Chapter 72. The Privilege of the Strong, Mere Rabble (2)

Although Aurora Academy was located in the very heart of Chang'an, its architectural style stood in stark contrast to the modern skyscrapers around it.

Instead, the academy was an elegant compound embodying the word "classic." It was built in a style reminiscent of the Tang and Song dynasties. Artificial mountains and flowing streams of water supported by ornate beams and painted pillars were everywhere, making the academy look beautiful and majestic.

The academy itself was divided into several distinct sections—a teaching area, a cultivation area, a martial arts area, and a residential area, all of which were built with a clear goal and purpose in mind.

The academy's primary goal was to attract promising talent for the government, cultivate new generations of Awakened by means of a complete system with resources dedicated to it.

The academy was home to a great number of students, at least ten thousand in total, and quite a few among them had already begun their journey down the path of evolution. In the future, these students would dedicate themselves to maintaining the nation's stability.

As soon as Lu Yuan entered the grounds of the Aurora Academy, Dean Zheng enthusiastically explained how the branch academies had recently absorbed a great deal of new talent, including both teachers and students.

He stated that they would soon create a powerful armed force, which would receive the full support and protection of the government.

Lu Yuan naturally understood what Dean Zheng was trying to say.

Eventually, the two of them arrived at a building deep within the academy grounds. They were clearly in a core region of the academy. The fact that the figures patrolling the region were all members of the city's official defense force spoke volumes about the importance of this building.

After telling Lu Yuan to take a seat, Dean Zheng immediately said, "Mr. Lu, I'm sure you already know why I invited you here, so I will not waste any words. The nation is in danger. The major organizations all have their ambitions, but none of that is what truly matters.

"What truly matters is the fact that all our major cities are currently suffering from the attacks of those mutated beasts. Shuntian, the Snow Region, and several other territories have all been hit by beast tides.

"Moreover, we've detected some abnormal activity among the mutated beasts around Qinling. We believe their next target might be Chang'an."

He cut straight to the heart of the matter, knowing there was no need to beat around the bush when speaking to an intelligent man like Lu Yuan. Dean Zheng's eyes were solemn as he stared into Lu Yuan's eyes.

At first, he believed Lu Yuan's strength relied mostly on that divine artifact, but now, it was clear that the man himself was immensely powerful.

Chang'an's defenses weren't really robust just yet; if the mutated beasts were to attack it, the city would be under immense pressure. If an expert like Lu Yuan were to agree to help them, the city's level of security would surely skyrocket.

Lu Yuan nodded. He was already aware of it, but he chose not to speak, waiting for Dean Zheng to continue.

"I hope that you'd agree to collaborate with my Aurora Academy. If a mutated beast tide were to appear, we hope that you'd make a move."

"Of course," Zheng Wenyuan paused before continuing, "we will be sure to show you our sincerity."

"The people behind the Longevity Genetics and the Wuzhou Group are all descendants of ancient families with special bloodlines running through their veins, and their potential is being awakened as we speak.

"I believe they'll become a source of headache for you in the future, Mr. Lu, but I can guarantee on behalf of the Aurora Academy that we will stand behind you, regardless of what's going to happen in the future."

Zheng Wenyuan was sincere. He greatly valued Lu Yuan's strength, but there was no way he would believe that Lu Yuan could resist the power of two major forces by himself.

He knew for a fact that both the Wang Family and the Zhou Family possessed deep foundations, including inheritances left behind by their ancestors.

This was especially true for certain individuals undergoing Primordial Bloodline Reversion. They were destined to become incredibly strong in the future. By expressing his stance to Lu Yuan, Zheng Wenyuan made it clear that the Aurora Academy—and by extension, the government—would support Lu Yuan.

"I understand what you're trying to say, Dean." Lu Yuan smiled, his expression unchanged as he added, "However, their deep foundations never mattered to me, even in the slightest. In my eyes, they're mere rabble[1]."

Of course, those two families were powerful and mysterious. Given enough time, they would eventually reveal their true strength. However, he was no longer his former self and had enough strength to face everything himself.

Dean Zheng was shocked. Mere rabble? Wasn't that exceedingly arrogant? Of course! Dean Zheng could say for certain that no one else would dare to utter such words, even if he were to search the nation.

However, he could clearly see that Lu Yuan's confidence was genuine rather than a pretense.

For a moment, Dean Zheng could not help but regard him with even greater esteem—perhaps the young man possessed an even greater source of confidence. As for where it came from, Dean Zheng had no idea, nor did he wish to investigate. To do so would be far too presumptuous.

From their brief contact, Dean Zheng had already gained a solid understanding of Lu Yuan's character—he was firm and forceful. When faced with genuine goodwill, however, he wouldn't respond with arrogance.

In short, any respect shown to him would be returned tenfold.

With that in mind, Dean Zheng smiled without responding to Lu Yuan's statement. Instead, he added, "Of course, besides that, we have also prepared a few other things for you, Mr. Lu. It's all for the sake of showing that we are truly sincere."

