395 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

## Chapter 395: The Nascent Immortal Sect Arrives! As Zhou Guanqing swiftly reacted, it seemed like Master Hai recalled something as well. He quickly turned and followed suit. At that moment, Ye Linglong was inside the Still Water secret realm. Could it be that the members of the Nascent Immortal Sect received some kind of information and sent people to the Still Water secret realm? Qiu Zeyuan couldn't help but suspect. "The Still Water Prison, Ye Linglong must be in the Still Water Prison!!" The people around discussed loudly, and Taishi Yan heard them clearly. Upon hearing, she suddenly seemed to remember something and excitedly shouted to her father. Taishi Qing smirked coldly. "Principal Qiu truly is crafty, actually hiding someone there." Qiu Zeyuan's expression didn’t change as he blocked the door. "Sect Master Taishi, you are mistaken. The Still Water secret realm is a place of punishment for students who err at our academy. How can you say someone is being hidden there?" Taishi Qing snorted coldly, stepping forward. "Your academy's students have acted ruthlessly, destroying others' foundations. It's not something you can casually dismiss with mere punishment." "Indeed, Principal Qiu, there must be an explanation." The head of the Ming family chimed in, supporting the Nascent Immortal Sect all the way due to their close relationship. "Today, the Celestial Spirit Academy must give us an explanation!" Someone shouted from behind, causing the scene at the gate to become chaotic instantly. This time, the Nascent Immortal Sect had gathered many other forces, all eager to stir up trouble, seemingly enjoying the spectacle. The Celestial Spirit Academy holds a special status, boasting the best teachers and students, making many envious. Seeing the chance to knock it down a peg, they naturally wouldn’t pass it up. ... In the Still Water secret realm, the billowing dust had dispersed. Ye Linglong eagerly looked towards the direction of the formation, her heart sinking. She hadn’t felt any fluctuations. If the formation had been damaged, the surroundings would have undoubtedly fluctuated. Indeed, when the dust had completely settled, the formation appeared to continue operating methodically. Upon closer inspection, a purple light shimmered around the formation. That was a restriction. A restriction set by an expert of the Immortal Emperor level. Ye Linglong let out a bitter laugh. Still not enough? The solution was right before her eyes, yet her own strength was lacking. No, there was still a way. Ye Linglong's eyes filled with determination as she flicked her sword. With a clear sword sound, Qian Jun appeared by her side. "You can borrow my body and help me break this Nine Heavens Locking Spirit Array!" For a long time, Qian Jun didn’t move. Ye Linglong urged, "What are you waiting for?" "It’s useless. Even with my current power, I can’t break a restriction set by an Immortal Emperor." "But you're an artifact spirit!" "So what? An artifact’s power also depends on its wielder’s strength. The gap between you and an Immortal Emperor is too vast. You’d need at least the strength of an Immortal Lord, combined with mine, to break this restriction." Upon hearing this, Ye Linglong felt like a deflated balloon. She was discouraged. An Immortal Lord? Currently, she was only at the Golden Immortal stage, not even close to an Immortal King, let alone an Immortal Lord. "Dear disciple, dear disciple~" The voice reached her before its owner did. Zhou Guanqing's booming voice snapped Ye Linglong out of her thoughts. Looking back, she saw the secret realm open, and Zhou Guanqing appeared at the entrance. "What happened here? What caused such a commotion just now?" Instinctively, Ye Linglong glanced at the spot she had blasted a hole through earlier, surprised to find that the Still Water secret realm had restored itself. The formation was once again hidden. Ye Linglong could still see it, but Zhou Guanqing could not. Feeling both disappointed and relieved, she at least didn’t have to explain herself anymore. "Nothing, I was just experimenting to see if I could channel my immortal power," Ye Linglong explained vaguely. Zhou Guanqing frowned, sizing her up. Seeing her pale face and the trace of blood at the corner of her mouth, he couldn’t help but scold, "This Still Water secret realm strongly suppresses immortal power. Stay put and don’t attempt anything reckless." Although his words were reprimanding, Ye Linglong could hear the worry in his voice. Ye Linglong smiled but, before she could speak, Master Hai appeared behind her, urgency in his voice. "We must leave. Take refuge for the time being, away from the Celestial Spirit Academy." "What’s happened?" Zhou Guanqing asked, looking back. "I received a message. Members of the Nascent Immortal Sect are on their way here." "What about Qiu Zeyuan? Why didn’t he stop them?" "It's not about whether he stopped them. The Nascent Immortal Sect is vast and powerful. Combined with their longstanding alliance with the Ming family, even Celestial Spirit Academy should not confront them head-on." Being a Dan Master who regularly interacts with major families, Master Hai was more aware of the power dynamics than Zhou Guanqing. "Stop asking so much. While they’re not here yet, you need to leave. Otherwise, even Celestial Spirit Academy might not be able to protect you." Master Hai handed over several spatial rings. "These contain some celestial crystals and my other alchemy insights. Leave first." Zhou Guanqing, realizing the urgency, quickly handed over many things as well, along with his years of formation insights. "Dear disciple, it's your master's failing not being able to protect you. Lay low for now." Ye Linglong’s eyes became misty. She had not spent much time with the two of them, but their genuine care for her was undeniable. Especially Master Hai. ... "Father, the Still Water prison is just ahead. That wretched Ye Linglong must be there," Taishi Yan declared as her group arrived at the entrance to the Still Water secret realm. Taishi Qing glanced at Qiu Zeyuan, then led the group inside. Qiu Zeyuan didn’t enter, standing at the entrance watching the group file in. “Principal, is everything arranged?” a teacher from the academy whispered behind him. "They’re gone?" "They’re gone." "Alright, I understand. You may go," Qiu Zeyuan said, then fell silent, his gaze returning to the entrance as a smile slowly spread across his lips. Before long, Taishi Qing emerged with a sour expression, walking straight to Qiu Zeyuan's side. "Principal Qiu, you've played me! There’s no one inside." "When did I ever say someone was inside?" Qiu Zeyuan countered. Taishi Yan shrank back, saying nothing. Taishi Qing demanded, "Where are they? Today, your Celestial Spirit Academy must give the Nascent Immortal Sect an explanation!" "An explanation? What do you want!" Qiu Zeyuan laughed coldly, and suddenly, an imposing sword intent surged into the sky like an unsheathed treasure. "Taishi Qing, what do you take the Celestial Spirit Academy for!" Simultaneously, the teachers behind him stepped forward, their auras flaring powerfully. Taishi Qing bit his lip, shock filling his eyes. "You’ve… broken through."