Chapter 14

Chapter 14: The Contest
The final venue for the selection competition was located in the East Wing of Holy Sun Academy.

This was considered the most spacious area within Holy Sun Academy, large enough to accommodate over a hundred thousand people witnessing the contest.

Yet, at this moment, the vast grounds were already packed with a dense sea of people.

A glance swept across the dark expanse of humanity, resembling a black sea. Beyond the main plaza, even the towering buildings were dotted with figures.

On the outskirts of the plaza, a gathering of Holy Sun Academy’s senior students had assembled.

They weren’t as overtly excited as the younger men and women, but they were also cultivators. While their strength undoubtedly surpassed that of the newly admitted students, the arena battles for ranking were always fiercely contested. It was a perfect opportunity for them to observe the skill levels of these new junior students and assess who might be easy to bully.

On the East Plaza of Holy Sun Academy, several distinguished Chief Seats stood out, clearly indicating a higher status. These seats were now nearly filled with individuals of exceptional demeanor, far from ordinary.

The white-haired elder, who had served as the guide earlier, leaped onto the combat stage. His expression unreadable, he swept his gaze over the young men and women gathered below in the Martial Arts Arena, then declared sternly, “The Holy Sun Academy Student Selection Competition is about to begin! Any who have not arrived shall be deemed to have forfeited!”

Immediately, the few vacant spots in the thousand-person formation were swiftly filled.

Just as the competition was about to commence, a young man leaped from a hundred meters away, landing beneath the combat stage and joining the front row of the formation at the very last moment.

“That Qin Yefeng! He’s actually been placed in the first echelon for the competition. Looks like I’ll get to cripple him sooner.”

Liu Ying turned and fawned over Qin Xue, saying, “But if Junior Sister can cripple him before then, I wouldn’t mind either. Even if he possesses extraordinary talent and a strong physique, he’s still no match for Junior Sister.”

“Senior Brother Liu Ying, you are a Xiantian master. After reaching Xiantian cultivation, one opens their Qi Sea and condenses Xiantian power. Your strength is not on the same level as those in Houtian Realm. Dealing with this person only requires me; there’s no need to trouble Senior Brother Liu Ying.”

Qin Xue’s eyes were fixed on Qin Yefeng in the first echelon.

Qin Yefeng was actually ranked ahead of her! She possessed a Holy Sun Token, and after gaining resources from Holy Sun Academy through it, her cultivation had now reached the peak of the ninth level.

Qin Xue was furious. Qin Yefeng had stolen her thunder, for standing in a front row implied a greater chance of becoming a seeded contestant.

Although she had a Holy Sun Token, Qin Xue still had to participate in the competition to vie for a seeded spot. However, she was guaranteed entry into the academy regardless of winning or losing.

If Qin Yefeng won this arena battle and became a seeded contestant, he would undoubtedly pose a significant threat to her.

At that point, it would be much harder to eliminate Qin Yefeng, as Holy Sun Academy would surely protect him.

Meanwhile, on the Chief Seats of the high platform.

The high-ranking officials of Holy Sun Academy were stirred by the sight of such a young student possessing extraordinary talent. A ripple of excitement even spread across the Chief Seats.

The Holy Sun Academy’s leadership began to whisper among themselves.

An elder on the Chief Seats quietly asked the Steward, Liu Ying, “This child’s talent is remarkable. The Qin Family truly harbors hidden dragons and crouching tigers! Do you know who he is?”

“He is the Qin Family’s Clan Head’s useless son, Qin Yefeng. These are all just empty displays; he’s the kind of ‘talent’ who even lost his Holy Sun Token, not worth anticipating!” Liu Ying quickly replied.

The elder from Holy Sun Academy merely smiled, offering no rebuttal.

On the stage, the white-haired elder, seeing that everyone was in position, announced loudly, “The Grand Competition officially begins! The rules are the same as in previous years: one hundred people will ascend the stage, and the last one remaining will be the Holy Sun Academy’s Seeded Disciple, provided they successfully defend their position.”

“As for the top ten, they will also be admitted into Holy Sun Academy, though they will become Outer Sect Disciples and Inner Sect Disciples. That concludes the rules. When your name is called, please step onto the stage to prepare for your match.”

“Wang Hui, Su Chaoqun, Qin Yefeng, Li Ge…”

As the elder called out names one by one, various young men emerged from the formation. Qin Yefeng also stepped forward from his team and onto the combat stage.

Qin Yefeng made his entrance, looking at the opponents poised for battle on the stage. They would all be his enemies, and he would show no mercy in knocking them off.

“Qin Hao, Qin Yu…”

After the two brothers, Qin Hao and Qin Yu, ascended the stage, they glared coldly at Qin Yefeng. Qin Yefeng was somewhat surprised, never expecting to encounter the two brothers on the combat stage.

Was this a premeditated scheme or merely a coincidence? He didn’t dwell on it, as there was no need to pay attention to these insignificant figures.

He had already thrashed them soundly before, and now his strength had increased so much. He truly wondered where they found the courage to challenge him again.

“And finally, the Qin Family member possessing a Holy Sun Token, Qin Xue, please step onto the stage to prepare.” When the elder called Qin Xue’s name, the crowd below immediately erupted into cheers and shouts!

Qin Xue descended from the Chief Seats with calm composure. Valiant and graceful, she held an Eighteen-Foot Cold-Gleaming Spear, her steps steady as she slowly ascended the battle stage.

The young men from various clans around Qin Xue looked at her in astonishment, instinctively moving away. For someone to possess a Holy Sun Token and descend from the Chief Seats meant they were a pre-determined student of Holy Sun Academy!

Qin Xue’s participation in this battle was to contend for the title of Seeded Disciple!

Witnessing this, the audience below grew even more boisterous, shouting and roaring that Qin Xue was the Qin Family’s foremost genius.

Qin Yefeng also glanced coolly at Qin Xue, a cold sneer forming in his heart. “The Qin Family’s foremost genius, is it?”

Qin Xue stood proudly on the battle stage, her back straight and tall. She was like an unsheathed sharp weapon, unstoppable. Her pink flowing veil fluttered in the wind, making her stand apart from the other young men from various clans, appearing superior.

“Damn it! It seems my hopes of becoming a seeded contestant at Holy Sun Academy this year are dashed!” exclaimed Wang Bi.

“Qin Xue is not only our family’s genius; she has also learned a High-Grade Martial Skill. Her combat prowess is truly monstrous! I heard she’s already at the peak of Houtian ninth level. She could easily sweep us all aside. When we face her later, we should just surrender!”

“Ugh… this is so frustrating! I can’t become a seeded contestant now!”

The young men from various clans preparing for battle on the stage couldn’t help but curse under their breath upon seeing Qin Xue, who possessed a Holy Sun Token, contending for a spot with them.

The white-haired elder, seeing that everyone was assembled on the Chief Seats, announced loudly, “The Grand Competition officially begins!”