Nine Heavens Martial Emperor

The new disciples who had just joined the Saint Institute paled. Not wearing the Saint Institute’s uniform meant having your cultivation crippled and then being expelled? ’That’s too cruel.’

The other Saint Institute disciples, however, wore expressions of schadenfreude.

No one, not even royalty, was allowed to violate the Saint Institute’s regulations. A prince had once broken the rules and, while his cultivation wasn’t crippled, he was still expelled from the Saint Institute.

’Who on earth is so brazen as to commit such a flagrant offense against the Saint Institute?!’

Following the direction the Saint Master named Wang was pointing, they saw Lin Hao.

In an instant, Lin Hao became the center of attention.

"Who is that? How could he be so audacious?" a disciple whispered.

The Saint Institute’s rules were strict. Although Lin Hao had caused a huge stir in the Imperial City, few here recognized him.

"I don’t know. He’s a new disciple."

"That’s Lin Hao," someone revealed his name.

This disciple was someone connected to the Lin and Hu families.

As the empire’s highest academy, the Saint Institute was a place the four great families took very seriously. As such, they each had their own unique networks within its walls.

After Lin Hao entered the Saint Institute yesterday, the networks of the four great families had gone into overdrive. By now, at least half the disciples recognized him.

"So that’s Lin Hao. He may be famous throughout the Cangnan Kingdom, but this is the Saint Institute. Even a prince couldn’t escape punishment for breaking the rules. He’s..."

The disciples who hadn’t recognized Lin Hao before now shook their heads upon hearing his name.

’Acting so presumptuously in the Saint Institute... Lin Hao is finished.’

As for the direct disciples of the four great families, like Lin Xinran and Hu Rui, they had long since broken into gratified smiles upon seeing it was Lin Hao.

Not even royalty could escape punishment for violating the rules; Lin Hao’s fate was already sealed.

With his cultivation crippled and expelled from the Saint Institute, even a beggar could kill him.

Above, Duan Wushuang frowned.

She not only frowned; she felt a headache coming on.

Forty years ago, Cang Yan, in a towering rage, had slapped the Monarch of the Cangnan Kingdom for her sake. As a princess of the royal family, if she had then left with Cang Yan, the kingdom’s prestige would have been utterly destroyed. Thus, she had heartlessly rejected Cang Yan, causing his hair to turn white overnight before he vanished without a trace.

For this, Duan Wushuang had been filled with regret for forty long years.

Now that Duan Wushuang knew Lin Hao’s identity, she naturally wouldn’t let him come to harm.

However, the Saint Institute’s regulations had existed since its founding. If she were to disregard them for Lin Hao’s sake, the repercussions would be unimaginably vast.

Just as Duan Wushuang was struggling to find a perfect solution, she suddenly noticed that the instigator of this whole affair was still standing there, his expression completely unfazed.

’Is he fearless because he thinks I’ll back him up, or is it something else?’

A thought struck her, and Duan Wushuang spoke up. "Lin Hao, you have violated the institute’s regulations. Do you have any objection to what Saint Master Wang Jianglin has said?"

"Attending the Saint Institute’s morning assembly requires wearing the Saint Institute’s uniform, otherwise it’s a violation?" Lin Hao asked, not answering her question.

Duan Wushuang nodded.

"Oh, in that case, I have no objection," Lin Hao said with a nod, the hint of a smile even playing on his lips.

If they didn’t know he was Lin Hao, the others would have surely thought he was an idiot.

Master Wang had made it crystal clear: violating the rules meant having your cultivation crippled and being expelled from the Saint Institute. And he had no objection? ’How badly does he want to die?!’

"Since you’re so sensible, I will personally act to spare you the pain," Wang Jianglin said menacingly from above after a brief moment of shock.

As a Saint Master, his status was revered; even disciples from the four great families wouldn’t dare disrespect him. Yet yesterday, Lin Hao had blatantly slapped him in the face.

