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"Everyone..."

The dishes on the Shen Family’s table were exquisite, and although the atmosphere appeared lively, it was clear from the fact that no one had touched the food that the actual situation was quite tense.

After the Shen Family members had left for almost half an hour, the old Family Head, Shen Qingfeng, finally appeared with a group of Elders.

"We are already aware of the reasons for your visit. Please, move to the main hall, where the Shen Family will give everyone an explanation."

With these words, it was almost like laying the cards on the table; everyone put away their polite smiles, and Shen Yuan, standing behind Shen Qingfeng, waved his hand lightly, immediately shattering the Demon-sealing Array set by Director Du Kangnian.

Not only that, everyone could clearly see the energy from the broken Formation flow back to the young man of the Shen Family.

Being able to reclaim Art Energy, this technique... was truly a marvel of Heavenly Artisan!

Everyone... now desired even more the secrets held by Shen Dalang of the Shen Family. If the Shen Family couldn’t provide a satisfactory explanation today, no power would rest easy!

Although the inner hall of the Shen Family was usually strictly off-limits, it was still spacious enough to accommodate hundreds of guests without feeling cramped.

Director Du Kangnian sat at the head of the hall, looking unruffled, as if he harbored no psychological burden from having just lost to a junior.

"Everyone..." Shen Yuan stepped forward, positioning himself at the very front of the Shen Family, assuming the role of a representative. The crowd wasn’t surprised by this: Shen Yuan had demonstrated exceptional abilities, and with all the secrets of Jiangnan in his possession, he naturally had the credentials to speak for the Shen Family.

"I presume everyone is here for Jiangnan Academy, so let’s speak plainly," Shen Yuan said straightforwardly.

"Jiangnan has been open for several months now, with a steady flow of goods coming out. Undoubtedly, you have all inquired about Jiangnan’s situation and are aware of some issues concerning Jiangnan Academy.

Obviously... you all must want to obtain the magical techniques of Jiangnan Academy. .."

"My young friend speaks the truth," Director Du Kangnian was the first to respond with a smile. "Lord Chen established an academy in Lyuzhou, also called the Yin Yang Academy, and he has always declared his loyalty to the Imperial Court. Since both academies share a name, they should surely exchange and communicate to the fullest extent. Wasn’t the Yin Yang Academy founded with the intention of casting aside sectarian views and nurturing more magician talent? Now that Jiangnan has been unsealed, it’s time for both academies to attempt mutual supplementation and exchange. "

"Director Du speaks wisely," said Shen Yuan with a smile. "So, let me put it this way: if we are to exchange and supplement each other, what does Capital City Yin Yang Academy have to offer in exchange with Lyuzhou Academy?"

Suddenly, silence fell. To be honest, if they could, they would naturally prefer to take by force, but given the strength displayed by both Lord Chen and the young envoy, the prospects were daunting. A forceful approach could be costly.

"Since the young friend has spoken in this manner, Lord Chen must already have a plan, right?" Director Du Kangnian asked with a smile.

"Yes..." Shen Yuan nodded. "My Family Head shares Director Du’s idea of mutual supplementation. However, how exactly we supplement each other is key to the cooperation, for with unclear information on both sides, it’s challenging to negotiate an exchange due to differing valuations, don’t you think? "

This was also the reason why Lord Chen had asked him to demonstrate his prowess publicly.

Magicians from the Lyuzhou Academy were now fully recognized in Jiangnan, but to attain a similar status in the presence of traditional magician powers was tricky.

The best strategy was to let the younger generation from those powers come to the academy themselves.

Only after experiencing the value of Lyuzhou Academy’s techniques firsthand would they consider trading their own techniques for them!

And among the four grand Institutes of Heaven and Earth, only the Array Masters of Heavenly Institute were most prominently featured in terms of power.

He himself was the student at Heavenly Institute with the greatest command of minor arrays, and with the backing of the Shen Family in Capital City, he became the prime candidate for this mission.

"Shen Dalang speaks sensibly," Fourth Master Fang said with a smile. "Since Lord Chen sent you, he must already have a plan in mind, right?"

