Chapter 71: President of the Spiritual Martial Association

Seeing everyone staring at him, their eyes filled with an almost feverish fascination for the Taiji Diagram treasure, Xiang Nan knew there was no way to conceal it. He had hoped to quietly amass wealth, to play the fool and catch others off guard, but an astonishing display inevitably attracts attention—when a tree grows tall, it catches the wind.

It must be understood that in this world, cultivation can regress to one's ancestral roots, martial arts may be inherited, but treasures are exceedingly rare. Only cultivators of the fourth tier and above, who inherit the ancestral art of refining, can seek out rare spiritual materials from the land, forge and temper them countless times, and finally create weapons imbued with the power of spells. Even more formidable treasures usually require the concerted efforts of several fourth-tier cultivators, and can barely be called treasures if they bear powers or spells above the third tier.

The legendary treasures that truly possess immortal powers have long vanished into history. As for innate treasures like the Taiji Diagram, they are unheard of.

In the video, the moment Xiang Nan unleashed the Taiji Diagram, the Evil God of Fire Clouds was instantly obliterated. The mighty divine power of the Taiji Diagram radiated outward, and all within its sphere were awed into silence. Only a powerful innate treasure could achieve such a feat.

Thus, his classmates were both astonished and envious. An event of such magnitude, coupled with the vivid evidence of the video, quickly spread across the campus. Within moments, the spacious classroom was packed tight, leaving no room to move.

Countless students—and even teachers who had seen the video—came to witness Xiang Nan's presence, and naturally, to see with their own eyes the treasure that had slain the Evil God of Fire Clouds.

"Xiang Nan, bring out your treasure and let us all marvel at it!"

"We're classmates, you can't be that stingy. Don't worry, we'll just look—we won't try to take it from you."

"Come on, as if you could snatch it anyway! Who is Brother Nan? The one who smashed the test machine with a single punch. You really think he'd be afraid of you?"

"Honestly, I've never seen a real treasure in my life. I really want to see it up close!"

...

Surrounded by the crowd, everyone tried every trick in the book to persuade Xiang Nan to reveal the treasure. Xiang Nan, vexed, gave a devilish smile. "You've all seen what my treasure can do. I can show it, but I'm afraid you might not be able to handle it. Even the Evil God of Fire Clouds couldn't withstand its power."

At his words, the students at the front instinctively took a few steps back, fearing injury from the formidable treasure.

Just then, a teacher shouted from the outer circle, "Xiang Nan, Principal Sun wants to see you in his office. He has something to discuss."

As for what business, Xiang Nan knew well—it certainly had to do with the treasure.

Sure enough, upon entering the principal’s office, Sun Liren got straight to the point.

"Xiang Nan, I hear you've acquired a treasure?"

"A treasure? It's just an ordinary weapon, hardly deserving the name," Xiang Nan replied coolly.

"An ordinary weapon killed the fourth-tier master, Evil God of Fire Clouds?" Sun Liren countered, clearly unconvinced.

"It's not exactly ordinary. Strictly speaking, it's a hidden weapon with a mechanism. It attacks by surprise—the Evil God of Fire Clouds died because he fell for my hidden weapon."

With that, Xiang Nan took a spindle from his storage space and handed it to Principal Sun Liren. He had begged Su Yao to craft this hidden weapon overnight—the shape resembled the Taiji Diagram, but it was an actual hidden device, loaded with Su Yao's special Thunder Orbs.

Xiang Nan knew the Taiji Diagram would eventually be discovered, so he had prepared a counterfeit in advance, just in case. Who knew it would come in handy so soon?

Sun Liren examined the spindle, his expression unreadable.

"This hidden weapon is certainly ingenious, but it's far from enough to kill the Evil God of Fire Clouds." He paused, then added, "Yesterday afternoon, there was another anomaly in the world. If you managed to slay the Evil God with the help of that phenomenon, then perhaps it isn't impossible."

He finished, looking thoughtfully at Xiang Nan.

Xiang Nan was momentarily confused, but instantly understood. This principal was unfathomable—he didn't believe Xiang Nan's story, but chose not to expose him. Instead, he subtly reminded him that if questioned further, he could attribute it to the anomaly.

"Your insight is remarkable, Principal. To be honest, at that moment, a blue light suddenly burst forth in the world—I was as bewildered as anyone. Defeating the Evil God was pure luck. Maybe his character was lacking, his murderous acts too many, and Heaven's wrath was stirred, which summoned the anomaly."

Xiang Nan decided to follow the principal’s lead, continuing his earnest nonsense.

Sun Liren chuckled, patting Xiang Nan on the shoulder. "You truly are fortunate. Surviving calamity means blessings lie ahead. I hope you can carry that luck forward."

"Absolutely," Xiang Nan replied with a bright smile, at last feeling relieved. Principal Sun was the leading figure in the Kyoto Spirit Martial Academy—if he demanded the treasure, Xiang Nan would have a hard time refusing. Fortunately, he seemed above such petty interests. A principal of true integrity!

"Principal, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Xiang Nan said, uncomfortable with the solemn atmosphere.

"Alright, you may go." Sun Liren handed back the spindle, adding, "If you encounter any trouble in the future, feel free to come to me."

"Got it!" Xiang Nan agreed, preparing to leave the office. In his heart, he thought: With a treasure like the Taiji Diagram, I can handle any trouble.

Little did he know, trouble was just outside the door.

Several men in suits, tall and imposing, entered. The leader, about fifty, his hair graying, radiated a powerful aura. His face was severe, eyes sharp and penetrating. When his gaze swept over Xiang Nan, it sent a chill through him.

"Principal Sun, greetings! We're from the Kyoto Spirit Martial Association. This is our President, Mr. Kang Jiacheng," one man said, indicating the gray-haired elder as he introduced him.

"So this is Elder Kang—it's an honor!" Sun Liren stood to greet them politely.

Kang Jiacheng exchanged a few pleasantries, engaging in the customary mutual flattery.

Xiang Nan had no interest and continued toward the door, only to find himself blocked by the association members.

"Xiang Nan, where are you off to? We're here for you."

Xiang Nan paused, a sense of foreboding stirring within him.

The smile on Sun Liren's face faded as well.

"Elder Kang, what is the meaning of this?" Sun Liren asked.

"Principal Sun, why feign ignorance? Do you not know how the Evil God of Fire Clouds died?" Kang Jiacheng replied with a cool smile, settling into a nearby sofa.

"It's true the Evil God died at my student's hands—but what does that have to do with the Spirit Martial Association?"

"What does it have to do with us? Surely you've seen the video, Principal Sun? The one who killed the Evil God wasn't your student, but a powerful treasure!"

Kang Jiacheng seemed impatient with Sun Liren's feigned ignorance, his expression growing darker.