Chapter 251: The President’s Contest

In the office of the President of the Rose Autonomous Association, a small meeting was underway.

Lin Yuxiang looked to be in his early twenties, with star-like eyebrows and sharp eyes, his appearance handsome. His arm was adorned with a silver armor, each piece fitted with a short stick; when assembled, it formed his famous Sky Tyrant Aerial Gun.

Many people within the Rose believed he had been recruited by Damos, but that could be said or not.

Damos had someone backing him, a typical conservative faction within the Blade Council, and the Lin family happened to be part of such a faction. The higher-ups had spoken, and only by achieving results for the council could the Rose quickly return to its normal track.

So, he was here to 'help.'

Not only did he come, but he also intended to do an excellent job. At this moment, gathered around him were several department heads of the Rose Autonomous Association who had pledged their allegiance to him, as well as a few helpers he had brought from his family. These helpers had played a significant role in unifying the disciples of the Rose Holy Sanctuary in such a short time, ensuring everyone supported him.

He had heard about Wang Feng's deeds in the Rose, whether through rumors or private inquiries. There was no denying his talent in forging, potions, and runes, but his inability to fight was a significant flaw.

When dealing with someone as tough as a fist, you have to outsmart them, and when dealing with someone smart, well, the best way is to use your fists.

Lin Yuxiang was quite adept at this game. As he listened to reports on the reactions of the Holy Sanctuary disciples after Wang Feng's return, he already had a plan in mind.

Rachel had just finished reporting on the Gun Institute Academy's reaction to Wang Feng's return. It seemed that many disciples of the Gun Institute Academy were showing a tendency to support Wang Feng, which made her appear somewhat uncertain.

"New officials make three bold moves when they take office. I've brought about many changes recently, so naturally, there are those who don't agree with me. In the past, they had no leader, but now that he's back, they think they can rely on him to make a move." Lin Yuxiang smiled faintly and said lightly, "Ha, a prolonged struggle? How imaginative of them. They're just people who can't see the bigger picture. This is good, as it gives me the opportunity to suppress them. Soon, they will clearly stand on our side."

"But nominally, he is the official president of the Autonomous Association, while you are only acting..." Rachel said.

She indeed had reason to worry. Unlike following Luo Lan before, she now had no way back. After the end of the Luo Lan era, she had a chance to stand on the other side, and she did. Unfortunately, Wang Feng then went missing, and Lin Yuxiang swiftly took control. What could a weak woman like her do?

"So what? I'm not sure how your previous leader, Luo Lan, handled things, but in my book, if an opponent can jump around in front of me for half a month, it's my failure. I want efficiency!" Lin Yuxiang glanced at her coolly, "Speaking of which, I sent you to Fantasi to get the formula, and you've been at it for two months without any progress... Rachel, you should know that I'm not interested in ornaments. If you want to keep this position, you need to show the corresponding ability."

Wang Feng's business with the Beastmen was no secret to Lin Yuxiang. He had been taking a cut under the name of the Autonomous Association. In fact, he had long wanted to seize the entire operation directly. However, the Eagle Eye produced by the Institute of Potions was only the first, most basic step in the process, and the formula for that was simple. What Fantasi sold to the Beastmen, however, involved additional mixing, and that extra mixing process was the real secret to making money.

He had asked Rachel to look into the matter for two months now, but there had been no progress.

“I’m still trying… It’s almost done!” Rachel said with certainty, though she felt no confidence inside.

Speaking of this matter, Rachel was also at a loss. Fantasi was a fatso with no dignity or ability; a mere twitch of the finger and he would become a obedient lapdog. Yet, there was no clue about the secret formula, and this was something that could only be handled delicately, not forcefully. This was a major money-making opportunity, and no one wanted to cut it off.

Thinking carefully, during this time… Could he be deliberately stalling?

Using her to continuously tell Lin Yuxiang that Fantasi was just a meek and useless wimp, one step away from being completely dealt with by Rachel, thereby relaxing Lin Yuxiang’s vigilance?

If that were the case…

No, impossible! He’s just a waste of space!

...

Deputy Dean Zhou Shen of the Martial Dao Courtyard, Instructor Karosi of the Martial Dao Courtyard, President Gaitano of the Gun Institute Academy, and Fang Zhengen of the Institute of Potions...

