From Five Animal Exercises to being hailed as a saint and ancestor

Vice Dean Shangguan Hong's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

The disciples, who were initially burdened by the Heavenly Dao Academy's strict standards and the strength of geniuses from the outside world, now had a change in their mood.

Upon hearing the words "harvest in the secret realm," their eyes immediately lit up.

Yes, they struggled in the Meteorite Realm for nearly a month, and although they faced many dangers, they also reaped considerable rewards!

Whether it's the collected Starshine Grass or the gathered exotic minerals, they are all quite valuable.

Whether it's the spiritual advancement gained from enlightenment on the Starfall Platform, it's all tangible capital.

The crowd began to surge, with most disciples heading towards the Spirit Affairs Pavilion.

Those at the level of the top ten disciples of the outer academy, such as Yao Mengkang and Zhou Tiancan, are naturally included in this list.

"A harvest from the secret realm?" Zhou Tiancan, a burly man with a towering physique, touched his shiny bald head and said in a gruff voice.

"I was busy fighting those skeletons and trying to comprehend the Dao at that meteorite platform while I was inside."

"Aside from a few weeds I picked casually, I didn't get any other materials."

His words resonated with several people nearby.

Li Han's figure approached silently like a ghost, and he spoke in a low voice.

"Me too. I've spent most of my time breaking through the Starbeasts' blockade and the Starfall Platform."

Yao Mengkang's heart stirred; he had a similar feeling.

In the secret realm, his goal was clear: to head towards the Starfall Platform in the core area. Although there were battles along the way, he did not spend too much time deliberately collecting materials.

Just then, a slightly effeminate voice broke in.

"It seems my fellow disciples are focused on the opportunities in the core area."

Everyone turned their heads and saw a middle-aged man dressed in a butler's uniform, with a shrewd and calculating look on his face, walking over.

Yao Mengkang's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly—Zhao Qian!

Yao Mengkang would never forget this Deacon Zhao Qian.

Two months ago, after winning first place in the Fengyun Championship, he received three drops of Earth Vein Spirit Milk as a reward.

This person, along with another deacon named Zhou Tong, visited late at night, plotting to steal the earth's spiritual milk.

If I hadn't used the Dean's authority to successfully intimidate the two of them, things would probably have ended very badly.

Zhao Qian wore a professional smile, but his eyes were like those of a slippery viper.

When his gaze swept across Yao Mengkang's face, it carried a hint of inexplicable coldness before quickly moving away, as if it were just a casual greeting.

"Deacon Zhao," Yao Mengkang replied expressionlessly.

Zhao Qian didn't mind and continued explaining to himself.

"The Meteor Realm is vast, and its greatest opportunity is naturally the Meteor Platform in the core area, as well as the special Star Bone Beasts that guard the path leading to the Meteor Platform."

"Killing Star Beasts can obtain the Origin Qi of Stars to temper the body, nourish spiritual power, and solidify the foundation. Although it carries a trace of violence, it is indeed a rare opportunity."

"The opportunity to comprehend the power of stars and cleanse one's violent aura within the unique illusion of the Starfall Platform is even more rare in the world."

"For those of our junior brothers who possess formidable strength, this is their goal, and what they will naturally gain is an improvement in their realm and foundation."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the many ordinary disciples around him who were hurrying along and looking excited.

His tone carried a subtle hint of disdain.

"And there are also opportunities on the outskirts of the secret realm."

"There are abundant spiritual materials such as 'Starlight Grass' and 'Moonlight Moss' growing there, and it is protected by powerful Star Beasts."

"Many disciples who know they are not strong enough to break through the blockade and reach the core area will choose to collect these materials on the outskirts."

"Over the course of a month, the harvest is often quite considerable, enough to exchange for a lot of cultivation resources."

That's it!

Yao Mengkang, Zhou Tiancan, and the others suddenly realized.

No wonder they felt they hadn't gained much in terms of "physical" rewards.

It turns out that all their energy was invested in improving their more fundamental cultivation level and foundation.

Those disciples who were slightly less skilled, however, achieved a qualitative leap through quantitative change and also reaped considerable rewards.

That could be considered a form of fairness.

During the conversation, the group arrived at the Ling Shi Pavilion.

The Ling Shi Pavilion was bustling with activity, several times more lively than usual.

The disciples lined up in a long queue, eagerly taking out what they had obtained in the secret realm.

They are handed over to the stewards of the pavilion for appraisal and valuation, and then exchanged for the pills, weapons and other items they need.

Yao Mengkang followed suit, taking out the auxiliary herbs he had collected that were of decent quality and barely exchanging them for a "Breakthrough Pill".

Zhou Tiancan, Li Han, and others were much the same.

Just as Yao Mengkang finished exchanging the currency and was about to leave.

Out of the corner of his eye, he keenly caught sight of two familiar figures.

Beside a railing on the second floor of the Ling Shi Ge (Spiritual Affairs Pavilion), the tall, thin steward Zhao Qian was talking quietly with another person.

The man was short and stout, with a friendly smile always on his face, but a greedy glint shone deep in his eyes.

It was Zhou Tong, the steward who had once made things difficult for Yao Mengkang along with Zhao Qian!

Their gazes were not directed at Yao Mengkang, but rather at the predatory gazes of hawks hunting for prey.

He subtly and precisely surveyed the noisy crowd below.

They lingered especially on the disciples who had exchanged for a large amount of resources and left with beaming faces.

Yao Mengkang followed their gaze and saw several familiar figures.

Shi Meng, a man as burly as a bear, was holding a bag of spirit stones and a jade bottle, grinning happily.

The agile Lin Feng, in return, received a gleaming short sword, which he cherished dearly.

