Chapter 1082 Fooled
The blood of the disciples and elders alike boiled. This was True God Sacharro before them, promising to hand them the future. His presence, his determination, his absolute confidence… It couldn't help but infuse them with the same level of belief.
"The remaining elders and those of the up and coming families can step forward now." Dyon said with a smile.
"Unfortunately, you elders do not qualify to be disciples or working disciple elders. In addition, you families do not have the blood of those three lost families within you, so you cannot become pillars of the sub peaks. However, I will not neglect you all either."
Dyon's words made them sigh a breath of relief. There really would be no place for them if Dyon didn't help.
"I want to establish 18 academies, three to each planet. You all will become the pillars and instructors of these academies.
"Foundation and meridian formation stage warriors are too weak for the environment of a sect. Your roles will entail laying the foundation of the younger generation.
"The fees of these academies will all be handled by me. Anyone, regardless of talent, social status or financial situation, will be allowed to attend.
"Over the next few months, I'll be giving very strict instruction on the foundation and meridian formation realms. Unless you meet my requirements in understanding, you won't be allowed to become instructors and as such will not be allowed to partake in the benefits.
"After those who qualify take up their positions, I will evaluate you based on my own understanding and the review of your students every three months. If you receive bad reviews, your monthly rewards will be cut. In the worst cases, you will be killed."
A slight killing intent radiated from Dyon. He was very serious, he wouldn't allow the future prospects of the younger generation to be toyed with. If these instructors showed any signs of harming them, Dyon really would directly kill them.
The former elders and up and coming family heads shivered, but they nodded seriously. Dyon was giving them a chance to prosper in their own lanes, but if they ruined that opportunity, it would be their faults.
"For now, there will be no age limitations for the academy. Anyone who wants to join can join. However, in three years, this will change.
"Those older than the age of 19 will graduate after this time frame. Those who show adequate potential on a grading system I will introduce later will be admitted into sub peaks as working disciples with a chance to improve. Those who show outstanding potential will be admitted to Soul Rending Peak as working disciples.
"From then onward, the age of admittance will be 10 years old. In addition, the graduation day will be either 19 years old, or the day they become essence gatherers.
"The cultivation techniques of these academies will be of the Peak Common Level. This grade will increase in the coming years as the universe's situation stabilizes.
"Special instructors will visit these academies once a month as well. They will evaluate those children with the potential to be raised as Demon Generals. Should consent of the child and parent be given, they will join a special legion of warriors I will personally cultivate.
"For now, the headmasters of these academies will be left vacant. These positions will be evaluated in three months. Those with the best performance will be chosen.
"As instructors, you'll be given a salary of 50 profound stones and 1 top-grade saint condensing pill a month.
"C grade students will receive 5 top-grade foundation setting pills a month. B grade students will receive 10 top-grade foundation setting pills a month. A grade student will receive 20 top-grade foundation setting pills a month. And S grade students can choose between either becoming a Demon General Jr, or directly becoming core disciples of Soul Rending Peak."
Dyon paused, scanning the crowd calmly before nodding in satisfaction. Ruling a universe was expensive, but Dyon had no choice. For now, Clara's profits should be just enough to sustain this until Soul Rending Peak began making money of its own.
With a smile, Dyon continued. "Now, I'll hand out rewards to those qualified to become outer and inner disciples. Consider this to be part of the reward for advancing."
Dyon's hands flashed, causing three pristine robes to appear in the skies. They had the very same golden color Soul Rending Peak was known for, but they were very clearly no longer made of normal fabrics.
The robes gave off the aura of master level treasures, making the crowd tremble with envy as they floated into the hands of Sophia, Donari and Kernick.
"These will be the new robes of our peaks, following the same previous color scheme. Each will be given this defensive treasure with a life-saving teleportation feature. In addition, there is a jade within that will act as your disciple identification badge. When you've learned to utilize your soul appropriately, leave a mark within. With it, even if you die, I will know who did it and seek revenge for you even if it costs me my life."
Dyon looked seriously at the three outer disciples. His meaning was clear, even as outer disciples, your lives were valued by him. He wouldn't allow anyone to bully his disciples.
With a wave of his hand, another robe appeared. It looked almost identical to the former three, but this time, it radiated out with the aura of a grandmaster level treasure, making their status difference clear.
