"What, Cheng Kong is dead?"
In the upper echelons of the Wusheng Academy, within a vast palace.
Two elders were seated in the palace, evidently engaged in some discussion.
One of the elders took out a voice transmission jade talisman, injected spiritual power to activate it, but the voice that emerged from the talisman instantly turned his face red with fury.
"Wasn’t there someone protecting Cheng Kong? And he had the power of the Qing Alliance. Who could have killed him during the island exam?"
In the elder’s tone of anger, there was also a tinge of shock.
Cheng Kong had gone to participate in the second island exam, and the Cheng family had specially arranged for a Divine Sea Realm martial artist to act as his bodyguard and ensure his safety.
On that desolate island, even the most powerful exam-taking martial artist was at most at the peak of the Forge Body Realm; a Divine Sea Realm martial artist was practically invincible.
That was precisely why it was unthinkable that someone could kill Cheng Kong on that island.
"It can’t be, right? Although the island exam is dangerous, wasn’t Mo Qing there to protect him?"
Another elder, upon hearing the message from the jade talisman, slightly changed his expression as well.
They were well aware of Cheng Kong’s abilities. He wasn’t considered strong in this exam, which was why they specifically sent Mo Qing, a Divine Sea Realm martial artist, to protect Cheng Kong.
Cheng Kong had died even with a Divine Sea Realm martial artist’s protection?
"Mo Qing is also dead."
The elder said in a low voice, having also lost contact with Mo Qing.
"Damn it! Who dares to kill a disciple of the Cheng family!"
The elder was so enraged that he kept looking at the content in the jade talisman.
A particular name caught his attention.
"This Chu Fengmian, he actually survived and even secured the top rank in the exam."
The elder silently repeated the name.
Back in Jijing City, Cheng Qin, the young master of the Cheng family, was injured by a certain Chu Fengmian, breaking his ribs and missing out on this exam.
In the eyes of the Cheng family, Chu Fengmian was like an ant that could be squashed at any time, so they didn’t care.
They sent Mo Qing to protect Cheng Kong but also to seize the opportunity to eliminate Chu Fengmian.
But now, not only had Chu Fengmian not died, but Cheng Kong was the one who had perished.
"Damn it, Cheng Kong’s death must have something to do with this Chu Fengmian. This kid has repeatedly provoked our Cheng family. Does he really think the Cheng family is unattended?"
The elder said furiously.
"Someone, kill that kid for me."
The other elder quickly spoke up, attempting to calm the situation.
"Let’s set aside the matter with that kid for now. If Mo Qing is dead, could there be an issue with that matter?"
A speculative gleam flashed in the eyes of the other elder.
Mo Qing’s journey to the desolate island wasn’t just to protect Cheng Kong and eliminate Chu Fengmian; he had a more important task.
That task was to retrieve the Artifact of Abundance.
Now that Mo Qing was dead, the matter of the Artifact of Abundance...
If the Artifact of Abundance was still there, it would naturally be ignored, and sending people to retrieve it would suffice. But if the Artifact of Abundance had been taken by someone else, their entire plan would be ruined.
"Are you suggesting that it might be the work of someone from the Chu family?"
The Cheng family Clan Leader furrowed his brow.
Chu Fengmian’s realm was a mere fifth level of Body Tempering, and even if his strength was formidable, reaching the peak of Body Tempering was already his limit.
With such strength, he posed no real threat to Mo Qing, yet not only Cheng Kong had died, but so had Mo Qing.
This couldn’t have been the work of Chu Fengmian alone.
On the deserted island, the only one who posed a threat to Mo Qing was the Chu Clan’s Chu Baiye.
As both were at the Divine Sea realm, only he had the opportunity to slay Mo Qing.
"Though the Chu Clan has formed an alliance with us, we are, after all, two separate entities. Perhaps it was the Chu Clan’s doing. We still need to contact the Chu Clan to understand the reasons,"
Another elder slowly began to speak.
"What’s of the utmost importance to us now is obtaining the Fertile Monument. As for that brat Chu Fengmian, let the youths of the Azure Alliance take care of him."
"Hmph, our Cheng Clan won’t be bullied so easily. That kid hurt Cheng Qin, and he certainly needs to be taught a lesson. With the power of the Azure Alliance, taking care of a newcomer is more than enough."
The old Clan Leader of the Cheng family had a ferocious look on his face.
"No matter who it is! If they dare to kill a disciple of my Cheng Clan, I shall have them torn to pieces!"
Almost simultaneously, in another even more colossal palace above.
In this palace resided a group of young people, all of whom were dressed in blue garments with golden patterns, signifying their status.
These youths were all Inner Sect Disciples of the Wusheng Academy.
And the one seated at the very top was actually clad in purple clothing.
This young man was indeed the most mysterious Core Disciple within the Wusheng Academy.
These Core Disciples of Wusheng Academy, though called disciples, possessed strength and status far superior to many Hall Masters and Elders. They were genuine figures of immense power.
They were formidable enough to make many clans wary.
"Crown Prince, the results of the new disciples’ examination are out."
A young Martial Artist hurriedly walked into the hall and knelt before the leading man, uttering his report.
This young Martial Artist, also an Inner Sect Disciple, appeared extremely servile before the Crown Prince, akin to a servant.
Crown Prince is not a name but a title.
Within the Wusheng Academy, only one person could bear this title—Zhi Lingtian, the academy’s number one prodigy.
The title of Crown Prince also reflected Zhi Lingtian’s current standing in Wusheng Academy, second to none but the Academy Head. Every Hall Master and Elder treated Zhi Lingtian with the utmost respect.
Thus, he was like a Crown Prince within the academy, and nearly everyone believed that he would be the next Head of the Academy.
"Please, Crown Prince, take a look."
"Rong Tai, there’s no need to trouble the Crown Prince with such trivial matters. Just go on your way and bring any disciples with high potential into our Saint Hall,"
Before Zhi Lingtian could speak, a dark-skinned Martial Artist by his side coldly said.
This dark-skinned Martial Artist also wore purple clothing, signifying his status as a Core Disciple.
"Get lost already, don’t disturb the Crown Prince."
"Master Di, due to some unexpected changes in this examination, it’s better to have the Crown Prince take a look,"
Rong Tai hesitated momentarily but still spoke.
"In this group of newcomers, we found several highly talented geniuses."
"Hmph, I expected something significant. Aren’t there those so-called four prodigies from Jijing City in this batch? These youngsters have made quite a name for themselves. Just have them all join our Saint Hall,"
The dark-skinned Martial Artist spoke, mentioning the invitation to the Saint Hall as though it was a favor being bestowed on the recipients.
This Saint Hall was the most colossal force among countless powers in Wusheng Academy, capable of contending with many long-established noble families. All disciples of Wusheng Academy took pride in joining the Saint Hall.