Chapter 60: Young Lady, Your Brother Is Here

The principal of Feiyang Academy looked at Luoyang Academy’s headmaster, Luoyuan, with surprise and said, “I’ve never heard of such a thing as a transcendent martial skill! Brother Luo, did you understand the intricacies of that ‘Heaven-Piercing Finger’ just now?”

“There’s no such thing as a transcendent martial skill at the mortal level. If someone claims an earth-level technique is transcendent, that would be more believable,” replied Luoyuan.

“That finger just now…” The Feiyang Academy principal was shocked. “Hidden force? Could it be that Xuyang Academy has produced a true martial artist?”

Luoyuan furrowed his brows deeply, then after a pause, said, “It certainly seems so!”

“The second match, Qian Baidu from Xuyang Academy wins!” the referee announced.

“This young man is remarkable! Our Martial Arts Academy must have him!” In the VIP section, the middle-aged man seated next to the city lord, Ouyang Tianfeng, nodded approvingly.

This man, in his forties, wore a black martial robe with a golden character for “Martial” embroidered on his chest, symbolizing the Martial Arts Academy of Xiadu.

Beside him, a burly man with a black face wore clothes embroidered with the character for “War.” He rolled his eyes and said, “Li Xuanming, you can’t just claim him. You’ll have to ask me first! Lord Ouyang, that student is going to be recruited by our War Academy—do you have any objections?”

“Wang Junwei, you dare compete with me for talent?” Li Xuanming from Martial Arts Academy retorted angrily, “Lord Ouyang, you heard it yourself—I claimed him first!”

Ouyang Tianfeng’s face was exceedingly grim. Not only had Shengyang Academy lost two consecutive matches, but now Li Xuanming and Wang Junwei were quarreling over a student from Xuyang Academy. If they were fighting over a Shengyang Academy student, it might be understandable, but for them to contend over an Xuyang Academy student—it was a slap in the face for the Ouyang family.

With a dark expression, Ouyang Tianfeng said, “Gentlemen, don’t be so hasty. The Nine Academies League has only just begun. There are more promising students yet to compete—such as my nephew…”

Before Ouyang Tianfeng could finish, both Wang Junwei and Li Xuanming interrupted him, declaring simultaneously, “No way, this student is mine!”

Ouyang Tianfeng, standing off to the side, was both furious and resentful, yet completely helpless.

Zhou Bufan had suffered compound fractures in both legs and was carried off the stage. Xin Lang shouted loudly to the chubby Gu Ge, “Fatty, the next match is crucial! If you win, some people won’t even get a chance to compete!”

Xin Lang’s voice was loud and deliberate, and he glanced meaningfully at Ouyang Feiyun nearby.

With Shengyang Academy having lost two matches in a row, not only Ouyang Feiyun but Ouyang Tianfeng himself was growing anxious. He called Ouyang Feiyun over and spoke gravely, “The third match must be won!”

“Rest assured, Uncle. The next match will be Cousin Yanran’s turn! Cousin has been personally trained by you, Uncle—she absolutely won’t lose to Xuyang Academy’s student!” Ouyang Feiyun replied.

Ouyang Yanran was the eldest daughter of City Lord Ouyang Tianfeng. She had practiced martial arts since childhood, dearly loved by her father, and had recently comprehended hidden force, advancing to become a true martial artist. Hearing that his beloved daughter would compete in the third match, Ouyang Tianfeng finally felt relieved.

“Feiyun, your father’s health has been poor lately. The academy relies on you to take charge. Please, don’t let me or your father down!” Ouyang Tianfeng said.

“Uncle, rest assured. Feiyun will never disappoint you or my father!” Ouyang Feiyun declared with resolve.

“The third match: Shengyang Academy’s Ouyang Yanran versus Xuyang Academy’s Gu Ge!” the referee announced loudly.

“Ouyang Yanran? A woman? Haha, my opponent is actually a girl!” The chubby Gu Ge’s face twisted into a lecherous grin.

