"Vice Dean Zou, Elder Ma, I do not agree with you.
Since Tang Yang, our Academy has not produced another truly monstrous genius.
Therefore, I believe we should embrace all talented individuals with a welcoming and tolerant attitude.
Moreover, when recruiting disciples, our Heavenly Dao Academy has always only considered their aptitude, never their origins. So what if Ye Yunfei comes from the Tianxuan Continent?
Has our Academy ever stipulated that geniuses emerging from the Tianxuan Continent cannot be recruited?"
A ruddy-faced elder spoke up in refutation.
"Elder Wu, do you have any idea how much trouble leaving Ye Yunfei in our Academy will bring?
Forces from the Ancient Demon Race and the Tianji Sect have already arrived in Tian Province precisely for Ye Yunfei.
Furthermore, I've received word that aside from the Ancient Demon Race and Tianji Sect, many other factions have also sent people rushing towards Tian Province.
If things continue like this, our Heavenly Dao Academy will become a target for all!
Besides, as a mere disciple, he shows no respect for his elders, challenging his superiors by actually attacking Elder Ruan!
If such an arrogant ruffian isn't dealt with, how can we command respect?"
Elder Ma fumed.
"Hehe...
Vice Dean Zou, Elder Ma, do you truly believe the Ancient Demon Race has regarded our Heavenly Dao Academy as an enemy all these years solely because of Tang Yang?
I'm afraid the real reason is the Heaven Dao Pagoda.
Even without Tang Yang and Ye Yunfei, our Heavenly Dao Academy would still be one of the Ancient Demon Race's targets."
Elder Wu said.
Hearing Elder Wu's words, everyone else fell silent.
"That is indeed the case.
All these years, regarding the whereabouts of the Heaven Dao Pagoda, our Heavenly Dao Academy has also been a suspect."
After a moment, the Dean seated in the middle of the gathering gave a soft sigh.
"As for why Ye Yunfei attacked Elder Ruan, there is a reason.
From what I know, ever since Ye Yunfei entered the Heavenly Dao Academy, Elder Ruan has targeted him at every turn. Moreover, he once joined forces with the Tianzhou Liu Family to set a trap and ambush Ye Yunfei.
As an elder of our Academy, treating a disciple with such methods is unworthy of his respected position!
Therefore, I believe Ye Yunfei did nothing wrong."
Elder Wu said.
"Elder Wu, Elder Ruan is an elder of our Academy! How can you speak of him like this..."
Elder Ma flew into a rage.
"Enough.
Cease your bickering.
Regarding Ye Yunfei, our Academy will neither expel him, nor will we shelter him.
Simply treat him as an ordinary disciple of our Academy.
As for the factions seeking trouble with Ye Yunfei, let them come.
As long as they do not cause trouble within the Academy headquarters itself, it has nothing to do with us."
The Dean suddenly declared.
"Dean Dongfang..."
An elder who had remained silent until now suddenly spoke up.
This elder was precisely Vice Dean Meng.
"Dean Meng, there is no need to say more.
Ye Yunfei is currently in the eye of the storm. Our Heavenly Dao Academy already has enough troubles of its own; we cannot shelter him.
Let him handle his own affairs.
For him to have traversed from the Tianxuan Continent all the way to the Xuanhuang Starfield, provoked so many factions, and remain alive and kicking—this proves he has his own cards and methods."
Dean Dongfang said.
"Alright.
Everyone is dismissed."
Dean Dongfang waved his hand. The other high-ranking members could only rise and leave the pavilion one after another.
***
At this moment.
Ye Yunfei had already returned to Tian Province, to the underground cave where the Tang Clan was living in seclusion.
"Elder Tang Wu, I truly must thank you for your assistance this time."
Ye Yunfei said to Elder Tang Wu and the four other Tang Clan experts.
"Young Master Ye, you flatter us.
You have helped our Tang Clan far more."
Elder Tang Wu replied.
"That's right.
Young Master Ye, if not for the Dao Pills you bestowed upon us, who knows when we would have had the chance to break through to the Primordial Soul Realm?
Young Master Ye, if you ever need our help in the future, just say the word."
The four Tang Clan experts also spoke gratefully.
"It's terrible!
Fifth Elder, Snow Princess... she has turned into a cocoon!"
Right at that moment, a clansman rushed over in a panic to report to Elder Tang Wu.
"Turned into a cocoon?"
Elder Tang Wu couldn't help but be taken aback.
"It's fine.
That's because Xue'er is cultivating a technique I imparted to her. It's a normal phenomenon."
Ye Yunfei smiled.
"So that's why."
Hearing this, Elder Tang Wu's expression relaxed.
Ye Yunfei's Soul Power immediately extended towards Xue'er's room to sense it.
He saw a white cocoon suspended in the center of the room.
This cocoon was quite large, about two meters in diameter, and exuded an intense chill.
Waves of cold air released from the white cocoon, making the temperature inside the room very low, with frost forming everywhere.
"Xue'er's innate talent is quite good, and she possesses a Frost Physique. Cultivating the Frost Silkworm Meridian Technique is indeed most suitable for her.
The Eighteen Transformations of the Frost Silkworm—Xue'er has entered her first transformation."
Ye Yunfei looked at the white cocoon and nodded inwardly.
"During this period, do not allow anyone to enter Xue'er's room."
Ye Yunfei instructed Elder Tang Wu.
"I understand."
Elder Tang Wu nodded. During closed-door cultivation, interference was strictly taboo.
"Fifth Elder, Tang Biao and the others have returned!"
Suddenly, a Tang clansman rushed over and announced excitedly to Elder Tang Wu.
"Good!
Bring them to me immediately!"
Elder Tang Wu's spirits lifted.
Moments later.
Over thirty sturdy men arrived before Elder Tang Wu.
"We pay our respects to Fifth Elder!"
All these men bowed to Elder Tang Wu.
"Rise, everyone, rise.
It's good that you've all returned safely.
You've had a hard time over the last six months or so."
Elder Tang Wu personally stepped forward to help the men up, looking deeply relieved.
"Fifth Elder, during these six months infiltrating the Ancient Demon Race's world, we have learned a piece of extremely important information.
It turns out, there is another group of our Tang clansmen who are not dead. They were captured by the Ancient Demon Race to be used as forced laborers."
One of the men, as brawny as an iron tower, urgently reported to Elder Tang Wu.
"What?!
There are more of our clansmen alive!
Tang Biao, are you telling the truth?!"
The moment he heard this, Elder Tang Wu became extremely agitated.
"It's true.
Fifth Elder, we have repeatedly confirmed it.
If you don't believe us, ask the others."
Tang Biao replied.
"Fifth Elder, what Tang Biao says is true. There is indeed another group of our Tang clansmen who are still alive, now enslaved by the Ancient Demon Race."
The other men all voiced their confirmation.
"The Ancient Demon Race enslaves a large number of slaves, specifically to perform various menial and dangerous labors. Especially on desolate and perilous stars and Small Worlds, mining various ores, hunting demonic beasts, or gathering herbs.
These slaves come from various sources: there are people from our Tang Clan, many from other factions annihilated by the Ancient Demon Race, and also people the Ancient Demon Race has captured from various Small Worlds.
From what I know, at least one-third of those slaves were seized by the Ancient Demon Race from within the Tianxuan Continent."
Tang Biao stated.
"What?!
One-third of those slaves were seized by the Ancient Demon Race from the Tianxuan Continent?!"
Unintended by the speaker, yet meaningful to the listener, Ye Yunfei, who stood nearby and overheard Tang Biao's words, couldn't help but narrow his eyes.