There was also Su Xiaowan, who had a beautiful appearance. She also exchanged for some pills and carefully put them away.

These disciples are considered quite strong in the outer academy, but they are not among the top.

They clearly chose to accumulate materials on the outskirts of the secret realm, and now their "purses" are at their fullest.

"A leopard can't change its spots..."

Yao Mengkang sneered inwardly.

These two guys tried to seize my opportunity back then, and now it seems they're setting their sights on these "fat sheep" disciples again.

The academy strictly forbids infighting among fellow disciples, and even more strictly forbids elders from plundering the resources of their disciples.

Even if you guard against thieves for a thousand days, you will still make a mistake.

Especially on the eve of their journey to the Great Xia capital, with the disciples carrying a "huge sum of money," it was the perfect opportunity for them to strike!

A thought flashed through Yao Mengkang's mind like lightning.

Since you've all courted death, don't blame me for cleaning up the academy's ranks while I'm at it. Maybe I'll even get some unexpected gains!

He approached Zhou Tiancan and Li Han discreetly and whispered.

"Junior Brother Zhou, Junior Brother Li, may I speak to you in private?"

The three of them arrived at a secluded corner outside the Ling Shi Pavilion.

"Senior Brother Yao, what is it?"

Zhou Tiancan asked in a deep voice, while Li Han looked at Yao Mengkang with a searching gaze.

Yao Mengkang succinctly recounted his findings and speculations, highlighting Zhao Qian and Zhou Tong as the key figures.

"Those two scoundrels!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Tiancan's eyes, as large as copper bells, widened, and a murderous aura was revealed.

"How dare they try to take advantage of our junior brothers and sisters! I, Old Zhou, despise these cowards who bully the weak and fear the strong!"

Li Han's eyes grew even colder, like ice blades.

"If they dare to make a move, they should be prepared for the backlash. Senior Brother Yao, what do you mean?"

A cold glint flashed in Yao Mengkang's eyes.

"If they dare to make a move, we'll wait and see!"

"If we capture or... kill these two scoundrels who intend to harm their fellow disciples and seize their resources on the spot..."

"Even if we take this to the dean, we're still in the right!"

"Maybe we can even get some rewards."

Zhou Tiancan and Li Han exchanged a glance, both seeing the interest in each other's eyes.

They are not bloodthirsty people, but they will never be lenient with these parasites in the academy.

"Damn!" Zhou Tiancan slapped his thigh and lowered his voice.

"Perfect timing to test out the new fist intent I've grasped on the Meteorite Platform!"

Li Han nodded slightly: "Okay."

Next, the three quickly conducted a comparison and analysis of their strengths.

Zhou Tong, at the seventh level of the Spirit Sea Realm, possesses fierce and violent palm techniques with formidable attack power, making him the primary threat.

Zhao Qian, at the fifth level of the Spirit Sea Realm, is skilled in water-attribute techniques and tracking and concealment skills; he is incredibly slippery.

Our side: Yao Mengkang, thirteenth level of Qi opening (forbidden realm).

His foundation is unfathomable. When his true combat power is fully unleashed, he is comparable to an ordinary late-stage Spirit Sea Realm cultivator, and may even defeat him. Dealing with Zhou Tong alone would not be a problem for him.

Zhou Tiancan, at the eleventh level of the Meridian Opening stage, possesses a terrifying physical body, with strength and defense comparable to the mid-stage of the Spirit Sea realm.

However, speed and perception are weaknesses, and overall combat strength is about the same as that of an ordinary early-stage Spirit Sea cultivator.

Li Han, at the tenth level of the Qi Refining Realm, is skilled in stealth and assassination. While his direct combat ability is slightly inferior, he is unpredictable and difficult to defend against.

The real threat is no less than that of an ordinary early-stage Spirit Sea cultivator. If the timing is right, a sudden attack could potentially kill someone in the mid-stage Spirit Sea realm.

"The advantage lies with me!" Yao Mengkang concluded.

"Tiancan, your main task is to restrain Zhao Qian. He's fast, but you have a clear advantage in strength. Force him to fight head-on!"

"Senior Brother Li, you remain hidden to the side, waiting for the right opportunity. Your primary objective is to disrupt or even severely injure Zhao Qian! Zhou Tong, leave him to me!"

Zhou Tiancan and Li Han had no objection to Yao Mengkang's arrangements.

They knew that Yao Mengkang's true strength was far more than it appeared on the surface; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to hold the top position among the ten outer disciples in front of Xuan Yuanpo.

With the plan settled, the three of them pretended to be nonchalant and lingered near the Ling Shi Ge.

They secretly kept an eye on Zhao Qian, Zhou Tong, and the disciples they had their eyes on, including Shi Meng, Lin Feng, and Su Xiaowan.

Time slipped by quietly, and the setting sun painted the sky a brilliant orange-red.

The crowd in front of the Spirit Affairs Pavilion gradually thinned out, as most disciples had finished exchanging their items and left satisfied.

Shi Meng, Lin Feng, Su Xiaowan, and the others also walked out of the Ling Shi Pavilion one after another, each heading towards their respective residences.

Yao Mengkang's eyes narrowed. He saw Zhao Qian and Zhou Tong exchange a glance at the second-floor railing, then quietly retreat and disappear into the shadows.

"They're here!" Yao Mengkang whispered.

Zhou Tiancan twisted his neck, making a soft cracking sound, and his eyes blazed with fighting spirit.

Li Han's figure became blurred as if it had blended into the twilight, and his aura was completely concealed.

Yao Mengkang took a deep breath, his eyes sharp as knives.

"Keep up!"