"Hehe, Elder Fang, your Hudao Academy is widely renowned throughout the Tianxuan Continent. However, in my opinion, the quality of the students you've brought seems rather... average. Could it be that Hudao Academy looks down upon the Crystal Mine Minor World and thus sent some below-par students carelessly? Or perhaps this is just the overall level of Hudao Academy's students these days?"
A calm yet deeply sarcastic voice suddenly rang out, vibrating through the air of the region.
From amidst the ranks of the Shenfeng Sect, a middle-aged man dressed in golden robes, radiating a terrifying aura of pressure, hovered in mid-air. The speaker was none other than him.
Behind him, four to five hundred Shenfeng Sect disciples followed, each casting provocative glances at the Hudao Academy students.
In truth, Hudao Academy, Shenfeng Sect, and Tianyan Sect had never been on good terms due to competition over recruiting disciples. These three forces were all top-tier powers in Central Continent, all recruiting disciples from across the region. Conflicts often arose as they vied for exceptionally talented young prodigies.
Thus, whenever there was an opportunity, these three top forces would engage in overt and covert struggles against each other.
"Elder Xi, so you mean to say that the disciples your Shenfeng Sect sent are of superior quality? However it seems to me that these disciples your sect sent are all incredibly weak. Surely these pathetically weak disciples aren't what you consider Shenfeng Sect's elite, are they?"
Elder Fang immediately shot back.
As an elder of Hudao Academy, why would he fear someone from Shenfeng Sect?
"Elder Fang, you seem unconvinced. My statement about Hudao Academy's students being poor is not baseless. I've heard about that lad—Ye Yunfei, right? Still wet behind the ears, merely at the Early Stage True Manifestation Realm. Yet he took first place in your Hudao Academy's New Student Ranking Tournament. Hah... truly laughable! A piece of trash like him can become the strongest among Hudao Academy's newest batch of students. This can only mean one thing: Hudao Academy is in decline!"
Elder Xi suddenly pointed at Ye Yunfei and laughed uproariously.
Ye Yunfei's eyes turned frosty. He also felt a touch of strangeness. This Elder Xi was meeting him for the first time, yet he suddenly targeted him—there must be something going on.
"That fellow is actually the strongest among Hudao Academy's new batch of students?"
After hearing Elder Xi's words, immediately, the curious gazes of all the nearby warriors focused on Ye Yunfei.
"Impossible? This kid is the strongest among Hudao Academy's new recruits this year?"
"How can that be? This kid is only at the Early Stage True Manifestation Realm. I could crush him with one hand!"
"Has Hudao Academy's admission standard dropped to such a terrifyingly low level?"
"So regrettable! Too regrettable! Had I known it was like this, I should have gathered my courage back then and taken Hudao Academy's admission test! If this kid can enter Hudao Academy, I'd definitely have no problem!"
Many youths from Central Continent's first-rate, second-rate, and third-rate forces nearby stared at Ye Yunfei and gossiped animatedly.
One must understand, in Central Continent, Hudao Academy was a sacred academy in the minds of countless youths. Who knew how many young people dreamed of entering Hudao Academy to cultivate but lacked the opportunity? Many youths from Central Continent didn't even have the courage to take Hudao Academy's admission test.
Yet now they heard that this kid in front of them, only at the Early Stage True Manifestation Realm, was actually the strongest among Hudao Academy's newest students.
How could this not shock people?
Waves of astonished and skeptical gazes locked onto Ye Yunfei.
"It seems Hudao Academy is declining."
"Indeed. What a disappointment!"
Many people murmured softly.
Upon hearing those surrounding murmurs and comments, the several hundred Hudao Academy students felt somewhat embarrassed, even somewhat blaming Ye Yunfei for embarrassing the academy.
Only Ye Yunfei himself let out a cold, indifferent chuckle. Having cultivated for a thousand years in his past life, his heart was already unshakeably firm. A scene like this would never unsettle him.
"Hmph, what an embarrassment! Elder Fang, I believe Ye Yunfei should not participate in this mission. Not only does he embarrass Hudao Academy, he might also hold us back when the time comes."
"Correct. This operation relies mainly on us Yuan Foundation Realm students as the main force. One Early Stage True Manifestation Realm participant joining or not is largely insignificant."
Suddenly, some of the older Hudao Academy students spoke up, addressing Elder Fang.
Pang Yuyang also cast a disdainful look and a cold sneer at Ye Yunfei.
"All of you, be silent! Ye Yunfei's participation in this mission was personally designated by Dean Shangguan. If any of you are dissatisfied, go find Dean Shangguan and tell him yourselves."
Elder Fang's expression darkened as he glared at those few students.
"Hmph! Elder Xi, appearances can be deceptive. Since Ye Yunfei obtained first place in this year's New Student Ranking Tournament, he naturally has his exceptional qualities. You think my Hudao Academy's students are poor? I likewise believe that your Shenfeng Sect disciples are all garbage."
Elder Fang turned his angry gaze on Elder Xi and retorted fiercely.
"Hahaha... since you're so unconvinced, how about we make a wager? Let's bet on which side—our Shenfeng Sect disciples or your Hudao Academy students—can excavate more crystal veins after entering the Crystal Mine Minor World this time."
Elder Xi burst into laughter.
"A bet it is! And the stakes?"
Elder Fang, still fired up, immediately nodded agreement.
"These are my stakes."
Elder Xi flicked his hand, and a spatial ring flew out.
Elder Fang sent out a wisp of his Soul Power to probe the ring. It was a very high-level spatial ring with a vast interior space filled with a large quantity of valuable items—no small fortune.
"And these are my stakes!"
Elder Fang also flicked his wrist, sending a spatial ring flying out to hover in mid-air. The items contained within this spatial ring were roughly equivalent in value to Elder Xi's.
"Good! Then it's settled!"
After sensing the contents of Elder Fang's spatial ring, Elder Xi nodded.
"Haha, what fine taste you two Elders have. How about letting me serve as the witness?"
At this moment, from the Fengyun Family's ranks, an elder in azure robes stepped forward laughing.
"Elder Fengyun Wan, having you serve as witness would be most appropriate."
Elder Xi replied with a loud laugh.
That azure-robed elder called Fengyun Wan swept a meaningful glance over Ye Yunfei, the corner of his mouth revealing a cold smirk.
"This old man harbors clear animosity towards me."
Ye Yunfei's Soul Power was immensely powerful, sensing the intent immediately.
"It seems both Shenfeng Sect and the Fengyun Family hold obvious hostility towards me. Heh... Since that's the case, don't blame me for being discourteous."
Ye Yunfei sneered coldly within his heart.
"Alright. All of you, enter the Crystal Mine Minor World now."
At this moment, Elder Fang waved his hand, addressing the more than five hundred Hudao Academy students.
"Commence the operation! Enter the Crystal Mine Minor World!"
Elder Xi also shouted a command.
Soon, members from one faction after another began to move, rushing towards the entrance of the Crystal Mine Minor World.