.

What is the Monument Really?-

.

The students broke off into groups of 15. Each had a teacher tell them some small rules as they moved. Leroy didn't pay much attention to it. One he knew enough of it for this case and two, it didn't really matter considering enough of the past students wrote that the rules were just a small measure for them to go by and that it was damn near lawless during the Trial.

Hell, they didn't have any teachers on the outside ready to provide medical support or anything like that. It was bad enough that it was half a day away for Body Tempering Realm Cultivators and a few hours away from Qi Refining Realm Cultivators. None of the higher-up Nascent Realm Cultivator Teachers were part of the group.

It was odd not to have that bit of insurance in case something happens.

As they walked, the group came up to a large Monument sticking up in the forest. It reached up pretty high by the student's standards but Leroy thought it was pretty small. Considering most apartment buildings completely beat it in height as well as office buildings.

"Why in the world is this Monument here? Matter of fact, what is it?" Pai Shu asked in awe.

"It's called the Emperor's Monument." Leroy said almost in a mutter.

Not wanting the teacher to get any type of respect or admiration by answering. It would cause unrest but he knew the man would make a move eventually considering Leroy didn't belong to any Faction, so why not have some small joys and make things difficult for him? Bad enough the little information he picked up using Spatial Sense while eating in the Galley of the Akademy suggested some groups were going to make a move during this time.

But the biggest would be in the East and South Kingdom, not that many students had joined from there. Less than a handful really.

"History says it leads to Another Dimension. When the Moon is just right and the sky is clear, endless power from above comes down. Doesn't matter what is cultivated as the Qi is some of the most beneficial. It is unclear to most how this one currently operates."

"This one?" Tang Bo asked.

"There is one here near the Akademy, one up North in the Arklay Mountains, one in the East among the islands of Bermuda..." That one was just too crazy to even think about going to. "One in the West buried in the sea of Corpses, one by the old Imperial Palace in the Northeast. And a few more scattered about stolen by some psychos. At least that's what the rumors say anyway."

Pulling out a Spyglass, he turned it a little and circulated his Qi. Giving off that he was weaker than the actual rank he was in. Through its sight he saw a few etchings on the monument as well as a route that could lead up to it in the forest.

"But other rumors and bits of Myth say the Monument.. here is the one that helps lead to knew life. Manu Cultivators stuck in Cultivation have ran here from far and wide trying to develop techniques or gain some type of insight..." Giving a grin he looked at his classmates technically. "..they all have one thing in common besides those goals."

"What is it?" Chu Xue asked with bated breath.

"They all ended up dead or a near-dead state afterward!" Putting the spyglass away he smiled at the few whose eyes dimmed. Several students made a decision not to go anywhere near the thing now. "Those in the near-dead state babbled about a creature beyond understanding reaching out to get them!"

The students stared at Leroy in awe at his narration. Teacher Chan-Yeol hid a slight scowl. Victoria mumbled something about the Monument having ties to Life Martial Artists and looked at Chu Xue. Her look did not go unnoticed by Jasmine who was watching the interactions between the two martial siblings.

The two started whispering in secret as they laced their Qi within the words to help remained to hush for most students to hear. Creating quite a spectacle for those who gossip. Seeing the looks towards Chu Xue every now and then, one of the students became upset. Leroy caught note of it and moved to intercept.

"Leroy.." Tang Bo was surprised by this action from his friend. "..this brat needs to be taught a lesson! The two beauties should not have all his attention! There are others more deserving than he!"

"They are not worth it, besides he didn't really do anything." Leroy said calmly to the jealous teen. "You must forget this type of nonsense, steady your mind to keep this Qi Deviation from getting worse. This is not how your Clear Tang family operates. Besides.." he gestured at the students and towards the teachers. ".. you might get jumped with an attitude like that. The woods have no allies, terrible place to sow strife."

"Tch!" Tang Bo clicked his teeth in anger. But his eyes radiated malice when Victoria gave a look towards Chu Xue. JEasously was a weird thing, especially when you saw someone you fancy go after another who you believe to be undeserving. "Just.. let me beat him around a little!"

"I am saying this for your own good.. my friend." Leroy spoke calmly and softly. He placed his hand on the teen's shoulder and made sure he kept direct eye contact. The crazed long looked horrible and medically he would blow a blood vessel if not careful. Not unheard of for Cultivators having a slight Stroke from stress or pure anger induced. "A few people are actually trying to cause trouble later on. You messing with him will help this justify taking out members of the Clear Tang Family."

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Hmm?!" Tang Bo remembered a little of what his family told him about the unrest in some areas. If what his friend said was true then it would have spread to the Akademy long ago as well. "I.. I.. I understand. Thank you. No sense fighting with fools in my condition. These "common" cultivators are not worth it."

Leroy almost facepalmed. The arrogant fool actually said it pretty loudly. Enough that the others were incensed to cause an issue. Can't fix indoctrination of this level easily.

"What did you say!?" A commoner student said angrily.

Next to him, one of the members that Leroy identified as a rebellion sympathizer had egged him on with a few whispers. He moved over determined to stir the pot so to speak even further by the looks of it. Chu Xue thought this was his fault seeing how the Tang member said that while looking at him. He was slightly troubled that Leroy had even intervened as he did. "Why did you get in my way?"

"I think it best we all calm down. I am sure there is an explanation for what he said." Chu Xue looked towards Tang Bo for an answer expectantly.

"I don't owe you any explanation!" He felt ashamed having someone he thought lesser stand up to stop a fight he was sure he could win. "You need to stay in your place!"

