Chapter 152: So You're the Damn One Called Bai Shan?
As one of Jia Nan Academy's grand events, the so-called Inner Academy Selection Tournament naturally drew immense attention. During this selection, all the prominent figures of the Academy made appearances, which, without a doubt, held immense appeal for those male and female students who regarded them as idols or romantic ideals.
Because of this, even though the Academy had already prepared the largest square it had, it was still packed to the brim with people. Countless students pushed and shoved their way to the seats, and from the stands, all one could see were dark crowds of heads and an uproar echoing into the skies.
The massive square was circular in shape, with stone steps spiraling upward along its perimeter. The structure resembled an ancient coliseum, allowing everyone around the square to have a clear view of the battles within.
Standing at the highest point, Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Ning looked down at the sea of people in astonishment.
Only after witnessing such a grand spectacle could they truly understand how minuscule the central square of Wu Tan City was.
Currently, within the square, two figures—one male, one female—were flashing across each other in swift movements. Fierce Dou Qi burst forth with every collision of their palms, drawing gasps of awe from the crowd. However, it was clear that most eyes were focused on the girl in the light cyan dress. Her lithe figure, dancing across the stage, became a breathtaking scene of its own.
After yet another close clash, the light cyan figure suddenly halted. Golden light flared between her palms, forming a streak of brilliance that struck the young man's chest directly, blasting him out of the arena with sheer force.
"Senior, thank you for letting me win!" With a graceful smile, the girl bowed politely and flawlessly toward the rather handsome young man.
"Junior Xun'er truly lives up to her name as the most promising student of this generation. I concede."
Though defeated, the young man accepted it with poise. He smiled and cast a deep look at the elegant girl who brought a sense of serenity like a green lotus, then exited with composure.
Unfortunately for him, no matter how refined his demeanor, it meant nothing to Xun'er, whose heart was wholly occupied by her Brother Xiao Yan.
"Xiao Xun'er wins this round!"
As the referee's voice rang from the judging platform, Xun'er turned around without hesitation and gracefully leapt down from the stage.
"Xun'er, that was excellent!"
From a nearby special viewing stand, a woman waved at her with a smile.
"Instructor Ruo Lin." Ignoring the many heated gazes from around her, Xun'er trotted into the special stand, smiling sweetly. She then turned her gaze to a group of girls beside Ruo Lin and said, "Cousin Xiao Yu."
"You're getting stronger by the day. You even beat that Mo Wen. Looks like you'll make it into the Inner Academy this time for sure."
A beautiful young woman in a light purple uniform smiled as she approached. Her long, well-shaped legs, wrapped snugly in her trousers, instantly drew the attention of some heated gazes that had previously been on Xun'er. Those seductive legs were truly a deadly weapon for enticing men.
"Hopefully."
Xun'er smiled gently, greeted the girls behind Xiao Yu, then sat beside Instructor Ruo Lin, linking arms with Xiao Yu and whispering cheerfully.
"Cousin Xiao Yu, have Brother Xiao Yan and Brother Xiao Yuan not arrived yet?"
Xun'er glanced toward Ruo Lin, who appeared relaxed but bore a faint trace of anxiety between her brows, and asked in a low voice.
"Mmm." Xiao Yu sighed and then clenched her jade-like fists. "I really don't know what those two are thinking. They said they'd only take a one-year leave, but now it's been over two years. And they've missed every important event since…"
"I think they'll come," Xun'er murmured softly, biting her lip.
"I hope so too… But today is the selection tournament. If they don't show up again, the instructor's rank assessment might…" Xiao Yu smiled bitterly and didn't finish her sentence.
But Xun'er understood. If Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan missed this again, Instructor Ruo Lin's promotion assessment could very well fail!
While the two whispered, three waves of battles passed quickly. During the fourth round, a man leapt onto the stage, his spear striking the ground with a thud. His scorching, aggressive gaze swept unabashedly toward Xun'er's direction.
"Class Three of the Profound Rank, Xue Beng, versus Class Two of the Yellow Rank, Xiao Yan!"
As the referee's voice fell, the noisy square abruptly quieted. Countless eyes turned toward the Yellow Rank Class Two area. Over the past two years, the name Xiao Yan had become infamous across the Academy. After all, this was the first time in Jia Nan Academy's history that a student had taken a two-year leave.
Yet there was someone even more famous than Xiao Yan—someone whose brilliance had always shone brighter.
That person was none other than Xiao Yuan.
He was the first sixteen-year-old Dou Shi in the Academy's history and had brought another genius—Xiao Yan—with him to take a year-long leave. What's more, without submitting any follow-up applications, they disappeared for another year without a trace.
This kind of behavior was simply unprecedented!
Of course, much of the notoriety also stemmed from Xiao Yu.
While Xiao Yu appeared soft and affectionate before Xiao Yuan, she was known in the Academy for her fierce temper. Suitors were firmly rejected, and the persistent ones got whipped—literally.
This wasn't seen as excessive.
But as more and more people began to pursue Xun'er, Xiao Yu took it upon herself to protect her future sister-in-law, ruthlessly lashing weak "toads" until they gave up.
That's also why Xiao Ning was attacked in public.
Though spirited, Xiao Ning dutifully followed his sister's orders. Being Xiao Yu's brother made him a target for those who couldn't beat her but could take revenge on him—or at least try, possibly with teamwork.
Some even managed to injure Xiao Yu, whether intentionally or not.
Xiao Yu never asked for help but threatened them instead: wait until Xiao Yuan comes back. She would bring him along to settle the score.
