Chapter Twenty-Two: The Dance of Dragon and Serpent

Drawing upon the art of channeling breath and energy, his technique was akin to the advanced body art known as “Dragon and Serpent’s Movement.” When Ye Ran unleashed this skill, not only did the people behind him stare in astonishment, even the old man and woman who had been sitting as motionless as monks turned their gaze upon him.

Wang Li’s Dragon Bagua Palm condensed his energy into a dragon shape that flowed from Ye Ran’s left fist to his right palm. With formidable force, his palm clashed head-on with Lin Yuan’s own energy. The two streams of power collided with a thunderous impact, forcing the second-ranked martial artist to stagger back a step.

Ye Ran, however, stood as steady as a mountain.

“You…” Lin Yuan’s brows furrowed, unable to believe that among novices there could be someone so skilled.

Wang Li was equally shocked.

“‘Dragon and Serpent’s Movement’ is a technique for dispersing force. You managed to guide my energy, using it to bolster your own—such mastery is extraordinary,” he said. “May I know your name? The future is long; perhaps we could be friends?”

The top-ranked martial artist was exceedingly humble.

Yet Ye Ran merely shook his head slightly, slipped his hands into his pockets, and walked into the hall.

A commotion erupted behind him. Who was this young man? He had just gained the upper hand against the two leading figures, yet remained so aloof. Was he a master from the mysterious sect, or some prodigy from a reclusive clan?

Amo, who had entered the hall before Ye Ran, was dumbfounded.

A vivid handprint still marked his face, a souvenir from Lin Yuan’s earlier blow. Amo considered himself a skilled fighter among his peers, yet Lin Yuan had forced him to struggle to withstand only two moves.

And this backpacker was even stronger?

He stared blankly as Ye Ran walked step by step to the long table, picked up a pen, and began filling out the registration form—never uttering a single word.

Behind the table, the old woman wearing reading glasses watched him with keen interest. She teased, “Young man, are you sure you won’t spit out the blood in your mouth?”

Ye Ran’s eyes flickered, but he stubbornly continued filling out the form.

“You’ve suffered internal injuries. If you swallow the blood, it might flow back into your heart or other organs—you could drop dead right here…”

“Ugh…cough, cough…” At this, Ye Ran could no longer hold back. He turned and spat out a mouthful of blood, coughing uncontrollably.

“Damn, this kid…”

“He really sold the act…”

“Hell, I was just admiring him…”

A wave of fainting swept through the crowd. The young man’s cool demeanor lasted less than three seconds before his true condition was revealed.

Wang Li and Lin Yuan exchanged glances; Wang Li found it amusing, while Lin Yuan glared resentfully at the back of the coughing figure.

How infuriating—the dignified second-ranked martial artist had been played by a rookie.

But soon it was Ye Ran’s turn to be annoyed.

Seeing him spit out blood, the old woman with reading glasses spoke again, slowly, “Seems I remembered wrong. Even if you swallow that blood, it shouldn’t be a problem…”

“You…” Ye Ran wiped his mouth, exasperated. “Isn’t it a bit much to bully the younger generation, grandma?”

The old man, dumbstruck, murmured, “Young man, the lady simply dislikes people putting on airs in front of her.”

Ye Ran: “…”

He glanced at their badges. The old woman’s badge read “Divination,” while the old man’s bore the words “Body Crown.”

He didn’t know what “Body Crown” meant, but he did recognize “Divination.”

Redleaf Academy was home to several legendary figures, among them the renowned diviner Gao Taiqing, who had earned fame as an unparalleled master of prophecy in her youth. Her predictions had never been wrong.

The most famous was her prophecy about Torrent City. Thirty years ago, Torrent City was a traditional town governed by the lord Duban. When Duban was still in his prime, Gao Taiqing declared that soon there would be no lord in Torrent City—it would become a free city.

Her words came true. Duban’s castle was attacked one night; he fled with his remaining forces into the Green Demon Forest, and Torrent City became an open, free place where no one dared claim the title of lord.

There was also the Black Moon incident twelve years ago, and the disaster of Twin Suns—her predictions were unfailingly accurate.

No one called her Gao Taiqing anymore; she was simply known as “Grandma Taiqing,” or more often just “Grandma.”

So this sly old woman with reading glasses was the legendary Gao Taiqing? But then, who was the old man sitting beside her?

Ye Ran pondered as he wrote.

When he reached the “Divine Affiliation” section and was about to take out his divine badge, the old woman said, “No need. You are the chosen of the goddess of love, Freya.”

She was indeed Gao Taiqing; Ye Ran’s gaze grew respectful.

Just then, a shrill voice sounded behind him.

“Goddess of love, Freya—ha! What kind of trash god is that? Never heard of her, Ye Ran. Did you just pick some second- or third-rate god off the street?”

Amo sauntered up behind him, his provocation blatant. Ye Ran sneered, “She’s your ancestor, you idiot.”

One spoke in riddles, the other cursed outright.

Amo chuckled, “A backpacker is always a backpacker; your words are crude as ever.”

“Don’t like it? Moron.” Ye Ran gestured for him to proceed.

Ye Ran suddenly realized his insults were rather unimaginative, yet he couldn’t think of anything new. He’d always preferred direct confrontation; trash talk had never been his strong suit. Even now, as before, he faced challenges head-on, never backing down.

Amo was equally lacking in skill, able only to insult others’ women. His abilities in verbal sparring were clearly insufficient; when Ye Ran retorted, he found himself unable to come up with a comeback.

After all, he was a noble and couldn’t be as vulgar as Ye Ran. And this was Redleaf Academy, where duels were forbidden. Frustrated, his attempts at provocation twice failed to restore his dignity.

Gao Taiqing cleared her throat. “If you want to curse, do it outside. If you want to fight, do it outside. If neither, then go take the exam. Ye Ran, you’re in the second exam hall. Big fellow, you’re in the third.”

Big fellow—damn, this old woman was blatantly biased.

Amo was furious yet dared not vent his anger at the academy’s grand dame. He channeled his wrath at Ye Ran.

“You’ve got guts, kid…”

“Guts your ass.”

Ye Ran cut him off before he finished, glanced at Amo dismissively, took the badge Gao Taiqing handed him, and walked into the left corridor, directly entering the second classroom.

Amo, fuming, stood still for a while before he calmed his rage, his face returning to the irreverent expression of the At family. He touched his exam badge and strode toward the right corridor.

Behind him, the old woman’s muttering drifted over.

“Big fellow, so stubborn and prideful—he suffers for it.”

Amo clenched his fists and quickly vanished down the corridor.