"That's right.
I left the Hudao Stele, along with all the techniques and martial skills I had collected throughout my life, precisely to wait for a successor who could inherit my legacy.
Now, you have proven yourself qualified.
Therefore, from now on, you must strive for the development and prosperity of Hudao Academy.
Alright, this Soul Clone of mine has limited energy and cannot exist for too long.
Starting now, the Hudao Stele is entrusted to you.
Also, remember this: the energy I left within the Hudao Stele can be activated at most four more times.
Each activation can unleash combat power equivalent to eighty percent of my peak strength, roughly corresponding to the power of the Eighth Level of the Grotto-Heaven Realm."
Hu Dao Shangren stated.
Then, without waiting for Ye Yunfei's reply, his body exploded with a *bang*, completely shattering.
At the same moment.
A voice emanated from the Hudao Stele, clearly reaching the ears of every high-ranking figure in Hudao Academy: "Ye Yunfei officially becomes the next dean of Hudao Academy."
"Dean Hu Dao..."
Ye Yunfei called out.
Ye Yunfei had absolutely no desire to become the next dean.
However, Hu Dao Shangren's Soul Clone had already completely shattered, reforming into clusters of light points that now floated suspended within the body of the stele.
"Dean Hu Dao, Dean Hu Dao..."
Ye Yunfei called out several times, but there was no response.
"Fine."
With no other choice, Ye Yunfei's Soul Power retreated from within the Hudao Stele.
At this moment.
Xie Changkong, the six Guardian Elders, Dean Shangguan, and Dean Zhou were all standing beside Ye Yunfei, every one of them looking extremely agitated.
"Did you all hear that!
Just now, Dean Hu Dao was speaking to us!"
Xie Changkong said, his voice trembling.
"We heard, we heard it very clearly..."
The other high-ranking figures responded.
"Dean Hu Dao indeed left a clone behind, guarding Hudao Academy!"
These high-ranking figures were all so excited their faces flushed red!
"Hahaha, now let's see who still dares to cause trouble for our Hudao Academy!"
Xie Changkong laughed heartily.
Right at that moment.
Ye Yunfei opened his eyes.
*Well, anyway, I won't be accepting this role of next dean.*
*Nor will I take the Hudao Stele.*
Recalling Hu Dao Shangren's earlier words, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Ye Yunfei understood that sooner or later he would leave the Tianxuan Continent.
How could a small academy like Hudao possibly hold him here?
"Ye Yunfei is awake!"
Seeing Ye Yunfei open his eyes, the gazes of Hudao Academy's high-ranking figures all turned towards him.
They had heard it very clearly earlier: Dean Hu Dao had personally given the order for Ye Yunfei to become the next dean.
This was an order given personally by Hu Dao Shangren!
Of course these high-ranking figures understood Hu Dao Shangren's meaning – he was designating Ye Yunfei as his successor!
"Ye Yunfei, was that Dean Hu Dao speaking just now?"
Dean Xie Changkong asked Ye Yunfei, his voice still trembling.
"Yes.
It was indeed Dean Hu Dao."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"It really was!"
Upon Ye Yunfei's confirmation, those high-ranking figures became even more agitated, their bodies trembling slightly.
"It was a Soul Clone of Dean Hu Dao, located within this Hudao Stele.
However, to avoid excessive energy consumption, Dean Hu Dao will not emerge from the stele to meet you.
Your Soul Power cannot enter the Hudao Stele, so you won't be able to see Dean Hu Dao either."
Ye Yunfei explained.
"So that's how it is."
The high-ranking figures all realized.
They had been wondering why Dean Hu Dao didn't come out to meet them.
It turned out to be for that reason.
"Ye Yunfei, Dean Hu Dao has already declared you the next dean of Hudao Academy.
How about this: you serve as the deputy dean first. Once the time is ripe, I will pass the dean's position to you."
Dean Xie Changkong said to Ye Yunfei.
This was an order personally given by Hu Dao Shangren – how could he dare disobey?
"That's a good idea."
The other high-ranking figures all nodded in agreement.
"Whatever."
Ye Yunfei replied casually.
He had absolutely no interest in the position of dean.
Because Ye Yunfei knew he would eventually leave Hudao Academy, even leave the Tianxuan Continent.
Still, if he didn't agree, these academy leaders would likely pester him endlessly.
Hu Dao Shangren's prestige within Hudao Academy was too high. His words, spoken casually, would definitely be treated as a sacred decree by these high-ranking figures.
"Very well, Dean Ye, let's return to the council hall to discuss things further."
Dean Xie Changkong said to Ye Yunfei.
"Alright."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
Thus, everyone activated their movement techniques and headed toward the council hall deep within the academy.
Dean Xie Changkong, the six Guardian Elders, Dean Shangguan, and Dean Zhou were all Grotto-Heaven Realm experts. Their movement speed was naturally extremely fast, almost reaching the astonishing pace of tens of thousands of meters per step.
Ye Yunfei directly activated his Heavenly Shadow Robe for a tenfold speed boost, complementing it with his formidable physical strength. Surprisingly, he managed to roughly keep up with these academy leaders.
The high-ranking figures noticed this and couldn't help but secretly marvel.
In the council hall.
Dean Xie Changkong insisted that Ye Yunfei sit beside him.
The other high-ranking figures were seated below Ye Yunfei.
In the minds of these leaders, Ye Yunfei was the next dean personally designated by Hu Dao Shangren, and moreover, he was Hu Dao Shangren's successor. His status was naturally quite exalted.
Ye Yunfei could only helplessly go along with it.
"Dean Ye, could you tell us about the situation with Dean Hu Dao's Soul Clone?"
Dean Xie Changkong cautiously asked.
"Of course."
So Ye Yunfei gave them a general overview of Hu Dao Shangren's Soul Clone.
"What?
The energy Dean Hu Dao left within the Hudao Stele can be used at most four more times?"
The high-ranking figures were all greatly shocked.
Originally, they thought that with one of Dean Hu Dao's clones guarding the academy, the academy's safety could be assured.
They hadn't expected it could only be activated at most four more times.
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, these leaders all felt somewhat heavy-hearted.
After the recent fierce battle, Dean Xie Changkong and the six Guardian Elders were even more seriously injured.
Dean Shangguan had also been injured when he went to support Ye Yunfei previously.
In other words, among Hudao Academy's Grotto-Heaven Realm experts, the only one uninjured was Dean Zhou.
Currently, Hudao Academy's overall strength was already quite weak!
"Everyone, the situation of our Hudao Academy is now extremely severe.
Several of the top powers in the Central Continent covet us.
From now on, close the academy gates. No student is permitted to leave without authorization.
And we leaders should avoid going out as much as possible unless absolutely necessary."
Dean Xie Changkong said slowly, his tone grave.
"Understood."
The other high-ranking figures also nodded in agreement.