Chapter 37 Nirvana Court

After entering the city, Xia Jiuxuan and his companions kept a low profile, found an inn, and spent the night there. The next day, after making some inquiries, they arrived at the Supreme Profound Academy.

This academy was the largest in the Immortal Martial Empire, its grounds vast enough to rival a medium-sized city. Within its walls were multiple colleges, among which the Nirvana Institute was the most peculiar.

All youths sent to the Nirvana Institute were anything but mild-mannered; each was an infamous villain without exception.

Upon their arrival, academy disciples were assigned to guide the newcomers.

“Junior brother, may I see your admission token? I’ll lead you in,” one of two friendly academy disciples said to Xia Jiuxuan.

Xia Jiuxuan immediately produced the token left by Yao Yunya for Xia Ran and handed it over.

“So you’re a disciple taken in by Teacher Yao? Congratulations, junior brother!” Their smiles grew even warmer upon seeing the token. To become Teacher Yao’s disciple was a stroke of great fortune.

“These tokens belong to my niece. Please escort her to report in. This one is mine,” Xia Jiuxuan explained, offering his own token.

One of them accepted the token and drew a sharp breath. “You… you’re being admitted to the Nirvana Institute under special protection!”

The two guides unconsciously stepped half a pace back, well aware what kind of people were admitted to Nirvana Institute under special circumstances.

“That’s right,” Xia Jiuxuan replied calmly.

“Apologies, friend… you’ll have to report by yourself. We don’t dare go near the Nirvana Institute. Sorry.” Both forced apologetic smiles, their eyes betraying a hint of fear.

Ordinary academy disciples were diligent cultivators and law-abiding students. But those in the Nirvana Institute? Every one of them was a ruthless killer. No wonder these guides dared not approach or provoke anyone from there.

Xia Jiuxuan merely frowned slightly but said nothing more, since their attitude was still respectful enough.

“Very well. Please take my niece to Teacher Yao’s place. I’ll go to the Nirvana Institute myself.”

With Li Luoyan now protecting Xia Ran, and within the academy’s walls, he was not worried for her safety.

“Of course, not a problem,” the two disciples nodded repeatedly, then turned to veiled Li Luoyan. “Junior sister, this way, please.”

“You’re mistaken. She is my niece,” Xia Jiuxuan said, gesturing to Xia Ran.

“What?” The two disciples stared wide-eyed at the little girl. So young, and yet she’d received an admission token? How could that be!

“Friend, you’re not joking, are you?”

“I’m not. Just take her over, and you’ll see.” Xia Jiuxuan cupped his hands politely.

“Well, alright.” Still, they struggled to believe a child so small could have won Teacher Yao’s favor.

“Luoyan, take care of the young lady. I’ll return soon,” Xia Jiuxuan instructed.

“Don’t worry, young master,” Li Luoyan replied.

Nodding slightly, Xia Jiuxuan set off to find the Nirvana Institute himself.

About a quarter of an hour later, he reached the northwestern edge of the academy grounds, where an iron wall, reinforced by a special formation, came into view.

On the massive iron gate ahead, the words “Nirvana Institute” were engraved.

Xia Jiuxuan stepped forward and presented his token.

Immediately, four powerful figures appeared, surrounding him in a defensive formation.

Each of the four was at the third level of Profound Comprehension!

“Come with me,” one of them said coolly, gesturing for Xia Jiuxuan to follow.

Soon, Xia Jiuxuan was led to a plaza where over a hundred youths already sat cross-legged in neat rows. Around them stood guards of the fifth level of Profound Comprehension, and even one guardian at the Sealing Spirit stage!

“What a grand setup,” Xia Jiuxuan smiled wryly to himself. Clearly, the Nirvana Institute was no ordinary place; its security outmatched even a prison.

His arrival drew many glances—some blank, others glinting with predatory amusement.

Xia Jiuxuan ignored the stares, unimpressed. Just a bunch of brats—any menace they showed was barely worth acknowledging.

“Are you Xia Jiuxuan?”

He approached a long table, behind which sat a dignified middle-aged man.

“I am,” Xia Jiuxuan replied.

“Young master of the Xia clan of Dragon Lair City. Half a month ago, you killed several clan elders, four young masters from rival houses, a number of elders from the Four Great Clans… It seems you are quite ruthless.” The man recited the charges from the city lord’s official missive with a flat voice.

“I wouldn’t say ruthless—merely self-defense,” Xia Jiuxuan answered evenly.

A faint smile crossed the man’s face. “Since you come with a teacher’s recommendation, you have two choices. First, confess your crimes, be imprisoned, and await trial. Second, join the Nirvana Institute for reformation, your life and death at the Institute’s discretion.”

