Suddenly, someone asked a critical question: “Will Su Fu let these treasures go?”
Although she hadn’t gotten them yet, would she let them go?
Someone said gloomily, “If it were you, would you let them go?”
Never mind Su Fu; who among those present could let them go?
Top-tier conceptual Dharma treasures never seen before — who could resist that?
“So, is Su Fu going to be an arms dealer in the Great Desolation Dungeon?”
“The reason she’s being so low-key is to get her hands on these treasures secretly?”
One had to admit, this logic was truly brilliant.
Fighting back and forth wasn’t as good as silently collecting trump cards.
In the end, when these Dharma treasures came out, who could match her?
The best example was those twenty-four Sea-Fixing Beads.
Once they appeared, she was practically invincible among those of the same rank.
No, even against those of a higher rank, she would be invincible.
Suddenly, someone asked, “Do you think… she would sell these Dharma treasures?”
The atmosphere in the proctoring room instantly became subtle.
The strength of these Dharma treasures lay in their unique concepts.
If anyone could possess even one of them, their strength would certainly increase drastically.
That was an indisputable fact.
Who wouldn’t want these treasures?
“These are only Golden Immortal-level treasures…” someone’s voice trembled, “Then how terrifying must the Saint-level ones be?”
Everyone: “!!!”
They really wanted to get their hands on them.
Su Fu was only A-grade now.
Golden Immortal-level treasures were enough for her, but she probably couldn’t even unleash one-tenth of the power of a Saint-level treasure.
It would be a waste in her hands.
Only one thought remained in everyone’s hearts: ‘If she’s willing to sell, she can name any price!’
But what if she wasn’t willing?
“By the way, hasn’t Tai Xuanzi come?”
Everyone looked at each other, their minds becoming active.
‘Yes, Tai Xuanzi wasn’t even coming to watch her own disciple’s exam?’
Director Hermann coughed twice, breaking the silence.
“If I had a disciple like that, I would certainly take good care of her, providing full support and guidance, and passing down everything I’ve learned in my life.”
Everyone: “…”
Everyone here was a thousand-year-old fox; why play these tricks?
Did you really want to take a disciple?
Everyone knew exactly what was on your mind!
“I happen to be lacking a closed-door disciple,” General Administration Inspector Elena said with an air of absolute sincerity, “I still have some status in my family… cough, and I’m willing to use my family’s resources to pave the way for her.”
“…”
“Tsk…”
Everyone’s thoughts were more or less the same.
Su Fu was a disciple who came with countless top-tier Dharma treasures.
Furthermore, once one became her master, it would be an official relationship.
It wouldn’t be a problem for a disciple to offer one or two treasures, right?
Besides, these Dharma treasures were too powerful; Su Fu couldn’t protect them on her own.
Just as the Angel Feather Pen could not be owned by an individual because it was too powerful and posed a great threat to the entire Interstellar, an agreement had to be reached, and eventually, the Paradise Pantheon was responsible for guaranteeing its supervision.
Now, Su Fu only had Tai Xuanzi behind her, and Kunlun Academy existed in name only.
It couldn’t protect her.
No one would agree to let so many heaven-defying Dharma treasures be concentrated in the hands of a single young test taker.
General Administration Inspector Elena suddenly remembered, “According to the Interstellar Exam Hall Safety Regulations, the Exam Hall Committee has the right to conduct temporary control over any out-of-spec threatening items that may jeopardize interstellar balance.”
Everyone’s expression suddenly became subtle, and they shared a silent understanding.
“Yes, Lady Elena is right.”
“These Dharma treasures… especially that Coin of Falling Treasures and Chaos Umbrella, their concepts are too dangerous.”
“If they fall into the hands of certain people…”
“In theory, everything a test taker obtains in a Dungeon belongs to them. but there’s no way around it; Su Fu is clearly unable to bear the responsibility of safekeeping them alone right now.”
“It’s equivalent to handing a nuclear bomb to a kindergarten child for safekeeping.”
Everyone tacitly steered the conversation toward the same goal.