Shen Yuan nodded: "Lyuzhou Yin Yang Academy will open its channels for external recruitment at the beginning of next month, targeting the scions of Capital City’s aristocratic families.

The academy will provide the basic principles of Array theories, as well as mandatory knowledge in arithmetic, physics, and elemental astrology, among other fundamentals.

Regardless of the family, any scion who passes the assessment will be admitted to Lyuzhou Yin Yang Academy for further studies! "

"Just by passing the assessment, one can study at the academy?"

Everyone was taken aback, seemingly in disbelief.

"Yes!"

"Then..." Director Du Kangnian hastily asked, "What about the technique exchange you spoke of earlier?"

"In the first year of studies, all students, based on their talents, will choose their paths of study.

After being assigned to their respective institutes, many unique techniques will require exchanging other techniques to learn," Shen Yuan explained calmly.

"As for what to exchange and with which techniques, it will depend on both parties’ willingness.

If your side deems that technique valuable, then use a technique to trade for it, and if our side finds the price reasonable, we can make the exchange. "

"Ah, I see!" Director Du Kangnian nodded. "Lord Chen really does think outside the box to come up with such a method. It’s an excellent idea indeed since there’s much about Lyuzhou Academy that we are unfamiliar with. Although the artifacts produced look quite promising, we’ve had no chance to examine them closely.

If one were to suggest a direct exchange, most families would undoubtedly hesitate.

This method seems quite effective. However, I do have one question. "

"Please, go ahead, Director!" Shen Yuan said with a smile.

"According to you, after a year of study at your academy, our scions can trade techniques. But what happens after I exchange one technique? Will your academy then sell the same technique to other families? If so, wouldn’t your academy be selling the same technique more than once?"

All the families present nodded in agreement, with each considering their own secret arts as precious and preferring a mutual monopoly if an exchange was to occur.

"The Director makes a valid point..." Shen Yuan nodded. "Of course, we won’t be selling the same technique multiple times."

As he spoke, he beckoned with his hand, and an Azure Dragon Chant soared upwards.

He declared, "This is the Azure Dragon Array, an adaptation of the eighteen arrays of the Azure Dragon Heritage improved by the Director. I used Shen Family techniques to exchange for it, and from now on, the secrets of this Azure Dragon’s eighteen arrays will remain exclusive to me unless I permit otherwise, or someone else offers something of greater value in exchange. "

Everyone was stunned... was such a thing even possible?

Fourth Master Fang narrowed his eyes: "The Shen Family’s techniques are worthy enough to exchange for the Azure Dragon Heritage? Are you joking?"

"Not the Azure Dragon Heritage, but an Array technique evolved from it," Shen Yuan said indifferently. "As for whether I wish to exchange it, that depends on the situation of both parties. I’ve inherited this technique and I’m willing to exchange with the Shen Family. Any problems?"

All were suddenly at a loss for words!

"As for the sons and daughters of everyone present here, once they go to the Lyuzhou Academy, if they find it suitable, they can discuss with their elders about how to make the exchange. Of course, no matter what, neither party can force the other. What do you think?"

"Good!" A group of magician elders nodded. This method was indeed not bad. Currently, Chen Qing’s power was unfathomably deep, and it was not a bad idea to let their descendants probe into the reality and the illusion. Naturally, they would not let their families’ rightful heirs take the risk.

"If that’s the case, why is there still an assessment needed?" Fourth Master Fang raised his doubts. "From our side, as long as the descendants have inherited the technique, their qualifications and other aspects are not a problem. Why is there a need for an assessment?"

"Because there is a very high learning threshold," Shen Yuan replied while looking at everyone.

"All techniques at the Lyuzhou Academy require a very high foundation in mathematics and understanding of objects. You have all learned about Array Masters and should know some of the reasons. The array technique of the Lyuzhou Academy is far beyond that of this side. One person is required to complete a large amount of array construction. It’s not possible without a foundation and talent. "

"And only by understanding our techniques can you better gauge the value of the exchange, right?"