It was a mere formality—every youth who came here chose the Nirvana Institute, seeking a slim chance at survival.

Xia Jiuxuan was no exception. He chose the second option.

“Very well. From now on, you are a disciple of the Nirvana Institute. A teacher will come shortly to teach you the rules. For now, pick a spot and sit.”

Xia Jiuxuan said nothing more, finding a place among the other hundred or so youths to sit cross-legged.

Soon after, another youth arrived—unlike the others, he was bound with iron chains and escorted by two guards at the Profound Comprehension stage.

This youth was tall, his eyes bloodshot, exuding a murderous aura like a rabid beast.

Even the three middle-aged examiners looked grim at his approach.

“Chu Kui, is it?” the lead examiner asked, gazing at the chained youth.

“That’s right, old man!” Chu Kui replied with a savage grin, his eyes murderous.

“How dare you be disrespectful to Vice Dean Wu!” barked one of the guards, striking Chu Kui’s back so hard it caved in, flesh and bone turning to pulp.

“Enough.” Vice Dean Wu had heard of Chu Kui’s deeds and knew his nature well.

“Chu Kui, from Guiyun Township, son of a hunter. A month ago, you slaughtered your entire village, resisted arrest, killed eighty-eight city guards, exterminated the entire family of Qianshan City’s lord—forty-eight people—and killed eighteen sentinels sent from Weiwu City…”

When Vice Dean Wu finished reciting this bloody list, the hundred or so youths on the plaza were shocked.

This was a true killer! Even city sentinels had fallen to him—what a monster.

Most began calculating: if he truly joined the Nirvana Institute, he was one to avoid at all costs.

Even Xia Jiuxuan looked at Chu Kui with interest. His record was far more impressive than his own.

“Hahaha! That’s right! I killed them all! Every last one! Well?” Chu Kui laughed madly, blood dripping from his lips.

Vice Dean Wu ignored him, continuing by the book: “Chu Kui, your bloodshed is unforgivable, but considering your extraordinary physique and potential, you have two choices—”

“Bah! Old dog, I choose your mother!” Chu Kui spat a mouthful of blood right in Vice Dean Wu’s face, utterly brazen.

The crowd gasped. To be so reckless here—he had to be insane!

No one would dare provoke such a man.

“Vice Dean Wu, I believe this one is beyond saving. It’s best to execute him now,” one of the other examiners suggested.

“Agreed. He’s already lost his mind. Even if spared, he’s useless to the empire. Better to kill him here,” the third examiner concurred.

“Haha! Kill me if you dare, old dogs! I’m not afraid!” Chu Kui struggled, showing not the slightest fear.

“You’re right—he’s mad beyond reason and deserves death,” Vice Dean Wu declared. “Guards, execute him.”

“Wait.” Vice Dean Wu raised his hand to stop them, stood, and addressed the gathered youths: “You’ve all seen the situation. This one cannot be reformed. Let this be your first lesson and his chance at redemption: whoever kills him will receive two merit points.”

“Two points!” The crowd was instantly stirred.

According to the Nirvana Institute’s rules, collecting five hundred points would absolve all crimes; otherwise, only a bloody contest for survival awaited them.

Killing Chu Kui would earn two points—a substantial reward.

But after hearing of his exploits, no one dared step forward. This was a man who had slaughtered city guards and more. He must be at least at the eighth or ninth level of Palace Entry—if not higher.

Vice Dean Wu swept the crowd with a cold glare. “Each of you was a terror in your own domain, killing at the slightest provocation, but now you’re all cowards? Pathetic. Not worth letting you live.”

“Old man, you look down on me?” barked a purple-clad youth, stepping forward with a wicked grin.

“Unchain Chu Kui. You, step in,” Vice Dean Wu ordered.

The purple-clad youth swaggered forward, exuding insolence and defiance. “Listen up, all of you. I am Gu Feiyu, and I will be the overlord of this institute. If you have a problem, come find me.”

Boom!

The air trembled as Gu Feiyu unleashed his true power—seventh level of Palace Entry!

Sixteen years old, Palace Entry seventh level—a remarkable talent. Only those with such gifts had a chance to be recommended to the Nirvana Institute; otherwise, they’d have long since lost their heads.

Every youth here possessed exceptional abilities.

“Bragging about nothing, you fool!” As soon as Gu Feiyu finished speaking, a blade of azure energy slashed down at him.

“The intent and force of the blade!”

“A profound-rank blade technique!”

“Ninth level of Palace Entry!”

Sensing the terrifying power of the blade, all were secretly astonished.

Snap!

The blade descended—Gu Feiyu, terrified, tried to parry with his sword, but was cut cleanly in two.

Dead before he could even make a name for himself…

The one who struck was truly terrifying, and the crowd immediately began searching for the killer with their eyes.