Chapter 27

Zhuang Tong's face flashed with a hint of green, and then he smiled lightly, "Indeed! You say it doesn't hurt, but I hope you can last this time. I will make you a snake from a dragon, a cat from a tiger."

Zhuang Wudao pursed his lips and didn't bother to respond, instead focusing his gaze on the arena. The academy had about five hundred registered disciples, with an estimated three hundred and thirty actually present. However, the top ten disciples of the academy enjoyed special privileges. Like Zhuang Tong, they would only enter the arena when the top sixteen were decided. His treatment was even better; he could wait until the top eight were determined before entering. This allowed him to conserve his strength and observe the true abilities of the other disciples, as he was already a predetermined top eight.

However, this was the result of his hard-fought climb from the bottom of the rankings a few years ago!

The hundred-acre arena was now neatly divided into eight sections with red paint. At Li Xiangnan's command, the disciples entered the arena according to their order.

Ma Yuan was among them, winking at Zhuang Wudao on the steps before confidently stepping into the second arena.

Lin Han specialized in the Whirlwind Sword, while Ma Yuan, besides his expertise in hidden weapons, was most skilled in the 'Thirteen White Monkey Swords,' a first-class martial art. However, the most famous aspect of this sword technique was not its subtlety but its flexible footwork, resembling that of a monkey, and its unpredictable sword paths.

His current opponent, though also a Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm martial artist, could not get close to Ma Yuan. In just a few strikes, Ma Yuan's sword was at his throat.

Lin Han, who usually appeared to be a weak scholar, unleashed the Whirlwind Sword with fierce momentum, swift as a gale. He didn't focus on any particular sword techniques but simply slashed wildly, and his opponents often couldn't hold out for long.

Both of them advanced smoothly, and Zhuang Wudao's face showed a hint of satisfaction. After taking the Earth Marrow, Ma Yuan and Lin Han's strength had truly improved, rivaling that of Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm cultivators. There were only a dozen or so such cultivators in the Yuecheng Academy. Before the top sixteen, they wouldn't encounter any formidable opponents. Moreover, both knew how to hide their true strength, using only about sixty percent of their abilities, which would surely surprise everyone later.

"This minor competition is truly a fierce battle, with many strong opponents, much better than three months ago."

A glint of interest flashed in Zhuang Wudao's eyes. The minor competition was not even halfway through, and he had already discovered several promising newcomers. Those he had been paying attention to had made significant progress in cultivation and martial arts.

The academy had a three-year cycle, and after each major competition, many adult disciples would leave. The younger generation always pushed the older one aside, and now, after three years, it was their time to shine!

Zhuang Wudao then shook his head inwardly. In fact, many of the disciples in the academy had excellent potential.

However, from the headmaster down to the instructors, none of them put much effort into teaching, nor did they have the ability to tailor their instruction to each student's talents. Many were thus buried, their cultivation and martial arts mediocre, wasting their great potential.

Glancing at the central seat, he saw that the inspector's face, though expressionless, held a hint of sarcasm and disappointment. Li Xiangnan looked awkward and helpless.

Zhuang Wudao smiled and continued watching the arena. It wasn't surprising. The Lichen Sect's influence was concentrated in the southeast, and its impact in the Dongwu Kingdom was minimal. This city, almost entirely composed of mine slaves, seemed to be of little importance to the Lichen Sect. Even the headmaster was only a Second Stage Qi Cultivation practitioner, long bedridden, and could hardly produce many talents.

"Hmm? Who is that?"

Zong Shou's gaze was drawn to a group of people standing on the south side of the arena. The academy disciples all wore green clothing, but these people were all in black robes. The leader was a handsome young man holding a folding fan, dressed in a plain brocade robe, idly watching the proceedings.

The distance was too great, and Zhuang Wudao's cultivation was far from the point where he could sense auras, so he couldn't determine their strength. However, just by looking at the plain-robed young man's attendants, one could tell that he was of no ordinary status. Their auras were deep and hard to discern, and they stood straight and still without any unnecessary movements. They were all broad-shouldered and large-framed, with prominent temples, signs of abundant qi and blood.

Beside the plain-robed young man was an elderly man, about seventy years old, smiling. Despite his height of just over six feet, he stood out like a crane among chickens, unforgettable at first glance.

"Who could this young master be? From the Gu Yue family, the Bai Bing Xia family, or the Lin and Kong families? Are they here to observe the academy's disciples?"

Zhuang Wudao speculated but didn't pay much attention. Even if they were from one of the major families, they had no immediate connection to him, and he would keep his distance.

The academy seemed crowded, but with eight arenas, the process was very fast, and soon the top sixteen were determined.

Although there were many promising newcomers this time, only a few truly stood out and made it to the top sixteen. Only Ma Yuan and Lin Han successfully advanced.

Their rankings had been fluctuating between sixteenth and thirty-second for the past year, so advancing to the top sixteen was not surprising.