Wang Jianglin wouldn’t be able to eat or sleep in peace until Lin Hao was dead.

He had spent all of last night trying to come up with a plan after returning, but he couldn’t sleep well and had no good ideas.

He never imagined Lin Hao would have a death wish first thing in the morning.

Now, Wang Jianglin was growing impatient.

Countless eyes were fixed on Lin Hao. Some watched with undisguised schadenfreude, especially Lin Xinran, Hu Rui, and their cohorts.

Others looked on with anxious expressions, such as Ling Xiao, Yang Peng, Chen Qian, and Wenren Yuxin.

Just then, the corner of Lin Hao’s mouth lifted into a smile as he spoke. "Before Master Wang cripples my cultivation, shouldn’t you cripple your own first?"

Everyone was stunned by his words.

Then, Wenren Yuxin and the others relaxed, smiles appearing on their faces.

Wang Jianglin’s expression changed as well; he guessed what Lin Hao was about to say.

"The rules state that anyone attending the morning assembly must wear the Saint Institute uniform. Master Wang is a member of the Saint Institute, as are all the other Saint Masters. If we’re crippling cultivations, then I’m not the only one here who qualifies," Lin Hao said, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"We are Saint Masters! How can a mere disciple like you be compared to us?!" Wang Jianglin retorted angrily.

"Are you a member of the Saint Institute?" Lin Hao asked.

"You... You’re just twisting words! I cannot let you remain!" Wang Jianglin flew into a rage, his words booming like thunder.

PFFT!

The power of a Soul Gathering Realm Peak Martial Artist was terrifying. Lin Hao’s body was suddenly sent flying several meters, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Lin Hao landed on one knee. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shot his head up, his eyes locked on Wang Jianglin.

An incredibly terrifying aura rose from Lin Hao’s body, and his eyes were ice-cold.

Seeing those eyes, Wang Jianglin felt an inexplicable tremor in his heart.

"The day I ascend to the Soul Gathering Realm, I will kill you!" Lin Hao’s voice echoed across the plaza, as cold as ten-thousand-year-old ice.

The Soul Gathering Realm Peak was too strong; Lin Hao was no match for him right now. But Lin Hao’s killing intent had never been stronger.

Wang Jianglin had struck too suddenly for even Duan Wushuang to intervene. Now, seeing Lin Hao’s vicious aura, she too was shocked.

Still, for a Saint Master of the Saint Institute to attack Lin Hao like this filled Duan Wushuang with a surprising amount of anger.

"Wang Jianglin, do you have any respect for me at all! Suppressing someone with your cultivation realm—how impressive of you," Duan Wushuang said, her voice deceptively calm.

But Wang Jianglin felt as if he had been plunged into an icy abyss. He could feel her killing intent.

However, her last words left Wang Jianglin deeply displeased.

’So in Duan Wushuang’s eyes, I’m not even as good as a disciple at the same realm!’

A wave of anger washed over Wang Jianglin. Just then, in his peripheral vision, he saw Duan Mushuang, who was standing nearby, furrow her delicate brows slightly.

Duan Mushuang was the Master Duan from yesterday, the woman of exceptional grace.

Wang Jianglin was thirty-three but remained unmarried, all because of Duan Mushuang.

Now, seeing the woman he adored make such an expression, Wang Jianglin felt the blood rush to his head.

"Dean, since you say I’m suppressing him with my realm, then I will teach him a lesson on the Saint War Platform," Wang Jianglin said to Duan Wushuang.

Duan Wushuang’s eyes flickered. "Are you sure?"

"I’m sure!" Wang Jianglin nodded.

"He has only just entered the Saint Institute. It would be a good thing for you, as a Saint Master, to guide him. But if you lose... I’m afraid you won’t be able to continue being a Saint Master," Duan Wushuang said, a strange glint flashing in her eyes before vanishing.