The crowd looked at each other and, in the end, it was Du Kangnian who asked, "Then when will the assessment begin?"

"The fifteenth of next month, and also on the fifteenth of every month afterward, there will be an exam organized. Your descendants will have plenty of opportunities and time to test their limits."

"How do we contact you?"

"The master is an officially recognized power by the Imperial Court. The Imperial Court acts as a mediator, sends people with the list, and as long as the young ones are sent to Jiangnan, their safety is entirely our responsibility."

Everyone’s eyelids twitched at that moment. When did the Imperial Court recognize Chen Qing’s power?

But now, it was true that they were at a loss as to what to do with him.

Behind him, Shen Yu’s eyes shone brightly. Next month?

Could he go to Jiangnan next month?

Looking at Shen Yuan talking confidently with the bigwigs of the Sorcerers’ Realm, Shen Yu suppressed the irritation in his heart, constantly telling himself that this was only temporary.

As soon as his talented fellow disciples arrived in Jiangnan, this good-for-nothing would be immediately put back in his place.

That Chen Qing was also ignorant. Did Shen Yuan deserve the Azure Dragon Heritage?

But luckily, that guy knew his limitations and understood that he couldn’t hold onto such a good inheritance by himself and had actively promised that as long as the Shen Family descendants performed well at the Jiangnan Academy, he would pass on his heritage to them for free, which was also quite sensible.

--------------------------

The banquet continued until late at night before it reluctantly ended.

Many families confirmed various details before leaving the scene with a reluctance, after all, they were more interested in the troves of Chen Qing’s Jiangnan Academy than in taking down Shen Yuan alone.

They all took the long-term view and went back to prepare to select their own descendants to go.

Within the Shen Family, all third-generation descendants were gathered for a family meeting.

"The situation is roughly as follows..." Family Head Shen Yan looked sternly at all the third-generation descendants and said, "This time Shen Yuan has secured a lot of space for the family. He secured the Azure Dragon secret transmissions from the Jiangnan Academy. You should have heard of its effectiveness. As long as you perform well enough at the academy, you can practice the Azure Dragon’s secret techniques from him. This is a privilege exclusive to our Shen family. Shen Yuan, why don’t you say a few words? "

Shen Yuan didn’t even bother to lift his eyelids as he spoke indifferently, "I have nothing much to say.

The things to be assessed are all the same.

Everyone should try their best to overcome them.

Although these are just basic array techniques at the Jiangnan Academy, they are still very difficult for you. .."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yu sneered slightly, and most of the third-generation descendants wore a look of disdain as well.

But to have gone early and taken some advantages, what’s there to flaunt about?

A petty person feeling proud—the moment we get there, you’ll realize, a good-for-nothing remains a good-for-nothing... even if they had a head start!

"Everyone should put in their utmost effort, after all, the ones competing with you this time are also descendants of other noble families!" Shen Yan hastily reminded them.

This struck a chord with everyone. They could look down on Shen Yuan, but they were apprehensive about those noble family descendants...

"Thanks to Shen Yuan, our Shen Family has taken the lead there. However, this is still not enough. According to Shen Yuan, there are countless tomes at the Jiangnan Academy, many of which are more formidable than the Azure Dragon Array. But as the rules go, it’s an exchange of item for item.

Our Shen Family’s techniques must be exchanged for something better.

We have to be ahead of the other noble families.

.." Shen Yan said, looking towards Shen Yu, "Shen Yu, you must lead the way on this. "

Upon hearing this, Shen Yu smiled. It seemed his father was aware that he was the most talented in the Shen Family. Only he could exchange for the most valuable techniques for the Shen Family!

"Father, rest assured, Shen Yu will certainly not let you down!"

Shen Yuan watched the scene coldly, but couldn’t be bothered to speak.

He wasn’t worried in the least about these so-called family prodigies making any rapid progress.

Maybe all noble families hadn’t realized it yet, but this.

.. was a complete reform. In the assessment at the Jiangnan Academy, the talent to inherit techniques meant absolutely nothing!