However, when the academy instructor announced the matchups, Zhuang Wudao frowned slightly.

Ma Yuan against Zhuang Tong?

Zhuang Wudao instinctively looked at the headmaster, Li Xiangnan. He saw no unusual expression, only a bitter and helpless look.

He was puzzled, unsure if this was a coincidence or a deliberate arrangement.

Beside him, Zhuang Tong straightened his robe and sneered, "What good luck! If it were anyone else, it would take more effort. Senior Brother Wudao, I'll enter the arena first and wait for you below!"

Zhuang Wudao silently mourned for Ma Yuan. Although his strength had greatly improved, his luck was not good. Zhuang Tong, though he didn't like him, was indeed strong. Three months ago, even with all his efforts, he could only barely surpass Zhuang Tong. Now, with Zhuang Tong's strength also improved, and Ma Yuan being only a Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm martial artist, the outcome was clear.

Fortunately, there was a loser's bracket after the top eight. With caution, they could still enter the top ten of the academy.

Seeing Zhuang Tong enter the arena, the disciples in the arena erupted in cheers, as if he were the favorite. Most of the spectators gathered around the third arena where Zhuang Tong was.

Zhuang Wudao couldn't help but feel annoyed, wondering if his three years as the chief disciple had made him so unpopular.

He had often used his authority for personal gain, but he didn't think he was harsh on his fellow disciples. Zhuang Tong, on the other hand, had won the hearts of the academy with his generous spending.

Even the inspector was surprised and looked over.

"His posture is like a pine, his qi and blood abundant. Brother Xiangnan, who is this?"

"This is Zhuang Tong! The second-ranked disciple of the academy, he has reached the peak of Bone Marrow Cultivation at a young age, with remarkable strength. He is upright and respected by his fellow disciples. His family is also wealthy, with ten thousand taels of silver."

"He seems to be a generous and righteous person."

The inspector smiled meaningfully, his words filled with understanding. "Let's see how strong he is! The other one, though only in the Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm, has a good grasp of the Thirteen White Monkey Swords, with rich experience, honed through countless battles. It won't be easy for an ordinary Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm martial artist to defeat him. It looks like there will be a tough and exciting match—"

Zhuang Wudao chuckled inwardly. The inspector was insightful, but this time he was wrong.

He was willing to bet that Ma Yuan would immediately surrender upon entering the arena. The guy was very clever, brave, but not foolish enough to fight a losing battle.

Since he knew he wasn't a match for Zhuang Tong, why waste his energy?

The inspector then took out a register and flipped through it. "This is Ma Yuan? He was twenty-fourth in the last minor competition. It seems he has made significant progress in martial arts. After nine years in the academy, he is expected to advance to the Bone Marrow Cultivation Realm within ten days, which is quite impressive. Hmm—"

Flipping through a few more pages, the inspector suddenly exclaimed and looked at Zhuang Wudao. "For three consecutive years, Zhuang Tong has been defeated by the chief disciple Zhuang Wudao in fifty rounds? In the exchange matches among Yuecheng academies, Zhuang Wudao has won fifty-four out of one hundred and three matches. As the chief disciple, he has maintained the reputation of our Lichen Sect. Headmaster, you have done a good job! Brother Xiangnan, these two have the same surname. Are they from the same clan?"

His words carried a hint of praise. Although he was from Wu Jing, he knew a bit about Yuecheng. The Lichen Academy was the weakest among Yuecheng's academies, unable to improve its standing. This was not due to the lack of effort from the Wu Jing Dao Hall but rather the limitations of distance.

Winning fifty-four out of one hundred and three matches, Zhuang Wudao must have faced many strong opponents.

Knowing that Zhuang Wudao was about to enter the Qi Cultivation stage and had a bright future, the inspector's appreciation for him grew.

At thirty, Zhuang Wudao was already a Sixth Stage Qi Cultivation practitioner, a surefire inner disciple of the Lichen Sect. He was currently in Dongwu to accumulate merit and experience.

He was not particularly interested in wealth but valued people like Zhuang Wudao, who could bring him achievements and uphold the sect's reputation.

Li Xiangnan's expression was complex, but his eyes showed a hint of joy. If the inspector said this, then he, as the headmaster, had not failed in his duties and had achieved something.

"Brother Wei, you flatter me! Maintaining the reputation of our sect is our duty. Unfortunately, I am burdened with a serious illness and lack the energy to enhance the academy's reputation! I feel guilty about it!"

"How can this be your fault? Our Lichen Sect lacks manpower in Dongwu. Brother Xiangnan, please bear with it for a while! In one or two months, there might be a change."

As they spoke, Zhuang Wudao was startled. A change in one or two months? What did this mean? Was it related to Beiting Wan'er forcing him to compete for an inner disciple position?

Li Xiangnan's face changed dramatically, his hands trembling, almost dropping his teacup. Zhuang Wudao, however, had already shifted his gaze to the arena, where the match between Zhuang Tong and Ma Yuan had begun.

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