These Dharma treasures were too dangerous; Su Fu couldn’t be allowed to hold them alone.
In fact, this clause had long been explained in the test taker’s instructions — unless someone was willing to guarantee such dangerous items.
Who?
Tai Xuanzi?
She had already provided a guarantee for Kunlun Academy.
So, who could provide a guarantee for the Dharma treasures in Su Fu’s hands?
Aligning with one of their sides was the best choice.
Of course, the ultimate winner would also have to provide some small compensation to the others, which would be a win-win situation.
Everyone reached a tacit agreement.
Seeing the atmosphere was about right, someone took the initiative to say, “I propose—”
Before the words could fall, the special communication in the center of the monitoring room suddenly lit up.
A holographic projection instantly formed.
It was a silver-haired old man.
“Murphis Eio!” someone recognized him.
The Principal of Tianqiong Path Academy.
“Propose what?” Murphis scanned everyone present and asked calmly.
Everyone’s expressions changed instantly.
‘This was bad. Why was this old man here?’
Someone remembered his relationship with Tai Xuanzi.
‘Oh no, he couldn’t be here to back up Su Fu, could he?’
Genesis Academy’s Principal Parks showed no change in expression and nodded slightly, “Lord Murphis, it is a pleasure to see your arrival.”
Murphis nodded in response.
He looked kind, with his silver hair meticulously groomed, appearing like a very good-tempered old grandfather from next door.
“I heard that this Dungeon’s difficulty is immense, and I was also afraid that something might happen to the students, so I wanted to come and take a look.”
He put his hands behind his back and looked around, his tone gentle, “No one would be unhappy with my presence, right?”
Everyone: “…”
“How could that be! It is our honor that you could come!”
“Yes, yes, it’s the good fortune of those test takers that you are personally paying attention to the Exam Hall!”
Smiles instantly piled onto everyone’s faces, and they appeared enthusiastic, but in reality, alarm bells were ringing in their hearts.
Murphis clearly intended to stay and watch.
Everyone looked at each other; things had become… troublesome.
Don’t be fooled by this old man’s kind appearance.
To reach the position of Principal of Tianqiong Path Academy, he was definitely no ordinary person.
One had to know that the Principal of an interstellar academy was never appointed based on virtue and prestige alone.
Furthermore, no one knew exactly how many years he had served.
There were rumors of hundreds of years, and even rumors of over a thousand years.
But regardless of whether it was true or false, the mere fact that no one knew his background was enough to make people tremble with fear.
He was like a living Taboo; no one dared to test his bottom line.
If he insisted on standing up for Su Fu, things would be difficult.
It might even be said that the plan would fail before it even began.
Because as long as Su Fu was unwilling, she could completely leave the Central Star System and return to Tianqiong Path Academy.
Once she returned to Tianqiong Path Academy, they would truly have no options left.
Because within the scope of the school, a Principal was an invincible existence.
A saying circulated in the Interstellar: “You can challenge a Principal outside of school, but never challenge a Principal inside the school.”
The entire Tianqiong Path Academy was equivalent to Murphis’s Absolute Domain.
Anyone within it was subject to his control over their life and death.
Furthermore, every academy was essentially a sealed land that “suppressed calamities.”
The Principal was the only lock.
If someone insisted on provoking him, fine, then no one gets to live.
Just flip the table, let the calamities break out, and everyone dies together.
But correspondingly, a Principal generally would not easily leave their school.
In other words, Murphis’s appearance this time was likely just for deterrence.
Everyone began to understand: ‘He is clearly here to protect Su Fu.’
‘If we really want the Dharma treasures in Su Fu’s hands, we must act during the period before she returns to school.’
‘But, is it worth it?’
‘To offend Murphis for this?’
‘The bigger problem is that if someone takes this opportunity to fish in troubled waters and shows favor to Su Fu, they’ll just be doing a favor for someone else!’
Everyone had different thoughts, but they all cursed inwardly without hesitation.
‘You old geezer, why aren’t you looking after your school instead of backing up a student?’
‘The previous Tai Xuanzi was already lawlessly protective, and now even her disciple has someone looking out for her?! Argh?!’
