Chapter 88

Let Wei Tianchong take away those broken pieces of metal. Tang Jie mainly wanted to try whether the Art of the Soldier could also refine broken weapons.

The experiment left Tang Jie greatly disappointed.

While the broken weapons could indeed be further fragmented using the Art of the Soldier, they did not produce the golden sand.

This made Tang Jie realize that the method of condensing weapons in the Art of the Soldier might only work on intact weapons.

The question was why it had to be this way.

Tang Jie couldn't figure it out.

The Art of the Soldier was the most mysterious spell he had ever seen, its principles completely different from modern magic, making it impossible for Tang Jie to understand its secrets.

However, the golden sand from the war hammer obtained from Ye Xing gave Tang Jie a pleasant surprise.

This grain of golden sand was clearly larger than those obtained from the shattered Purple Fire Sword and other magical weapons.

Ye Xing's war hammer was a mid-grade magical weapon, which likely meant that the higher the grade of the broken weapon, the more golden sand it would produce.

After fusing this grain of golden sand with the existing one, the golden sand in Tang Jie's hand finally looked like a grain of gold.

He carefully stored it and began his daily routine of cultivation.

The next morning, Cai Junyang and Liu Hongyan came.

As soon as Cai Junyang arrived, he shouted, "Tang Jie, you're really not a good friend! You suddenly ran to the Divine Weapon Arena yesterday and grabbed the top spot. You took advantage of our absence. We waited for you for so long, and when we weren't there, you just showed up?"

Tang Jie smiled, "I wouldn't dare fight you guys. If it weren't for your absence, I wouldn't know when I could get the top spot."

"Don't give me that. Come on, come on." Cai Junyang grabbed Tang Jie.

"Where are we going?" Tang Jie asked.

"Where else? To the Divine Weapon Arena, of course. I want to have a good fight with you!" Cai Junyang said confidently.

Recently, he had fought several times in the Divine Weapon Arena, making it to the top three, with his best result being second place. He had never taken the top spot, and he was extremely不服气 (unwilling to admit defeat) when Tang Jie achieved it on his first try. He was determined to have a showdown.

Tang Jie smiled bitterly, "But we have to draw lots. We might not meet."

"Don't give me that. I know how you dealt with those guys yesterday. Your current evaluation is 'Valiant.' There aren't many 'Valiant' fighters in the arena right now, so we'll likely meet."

The arena's evaluation system has five categories: Invincible, Valiant, Tenacious, Ordinary, and Incompetent.

Incompetent means continuous defeats, with a win rate below 10%; Ordinary means more losses than wins, with a win rate below 50%; Tenacious requires ten fights per day with a win rate above 50%; Valiant requires at least ten fights per day with seven wins; Invincible requires at least ten fights per day with a win rate above 90% for three consecutive days.

Students' evaluations are updated daily based on their performance, and each match is between fighters with similar evaluations.

Matches are prioritized by the same evaluation, then by one level difference, and so on.

Therefore, while many students can achieve the 'Valiant' evaluation, few can maintain it long-term because their opponents become stronger as their evaluation rises.

Yesterday, although Tang Jie won fourteen consecutive fights, he didn't face strong opponents due to his lack of evaluation, which was why many were不服气 (unwilling to admit defeat). Today, with his evaluation set, Tang Jie would first face opponents of the same level, and only if they were absent would he face lower-level students.

In this situation, winning fourteen consecutive fights would be much harder, which is why winning fourteen fights already secured the top spot.

Cai Junyang found Tang Jie early because the arena had fewer people at this time, and there were likely few 'Valiant' fighters. According to the principle of matching similar evaluations, it wouldn't be hard for him to face Tang Jie.

Hearing this, Tang Jie was surprised, "Don't you have classes in the morning?"

"I took a leave."

"What kind of leave?"

"Diarrhea."

"..."

Tang Jie was speechless, and Liu Hongyan and the others covered their mouths to laugh.

Since that was the case, Tang Jie didn't argue further, and they all went to the Divine Weapon Arena.

Upon arrival, Tang Jie indeed drew Cai Junyang in the first round.

