CHAPTER 336: CHAPTER 290 WHEELCHAIR

No wonder this judge from the Academic Palace was so furious.

Using Mutated Objects in battle is not an unforgivable act in the Cultivation World. The Academic Palace and garrison of Yu Country, Nangao Academy of Zhou Kingdom, Wolf Garden of the Turkic, and others, all provide certain Mutated Objects to some Doctors and Disciples. Even Taihao Mountain, the root of Haotian Taoist Temple, is not completely free from Mutated Objects.

However, no matter which faction, all strictly oppose excessive intimacy with Aliens, let alone symbiotic behavior with them.

Taihao Mountain does so out of faith, the Turkic out of reverence for Eternal Heaven.

Yu Country, Zhou Kingdom, and others do so because of blood-soaked lessons from history—those who walk with Aliens will be assimilated by them.

Countless humanoid demons originated from former users of Mutated Objects.

The words of Bian Chenpei were a severe accusation. Once confirmed, Li Ang would not only be stripped of his student status but also imprisoned in Dongjun Tower for a rigorous interrogation. His past inventions would also be re-examined due to ties with demons, possibly halting his progress for ten or twenty years.

At this moment, the Sacrificial Officer and the four Masters also noticed the commotion and rushed over.

Bian Chenpei clenched his teeth and said word by word, "I swear by the name of Haotian..."

"The name of Haotian is not a credential you can gamble with at will."

A cold voice suddenly spoke up. Faith Cultivation Cardinal walked slowly forward, raising a hand to stop the Taihao Mountain crowd and some devout Academic Palace Doctors from bowing.

He quietly watched Bian Chenpei, who took heavy breaths and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, locking eyes with the Faith Cultivation Cardinal.

After pausing for a few moments, as if seeing something in Bian Chenpei’s grim and decisive eyes, the Faith Cultivation Cardinal turned his head to Lian Xuanyao and said calmly, "Mountain Master, personally, I do not believe anyone could bypass the many Prohibitions of the Academic Palace and the eyes of many Cultivators to bring in Mutated Objects. However, since Bian Chenpei has already lost this contest, I think it wouldn’t harm to grant the request of the loser. What do you think?"

Lian Xuanyao frowned slightly. The Cardinal’s position in Taihao Mountain was second only to the Head. Furthermore, this Faith Cultivation Cardinal, unlike his predecessor who focused on studying Haotian Classics, actively participated in Taihao Mountain’s internal affairs—which usually meant this Cardinal intended to contend for the position of Head. The weight of his words could not be completely ignored by the Academic Palace.

"Mountain Master, I think it is not appropriate," Body Study Division Master Xue Che said sternly. "The contest platform has always been fair and public, with several Prohibitions checked beforehand. If, because someone lost and felt aggrieved, they find reasons to test their opponent afterward, then there’s no point in having these contests anymore."

"Xue Siye speaks wisely." Talismanic Master Tantai Leshan nodded. "At this stage of the contest, both Bian Chenpei and Li Ang have advanced and can participate in the next round. At this point, it’s merely an argument over pride. It’s understandable that Contestant Bian is emotional and unable to control his feelings."

Not to mention the countless contributions Li Ang has made and the numerous honors he has won for Yu Country. He should not be treated as a criminal suspect under any circumstances! As Academic Palace Directors, our priority at critical moments is undoubtedly to protect our own students. How could we throw one of our students into prison just because of a word from Taihao Mountain?

"Mountain Master, Li Ang is already very tired. Let him go down and rest first. His contest is already over; any issues with demon and monster can be addressed after he has rested," Sword Study Master Cui Yixian suddenly said.

He was a member of the Qinghe Cui Family among the Five Families and Seven Hopes, whose belief in Haotian was among the most devout of all Yu Country’s noble families. But at the same time, he was also an Academic Palace Director, in charge of the hidden aspects of the Supervision Department, responsible for overseeing whether Academic Palace teachers and Disciples violated the Academic Palace’s regulations or the laws of Yu Country. The people of the Academic Palace had no reason to be subject to Taihao Mountain’s judgment. Even if Li Ang did secretly keep Mutated Objects, it shouldn’t be revealed now, just when he had beaten Bian Chenpei.

The Sacrificial Officer was still accompanying Emperor Yu and others on the high platform.

Three Directors with different stances had voiced their opinions, leaving only the last, Mind Study Master Xi Yangyu, who pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Mountain Master, the old precedent of Jun Qianzi... In Dongjun Tower, the Pre-Qin Bone Mirror can see through organs and discern channels. The Demon Identification Platform can verify the presence of Evil and eradicate demonic enchantment. The exorcism charm can expel malevolence and suppress ill omens..." Xi Yangyu continued slowly, "The existence of these Mutated Objects is not top-secret, and their functions have been verified countless times in practice, capable of detecting traces of demons without harming the subjects."

Lian Xuanyao frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over Bian Chenpei, who was breathing heavily, and the Faith Cultivation Cardinal, who appeared calm and composed. He remained silent.

