Guide

Looking at the exceptionally talented and handsome Xu Kong in front of him, Mo Qingkuang couldn't help but feel a sense of defeat. 

He wasn't even the Holy Son from the Holy Land, and while the resources he enjoyed were abundant, they still couldn't compare to those available to them. 

How could he be so strong? 

Mo Qingkuang felt a sudden realization. He had been too narrow-minded, always focusing on Lin Yang, unaware that there were countless geniuses in the world. 

There were many stronger than Lin Yang. 

"Are you scared?" Mo Fan's teasing voice echoed in Mo Qingkuang's mind. 

Xu Kong was a character created by him. In the original storyline, he was also a long-term rival for Lin Yang. 

However, in the end, he was still defeated by the heaven-chosen Lin Yang along with the Blue Flame Empire. 

But it must be admitted, for a long time, he suppressed Lin Yang. He was a genius who truly surpassed Lin Yang, only the destiny was not in his favor. 

Feeling Mo Qingkuang's sense of defeat, Mo Fan could understand. After all, there was still a considerable gap. 

But it was also good, letting Mo Qingkuang realize that he was still just a small grain of sand in this world. In the future era of Holy Sons emerging, geniuses and prodigies would be as numerous as the sands in a river. 

Even the current Xu Kong wouldn't dare to claim to be the first. 

Hearing Mo Fan's words, Mo Qingkuang felt a bit dejected. "Ancestor, am I really such a failure?" 

"Yes," Mo Fan confirmed. 

Mo Qingkuang might be considered a genius in a small place, but in front of true geniuses, he wasn't even qualified to look at their backs. 

If it weren't for Mo Fan's existence, Mo Qingkuang's grave would already have grass three feet tall. 

But now the situation was different. With him around, Mo Qingkuang wouldn't just not die, but he could also help Mo Qingkuang climb to the peak of this world step by step through his knowledge of this world. 

"Indeed, I am a waste." Hearing Mo Fan say this, Mo Qingkuang felt even more dejected. 

"But with me here, you will have a chance to surpass him," Mo Fan added affirmatively. 

Mo Qingkuang's heart trembled. "Really?" 

"Yes. Don't overthink it. For now, he is not your enemy. Focus on dealing with the current situation." 

Hearing Mo Fan's words, Mo Qingkuang felt somewhat reassured. The ancestor's existence was his tool to defy fate. Every step he had taken to become the number one genius in Tianxuan had been guided by the ancestor. 

If the ancestor could elevate a waste like him to the position of Tianxuan's top genius, why couldn't he elevate him to the position of the continent's top genius? 

Now, Mo Qingkuang could only choose to believe in Mo Fan, just as he had always steadfastly believed in the ancestor. 

"Hello, I am Mo Qingkuang," Mo Qingkuang collected his emotions and nodded at Xu Kong. 

"Your name precedes you, Young Master Mo. Your poem 'Love for the Lotus' has deeply moved me as well." Xu Kong's smile was as warm as a spring breeze, like a balm for the heart. 

Xu Kong wasn't lying. The poem 'Love for the Lotus' that Mo Qingkuang wrote during the Lu Ming Banquet quickly spread throughout the Tianxuan Empire, receiving praise from all who appreciated literature. 

Although Xu Kong was from the Blue Flame Empire, he was in a high enough position to receive some news from Tianxuan. Despite the poem subtly belittling Blue Flame Empire's national flower, the peony, its literary value remained undeniable, growing more profound with each reading. 

Mo Qingkuang sighed in his heart. Are top-tier geniuses always this approachable? 

"A humble work, not worth mentioning," Mo Qingkuang smiled modestly, taking undue credit for his ancestor's creation. 

Xu Kong shook his head. "Young Master Mo is too modest. Today's events are a lapse in hospitality on our part at Blue Flame Royal Academy. How about I act as your guide and show you around our academy?" 

His words were gentle, seemingly seeking approval, yet carried an undeniable sense of authority. 

The number one genius of the Blue Flame Empire, the first seat of Upper Academy, personally acting as a guide—what could Mo Qingkuang say? 

"Then I must trouble Brother Xu," Mo Qingkuang nodded. 

As for Long Yan's predicament, it was instantly resolved by Xu Kong's arrival. 

"Please follow me," Xu Kong smiled and nodded. 

He then turned to the students of Blue Flame Royal Academy and bowed. "Fellow students, please make way for our guests." 

At his words, everyone stepped aside, creating a wide path. 

In a certain sense, Xu Kong's influence within the academy almost surpassed that of the average instructor. 

After Xu Kong was promoted to Grandmaster, Blue Flame Royal Academy made him an exception and elevated him to the council of elders. 

He had the authority to manage some of the academy's affairs, placing him above ordinary students. 

He was the idol of countless young people in the Blue Flame Empire and the dream lover of almost every young woman. 

Chen Kong had mostly recovered by now. Although Ling Chen possessed a Fire Spirit Body with true qi far purer than that of ordinary fire attribute martial artists, he was still only at the Grandmaster level. 

Chen Kong, being a resilient Earth Spirit Body, combined with the efforts of five water attribute martial artists to expel the fire qi, and Long Yan's medicinal help, was mostly out of danger. However, the solar rays had pierced his lungs, so he needed some time to recuperate. 

Mo Qingkuang carried Chen Kong on his back and, leading the students from the Imperial Academy, followed Xu Kong through the gates of Blue Flame Royal Academy under the complex gazes of its students. 

After a series of twists and turns, Mo Qingkuang and his group finally entered Blue Flame Royal Academy. The scenery inside could only be described as exquisite. 

Not grand, but exquisite. 

Every decoration was perfectly placed, extremely luxurious, exuding the elegance of Blue Flame Royal Academy. 

The path they walked on was paved with precious stone resembling white jade. 

On either side of the road were spirit trees in full bloom, filling the air with a refreshing fragrance. 

What surprised the students of the Imperial Academy even more was that every few steps, there was a medicinal garden filled with rare herbs, many of which they had never seen before, but all were of high quality. 

"This is the medicinal garden of the Alchemist Division. Due to limited space in their division, many less precious herbs are planted here," Xu Kong explained with a smile, noticing the students' amazement. 

"These gardens are tended daily, but no one dares to damage them. Alchemists, as you understand," Xu Kong added with a familiar nod. 

Mo Qingkuang and the others nodded. The influence of an alchemist far exceeded that of a martial artist. Alchemy was the most resource-consuming profession on the continent, but also the most profitable, and of course, the one with the widest connections. 

Xu Kong continued to introduce the special sights of the academy, leading Mo Qingkuang and his group on a leisurely walk until they reached the entrance of a densely clustered courtyard. 

***

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