Xin Lang frowned and said sternly, “You deadbeat, don’t laugh so lasciviously. If all you think about is chasing girls and you lose this match, I’ll castrate you and you’ll never step foot in a brothel again!”

“Haha…” Gu Ge laughed lasciviously. “I don’t mind, but if you castrate me, Boss, there’ll be hundreds or thousands of girls coming after you!”

Xin Lang feigned a kick at Gu Ge, but the chubby dodged by thrusting his waist forward, avoiding Xin Lang’s foot, and shouted loudly toward Ouyang Yanran on the stage, “Miss Yanran, here I come!”

Gu Ge’s two-hundred-pound frame landed heavily on the stage, causing it to shake violently.

Ouyang Yanran, seeing her opponent’s lewd gaze, furrowed her brows and said angrily, “If you keep staring, I’ll gouge out your eyes!”

Ouyang Yanran was the daughter of Lady Ling, the foremost matron of Jiuyang City. Her beauty was renowned, a rare beauty among thousands. It was Gu Ge’s first time seeing Ouyang Yanran, and his pig-like mouth could not help but drool.

“Miss Yanran, you’re so beautiful! After the match, let’s have dinner and a date, what do you say? If you don’t object, I’ll take that as your agreement!” Gu Ge said, drooling.

“Silence! If you utter another word of nonsense, don’t blame me for being ruthless!” Ouyang Yanran retorted coquettishly.

“I’m not joking, I’m not joking—I mean every word!” Gu Ge replied, grinning ingratiatingly.

“You…” Ouyang Yanran had never encountered such a shameless rogue. Her chest heaved in indignation, and she raised her foot, kicking at Gu Ge. “Go to hell!”

Ouyang Yanran unleashed the peak strength of a tenth-level martial apprentice. Had her feet mastered hidden force, she would certainly have used it.

Her kick was powerful, but Gu Ge casually caught her ankle, fondling her foot as he drooled, “Miss Yanran, the match hasn’t started yet—why are you in such a hurry?”

Ouyang Yanran, flushed with shame and anger, shouted at the referee, “Hurry up and announce the start!”

“Match…match…begins!” The referee dared not offend the young lady and quickly announced the start.

No sooner had the referee spoken than Ouyang Yanran’s other leg flew up, kicking at Gu Ge’s chubby belly.

“Mortal-level advanced martial skill—Seven-Star Linked Kicks!” Ouyang Yanran declared coquettishly.

“My heavens, another advanced martial skill at the mortal level! Shengyang Academy really has deep pockets!” exclaimed one spectator.

“Indeed! Looks like that fatty is about to become a pig-headed fool!” another spectator worried for Gu Ge.

Faced with Ouyang Yanran’s high-level martial skill, Gu Ge didn’t even defend—he exposed his belly and laughed, “Behold my Gu Clan transcendent martial skill—Cotton Belly!”

Bang, bang, bang…

With one ankle held by Gu Ge, Ouyang Yanran’s other foot lashed out seven times at his belly in a flash.

“I’ve won!” Ouyang Feiyun clenched his fist in triumph. He knew better than anyone the power of the Seven-Star Linked Kicks and was sure Ouyang Yanran’s kicks would topple Gu Ge.

Ouyang Yanran herself was confident, but after three kicks, she sensed something amiss. Her foot struck Gu Ge’s belly as if hitting cotton. On the final kick, Gu Ge suddenly unleashed force, and a tremendous rebound sent Ouyang Yanran flying off the stage.

“Ah!” Ouyang Yanran’s body was launched by Gu Ge’s “Cotton Belly,” soaring toward the edge of the platform. She screamed, trying desperately to grab something, but nothing was within reach.

Ouyang Feiyun trembled in shock, thinking, “It’s over!”

Just as Ouyang Yanran was about to fly off the stage, at the last moment she managed to grab hold of something and stabilize herself—only to realize she was being held in someone’s arms!

“Miss Yanran, be careful—don’t fall! Our match has only just begun!” Gu Ge said, holding her close. His pig-like mouth moved closer to her cheek, just a breath away from kissing her.