Chapter 92: Three Conditions

A roar like that of a dragon shook heaven and earth.

Within the imperial capital, the millions of common folk dropped straight to their knees at the sound, their eyes ablaze with fervor.

Whoosh!

A figure appeared out of thin air before Mo Xingyun.

He had not flown there, but had crossed space in an instant.

This was a power unique to those at the Martial Emperor level.

The newcomer was not only a Martial Emperor realm expert, but also the ruler of the Great Qian Dynasty.

He was a tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man.

A crown of nine dragons rested upon his head, and he wore a robe woven for a true dragon. His eyes shone like molten gold, radiating divine brilliance, while lightning crackled through the void.

He was imposing beyond measure, his aura pressing down upon sun and moon alike. Golden energies swirled about him, carrying an air of overwhelming supremacy, as though he alone stood above the four seas and all beneath heaven.

The Emperor of Qian.

Long live the Emperor!

Whether commoners or students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy, all fell to their knees and bowed.

Even Master Wu and Liu Yiyi knelt at once.

Lin Mengyao had intended to kneel as well, but Jun Wushuang held her hand, keeping her from lowering herself.

A mere Emperor of Qian.

What right does he have to make me kneel?

At this moment, the Emperor of Qian did not concern himself with Jun Wushuang or Lin Mengyao.

His gaze fell upon Mo Xingyun.

"Mo Xingyun, for my sake, spare his life."

Though the Emperor remained in the palace, nothing within or beyond the imperial capital, nor indeed throughout the entire Great Qian Dynasty, escaped his sight.

He had long been watching this battle.

Yet he had not interfered.

Whether Jun Wushuang won, or Nangong Tianxuan was slain, both outcomes lay within acceptable bounds.

But Mo Xingyun and Jiang Taixu were different.

They were not only among the foremost experts of the Great Qian Dynasty, but also the heads of the two academies.

If either of them died, the ensuing turmoil would be immense.

Moreover, Jiang Taixu was of the imperial house.

He was the Emperor of Qian's uncle, and also the dean of the Royal Martial Arts Academy. In status, he was no weaker than the Prince of the South.

If he died, the Royal Martial Arts Academy would be thrown into unrest.

The art of rulership rests on one principle: balance.

Though the Azure Cloud Martial Arts Academy had declined for many years, it had never vanished. This was due in part to the efforts of Mo Xingyun and the others, but also to the Emperor of Qian's silent acquiescence.

A single dominant Royal Martial Arts Academy was not what he wished to see.

So he preserved the Azure Cloud Martial Arts Academy to keep the two sides in mutual check.

And now, he was employing the same art of balance.

After this battle, the Royal Martial Arts Academy would be humbled and no longer so arrogant.

Meanwhile, the Azure Cloud Martial Arts Academy could rise from the ashes and restore its former glory.

The gap between the two academies would be narrowed by this battle.

This was exactly what the Emperor of Qian wanted.

Thus, Jiang Taixu had to be saved.

For if Jiang Taixu died, no one would be able to shoulder the burden of the Royal Martial Arts Academy for the time being.

"Your Majesty, do you know how I have lived these past ten years?"

Mo Xingyun did not lower the sword in his hand.

"These ten years of yours, I have seen all too clearly."

"But you cannot deny that without these ten years of tempering, you would not have the bearing you possess today."

The Emperor of Qian looked at Mo Xingyun intently.

Ten years ago, Mo Xingyun had been proud, arrogant, and utterly dismissive of others.

Had he continued in such heedlessness, his end would have been impossible to predict.

Instead, he had endured ten years of rise and fall, and his temperament had grown steady. In time, he would surely achieve even greater things.

"Today, I can spare him. But I have three conditions."

With the Emperor of Qian here, Mo Xingyun knew that no matter what, he could not kill Jiang Taixu today.

The gulf between the Heavenly King realm and the Martial Emperor realm was like an abyss between heaven and earth.

What was more, the Emperor of Qian was no ordinary Martial Emperor.

