Chapter 058: Denying You a Chance to Appear

Xin Lang said, “Manager Luo, I don’t think you’re just a level three martial artist. Why don’t you show your true strength?”

“Fine! It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good workout. Today, I’ll make an exception and challenge you!” Luo Hengxing’s fighting spirit was ignited by Xin Lang’s words.

When the upgrader flashed a prompt for a five-diamond sub-quest, Xin Lang was overjoyed. But his smile didn’t last long.

After more than ten minutes, Xin Lang suffered his first defeat since acquiring the upgrader! He lost—and it was a thorough, crushing defeat.

The summer break at Xuyang Academy had ended, and classes had resumed, but Xin Lang and his friends continued their daily training as usual.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After a bout of hand-to-hand combat, Qian Baidu and Fatty Gu both lay on the ground, battered and bruised.

“Fatty, this time I’ll definitely be the first to advance to martial artist!” Qian Baidu groaned from the ground.

“Hmph!” Fatty Gu snickered, “Tonight, I’ll sleep with two more girls. Who knows, maybe I’ll wake up a martial artist tomorrow!”

“You two really think it’s that easy to become martial artists?” Xin Lang suddenly appeared before them.

“Boss, didn’t you become a martial artist from a level ten apprentice in just over twenty days? Ha! I’m confident I’ll beat you—I only need ten!” Fatty Gu bragged, relying on his unique constitution.

“It’s not impossible to advance quickly, but you’ll have to work extremely hard! I have a shortcut, but it comes with a price. Which of you can handle it?” Xin Lang asked.

“I can!” Qian Baidu jumped up at once.

Seeing Qian Baidu volunteer, Fatty Gu wasn’t about to be outdone. “Me too! I can take it!”

A sly, almost imperceptible smile curled at Xin Lang’s lips. “Good. Since you both agree, then starting now, we’ll enter a special training phase! Heh heh…”

At the sight of Xin Lang’s smile, Qian Baidu and Fatty Gu both shivered involuntarily.

Two months later, the intercollegiate tournament among the nine major martial academies of Nine Suns City was held as scheduled.

This year’s tournament was hosted by Shengyang Academy, and all matches would take place on its grounds.

Not only would officials and nobles from every corner of Nine Suns City be in attendance, but both the Martial Academy and the War Academy from Xiadu, capital of the Great Xia Dynasty, were sending representatives to watch—and to recruit promising competitors for their own institutions.

The Martial Academy and War Academy of Xiadu were the highest institutions in the entire Great Xia Dynasty. All of the realm’s great generals had emerged from these two schools. Gaining admission to either was a ticket to future glory.

The city lord, Ouyang Tianfeng, encouraged his nephew, Ouyang Feiyun: “Nephew, do your best. You must make it into the Martial Academy or War Academy!”

“Uncle, rest assured. I won’t let you down,” Ouyang Feiyun replied confidently.

“By the way, have you found out who the master alchemist behind Xin Lang is?” Ouyang Tianfeng pressed.

“Not yet. Once that batch of medicinal herbs was delivered to him, it never changed hands again,” Ouyang Feiyun reported.

“Could he be using them for himself? Could it be…” Ouyang Tianfeng dared not speculate further.

The nine-academy tournament was a grand occasion for Nine Suns City. After a lavish opening ceremony, the competition began in earnest.

The nine academies were divided into three groups for round-robin matches. The top team from each group advanced directly to the semifinals, while the three second-place teams played a repechage for the last semifinal slot.

After drawing lots and being assigned to a group, Meng Linglong returned to Xuyang Academy’s rest area, her face dark.

Seeing her sister’s expression, Meng Chuchu asked anxiously, “Sister, what’s wrong?”

Meng Linglong replied, “I drew group one—same as Shengyang Academy!”

“Oh no! That means we won’t make it to the semifinals again this year!” Meng Chuchu cried in dismay.

Xin Lang crossed his arms, lips curling into a smile. “Group One? Excellent! Ouyang Feiyun, I’ll make sure you don’t even reach the semifinals!”

“What are we going to do?” Meng Chuchu’s eyes filled with tears, and Meng Linglong was equally troubled.

In contrast, Xin Lang, Fatty Gu, Qian Baidu, and Luo Hengxing remained calm and unconcerned.

Xin Lang said to Meng Linglong, “Shall I decide our order of appearance?”

Meng Linglong glanced at him and sighed. “All right. I just hope you’ll show your full strength when you take the stage.”

She no longer dared hope to advance from the group—if Xin Lang could simply shine as a true martial artist, that would be enough.

As the hosts, Shengyang Academy arranged for the tournament’s opening match to be between Shengyang and Xuyang Academies, to heat up the atmosphere.

Of Xuyang Academy’s five contestants, besides Xin Lang and his two friends, the remaining two were Meng Chuchu and Zhuo Jun, a senior class student.

After both teams submitted their lineup cards, the match began.

The announcer called out, “First match: Xin Lang of Xuyang Academy versus Lin Fei of Shengyang Academy!”

Upon hearing Xin Lang’s name, Ouyang Feiyun sneered at Meng Linglong, seated a few rows away. “Linglong, you’re playing your trump card so early—are you giving up already?”

Meng Linglong had no idea what Xin Lang was up to. Usually, the strongest competitors were reserved for the third or final match, not the very first. Sending out your main force immediately was extremely rare.

“Lin Fei!”

“Xin Lang!”

After formally announcing their names on stage, the match began.

“Intermediate Mortal Technique: Raging Stone Fist!” Lin Fei, having heard of Xin Lang’s reputation, opened with his strongest move. His fists pounded down like falling rocks.

“Level eight apprentice, huh?” Xin Lang was unfazed. “Intermediate Mortal Technique: Autumn Wind Falling Leaves!”

He matched Lin Fei’s strength, but Xin Lang’s mastery of technique was unparalleled. His Falling Leaves struck through Lin Fei’s Raging Stone Fist, landing on Lin Fei’s vital points. In just a few moves, he knocked Lin Fei from the stage.

“First match, Xin Lang of Xuyang Academy wins!”

The students of Xuyang Academy erupted in cheers, but Meng Linglong frowned, dissatisfied with Xin Lang’s performance.

Ouyang Feiyun sneered, “You’re celebrating after just one win? How pathetic.”

As Xin Lang left the stage, he overheard Ouyang Feiyun’s words and chuckled, “Of course I’m happy to win. Not like some people who won’t even get the chance to compete.”

Ouyang Feiyun, who had placed himself in the fifth match, felt a chill. “Who are you saying won’t get a chance?”

Xin Lang’s lips curled in a mischievous smile, his gaze mocking. “I’m talking about you, Ouyang Feiyun. Today, you won’t even get to step onstage.”