Chapter 565: Fend for Yourself
For a cultivator, cultivating multiple powers at once signified a split of one's focus. One needed to absorb multiple different energies and comprehend the battle techniques of different elements. Much more time would be required in comparison to those cultivating only a single power.
On top of that, someone cultivating several powers would have a much harder time to release his full strength. For example, when Xiang Shaoyun battled using the power of gold, he could only use the power from his gold star while his other stars would remain dormant.
Of course, he could always activate his stars one after another, but he wouldn't be unleashing his full strength doing so. And if he only cultivated the power of gold, with all nine of his stars being gold stars, he would be able to use all nine stars at the same time. At that time, he would be able to easily battle those even nine stages above him.
That was why a nine-star physique was considered such a powerful physique. People like this had appeared before, and their achievements were clearly recorded in history books. As for those cultivating nine powers like Xiang Shaoyun, not a single case of success had been recorded before.
In other words, nobody believed that cultivating nine powers at the same time was a smart choice. In fact, they were of the opinion that this was simply messing around and was something that needed to stop. The stars of nine colors attracted by Xiang Shaoyun had allowed these grand guardians to know that he cultivated nine different powers.
Generally speaking, nobody would spend too much time worrying over someone who had already gotten started on his path of cultivation like this. But Xiang Shaoyun possessed an extremely rare physique, and he was still very young. He wasn't even 20 years old, and he would still have a bright future even if he reset his cultivation to zero and restarted from scratch.
That was the reason for the Dragon Phoenix Academy's principal to ask him that question. Naturally, Xiang Shaoyun's rejection caused the principal face to turn somewhat unsightly. All the grand guardians were also angered by Xiang Shaoyun's ignorance.
"Xiang Shaoyun, do you know the consequences of cultivating nine powers?" questioned the principal.
"Yes, but I insist on maintaining my path of cultivation," said Xiang Shaoyun firmly.
He had long heard about the consequences from Devouring Ghost. However, he was unwilling to give up. When making the decision to cultivate nine powers, he had once thought of the numerous consequences that might arise. He had the confidence to defeat all the obstacles, creating the strongest battling physique in existence.
Of course, back then, part of the reason for his courage was his lack of knowledge. But even now, he still stuck firmly to his choice. That was because the nine-colored fog that had appeared in his astral cosmos sea had given him confidence and inspiration. The fog was why he thought his choice was correct. Just because others had never succeeded did not mean he wouldn't.
"Bastard! Do you think this is child's play? This will decide your entire life! Only by cultivating a single power to the extremes with all nine stars will you achieve greatness," berated the purple-haired old man.
"That's right! Child, stop being so naive! So long as you focus on the power of gold and remove all other powers, although your foundations and cultivation base will be damaged as a result, I can still help you fully recover within one year. In the future, you will have a bright future! You can't let your emotions affect your decisions!" persuaded the old man in a gold outfit.
"That's right, kid. Don't waste your talent. If you continue like this, it will be too late to change in the future," advised the heroic middle-aged man.
It was obvious they wanted badly for Xiang Shaoyun to cultivate only one power and become their successor. Unfortunately, Xiang Shaoyun made a decision that disappointed all of them.
"Principal, grand guardians, thank you for the favor you're showing me. But I am no longer a child. I know what I want," said Xiang Shaoyun stubbornly.
"Fine, fine, since you are unwilling to change, just fend for yourself then," said the purple-haired old man with disappointment. With a "whoosh", he vanished into thin air. The other grand guardians also reacted similarly as they all vanished from the hall.
After they all left, Xiao Wei couldn't help but criticize Xiang Shaoyun, "Xiang Shaoyun, you are too ignorant. Do you know that the grand guardians have only shown themselves out of their love for talent? It has been at least 1,000 years since they have last shown themselves. Today, they have reappeared for your sake, yet you have directly disappointed all of them? You're being completely ridiculous!"
"That's right. Looks like this is a stubborn kid. Why don't we just cripple him before sending him to the grand guardians? At that time, he will have no choice but to restart from scratch. We can't allow a physique like this to go to waste," said an elder gloomily.
Another elder spoke even more sinisterly, "I personally think we should just erase his soul. Let me occupy his body instead. I will restart my cultivation and will be able to shine brightly."
The other elders also voiced their own opinions, and it seemed like Xiang Shaoyun's opinion no longer mattered. As far as they were concerned, nothing was more important than his physique.
Xiang Shaoyun broke out in cold sweat as he listened to the discussion. He was one who could stay calm in face of many things, but in the Dragon Phoenix Academy, he was no different from a boy learning to walk. Anyone could do anything to him, and he would be completely helpless. This was the very first time he felt himself so tiny, and his thirst for power surged. Only with power would he be able to control his own fate.
"Xiao Wei, take Xiang Shaoyun to the Back Graveyard and let him reflect on himself. Only release him after he repents on his mistake."
"What? W-would that be too harsh of a punishment?" said Xiao Wei with a shiver.
The Back Graveyard was one of the academy's forbidden zones. Those banished there would only be released after they went mad or lost all their courage. Sending Xiang Shaoyun to the Back Graveyard was no different than completely abandoning him.
"Are you the principal or am I the principal?" said the principal as he slammed his palm against the table in anger.
Xiao Wei quickly said, "Yes, I'll bring him there right away. I will do my best and persuade him to repent."
He then dragged Xiang Shaoyun away without saying anything else. Soon, they arrived at a spacious and empty corner.
He tossed Xiang Shaoyun to the ground and howled, "Are you stupid? Why did you make such a choice?"
Xiao Wei was filled with disappointment toward Xiang Shaoyun.
The crash caused Xiang Shaoyun to be somewhat dizzy. After finally getting back on his feet, he smiled. "Lord, I only did so because that is the right choice. You saw it yourself. The nine astral powers I had attracted have an extraordinary effect. If one day I can do that myself, nobody in this world will be my match!"
"Kid, have you gone mad? That phenomenon is really quite extraordinary, but that is not something a human can accomplish by himself. No amount of cultivation will allow one to control such power. Looks like you really need to repent in the Back Graveyard," said Xiao Wei resentfully as he grabbed Xiang Shaoyun and flew away.