Chapter Thirty-Three: Martial Decision (Part Two)

The middle-aged man in an immaculate suit said, “Students, before the competition begins, I believe it’s necessary to clarify a few rules: First, no actions resulting in death. Second, no permanent injuries to your opponent. Third, no use of hidden weapons, poisons, or any prohibited items. Fourth, you may not change your opponent.”

“Weapons and armor are permitted, but consumables like energy stones are forbidden.”

“After each match, there will be a fifteen-minute rest period. At that time, we will announce the winner of the martial examination—the fortunate candidate who will be admitted. The results will be decided jointly by myself, the youngest Elder of Redleaf Academy, Sises; the Great Prophet, Gao Taiqing; six-time martial arts champion, and former chief instructor of the Demon Hunter Corps, Senior Lu Yanhe. Please trust our authority.”

Upon hearing this introduction, Gao Taiqing and Lu Yanhe couldn’t help but roll their eyes. Young people always like to show off. Yet, the others, upon hearing his name, felt a jolt within. Sises had been renowned in academic circles twelve years ago. Back then, he was just an ordinary student in the advanced class at the academy, virtually unknown compared to the perennial champion Qianlong. But at the academic symposium twelve years ago, he presented a paper on the condensation of vital energy, sending ripples through the scholarly world.

To prove the correctness of his theory, Sises later faced Qianlong, Reaper’s End, and other elite contemporaries in battle.

Sixteen matches, ten victories, one draw, five defeats—Sises’s name thundered across Torrent City. Two years later, he was selected for the Elder Council of Redleaf Academy, becoming the youngest elder in history at the age of twenty-two.

Such a figure stood at a height most ordinary people could never hope to reach, even in a lifetime.

Ye Ran gazed at the suited, gentle-faced man with intense longing and admiration in his eyes.

Michelle stole a glance at him, and sorrow deepened in her heart.

“Now then, let the martial examination begin. I will call the names—please step onto the dueling stage,” Sises said, waving his palm. A crystal orb floated before him.

“Zhang Kai, Li Jun.”

Two young men ascended the stage. Zhang Kai was tall with a narrow face, long arms and legs, conspicuous acne dotting his cheeks. Li Jun’s round face resembled a pancake, with short limbs. Standing together, the two made a strangely matched pair.

They each said a polite “Please,” then launched into battle with a flurry of blows, exhibiting their martial skills and vital energy with fierce intensity. They rolled from one end of the stage to the other and back again.

Ye Ran and the other spectators watched with boredom; any expert could see neither displayed much skill.

Their match lasted a full quarter hour before a victor emerged. Li Jun, the pancake-faced youth, summoned his strength and used a move called “Mount Tai Crushes the Summit,” causing Zhang Kai’s vital energy to collapse. Li Jun then bowed to the students below.

Everyone was speechless.

Sises and the other two judges reluctantly declared Li Jun the winner, admitted to Redleaf Academy.

The following matches were equally unimpressive, until the bout between Ma Fang and Samo Bikyu from the Thunder Temple, which finally caught everyone’s attention.

That was essentially Samo Bikyu’s solo performance. Ma Fang was a speed-type fighter, Samo Bikyu favored strength. This allowed Samo Bikyu to showcase his Thunder God Power to some extent; his vital energy carried an astonishing force of thunder.

“Is that… primal power?” Ye Ran stared at the electrifying spectacle, ethereal figure, and the thunderous aura emanating from Samo Bikyu, feeling the pressure himself.

Earlier, Samo Bikyu released his vital energy. Ye Ran judged he was indeed strong; if they faced each other, Ye Ran might not win, but he’d have a fighting chance.

But when Samo Bikyu unleashed his lightning, that thunderous force instantly crushed Ye Ran’s fighting spirit.

Sitting beside him, Yamo smiled wryly, “Yes, under the guidance of the gods, the chance of awakening primal power is much higher. Once vital energy is infused with primal attributes, it’s not simply a matter of one plus one equals two.”

Ye Ran nodded.

Yamo leaned closer and whispered, “Hey, what’s your relationship with the Ice Goddess?”

“No relationship,” Ye Ran replied.

“Ay, you really are fascinating. But rumor has it the Ice Goddess’s primal power is just as strong as Samo Bikyu’s. Some say she’s already been selected for the Silver Warrior Palace. After her studies here, she’ll enter for special training. Many believe she might even advance to the Gold Warrior Palace someday—the future is limitless, tsk tsk.”

The Gold Warrior Palace—supreme within the Sixth Temple. For Athena’s chosen, entering Gold Warrior Palace is the highest honor.

Given its unique history, the warriors of the Gold Palace are, in some sense, on par with gods.

Now, Michelle’s distance from him was like heaven and earth.

Yamo’s two “tsk tsk” were full of meaning.

Yet Ye Ran’s face showed no change. He simply nodded and focused intently on Samo Bikyu and Ma Fang on the dueling stage.

Soon, Ma Fang, the speed-type, grew exhausted. Samo Bikyu released a bolt of lightning with one hand, defeating him.

Throughout, Samo Bikyu never used the great spear strapped to his back, nor donned his armor.

He hadn’t truly exerted his full strength.

Naturally, Samo Bikyu was admitted without question.

Many discussed amongst themselves; those from the temple were indeed extraordinary. Ma Fang was no weakling, but his loss to Samo Bikyu was entirely justified.

“Yamo, Yubo,” Sises called the name of the pitiable eldest son of the At family.

Yubo shrugged and was about to stand, when Yamo lazily announced, “Teacher Sises, I forfeit.”

A wave of surprise washed over the crowd—the first forfeit in the martial examination.

Sises didn’t seem surprised, shrugged, and called the next two names.

“Ye Ran, **.”

The hall fell silent. Ye Ran and **, rising, drew all eyes.

Many still vividly remembered Ye Ran’s “Dragon-Serpent Movement” during the first written test. Though it was later revealed he’d been acting, anyone with such daring could not be ordinary.

His subsequent conflict with ** and his entanglements with the Ice Goddess of the Sixth Temple only heightened everyone’s curiosity.

Their match was more than just a martial examination.

“Hmph, now we’ll finally see what this kid is made of,” said Lin Yuan in the southern back row, stretching and sitting upright. Wang Li beside her perked up too.

Ye Ran straightened his collar and walked to the center of the stage. ** strode up as well, his height eclipsing Ye Ran’s.

A surge of heat radiated from **, accompanied by powerful vital energy, causing Ye Ran’s hair to stand on end.