Entering the room, Cai Junyang held his large sword and smiled, "Don't blame me for being unfair. This sword is a mid-grade magical weapon named 'Giant Wave.' It may look wide, but it moves quickly and continuously, like a surging tide. I practice the Lesser Sea Gathering Wave Technique, the Stacking Wave Sword, the Wave Stepping Technique, and the Shore Striking Hand."

The Lesser Sea Gathering Wave Technique enhances qi, fast attacks, and continuous strikes. The Stacking Wave Sword is a rapid offensive sword technique, unlike the Twelve Sword Techniques, but a traditional immortal art. When used, it makes the surrounding air sticky, slowing down the opponent's movements, while the user remains unaffected.

Combined with the Gathering Wave Technique and the Giant Wave Sword, it forms the best combination.

Tang Jie smiled and drew an iron sword, saying, "Lesser Sea Condensing Gold Technique, Water Condensing Shield, Primordial Qi Needle, Purple Lightning Sword Technique, Formless Golden Body, Twelve Sword Techniques... Ordinary-grade iron sword."

By the end, he himself felt a bit embarrassed, and Cai Junyang was already staring with wide eyes, "What are you learning? Why not learn the Silk Shredding Hand, Mountain Cutting Sword, or Bone Piercing Needle? Those are the techniques that match the Condensing Gold Technique!"

Tang Jie shrugged, "I'll definitely learn them next time."

"..."

The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

The next moment, Cai Junyang shouted, "Kid, watch out for my sword!"

He swung his large sword at Tang Jie.

Despite being friends, Cai Junyang fought fiercely, showing no mercy.

As the sword swung, Tang Jie immediately felt the air around him become heavy, making it difficult to breathe. He tried to retreat quickly but felt as if he were in water, moving sluggishly. Cai Junyang's large sword was already chopping down.

Tang Jie had no choice but to use the Formless Golden Body technique and block the sword with his own. Unexpectedly, Cai Junyang feinted and the sword light suddenly turned, stabbing at Tang Jie's lower body. Tang Jie struck downward, hitting the sword, which deflected and grazed his body. The next moment, the large sword swung back, cutting again.

Cai Junyang's attacks were indeed like waves, one after another, not giving the opponent a chance to counter. Tang Jie had to use the Purple Lightning Sword Technique to charge forward. They passed each other, and Cai Junyang quickly turned, pressing a hand against Tang Jie's back.

Shore Striking Hand!

A loud boom echoed in the air, and an invisible handprint struck Tang Jie.

The Purple Lightning Sword Technique needed to be mastered to be subtle, and Tang Jie wasn't proficient. Therefore, he couldn't dodge, but a light flashed on his body, and the Water Condensing Shield appeared. The handprint passed through the shield and hit Tang Jie's back, but he was unharmed and turned to fire a Primordial Qi Needle.

Cai Junyang's figure suddenly blurred, easily dodging the needle, using the Wave Stepping Technique.

He instantly rushed back to Tang Jie and swung his sword again.

Tang Jie had to block with his sword and keep retreating, trying to create distance. Cai Junyang pursued relentlessly.

The Lesser Sea technique enhances qi flow!

Cai Junyang's Eightfold Jade Gate technique was more advanced than Tang Jie's, and with the support of his techniques, his attacks were relentless and fierce, far surpassing Tang Jie in speed and continuity.

Their fight was intense, more so than when Tang Jie swept through fourteen students.

Even with Tang Jie's physical strength, being hit by Cai Junyang's sword qi was extremely painful. He knew Cai Junyang's sword technique was sharp, and the Stacking Wave Sword was highly skilled, with powerful attacks.

Swish, swish, swish. Cai Junyang swung his sword three times, and Tang Jie blocked with his iron sword. With a clang, half of the sword blade flew off.

Cai Junyang laughed, "Tang Jie, it's your turn to have your weapon destroyed. Those students will be grateful to me!"

Tang Jie shook his head, "It cost me three silver coins, and you broke it so quickly. Karma came fast."

He discarded the sword and used his fist!

He punched at Cai Junyang!

