Ch. 1193 - Leaving, The Blockade, Standing Up

“Please wait a moment, Young Master Xu,” Wu Daozi called as he led his group over quickly.

Xu Zimo turned around, looking at them in mild confusion.

“I am Wu Daozi, Chancellor of the Ghost God Collegium,” Wu introduced himself with a smile. “I heard that Young Master Xu intends to join our academy?”

“Where did you hear that?” Xu Zimo asked, frowning.

“That’s not important. The Ghost God Collegium welcomes you wholeheartedly,” Wu Daozi said warmly. “If you join, you can be directly promoted to one of the Nine Ghost Princes, with a chance to hold authority over the academy in the future.”

“I’m not interested,” Xu Zimo replied, waving his hand dismissively.

“Then what are your plans next?” Wu Daozi asked.

“I’ll be leaving the academy, exploring the Ghost God Heaven for a while,” Xu Zimo replied. “Chancellor Wu, you seem rather interested in me.”

“Is staying not a better choice? The Ghost God Heaven is full of danger. Even Grand Emperors are not invincible here,” Wu Daozi said.

“That’s not something you need to worry about,” Xu Zimo said calmly.

“You killed Xuan Ming and Xuan Quan,” Nocturne interjected sharply. “If you refuse to join the academy, then you stand as its enemy.”

“Oh? Are you going to kill me?” Xu Zimo asked, glancing at him.

“I know you’re strong,” Nocturne said coldly, “but surely you know our Ghost God Collegium is backed by the Nine Ghost Gods. The academy itself was founded by Ghost God Kui. You may think yourself powerful, but do you truly believe you surpass the Ghost Gods?”

“Ghost Gods?” Xu Zimo smiled faintly. “Last night, I nearly killed one named Abyssal-Chimera. You wouldn’t happen to know him, would you?”

“How dare you slander Lord Abyssal-Chimera!” Nocturne snapped, his tone icy.

“Slander? Instead of arguing with me here, why don’t you go ask him yourself?” Xu Zimo said lightly.

“Lord Abyssal-Chimera is far too busy to come to the academy. You’re counting on that, aren’t you?” Nocturne retorted.

Xu Zimo sighed. “You can’t wake a man who pretends to sleep. Fine then. I killed Xuan Ming and Xuan Quan, so what? I’ll wait right here. Go fetch your reinforcements and see what happens.”

“You!” Nocturne pointed at him, trembling with anger.

“Enough,” Wu Daozi said, raising a hand to stop him. Turning back to Xu Zimo, he smiled. “To tell the truth, there are matters we’d like to ask your help with. You’ll be well rewarded.”

“No need. I’ve already decided to leave the Ghost God Collegium. Don’t waste your breath,” Xu Zimo replied, shaking his head. Then he turned and walked away.

Watching him go, Nocturne said furiously, “That man’s arrogance is unbearable. We should crush his pride!”

“And how do you plan to do that? Can you defeat him?” Wu Daozi asked coldly.

“We could call on the Nine Ghost Gods,” Nocturne suggested.

“If we ask the Nine Ghost Gods to solve every problem, what need is there for me to be Chancellor?” Wu Daozi replied sharply.

Nocturne fell silent, unable to answer.

Wu Daozi’s voice dropped, his tone chilling. “If you want someone to die, let him go mad for a while first.”

After parting with Wu Daozi and his group, Xu Zimo met up with Xie Changliu, and together they returned to the Hall of Honor.

Lan Canyin was already waiting there.

“The map you wanted,” she said, tossing it to him.

The map was made from the hide of a powerful beast, remarkably well preserved.

When Xu Zimo spread it open, it stretched over a hundred meters long, mountains and rivers vividly illustrated, every ridge and valley meticulously marked.

“The vast Ghost God Heaven is divided into five regions,” Lan Canyin explained, pointing to the map. “The Demi-God Region, the Demi-Ghost Region, the Half-Grave Region, the No-Sea Region, and the Forbidden Lands. Our Ghost God Collegium is in the Demi-God Region, while the Seven Gods Collegium is located in the No-Sea Region.”

Xu Zimo nodded slightly as he studied the markings.

“The Demi-God Region is part of the central core area, while the No-Sea Region is remote and resource-poor. That’s why the Seven Gods Collegium has long wanted to relocate,” Lan Canyin continued.

“Have you ever heard of the Ancient Gods?” Xu Zimo asked suddenly.

“What Ancient Gods?” Lan Canyin looked puzzled.

“Never mind. I suppose you haven’t,” Xu Zimo said, shaking his head.

Lan Canyin thought for a moment, then added, “You might find what you’re looking for in the Ghost God Collegium’s library. There’s a chance it holds that kind of knowledge.”

“I can’t go there,” Xu Zimo chuckled. “After today, I’d say the academy and I are completely finished.”

Lan Canyin fell silent, deciding not to press further.

After memorizing the map, Xu Zimo rolled it up and put it away.

Nearby, Jiang Mozhi had gathered the students of the Celestial Sage Academy and finished preparing.

“Are we leaving now?” Jiang Mozhi asked.

“Let’s go,” Xu Zimo nodded.

“Hopefully, we’ll meet again someday,” Lan Canyin said softly.

Xu Zimo nodded slightly in return.

He and Jiang Mozhi led the Celestial Sage students toward the outer gates of the Ghost God Collegium.

As they crossed the vast square, they passed tree-lined paths filled with strange stone statues.

But just as they reached the middle of the avenue, the sound of synchronized footsteps echoed around them.

From both sides, groups of people charged in, surrounding them completely.

At their head stood Nocturne.

His aura was immense, swirling with primal energy, his white robe fluttering with the pressure.

Beside him stood four elderly men, each exuding the might of one of the Four Symbols. Their power shook the air itself.

They had long beards, wrinkled faces, and eyes that gleamed with ancient sharpness.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Xu Zimo asked with a faint smile. “You looking for a fight?”

“This has nothing to do with you,” Nocturne said coolly. “You may leave, but they cannot.”

He pointed at the students of the Celestial Sage Academy.

“Why?” Jiang Mozhi stepped forward. “You were the one who expelled us from the academy, remember?”

“That was then,” Nocturne replied. “After reconsideration, the academy has decided you should stay. It’s a generous offer, don’t reject it.”

Jiang Mozhi looked around, chuckled lightly, and said, “If you wanted to call us back, you could’ve just sent word. Was this display really necessary?”

“This is the Chancellor’s order,” Nocturne said impatiently.

“Well, I’m sorry,” Jiang Mozhi said calmly. “From the moment you expelled us, we stopped being members of the Ghost God Collegium.”

“Are you sure about that?” Nocturne asked, narrowing his eyes dangerously.

Jiang Mozhi smiled faintly, turning to Xu Zimo. “You always said I’d been kneeling too long. Then let me stand, just this once.”

He straightened his back, looking Nocturne in the eye. “I’m sure.”

“Good,” Nocturne said through clenched teeth, a furious grin twisting his face. “Very good indeed.”

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