Chapter 24

This day.

Tang Gu got up early in the morning, hurriedly finished washing up, then changed into the light white martial academy disciple robe issued by the Outer Hall, and took his Xuanhou Sword, heading for the martial academy square.

In no time, he returned to the martial academy.

Looking up, he saw that all the outer academy disciples had gathered together, forming more than a dozen circles of various sizes, surrounding each other.

On the martial practice square, four martial competition platforms had been erected on the flat ground, all made of greenwood boulders.

These four competition platforms were spaced about twenty to thirty zhang apart, and the matches would take place simultaneously on these four platforms.

Four matches at a time, six times a day, over three days, to quickly determine the top five outer academy disciples.

Seeing this, Tang Gu walked to a corner and stood up straight.

He had no friends or acquaintances in the outer academy, and even if he did, there was only Yan Shan. However, at this moment, Yan Shan was surrounded by a group of outer academy disciples, like a star among the stars, and he did not want to join them.

Therefore, compared to the numerous circles of four or five, or even ten or more people, Tang Gu standing alone at the edge of the corner seemed somewhat lonely and isolated.

Occasionally, some outer academy disciples would see him and cast him pitying glances, but no one was willing to come up and greet him.

Seeing this, Tang Gu accepted all these glances calmly, without any signs of disappointment or distress, remaining very composed and not caring at all.

Moreover, compared to the various expressions of excitement, anticipation, anxiety, or worry on the faces of the people around him, his calmness stood out as the most striking scene.

There was still a little time before the official competition, and the outer academy disciples were chatting and encouraging each other, while also sizing up their potential opponents.

Among them, Tang Gu was also within the consideration of many outer academy disciples. After all, his feat of successfully passing the first level of the Snowman Cave a month ago was too shocking.

Not only were others sizing him up, but he was also sizing up others.

With just a few glances, Tang Gu noticed that after just this month, not only had he changed, but it seemed that all the outer academy disciples had undergone a certain degree of change in their spirit, energy, and vitality.

Many outer academy disciples were full of essence and energy, their movements exuding a purple radiance, filled with powerful confidence, as if they had transformed into different people.

Clearly, not only had he not slacked off in his cultivation over this month, but even the laziest and most playful outer academy disciples had put in some hard work and effort in their cultivation.

Clearly, even if not every outer academy disciple had the same aspirations as Tang Gu for an inner academy spot, even a slightly higher ranking in the outer academy during the martial academy competition would bring unimaginable benefits for future cultivation and trials.

In the crowd, five of the largest circles were particularly prominent, with the most people gathered around. These five circles undoubtedly belonged to the original top five outer academy disciples, who had the best chance of advancing to the top five and entering the inner academy in this competition.

The top-ranked outer academy disciple, "Iron Sword" Du Pengfei, the second-ranked "Ice Maiden" Li Youxue, the third-ranked "Blazing Sun Fist" Yan Shan, the fourth-ranked "Paper Scholar" Xiao Qingbi, and the fifth-ranked "Fierce Dragon" Wang Zheng.

The five stood in the center of the crowd, each surrounded by at least seven or eight, and up to twenty or more people, like stars surrounding the moon, standing out prominently, making it hard not to notice them.

However, this ranking was before Tang Gu appeared. Now, with his addition, the outcome was hard to predict.

In the crowd, "Fierce Dragon" Wang Zheng had been looking around the martial academy square, and even for the first time, he seemed somewhat listless despite the flattery from those around him. Over this month, he had become noticeably thinner and no longer had his usual arrogant and domineering demeanor.

When he saw Tang Gu enter the square, his eyes first flashed with deep resentment and anger, but then seemed to think of something, and this resentment and anger quickly subsided.

After a moment's thought, he suddenly pushed away the people gathered around him and strode quickly toward the corner where Tang Gu stood.

The top five outer academy disciples were always the focus of everyone's attention. Wang Zheng's movement immediately caught the attention of everyone on the square.

Not only did the other ordinary disciples notice this, but the other four top outer academy disciples were also involuntarily drawn by the commotion around them and looked over.

When they saw Tang Gu standing alone outside the crowd, they all paused, their expressions changing, and their eyes flickering with a strange look.

"Tang Gu!"

On the other side, Yan Shan in one of the circles was also very surprised, clearly not expecting Tang Gu to appear here at this time.

However, when he saw Wang Zheng striding toward Tang Gu, he was worried that Wang Zheng was going to cause trouble for Tang Gu. Without thinking, he pushed through the crowd and hurried over.

However, the circle where Yan Shan was originally standing was a bit far from the corner where Tang Gu stood, so he was clearly a step behind Wang Zheng.

This moment, two of the top five outer academy disciples walking toward a previously unknown outer academy servant caused a greater stir, and the entire square instantly became agitated.

On the other side, seeing the two outer academy disciples walking toward him, Tang Gu understood why Yan Shan was coming, and a warm feeling rose in his heart. But why was Wang Zheng coming?

Was he threatening him?

Thinking of this, Tang Gu smiled slightly, touching his nose, feeling a bit helpless.

Originally, he just wanted to fight on the platform peacefully and get an inner academy spot. But as long as there was a spot, there would be competition. Even if I have a pure heart, the world can still taint it. Some things are ultimately unavoidable.

So... let's compete!

Sure enough, when "Fierce Dragon" Wang Zheng approached Tang Gu, he leaned close to his ear and said in a fierce whisper, "Tang Gu, this competition is very important to me. I hope you are smart enough to know when to give up. If you encounter me in the match, you should automatically forfeit. If you do, you will benefit. If you can do this, I will give you two of the Little Purple Cloud Pills that my uncle gave me!"

"Little Purple Cloud Pills?"

Tang Gu's heart stirred, but he quickly recovered and smiled, "Oh, what if I don't give up?"

"Fierce Dragon" Wang Zheng said coldly, "Don't think that just because you have some strength, you can be arrogant. I haven't been idle this month and have already thought of a perfect plan. If you really have no sense, on the real battlefield... I will make you regret it for the rest of your life!"

"Is that so, then let's see on the battlefield!"

Tang Gu's expression was calm as he waved his hand.

"Fine, this is your own doing, don't regret it!"

Wang Zheng's expression was fierce as he said, knowing he couldn't persuade Tang Gu, and coldly swept his sleeves and left. At this moment, Tang Gu actually sensed a dangerous aura from him.

His heart stirred. Wang Zheng was clearly not as strong as him, but he dared to say this, so he must have some reliance. But what could it be?

After thinking about it several times, he couldn't figure it out, so he finally gave up. No matter what, he had to get the inner academy spot this time. No matter what means he used, he would face it.

"Besides, my strength now is far beyond what it was a month ago. If he still looks at me with the same eyes from a month ago, then he... is destined to fail!"

Thinking of this, a flash of determination flickered in Tang Gu's eyes, and then he quickly calmed down, no longer thinking about it. At this moment, Yan Shan finally pushed through the crowd and walked over.

Seeing Wang Zheng's departing back, Yan Shan was somewhat worried and asked curiously, "Tang Gu, are you okay? What did Wang Zheng come here for? And, didn't I tell you to come back after a month? Why are you here at the competition square now?"

Seeing this, Tang Gu smiled slightly and pointed to himself, "I, I am here to participate in the martial academy competition, just like you."

"What?"

This time, Yan Shan was so surprised that his eyes widened.

PS: Sorry, I have something tonight, so there is only one update. The two updates from yesterday and today's update will be made up in the coming days.

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