Under a towering ancient tree, Xu Chunniang and Zeng Lao sat facing each other on the ground.
After having a few drinks, seeing that Mr. Zeng remained silent, Xu Chunniang put down her wine cup and broke the silence first.
"Mr. Zeng specially invited me here, it shouldn't be to ask about the formation, right?"
Zeng Lao sighed softly, "Have you ever heard of the origins of the seven great families?"
Xu Chunniang thought for a moment and shook her head.
"I am a cultivator who ascended from the lower realms. I have not been in the spiritual world for long, but I have heard of the names of the seven great families and the deeds of the seven venerables."
Tens of thousands of years ago, the human race had just gained a foothold in the spiritual world and was still in the midst of endless wars, suffering from the pain of war and displacement.
When the human race was in danger, seven Mahayana monks stepped forward, turned the tide and protected the human race's territory.
After this battle, the families of the seven Mahayana monks enjoyed a transcendent status.
The seven venerables were worshipped by hundreds of millions of cultivators of the human race for generations, and they ascended to the immortal world one after another, becoming legends.
However, Xu Chunniang, who had seen the truth of this world, did not dare to believe in all the deeds of the seven great venerables.
In order to plunder more power of faith and incense offerings, those Mahayana monks did not hesitate to initiate wars, putting the human monks in dire straits.
Perhaps, the seven great masters who are said to have turned the tide also have the same purpose...
Elder Zeng nodded slightly, "Does Officer Xu know the origin of our Tianshen Academy?"
Xu Chunniang recalled the relevant records she saw in the Wanjuan Pavilion.
“After the war, moved by the weakness of the human race, the seven venerables focused on military preparations and promoted culture and education. This was the predecessor of our human army and the Heavenly God Academy.
After the academy was established, the seven venerables also set up a method of actual combat exercises, and used the results of the exercises to determine the rankings of students and evaluate the merits and demerits of academic officials. This method has been in place since it was established. "
"Sure enough, Xu Xueguan only knows one side of the story, not the other."
Mr. Zeng sighed softly, showing an expression that said, "As expected."
Xu Chunniang knew that Mr. Zeng was trying to give her some advice.
She put on a listening attitude and said, "I'd like to hear more about it."
"After the seven venerables established the Celestial God Academy, they indeed cultivated a lot of rising talents for our human race. At that time, the evaluation in the academy was relatively fair, and the academic officials with outstanding performance were all respected people in our human race.
But as time went on, the rankings and benefits of this actual combat exercise were gradually monopolized by the seven great families. "
Mr. Zeng paused for a moment, a look of helplessness appeared on his face, and he continued.
"Until now, this actual combat exercise has been almost in name only. This is why you were able to win so easily today."
Xu Chunniang frowned, "The Heavenly God Academy is the number one institution of learning for our human race, how could it be so unbearable?"
There was even more helplessness in Zeng Lao's eyes. "The so-called Heavenly God Academy is just a microcosm of the vast human race. The entire human race is under the rule of the Mahayana Venerable and the seven major families, not to mention a small Heavenly God Academy."
Xu Chunniang frowned even more tightly, and she finally realized how far the seven major families' hands stretched.
"What about the headmaster? Is she also from one of the seven great families?"
"The headmaster... of course not. She once tried to change the status quo, but unfortunately failed in the end. The preaching hall you see today was built by the headmaster after he rejected all objections.
The headmaster established the Preaching Hall to select cultivators with real potential from our race and break the monopoly of the seven great families."
As he spoke, Zeng shook his head regretfully, "It's a pity that Xu Xueguan showed off his talents today and completely offended the seven great families. I'm afraid he won't be able to stay in this Heavenly God Academy for long."
Xu Chunniang remained silent. The seven noble families had been high and mighty for a long time, so naturally they would not allow anyone to challenge their authority.
For them, let alone the small Heavenly God Academy, almost the entire human race is under their control.
And she is the chess piece who has seen through the truth and refuses to be manipulated.
"Since Elder Zeng has invited me so kindly, I really have a few words to say."
Xu Chunniang curled her lips and smiled, but her tone was not very polite.
“I once wandered in the territory of the Orcs and was able to return after decades of wandering. What I saw and heard gave me a lot of feelings.
The seven venerables have seen clearly that it is time for our human race to rebuild the spirit of martial arts, but this does not mean that we should engage in sleazy operations in exercises or deceive ourselves in rankings.
The reputation of the seven great families is well-known, but if I do something shameful just to save face, even though I have a low level of cultivation, I will not do it."
After saying that, Xu Chunniang took off the black badge on her lapel and slapped it on the stone slab in front of her.
"If the Heavenly God Academy can't accommodate me, then I, Xu Chunniang, will resign from my position as an academic officer."
"Xu girl, you really have one tenth of the prestige that Master Qiong had back then."
The Sky-Watching Hound in the Soul-Calming Pot was clapping for her crazily.
"Yes, that's it! If I can't stay here, I'll go somewhere else. What a crappy academy! I've got the Purple Jun Bamboo, so why should I stay here? Hahahaha..."
Xu Chunniang stood up and was about to leave when a voice called her.
"Wait a minute, I haven't finished what I'm saying yet, why is Officer Xu in such a hurry to leave?"
Zeng Lao stood up and said with a wry smile, "You are the one chosen by the headmaster. My original intention of saying this is not to force you to leave."
Under Zeng Lao's persuasion, Xu Chunniang turned around and sat down again, but she had no intention of taking back the badge.
“The power of the seven great families is deeply rooted. Currently, there are seven great masters in our race, five of whom are from the seven great families.
This is a force that even the head of the mountain cannot easily shake. If Xu Xueguan confronts it, wouldn't it be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot? "
Zeng Lao advised, "It is unwise to offend the seven great families rashly. If you want to change the current situation of the human race, you must take it step by step."
"It's against my heart to be hypocritical with them. I can't do it."
"As the saying goes, it is better to take the straight path than to seek the crooked path. The dean was right. Xu Xueguan is a principled man."
Zeng Lao showed admiration on his face, "Just now I said that Xu Xueguan would not stay in Tianshen Academy for long, not because I wanted to drive you away, but because I was concerned about your safety.
After all, you have offended the seven great families too severely, and it is inevitable that some people will retaliate."
Xu Chunniang remained silent. She had not expected that the infiltration and control of the human race by these aristocratic families would be so deep. Even the Heavenly God Academy with Mahayana monks in charge was no exception.
With her cultivation level at the Spirit Transformation Stage, she broke through three levels in a row and became a local-level academic official at the Spirit Transformation Academy, which already put her at the center of attention.
And this time, he directly stepped on the faces of the seven major families. How could he not retaliate
If she had to do it all over again, she would do it again.
"I understand, but I don't regret what I did today."
"In fact, after you passed the test of the double illusion array, the headmaster has always valued you. However, due to the seven great families, she couldn't do too much in public."
Zeng Lao said with a look of regret in his eyes, "Too many people are watching you, even if the headmaster wants to help you, he has to think twice.
Now that you have been in such a mess with the seven great families, it is inevitable that you will leave the academy, but before you leave, the dean asked me to give you an opportunity."