‘Is the Tianqiong Path Academy that bored?!’
Each of them cursed quite viciously in their minds, but they didn’t dare show a hint of it on their faces.
Murphis might look easygoing on the surface, but who would actually be brave enough to test him?
Elena, Hermann, and the others fell silent.
They sat with their eyes lowered, looking into their own hearts, appearing incredibly focused.
Master Yan watched this farce in silence.
He lowered his eyes slightly, concealing the coldness within them.
‘Are they bullying Su Fu because they think she has no backing?’
‘If it were a test taker from the Seven Pantheons, or a direct descendant of the Abnormality Management Bureau or an Interstellar conglomerate, who would dare harbor such wicked thoughts?’
He looked toward the three principals of Genesis Academy.
Parks still wore a smile that revealed nothing, and the other two were equally calm, appearing indifferent to everything happening before them.
Master Yan analyzed the situation in his mind.
‘Those who had spoken out just now were representatives from the Seven Great Clans, the Anomaly Management Bureau, the Saint Land, the Hall of Myriad Tools, and the Five Major Conglomerates.’
‘In terms of power, the Ministry of Education stood above them all, and they were the only ones who hadn’t commented.’
‘If Su Fu could successfully enter Genesis Academy and obtain official protection, then the petty schemes of others would be nothing to fear, as they wouldn’t dare act rashly.’
‘But the problem now was that Su Fu hadn’t shown much of her own ability. Instead, she had been focused on collecting magic treasures, which led these people to believe they had an opening.’
Master Yan sighed softly.
His expression remained faint, but he had already reached a decision.
If anyone dared to move against her, he would simply eliminate them.
‘Does anyone really think China has no one left?’
However, he thought absentmindedly, would it be too boring if he were the one to act?
He took out rice paper, ink, and a brush, and began to paint as if no one else were there.
The ink traced lines like swimming dragons.
Within a few strokes, the expressions of those present were vividly captured on the paper.
A proctor sitting nearby leaned over curiously to look and asked, “Master, are you painting a group portrait of us?”
“Why not just take a photo? It would be much simpler.”
Master Yan smiled warmly and replied, “This is my people’s way of painting. The focus is on the spirit, not just the form.”
“Since this is the first time we’ve all gathered, I thought a group portrait would be a nice memento.”
The man looked closer.
He saw that the people in the painting were either thinking or talking, each with a different expression, yet their essence was fully captured.
It was even more expressive than a photograph.
“As expected of the Ancient Civilization Survivors. Truly profound heritage. To capture both form and spirit in just a few strokes—this skill is truly breathtaking.”
“Elegant, simply too elegant!”
Once this person’s praise went out, more people were drawn over to admire Master Yan’s ink-wash group portrait.
They all voiced their admiration.
“The Master’s brushwork is truly divine! It’s so lifelike!”
“Am I in there? I am! You painted me so vividly. I’m impressed!”
“I’ve never seen this technique before!”
“This has much more charm than a holographic image!”
One of them had a sudden flash of inspiration and suggested excitedly, “Since it’s for a memento, why don’t we all sign our names at the bottom of the painting?”
As soon as he said this, others immediately chimed in.
“Yes! Great idea!”
“It’ll be such a meaningful memento. I’ll take a photo of it to display at home!”
Master Yan heard the suggestion and smiled, “Signatures? That is indeed a good idea.”
He looked at the person who made the suggestion with a meaningful gaze and asked, “Why don’t… we start with you?”
The man happily took the brush Master Yan handed him and signed his name with a flourish, even proudly showing it off to those around him.
“How is it?”
Seeing this, others felt it was quite ceremonial and began to line up to sign.
“Me too!”
“Don’t push, there’s room for everyone!”
“This is fun, though my handwriting is a bit ugly!”
The Master smiled but said nothing.
Once everyone had finished signing, he looked at the group portrait and the collection of names at the bottom with satisfaction.
‘Not bad… It should be more interesting to let Su Fu handle this herself later.’
‘Now, this is what I call the Chinese way of returning a favor.’
***