The Founder of Qi Cultivation, Reincarnates?

This elder had no answer, all he knew was that the Headmasters of each Division held a meeting for this new trend of forming religions in the academy. But they were piratically forced to agree to their forming due to some of the members in these two factions that were from extraordinary backgrounds.

An example of this was Mao Wen, who was actually the grandson of the rogue cultivator called Grandmaster Mao. Grandmaster Mao was an expert in runes and formation one of if not the best on the Maple Continent. And most of all, he was one of the few rogue Soul Transformation Realm existences that hadn’t joined a major power.

Though it wasn’t that the Celestial Academy was afraid of enforcing their rules on people like Mao Wen, but when there were two groups comprising of people like that in their academy, it really wasn't worth the trouble dealing with them when more pressing matters were there to be solved.

So they allowed their forming, but no one could have imagined the scale at which they would reach.

There was even mention of them being in other Academies across the Maple Continent.

It was completely ridiculous if one thought about it.

There were people interested in this situation who had taken the liberty to research how and why these two groups were spreading so fast.

One main factor that people underestimated was how much influence one popular figure wielded. Both groups had formed to practically worship two renowned figures.

The first was the Shoeless Hero of the Celestial Academy, a person whose tales were the stuff of myths and legends, but was still being contested whether he was real or not. And the other was the very real Faceless Hero, the strongest Chosen of the younger generation in the Righteous Faction.

Right now, the elder could only listen to Fuangu reiterate what happened in the Mercenary City between Haoran and that rich youth.

As the elder listen, he remain silent before he turned to Mao Wen and said.

“Mao Wen, your Faceless Faction is banned from selling merchandise in the Inner and Core Academy for two months. All your stalls are to be transferred over to the Shoeless Faction in that period of time.”

Mao Wen upon hearing that had his face go pale and it looked like he had just been stabbed in the chest.

“Elder, you can’t do that! Those bastards are ly-”

Just as Mao Wen was going to protest to such a heavy punishment, the elder cut him off with a shout.

“That’s final!”

The elder then wasted no time in quickly leaving the scene. He could be seen releasing a wearily sigh as he left.

The types of punishment required to keep these two groups in check would make any sane person become dumbfounded.

As to prove this, the disciples in the surroundings were wearing strange expressions after hearing the elder's words.

Mao Wen gritted his teeth while Fuangu smiled at him in contempt.

Mao Wen huffed before turning to quickly get away from this place with his Faction and settle in another area.

Celebratory cheers could be heard coming from the Shoeless Faction at the justice that had been served.

Meanwhile, Lihua, Fei Yin, and Jin were looking on at this scene with strange expressions, but not for the same reasons as the other disciples.

“What would happen if Master was revealed to be both the Faceless Hero and the Shoeless Hero?”

Jun made a comment offhandedly but no response came from either Fei Yin or Lihua, simply because it was hard to imagine what would happen if that day were to come.

“Brother Jun, brother Yin, and sister Lihua. I’m glad to see you all.”

Lihua and the others suddenly heard someone calling them and they turned to see that it was Bai Xiaofung.

Though they had to look closer to realize it was him. The dark circles under his eyes, his messy hair tied in a ponytail, and the gloomy air around him were a complete contrast to his once loud and cheerful persona.

His change was drastic, but considering what he went through this outcome was to be expected.

“Brother Bai, it’s been a while.”

Jun was the first to say a greeting before Lihua and Fei Yin did the same.

They didn't see much of Bai Xiaofung after returning to the academy half a year ago. They had heard about what the Bai Clan went through but didn't know whether to interfere since Li Shen was gone. Since Bai Xiaofung himself seemed to want to keep his they ultimately chose not to interfere and instead focused on silently growing the faction in the background.

“Hey, look over there, it’s Bai Xiaofung.”

“For real? Oh, it is him, I thought he was cooped up in the Alchemy Division depressed about his brother's death.”

“The Bai Clan was the only Major Clan to lose nearly half of their experts. You would react the same if your clan had come under fire like that by the Demonic Cult. But their downfall was really unfortunate,"

A few whispers could be heard in the surroundings as more people recognized Bai Xiaofung.

Bai Xiaofung’s face fell and he looked around at all the people discussing him and his family, a dark look in his eyes.

An aura of extreme toxicity then began to radiate from him, causing the disciples to take a step back. However, these disciples were Core Chosens, Chosens in the Core Formation Realm. Even though some of them weren’t even in the top one thousand of the Chosen Rankings, they weren’t to be underestimated.

One female disciple wearing the Sword Pavilions white robes snorted, and the aura of toxicity Bai Xiaofung was releasing was pushed back by her sword aura.

“To think the academy would allow someone to remain in the academy while cultivating the Dao of Poison. You might as well leave and join the Poison Demonic Sect along with your fallen Bai Clan. I’m sure they would welcome you with open arms.”

Hearing this disciple’s words, instead of backing off, Bai Xiaofung took a step forward to approach her. His toxic aura actually increased and even start to corrode her sword aura.

This female disciple’s face turned slightly pale, and she instinctively took a step back. She was slightly caught off guard as she hadn’t expected Bai Xiaofung to want to attack her because she made that comment.

Bai Xiaofung seemed to be someone easily offended and was uncaring of the type of person who offended him; he would attack without hesitation. But in truth, it was only because they were talking about his family.

However, before Bia Xiaofung could step closer to the female disciple, he was stopped by Fei Yin grabbing his shoulder.

A sizzling sound echoed out as Fei Yin’s Wood Qi on his palm clashed with Bai Xiaofung’s toxic aura.

“Brother Bai, you don't need to go that far.”

Bai Xiaofung stopped and turned to look at Fei Yin. Seeing his serious expression, Bao Xiaofung soon calmed down and retracted his toxic aura.

Forcing a smile, Bai Xiaofung said.

​ “I apologize to show brother Yin this side of me. I’ll be taking my leave so I wish brother Yin, brother Jun and sister Lihua to take care.”

After saying that, Bai Xiaofung turned and left.

Fei Yin watched him go before he looked down at his hand. There were patches of his skin that were starting to peel away.

Fei Yin's aura had actually been insufficient to block Bai Xiaofung's toxic aura.

With a thought, Fei Yin made his Wood Qi cover his palm to heal it.

“Brother Bai had changed so much, I can’t even recognize him anymore.”

Jun said as he looked at Bai Xiaofung disappear into the crowd of disciples.

At that time, a voice echoed out in the air.

“It's time to depart for the Southern Border, all disciple board the flying ship!”

At the same time, a figure could be seen speeding from over the horizon. It didn’t take him long to reach and land beside the others.

“You’re late.”

Lihua turned to a veiled hat Yang Su as she said that.

“But I’m not the last one to reach.”

“You barely made it before us!”

Fang Chen’s voice echoed out as he put away the flying shuttle and landed on the ground along with Tai.

All of them then followed the crowd of disciples and board the ship. It didn’t take long before the ship rose into the air and shot Southwards.