Victor Wei moved at Martial Saint speed, leaving the grounds of Sanctum Martial Academy in just a few breaths.
He glanced back and saw five figures in hot pursuit, just a few hundred meters behind.
"Did Xander Xuanyuan not come after me?"
Victor felt a surge of relief and looked at the unconscious Ian Song in his hands, thinking to himself, 'The Military Council is really pulling out all the stops for you.'
Soon, Victor was out of the city. Just as he was about to head toward the teleportation array, a figure suddenly shot up ahead and struck at him with a palm.
Victor raised his palm to meet the attack.
"Boom!"
The counter-shock forced him to retreat dozens of meters.
"How did Xander Xuanyuan get ahead of me?" Victor was extremely frustrated. The one who stopped him with that palm strike was indeed Xander Xuanyuan.
The distance of several hundred meters could be crossed in a single breath, so with this brief delay, the five vice deans had caught up, forming a loose encirclement.
"Victor Wei, put Leon Huang down! If you do, Sanctum Martial Academy will let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, don't blame us for being rude!" Harvey Huangpu shouted angrily.
"The Military Council's methods are really despicable!" Melody Empress stared at Victor, her face full of scorn.
"Heh, Vice General Wei, if you don't let go of Leon Huang, we won't show any mercy!"
Venerable Dragon Sword's aura surged, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
Faced with everyone's threats and mockery, Victor looked a bit embarrassed and regretted not snatching Leon Huang away immediately—he'd missed his best chance.
He blamed it all on Leon Huang for being so good at resisting temptation.
"Victor, don't bother struggling. Put Leon Huang down and you'll still be a valued guest of Sanctum Martial Academy!" Xander Xuanyuan spoke up.
Victor still didn't let go of Ian Song. Instead, he faced everyone and said, "Leon Huang is far too important to the Military Council. If Sanctum Martial Academy is willing to hand him over, we'll raise the number of Martial Souls to twenty."
"Twenty Martial Souls."
Hearing this number, all five vice deans except Xander Xuanyuan were visibly moved.
They were also shocked that the Military Council was willing to pay such a huge price for Leon Huang.
But soon, they regained their composure. The more the Military Council valued Leon Huang, the greater his worth—so they absolutely could not let him go.
What do you all think?
Victor asked.
I disagree!
I disagree too!
Heh, I disagree too!
...
Except for Xander Xuanyuan, the other five deans all disagreed. Whether Xander voiced his stance or not no longer mattered.
Seeing this, Victor was greatly disappointed. Suddenly, an idea struck him.
Looking at Xander Xuanyuan and the other five, he said, "We're all deciding Leon Huang's fate here, but we've ignored his own wishes. How about we ask him directly? If he chooses to stay at Sanctum Martial Academy, I promise not to pursue this any further."
Hearing this, the six leaders' expressions changed slightly. They'd all heard the Military Council's offer—King-Rank Martial Soul, twin beauties, Special-Class Merit, and command of the Assassin Camp. Even they would have trouble refusing, let alone a young man like Leon Huang.
No way, that's not up for discussion! Victor, let him go now or I won't be polite!
Boom!
Venerable Dragon Sword stepped forward, his powerful sword intent rising and locking onto Victor, making it clear that if he didn't let go, there would be a fight.
Wait!
Victor shouted nervously, "Venerable Dragon Sword, let's talk this out! No need for violence. How about this: give Leon Huang the right to choose for himself, and no matter what, the Military Council will still give Sanctum Martial Academy ten Martial Souls."
This...?
Hearing Victor's offer, even Xander Xuanyuan was tempted. If Leon Huang still chose Sanctum, they'd get ten Martial Souls for free.
But they were also worried that Leon might choose the Military Council.