On their return trip, Xiang Shaoyun and company moved as fast as lightning, traveling at a much faster speed than when they journeyed to the north. After leaving the North Illusionary Sea and upon entering the Northern Border, Xiang Shaoyun could sense that disasters had erupted all over the region. There were natural calamities, and there were also insurrections of non-human races, which resulted in a large number of deaths.
The happenings all pointed to the chaotic times that were coming, and it did not seem like anyone would be able to stop the incoming chaos. Xiang Shaoyun slowed his pace in the Northern Border as he recalled his past issue with Beiming Tianpeng. He wanted to settle this grudge between them once and for all.
However, he learned that Beiming Tianpeng had actually joined the Celestial Alliance. Moreover, Beiming Tianpeng was also fighting for the Guardians Guild's young guild master position. Instantly, Xiang Shaoyun realized that something major must have happened in the Guardians Guild.
"Lord Wu Xie told me to pay Master a visit if I have the time. Looks like I can't keep putting that back anymore. I'll go back to the Dragon Phoenix Academy first." After some contemplation, Xiang Shaoyun decided to rush back to the Dragon Phoenix Academy.
Because he was traveling with an azure dragon and a white tiger, they would probably frighten countless people if the two were to remain in their original form. Several days later, Xiang Shaoyun arrived in the sky above the Dragon Phoenix Academy.
Apart from some elders and overseers, the academy was mostly empty. Over half of their disciples had perished, while the rest had all left the academy in search of their respective paths. Very few of them would remain in the academy.
The moment Xiang Shaoyun stepped foot into the academy, the higher-ups received news of his return. Soon, some people came out to welcome his arrival. After his legendary battle in the ancient battlefield, his prestige in the academy was comparable to some of their God Realm elders. Besides, he also had a super backer in the form of his master, Ge Yi.
Xiao Wei was included among the welcoming group. This was the same person who had recruited Xiang Shaoyun into the academy. Thanks to Xiang Shaoyun, he had grown massively in strength, and his position in the academy had also increased considerably.
"My little ancestor, are you finally back after going missing for so long?" said Xiao Wei impatiently the moment he saw Xiang Shaoyun.
"Elder Xiao, how's the academy?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.
"Nothing much. Come, let's meet the principal first," said Xiao Wei.
"No. I need to meet my master first," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"The gravekeeper elder had long left the academy. Prior to that, he had left some words with the principal. You will know his plan after meeting the principal," Xiao Wei explained.
"Ok," Xiang Shaoyun nodded.
He thus followed Xiao Wei and rushed toward the meeting hall. The principal was already there waiting for him.
"Kid, you're finally back," said the principal, relieved.
"Greetings, lord principal," said Xiang Shaoyun with a slight salute.
"Have you taken that step?" asked the principal in astonishment.
"Yes, I was lucky enough to make a breakthrough," said Xiang Shaoyun modestly.
"Well done. Your speed of advancement is among the fastest in the dominion. I was afraid that you might miss this opportunity, but it looks like I don't need to worry anymore," said the principal, clearly pleased.
"May I know if my master had left any message for me?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.
The principal waved Xiao Wei away. As for the azure dragon and Little White, the two were still waiting outside the hall.
"This is the token your master left for you. He wanted you to head over to the Guardians Guild with this token," said the principal as he handed a token over.
Holding the token in hand, Xiang Shaoyun could feel how extraordinary it was. It was greatly similar to the other token he had, with only some slight differences between the two.
"What is Master's intention?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.
"Where have you been since the conclusion of the ancient battlefield? Did you not hear all the rumors flying about?" asked the principal.
"I went to the North Illusionary Sea and was unaware of any recent updates."
"No wonder. I'll update you, then," said the principal as he gave Xiang Shaoyun a brief summary of all that had happened recently.
He mainly focused on the Guardians Guild's intention to appoint a young guild master. Those with the guardians token who could go to the guild and go through a series of tests would be qualified for the appointment. Ge Yi naturally hoped that Xiang Shaoyun would become the young guild master. That was the reason why he had left the token for Xiang Shaoyun.
Only three years were left before the final competition for the position. In the remaining three years, all the Gods below 1,000 years old holding the guardians token could participate.
"I thought the Guardians Guild would appoint the young guild master internally? Why are they opening the position for outsiders?" asked Xiang Shaoyun doubtfully.
"The Guardians Guild has always been the representation of absolute justice. Their sole purpose of existence is to protect the dominion. That is why anyone who has contributed to the dominion is qualified to become the young guild master. Of course, they naturally have their own internal candidates. Any outsider wanting to try for the position has to first get through these candidates," said the principal. "The Guardians Guild has stood for millions of years, and their accumulation is unimaginably deep. Not even the Immortal Road Chamber, the Guangling Palace, and the Celestial Alliance can compare with them. They are all definitely trying to send their agents into the Guardians Guild, so you have a heavy burden on your shoulders. Any carelessness will cost you your very life. I hope you can be careful."
"Since this is my master's wish, I will naturally try my best. The young guild master position is mine," declared Xiang Shaoyun confidently.
"The academy has prepared a fortuitous encounter for you to enable a breakthrough into the God Realm, but that is no longer needed. You won't mind the academy giving the opportunity to someone else instead, right?"
Xiang Shaoyun nodded. "That is not an issue. I suggest giving Baili Yixiao this opportunity. He is the talent most worthy of nurturing."
Baili Yixiao had survived the ancient battlefield and had grasped the strongest sword of righteousness. He had a righteous heart, and he would definitely grow into a respectable powerhouse in the future.
"It's good that you think so. Yixiao is indeed a decent child," said the principal in a pleased manner.
After a short discussion, Xiang Shaoyun left the hall.
"The various cultivators are all aiming for the young guild master position. I'll let them have fun fighting each other for now. I'll take a trip back to the Ziling Sect first," said Xiang Shaoyun. He was in no rush. Rather than fighting, he first took the azure dragon and Little White back to the sect. After all, that was his actual home, a place he would never give up.