However

Mo Qingkuang's words were firm and made the students of Blue Flame Royal Academy hesitate, unsure whether to rush forward or heed Mo Qingkuang's suggestion to fetch their mentors. 

Although the blockade was self-organized, it was impossible that the academy's mentors were unaware of it. Most likely, they tacitly approved, wanting to test the mettle of the Imperial Academy. 

Things had taken an unexpected turn for everyone. 

"Are you from Imperial Academy?" 

Amid the standoff, a middle-aged man stepped forward from the crowd. 

He wasn't wearing a uniform, clearly not a student, and he was carrying Ling Chen's unconscious body. 

Mo Qingkuang glanced over; Ling Chen was still unconscious, and this middle-aged man's strength far surpassed his own. It seemed that the flash of light chasing after Ling Chen earlier was this very man. 

"Teacher Long, you're here?" 

"Teacher Long, how is Senior Ling Chen?" 

The students of Blue Flame Royal Academy greeted the middle-aged man with relief on their faces. 

Long Yan, a mentor at Blue Flame Royal Academy, was a martial artist at the Martial Venerable level, specifically teaching fire attribute students in the upper academy. Ling Chen was his prized disciple. 

Long Yan had been present during the blockade but hadn't shown himself. He had dispatched Ling Chen earlier, hoping that Ling Chen could gain combat experience against an opponent with an earth spirit body. 

There were no earth spirit body students in Blue Flame Royal Academy, so Ling Chen had no experience in this type of combat. 

Unexpectedly, Chen Kong's strength far exceeded his expectations. Both combatants fought fiercely, leading to severe injuries on both sides. Fortunately, Long Yan had caught the airborne Ling Chen in time, or the already fractured Ling Chen might not have survived the fall. 

Mo Qingkuang saluted Long Yan, "Greetings, Teacher Long. I am Mo Qingkuang from the Tianxuan Empire's Imperial Academy. We are here as exchange students to study at Blue Flame Royal Academy." 

"But your academy's students attacked us without reason, blocked the entrance, and severely injured our senior brother, leaving him almost beyond recovery. We request an explanation from your academy." 

Mo Qingkuang's tone was respectful yet firm, with a hint of accusation, which irritated the already displeased Long Yan. 

Long Yan snorted, "Explanation? What explanation? Our students have also been severely injured by you!" 

Mo Qingkuang shook his head, "We were forced to defend ourselves. Teacher Long, please understand. We came at the invitation of your country for an exchange. If your academy does not welcome us, you can apply to your empire to negotiate with our country. As soon as Tianxuan gives the order, we will leave without complaint." 

Mo Qingkuang positioned his side as the victims, subtly hinting at a diplomatic issue between the two nations. 

He insisted that they were invited guests, and instead of being welcomed, they were blocked at the door and attacked. This behavior would be indefensible anywhere in the world. 

Long Yan understood Mo Qingkuang's point but had little ground to argue. Indeed, Blue Flame Royal Academy had initiated the conflict. 

He had thought it would be a simple show of strength to intimidate Imperial Academy's students, not expecting such fierce resistance from them. 

Initially, Blue Flame Royal Academy had started the trouble. After Chen Kong defeated Lu Yan, he began to provoke the entire academy, prompting Long Yan to send out Ling Chen. 

Therefore, he sent Ling Chen out. 

Now, there was no point dwelling on it. It was time to show proper hospitality to the guests. Long Yan waved his hand, and a jade bottle flew in front of Mo Qingkuang. 

Mo Qingkuang caught it, feeling the searing heat of the true qi attached to it, and quickly infused his own true qi to dispel the heat. 

He uncorked the bottle and saw a pill emitting a refreshing fragrance. 

"Give it to that kid, and he won't have any life-threatening issues," Long Yan coldly remarked. 

This was an issue caused by his disciple, and Mo Qingkuang did make some valid points. If Chen Kong were to die here, the newly stabilized relations between the two nations would be at risk again. 

This was something the Blue Flame Empire could not afford, not because of fear of Tianxuan, but because of the wrath of the Holy Land. The Blue Flame Empire had already received multiple warnings from the Holy Land. 

He then turned to the students of Blue Flame Empire and said indifferently, "Let them in and take them to the academy's accommodation office." 

"Yes." 

The students nodded in unison. Since a mentor had intervened, they couldn't persist any further, though they still felt aggrieved. 

Finally, someone couldn't hold back and asked, "Teacher Long? Are we just going to let this go? They've injured so many of us!" 

Long Yan frowned, "Today's matter will be dealt with by the academy, and the injured students will be fully treated." 

He paused and then pointed at Mo Qingkuang, "Remember this kid. Anyone who can defeat him can come to me for a Barrier-Breaking Pill! This applies to all students." 

Mo Qingkuang's words had irked him, and this kid's talent was no less than Chen Kong's. 

With Chen Kong severely injured and temporarily out of commission, the leading figure from the Imperial Academy would be Mo Qingkuang. Long Yan had to make the Imperial Academy understand the gravity of this place. 

Hearing this, the students turned their attention to Mo Qingkuang. A Barrier-Breaking Pill! 

The Barrier-Breaking Pill was a fourth-grade pill that could slightly increase the success rate of breaking through the Grandmaster level for Martial Masters. 

Long Yan was a renowned alchemy mentor at the academy, so casually offering a fourth-grade pill wasn't surprising. 

Many of the students had eager expressions, looking at Mo Qingkuang as if he were a piece of meat, forgetting that it was he who had just intimidated dozens of them into submission. 

Mo Qingkuang's face changed upon hearing this. This Teacher Long had such a small heart. Just because of a few remarks, he was rallying the entire academy against him? 

If they challenged him continuously, how could he focus on his cultivation? 

However, Long Yan's generosity was undeniable. The Blue Flame Empire, renowned for its alchemy, casually offering a fourth-grade pill was impressive. 

Thinking of this, Mo Qingkuang's eyes glinted with a clever look, and a meaningful smile spread across his lips. 

He stepped forward and announced loudly, "Fellow students, I declare that I accept all challenges from Blue Flame Royal Academy students! Every single one of you!" 

Upon hearing Mo Qingkuang's words, everyone, including Long Yan, was stunned. What did he mean? 

So arrogant? No matter how strong you are, you'll fall to a series of challenges! Not to mention, the top-ranked students haven't even stepped forward yet! 

Do you really think you're invincible? 

Just as the crowd was about to scold him, Mo Qingkuang continued, "However—"