These educated monsters displayed particularly strong power. The strength of the Demon Clan was not weak; the reason it couldn’t form a potent force was due to excessive adoration of the strong, neglecting the construction of order.

The emergence of these students precisely remedied this deficiency and also revitalized the Demon Clan with vigorous vitality.

The members of the Demon Clan gradually realized the importance of Bailu Academy, and its students had become a highly sought-after identity within the clan. Countless monsters wanted to enter Bailu Academy to change their fates, but not everyone could achieve this aim.

In this desert of knowledge, even literacy was a luxury, let alone being as well-versed in literature and classics as the students of Bailu Academy; thus, very few could enter to study at Bailu Academy.

Today was another enrollment day for Bailu Academy, and countless aspiring students from all directions gathered to participate.

This was also the fruit of years of education, which enabled the blossoming of the flower of wisdom within this desert of scholarship.

Compared to the beginning, the threshold of Bailu Academy was now higher, and the requirements for its students were increased. They even introduced so-called examinations, modelled after those of the Human Clan.

It was hard to imagine a group of various monsters donning loose Confucian robes and writing fervently—somewhat eerie, somewhat comical, yet it was Luzhou in the North’s most splendid sight.

One of the young monsters with antlers on his head was pondering over the questions seriously. The invigilator walking by his side glanced at his paper and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

As time ticked by, the students wrote eagerly. The invigilators even began to chat leisurely.

"Compared to the beginning, the number of students has increased significantly!" an older-looking invigilator said with a light sip of tea and a smile.

"Since the Mountain Chief established the academy in the Demon Capital, there has been civilization in this part of Heaven and Earth. Now, many students have a path to pursue learning, and we share in this glory."

"I just looked over their papers—good, very good. They are no longer in that state of reluctantly getting by. I believe it won’t be long before our Demon Clan can flourish with scholarly culture."

"If that’s the case, our hard work will not have been in vain, and nor will the Mountain Chief’s earnest efforts."

As the invigilators chatted, the examination time came to an end. The students handed in their papers one after another and left the examination hall.

The young monster with antlers was among them; he looked at his paper and exhaled lightly. Although the test was rather difficult this time, he was confident he could make it into Bailu Academy.

Just as he stepped out of the gate, a rapid shout reached his ears.

"Luming, here, here."

Turning his head, he saw an old monster not far away waving at him. Luming’s face changed slightly, walking over with some reluctance.

"How did it go, how was the exam?" the old demon asked with concern, just like the other monster parents around.

"Not bad, I should be able to get in," Luming nodded lightly, seemingly unwilling to say more.

Hearing this, the old demon’s eyes brightened, and a surprised expression appeared on his face. He patted Luming’s shoulder heartily and said, "I knew you could do it. Come on, let’s go back and celebrate properly for you."

With that, he pulled Luming toward a house at the foot of the city, eliciting knowing smiles from the surrounding people, as many had witnessed similar scenes around them.

Today’s grand examination at Bailu Academy was a major event for the Demon Clan.

When the old demon pulled Luming back to his own room, as soon as they entered, the old man’s eyes suddenly changed, and the smile that had filled his face instantly disappeared.

His face darkened as he said, "Luming, you seem unhappy. Are you regretting your decision?"

Seeing this, Luming simply replied softly, "My life and death are in your hands, how could I dare to be unwilling?"

Hearing Luming’s slightly resentful words, a cold smile flashed across the old demon’s face as he said, "Good that you are aware. Don’t think that just because you were accepted into Bailu Academy, you could escape from the palm of my hand. Don’t forget your identity." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Once your identity is revealed, not to mention a student of Bailu Academy, even a high official in the Demon Court couldn’t escape by a hair’s breadth."

A flash of resentment crossed Luming’s eyes, and through clenched teeth, he asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"

"What I want to do is none of your business yet. Carry out what I instruct you to do, and you’ll naturally have a smooth path. Fail to do so, and don’t blame me for being heartless and cruel. I’ve raised you for so many years; it’s time you gave me some return." The old demon said fiercely, devoid of his previously kind demeanor, sending a chill down anyone’s spine who saw it.

Luming fell silent, fully aware of the man before him and his methods. Many children had been adopted by him, but only he had managed to survive. This was a truly cold-blooded person, someone whose allegiance was unknown but was undoubtedly ready to sell his soul.

Seeing Luming’s reaction, a hint of triumph flashed across the old demon’s face. What did it matter if one were a student from Bailu Academy? He still had them firmly in his grasp.

Then he spoke in a deep voice, "From today onwards, you are to inquire about someone in the Demon Capital for me."

"Who?"

"A monster named Lin Fang, who should be one of the higher-ups of the Demon Clan. For some reason, his whereabouts are unknown. You have more access to information at the academy, and you can indirectly learn more. See where this person is currently, and gauge the situation yourself."

"Lin Fang?" Luming murmured to himself, feeling as though he had heard this name somewhere before.

Just then, a knock on the door suddenly came from outside, and the old demon’s expression turned solemn as he asked softly, "Who is it?"

"Luming, it’s me, Mountain Rocks!"

The old demon’s expression instantly became amiable as he said with a smile, "Ah, it’s young Mountain Rocks. Are you here to see Luming?"

"Yes, Old Master Lu, I heard that Luming finished his examination today, and I just so happened to have arranged with a few friends to go to the teahouse for story listening. They say there’s a new tale."

The old demon laughed and went to open the door, revealing a burly monster with a face that resembled mountain rocks, standing at the doorstep with a beaming smile.

"You are well-informed," said Luming with a light smile.

Mountain Rocks patted his own chest, which made a noise like stones colliding.

"Of course, you have to remember who I am—there’s nothing in Demon Capital City that I don’t know about," boasted Mountain Rocks proudly.

Luming, however, replied with a smile, "Is that so? Then I must test you. I’ve heard that there’s a high-ranking figure in our Demon Clan named Lin Fang. Have you ever heard of him?"

At those words, the old demon’s ears instantly perked up.

"Now, that’s something I do know about. Others may not know, but I have personally seen Master Lin Fang," Mountain Rocks said with pride.