Chapter 37: Shattering the Stone Stele with a Wave of the Hand

"Miss Ji, this is only our second time meeting. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to say such things?"

Feeling the unfriendly gazes converging from all directions, Mu Feng’s mouth twitched. Ji Tu, however, remained as radiant and smiling as ever.

"Since we parted ways back then, I have thought of you for so long. I never expected we would meet again today."

"I hope you join the Taichu Martial Academy as well. You know, I only came here to this academy because of you."

With that, Ji Tu waved at Mu Feng with a playful smile and turned to leave. Her breathtaking beauty, merely illuminated by that smile, left everyone around her looking on with longing.

"I never imagined that the usually aloof Ji Tu could have a side like this."

"Sigh, it’s the brat Mu Feng who’s getting lucky. To receive Ji Tu’s favor—what does it matter if he’s a good-for-nothing? Even living off a woman would be enough to satisfy him."

Amidst the chorus of gossip, the crowd cast angry glares at Mu Feng. Yet, no one noticed that as Ji Tu turned away, a look of unspeakable melancholy clouded her face. Her previous, radiant smile was replaced in an instant by a look of deep distress.

Mu Feng, still bewildered by the situation, was about to leave when a figure blocked his path. It was none other than Xuan Yuanting, a man who harbored a deep obsession with Ji Tu.

"What is your relationship with Miss Ji?" Xuan Yuanting asked, getting straight to the point.

"None. This is only our second time meeting."

"It had better be none. If I see you getting that close to her again, I don't care which family you come from—I will make you wish you were never born!" Xuan Yuanting stared viciously at Mu Feng. As a master at the Great Perfection of the Spirit Entrance Realm with powerful political backing, he naturally had the confidence to make such threats.

But Mu Feng was not a man to be trifled with.

"Whether I am close to Miss Ji or not is none of your business. As for making me wish I were never born..." Mu Feng retorted, "I doubt you have the ability."

The surrounding crowd gasped in shock. Regardless of Xuan Yuanting’s background and strength, Mu Feng was just some nobody from Yuanzhou City. How could he dare to speak to Xuan Yuanting in such a manner? Was he courting death?

"What a fool. This is the Imperial Capital, not Yuanzhou City. There is no Mu family here to protect you."

"That is Young Master Xuan, one of the top geniuses of the younger generation in the entire capital. For Mu Feng to even compare himself to him is laughable."

Xuan Yuanting’s eyes narrowed, a faint murderous intent flickering within them. "Mu Feng, I admire your courage, but if your strength does not match your audacity, you might not last long in the Taichu Martial Academy’s examinations." The implication was clear.

As a genius favored by the Imperial Family, Xuan Yuanting could not tolerate being contradicted by a known good-for-nothing from a border town.

"Is that so? I shall wait and see." Mu Feng grinned, his eyes devoid of any fear. He was curious himself to see what he could achieve if he fought with all his might.

At that moment, a deep, resonant voice echoed across the square. On the high platform directly in front of them, an old man appeared. He was dressed in gray robes, his aura remarkably steady. Though he looked to be seventy or eighty years old, the waves of energy emanating from him were more formidable than those of the countless youths present.

"Everyone, welcome to the Taichu Martial Academy examination. I am Xiong Hui, the examiner for the first round."

"I will now explain the rules for this round."

"This examination consists of three rounds. The first is a talent assessment. Everyone, please line up and approach the stone tablet on the stage for testing."

The first round tested talent. One had to be under thirty years of age and have reached at least the fifth stage of the Spirit Entrance Realm. Failing either requirement meant failing the first round.

"Twenty-five years old, fourth stage of the Spirit Entrance Realm. Failed."

"Twenty-eight years old, first stage of the Spirit Entrance Realm. Failed."

After several consecutive failures, the crowd grew anxious. Xiong Hui frowned; the quality of this year’s candidates was far worse than the last.

Just then, Xuan Yuanting walked slowly onto the platform. He scanned the crowd with arrogance and placed his hand on the stone tablet with a smug expression.

"A bunch of ants. Let me show you what a true genius is!"

*Hum!*

A powerful surge of spiritual energy shook the surroundings. The entire stone tablet began to tremble. Golden light converged on the surface, forming several glowing characters: *Twenty-two years old, Great Perfection of the Spirit Entrance Realm!*

*Gasps—*

The result caused an immediate uproar. A twenty-two-year-old at the Great Perfection of the Spirit Entrance Realm was a rarity in the history of the Xueyue Empire. His future in the martial path was limitless.

"Like father, like son. Truly worthy of a general's lineage. At twenty-two, only the monsters of the Imperial Family could compare to this."

"It seems the top spot for this exam will undoubtedly go to Xuan Yuanting."

"What a pity. Why would Miss Ji fancy that good-for-nothing Mu Feng?"

Hearing the whispers, Xuan Yuanting flashed a triumphant smile, casting a playful, mocking glance at Mu Feng.

Mu Feng did not avoid his provocative gaze. He had killed experts of the Heaven Realm; a mere Great Perfection of the Spirit Entrance Realm did not intimidate him.

Meanwhile, another slender figure stepped onto the platform. Ji Tu bowed politely to Elder Xiong and placed her hand on the stone tablet.

*Boom!*

Before the crowd had recovered from the shock of Xuan Yuanting’s result, a new set of characters appeared, shattering their perceptions once more: *Twenty years old, Great Perfection of the Spirit Entrance Realm!*

Though both were at the Great Perfection of the Spirit Entrance Realm, Ji Tu had reached it two years earlier than Xuan Yuanting.

"A true monster! A twenty-year-old at the Great Perfection of the Spirit Entrance Realm. She will likely reach the Profound Yellow Realm within two years."

"She is worthy of being the once-in-a-millennium talent from Tanzhou City. Being able to reject the recruitment of the Sword Sect—she certainly has the skill to back it up."

Looking at the characters on the tablet, Ji Tu was immensely satisfied. She turned toward Mu Feng, shot him an expectant look, and skipped off the platform. This scene left Xuan Yuanting trembling with rage and the crowd seething with indignation.

"That wretch! Why does he get everything good?"

"I want to see what his cultivation level is. If he can't even pass the first round, he will be the laughingstock of the capital!"

Even Mu Feng was puzzled by Ji Tu’s behavior. He wasn't stupid enough to think this woman truly liked him; it seemed he was merely being used as a pawn.

*Sigh.*

Letting out a long breath, Mu Feng walked onto the platform amidst a chorus of insults and boos. He placed his hand gently on the stone tablet.

The moment he made contact, a peculiar energy enveloped him, drawing out his entire reserve of spiritual power and channeling it into the tablet.

*Hum—*

A massive surge of spiritual energy erupted, and the stone tablet began to shake violently. The tablet, which stood three people high, rocked back and forth on the platform, nearly toppling over several times.

Seeing this, Elder Xiong’s expression turned grave. He channeled rays of light to stabilize the stone, but the next instant—

*BOOM!*

A deafening explosion echoed through the air. Before the eyes of the stunned crowd, the stone tablet in front of Mu Feng shattered into pieces!