Chapter 119: Gathering
"It seems the Snow Moon Holy Academy's appeal is much greater than the Heavenly One Academy's."
Among the crowd, Lin Feng, wearing a bronze mask, looked around at the sea of people and thought to himself.
Meng Qing and the others were all by Lin Feng's side, and even Wen Aoxue and Yuan Shan had come along with Lin Feng to take a look. They also wanted to know just how big a commotion the Snow Moon Holy Academy could stir up.
Jing Yun looked at the bronze mask on Lin Feng's face, puzzled. Since Lin Feng was wearing a mask, he clearly didn't want to be recognized. She wondered what exactly had happened at Cloud Sea Sect that day.
Sunlight gradually emerged from behind the clouds, rays of light shining down on the crowd, bringing a hint of warmth.
"Look, they're coming out. How impressive."
At that moment, exclamations rose and fell one after another. The crowd looked into the distance and saw a group of heroic figures walking out from within the gates of the Snow Moon Holy Academy.
This group was all dressed in snow-white robes, embroidered with the words "Snow Moon," which were very beautiful.
Coupled with the uniform attire of the group, it gave people a visual impact.
There were several hundred people in this group, all very young. Soon, they walked out of the Snow Moon gates, arrived in front of the square, and stepped onto the steps, ascending the vast platform in the square.
These people wore indifferent expressions as they looked at the crowd, each with a hint of arrogance in their eyes. They were the first batch of designated candidates for the Snow Moon Holy Academy, selected from various places. Now, standing on the platform, receiving the attention of tens of thousands and adorned with glory, they couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
Lin Feng looked at the figures on the platform, and beneath the bronze mask, his eyes gradually turned icy cold and indifferent. Among these people, there were many familiar faces.
"Linghu Heshan, Tu Fu, Wenren Yan."
Previously, these three had been the pillars of Cloud Sea Sect, nurtured by the sect as its future backbone. But now, with Cloud Sea Sect destroyed by Duan Tianlang, they stood on the platform, sharing this glory with Duan Tianlang.
Moreover, besides these three, Lin Feng also saw figures of other Cloud Sea Sect disciples, all of whom were on the ranking stone wall. They had surrendered to Duan Tianlang to earn a chance to live.
It wasn't just Cloud Sea Sect; disciples from several other major sects were also among this crowd. For example, Lin Feng's uncle's pair of children, Lin Qian from Hao Yue Sect and Lin Hong from Ice and Snow Mountain Villa, were both there.
"Haha, Uncle Lin Rui, look at Qian'er and Hong'er. They are now disciples of the Snow Moon Holy Academy, glorious beyond compare. They will surely achieve great things in the future, bringing glory to our Lin family, making us the strongest family in Yangzhou City, and even swallowing up the other families."
At that moment, in a certain part of the crowd, Lin Feng's eldest uncle, Lin Badao, was standing there, speaking loudly. By his side were many members of the Lin family, including even the Supreme Elder, Lin Rui.
"Indeed. I was right about Qian'er and Hong'er. From now on, the Lin family will have to rely on these two siblings."
Lin Rui said with a smile, treating Lin Badao very politely. Now that Lin Badao had such a pair of children, his status had risen along with his children's.
"It's just that Nalan Xiong is also here. His daughter, Nalan Feng, is also a disciple of the Snow Moon Holy Academy. That's annoying."
Lin Badao glanced at a certain spot in the crowd, where a group from Yangzhou City was gathered—the Nalan family, the city lord's clan of Yangzhou.
"Why bother about that? Our Lin family has two people entering the Holy Academy, while they only have Nalan Feng. Besides, with Qian'er's martial soul talent, why would we fear her being inferior to Nalan Feng?"
Lin Rui said indifferently. Sure enough, Lin Badao laughed heartily after hearing this, feeling extremely pleased.
At this moment, not far behind them, Lin Feng looked somewhat stunned at the figures of Lin Badao and the other Lin family members. They had actually made a special trip from Yangzhou City.
In the eyes of Lin Badao and the others, they must have valued the status of being a Snow Moon Holy Academy disciple, thinking it was something extraordinary and immensely proud. Yet they didn't know that within their Lin family, there had once been someone whom Duan Tianlang had repeatedly invited but who had flatly refused. In the end, the entire Cloud Sea Sect had united to barely save his life.
But that person had been expelled from the Lin family by them.
"Haha, to have so many people come to my Snow Moon Holy Academy today, Duan is truly honored."
At that moment, a hearty voice came from afar. A group of figures approached from a distance and soon stepped onto the platform, standing at the front.
The two people appearing in the middle were none other than Duan Tianlang and Duan Han.
