Chapter 744: The Mysterious Dean

The Sea Spiral Star Region was vast beyond imagination, and the number of participants in this trial was truly terrifying. The number of trial takers alone reached into the billions.

Adding in their followers, the total number became unimaginably massive.

As Lin Qian and his group approached the trial grounds, they could already see from a distance the dense crowd converging from all directions, filling the sky and casting shadows like a swarm, an awe-inspiring sight.

The number of followers varied from participant to participant, but with both the trial takers and their followers combined, the total number involved in this event likely reached hundreds of billions, all preparing for battle.

Moreover, these people were no mere rabble. Almost all of them possessed the strength of the Qi Refining Realm, the elites of the Sea Spiral Sacred Academy, and their followers, even if not geniuses, were seasoned fighters with vast battle experience.

Lin Qian could already foresee the brutal battles to come. Only one hundred thousand individuals would be allowed to enter the Sea Spiral Sacred Academy. Although one hundred thousand might seem like a lot, compared to the overwhelming number of participants, it was a mere drop in the ocean.

Moreover, as Lin Qian had learned, while the lives of the trial participants would be protected, there would be no such guarantee for their followers.

To survive and follow their masters into the Sea Spiral Sacred Academy to share in the glory, these followers would have to display their true abilities and fight with everything they had.

The trial would last for three years, during which each trial taker would bear the Sea Spiral Mark. Upon being defeated or surrendering, the mark would transfer to the victor.

At the end of the three years, only those with marks ranking within the top 100,000 would be admitted to the Sea Spiral Sacred Academy.

Lin Qian could already predict that the upcoming trial would essentially be a massive, brutal war. The sheer number of participants, as well as the various powers and factions involved, made the situation incredibly complex.

To survive and claim victory in this trial, enduring for three full years, would require more than just overwhelming strength.

As Lin Qian and his group approached the glowing barrier surrounding the trial grounds, they were suddenly enveloped by a beam of soul energy, which brought with it a powerful spatial fluctuation.

In the blink of an eye, the scenery around them began to shift.

Whoosh!

When the surroundings finally stabilized, Lin Qian found himself alone in the depths of a dense forest.

At that moment, Lin Qian realized that the trial had officially begun.

The first challenge he faced was reuniting with his followers.

“It seems that the teleportation array not only scattered the trial participants but also separated them from their followers,” Lin Qian muttered as he surveyed his surroundings.

It was clear that the Sea Spiral Sacred Academy had devised this separation as the first obstacle for trial participants.

At the same time, many others who had entered the trial grounds were similarly disoriented, startled by the sudden change in their environment.

Lin Qian quickly noticed another problem. A formless barrier seemed to be confining him to his current location, preventing him from leaving.

“It seems the trial hasn’t fully begun yet. I suspect we’re waiting for all the participants to enter the trial grounds before the barrier is lifted, allowing us to move,” Lin Qian deduced after observing the barrier’s formation for a while.

Meanwhile, many trial participants had also come to terms with their situation. Rather than panic, they sat down cross-legged and patiently awaited the official start of the trial.

However, there were others whose minds were not so calm. They anxiously paced within the confined area, their nerves frayed as they banged on the invisible walls around them.

Some participants, realizing that they were without their followers, began to shout in desperation. Their own strength was insufficient for the trial, and they had planned to rely on their followers to stand a chance of entering the academy. Panic quickly spread among them.

What these trial participants did not realize was that their every move was being watched.

Suspended high above the trial grounds, in the center of the battlefield, was a grand palace, within which several figures stood. The hall was filled with screens, each displaying the situation of the trial participants below.

Every trial participant was under their watchful eyes.

The people in this hall all wore pristine white robes adorned with the emblem of the Sea Spiral Sacred Academy.

These individuals were responsible for overseeing the trial on behalf of the academy.

Suddenly, the previously lively palace fell completely silent as everyone turned their attention to a figure who had just entered.

“The Dean!”

“Greetings to the Dean!”

All the overseers in the palace respectfully bowed in unison, their expressions filled with awe and a hint of unease.

They were puzzled. Why had the Dean of the Sea Spiral Sacred Academy personally come to oversee this routine entrance trial?

“There’s no need for such formalities,” said a melodious voice, prompting everyone to rise.

Standing before them was an incredibly beautiful woman, her tightly fitted white robe perfectly accentuating her figure.

Upon entering the palace, the beautiful woman waved her hand, and two of the screens magnified in size. Her eyes narrowed slightly as a look of realization crossed her face.

Everyone else in the palace now directed their attention to the two enlarged screens.

The two figures displayed on the screens were both young—one a strikingly handsome man, and the other a woman of unparalleled beauty. Together, they made a perfect match.

Had Lan Yi been present, he would have exclaimed in shock.

The man on the screen was none other than his son-in-law, Lin Qian, and the woman was his granddaughter, Ye Xin.

Had the mysterious Dean of the Sea Spiral Sacred Academy really come all this way just to see these two?

After gazing at the images for a moment longer, the Dean turned and left, but not before leaving a final command: “Do not treat them any differently because of my presence. They are to receive no special treatment—ensure that they are treated fairly, like all the others.”

Once the mysterious Dean had departed, everyone in the palace breathed a collective sigh of relief.

However, they were all left wondering. Who were these two individuals, to have warranted the personal attention of their Dean?

Back on the screen, Lin Qian’s next actions left everyone in the palace stunned. They stared at the unfolding events in disbelief, their expressions full of shock and confusion.

“Who is this person? Could he be some kind of monster?”

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