His strength could only be described in four words:

Unfathomable.

"Speak."

With a word from the Emperor of Qian, he could decide everything.

"The first condition is that the recruitment channels for my Azure Cloud Martial Arts Academy be restored, so that every hidden genius of humble birth has a chance."

The students of the Royal Martial Arts Academy were all recommended from various regions.

But the recruitment channels of the Azure Cloud Martial Arts Academy had long been severed, leaving the humble geniuses of the Great Qian Dynasty with no path to study.

Once the admissions channels were restored, common-born youths would have the资格 to come to the imperial capital and take part in the Azure Cloud Martial Arts Academy's entrance examination.

"This condition, I can agree to."

The Emperor of Qian nodded.

"The second condition is that my Azure Cloud Martial Arts Academy must receive the same resource allocation as the Royal Martial Arts Academy."

The Royal Martial Arts Academy was established by the imperial house, and the resources poured into it each year were astronomical.

The Great Qian Dynasty's resources were limited. Mo Xingyun's demand amounted to taking half of the Royal Martial Arts Academy's share.

"This, I also agree to."

The Emperor of Qian had originally intended to use the Azure Cloud Martial Arts Academy to counterbalance the Royal Martial Arts Academy. This condition was precisely to his liking.

Mo Xingyun turned and glanced at Jun Wushuang.

"The third condition is that I want a spirit pool cleansing spot for Jun Wushuang."

Mo Xingyun had not forgotten Jun Wushuang.

Without Jun Wushuang, none of this would exist today.

So for the final condition, he sought a reward for Jun Wushuang.

The spirit vein cave abode of the Royal Martial Arts Academy was merely a branch vein of spiritual energy.

But within the imperial palace, there was a main vein.

And at the deepest part of that main vein, spiritual energy had condensed into liquid, forming a spirit pool.

Cultivating within that pool was a hundred times more effective than in the premier heaven-grade chambers.

This was the spirit pool cleansing.

As a rule, only outstanding princes and princesses were granted such a chance.

As for outsiders, it was nearly impossible to obtain.

This showed just how precious the opportunity was.

"Mo Xingyun, this time you have truly stumbled upon a treasure. Very well, I grant this spot."

The Emperor of Qian glanced at Jun Wushuang and smiled as he agreed.

All of Jun Wushuang's actions had been within his grasp.

He did not mind having a few more such humble-born talents.

After all, if the Great Qian Dynasty wished to grow stronger, it needed more youthful prodigies.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Mo Xingyun sheathed the Sun and Moon Dao Sword.

Exchanging Jiang Taixu's life for these three conditions was worth it.

Although the Royal Martial Arts Academy was unwilling in every possible way, once the Emperor of Qian had spoken, no one dared object. They could only grind their teeth and record this debt against the Azure Cloud Martial Arts Academy.

"Today's battle ends with the victory of the Azure Cloud Martial Arts Academy."

The Emperor of Qian swept his gaze over the assembly, looking down upon all living things.

Then he spoke in a loud voice, bringing the battle to a close.

"We won, we really won, that's wonderful!"

Lin Mengyao was so excited she nearly leapt into the air.

Liu Yiyi and A Man were also beaming with joy.

Even Master Wu felt honored by association.

Only Jun Wushuang remained calm, neither sad nor glad.

He knew that today's battle was not an end, but only the beginning.

From here on, the Azure Cloud Martial Arts Academy and the Royal Martial Arts Academy would stand openly opposed, and there would surely be even more strife between them.

"The art of balance, is it? Pity. The one thing I dislike most is balance."

Jun Wushuang looked at the Emperor of Qian and saw through his method at a glance.

Stand against me, and you will meet death without mercy.

Whether the Royal Martial Arts Academy or the two great noble families, I will show none of them mercy.

Today, I merely collect a little interest.

Ji Qingchen has not died.

The Nangong clan has not been destroyed.

My killing intent will not fade.

The Emperor of Qian may wish to play at balance, but unfortunately, I will not play along.

The true struggle has only just begun.