"Oh boy." Leroy sighed in frustration. He would have a talk with the Tang Elders in the Akademy later about this. Staring into Tang Bo's red eyes he spoke sternly with force. "You should really change the way talk to people. Like really soon. Not gonna make friends that way or keep the ones you have."

"Humph!" Tang Bo looked away but made the mistake of looking at the other students. The looks were not friendly at all and they looked ready to rip him to pieces.

"If young Master Tang truly has the skills he should grant us, Commoners, a fair fight, a duel to see who's the strongest!" Pin Feng would not let the chance to show up to the nobles pass. He was worried that Leroy would diffuse the situation and cause sympathizers to rethink their allegiance. "Don't tell me the Tang family has cowards?"

It was a low blow but enough that it would cause problems if Tang Bo or any Noble did not handle it correctly. Tang Bo was quite angry and was about to lash out as the Qi Deviation made it worse stirring his mental condition.

It was about to break out not in a duel and but a brawl if this powder keg was tapped even further. Until Leroy stepped in front of him calm as can be and acting as a complete divide between the opposing factions.

"Leroy...."

"This little bitch boi riled things up good enough and you fell into the bait. Lesser men always result in stirring the pot like this while keeping themselves safe in the background." Leroy said over his shoulder.

His eyes glowed a haunting dark blue with a tinge of white in it. Tang Bo and others stepped back slightly afraid. The other students were reminded that Leroy was a commoner like that and had broken into the Qi Refining Realm not too long ago from the diligent study.

Leroy turned back to the instigator.

"A fair fight is really impossible since station start, body, mentality, and even surrounding can change things in one favor. Try not to say such stupid words like that in the future. It might make people think you are trying to angle something, like a different meaning really."

"I think we should just all cool our heads." Chu Xue said trying to pacify things once more. "This can be seen to when we are really ready to talk calmly."

"We are settling it big bro Chu Xue." Pin Feng said with a smile looking at him. "A duel is a good way to settle things the way the Noble and Military Families like it. We do have our Honor to think about."

"Duels are for kids, real men do life or death matches." Leroy said with malice. His eyes locked on Pen Feng with growing animosity. "Since you want to fight so badly, let me and you enter a Life & Deathmatch with everyone here as the witness. I will even let you attack first to make it a "fair fight" and to prevent any boohooing or mudslinging afterward by disgruntled fools."

"A Life or Deathmatch..." A few students mumbled with unease Not thinking things would go this far. At this time the commotion had everyone paying attention now.

The other teachers were moving closer to getting involved if it went in the wrong way.

Pin Feng was taken aback by the resolute look in Leroy's eyes. Instincts telling him to be wary and back down. Too many plans were in place to risk it. The death of a rising member of the Akademy and a student of the vice-principal would cause an issue.

Another member of the rebellion forces gestured towards the situation. If he fought and died due to a member of the Tang Family it would help the cause. Especially with the history, the family has with the populace starting to waver due to the Demon Plant incident.

"They are scared, my friend." Tang Bo's arrogance was growing as well as his sense of agitation. Finding the moving and whispering of some of the students off-putting.

"A Life & Death duel is too much." Chu Xue said after talking with Pin Feng closely. "We are all students of the Akademy, no reason to create.."

"How weak and spineless." Leroy turned away. "Your "side" gave a proposal I gave a counteroffer. It is a good reminder to be careful with one's words and one's decisions one makes. Putting everything on the line for what one believes in.. is the sign of a real man." His eyes landed on Victorian. "..as well as a real woman. Something you never have been around I suppose."

"Are you willing to give the same terms without the Life & Death attach to it?" Pin Feng felt insulted despite it not being directed at him directly and more at Chu Xue. "Your insult can not just go by."

"Haaa, fine then. Same stakes but the loser has to complete one favor of the winner that is within their power. How's that sound?" Leroy proposed after a little thought.

A chance to find out things on a more personal level ensuing. Plus to have a favor owed to him by the rebels would be good. Especially if he failed at killing him later.

"Fine! But I will duel you!" Chu Xue said. Not wanting to pass the chance to shorten the trouble Pin Feng already faced.

"If there is a duel, it should be me fighting!" Tang Bo shouted. Tang Xui was having none of that.

"Your head is not in a good space right now. Calm yourself for now and just watch." Tang Xui really wished that her kinsmen had prevented this from happening. She stepped forward to the teacher who did not the entire time but watch passively. "What do you say about the arrangement?"

She was met with cold silence which unnerved her a bit. A few of the other students had frowns on their faces as well.

"A sparring match between fellow students as well as fellow disciples, much to learn from each other." Pin Feng said clearly. Having the utmost faith in Chu Xue after hearing about him almost making it to Qi Refining IV Rank with all the resources he gave to close the gap. "I ask the students and teachers here to act as witness, that this isn't some vendetta!"

"Spoken like a true manipulator." Leroy said loudly enough for most to hear.

"Teacher Chan-Yeol, I trust you to preside over this match fairly." Chu Xue asked almost pleadingly.

"Are you sure about this?" Chan-Yeol asked. Something about the situation had him acting cautiously again. But they needed to check some students over to help bring them over to their side. He met the eyes of those wanting to fight and grinned internally as they gave him a resolute look. "Okay fellas, I want a clean fight!"

As the students looked on intently, a few had some doubts this should happen right before going into the Demon Beast-infested area. Surely the Teachers would have put a stop to this. But they did not.

"Well, come on now." Leroy gestured toward Chu Xue that didn't move. "The agreement was to allow the other party to strike first, so make your move already."