The Interplanetary Academy had not been this restless in years.
Students flooded the central arena terraces until every tier of stone seating was occupied.
First years clung to railings, whispering excitedly. Second and third years leaned in clusters, exchanging speculation and rumors with the confidence of people who knew nothing but believed everything. Even the older students- the fourth and fifth years who usually carried themselves with the bored arrogance of veterans- had shown up.
Everyone was waiting.
Two months ago, Jin Huang had walked through the academy like a storm wearing a grin, a 'Number Fourteen' uniform and a headband, all the while carrying a flag of challenge.
First, he had challenged Class 1-4, then the neighboring classes.
Then anyone who looked even remotely capable of fighting. Thus, the story had spread faster than wildfire. Not only was Jin Huang already a topic of conversation because of his appetite and inability to cultivate, he had shocked the student body a little over a month ago when he returned with Dao Integration level beast cores.
These and other events sparked many rumors, most of which depicted him as someone who had used schemes and tricks to accomplish what he did. After all, how could someone so unremarkable accomplish such a feat?
His total lack of cultivation talent was, of course, their main reason for slandering him.
Even so, he had boldly issued a challenge to them all, and proclaimed himself- loudly and proudly- that he was the Fourteenth Unteachable Student.
Doubts arose once he was seen enough times with Hei Shisan, someone who- despite being a horrible role model- was a true powerhouse among the fifth years. Numerous students speculated that Hei Shisan most likely saw something that they could not.
However, after issuing his ceaseless challenges, Jin Huang had vanished for almost two full months in total.
Pretty much everyone thought that he was locked up in the Detention Center. Even so, knowing Hei Shisan, they expected him to at least have the balls to emulate Number Thirteen and break out as well.
And so, with expectations high, the arena hummed with anticipation as conversations layered over each other like buzzing insects.
"Do you think he chickened out?"
"He went to the Abyssal Demonic Star System, idiot."
"That doesn't mean he'll show up today."
"I heard he broke out of detention over a month ago."
"I heard he got expelled after he was caught jerking off in the bathroom at the Detention Center."
"I heard he died of that."
"You heard wrong. He reportedly found Hei Shisan's porn, got a nosebleed and passed out. He's been in a coma since."
At the center of it all, the arena floor remained empty. Midday was approaching, but Jin Huang had not yet appeared.
High up in the seating rows, two figures sat side by side, looking as if they had come merely to pass time.
Lu Chen rested one elbow on his knee, fingers loosely supporting his chin as he gazed down at the arena with the mild interest of a man watching street performers.
Nagira leaned back with both hands behind his head, one leg lazily bouncing.
"This place is almost as loud as a battlefield," Nagira muttered.
Lu Chen didn't look at him. "Battlefields are quieter," he replied calmly.
Nagira snorted, his eyes sweeping across the arena, lingering on the restless crowds.
"You really think he'll show?" Lu Chen asked. "From what you've told me about him, there's nothing to suggest he can deliver on his word."
Nagira shifted his gaze, "He broke out of detention, along with Hei Shisan and Xu Ye-"
"Xu Lan's son?" Lu Chen perked up.
"Yeah," Nagira nodded, laying one foot atop the other. "According to Mr. Yuanshi, they went back to Obsidian City. If you're still not convinced, Yao Lingzi was spying on them with her token up until they breached the heart of the city."
"Hmph. So he's been with the Old Ones this entire time?"
Nagira's reply was a shrug.
Below them, the entire student body churned with impatience. Dozens of powerful auras flickered across the stands as competitors waited to see if the arrogant first year would actually appear.
Lu Chen's lips curved faintly.
"He'll definitely come, then."
Nagira raised an eyebrow, "Why so confident now?"
Lu Chen rested his chin on his hand again, eyes calm. "If he would dare to go to a place like Obsidian City twice- even if he had help- then he's more than crazy enough to show up for this."
Nagira chuckled, eyes unfocused as he reminisced.
Lu Chen's gaze drifted toward the empty arena floor, a subtly reminiscent look in his eyes as well.
"A man who speaks that loudly," he said, voice quiet.
"Will never offer silence as a response," Nagira continued, finishing Lu Chen's thought.
They glanced at each other and shared a brief laugh, "Lin Mingdao's one-liners will live longer than he will."
Nagira gently tapped Lu Chen on the shoulder, "Of that, I have no doubt."
As they continued lightly conversing, Lu Chen's head suddenly snapped in the direction of someone who had only just appeared.
Standing tall and proud, a flat smile and disdainful look amidst her delicate features, Cho Yanshi descended the stairs to the tier where they were sitting in. Lu Chen had eyed her all the way down, but she never returned his gaze, instead acting like he didn't exist.
She sat next to Nagira and folded her arms. "Feeling lucky, ancient?"
Nagira flashed a toothy smile, "You know I am. What are you thinking, chef?"
