Chapter 141: The Power of Azure Dragon Academy

After Li Jiansan returned to the Azure Dragon Academy, Zhang Dabao hurried over to him.

"Brother Li, why aren't you in class?"

"The Dean granted me special privileges, exempting me from all institutional constraints. I found the classes uninteresting, so I didn't go."

This was the special privilege the Dean had previously promised him. Upon hearing this, Zhang Dabao looked stunned. "So, you're the 'ruthless character' everyone has been talking about?"

"Brother Li, you dared to anger an academy elder and even forced him to apologize to you. Do you have any idea how this story has been spreading through the academy?"

Li Jiansan felt a spark of curiosity. "Oh? And what are they saying?"

"They’re all saying you're the Dean's illegitimate son..."

Li Jiansan's face darkened with frustration as Zhang Dabao continued, "Otherwise, why would the Dean force an elder to humble himself and apologize just for a disciple? You have to understand, that’s something no one would have dared to imagine before. Plus, the Dean gave you such unprecedented privileges—this is a first in the entire history of the Azure Dragon Academy."

Zhang Dabao leaned in close and whispered, "Brother Li, are you really the Dean's illegitimate son?"

Li Jiansan scowled. "Get lost!"

Despite the reaction, Zhang Dabao kept chattering in his ear. "Brother Li, since you haven't been attending classes, you must be unfamiliar with the academy's landscape. Let me explain the power dynamics to you."

Li Jiansan nodded; he needed to understand the complex web of influence within the academy.

"Our Azure Dragon Academy divides all disciples into Outer Court, Inner Court, and Core disciples. Every new student starts in the Outer Court; we are just ordinary Outer Court disciples."

"Within the Outer Court, there are many senior students who abuse their seniority to bully newcomers. Damn it, I was targeted by one of them not long ago."

Li Jiansan's mouth twitched slightly. "Are Core disciples the highest rank? How strong are they?"

"Core disciples generally don't exceed the Foundation Establishment stage, but they aren't the highest rank. Above the Core disciples are the Ten Personal Disciples."

"They hold immense power. They aren't just mere disciples; they often participate directly in the academy's internal decision-making. Their status is on par with the elders, and even the elders show them a measure of respect."

Li Jiansan asked curiously, "What is their current cultivation level?"

"The Personal Disciples? They likely possess strength beyond the Foundation Establishment stage."

Seeing Li Jiansan look away, Zhang Dabao added, "Don't be discouraged, Brother Li. Monsters like the Ten Personal Disciples are in a league of their own. Besides, I believe that with your talent, you'll catch up to them in a few years."

"A few years?" Li Jiansan smiled faintly. Would it really take him years to catch up to a few Personal Disciples? That was underestimating him and his cheat-like capabilities far too much.

"Although I don't know their exact cultivation, it's rumored that Chen Yao, the head of the Ten Personal Disciples, has the terrifying strength of the second level of the Profound Origin stage, and he is expected to break through again soon."

Li Jiansan nodded slightly. As expected of the Azure Dragon Academy, a single Personal Disciple had already touched the Profound Origin realm. Even within the entire Jiang Kingdom, those who reached the Profound Origin stage could be counted on one's fingers.

Zhang Dabao continued, "We Outer Court disciples are restricted to the Outer Court area."

"Right, the academy is divided into several major zones. First is the Dean’s Pavilion, where elders handle administrative affairs; only elders are permitted entry, though they may summon disciples for major events."

"Then there is the Library Pavilion, which houses various cultivation techniques available for us to borrow. There is also the Treasure Pavilion; as the name implies, it's where weapons and treasures are traded."

"All private duels are strictly forbidden within the academy. Anyone caught violating this is immediately expelled without exception. Therefore, the academy established the Martial Arena specifically for students to resolve conflicts. As long as both parties agree, they can fight to the death, and once a duel begins, no one is allowed to interfere. It’s very strict."

"Finally, there is the Merit Hall, where one goes to accept academy missions."

Li Jiansan asked curiously, "Do you get rewards for completing these missions?"

"Yes. The Merit Hall issues tasks at fixed times. Completing them earns you Merit Points, which can be exchanged for various cultivation resources."

Li Jiansan nodded; in short, Merit Points were the academy’s currency.

"With enough points, you can exchange them at the Spirit Treasure Hall for weapons, techniques, rare herbs, and divine elixirs—the selection is endless."

"Beyond these places, there is one last area: the Law Enforcement Hall. Brother Li, you must never provoke the people there." Zhang Dabao’s tone, previously lighthearted, shifted completely when mentioning this location.

"The Law Enforcement Hall?" Li Jiansan’s interest was piqued.

Zhang Dabao continued seriously, "The Law Enforcement Hall upholds the academy's rules and answers only to the Dean. They wield the power of life and death, and in emergencies, they can execute orders without prior authorization. Even the Ten Personal Disciples give them some leeway."

Through Zhang Dabao's explanation, Li Jiansan gained a clear understanding of the Azure Dragon Academy. Essentially, it was a grand stage for sifting through sand; only the qualified grains were refined into sparkling gold, while the rest were discarded and left behind in the desert.

"Oh, right, Brother Li—there's a Freshman Assembly tomorrow. You must come."

The next day!

Li Jiansan arrived at the highest martial arena in the Azure Dragon Academy. It was a vast, boundless space paved with exquisite white jade, with a formation beneath it that amplified the surrounding natural essence.

Li Jiansan looked up to see a magnificent palace at the highest point of the arena, with a plaque bearing the glowing characters: Dean’s Pavilion!

Perched at the very summit, it radiated a powerful aura, representing the supreme authority of the Azure Dragon Academy.

At this moment, thousands of people had gathered on the massive arena. Li Jiansan scanned the crowd and noticed that none of them appeared to be over sixteen—some were children as young as ten—yet they all exuded remarkably strong auras.