224 Taking Over the Dharmic Armament Pavilion (1/2)

The alliance, the Adonis Association, was officially formed on the cruiser traveling from the Federation capital back to the Ethereal Dao College. The members of the alliance had a discussion. Two of them ultimately conceded, and Wang Baole, with his one vote, was elected the first chairman.

”There are so many people who need me. My responsibilities are too many. The burden on my shoulders is too heavy,” Wang Baole stood before Zhuo Yifan and Zhao Yameng, patted his stomach and said, lamenting.

Time flew amidst Zhuo Yifan's persistent silence and Zhao Yameng's remorseful regrets. The cruiser carrying a group of the Federation seedlings as well as the members of the Adonis Association entered the domain of the Ethereal Dao College and returned to the Upper Academy Island.

As soon as they landed, Wang Baole and company saw the people who had come to receive them—many in the upper echelons of the college management, including the respective pavilions' Grand Elders and the Deputy Sect Lord, were all there.

It was a grand and warm welcome ceremony. The Federation seedlings were seen as role models, earning them a great reputation as well as the envy of countless cultivators and students in both Upper Academy Island and Lower Academy Island.

Wang Baole and company seemed to be surrounded by a brilliant glow at that moment, drawing the attention of many and establishing themselves as role models for the new generation of youths.

Publicity done by the college contributed to that, but the main contributing factor was still the live telecast of the Federation's hundred seedling selection round, which made them known to the residents of the Federation. There was also the commendation ceremony and the Federation President's personal commendation. The seedlings' achievements, as well as their image, was made known across the entire Federation, inspiring envy and admiration as well as establishing their popularity amongst the people.

At present, the college announced, before the entire college full of cultivators and students, the recognition and rewards the seedlings would be receiving.

”Wang Baole, Zhao Yameng, and Zhuo Yifan are hereby appointed… as Deputy Pavilion Heads of their respective pavilions!”

As soon as the appointments were announced, many cultivators on the Upper Academy Island, despite already knowing what was going to happen, were shaken. After all, the position of a Deputy Pavilion Head… held immense power and authority!

If the Ethereal Dao College could be compared to a country, a pavilion would be the equivalent of a big city. The position of the Deputy Pavilion Head, then, would be that of a Deputy City Lord. According to the administrative hierarchy, an island on the Lower Academy Island wouldn't even rival a pavilion on the Upper Academy Island.

Wang Baole's rank might not equal that of Chancellor Lu on the Lower Academy Island, but if it were the deputy Chancellor Gao Quan who saw Wang Baole, he would have to cup his fists and greet him respectfully. That was because, according to their ranks, Wang Baole was his superior!

Furthermore… his position was appointed by the Ethereal Dao College's Sky Path Island and was further augmented by his status as one of the Federation's hundred seedlings, and even strengthened through his faction's presence. At that moment, Wang Baole could be said to have reached the height of his power in the Dharmic Armament Pavilion on the Upper Academy Island.

Their status and their power were immediately made known to many with the announcement. Wang Baole and company were once again placed in the limelight. Even Zhuo Yifan and Zhao Yameng's statuses and positions rose suddenly after their promotion to the rank of Deputy Pavilion Head in their respective pavilions.

If they were to take a look at their recently formed Adonis Association, it seemed to be… a different creature, of a different status.

After the welcome ceremony ended, amidst the respectful gazes of the surrounding cultivators, and with immense pleasure, Wang Baole returned to his cave abode. In the coming days, he had almost no time for rest.

After all, he had been promoted to Deputy Pavilion Head. It was no longer appropriate for him to oversee the College Administrative Department alone. After discussing with Chen Yutong, the College Administrative Department arranged for a new Armament Soldier to take over his role. At the same time, Wang Baole's jurisdiction expanded to include all supervisory and disciplinary departments.

It was at that time that his former subordinates from the Lower Academy Island like Liu Daobin and a few others also managed to enroll in the Upper Academy Island's Dharmic Armament Pavilion.

Wang Baole paid considerable attention to their arrival. Liu Daobin, especially, received special attention and recognition. Wang Baole arranged for Liu Daobin to be his secretary and to follow him wherever he went.

That was not the only good thing to have happened. After Wang Baole was appointed to the position of Deputy Pavilion Head of the Dharmic Armament Pavilion—perhaps his return and his achievements had played a part in creating some sort of momentum that resulted in what happened—Chen Yutong's master, Sun Yifeng, bested all other competitors and… rose to the supreme position that was above even that of the Pavilion Head, the Dharmic Armament Pavilion's Grand Elder.

With that, the senior brother of Chancellor Lu had finally stepped into the inner circle of the Ethereal Dao College management!

The person who was most discomforted by his promotion and Wang Baole's appointment was the Pavilion Head of the Dharmic Armament Pavilion. He was subdued by the Grand Elder from above and constrained by Chen Yutong and Wang Baole's balanced distribution of authority from below. His job as the Pavilion Head was going to be really uncomfortable.

Furthermore, in order to have a position ready for Wang Baole when he returned, the college had an existing Deputy Pavilion Head transferred out. That Deputy Pavilion Head had been one of his people. Losing him felt like having one of his limbs chopped off. The remaining two Deputy Pavilion Heads were wary of the Grand Elder. They obeyed his commands in public but defied them in private and were, surprisingly, friendlier with Chen Yutong and Wang Baole.

As a result, it wasn't a stretch to say that Wang Baole and Chen Yutong reigned supreme in the Dharmic Armament Pavilion. It was then that Wang Baole, in line with his generous and forgiving nature, sought out Chancellor Lu from the Lower Academy Island…

Wang Baole left after a simple exchange of words. Chancellor Lu saw him off. Standing outside the grand hall of the Lower Academy Island, gazing at the cruiser speeding into the distance, the chancellor smiled.

”This young man, he's not a simple-minded boy,” Chancellor Lu murmured to himself. Then he issued an order to immediately remove Deputy Chancellor Gao Quan from his position and open an investigation on the various misdeeds he had committed in the past!