disheartening.

That was why Marquis Yun's aggressive arrival had drawn the attention of countless onlookers. They all wanted to see how Celestial River Academy would handle the situation.

Would they hand Ling Fei over to Marquis Yun to appease the powerful and end the conflict, or would they shelter him and defend justice?

Evidently, Elder Dean Han's words gave them a glimpse of hope and a vision of justice.

However, these words completely infuriated Marquis Yun.

'This old fool is too stubborn.' Marquis Yun's face was grim.

Then, his gaze sharpened, and he said sinisterly, "Elder Han, you must understand that if Celestial River Academy shelters this Ling Fei, you will be defying the Empress. If your academy refuses to give the Empress face, your clansmen will find it impossible to take a single step within the Empire. I advise you, if you know what's good for you, to hand over Ling Fei. Doing so would be a favor to the Empress, one that could be exchanged for generations of wealth and prosperity for your descendants."

"Heh, Marquis Yun, are you a fool?" Hearing this, Elder Han let out a cold laugh. His face then grew stern as he said, "We are Cultivators; why would we fear death? Furthermore, this world does not belong to the Empress alone. The Empire is not invincible. Beyond its borders lies a far more vast Martial Arts World. Each of our Clans has descendants who have ventured outside the Empire. On what authority do you dare claim you can make it impossible for our people to survive in the Empire?"

"Li Yunyi, were you kicked in the head by a donkey?" Elder Dean Han retorted, holding nothing back.

In truth, Celestial River Academy possessed a deep and powerful foundation.

If not for the Celestial Emperor's immense Divine Techniques, no power in the Empire could be certain of crushing Celestial River Academy.

The gap between such major powers, if one existed at all, was never large.

Furthermore, Celestial River Academy had its Academy Protection Array. Anyone who dared to force their way in would pay a heavy price.

"Fine. Fine! You stubborn old fool, Han Beihai! Since you refuse to see reason, you can just wait for the Empress's fury!" Marquis Yun's face darkened as he snarled.

But for now, he was helpless.

He alone was no match for the combined might of Celestial River Academy's numerous experts.

"Since its founding, my Celestial River Academy has never feared anyone. As long as our students have done no wrong, no one can bully them!" Han Beihai's domineering gaze swept over the area. His deep voice resounded in all directions, echoing throughout the entire Celestial River Academy and instantly causing an uproar among the students.

"Long live Celestial River Academy!"

"Celestial River Academy will not be bullied!" The students could not help but roar in unison.

"That's right! Celestial River Academy will not be bullied!" Wu Dapang and the other students from Humble Families felt their blood surge with excitement.

Waves of sound rolled across Celestial River Academy. Never before had the students been so stirred up.

Only Marquis Yun remained, his face a dark mask of fury.

He did not leave, however. He simply remained coiled in the Void, mounted atop his Winged Serpent.

From the look of it, he clearly had no intention of retreating in defeat.

"If Marquis Yun insists on waiting here, forgive this old man for not having the time to entertain you," Elder Han said, before flying off.

Within the academy grounds, only a few instructors and department heads remained to observe the situation.

They knew, of course, that this matter was far from over. This was only the beginning.

...

An hour later, figures flickered in the air as people from Tianyan Academy and Celestial River Academy flew over.

"Marquis Yun!" the newcomers greeted him respectfully.

"Is there any news of the Marquis of the East?" Marquis Yun inquired.

"The Marquis of the East will be here shortly. In addition, Elder Liu Changyang of the Liu Clan has also arrived, with Marquis Liu Yi accompanying him," a Divine Guard reported.

"Elder Liu Changyang is here?" A look of delight crossed Marquis Yun's face. "With him here, this matter will be much simpler. Also, has the Marquis of the East taken any action?"

"Upon hearing the news of the Crown Prince's death, the Marquis of the East set out for this location immediately. He also dispatched men to the Imperial Capital," the Divine Guard said.

"Excellent. Once the Marquis of the East arrives, and with Elder Liu Changyang's support, I refuse to believe those old demons at Celestial River Academy can continue to defy us."

Marquis Yun's face was a mask of grim satisfaction.

Outside, a storm was brewing.

Yet, at that very moment, Ling Fei was completely immersed in the Sword Dao.

His Heart Spirit had sunk deep within the Celestial River Sword Wall in the Sword Tomb, where he was absorbed in Sword Enlightenment.