Chapter 135: Chapter 135: It’s You

Hearing this, Fan Yutong’s expression instantly changed.

Although her interactions with Fang Chen had not been particularly deep, she was the one who had recruited him into the society. They had fought side by side—even if it had just been a one-sided beating. Deep down, she truly did not want to see this incredibly talented junior brother risk severe injury, or worse, for such a slim chance under these rules.

"Junior Brother Fang, why don’t you just forget it! Next year... next year you will definitely be able to save up enough points! There’s no need to..." she advised, lowering her voice anxiously.

However, Fang Chen’s expression remained perfectly calm. He even gave her a slight shake of his head, signaling her not to worry.

Turning to the female Speaker of the Cyan Simurgh Society, and then toward Li Su and the other Speakers on the stage, he spoke with absolute clarity and composure.

"Alright. I accept this method of verification."

He looked at Fan Yutong, whose face was filled with worry, and his tone lightened.

"It’s fine, Senior Sister Fan. I have to at least try. Worst case scenario... I just lie in bed for a few months."

"Since your mind is made up and the rules have been explained, we will prepare a match for you right here, shortly. Your opponents will be jointly discussed by the Speakers of our four societies. We will select two solid, widely recognized experts from among the Yellow Rank One Qi members of the respective societies.

"Fang Chen, do you have any objections to this?"

"I have no objections."

Fang Chen responded quickly. Just as he had said, on this path of the Martial Dao, there was no room for modesty; everything had to be fought for.

Even though he had just entered the academy, he might successfully achieve Qi Collection this time. Otherwise, he could very well end up like the other senior students, stuck at the High Martial Realm for four years.

"Good," Li Su said, exchanging confirming glances with the other three Speakers. "Please make some preparations while we select two opponents to test you."

The practice room was already spacious and sturdy. The surrounding walls and the floor were inscribed with reinforcing Array Patterns, as it was a common venue for society members to spar and exchange pointers on a daily basis.

The remaining hundred or so society members quickly retreated to the edges, forming a massive circle. Excitement and curiosity marked every face.

For the vast majority of members who lacked sufficient points, the allocation of this quota had nothing to do with them anyway. Their daily training was dull enough as it was, so why not enjoy a good show while they could?

The Speakers discussed in low voices for a moment and quickly reached a conclusion.

The two chosen individuals were called by name to step forward.

One was Ding Yan, the Yellow Rank One Qi Martial Artist from the Cyan Simurgh Society who had offered 1,850 points.

The other was Xu Xiao, the male Yellow Rank One Qi Martial Artist from the Jinge Society who had previously offered 1,700 points.

The selection criteria were simple and direct.

First, they had to be at Yellow Rank One Qi. Second, these two had the second and third highest bids earlier. Their personal interests were directly tied to the outcome, so they would inevitably go all out. There was absolutely no chance they would hold back or throw the match for the sake of a favor.

After stepping forward, Ding Yan and Xu Xiao each walked to one side of the arena.

The three of them pulled down their attached hoods, their entire bodies wrapped in tough Combat Suits.

Li Su walked to the edge of the arena. Serving as the referee, his voice was solemn.

"Although Fists and Feet have no eyes, and life or death is unpredictable, we are all students of the same academy. Please show mercy wherever you can.

"The rules for this bout will follow the actual combat segment of the Ten Academies Grand Competition: there are no restrictions on Weapon types or Protective Equipment specifications. The use of lethal items and short-term Enhancing Potions is permitted."

Ding Yan and Xu Xiao glanced at each other, then looked across at Fang Chen, who stood alone.

Perhaps feeling that fighting two against one with a realm advantage was secure enough, or perhaps wary of the side effects and aftermath of short-term explosive potions, neither chose to take any Enhancing Potions.

As for those expensive, single-use lethal items, they were entirely out of the question.

Such items were typically luxury consumables prepared for Demon Beasts with specific weaknesses. For instance, one might carry a few Thunder Burst Bombs against a Demon Beast weak to lightning. However, using them in a sparring match against Martial Artists of the same rank was incredibly cost-ineffective.

However, Fang Chen’s thoughts were completely different.

[Time Stop. Remaining uses: 64]

The world froze.

Fang Chen directly utilized Time Stop to head to the place in the academy where Potions were sold.

He consumed every single short-term Enhancing Potion he could get his hands on.

Potions that briefly boosted Qi and Blood Values, temporarily increased physical resistance, briefly enhanced elemental resistance, Spiritual Power, speed...

He drank what needed to be drunk, ate what needed to be eaten, and injected what needed to be injected!

After a flurry of activity, just before leaving, he glanced at the price list next to the Potions and couldn’t help but be slightly shocked.

