The Seventh Elder paid no mind, continuing his assault on Lu Fan, and Lu Fan’s powerful sword intent instantly collided with him.
Boom…
A massive sound erupted, sending the Seventh Elder flying back, his face ashen with extreme displeasure. He never would have imagined that Lu Fan could unleash such power, repelling a peak Spirit King realm expert.
Sensing the spiritual energy within the Tai Xu Sword, Lu Fan shouted, "Old Man Hong Meng, don't use your spiritual sense! You'll vanish into nothingness if you do!"
"Don't you worry about me, young one. Since I'm counting on you, how could I stand by and watch you die?" Old Man Hong Meng smiled, his face turning pale. With that single blow, he had expended much of his spiritual sense. If it happened again, it would lead to endless trouble.
Lu Fan was filled with gratitude, but he did not wish for Old Man Hong Meng to deplete his spiritual sense for him. Once spiritual sense was depleted, it could never be recovered.
"How do you possess such strength!"
The Seventh Elder's face was ashen, his gaze fixed on Lu Fan. "This is impossible! You are merely a Great Spirit Master; how could you possibly repel me!"
"Old cur, don't push your luck!" Lu Fan said coldly. "There are always those stronger than you, and skies beyond the skies. You are not necessarily the strongest. Since you insist on a fight to the death today, I will make you pay."
The Seventh Elder froze, daring not to be negligent. Lu Fan's bold declaration was enough to show that he held no fear.
"Master, kill him! We absolutely cannot leave him as a future threat!" Wan Hai spoke up. "His talent is extraordinary, and he is also an alchemist. If you allow him to grow, he will surely seek revenge in the future, and by then, even you might not be able to handle him."
The Seventh Elder stood rooted, fully aware of this. However, Lu Fan's sudden burst of combat power made him hesitant, like a man afraid of breaking a vessel by throwing stones at it. At the very least, if he hadn’t reacted just then, he would have been in grave danger.
"With my spiritual sense, I can kill him!" Old Man Hong Meng's voice sounded. "However, when my spiritual sense is exhausted, I too shall turn to dust."
"No, absolutely not!" Lu Fan shook his head, retracting the Tai Xu Sword simultaneously. Even if he were to die, he would never allow Old Man Hong Meng to be harmed. After all, since Old Man Hong Meng had taken refuge within the Tai Xu Sword, Lu Fan had gained so much that he already considered him a mentor, and would never use him as a shield.
Seeing Lu Fan sheathe the Tai Xu Sword, the Seventh Elder instantly seized the opportunity. He lunged forward again, kicking towards Lu Fan. He had held back earlier out of apprehension for the Tai Xu Sword in Lu Fan's hand. Now that Lu Fan had voluntarily sheathed his sword, how could he miss this chance?
Boom…
With a loud bang, the Seventh Elder was sent flying back again, his face turning ashen. Just as he was about to speak and question, he found an old man appearing before him, looking like an immortal, certainly not an ordinary person.
"Dean!" the Seventh Elder exclaimed, glancing at Bi Yao. Other than Bi Yao, no one else could have easily summoned the Dean.
"Seventh Elder, what is going on here?" the Dean asked. "You must understand that as an elder of the academy, you have committed a grave offense by arbitrarily attacking a student!"
"Dean, I don't like hearing that!" the Seventh Elder stated frankly. "You must know that he provoked the elder first. How can a disciple who disrespects his elders be worthy of being in North Sea Academy!"
"I have a general understanding of the cause and effect of this matter. With an elder being so protective, how can other disciples conduct themselves?" the Dean said coldly. "If you believe that being an elder allows you to do as you please, then North Sea Academy will descend into chaos in the future!"
The Seventh Elder frowned, filled with dissatisfaction, but he dared not say much more. The Dean's imposing presence was enough to awe him, and not something he could casually refute.
"Master, it’s a good thing you arrived in time. Otherwise, people would gossip about us, saying our academy disregards rules and that elders bully students. If this were to spread, what would become of the academy's reputation?" Bi Yao added fuel to the fire.
The Dean frowned, also releasing his displeasure. In fact, this wasn't the first time such a thing had happened, and he was quite unhappy with the Seventh Elder's behavior.
"As things stand, I have nothing more to say!" the Seventh Elder declared. "However, this brat is indeed not to be trifled with. He must have something on him, otherwise, with his Great Spirit Master strength, how could he withstand my powerful strike."
"This matter is of great importance. Seventh Elder, for violating the academy's will, you will face confinement for three months!" the Dean said coldly.
"Dean, I am an elder of North Sea Academy." The Seventh Elder frowned. No matter what, he was an elder, so how could he be treated this way?
"Even if I make a mistake, I must still be punished," the Dean stated directly. "If you are unwilling, then consider my words unsaid, but from this moment on, you will no longer be an elder of North Sea Academy."
"Are you intending to expel me from North Sea Academy, Dean?" the Seventh Elder's expression stiffened.
"You have repeatedly violated the academy's rules, and I have warned you many times," the Dean said coldly. "Your continued insistence will only tarnish the academy's reputation. You must understand that North Sea Academy cannot withstand such turmoil."
The Seventh Elder’s anger surged, filled with great dissatisfaction, but he dared not retort. As an elder of North Sea Academy, he at least received the academy's protection. Without the academy as his backing, even if he were a peak Spirit King, he would be insignificant in the entire Spirit Realm.
Helpless, the Seventh Elder could only swallow his pride, turn, and leave. Wan Hai quickly followed him.
Bi Yao came to Lu Fan's side. Seeing the bloodshot look in Lu Fan's eyes, she felt a hint of guilt. "It's all my fault. If I hadn't arrived so late, you wouldn't have faced such danger."
"This has nothing to do with Senior Sister Bi Yao. Thank you for your assistance, Senior Sister Bi Yao," Lu Fan said indifferently, stepping into North Sea Academy. His resentment towards the Seventh Elder was palpable.
Old Man Hong Meng had become quite weak from helping him, making Lu Fan feel ashamed and uneasy.
Seeing Lu Fan simply leave, the Dean stood by, looking somewhat awkward. He was, after all, the Dean of North Sea Academy, and he had saved Lu Fan, yet Lu Fan showed no sign of acknowledgment.
"Ahem, Master, please don't mind, Junior Disciple Lu is just like that!" Bi Yao said.
"I naturally won't mind!" the Dean shook his head. "But speaking of which, this young man is quite good. He fears neither the powerful nor anyone else!"
"Of course. How could someone who has entered my heart be ordinary?" Bi Yao nodded slightly.
At this moment, the Dean also felt a bit helpless. He had at least made an effort, but Lu Fan did not appreciate it.