Since he wanted both of them to collaborate, certain actions were essential, and he had come well-prepared.

Dean Zheng clapped, and moments later, Zhu Qingyu appeared, carrying an exquisite box. She walked before Lu Yuan with a strange, complex face before opening the box.

Lu Yuan wasn't really paying any attention at first, but his attention was immediately captured by the radiant light emanating from within the box.

A wave of pure energy, powerful enough to surprise him, rushed out of the box. A single spirit fruit, roughly the size of a fist was in the box. It was entirely crimson, with mysterious patterns swirling across its surface.

The brilliant light just now was from the fruit in the box.

"My Aurora Academy obtained this from a famous mountain, and it's known as the Sleeping Dragon's Crimson Fruit. It was nurtured by the dragon veins at the earth's core, making it exceedingly rare. If Mr. Lu does not mind it, I hope you'd accept it," Dean Zheng finally spoke with smiling eyes.

However, his smiling eyes couldn't completely conceal the twinge of pain. For this single Sleeping Dragon's Crimson Fruit, Aurora Academy had paid a considerable price. In total, they had only managed to harvest three of them.

The fruit could be considered a divine artifact among the heavenly materials and earthly treasures.

At first, he wanted to reserve it for an outstanding student, but he eventually concluded that it would be far worth it to use it as a bargaining chip to recruit Lu Yuan for the sake of defending Chang'an against future mutated beast tides.

In Dean Zheng's eyes, Lu Yuan's potential was higher than the Northern Emperor's.

"It is indeed the Sleeping Dragon's Crimson Fruit."

Lu Yuan looked at the fruit before him and recognized it at a glance. He learned about it in his previous life; it was a miraculous fruit nurtured by the dragon veins at the earth's core.

In terms of sheer value, it was considerably higher than even the Nine-leaf Golden Resonance. After consuming it, one would immediately awaken and form a dragon vein within them, granting them infinite potential.

If this were to appear outside, the major forces would surely compete fiercely over it.

Even for him, it was going to be immensely helpful. The Primordial Dragon Breathing Technique absorbed the dragon veins of the world, so consuming this Sleeping Dragon's Crimson Fruit would produce an even greater effect.

Perhaps it could even allow him to open the second and third grotto-heavens at once, allowing him to manifest true gods. He hadn't expected Aurora Academy to present such a treasure just to recruit him.

They had invested quite heavily in this endeavor.

After a brief moment of consideration, Lu Yuan still shook his head. "I like freedom; I don't like to be restrained."

Accepting the fruit meant agreeing to collaborate with them. Perhaps there'd be no losses, but then, he'd have to do something for them. He didn't want to be ordered around, so even though he was tempted, he decided to refuse the offer.

Zhu Qingyu was stunned. The fruit being offered here was the Sleeping Dragon's Crimson Fruit, yet he refused it without much hesitation. It had to be known that her senior, the Northern Emperor, had long been yearning to obtain one.

Dean Zheng was also surprised, but he immediately smiled, saying, "Mr. Lu, don't worry. We have no ulterior motives in gifting you this fruit. It's purely because we value talented people like you.

"We also believe that you might encounter many troubles in the future, Mr. Lu, but with this Sleeping Dragon's Crimson Fruit, perhaps your path will become smoother, so please accept it, Mr. Lu."

After saying that, he glanced at Zhu Qingyu. Zhu Qingyu immediately understood and closed the box. Then, she placed it in Lu Yuan's hands with a sweet smile before walking behind Dean Zheng.

Lu Yuan was taken aback, and then a mysterious smile tugged at his lips. "No ulterior motives. Dean Zheng, is that true?"

"True! Of course, it's true, my word is my bond!" Dean Zheng spoke righteously without hesitation, just as he had said—it was all because he valued talented people like Lu Yuan.

However, Zhu Qingyu could see Dean Zheng's trembling hands.

"Great." Lu Yuan stood up. He had decided to follow the constant law that one had to always accept free lunches. He nodded and smiled, "Then, I must thank you for your kindness, Dean Zheng."

"No problem, no problem," Dean Zheng replied, "By the way, you still don't have a place to stay in the city, do you? You can temporarily stay at the academy. I'll arrange everything for you."

"Dean Zheng, you're so kind," Lu Yuan remarked. He originally planned to leave after collecting some interest from Longevity Genetics.

Upon obtaining the Sleeping Dragon's Crimson Fruit, he had to find a safe place to consume it before leaving.

Fortunately, Dean Zheng was going to arrange everything for him.

"No worries, no worries."

Dean Zheng waved his hand, and then he called someone to take Lu Yuan to his temporary residence. After doing all that, Dean Zheng was struck by a wave of dizziness upon realizing that he had just given away a Sleeping Dragon's Crimson Fruit. "Qingyu, help... help me."

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

1. original is "不过些许风霜罢了" A phrase popularized by the popular novel "蛊真人" Direct translation is "just some winds and snow." Translated differently to fit. ☜