Chapter 063: Inside Information (First Update)

The principal of Feiyang Academy was flushed with embarrassment; to have nurtured such spineless students was a disgrace! Yet, if he were honest with himself, even he was contemplating conceding defeat. Against Shengyang Academy and Xuyang Academy, Feiyang stood no chance—they were fated only to serve as someone else's stepping stone.

But to admit defeat after a single match was more than his pride could bear.

He leaned in and whispered to the student scheduled for the second bout, "Just step onto the stage and I'll give you ten silver coins. If you can last three minutes, you'll get a gold coin!"

"Ten silver coins just for getting up there? Damn it, I'll do it! Worst case, I'll surrender as soon as the match starts!"

However, when the contest began, Ouyang Yanran gave him no opportunity to surrender. That morning, she had suffered a humiliating loss at the hands of Fatty Gu, and her pent-up fury was several times greater than Lin Fei’s in the previous match. As soon as the referee announced the start, she launched the Mountain-crushing Palm, leaving her opponent with no chance to jump off the stage—instead, he was sent hurtling skyward.

Not content, Ouyang Yanran followed up with the Seven-Star Chain Kick, a high-level mortal-grade martial art, treating her opponent like a ball.

"Earth-grade technique, Bone-shattering Grip!" Still unsatisfied, she gathered internal force between her palms, ready to unleash a lethal strike.

"It's over! Someone’s going to die this time!" The Feiyang principal was wracked with remorse—he should never have forced his student onto the stage to be slaughtered.

"Stop!" Just as Ouyang Yanran’s Bone-shattering Grip was about to seize her opponent as he fell from the sky, the referee’s sharp command halted her. "Second match, Shengyang Academy’s Ouyang Yanran is victorious!"

Thud!

The Feiyang student crashed to the ground, clinging to life by a thread. Yet through tear-filled eyes, he looked gratefully at the referee above. If not for that timely intervention, he would surely have died.

Medical staff carried Feiyang's second contestant away as the referee announced, "For the third match, Shengyang Academy’s Ouyang Feiyun versus Feiyang Academy’s..."

Before he could finish, the Feiyang principal interrupted, declaring, "We concede. Feiyang Academy surrenders the next three matches!"

"Not competing?" Ouyang Feiyun was primed to take the stage and showcase his skills, only to be robbed of the chance by Feiyang’s abrupt forfeiture. After waiting all day, it was finally his turn, and now his opponents had given up. Shaking with rage, he nearly stormed over to strangle Feiyang’s principal.

He muttered furiously, "Damn it, what's wrong with them? Surrendering after just two matches!"

Xin Lang and his friends heard Ouyang Feiyun’s outburst. Qian Baidu and Fatty Gu jeered in unison, "Oh, looks like someone won’t get to show off again!"

Ouyang Feiyun’s face darkened with fury as he pointed at them and growled, "Just wait. When we reach the finals, I’ll make sure you all regret it!"

Although Shengyang Academy couldn’t claim first place in the group and advance straight to the finals, they still had a near-certain shot at the last finals spot reserved for the best-performing runner-up.

The remaining matches were uneventful; Liyang Academy and Sheyang Academy both abstained from competing.

The next morning, in the final group matches, Xuyang Academy faced Feiyang Academy, who immediately forfeited. Thus, Xuyang Academy became the first team to advance to the finals with a flawless record.

Liyang and Sheyang Academies followed suit, each winning their matches and securing their places in the finals.

Among the nine martial academies, Xuyang, Liyang, and Sheyang all advanced to the grand finals with perfect records.

At noon, as the crowd dispersed, Xin Lang said to Ouyang Feiyun, "Not a bad turn of luck! As group runners-up, you get two more matches, which means two more chances to perform. Just be prepared—the other academies might forfeit before the matches even begin!"

"Hmph! Worry about yourself! Just pray you don’t run into me in the finals!" If looks could kill, Ouyang Feiyun would have slain Xin Lang a hundred times over.

Determined not to miss his chance to compete, Ouyang Feiyun resolved to place himself in the first match, ensuring he would not be denied.

Yet to his astonishment, that afternoon, the other two academies both forfeited, handing victory to Shengyang Academy.

Those academies saw things clearly—they dared not offend Shengyang Academy and, knowing that Shengyang was still fuming after their defeat by Xuyang, they wisely chose to withdraw, sparing themselves from becoming punching bags.

When Ouyang Feiyun heard the news, he flew into a rage, smashing tables and chairs in his frustration.

Inside, his hatred for Xin Lang burned: "Xin Lang, I will never let you go. I will destroy you!"

Day three of the Nine Academies Martial Tournament arrived—the day of the finals, when the ultimate champion would be decided.

Xin Lang and his companions waited in their seats for the matches to commence. While Xin Lang was agonizing over the match order, Qian Baidu nudged his arm.

"Hey, something’s not right," Qian Baidu whispered.

"What’s wrong?" Xin Lang glanced around but saw nothing unusual.

"Look at Ouyang Feiyun. He’s wearing a sly grin, looking awfully pleased with himself. He must be up to something!"

Fatty Gu, beaming with satisfaction, interjected, "You’re wrong. It’s not that he’s plotting something—he’s already done it! But..."

He trailed off, relishing the suspense as everyone turned to him. After a theatrical pause, he continued, "But what he’s done might actually work in our favor!"

"You know what happened?" Qian Baidu shot Fatty Gu a skeptical look.

"Of course! This is top-secret, insider information!" Fatty Gu boasted.

"Then out with it! What did Ouyang Feiyun do?" Meng Chuchu demanded, sucking on her lollipop.

"He lobbied the tournament organizers to change some of the match rules," Fatty Gu revealed.

"What? They changed the rules?" Meng Chuchu exclaimed.

Beside her, Meng Linglong said, "Is that true? Why haven’t I been informed?"

As everyone pressed for details, the city lord Ouyang Tianfeng ascended the stage, announcing in a loud voice, "Today marks the final showdown of the Nine Academies Tournament here in Jiuyang City! To enhance both the spectacle and competitiveness, the organizing committee has decided to amend the match rules..."

"So it’s true!" Meng Chuchu gasped, her eyes wide with surprise.

All eyes turned to Fatty Gu, amazed at how he had obtained such privileged information.

PS: The next chapter is coming soon, brothers—don’t forget to vote!