X-Dragon Era

On the other hand, there are benefits to being a follower as well; the larger the force under one's command, the greater the influence one can exert, the more one can achieve, and the higher their reputation and authority. The relationship between followers and the followed is truly one of mutual reinforcement.

If it were just Xin Yun alone, it would be one thing, but after his rebirth, Xin Yun, as if cheating, prematurely recruited three of the future Nine Great Experts to his side. Just think... how much influence does each of the three great experts have? And once they join forces, how immense would that influence become! This is not a simple matter of 1+1+1=3; the impact is terrifyingly large.

It is certain that if Xin Yun were willing to establish a power base, there is no doubt that it would be the strongest in the future, absolutely unparalleled, but... with great power comes great responsibility.

As the number of followers increases, so too does the responsibility weighing on Xin Yun and the others. Between people, emotions inevitably develop over time. As Nine Great Experts, they might indeed be immortal, but... their followers are not, and the heartache of seeing them implicated in various grudges is indescribable.

In his past life, Xin Yun had personally experienced this bitter feeling, and it was precisely because of this that the very thought of establishing a power base gave him a headache. It wasn't that he didn't understand the benefits of establishing a power base, but rather that he was afraid of being tormented by it.

Recalling the past, watching companions die one after another before his eyes, constantly receiving news of followers' deaths, he felt helpless, unable to do anything. Only those who have experienced it can truly understand this feeling.

The benefits of establishing a power base are indeed significant, much like becoming an emperor, but likewise, the responsibility is substantial. After much pondering, Xin Yun still found it difficult to make a decision. He thought about it long into the night until he finally gave up. For now, let it be; if he couldn't see it through now, he would think about it later.

A decision would eventually be made.

Having made a decision, Xin Yun finally set aside his worries for the time being and entered his Cultivation Room. After activating the Energy Gathering Array, he began to cultivate in earnest, as practice must never be delayed.

Before he knew it, the night had passed, and with it, the academy's ranking competition had come to a definitive end. Xin Yun had secured the position of chief for Class Eleven, Ke Zhan had obtained the second seat, and Speedy Slash had taken the third.

Xin Yun felt that the rankings were fair, despite the element of luck involved. Although many might not have encountered a formidable opponent, from Xin Yun's observation, the rankings did indeed reflect the actual capabilities of everyone involved.

The reason Yi Luo Xiang and Yan Qingying were so worried was not unfounded. You see... the arrangement of the ranking competition was not scientific, with some people encountering strong opponents consecutively and getting eliminated, while others, by sheer luck, faced no formidable opponents and thus led the scores.

To lend more credibility to the overall rankings, everyone would be allowed to challenge anyone freely for the next month without facing any sanctions for failure. This was essentially a final adjustment targeted at the ranking competition. Once a month passed, all rankings would be officially confirmed, and challenges thereafter would result in harsh punishment in the event of failure.

The reason Yi Luo Xiang and Yan Qingying were so worried was that the chiefs of all ten classes in the academy could challenge them freely within the next month. If they were defeated, their positions would be swapped with those of their challengers.

Although they would only face ten challengers – all the chiefs of their respective classes, hence the strongest of each – none would be easy to handle.

For Xin Yun to have obtained the class chief position, he had already faced thirty battles. The outcome of these thirty fights was the selection of the real experts, and now... it was these experts that the two girls would have to fend off.

Of course, Xin Yun wouldn't challenge, for with his current strength, unless he resorted to Thunderbolt, he could at most fight to a draw with the two girls...

Besides, Xin Yun wasn't heartless enough; although he would like to become the top student of the grade, stepping on the heads of the two girls to get there wasn't the behavior of a true man, was it?

Aside from Xin Yun, the other ten class chiefs wouldn't miss such an opportunity. Within the next month, these two girls would certainly face severe tests, which is why they were so anxious.

Since Xin Yun understood what the two girls were thinking, he naturally had a plan. Smiling at the two girls, he said, "Yi Luo... Qingying... let's talk to the teacher to see about transferring you two to our class."

"Ah!" Hearing Xin Yun's words, Yi Luo Xiang and Yan Qingying's eyes lit up. It would be wonderful if it were really possible! The only question was, would the academy agree?

Seeing the girls' uncertain expressions, Xin Yun smiled and said, "What do you think? If it's possible, will you two transfer?"

On hearing Xin Yun's words, Yi Luo Xiang couldn't help but roll her eyes at him and said, "Isn't that obvious? Of course, we'd want to. If we could sit together in class every day, ah... just the thought of it is blissful."

Watching Yi Luo Xiang's adorable reaction, Xin Yun shook his head. Those words should have been his, right? But now... didn't seem like the time for such thoughts.