The explosion of the nine assessment stones was something completely inconceivable. These stones were genuine saint-grade items. Not even sovereign weapons could deal any kind of damage to them, yet they had all been destroyed just like that. Everyone blanked out, not knowing what to think of it. Not far away, Xiang Shaoyun got back on his feet. He had not suffered many injuries, as if the explosion wasn't as scary as it had seemed.

He couldn't help but to curse, "What damnable stones are these? Why are they exploding suddenly? Are they trying to kill me? This young master was nearly killed! I need to demand justice from the academy! I need them to compensate me for the damage my body and soul has suffered! I can't let this rest!"

The young geniuses near him were able to remain standing even in the face of the sudden explosion, but they all staggered at what he said. They had seen a lot of shameless people, but they had never seen one so shameless before. He actually dared to utter such shameless words? Where had he gotten such guts?

The nine stones were incredibly valuable. The destruction of any one of them would cause the academy elders immense pain. Yet this kid still demanded compensation? He was truly someone who did not know the immensity of heaven and earth! The overseers and young geniuses that were badly implicated by the explosion wanted to get up and shout at Xiang Shaoyun, but they couldn't even get back on their feet.

The explosion wasn't fatal, but it had still injured them heavily. If they weren't given immediate treatment, it was unlikely for them to survive. Liu Xutian was the first to react, "Quickly! Treat them before we do anything else!"

At his command, people rushed over to help the injured overseers and disciples.

As for Feng Huosuo, he jumped out and shouted at Xiang Shaoyun, "You're dead! You have actually destroyed the academy's assessment stones? These are saint-grade stones! Not even your life is enough to pay for them! I suggest you save us the trouble and cripple yourself!"

As he said that, he erupted with a massive pressure that wrapped around Xiang Shaoyun. As an elder of the Dragon Phoenix Academy, there was no doubt that Feng Huosuo was an expert of massive strength. The spiritual pressure he unleashed was completely beyond the pressure exerted by the stairs. Even with the help of his Nether Soul Domain, Xiang Shaoyun could still feel the invasion of a certain will into his mind.

Fortunately, he still had the protection of the Nether Dragon Soul Headband. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to resist the invading will.

"Are you an elder of the academy? How unreasonable are you being? The stones have obviously exploded by themselves! What? Are you trying to say that a puny King like me has destroyed them? All nine stones have exploded, yet I wasn't anywhere near the other eight stones! It is obvious those stones were inferior products! They even nearly killed me! Look, my expensive clothes have been turned into rags! Also, look at my handsome and lovable face! It's bleeding! And yet you have the galls to criticize me? Are you crazy? Or are you simply deciding on the life of a disciple in accordance to your whims just because you're an elder?" Xiang Shaoyun shouted back unrelentingly.

Since the other party was obviously trying to make things hard for him, there was no need for him to hold back.

When Xiang Shaoyun was done speaking, Xiao Wei clapped and said, "That's right. Well said! The only thing some people are good for is bullying the young. Thank you, Feng Huosuo, for broadening my horizons with your shamelessness."

"What are you trying to say, Xiao Wei? Don't you know the value of these assessment stones?" Feng Huosuo questioned.

"Of course I know, but I also know that Xiang Shaoyun is worth more than these stones. To be precise, Xiang Shaoyun is invaluable!" said Xiao Wei firmly.

"Fine, fine. I don't care anymore. Do whatever you want," said Feng Huosuo when he noticed that the other elders were all looking at him with a look of amusement. It caused his face to flush red. After saying what he had to say, he quickly left.

His initial plan was to cripple Xiang Shaoyun when nobody was paying attention. He had not expected that Xiang Shaoyun was actually able to resist his spiritual pressure. Since that was a case, he had no choice but to give up. If he made another move, the other elders would probably gang up on him. After all, a freak this talented was too rare. The academy would definitely nurture him like a hidden treasure and would not allow him to suffer any harm.

At this time, Xiao Wei arrived beside Xiang Shaoyun and patted his shoulder before saying, "Well done! You're an excellent recruit! I like you!"

Xiang Shaoyun quickly dodged to the side and looked at Xiao Wei cautiously as he said, "I am not interested in men. Forget it. I would rather die than submit!"

Some of the disciples couldn't hold their laughter in when they heard his words.

Xiao Wei's face turned ghastly as he said, "I say, kid, can your brain not be so dirty? The like I said is not that kind of like. It's a different kind of like. Do you understand?"

Xiang Shaoyun rubbed his nose and said, "What kind of like? You're confusing me."

Xiao Wei was about to say something else when a voice rang out, "Elders, heed my command. The assessment will be put on pause. Settle all the new disciples. Bring the child that triggered the nine-star phenomenon to the meeting hall."

"Yes," the elders did not dare to disobey the owner of that voice. They bowed and started doing as told.

There were more than 10 disciples who had yet to take their assessment, but they no longer needed to do so. In any case, they were all special-recruits that would be core disciples. They wouldn't suffer much losses by not taking the assessment.

"Xiao Wei, bring Xiang Shaoyun to the meeting hall," said Liu Xutian.

Liu Xutian wanted to personally lead Xiang Shaoyun over, but Xiang Shaoyun was after all one of Xiao Wei's recruits. It wouldn't be proper to snatch this contribution from Xiao Wei.

"Come with me, Xiang Shaoyun. I'll take you to the meeting hall," said Xiao Wei with a nod. He then grabbed Xiang Shaoyun's hand and flew toward the meeting hall. The remaining disciples had a look of envy as they gazed at Xiang Shaoyun departing.

"Xiang Shaoyun is going to reach the top with a single step. Looks like in the future, we will need to fawn on him whenever we see him."

"That's right. It's best we check his origins. If we can befriend him, it will only benefit us."

"I remember he came with a few friends. Let's start befriending his friends first. That should be easier."

"Stop dreaming. A person at his level is not someone anyone can befriend. You're better off focusing on your own cultivation."

"That's right. A true cultivator relies not only on talent, but on one's unrelenting will. Only then can one stand at the peak of cultivation. My accomplishments in cultivation won't necessarily be worse than his in the future."