Thus, Xiao Yuan's reputation grew even further. Those who attended the recruitment exams spoke of his face being even more stunning than Xun'er's. This, naturally, piqued the curiosity of the entire student body, who had already crowned Xun'er the campus belle.
So while they were indeed looking forward to Xiao Yan's appearance, many were even more eager to see the allegedly more beautiful Xiao Yuan.
Under all those watching eyes, cold sweat trickled down Instructor Ruo Lin's smooth forehead. Her hands clenched tightly as she scanned the surroundings, desperately hoping the figure she had valued so much two years ago would appear like a savior.
She regretted approving Xiao Yuan's extended leave!
As time passed, regret surged in her heart.
Those two troublemakers had really set her up this time!
At that moment, whispering began to ripple through the crowd.
The topic? Criticism of Xiao Yan ditching the event, letting Xun'er face scrutiny alone—"Not what a man should do," they said.
But Xiao Yan remained completely unmoved.
Back when he was at his lowest, Xun'er never abandoned him. She and Third Brother took turns encouraging him.
Now, with his talent restored and his cultivation progressing steadily, he and Xun'er had grown even closer.
In such a situation, he believed in her, and she believed in him—they both trusted that lateness would not shake their bond.
This was their silent understanding.
"If you keep daydreaming, the countdown will end, and you'll forfeit by default."
Xiao Yuan's voice pulled Xiao Yan back to reality. Seeing the referee about to announce the result, Xiao Yan quickly hurled the massive black ruler on his back.
Before he arrived, the weapon did!
A familiar pattern.
As the perfect radar tuned to Xiao Yan's signals, Xun'er immediately reacted, her face lighting up as she turned to the arena.
Sure enough, in the next moment, both the ruler and the black-robed youth struck the square simultaneously. The solid floor cracked and exploded into powder, engulfing the area in dust.
Cough, cough!
In the midst of the dust, Xiao Yan coughed, covering his mouth. A trace of awkwardness flashed across his face.
Shouldn't have tried to look cool… A dignified Da Dou Shi getting choked by dust...
From the stands, Xiao Yuan burst out laughing.
When did Xiao Yan become a comedic relief character?
"Who is it?!" The spear-wielding Xue Beng, caught in the blast of dust, had inhaled a mouthful and was coughing furiously. He shouted hoarsely.
"Class Two of the Yellow Rank—Xiao Yan!"
The black-robed youth took a step forward, slightly raised his head, and uttered a calm line that exploded like thunder in every corner of the square.
In an instant, the previously whispering arena fell silent. All eyes turned toward the young man carrying a massive black ruler across his back, their gazes filled with surprise and awe.
"So that's Xiao Yan?" On another side of the stands, a white-robed figure with a refined and noble appearance—Bai Shan—gazed at him with a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected this guy to actually show up at the last minute.
"His aura is steady—he might have some skill. But that's about it." Bai Shan raised his brow slightly, uninterested in giving high marks to a potential romantic rival.
"Brother Xiao Yan…" Xun'er gazed at the slightly taller yet leaner back of the youth in the square, her delicate face blooming into a pure, elegant smile that left the male students around her dazed.
"Since Xiao Yan's here, then Xiao Yuan must also…"
Xiao Yu's attention immediately shifted as she searched the crowd, craning her neck. But with so many people around, she couldn't spot him.
Still, she had a feeling—Xiao Yuan was here.
Ruo Lin fixed her gaze on the youth with the giant ruler, quietly breathing a sigh of relief. Now that Xiao Yan was here, even if he lost, she would merely miss this year's promotion to a Profound Rank instructor. There would still be chances next year. Based on Xiao Yan's potential at the recruitment test, she was sure that a year of cultivation in the Academy would bring him back up to speed.
But where was Xiao Yuan's aura?
Puzzled, Ruo Lin probed the direction Xiao Yan had come from, quietly murmuring in her heart.
Two years ago, Xiao Yuan could already threaten her as a Da Dou Shi. If his training had been steady, he was likely a Da Dou Shi himself now.
If his combat strength matched, winning a top-three spot in the selection wouldn't be a problem—which meant her promotion might still be possible!
"Back when Xiao Yan was here, I couldn't ask, but you looked like you had something to say?"
Xiao Yuan ignored the soon-to-be-decided match and turned to the awkward-looking Xiao Ning.
"Brother-in-law, my sister got into a conflict with Bai Shan for defending Xun'er and took a hit. You have to avenge her."
Xiao Ning pointed discreetly toward the white-robed figure in the stands and whispered.
Hearing this, Xiao Yuan's eyes narrowed.
Looks like Bai Shan's going to need a lesson.
"Alright, I got it."
Moments later, Xiao Yuan nodded, cloaked himself in Dou Qi, and began pushing through the crowd, heading down.
Inside the square, Xiao Yan shattered Xue Beng's attack and weapon in one strike, sending him and the broken spear flying.
The entire arena fell deathly silent.
On the other side of the stands, Bai Shan crossed his arms, frowning as he stared at the black-robed youth standing tall in the arena. After a long pause, he sighed and said indifferently, "Not bad. You do have some skill. Now you're finally worth being taken seriously. I hope you survive a few more rounds. If we get the chance, I'll take you on myself…"
Before his voice finished, a cold voice suddenly rang out behind him—unexpected and chilling.
"Sorry, but I don't think you'll ever get that chance."
As the words fell, a hand lightly landed on his back.
In that instant, Bai Shan's calm demeanor vanished. He broke out in a cold sweat, dread welling up in his heart.
Someone had approached him completely undetected?
(END CHAPTER)
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