"If I lose to a disciple, you won’t have to do a thing. I’ll leave on my own," Wang Jianglin said in a low voice.

Duan Wushuang nodded, then turned to Lin Hao. "Lin Hao, Master Wang wishes to battle you on the Saint War Platform. Do you agree? By the way, the Saint War Platform suppresses cultivation, allowing you to fight at the same level."

A glint appeared in Lin Hao’s eyes as he asked, "Can you kill people on the Saint War Platform?"

When fighting at the same level, Lin Hao was invincible. Why would he be afraid?

Just now, Wang Jianglin had only spoken of "teaching" Lin Hao on the Saint War Platform. Now, Lin Hao was asking if he could kill.

Lin Hao was even more arrogant than the Saint Master!

All the disciples revealed strange expressions upon hearing this.

Even a few disciples from the Upper Academy’s eyes flickered as they sized Lin Hao up anew.

Wang Jianglin’s eyes bulged, and his chest heaved, nearly exploding with rage at Lin Hao’s words.

He had, of course, heard about Lin Hao’s exploits. But he was a Saint Master of the Saint Institute! He had studied all the Cultivation Techniques and martial arts in the Upper Academy Library and had taught countless genius disciples. For Lin Hao to think of killing him at the same realm was, to him, the most blatant form of contempt.

"The Saint Institute permits bloodshed, but not the taking of lives," Duan Wushuang said, a flicker of amusement in her eyes vanishing as quickly as it appeared.

"Is that so..." Lin Hao mused, his face a mask of disappointment. He then added reluctantly, "Fine, I accept."

PFFT!

Wang Jianglin staggered, nearly coughing up a mouthful of blood himself.

The other party had accepted so reluctantly—not because he was afraid, but because he wasn’t allowed to kill.

This reason alone made him want to tear Lin Hao into a million pieces.

"Since both parties have agreed, go and make your preparations. We need to begin the morning assembly," Duan Wushuang said at the perfect moment, allowing the furious Wang Jianglin to regain his senses.

"Thank you, Dean." Lin Hao cupped his fist and turned to leave.

Lin Hao had no interest in the morning assembly anyway, so this was perfect.

As for Wang Jianglin, Lin Hao let out a cold laugh. He had already decided how he would deal with him.

’He wouldn’t be spitting up that blood for nothing.’

Lin Hao returned to his room but made no special preparations. He didn’t even care where the Saint War Platform was.

’Wang Jianglin must be furious and impatient by now. He’ll come looking for me.’

Lin Hao didn’t have to wait long...

"Lin Hao, get out here!" a voice roared through the Saint Institute, rolling like thunder.

The voice came from the Upper Academy’s plaza.

Lin Hao walked out unhurriedly, only to see Wang Jianglin standing in mid-air.

Below his feet was a massive, elevated platform.

The platform hung suspended in the air, bobbing gently, a breathtaking sight.

Lin Hao spared it a single glance before looking away and ambling slowly toward the Upper Academy plaza.

As he drew closer, Lin Hao saw that the morning assembly was over and a large, deep pit had been revealed in the center of the plaza.

Needless to say, the bobbing platform had risen from that very spot.

At this time, countless disciples had taken to the air around the platform, eager to witness the great battle.

None of them had left after the morning assembly.

Even the Saint Institute’s Saint Masters, and Vice-Dean Duan Wushuang herself, were no exception.

Since the founding of the Saint Institute, no new disciple had ever dared to challenge a Saint Master. Lin Hao was setting a precedent.

The platform was suspended dozens of meters above the ground.

Lin Hao stomped a foot, shooting upward and landing directly on the platform.

Countless faces changed color.

Because Lin Hao’s seemingly casual stomp had actually caused a screen of brilliant light to flare up over the Upper Academy.

It was a restrictive ward laid down by a powerful Martial Artist.

Under normal circumstances, a Martial Artist who hadn’t reached the Peak of the Elemental Realm could never hope to make it manifest.