Protect Our Clan Leader

"Feng Qiushan?" Wang Zong'an glanced at the young man's face, his memory suddenly flooding back, "I remember now, you were part of the disciples who joined in the year 163, weren't you? I recall, you were the Little Sky Pride with the best talent among that group of disciples.

To think that after all these years, you've already reached the mid-stage of the Spirit Platform Realm, it really is quite nostalgic."

Back in his day, when he was at the Academic Palace, the core disciples who were acting as Principals were Senior Brother Jinshan and the others.

Now, it seemed a new generation had taken their place.

Feng Qiushan was stunned, then looked at Wang Zong'an with a mix of suspicion and caution, "Senior, are you, by chance, also from our Changchun Valley lineage?"

"That's right~ When I was young, I too studied in Changchun Valley," Wang Zong'an smiled with elegant grace, "However, back then I was just an ordinary disciple, you probably don't remember me."

Ordinary disciple?

Feng Qiushan's mouth twitched slightly, at a loss for words.

"Senior, with your profound cultivation base as deep as the sea, a demeanor as majestic as towering mountains, and radiating the commanding presence of a superior, it's hard to believe you were just an ordinary disciple~~ Moreover, with your immortal-like appearance, had you really been an ordinary disciple in our Changchun Valley, I'm afraid the female disciples would have lost their souls over you~"

Wait! Hold on!

A sudden thought struck Feng Qiushan's mind: "Senior, could it be that you are the legendary Senior Brother Zong'an?"

He faintly remembered, when he first joined, there seemed to be mentions among his female seniors of a Senior Brother named "Wang Zong'an."

Legend had it that "Senior Brother Zong'an," though an ordinary disciple, had an uncommon appearance and extraordinary demeanor that secretly captivated many of his female seniors.

Back then, many had secretly speculated whether he was the direct line descendant of a prominent family, sent to the Academic Palace for experience.

However, the legendary "Senior Brother Zong'an" kept a low profile, often as elusive as a divine dragon that showed its head but hid its tail.

And that "Senior Brother Zong'an" had accumulated enough Contribution Points a few years later to leave the Academic Palace. Yet, to this day, there were still many female seniors who could not forget him.

The younger generation of core disciples often found themselves compared to "Senior Brother Zong'an," as though next to this legendary figure, they were nothing more than "vulgar and mediocre."

This caused quite a few senior and junior brothers to harbor resentments and almost form psychological shadows.

"My surname is Wang, given name Zong'an. The 'Senior Brother Zong'an' you speak of should indeed be me," Wang Zong'an said with a slight smile, moving with an effortlessly tranquil air.

Could it really be?!

In Feng Qiushan's heart, it felt as if ten thousand Spirit Horses were galloping past, completely overwhelming him.

But at the same time, he felt he was beginning to understand those female seniors.

Because compared to the senior before him, this new generation of core disciples could indeed only be considered "vulgar and mediocre," no wonder the female seniors were always unable to forget about "Senior Brother Zong'an."

"Then, then, Senior..."

"We are all disciples of the same lineage, calling me 'Senior' is too formal, just call me 'Senior Brother'~"

As they talked and walked, before they knew it, they had already entered deep into Changchun Valley.

Along the way, Wang Zong'an's appearance naturally drew many sidelong glances from the surrounding disciples.

And at this time, along the road ahead of the two of them, they began to see some ordinary disciples with baskets on their backs, all heading in the same direction with purpose.

Seeing this scene, Wang Zong'an understood instantly, "Is it the year of the Spirit Tide? Judging by everyone's momentum, the number of Spirit Mushrooms this year must be quite substantial."

It wasn't until this moment that Feng Qiushan managed to snap out of his daze.

However, there was no need to make fun of himself over this since it was clear the senior's strength far exceeded his own, so he didn't doubt the authenticity of the situation.

Hearing Wang Zong'an speak, he quickly returned to his senses and respectfully responded, "Indeed, Senior Brother Zong'an. This year's Spirit Tide is much stronger than in previous years, producing more Spirit Mushrooms as well as ones of better quality. Since you're here, Senior Brother, why not take some back with you when you leave to reminisce over their flavor?"

"That won't be necessary," Wang Zong'an laughed, "My parents are close friends with little sister Green Fern, and every Spirit Tide year they send a considerable amount of Spirit Mushrooms to our home. This year's batch is likely already on its way, so let's leave these for our junior brothers and sisters~"

While talking, Wang Zong'an suddenly noticed two familiar figures ahead and couldn't help but smile, quickly stepping forward to greet them, "Senior Sister Bai Ling, Senior Brother Yuanmo, it's been a long time."

As it turned out, these two were Yuanmo and Bai Ling, senior brother, and senior sister, respectively, from Wang Zong'an's time at the Academic Palace, with whom he had a good relationship.

These two had the qualifications to enter the Academic Palace, naturally, they were quite gifted. Though not Sky Prides themselves, they were on the better end of the Lower Class A tier. Apart from a few who had come in through the back door for the experience, Lower Class A was one of the basic requirements for the Academic Palace to accept disciples.

Dozens of years had passed, and they had already reached Levels Three and Four of the Spirit Platform Realm respectively. They were no longer wearing the apparel of disciples but that of stewards.

It was evident they had long since graduated from the Academic Palace and were now serving the institution in return.

This had always been the tradition of the Academic Palace.

Aside from direct disciples and core disciples, ordinary disciples needed to work for the Academic Palace for a certain number of years after graduation, or accumulate enough Study Points, to earn their freedom and return to their families.

Wang Zong'an had left the Academic Palace after accumulating enough Study Points as well. But because he was powerful, he accumulated the points quickly, and it took him just over a decade to earn enough and leave.