Chapter 21: Passing Easily!
Wang Shan's response had been extremely timely. Pitifully, with Zi Yan's strength rivaling that of a Dou Huang expert, even though she had only struck casually, it still carried a power that could not be underestimated.
Although Wang Shan cultivated the earth-attribute, renowned for its defensive capabilities, his Dou Qi armor, upon contact with the force Zi Yan had unleashed, shattered utterly at a speed akin to crushing dry weeds and smashing rotten wood, without any suspense whatsoever.
And, in an exceedingly brief moment, the armor completely collapsed. That ferocious, violent force, without the slightest mercy, pierced through the Dou Qi armor and slammed into Wang Shan's chest.
"Ah—"
A miserable, agonized scream tore through the plaza, heart-rending and lung-splitting.
Wang Shan's body, like a kite with its string cut, hurtled viciously off the arena and crashed heavily, unable to climb back up. Only the violently heaving chest indicated that the other was still alive.
In the spectator stands, at this moment, everyone seemed as if they had been choked by something, staring dumbfounded at the scene.
Looking at Wang Shan, collapsed on the ground and unable to rise, everyone couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva. What was going on? This little girl, who looked so utterly harmless and even adorably cute—her strength was this powerful? And she struck so ruthlessly?
Wang Shan was, after all, one of the rare Da Dou Shi in the Outer Academy, a strong contender for the top five. And he was defeated just like that?
Everyone looked at each other. Had the world changed? First Jiang Yun, then Zi Yan. Were the standards for geniuses in this batch really this high? Weren't we from the same batch? How come I didn't know?
"What savage, brute strength. Entirely relying on the power of her physical body—just what kind of demonic beast is this girl?" Wu Tianlang on the high platform stared fixedly at Zi Yan, a trace of lingering shock still in his eyes.
Based solely on the strength Zi Yan had just demonstrated, even he was slightly inferior. And he was a peak Dou Huang, mind you!
Faced with Wu Tianlang's question, Hu Gan shook his head. He too did not know Zi Yan's origins, only that she was a kind of extremely terrifying demonic beast.
By now, the referee on the arena had finally regained his senses. After confirming that Wang Shan's life was not in danger, he swallowed his saliva and stammered, "Huang Class Three... Zi Yan, wins!"
Yet his gaze, from beginning to end, did not dare to look at Zi Yan.
"Tch, boring!" Curling her lip, Zi Yan waved her hand in boredom. She stomped her foot against the ground, and her petite body shot explosively into the air, finally landing lightly and deftly beside Jiang Yun, flashing him a grin.
For a time, the two of them drew the majority of the gazes. The classmates around them looked at the pair with both awe and curiosity.
"Your strike was a bit too heavy!" Jiang Yun looked at Zi Yan's exquisitely cute, doll-like appearance and said softly.
"Hmph— who knew that guy was so brittle!" Zi Yan muttered defiantly. She hadn't even used much strength! She'd held back!
"Not everyone possesses the physical strength of a demonic beast," Jiang Yun said, rubbing Zi Yan's little head.
"But you, Little Yun, aren't that weak either!" Zi Yan shook her head, trying to shake off the 'detestable' large hand on her head. But Jiang Yun had years of experience; how could he let Zi Yan succeed? In the end, she could only grudgingly let him wreak havoc on her silken hair.
Hearing this reply, Jiang Yun was briefly stunned, then smiled wryly. "You! You can't use my standards to measure others!"
These past three years, Zi Yan was either running wild in the Demonic Beast Forest or being dragged by Jiang Yun to practice Dou Techniques. So she hadn't yet adapted to the standards of 'ordinary' geniuses.
"Hehe, I know!" Seeing Jiang Yun's helpless expression, Zi Yan giggled, revealing her cute little tiger teeth. She patted Jiang Yun's shoulder and declared proudly, "My Little Yun is definitely the strongest."
Looking at the adorably naive Zi Yan, Jiang Yun chuckled helplessly, a gentleness he couldn't hide lurking in the depths of his eyes.
Over the following days, the competition proceeded smoothly.
The matches continued in a one-on-one format. Hu Gan did not arrange any chaotic free-for-all mode. However, he did let Zi Yan pass the assessment directly, not counting her among the fifty slots, and automatically defaulted her as the number one of this Selection Tournament.
This, naturally, won the unanimous approval of the contestants. Only Zi Yan herself felt a bit sullen. In her life, Zi Yan had only three great loves: eating, Jiang Yun, and fighting.
Now, Hu Gan had directly banned one of her great loves—it was simply infuriating! Pity, she couldn't beat him. She could only indignantly devour three large bottles of pellets before her mood improved considerably.
By contrast, Jiang Yun was not as fortunate as Zi Yan. He honestly fought his way through the 'advancement matches.' However, relying on his 8-star Da Dou Shi cultivation and combat strength far surpassing his peers,
no matter who Jiang Yun's opponent was, he resolved the battle with the force of crushing dry weeds and smashing rotten wood, absolutely never seen using a second move.