Karida had a long list in her hand.

The Martial Dao Courtyard and the Gun Institute Academy were controlled by Damos, many instructors being his confidants. In the past, they merely acted secretly due to Karida’s prestige in Rose. This was something Karida had anticipated. Her departure from Rose was to lure these people out. However, several instructors from the Institute of Potions had openly raised the banner against her, firmly standing on Damos’ side, which surprised Karida.

She had thought that the Institute of Potions, Rune Academy, and Foundry, even if not explicitly supporting her, would at least remain neutral in such conflicts. It seemed that in the short month since her departure, things had taken a new turn.

“Have there been further observations?” Karida asked.

“All have undergone the basic three checks and the Deep Blue investigation in secret, basically ruling out the possibility of them being Nine Gods spies,” Lantian said. “Also, perhaps we misunderstood Damos. Apart from the rumored secret meeting last time, the Nine Gods did indeed contact him once, making some demands, but he refused.”

“It was just a suspicion anyway,” Karida said coolly. “This old man has always been cautious. To say he would betray us, he doesn’t have the courage. What about the higher-ups’ reaction?”

"On the surface, it's still a laissez-faire attitude, but in private, he has helped Damos quite a bit. The orders to dismiss several mentors who were dissatisfied with Damos came directly from headquarters," Lantian said. "The Rune Academy and Foundry are currently doing well, but there is considerable unrest in the other academies. Damos, under the banner of survival of the fittest, claims he will reassess all mentors' qualifications."

"This has made many fence-sitters nervous," Lantian reported. "Most of them only care about their own interests. Now that Your Highness is back, with just a little persuasion, they should..."

"No." Karida waved her hand, surprisingly not showing the usual headache she had when hearing such matters, but rather a look of relief. "Someone was right; reform is an act against the heavens, and there's no room for half-measures. I was too lenient with them before. Without absolute resolve, what can be achieved with the support of these fence-sitters? If that old man Damos wants to reassess the mentors' qualifications, then let's do it properly."

"By proposing the assessment, he has actually done me a favor," Karida smiled slightly. "Those fence-sitters, those who should be eliminated, should be eliminated; those who should resign, should resign. We gave the Rose students a major overhaul last year, and now it's time for the mentors to move on. If we're going to change, let's do it thoroughly!"

Lantian was a bit surprised, sensing something different. It seemed a lot had happened during this period.

Lantian was distracted for a couple of seconds but quickly pulled himself back to reality. "There's also the matter of the disciples. That new kid from Phoenix City has shown some skill and determination, and has been very active recently. He was personally dispatched by the one behind Damos. Even without considering that person's influence, given the background of the Phoenix Lin family, it would be difficult to take action against him openly. Should I..."

"The Phoenix Lin family? Ha, that old man really takes us seriously in this small place." Karida laughed. "We shouldn't get involved in this. Let the disciples handle it among themselves. After all, someone just returned to the Rose, and it would be a waste to have him idle."

"Wang Feng?" Lantian was slightly taken aback, frowning. "Your Highness, Lin Yuxiang is different from Luo Lan. This boy has a powerful backing and is ruthless, acting without any hesitation..."

After all, Luo Lan, being a member of the Nine Gods, always had to consider the risk of exposure, never resorting to violence at the slightest provocation. More often than not, he relied on words, which put him at a disadvantage against Wang Feng, who excelled in direct confrontation. In fact, Luo Lan wasn't weak; he simply lost unfairly.

If Luo Lan hadn't been a spy for the Nine Gods but instead a genuine, well-connected heir of the Blade, there would have been no need to play games with Wang Feng. A few well-coordinated moves would have left Wang Feng with no way out.

And now, Lin Yuxiang is essentially an upgraded version of Luo Lan, acting without any reservations...

Lantian was about to elaborate, but Karida smiled and waved her hand. "Don't worry. If he can't handle a Holy Sanctuary disciple, then he wouldn't be Wang Feng."

This trip, Brother Da had witnessed the capabilities of someone who could accomplish anything, whether it be in heaven or on earth. No matter who the opponent was or what trouble arose, that guy always found a way to solve it.

The one who should be worried is Lin Yuxiang, now that he's been targeted by this guy.