The sudden departure of the Golden Falcons left the entire city shrouded in silence.

Everyone knew why those five legends had come, yet they had left without completing their mission.

For the Golden Falcons to withdraw so quietly could only mean one thing.

Jun Wu had refused them.

Inside the main hall, the two deans sat across from Jun Wu, their expressions mixed with astonishment and admiration.

Only a handful of kids in the entire region could have rejected such a domineering summons from the clan, especially when delivered by the legendary Golden Falcons themselves.

"Kid, you never cease to surprise me," the Old Dean said at last, a faint smile creasing his weathered face. "I bet the elders of your clan won't believe you actually turned them down."

Jun Wu leaned back slightly, his expression calm. "I don't care how they feel, nor do I care what they choose to believe."

"I can see that," the Old Dean chuckled, stroking his long beard in amusement.

"But aren't you worried?" the Frostwind Academy Dean interjected, her brows knitting with concern.

"You know the kind of authority the Golden Falcons wield. Defying them might anger your clan."

Jun Wu shook his head, unbothered.

"Why would I be worried? It's not as if they can kidnap me. And if they try… Well, it won't be easy." His tone was casual, but his eyes gleamed with quiet confidence.

"Besides…" He added lightly, "They still have my father to answer to."

The two deans exchanged a brief glance.

Watching how effortlessly he dismissed the situation, they couldn't help but reassess the young man before them.

He carried himself with a confidence far beyond his age, and even when faced with his powerful clan, he neither trembled in panic nor bowed.

"You're right," the Old Dean finally said with a nod. "We have nothing to worry about."

After all, both the Mystic and Frostwind Academies had their own ways of standing against the Jun Clan's influence.

As if reading his thoughts, the Frostwind Dean nodded as well.

"Alright then," she said, allowing a faint smile to curve her lips.

"Let's leave that matter aside and talk about what truly matters… the future."

"Indeed," the Old Dean agreed, soothing his beard. "We've wasted enough breath on your clan politics."

Jun Wu nodded in agreement, his demeanor turning serious. "Before we move on," he said slowly.

"I'd like to ask something that's been on my mind since our last meeting. Do you not think there are spies among the various association leaders?"

The question lingered in the air.

It was something he had been pondering ever since the two deans had allowed those association heads to participate in the confidential discussion about the awakening platform.

Why would they risk exposing such a critical secret to so many outsiders, especially when the leaders were merely Peak Stage First-Rated Martial Artists with no true power?

"Of course there are spies," the Old Dean replied with disarming calm.

"But it doesn't matter. We expected as much. It's not as though we could keep this matter hidden forever."

From the side, the Frostwind Dean nodded in agreement.

"In fact," she said. "Their presence serves our purpose. Let them spy. It will help the word spread faster, exactly as we want it"

"With them onboard, it would be easy to control the various organizations to join the Master Teacher era."

Jun Wu's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned.

He finally understood how cunning these two deans truly were.

From the very beginning, they had already laid a trap.

They had no intention of keeping the secrets from them.

Instead, they intended to use them as pawns to spread the message.

And judging by how events were unfolding, their plan was working perfectly.

"Seniors," Jun Wu said with a faint smile, "I still have much to learn from you both."

The Old Dean laughed heartily, his voice echoing through the hall.

"Hahaha! That's nothing but a simple trick. You're already doing far better than we ever did at your age."

The Frostwind Dean rolled her eyes at his shameless boasting.

"Old man," she said dryly.

"Don't get too proud of yourself."

The Old Dean coughed awkwardly, then quickly turned serious.

"Ahem. Enough of that. We've gathered all the materials for the array formation, and the awakening platform's construction is nearly complete. What's next?"

"Next?" Jun Wu turned to look at him.

"I'll begin setting up the formation. But seniors, I must warn you, once I start, I cannot be disturbed until I'm finished. If anyone interferes, even for a moment, the consequences could be disastrous."

"That's easily handled," the Old Dean said confidently. "With the two of us guarding you, no one would dare interrupt. We'll make sure of it"

"Good," Jun Wu said, nodding firmly. "Also, you must understand something, I can only create this platform once. After that… I don't know if I'll ever be able to do it again. Perhaps not even in this lifetime."

His voice was grave.

"Seniors, I believe you understand what that means?"

Both deans exchanged glances, their faces turning serious.

Of course, they understood.

This was their only chance.

If they failed to protect Jun Wu or the process was disrupted, there might never be another awakening platform again.

Previously, they believed it would be easy to replicate the Master Teacher's awakening platform throughout the Soaring Cloud Region.

But now, they realized how naïve that thought was.

The will of heaven was never that simple.

Jun Wu, noticing their grim expressions, nodded with quiet satisfaction. At least now, they understood the gravity of what was at stake.

"Kid," the Old Dean asked after a moment. "Is there anything else we need to know?"

"Nothing much." Jun Wu replied after a brief pause. "However, I suggest we gather all young talents under the age of fifty to attend the awakening ceremony. And make it public for the whole region to know."

He looked between them, his eyes steady. "Anyone who chooses this path without true conviction will lose everything."

"Lose everything?" the Frostwind Dean asked in shock.

Even the Old Dean's eyes widened slightly. "What do you mean by that?"

Jun Wu's tone was casual. "The purpose of a Master Teacher is to spread knowledge, to become a lighthouse for those wandering in darkness. Anyone who betrays that purpose, anyone who walks away from it, will face only one end… destruction."

The two deans were silent for a long while before they both nodded slowly.

They understood.

This was a path of sacrifice, a lifelong commitment with no room for greed.

But the Frostwind Dean still had one last doubt. "If heaven demands commitment" she said softly.

"What of their safety? How does heaven protect those who walk this path?"

Jun Wu wore a mysterious smile. "Dean, do you truly think heaven would abandon its chosen messengers?"

"Anyone who dares to kill a Master Teacher will be cursed," he said calmly..

"They will be cursed by karma of misfortune. Not only the killer but every soul involved in the act will share the same misfortune."

His gaze sharpened as he added.

"So, I dare anyone to kill a Master Teacher."

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