"Good grief... This entire luxury combo would probably cost over eight hundred thousand Zhao Yuan at market price... An average person really couldn’t afford to enjoy this," he marveled.

But the effects definitely justified the price.

He estimated that his current base stats had increased by an average of twenty to thirty percent!

In a clash between experts, this was already a massive advantage.

Choosing to End Time Stop, Fang Chen snapped back to the Liuyun Society’s practice room.

Fang Chen gave Li Su a slight nod of acknowledgment, then faced Ding Yan and Xu Xiao. Following the customs of martial arts matches, they bumped their left and right fists together three times.

"Let the match begin!"

As soon as the words fell, Fang Chen looked at the two of them. From both their stances and their auras, it was obvious they weren’t underestimating him in the slightest.

"This is tricky!" he thought.

Fang Chen’s only option was to strike first!

He knew very well that he had to seize the initiative to utilize the explosive advantage he had gained from the potions.

HUM—

A yellow Sword Aura instantly extended from the Cyan Blade. It was half a foot long and as condensed as water.

Clear Radiance Swordsmanship - Splitting Light and Shadow!

With a flick of his wrist, the Cyan Blade traced an arc in the air, actually splitting into two solid streams of Sword Qi. One shot to the left and the other to the right. Carrying a pervasive, piercing sharpness, they homed in on Ding Yan and Xu Xiao respectively!

The Sword Qi tore through the air, letting out a low, sharp SWISH.

Having already witnessed the ferocity of Fang Chen’s Swordsmanship in the Skill Transmission Hall earlier today, Ding Yan and Xu Xiao didn’t dare to be careless.

The two let out low shouts almost simultaneously. The True Essence within their bodies circulated with a roar, projecting outward to protect them, while the Weapons in their hands bloomed with elemental glows.

Ding Yan crossed her twin blades, the metal shimmering with a flowing, pale blue luster. She gave a fierce shout.

"Dragon and Phoenix Dual Blades!"

The twin blades slashed out in rapid succession. Her Sword Qi surged forward like rolling waves to meet his Sword Qi from the left.

Xu Xiao swung his long blade, its edge radiating a heavy, earthy-yellow light. Sinking into a horse stance, he delivered a mighty, devastating chop.

"Earth Splitting Slash!"

His Sword Qi was thick and solid, seemingly capable of cleaving mountains, as it slashed directly toward the Sword Qi on the right.

BOOM! BOOM!

Two explosive blasts erupted in the arena, almost indistinguishable from one another!

The streams of Sword Qi clashed violently. The surging energy transformed into visible shockwaves that blasted outward in all directions, causing the clothes of the onlookers at the edge to flap wildly.

The dark-green floor trembled slightly, and the reinforcing Array Patterns flickered unsteadily.

The two streams of Clear Radiance Sword Qi were successfully dispersed, but Ding Yan and Xu Xiao both swayed. They had to take a small half-step back to steady themselves. Their blade-wielding hands were slightly numb, and a look of astonishment flashed through both of their eyes simultaneously.

"What powerful Sword Qi! This kind of might... and he hasn’t even achieved Qi Collection yet!" Xu Xiao was secretly horrified.

"He indeed has some tricks up his sleeve. I can’t treat him like an ordinary Martial Artist at the High Martial Realm," Ding Yan thought, her gaze growing colder.

The spectating crowd around them let out low murmurs of shock.

"He blocked it! Fang Chen actually exchanged a blow with a Yellow Rank Senior Brother and Senior Sister simultaneously without losing ground?"

"His Power of Attack is indeed sharp, but this is only the beginning. His proudest sneak attack with his Swordsmanship failed to achieve anything. The gap between them is still obvious."

"That’s right. Senior Sister Ding and Senior Brother Xu clearly didn’t use their full strength; they were just testing the waters. It’s going to be hard for Fang Chen to win!"

And just as the two of them were defending moments ago, Fang Chen had already noticed something.

Ding Yan’s Combat Suit wasn’t actually a High Martial Realm Combat Suit. It was a True Martial Realm Combat Suit inlaid with High Martial Realm Spiritual Crystal Stones!

Meanwhile, Xu Xiao’s Combat Suit belonged to the High Martial Realm, but his Weapon was a True Martial Level Weapon.

It seemed both of them planned to scrape by in the Ten Academies Grand Competition to earn a guaranteed minimum reward, which they would then use to exchange for a High Martial Level Weapon or Combat Suit. This way, they wouldn’t have to spend money renting them.

One had high attack and low defense, while the other had high defense and low attack.

Even a fool would know who to attack first!

Ding Yan was the breakthrough point!

"Fighting one against two, I have no advantage if it turns into a stalemate. I only have a chance of winning if I eliminate one of them first," he reasoned.

His eyes locked onto Ding Yan as he made his decision. "You’re the one!"

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