"The words I spoke to them count for you as well. Within two months, I will also save your wife." Dyon said seriously, giving the robes to Marco.
With a heavy nod, Marco's eyes glistened. It was clear that Dyon had won them over.
"With that done, there is only one final thing to do." Dyon said with a smile. "Those with injured souls, come forward. I will heal you all."
Over the next few days, Dyon healed thousands of disciples.
In total, the six peaks only had about a hundred thousand disciples in total. Usually, this number would be in the millions, however, because of the corruption of the universe and The Cathedral, only those from relatively well-off families could even think about joining.
Those from "poor" families who managed to make it were all overwhelming talents like that girl who was forcibly taken away during the trials.
That girl was still unconscious, but Dyon already had plans to reunite her with her family once she woke up to fulfill his promise.
The soul slaves would likely become the true backbone of Soul Rending Peak. If Dyon was lucky, he might be able to find some with bloodlines from those three families so they could take he helm for Gliding, Blooming and Holy Peak.
After their healing, Dyon learned that there were many others who met the requirements for Soul Rending Peak, but, he didn't change their rankings. He would patiently wait to see if they would meet their true potential.
The good news was that many of them had already chosen to re-cultivate the meridian formation stage in order to become outer disciples.
Days later, Dyon laid in bed with Clara by his side. His face was still pale, however he was taking his time to recover.
Unfortunately, he had been very busy so he hadn't had much time to spend with Clara.
"Are you sure about the direction?" Clara suddenly asked, clinging to Dyon's chest as though he would disappear.
Dyon sighed. "I don't want to rule a kingdom where my subjects are nothing but glorified slaves. But, I also don't want the truth of Soul Rending Peak to leak early.
"I'm not too worried though. To combat this, I had Donari block off everyone's access to the tower. Even if they wanted to sell this information, they wouldn't be able to."
This was an ability of the key wielder. It was because of this ability that the kitsune didn't dare to attack Snow Palace, or else Saru would follow through on her threat to ban them.
Clara giggled. "And here you even fooled me into thinking you trusted them."
"How could I? Human hearts are deceitful and disgusting. Until Soul Rend Quadrant is strong enough, I need to keep a tight rein on it." Dyon shook his head. "Forget this, how is Ri doing?"
Dyon still felt horrible. Although it wasn't his fault in the strictest sense, he still felt responsible for Ri's near cultivation deviation.
This was the trouble of the soul connecting necklaces. If his wives knew whenever his soul was in danger, they'd worry far too much.
"She's doing fine, don't worry. Her soul took a small hit, but dual cultivating with you has made all of our souls more resilient. She won't even need pills or the Soul Tome to heal as long as she takes her time. In fact, her soul will become stronger from this." Clara comforted Dyon. "But, the kitsune are getting restless. They even surrounded Snow Palace a few days ago. They only left after they realized Ri wasn't there."
Dyon's gaze turned cold. The three kitsune heirs were still locked up in his tower's dungeon. Dyon didn't plan on dealing with them for a while, but his soul being unlocked made it possible for him to execute his plans sooner.
"Let them stew a bit longer. They should count themselves lucky that I haven't slaughtered them all."
It wasn't just the three heirs Dyon had, after all. He also had Aki's younger sister and the rest of her team that Ri froze.
"Other than that, the Emperor Giant Clan seems to want to provide help to the kitsune because a few of them were present with they surrounded Snow Palace."
Dyon sneered. "With my soul unsealed, I don't mind teaching that Anak character a real lesson."
Before, Dyon had a 1% chance of beating Anak and could only use tricks that left him severely injured. But now? Dyon had a 100% certainty of crushing him. If Anak dared to continue along this path, Dyon didn't mind slaughtering every Emperor Giant on the saint floors.
He couldn't help but think about what the consequences could have been had Ri not gone to their corner to awaken her Pseudo-Domain. If anything happened to her… Dyon would have started a massacre.
"They can consider themselves lucky." Dyon said coldly.
Since Saru was still in her trials, the kitsune couldn't be punished for now. But, that didn't mean Dyon couldn't personally do something.
"Alright, alright. That's enough." Clara climbed on top of Dyon. "Weren't you bragging all this time about blowing my mind with when your soul unsealed? Plus, your master told me that you've been being annoying about dual cultivation. Wouldn't dual cultivating with us make us stronger too? Stop being stupid and teach me."