After returning to the Celestial Academy, Xi Shen and the group made their way to their courtyard.
At the entrance, Bai Xiaofung could be seen waiting patiently.
Seeing Xi Shen approaching he smiled.
Xi Shen came up to Bai Xiaofung and said, “Brother Fung, what brings you here? Is it that you brought what I requested?”
While Xi Shen paused, the group entered the courtyard and Bai Xiaofung couldn’t help but realize an unfamiliar Jun as they walked by.
Though he only take note of him, before he replied to Xi Shen, “Yes brother Shen, my father, and the elders were really grateful. They understand your intentions and have written and signed a blood contract.”
Bai Xiaofung pull out a rolled-up parchment and handed it to Xi Shen.
“If brother Shen has any objections, then you can make the necessary changes.”
“Oh? You father and the Elder of your Bai Clan trust me that much? With their Blood Imprint already on the contract aren’t they afraid I’ll do something malicious like adding an outrageous interest rate?”
“Haha…”
Bai Xiaofung laughed nervously.
“Brother Shen is not that type of person. Father and the Elders are showing their sincerity in this exchange, I hope brother Shen can do the same.”
Bai Xiaofung cupped his fists and bowed to Xi Shen.
After thinking for a moment, Xi Shen said in his heart, ‘Sincerity my but. They probably did something to this parchment so that if I try to screw them over they can erase it. There probably testing me to see what kind of person I am and whether my intentions by giving them these Spirit Stones are bad. They might be in a desperate position, but they are still one of the Seven Major Clans.’
After thinking up to here, Xi Shen read over the contract, and even though he found some things that were too beneficial to the Bai Clan when paying back this debt, he suck it up and without hesitation bit his finger before placing it next to the others.
With a bright blood red glow, the contract was officially reinforced, binding both parties to the agreements inside of it.
In the Bai Clan, within an underground chamber, Bai Luo along with several burly old men were staring at a piece of parchment floating above an altar, which was covered in a dreamy blue aura from the rune beneath it.
Suddenly, there was a change and the parchment started to give off a blood-red glow.
Seeing this one of the burly old men said, “He didn’t change anything. Even though the contract was mostly advantageous for us.”
“Hm, I at least thought this prince would change it to be better for him but to think he signed it like it was.” Another one of the burly old men said.
“Then does this mean our speculation that he was the one who stole the Divine Furnace was wrong?”
Asked a burly old man, as he turned to look at Bai Luo.
Even though they were a bit older and could be considered his senior, Bai Luo's authority in the Clan was absolute. This was simply for the fact that his cultivation was the highest within the Clan.
Without him, their Bai Clan would fall further behind, making even those Zhong Clan bastards stronger than them.
So they looked to him when big decisions are going to be made within the Clan.
Bai Luo thought for a moment and said, “We ultimately failed to have the marriage alliance with the Lin Clan. I too had thoughts of the suspecting this second prince, given that the existence of his Void Beasts matched the abilities of that puppet. But theirs is no doubt he has helped our Bai Clan by giving Xiao’er those Divine Fire Spirit Stones and his actions just now. It seems more like he values the friendship with Xiao’er and is thus willing to help our Bai Clan.”
“But couldn’t all of that just a ruse by him? Maybe it was him after all and that pill furnace is already in the Emperor’s hands.” An elder said bitterly.
“That seems unlikely. If the Emperor had known about our plans to ally with the Lin Clan and wanted to stop us he wouldn’t have sent his son to steal the pill furnace. In fact, he wouldn’t need to rely on such methods, he could simply come out and forced us to break off the marriage alliance.”
“His attitude towards the Crown should be taken into consideration as well. Even before it was found out he couldn’t cultivate, it was widely known of his and the first concubine’s unconcern in being involved in the power struggle of the Imperial Court and getting the throne from the Crown Prince. Instead, he would cause mischief within the Imperial Palace. I don’t believe such a person had a bone in him to come up with any schemes. He’s more of a weasel than anything.”
“Then what about him creating a Faction within the Celestial Academy and him becoming a Soul Cultivator? If what happened previously with the Crown Prince happens again, then what?”
“Harrumph, didn’t the reports mention him declaring the Faction will be independent of the Li Royal Family? What else could that be but him fooling around? Even the Ming Clan isn’t taking him seriously, I as well don’t believe this second prince is anything special.”
“The Ming Clan might not be worried because they're creating an Academy of their own. It’s obvious that Ghuanyu will slowly start making his Ming Academy the head while his greedy hands stretch into the Celestial Academy and the other institutes.”
“I don’t think the trashy second prince who can’t cultivate was the one who screwed us over.”
“I as well.”
“Me too, he’s just trash that we can exploit. Have Xiao’er get closer to him and foster a more friendly relationship. Eventually, we’ll be able to reap some benefits without siding with the Li Royal Family. That is the outcome we want.”
As the elders spoke their opinion on Xi Shen, the common consensus was that he was someone who wouldn’t make any waves in the future. He’ll eventually fade into obscurity, while his brother ascends to the throne.
Forming a relationship with him through Bai Xiaofung and leeching off of him was how their Bai Clan would get out of their current situation.
While this was taking place in the Bai Clan, Xi Shen after signing the contract said, “I assume this contract is meant for me to keep and there is a linked copy of it in your Bai Clan?”
Bai Xiaofung nodded his head with a rather excited expression on his face.
“Brother Shen before I leave, I want to thank you again for your generosity. We should meet up some time outside of the Academy, and allow me to show you some places that I enjoy visiting.”
“Hm, I look forward to that.”
Xi Shen smiled and responded as he sent Bai Xiaofung off.
He then turned to enter his courtyard and arranged for Jun to become an Inner Disciple with Ye Fei, but he suddenly felt his Sword Pavilion medallion tugging at his senses.
Taking out the white-colored jade medallion that had a golden sword at its center, he sent his perception inside to view the message.
“All Faction Leaders are to report to the Faction Hall for the mandatory yearly meeting, to discuss Academy Points and resources distribution. Absence without a valid reason will not be tolerated!!”
Xi Shen was taken aback by the message a bit.
‘Yearly meeting? With my Faction officially formed I became a Faction Leader, which means I gained a few responsibilities.’
As Xi Shen thought that, he entered his courtyard to change his attire and tell the others of his departure.
He then left his courtyard in his plain one-piece Sword Pavilion robes, and bare feet.
To make an effort to look presentable, his hair was made into a ponytail, albeit it was only a small effort since a few strands were loose.
“A Faction Leader gathering, that means Conclave Disciples will be there. I wonder how the elites of the Academy are?”
As Xi Shen mumbled to himself, Yang Su’s voice from behind suddenly echoed out, “Master, I’ll accompany you!”
Xi Shen didn’t turn around as he said, “That’s fine, I suppose I could bring attendants to the meeting.”
Yang Su appeared a step behind Xi Shen, and both master and disciple headed for the Faction Hall.
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