"Mountain Master," Li Ang suddenly spoke up, "I believe that Contestant Bian has misunderstood."

All eyes turned to him. Li Ang smiled slightly, took the Mind Needle from Yang Yu’s hand, and slowly pressed the tip towards his chest.

SQUEAK—

The tip of the Mind Needle pierced through the outer garment and into the Alligator Armor.

With a ripping sound, Li Ang pulled the Mind Needle downward, tearing a slit in the Body Armor to reveal the leather layers and numerous Fine Gold coins hidden inside.

"Before the platform duel, I had embedded some coins into the Alligator Armor as a means of defense. Contestant Bian’s Wolf-hair Telekinesis Needle must have struck the coins by chance, preventing it from penetrating."

Li Ang smiled and said, "As for his claim that my strength is off, it might be because of this."

He pulled up his sleeve, revealing countless strands of Mind Silk wrapped around his arm.

"These strands of Mind Silk form an armguard. In coordination with the Mind Silk in the palm of my hand, they can effectively dissipate the rebound force from weapon impacts, protecting my arm itself. Contestant Bian wasn’t aware of this, hence his mistaken belief that I used something Alien."

Li Ang let his sleeve fall back and said gently, "Of course, if Contestant Bian doesn’t believe me and insists on his view, I am willing to undergo verification. But, I would like to add a wager: if it is proven I used something Alien, I am prepared to accept any punishment, even if it means losing my academic status. If, after verification, I am cleared of suspicion, then I ask that Contestant Bian Chenpei himself puncture his Qi Sea and sever his Spirit Veins. How about that?"

The disciples from Taihao Mountain erupted in an uproar. Self-destruction of Cultivation and puncturing the Qi Sea were entirely different concepts. The former meant sealing the Qi Sea and blocking the Spirit Veins; though painful, it wasn’t without hope of recovery. The latter, puncturing the Qi Sea, was far more severe. Once the Qi Sea is punctured, it’s like a bottle with a broken bottom; it can never accumulate Spiritual Energy again. The person becomes utterly useless, even less capable than an ordinary human, unable to even carry shoulder poles or lift heavy objects.

Li Ang, who had been silent, now spoke, his words potentially burying Bian Chenpei’s entire future.

"This is preposterous!"

"Isn’t it the role of the Academic Palace to purge Evil? Why should we pay the price?"

"Yeah, why should we?"

The disciples from Taihao Mountain complained, frowning. He Fanshuang glanced at them indifferently and said coldly, "Spouting nonsense on the platform, wantonly slandering, and demanding verification on the Demon Identification Platform in front of Cultivators from various countries. This constitutes a double injury: to Li Ang’s reputation and to Yu Country’s dignity. Naturally, your side should bear the corresponding risk for compensation."

Li Ang was not just a disciple of the Academic Palace; he was also the registrant of Allicin, Penicillin, and Artemisinin. If he were to stand on the Demon Identification Platform in full public view, no matter the outcome, these inventions would require re-evaluation, and the perceptions of Yu Country’s citizens and the world would change. Using Bian Chenpei’s Cultivation as collateral was far too light.

"Fine! I accept!" Bian Chenpei’s eyes flickered with a sinister light. "If there’s no issue with him, I volunteer to destroy my..."

His words stopped abruptly as an overwhelming force halted his actions and pushed him back among the Taihao Mountain disciples.

"Enough." The Faith Cultivation Cardinal shifted his gaze from Bian Chenpei to the Mountain Master, speaking evenly, "Since Player Li Ang has clarified the reasons and resolved the misunderstanding, perhaps it’s time to let the matter rest? Mountain Master, what do you think?"

Just as Yu Country couldn’t bear the risk to its reputation of Li Ang ascending the Demon Identification Platform, Taihao Mountain couldn’t allow a disciple to be stripped of his Cultivation on Academic Palace grounds. The Faith Cultivation Cardinal didn’t care about Bian Chenpei’s Cultivation; even if Bian Chenpei died on the spot, he wouldn’t spare him another glance. However, he had to care about the prestige of Taihao Mountain in the world.

"HMM." The Mountain Master nodded.

His action eased the atmosphere at the scene, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The Mountain Master’s gesture signified the will of the Academic Palace.

The matter was finally settled.

A cold smile returned to the face of the Faith Cultivation Cardinal, who casually engaged in conversation with the Mountain Master and other Masters.

Bian Chenpei attempted to stand but was restrained by his fellow students, forcibly pressed onto a stretcher, and carried away.

"Let’s go, Risheng."

Yang Yu and Li Wei had somehow procured a wheelchair from the sick house, exuberantly positioning Li Ang onto it and pushing him towards the spectator stands.

"I’m not crippled."

Li Ang, caught between laughter and tears, felt his heart skip inexplicably as he left the platform area, as if he had been spied upon.

He glanced back instinctively, only to see the Mountain Master, Faith Cultivation Cardinal, and others still chatting casually, unable to sense any gaze.