The Founder of Qi Cultivation, Reincarnates?

The elder from down below frowned slightly and said, “Second prince, Clan Leader Ghuanyu had made a good point. The academy has always had these rounds, it’s become a tradition and to just change them on a whim is not...”

Before the elder could finish saying that sentence Xi Shen, quipped up and said, “Wait! Let me explain my reasoning for this. Yes, the academy might have been holding the Freshmen Competition this way for a long time, but isn’t it time for a change? This method of competition where disciples battle one on one was developed in a time when the cultivation world was a lot tamer than before, but times have changed since then. If the academy is holding this competition to give battle experience to their disciples like what I suspect, then this method of competition will be a huge disadvantage than a benefit to their disciples.”

As Xi Shen spoke he could see the frown on the elder face deepening, however, he continued and said,” If you don’t believe me then let me ask you a question, who is the academy training their disciples to battle? My guess is that as an orthodox Institution, it’s against the unorthodox sects and enemies of our continent.”

As Xi Shen spoke, everyone wondered where he was getting at, right now he was just holding up the competition.

Due to Xi Shen’s reputation as a cripple that couldn’t cultivate, no one had a favorable impression of him especially since he wasn’t even supposed to be in the Academy in the first place. Right now, there weren’t a low number of disciples that didn’t see him as an eyesore that had used the help of his father to enter the academy.

Another thing was the obvious fact that as an Inner Disciple he was also supposed to compete in this Freshmen Disciple Competition as well. Although it was not an absolute requirement that he competed, the simple fact that he refused to compete and was now trying to involve himself in the competition to gain attention, caused the unfavorable opinion the disciples, as well as various experts in the venue, had of him to increase even more.

However, despite the various bad looks directed at him, an unperturbed Xi Shen continued like normal,

“Since the academy is training its disciple to battle against such forces, let me ask you another question. If a battle were to break out between our Maple Continent and a neighboring Continent, or to paint a simpler picture, they were fighting against one of the few unorthodox sects on our continent. In the middle of battle, do think they would say, hey! let’s have a one on one battle to settle our differences!?”

When everyone heard that, their annoyance with Xi Shen slightly fade away, and they started to ponder on his words a bit more.

Though some were unwilling to side with Xi Shen his words actually made quite a bit of sense. During such conflicts, it wasn’t uncommon for the enemy to use numbers to defeat their opponents. Especially if their enemies were those despicable unorthodox disciples that had no qualms to use every and any deplorable means under the sun to win a battle against their opponents.

Seeing that he had the crowd's attention, Xi Shen chuckled darkly in his heart as he continued to say with persuasion in his voice, “Keeping tradition is good, but if they are outdated it’ll only cause the academy to fall behind the times. Teaching their disciples things like a fair duel, and respecting their opponents during a battle is good if their sparring for fun, but if it’s for training their disciples for the cruelty of the outside cultivation world, then I’m afraid such morals they have been taught to uphold in battles will be the reason they die a horrible death.”

With that, the looks on the disciple's faces in the crowd started to show worried expressions.

Seeing that he had won over the disciples, Xi Shen moved his focus onto the experts from the various clans in the sky and pavilions, “I’m sure when you admitted the younger generation of your clans’ in the number #1 academy, you expect them to receive the best tempering and training among all the other institutes right?”

Hearing Xi Shen’s words, some of the experts showed approving expressions. They couldn’t help agree that this trashy second prince was starting to make a lot of sense.

Xi Shen then turn to the elder on the stage, and seeing that he had a hesitant expression, he said, “Elder, how about we let the participants decide? After all, they are the ones competing.”

Suddenly everyone’s eyes in the venue turned to look at the participants.

Most of them had a contemplating look on their faces, but there were others with hesitant expressions.

Xi Shen upon seeing this immediately said to them, “I know that most of you are from families that could easily procure the top three prizes. Even the Sea Expansion pill that is extremely rare and hard to come by was probably already given to you by your families so you could have a smoother breakthrough into the Sea Expansion Realm. So it’s obvious you guys are only competing in this competition to increase your standing among your families, or to simply bring pride to your Clans by getting a good position in the competition. What better way to accomplish those goals than in a battle royal that is being watched by every power on the continent that is gathered here?”

As the participants heard Xi Shen’s words all their eyes suddenly lit up, and some of them who were hesitating began getting excited.

Then suddenly, one Inner Disciple leaped on the stage to join Yang Su who had not come down as yet. One by one they all began leaping onto the stage until the only one remaining below was Ming Shiming.

His expression held a look of confusion as he turned in the direction of Ghuanyu's pavilion.

Seeing the sudden turn of events, Ghuanyu had a completely cold expression on his face.

‘This trash from the Li Clan actually managed to sway everyone here to agree with his ridiculous suggestion. This is completely absurd! I thought he wasn’t a threat to me since he couldn’t cultivate, but by this alone I see that the threat comes from his glib tongue of his.’

After thinking that, he snorted and said out loud, “Ming’er it’s fine. The outcome of the competition won’t be any different.”

When everyone heard Ghuanyu’s words they could tell he was displeased at the current events.

Xi Shen had completely taken the spotlight off him and redirected the focus on himself. This had caused Ghuanyu’s momentum to take a hit, and several Divine Wills that were heading in his direction to voice their approval of his new method of cultivation hesitated for a moment, before eventually retracting back to their owners.

Those experts opted to wait a bit more before they showed their interest in Ghuanyu’s method, maybe something unexpected might happen before the day is over.

After hearing Ghuanyu’s words, Shiming cupped his fist towards his Pavilion and said, “Yes uncle!”

Shiming then leaped on the stage to stand among the other seven participants.

Most of the experts weren’t surprised that Ming Shiming was Ghuanyu’s nephew, but the disciples in the crowd were completely taken aback.

And as for Xi Shen, a malicious smile suddenly crept onto his face when he discovered such a connection between Shiming and Ghuanyu.

‘Haha… This would be even more entertaining than what I had imagined it would be…’

Xi Shen’s gaze then turned to Ghuanyu’s Pavilion as he mumbled under his breath while a mischievous glint shone in his golden eyes, “You attacked me first with dog crap insults, and since I can’t personally deal with you now, that doesn’t mean I can’t play you to death, or I'll let your younger clan members off scot-free.. mwahaha..”

As Xi Shen finished that with a laugh that sounded like a low-budget movie villain, he had no idea his words towards the participants had a completely different effect on someone else.

Bai Xiaofung, who had on a dazed expression even throughout Xi Shen’s earlier speech, suddenly perked up when he heard his address to the participants.

‘Hey, that’s right! Those people already have their families to give them a Sea Expansion pill, then that means they won’t have any use for the one in this competition. Hahaha… this is fantastic! If I can get that Sea Expansion pill from the winner of this competition then I can completely understand the formula of that pill!’

Bai Xiaofung’s mood suddenly brighten at the thought of getting his hands on the Sea Expansion.

‘That stupid old man of mine won’t give me my eighth one, something about wasting precious resources. Well whatever, I’ll soon get my hands on the final one to fully learn the pill’s formula.’

Bai Xiaofung then began staring intently at the stage to see who would get first place, while a wide grin spread across his face.

The elder’s voice could then be heard echoing out to start the battle royal.