"It seems the rumors are true. The Snow Moon Holy Academy is directly under the control of the Celestial Wolf King." The crowd thought to themselves. In the past, there had been news that the imperial family intended to establish the Snow Moon Holy Academy, and the leader of this academy might have been the Divine Archer Liu Canglan or Prince Celestial Wolf Duan Tianlang. Now it was finally confirmed—it was the Celestial Wolf King.
"Everyone has traveled a long way to get here. I, Duan, will keep it brief. Today, on the founding day of the Snow Moon Holy Academy, we aim to recruit disciples. Any outstanding young person at the Spirit Martial Realm or above can sign up. Then, on-the-spot selections will determine the list of those entering the Snow Moon Holy Academy. As long as you enter the academy, you can freely choose from Profound Grade mid-rank techniques and martial skills. Those who perform exceptionally well can even choose Profound Grade high-rank techniques and martial skills."
The Celestial Wolf King said loudly, immediately stirring many people's hearts. Profound Grade techniques were not easy to come by, especially Profound Grade mid-rank ones. One had to become a disciple of a major sect to obtain them, or trade for them at a very high price. As for Profound Grade high-rank techniques and martial skills, they were very hard to obtain. Even within those major sects, they were not easily given to disciples for cultivation.
The Celestial Wolf King's words were undoubtedly full of temptation. Yet, the minimum threshold was the Spirit Martial Realm. Truly worthy of the Snow Moon Holy Academy.
"Additionally, Duan has another announcement to make. Two people that everyone is eager to see will also formally join my Snow Moon Holy Academy today."
A hint of mystery played at the corners of Duan Tianlang's mouth, making the crowd speculate. People everyone wanted to see? Who could that be?
And from Duan Tianlang's tone, it was clear that these two were extraordinary.
"Both of you, come out."
Duan Tianlang said loudly. Instantly, a chill enveloped the world.
The faint warmth of the sunlight seemed to be blocked at that moment. In the sky, light snowflakes began to drift, and a figure descended slowly from amidst the snowflakes.
"Falling Snow Young Master!"
The crowd trembled, utterly shocked. It was actually the Falling Snow Young Master, the strongest disciple of Snow Moon Mountain Villa. One of the Eight Young Masters, the Falling Snow Young Master, was also joining the Snow Moon Holy Academy?
Just as the crowd was stunned, a fierce wind suddenly howled, and snowflakes danced wildly. In the sky, a black dot turned into a shadow, appearing in everyone's line of sight. This shadow was a spreading-winged great roc.
"Great Roc Young Master!"
Pupils contracted sharply, and the crowd's shock was beyond words. Two of the Eight Young Masters, the Falling Snow Young Master and the Great Roc Young Master, were actually joining the Snow Moon Holy Academy together. This was truly unexpected.
The Great Roc Young Master, Chu Zhanpeng, was the son of Chu Qing, the sect master of Hao Yue Sect. Was he actually going to become a disciple of the Snow Moon Holy Academy?
"So, the Falling Snow Young Master and the Great Roc Young Master came to the imperial city to join the Snow Moon Holy Academy."
"The Celestial Wolf King has made a big move. This is a clever trick."
The crowd buzzed with discussion. The Snow Moon Holy Academy had indeed given everyone quite a surprise on its founding day.
The Falling Snow Young Master and the Great Roc Young Master landed on either side of Duan Tianlang. This scene meant that from now on, the Snow Moon Holy Academy possessed two Young Masters, matching the imperial family in number.
Duan Tianlang smiled slightly and raised his hands. The crowd gradually quieted down.
"Now, I declare the Snow Moon Holy Academy officially established. I, Duan Tianlang, am its first dean."
Duan Tianlang's voice rolled like a surging torrent, spreading far and wide, vibrating against the eardrums of the crowd.
"Duan clan descendant, Duan Lie, congratulates the founding of the Snow Moon Holy Academy." A clear voice rang out. From within the crowd, many people suddenly appeared, holding golden gift boxes as offerings.
"Bai family congratulates the founding of the Snow Moon Holy Academy."
"Zhong family congratulates the founding of the Snow Moon Holy Academy."
"Gu family congratulates the founding of the Snow Moon Holy Academy."
"…………"
Voices rose and fell one after another. Within the crowd, people kept appearing, as if they had been waiting there all along. Moments later, the front of the square was filled with a crowd of well-wishers.
A thick smile spread across the corner of Duan Tianlang's mouth.
"Duan thanks you all. Accept them."
Duan Tianlang waved his hand grandly, exuding immense boldness. Immediately, people stepped forward to accept these congratulatory gifts.