This also caused Jiang Yun's popularity in the Outer Academy to skyrocket. After all, a genius with both looks, strength, and outstanding talent was a hot commodity no matter where you were.
On this day, Jiang Yun welcomed the final opponent of the tournament—the match that would decide the second-place spot. As for first place, it was already tacitly conceded to Zi Yan, who sat in the spectator stands popping pellets into her mouth one by one.
Looking at the young man before him, the foremost genius of the Outer Academy—Song Yun, 6-star Da Dou Shi—Jiang Yun's expression was relaxed.
In contrast, Song Yun was on high alert, constantly on guard as if facing a great enemy. The tales of Jiang Yun's battle achievements over the past few days had thundered in his ears. The last 3-star Da Dou Shi had been defeated by a single palm strike from the other; his depth couldn't be seen at all. Song Yun at least admitted that he himself could not do such a thing.
Up in the spectator stands, it was still those three old fellows.
Hu Gan watched the two facing off in the arena and asked curiously, "What do you say—just what level has Jiang Yun's strength reached?"
"At the very least, no weaker than a 9-star Da Dou Shi!" Wu Tianlang's tiger-like eyes widened slightly, a flash of sharp light passing through them.
Elder Li beside him also nodded. Judging from the other's performance in the previous few matches, he was indeed a genius, his strength appearing utterly unfathomable.
"Let's hope Song Yun can force that little fellow to reveal a bit more of his power!"
All three fixed their gazes dead on the arena, hoping to gauge Jiang Yun's depth. They were simply far too curious.
So...
Song Yun, do your best!
"Match, begin!" the referee announced after seeing both parties were ready.
As the words fell, Song Yun drew his treasured sword. Bright yellow flames coiled around the blade. He rushed swiftly before Jiang Yun and thrust his sword straight at the other's chest.
Jiang Yun's gaze flickered. His feet stepped upon a profound, mysterious footwork. Instead of retreating, he advanced, rapidly closing in on the opponent, leaving a trail of afterimages across the arena. Watching Song Yun raise his sword to thrust, Jiang Yun struck out with a palm, intending to repeat his old trick and send the other off the stage.
Yet the other's combat experience was abundant. He quickly altered his sword technique, switching from thrust to slash. If this sword strike connected, Song Yun believed, Jiang Yun could forget about keeping that hand.
Pity, Jiang Yun acted as if he hadn't seen it. He raised his hand and hacked down directly. A crystalline white light flickered briefly in his palm.
"What?!" Song Yun stared in horror at Jiang Yun's seemingly 'suicidal' stance, his aura involuntarily weakening a fraction.
Jiang Yun's eyes were sharp, his hands swift. In the split-second flash of lightning and spark, a clear "Clang—" rang out. Jiang Yun had seized the opponent's treasured sword, and following the momentum, he struck out with a palm.
"Bang—"
A muffled crash sounded. Song Yun was already sprawled at the edge of the arena. Before he could even scramble to his feet, the sound of something tearing through the air came.
"Clang—"
A treasured sword radiating cold light was thrust firmly into the ground right beside him, a mere ten centimeters from his head.
A bead of cold sweat slipped down his forehead. Looking at the figure in the distance watching him so calmly, a trace of fear rose in Song Yun's heart. Was this an opponent he could possibly defeat?
The very instant this thought arose, he could no longer muster any fighting spirit. Dejected, he lowered his head and said hoarsely, "I concede!"
"Whoa—"
Along with Song Yun's surrender, this Inner Academy Selection Tournament's second place was also decided. The top two were dark horses no one had expected, setting the audience abuzz with discussion.
"Senior Jiang Yun is simply too incredible. He resolves every match with just one move against anyone. I'm afraid no one has even forced out thirty percent of his true strength!"
"Not only that, Senior Jiang Yun always maintains that calm, unhurried demeanor. His strikes are also very measured. So young, yet already possessing the bearing of a true expert."
"I wonder if Senior Jiang Yun is betrothed? I could—"
"Wait a second, aren't you all older than him? And entered the academy earlier?"
"So what? Learning has no limits; one who has mastered the art is the teacher! Isn't Jiang Yun's strength worthy of being called Senior?"
"...That's fair!"
Voices of admiration rose one after another, causing quite a few new students, watching the spotlight-grabbing Jiang Yun on the arena, to feel their hearts surge with heroic spirit. At the same time, a single thought emerged:
'I can take his place!'
Unaware that he had become the fantasy target of his juniors, Jiang Yun had already returned to his class's area.
When the students of Huang Class Three saw Jiang Yun return, everyone erupted in cheers for him. Although I'm not close with Jiang Yun, we're classmates from the same class!
This was fate! To put it grandly, this was destiny!
Jiang Yun suddenly felt the gazes of his fellow students upon him shift in nature. This left Jiang Yun somewhat perplexed.