"I've got some dao stones here that say Jin Huang won't so much as suffer a single loss today," she smirked, her hand opening as an expensive bag of holding appeared in it.
Nagira sucked his teeth, "Alright, alright, I'll take that action. My money's on the students in my class. If any one of 'em manages to beat him, it's my win."
Their gazes locked in fierce competition, both showcasing confidence in their bets. Lu Chen looked on curiously, uncertain where Cho Yanshi's confidence was coming from. Since he hadn't gotten a good look at the data in her jade, he was only able to see Jin Huang's name. He hoped that the youngster would put on a good show.
"Gambling? I want a piece of this as well," a younger voice spoke up behind them. Turning, they saw the pale-faced and nigh-malnourished Shen Wuyou, holding up a spatial ring.
"I don't have dao stones, but I have golden tickets to the Nine Star Auction House's Grand Opening in a couple of weeks. Will they suffice?"
Cho Yanshi gasped. She was about to shoot down Shen Wuyou, but when he told them what he had, she froze. Nagira, as well, was preparing to let Shen Wuyou down easy as his teacher, but he paused and looked at Cho Yanshi.
They both knew the significance of the Nine Star Auction House. It was a place with very close ties to an Immortal Faction in the Heavenly Realm. Even if they couldn't afford to bid, just being there was enough to change the life of anyone in the Earthly Realm.
They almost couldn't believe that Shen Wuyou would bet with them.
"What's your bet, Wuyou?" Nagira asked.
"Jin Huang won't so much as get hit once," he said while placing the spatial ring between them, where the bags containing their dao stones were.
The three of them shared various looks, their expressions all eager for Jin Huang to show up.
Another roar of conversation rippled through the arena as someone shouted near the entrance gates.
Both men glanced toward it. Someone was walking in.
Nagira's grin only got wider as he saw who it was. "Well," he said. "Someone's eager to get this started."
Lu Chen's expression didn't change; Cho Yanshi looked on with keen interest.
Shen Wuyou's eyes sharpened slightly. "Wu Shen."
Walking into the center of the arena, Wu Shen's conceited glare was cast in every direction as his golden hair blew gently in the wind. His aura expanded around him, filling the arena with his presence as the images of numerous dragons danced in the air about him.
"So he's already stepped into the Inner Core realm. The kid truly is a genius," Nagira remarked.
"Smells like a True Dragon, but there's also the taint of an ordinary bloodline. He's still got a ways to go before he can truly shine," Cho Yanshi added, nodding as she assessed Wu Shen.
Lu Chen grinned, gaze sharp, "Just look at the draconic might intermixed with his soul fluctuations. There's more to him than meets the eye- and more to his blood. He's in your class, Nagira?"
The ancient nodded, "That's right. There's a few others with potential as high as- or even greater- than his. My money's on them."
Once he was sure all eyes were on him, Wu Shen spared a little energy to boost his volume, shouting, "Where the hell are you, Jin Huang!? I'm here to kick your ass!"
His draconic aura surged with the declaration. The spectral dragons circling him let out silent roars, their massive forms coiling within the arena like living storms. Golden pressure pressed down upon the gathered students, forcing many first-years to break out into a cold sweat.
Wu Shen's challenge hung in the air as seconds passed, the arena stirring with whispers.
Nagira scratched his cheek. "Well… that was dramatic."
Lu Chen's gaze had drifted from Wu Shen to the entrance gates.
At the other end of the arena floor, the massive doors directly opposite of where Wu Shen had entered, creaked.
The sound was so small that most people barely noticed it.
But then--
Boom!
The gates slammed open, a strong wind rolling through the arena as a dense current of energy swept inward, carrying with it the faint scent of something dark.
Three silhouettes stood in the entrance, but the one in the center stepped forward first.
Jin Huang.
His 'Number Fourteen' uniform shifted lazily as he walked, shoulders loose, hands tucked casually behind his head as if he had merely arrived to watch the show. Yet the pressure around him told a different story.
It was thick and heavy, yet relaxed, like a beast stretching in its sleep.
Behind him stood two figures like silent shadows. Hei Shisan, smiling faintly as though this entire spectacle amused him to no end; Xu Ye, quiet and composed, his gaze sweeping the arena with calm calculation.
Together, they ascended while Jin Huang made his way toward Wu Shen.
Each footfall echoed.
The roaring arena slowly… strangely… began to quiet.
Wu Shen's dragons faltered in the air as Nagira's grin returned, wider than before.
Lu Chen leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees. "Inner Core as well," he said softly. "Was he not at Energy Gathering when you last saw him?"
Nagira nodded, eyes glued to the two students in the arena.
Jin Huang stopped a few feet away from Wu Shen and finally lowered his hands from behind his head.
His eyes swept the crowd, spotting a few people that he knew, then once again landed on Wu Shen.
He laughed, "Sorry I'm late."