Chapter 168: Tianxing Academy
In Almo Mountain, excitement and tension filled the Breaking and Defense Clans. After more than half a year of construction, the Almo Mountain base, Monet City, and even the academy at the mountain's base were complete. Extensive herb fields were also established around the mountain's base, ensuring future growth and wealth for the Breaking Clan.
Unexpectedly, Dugu Bo joined them, bringing his son Dugu Xin and several family members to settle in Almo Mountain, becoming the third clan to join the community. Additionally, due to Ye Lingling's presence, her grandfather, Ye Renxin, had sent a portion of the Nine Hearts Clan, including a powerful healing Spirit Sage, to support the clans and fill in skill gaps.
Most small sects around Almo Mountain were incorporated as outer sects of the Breaking Clan. These sects were small, some with just a few members, and they either became outer disciples or took on roles as instructors at the academy.
In the Breaking Clan's conference room, core members gathered with solemn expressions. Yang Potian had just presented a surprising, unprecedented plan.
According to Yang Potian's proposal, while each clan could handle its own internal affairs, they would present a unified front to outsiders under the name of the academy. This meant shifting the clans' focus toward the academy's development.
Yang Potian suggested the academy be named Tianxing Academy, comprising an inner and an outer division. Any youth in the territory with awakened spirit power would be enrolled. Ordinary students would train in the outer division, where those with loyalty or exceptional talent could be selected for the inner academy.
The teaching roles in both divisions would be filled by spirit masters from each clan, who would raise disciples from a young age. The only drawback was that over time, people might recognize the academy more than the individual clans.
A heavy silence filled the conference room as each elder weighed the long-term impact of this plan on the clan's future.
Yang Wudi finally spoke, his expression serious. "Potian, have you truly thought this through? Establishing an academy could cause the Breaking Clan's legacy to fade over time. There could be unforeseen challenges in the future."
Yang Potian nodded. "I've thought this through carefully. A single-spirit clan will struggle to last through the ages."
"For nearly a thousand years, the Clear Sky Clan, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan have flourished, each capitalizing on unique advantages. Even the Clear Sky Clan, known for its legendary Clear Sky Hammer spirit, couldn't prevent its own decline, despite Tang Chen's tremendous strength. A large-scale spirit master war could wipe them out."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has done well with an auxiliary martial spirit, but without Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, it risks becoming easy prey."
"By building this academy, we can attract diverse, powerful students. Even if a thousand years from now, the Breaking Clan is no longer leading, the academy can continue, ensuring our heritage lives on."
"We also face challenges in decision-making among our clans. Today, the Breaking, Defense, and Jade Phosphor Clans share a strong bond, but in times of conflict, who decides? Right now, our Titled Douluo provide stability. But what if, someday, we lack that power?"
"With the academy as a central structure, we can coordinate to protect all three clans. As long as we have a single Titled Douluo, our lineage remains safe."
"We may welcome new families in the future, too, further strengthening the academy, especially as we prepare for possible upheavals ahead."
"Finally, the elemental academies are ancient institutions that remain stable without even a Titled Douluo, showing how lasting such an establishment can be."
Yang Wudi seemed conflicted. "The Breaking Clan has endured for hundreds of years. I'd hate to see it disappear."
Yang Potian reassured him, "Grandfather, this path will allow us to thrive. Don't forget the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record and Mysterious Heaven Skill we have."
"I've decided that only the core disciples of our clan will be taught the original Mysterious Heaven Skill. Once each of us here has memorized it, I'll destroy the original copies. Only core disciples will learn it orally. For others, I've prepared a simplified version—better than the abridged one circulating publicly—without any flaws or missing parts. It's easier to train in, though it's limited to five levels. The final four levels require approval from clan leaders."
The room grew silent once more, each elder contemplating whether this plan would benefit their clan.
Yang Wudi turned to Niu Gao and Dugu Bo. "Old Rhino, Old Poison, what do you think?"
Niu Gao sighed. "I've long felt conflicted, Old Goat. The Breaking Clan's growth has been astounding. You have three Titled Douluo even without Jinfeng's count, and Potian, Ping'an, and Tianyue all have the potential to reach that level."
"If it weren't for our close relationship and Potian's position as Almo Mountain's owner, I'd be hesitant to come here. Over time, I feared our Defense Clan might be absorbed into the Breaking Clan."
"Today, Potian's plan gives the Defense Clan a lasting hope for survival. As he said, the academy allows each clan to grow independently, making decisions together in times of need. Even if we aren't around, this structure would ensure our lineage continues."
"We've both served the Clear Sky Clan for years, witnessing countless clans and martial spirits vanish. If the Defense Clan's Armored Giant Rhinoceros can endure for thousands of years, that would be our greatest achievement."
"Let's be realistic, Old Goat. Our Armored Giant Rhinoceros and Breaking Spear are not on par with the Clear Sky Hammer or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. As our martial spirits stand, our clans would struggle to last a millennium."
"I support Potian's plan. Establishing the academy, presenting a unified front to the outside world, while allowing each family autonomy within."
All eyes turned to Dugu Bo, who shrugged. "What are you looking at me for? The Jade Phosphor Clan is small. All I care about is its survival. While you two plan for the next millennium, I just want more descendants to carry on the Jade Phosphor Serpent bloodline."
Yang Wudi and Niu Gao couldn't help but exchange a bemused look. Dugu Bo had argued against conforming to the academy's rules just moments ago, yet now seemed fully on board.
Yang Wudi asked, "Potian, how do you envision managing the academy?"
Yang Potian outlined his plan. "Each of our four clans will have a clan leader, responsible for internal affairs. Of these leaders, one will serve as the academy's principal, with the others as vice principals. Major decisions will be made through a vote, with the principal's vote counting as two and each vice principal's as one. A minimum of three votes is required for major decisions, and interference in other clans' affairs will be prohibited. Other Titled Douluo can act as academy elders."
"The principal's role will rotate among the four clans on a term-based schedule."
"I'll draft a code of conduct for the academy, which everyone must follow. Our guiding principles will be equality among the clans, low-profile development, and avoiding unnecessary conflict."
"The Breaking Clan will handle herb fields and medicinal production, generating income for the academy and contributing a fixed percentage each year. The Defense Clan will manage security and patrols, including Monet City. The Jade Phosphor Clan will enforce academy rules and discipline, while the Nine Hearts Clan will provide logistical and medical support."
Everyone agreed to these roles, and the discussion shifted to specific details that didn't require Yang Potian's involvement.
Yang Potian, after thorough consideration, finalized a draft of the academy's code and shared it with the group for review.
Over the following days, news of the academy's founding spread through the clans, met with mixed reactions. Some found the shift difficult to accept, though each clan's leader held enough respect to rally their families around the decision.
The Nine Hearts Clan had the most difficulty due to their small numbers, their strongest member being a Level 72 healing Spirit Sage. However, Ye Lingling made the final decision as the next clan head, having inherited the Nine Hearts Begonia martial spirit.
During this time, Yang Potian also taught the full version of Mysterious Heaven Skill to selected individuals, including Yang Ping'an, Yang Tianyue, Niu Meng, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling. For other disciples, he prepared a slightly enhanced version—better than the one released publicly but limited to five levels. The remaining four levels required clan leader approval, and the full version would be passed down orally only to future clan leaders.
Strict guidelines were established, forbidding the external dissemination of the technique. Violators would be severely punished under clan rules.
With everything in place, everyone turned their focus back to training and advancing their spirit power.
(End of Chapter)