However, Instructor Wu En was now quite beside himself with emotion, tears of excitement nearly streaming down his face. Even though he had already estimated Jiang Yun and Zi Yan's strength very highly, he had never once imagined that the champion would come from his own class. Let alone that the top two were both from his class—this had greatly boosted his prestige and face!
"Mm, well fought," he heard. Just as he returned to his seat, Jiang Yun saw Zi Yan slowly stand, bringing her line of sight level with his. She patted his shoulder and said with the air of an old veteran.
Jiang Yun's face immediately darkened. He raised his hand and, neither too lightly nor too heavily, delivered a swift knock to the top of Zi Yan's head.
"Thwack—" Crisp and resonant. At a single listen, one could tell it was a good melon!
"Ouch— You actually dare hit me! I'll fight you!" Zi Yan cried out coquettishly, clutching her forehead, which now bore a red mark. Gnashing her teeth, she roared. In the next second, with a vicious dragon's roar, she pounced into Jiang Yun's embrace, her two little hands expertly grabbing and pulling at Jiang Yun's cheeks.
A repeat offender, at a single glance!
At this moment, with Jiang Yun and Zi Yan being the first and second of this tournament, they naturally drew most of the attention. Yet their behavior completely stunned and astounded those watching.
So this was the world of monsters?
"Did you see it?"
"No. That kid is hiding his strength very deeply. Or rather, Song Yun's strength was too weak and couldn't force him to reveal his true power."
"Forget it. Let the guys in the Inner Academy go probe that kid's depth!"
"I refuse to believe that even the guys in the Inner Academy won't be taken seriously by him?!"
Along with the conclusion of these few low murmurs, Hu Gan rose and walked to the center of the arena. After delivering an impassioned, stirring speech, this year's Inner Academy Selection Tournament smoothly came to an end.
He also notified Jiang Yun and the others to report to his office the next day.
The following day.
In a spacious and bright room, bookshelves crisscrossed, laden with all sorts of ancient, simple books, exuding a distinct scholarly atmosphere.
Before a broad desk stood five figures—precisely the top five of this Inner Academy Selection Tournament: Jiang Yun, Zi Yan, Liu Zhicun, Ling Feng, and Su Quan.
"Excellent. All of you are the most talented students of our Outer Academy's current batch. But remember, the Inner Academy is not the same as the Outer Academy. Those who manage to enter the Inner Academy are all geniuses just like you. Moreover, within the Inner Academy, strength is revered. Whoever's fist is harder gets the best cultivation conditions. Therefore, students entering the Inner Academy usually form factions. If you don't band together, the results are usually... not so wonderful!"
Hu Gan looked at the five before him and nodded with satisfaction. In particular, when his gaze landed on Jiang Yun and Zi Yan, the smile in his eyes was utterly unconcealable. However, to prevent hubris and arrogance from growing in their hearts, he still spoke with a face full of grave seriousness.
"Then doesn't the academy manage it?" Su Quan, the only other female among the five, first furrowed her brows, as if thinking of something, and then asked.
"We martial practitioners should naturally forge ahead with fierce courage and drive. Therefore, the academy will only guarantee your life safety, but will encourage mutual competition and battling among students." Hu Gan patiently explained to the group, describing the brutality of the Inner Academy.
Jia Nan Academy had always been committed to letting students feel the cruelty of the continent. Thus, the academy did not prohibit sparring and contests among students. Over time, this had cultivated a rather fierce and aggressive atmosphere—the strong held privileges.
If you wanted a status above others, then go train like your life depended on it! Strength could grant you everything.
Aside from Jiang Yun and Zi Yan, the remaining three all wore stern, solemn expressions. At this moment, they realized the gravity of the situation. In the Outer Academy, they were the top-tier experts who commanded the wind and clouds, but in the Inner Academy, everything would have to start anew.
"Hmph— If anyone dares to provoke me or Little Yun, just watch me blow them up with one punch!"
Just within this solemn atmosphere, a crisp, clear, yet domineering voice rang out. Hu Gan's expression stiffened slightly. He looked down and saw Zi Yan waving her little fist around with utter nonchalance.
But Hu Gan knew all too clearly just what terrifying power that tiny fist contained.
Why did this year's new students have to produce a freak like Zi Yan?
"Cough, cough..." To cover his embarrassment, Hu Gan could only resort to a tactical cough.
Jiang Yun looked at the embarrassed Vice Principal Hu Gan with teasing amusement, then reached out to rub the top of Zi Yan's head. Mm... still as silky smooth as ever.
"You five are the top five of this tournament. According to academy rules, you may go to the academy's library and try your luck." Having been choked off by Zi Yan, Hu Gan could only change the subject.
Then, Hu Gan walked before a black wall. With a wave of his hand, he released an invisible ripple. The wall opened, revealing a pitch-black passage.
Hu Gan was the first to step inside. Jiang Yun pulled Zi Yan along and followed right after. The remaining few also entered one after another.
The walls within the passage were inlaid with large, bright night pearls. Although the faint radiance was somewhat hazy, for these people, this amount of light was already sufficient.
(End of Chapter)