The punch shook the air, and Cai Junyang felt a huge threat. He blocked with his sword, which acted like a door in front of him.

"Roar!" Tang Jie roared, his strength surging. Cai Junyang felt a powerful force, and the iron fist hit the large sword, pushing him back.

Although Tang Jie didn't use the Formless Golden Body, he gathered all his strength.

"Break!" With a roar, Cai Junyang was sent flying, and Tang Jie pursued him.

At that moment, Cai Junyang's sword glowed.

Tang Jie knew it was bad. Cai Junyang's sword light turned, and he swung, "Surging Wave Slash!"

Tang Jie couldn't dodge, so he changed his punch to a palm, using both hands to block the attack, while kicking Cai Junyang. He knew he couldn't completely resist the attack, so he aimed to hurt Cai Junyang as well.

They clashed and separated, then rushed to the sides, hitting the walls, causing the room's defensive array to flash with light.

"Spit!" Cai Junyang spat out a mouthful of blood, feeling intense pain in his abdomen, "What a powerful punch! Your Formless Golden Body is indeed formidable!"

Tang Jie grunted and looked at his shoulder.

The sword had cut through his shoulder, despite his hands blocking it. The sword's qi couldn't be stopped and cut two fingers deep into his flesh, even reaching the bone. The pain made him grimace, "Surging Wave Slash... You're quite devious, hiding a move like that."

Cai Junyang laughed, "In warfare, the real is made to appear false, and the false is made to appear real. I said I learned three techniques, but I didn't say I only learned three. How was my Surging Wave Slash?"

"Indeed impressive," Tang Jie said, leaning against the wall, "But you were too ruthless. What if you had killed me with that sword?"

"I aimed for your arm. With a senior instructor here, what do you have to fear? Besides, I only used this move because your Formless Golden Body defense is good. If it were someone else, do you think I would use this ultimate move?" Cai Junyang said proudly, "We cultivators will face many dangers. If you can't handle a little injury, what are you cultivating for? It's better to be tricked by me now than by an enemy in the future!"

He felt so proud that he started to teach Tang Jie.

Tang Jie shook his head and smiled, then took out the token and threw it to Cai Junyang, "My arm is temporarily out of commission. I need to find a senior instructor for treatment. This match counts as your win."

"What do you mean 'counts as my win'? I clearly won!" Cai Junyang was very dissatisfied.

"This time you cheated, and I didn't replenish the Water Condensing Shield in time to save my strength. Next time, you won't have the chance."

"Fine, we'll fight again until you admit defeat." Cai Junyang left, laughing.

Winning against Tang Jie, he was in high spirits, not noticing Tang Jie's smile behind him.

Although he lost, Tang Jie felt elated. After all, his opponent was Cai Junyang, one of the top geniuses in the academy.

Without using the Formless Golden Body, he forced Cai Junyang to use his hidden move, winning by a narrow margin. Even in defeat, Tang Jie felt honored.

More importantly, this battle greatly benefited Tang Jie.

Cai Junyang's combat talent was impeccable. If it weren't for Tang Jie's super-strong body, anyone else would have been overwhelmed by his relentless attacks.

This battle made Tang Jie fully realize his shortcomings and discovered many issues he hadn't noticed before. If he could improve, his strength would surely reach a new level.

"No matter what, you're a good opponent. As a thank you... I will definitely defeat you!" Tang Jie said to himself.

At that moment, a loud laugh came from behind, "Tang Jie, you finally came out of your shell. How does it feel to be exposed by a real opponent?"

Turning around, he saw You Shaofeng approaching.

Tang Jie's defeat clearly gave him great pleasure and comfort. He looked at Tang Jie with undisguised disdain and hatred, "You dared to frame me in the major exam. Today, I'll teach you a lesson, you bastard!"

Tang Jie smirked, "You sound like you're the one who's wronged. If you want to fight, I'll go treat my injuries first and then come for you."

"I'll send you back to the senior instructor soon!"

Tang Jie shrugged, "No problem, go book a room and wait for me."

Twenty minutes later.

A room suddenly echoed with cries of "My weapon..."

It was You Shaofeng.

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