Chapter 0043: Banquet

Chapter 0043: Banquet

The banquet began. Master Wei, dressed in luxurious golden attire, walked onto the stage with a broad smile on his square face and started making polite remarks.

After Master Wei finished his pleasantries, Wei Xuankun took the stage. Dressed similarly to his father in splendid gold robes and with a sword hanging at his waist, which seemed to be a spirit weapon, he also delivered a long string of formalities before setting off fireworks.

Once the fireworks concluded, the stage was filled with singing and dancing, while the guests below toasted and enjoyed themselves.

Many dignitaries and nobles approached to congratulate Wei Xuankun and Master Wei, creating a lively atmosphere.

Qin Yun, however, simply ate and drank with Yang Shiyue.

Since it was free and they were within the Hualing Martial Arts Academy, with Dean Zhang present, Master Wei couldn't cause any trouble.

Tonight, Yang Shiyue wore a simple, elegant white dress. After a few cups of wine, her face turned slightly flushed, exuding a delicate charm.

Master Wei approached Qin Yun with a cup of wine, laughing heartily as he said, "Qin Yun, after defeating Kun'er and making Xiaoyun lose, you earned the qualification to enter the Nine Suns Spirit Formation. You are truly the top talent among the new students at Hualing Martial Arts Academy. We are deeply grateful that you honored us with your presence tonight."

Despite the bustling crowd in the Martial Arts Field, Master Wei's unhurried voice carried clearly to everyone's ears.

His courteous words and toast to Qin Yun impressed many people, who praised his magnanimity.

Qin Yun quickly stood up to return the toast, smiling, "Master Wei is too kind! We are all students of Hualing Martial Arts Academy. Wei Xueshang's ability to create talismans is naturally a glory for our academy, so I had to come!"

His clear laughter echoed throughout the Martial Arts Field, his inner energy so strong that many old ministers were secretly alarmed!

Since Qin Yun entered Hualing Martial Arts Academy, these old ministers hadn't seen him. Now, witnessing him firsthand, they couldn't help but feel worried.

At this moment, an elderly man with white hair approached, wearing a set of purple-gold robes and carrying a jade pendant, exuding a commanding aura. He stared at Qin Yun with cold eyes.

This elderly man was Duke Yan, Yan Yun's grandfather.

After approaching, he said to Master Wei, "Old Wei, you don't know. This boy has been taught by a female demon since childhood. Although we severed four of his spirit meridians, he still managed to cultivate demonic arts, which is why he achieved today's success. He is merely a small demon, not worth your respect."

The old ministers and members of noble families also gathered around, echoing Duke Yan's claims about Qin Yun practicing demonic arts.

Qin Yun knew that tonight wouldn't be simple. During their previous training, he and Ding Tianchun had been attacked by Swift Apes and Cui Hui, all related to Master Wei!

He now realized that Master Wei was a hypocrite, just like those old ministers.

Dean Zhang approached, smiling, "Qin Yun is a student of Hualing Martial Arts Academy. He hasn't practiced demonic arts! The Profound Sun Technique he cultivates was given to him by Teacher Yang. The martial techniques he learned later, Flame Light Fist and Fire Cloud Step, are known to everyone."

Seeing Dean Zhang speak up, Duke Yan immediately showed concern, clicking his tongue and sighing, "Dean, although you say so, it won't convince anyone! Throughout Tian Qin, everyone believes Qin Yun practices demonic arts. Your word alone won't make them believe otherwise. Moreover, Hualing Martial Arts Academy's reputation has become terrible because of him, ridiculed by other countries' martial academies."

Yang Shiyue glanced at the other guests' faces and realized they had already conspired to use this banquet to pressure Hualing Martial Arts Academy.

Even if Qin Yun didn't attend, they would still make a fuss.

"What do you suggest? Kill Qin Yun!" Dean Zhang chuckled, his tone turning icy. "If I sent thousands of people to spread rumors that Wei Xuankun practices demonic arts, soon everyone in the country would believe it. Right?"

Everyone was puzzled as to why Dean Zhang was protecting Qin Yun.

In their eyes, Dean Zhang should sacrifice Qin Yun for the academy's reputation.

Duke Yan seemed to anticipate Dean Zhang's protection and calmly suggested, "How about this: let Qin Yun fight a stronger martial artist for half an hour. If he doesn't use demonic arts under pressure, he will be proven innocent!"

"Although this method is harsh, it effectively tests whether he practices demonic arts. If he can't withstand the torture during the fight, he might lose control and reveal his demonic powers."

"If he really uses demonic arts, we promise not to kill him, only to expel him from the country!"

Duke Yan's suggestion gained support from many.

Yang Shiyue's face turned angry, and she coldly retorted, "I disagree! I suspect you practice demonic arts too. Why don't I test you using the same method? Let me fight you!"

She was at the ninth level of the Martial Body realm, from Heavenly Profound Martial Academy, and no one knew what her martial soul was. Few old martial artists here dared to fight her.

An elder from the Wang family said, "We've decided today. If Qin Yun can't give us an explanation, we'll withdraw from the academy!"

"We'll also withdraw and leave this academy that harbors demons, going to other imperial martial academies."

"Qin Yun became so strong by practicing demonic arts and monopolizing resources meant for new students, which is unfair. We have no choice but to withdraw."

"Martial academies in other countries aren't inferior to Hualing Martial Arts Academy, especially when teachers and the dean protect demons!"

"Even we teachers can't stand it anymore; we're leaving too!" said a teacher.

The heads of major families and several teachers shouted in agreement.

Dean Zhang's face turned grim, knowing these people could indeed carry out their threats. Now, the only option was to persuade Qin Yun to leave.

Suddenly, Qin Yun asked, "Who will you arrange to fight me? If it's not too strong a martial artist, I'll accept!"

Duke Yan chuckled arrogantly, "A martial artist at the sixth level of the Martial Body realm, eighteen years old, just returned from Ling Martial Academy. It's my grandson, Yan Qingyu!"

"Yan Qingyu possesses four Yang spirit meridians and a platinum sword martial soul. He entered Hualing Martial Arts Academy early and was then recognized by Ling Martial Academy. He's already at the sixth level of the Martial Body realm!" exclaimed a student.

Ling Martial Academy, Heavenly Profound Martial Academy, and Star Profound Martial Academy are collectively known as the Three Profound Martial Academies, all equally powerful!

Duke Yan smiled, "Don't worry, no weapons will be used during the fight. Qin Yun, if you pass our test and prove you're not a demonic martial artist, we'll kneel and apologize to you and compensate you with one hundred thousand crystals!"

"Fine, I accept!" Qin Yun replied.