The Divine Urban Physician

Chapter 4278: Chapter 4278: Lurking in the Darkness (Second Update)

The only difference is that this is the true Underground City, where sunlight is unseen and only the endless flames of day and night are visible.

"Oh my god, is this the world of Yuantian Academy?"

Li Qingmo curiously looked around, momentarily thinking he had arrived in some large city.

Ye Chen was also curious, observing his surroundings, pondering who exactly was operating the Underground City, and who the person behind Yuantian Academy was.

"Follow me, I’ll take you to Yuantian Academy."

Qin Tianyu was full of spirit; he was clearly familiar with the place, having been here before, and now led Ye Chen and Li Qingmo toward the center of the Underground City.

A colossal academy towered in the bustling center of the Underground City.

Two real lions crouched at either side of the majestic gate, faintly roaring, exuding a domineering presence.

A huge plaque hung above the entrance, inscribed with three characters: "Yuantian Academy!"

"So Yuantian Academy is here."

Ye Chen widened his eyes, entering with Li Qingmo, following Qin Tianyu inside.

The first thing Ye Chen saw was a square.

This square was arranged exactly like the desolate one outside, with a statue of the Samsara Master placed prominently.

Scanning the surroundings, the entire layout of Yuantian Academy was similar to the exterior.

However, the external Yuantian Academy had become ruins.

In contrast, this Yuantian Academy was teeming with vitality, with countless disciples wearing academy robes walking around, talking and laughing.

Some people in the grassy woodlands were silently cultivating.

This Yuantian Academy was built in the Underworld, closer to the Earth Vein, making the spiritual energy extremely abundant.

"Yuantian Academy’s recruitment is today. Every hundred years, the academy issues one hundred jade pendants, selecting the three most talented among these people to join, setting very harsh conditions."

Mid-conversation, Qin Tianyu pulled out a jade pendant from his pocket, inscribed with the character "source."

"Recruitment jade pendant? We don’t have this thing."

Ye Chen’s face darkened; he was unaware of Yuantian Academy’s rules.

His plan was to meet the academy’s top brass directly and reclaim opportunities lost in his previous life.

But now, it seemed that without passing the recruitment assessment, he wouldn’t even qualify to set foot in Yuantian Academy.

"I knew you didn’t have it; come with me. I know Yuantian Academy’s sage-like old man, and he has extra recruitment jade pendants he can give you."

Qin Tianyu grinned broadly, seeming enthusiastic.

But in the next instant, he winked and said with a smile, "However, if I give you the recruitment jade pendants, you’ll need to exchange something for them: Hongmeng Treasure, Nine-grade Emperor Artifact, Primordial Origin Artifact, or High-grade Elixir, as long as it’s valuable enough."

"As long as I can get the jade pendants, I’ll give you adequate compensation."

Ye Chen understood that there is no free lunch; if Qin Tianyu could indeed acquire the recruitment jade pendants for him, he wouldn’t mind offering some compensation.

"Alright, straightforward."

Qin Tianyu was greatly pleased and promptly led Ye Chen and Li Qingmo into Yuantian Academy.

"Good day, Young Master Qin."

"Young Master Qin, how have you been?"

On the way, many students greeted Qin Tianyu.

It was clear that Qin Tianyu held a high status within Yuantian Academy.

The surrounding students assumed Ye Chen and Li Qingmo were Qin Tianyu’s servants and paid them no heed.

Not long after, Qin Tianyu led Ye Chen and his companion to an ancient pavilion.

"The sage-like old man lives here."

Qin Tianyu spoke, approaching the pavilion entrance.

"Good day, Young Master Qin."

The maid guarding the pavilion bowed slightly, greeting him.

"Hmm, is the sage-like old man here?"

Qin Tianyu nodded and asked.

The maid replied, "I apologize, Young Master Qin; the sage-like old man has gone to the Illusion Moon Mountain Range and has yet to return."

"Illusion Moon Mountain Range? Is the sage-like old man searching for the Gengjin Rune?"

Qin Tianyu was shocked; the Illusion Moon Mountain Range near Yuantian Academy was an extremely mysterious range, rumored to hold the Gengjin Rune.

For years, Yuantian Academy had searched for it, yet the Gengjin Rune was hidden extremely well, and its traces remained undiscovered.

Moreover, it was said that the guardian beast of the Gengjin Rune, named the Golden Lion, was incredibly fierce, and anyone lucky enough to find the Gengjin Rune might be killed by the Golden Lion, making it impossible to seize the rune.

The maid said, "I don’t know either; the sage-like old man will return in a few days, Young Master Qin. You can inquire then. The recruitment assessment is about to start; don’t be late."

Qin Tianyu acknowledged with an "oh," furrowing his brows, then returned to Ye Chen and Li Qingmo.

"How is it?"

Ye Chen furrowed his brows, having overheard Qin Tianyu’s conversation with the maid.

Qin Tianyu shook his head with a wry smile, saying, "Little Brother Ye, sorry, the sage-like old man is away; I don’t have extra recruitment jade pendants for you."

"I see..."

Ye Chen rubbed his chin, pondering for a moment, then said, "Brother Qin, when the sage-like old man returns, I would like to meet him. Can you introduce me?"

Ye Chen wanted a face-to-face meeting with the academy’s top brass to reclaim leadership.

Given that this academy was founded by the Samsara Master, Yuantian Academy’s top brass should recognize him.

"That’s no problem, Little Brother Ye. What do you want to see my father... cough, I mean the sage-like old man for?"

Qin Tianyu curiously asked, seemingly unintentionally revealing something.

Ye Chen’s ears perked up, pretending not to hear, and said, "Nothing much, just have some questions."

It seemed that Qin Tianyu was the son of Yuantian Academy’s sage-like old man, though due to certain reasons, this wasn’t fully revealed.

Clang—

At that moment, a resonant bell echoed from the depths of Yuantian Academy.

"The recruitment assessment is about to begin! Let’s go, Little Brother Ye; I’ll show you around!"

Qin Tianyu’s eyes lit up and he strode forward.

Ye Chen thought for a moment, then followed with Li Qingmo in tow.

Although he didn’t have a jade pendant and wouldn’t qualify for the assessment, it would be worthwhile to gain some insight.

"Oh, isn’t this Young Master Qin?"

The trio walked and ran into several young men head-on.

The leader wore a Dragonslayer Sword at his waist, though it remained sheathed, and yet a dense Heavenly Weapon Killing Aura suffused and erupted from it, seeming to seize one’s Life Soul.

It was actually one of the Ten Great Primordial Weapons, the Tai Chu Life-taking Sword!

Ye Chen’s pupils narrowed; he hadn’t expected this person to possess a Source Weapon, clearly not an ordinary individual.

"Qin Wufeng, it’s you."

Qin Tianyu’s face darkened, immediately becoming guarded, and he whispered to Ye Chen:

"This person is the deputy dean’s son, named Qin Wufeng, from the same family as me. But I’m an illegitimate child, and he’s always looked down on me."

Hearing this, Ye Chen understood, nodding slightly.

Both Qin Tianyu and Qin Wufeng were at the Qiankun Realm Peak, their levels of cultivation comparable.

However, Qin Wufeng wielded the Great Origin Weapon; in a fight, Qin Tianyu might not be his match.

"Qin Tianyu, do you also want to partake in the academy selection?"

Qin Wufeng pressed his right hand against the sword hilt, his gaze slightly tinged with killing intent.