Asura Emperor Venerable
Chapter 588: Academy Sparring

Chapter 588: Chapter 588: Academy Sparring

People from Ling Tian Academy arrived swiftly.

Not many, just a total of eleven, including three representatives each from the Other Shore Realm, Self-Observation, and Founding King Court, plus two leading teachers. It was embarrassingly few.

None from Breaking the Extreme or Soul Nurturing?

First off, the Breaking the Extreme’s academy simply didn’t admit students, and Soul Nurturing was too weak; there wasn’t much renown to gain, hence the lowest was the Other Shore Realm. As for the Supplementing Divine Temple, the number of students was too small and lacked representativeness.

Heavenly Palace Academy also selected representatives from various realms, with Shi Hao, Zhang Shi, and Lu An representing Self-Observation.

As for the people from other realms... Shi Hao couldn’t care less.

The dean of the Heavenly Palace Academy even personally gathered all the students together for a motivational rally.

"Since the establishment of our academy two years ago, your progress has been very noticeable," the dean, named Guan You with a cultivation at the Ascending to Saint Position, was immensely powerful, and his voice thundered without bounds.

He began with affirmation and then said, "You’ve all seen the new rankings. Some of you have made it onto the Prodigy List, while others have ascended to the main list. These are excellent achievements that you have earned through blood and effort."

"However, you must not become arrogant just because you’ve achieved some success."

"I have noticed that some have started to look down on others."

"Therefore, I have contacted Ling Tian Academy and invited them to send some people over for an exchange of skills."

"This is so you can see that there is always someone better out there, always a higher sky above!"

"Tomorrow we will have the Other Shore Realm matchups, the day after the Self-Observation, and the day following that, the Founding King Court. All students must attend; anyone absent will directly lose ten thousand Contribution Value."

Upon hearing the last sentence, all the students grimaced. That was harsh; a ten thousand Contribution Value deduction meant they had to attend the competition no matter what.

At the same time, they were curious about how strong Ling Tian Academy was. Could it be strong enough to wipe the floor with them?

They knew that among them were those on the main ranking list, some even ranked notably high.

Good, actual combat is the best way to test one’s strength.

The following day, all the students arrived at the combat arena.

The first major event was the competition among the Other Shore Realm.

The representatives from Heavenly Palace Academy were Zuo Tao, Fan Qing, and Hang Yufen, all of whom were names on the Other Shore’s formal ranks. The strongest was Fan Qing, ranked ninth.

Being so strong, he actually qualified for Ling Tian Academy. So why did he choose to stay at Heavenly Palace Academy?

Just as Shi Hao once asked Weng Nanqing why she didn’t go to Ling Tian Academy, her answer was. "Better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big ocean."

Even with Weng Nanqing’s abilities, in Ling Tian Academy, she could only rank in the top fifty; after igniting the Incense Flame, she felt she could at most reach the latter part of the top twenty.

So, coming to Heavenly Palace Academy, she became one of the five giants, leading the Falling Flower Alliance. Why wouldn’t she enjoy that?

It was the same for Fan Qing; at Heavenly Palace Academy, he could get more attention.

The three representatives from Ling Tian Academy were Zhuo An, Ju Ming, and Yang Leren. Not only were their names on the formal list of the Other Shore, but each of them was also in the top ten—though they were all new to this edition.

The rules of the contest were simple: it was a melee.

Three versus three, whichever side fell completely, the match would end.

This match was personally presided over by Dean Guan You.

"Begin," he gestured with his hand.

Fan Qing and his two companions stepped onto the field, but from the Ling Tian Academy side, only Zhuo An came forward.

What did this mean?

One against three?

This angered Fan Qing and his companions deeply; it was nothing short of an insult.

"I alone am enough," said Zhuo An lightly. "You won’t even be able to get past me, let alone all three of us together."

"Come on, don’t waste time; I aim to finish you all within twenty moves,"

Fan Qing and his two companions were all furious, and at the same time, they unleashed their strongest combat power, bombarding Zhuo An.

However, Zhuo An was so strong that they were left with nothing but despair.

Bang! Bang!

Very quickly, Zuo Tao and Hang Yufen were kicked away, lying on the ground moaning, completely devoid of the strength to fight again.

However, Fan Qing was still capable. Ranked ninth on the list, there weren’t many stronger than him. When clashing with Zhuo An, he only fell slightly behind.

After thirty consecutive moves, Fan Qing finally admitted defeat.

Yet Zhuo An was somewhat dissatisfied. He had boasted he could handle all three within twenty moves, yet it took him thirty, which put him in an awkward position.

Seeing Zhuo An’s displeased expression, those who didn’t know any better might think he was the one who had been defeated. The students watching the fight all felt a surge of frustration.

Too much! To win a one against three was not enough, he actually complained about not winning fast enough?

How hateful!

But in the world of martial artists, strength is paramount. What can you do if you’re not as skilled?

All they could do was hope for a turnaround in tomorrow’s matches.

During the remaining time of the day, the students of Heavenly Palace Academy all endured their frustration, and with their expectations high, the second major battle finally arrived.

The Self-Observation Fight!

Shi Hao and his teammates entered the competition arena, while members from Ling Tian Academy still appeared incredibly arrogant, sending forth only one person again.

"My name is Lin Yi." This was a young man, his face bearing a gentle smile that seemed amiable, but his eyes were filled with undeniable arrogance, a disdain deep in his bones.

"Come on!" He gestured with his fingers.

Zhang Shi was the first to leap forward, saying, "Leave this guy to me!"

Shi Hao naturally wouldn’t argue, while Lu An hesitated somewhat, fearing that if Zhang Shi were defeated, they would effectively lose a combatant.

But before he could voice his opposition, Zhang Shi had already confronted Lin Yi.

Bang!

With just one punch, Zhang Shi was sent flying back, spewing blood from his mouth.

What!

Lu An was immediately dumbstruck and involuntarily stepped backward.

His strength was not much different from Zhang Shi’s, so if Zhang Shi was no match for Lin Yi, he would certainly be the same.

The opponent’s strength was simply despairingly strong.

"Who’s next, you or you?" Lin Yi pointed at Shi Hao, then turned to Lu An, showing a hint of pride, "Or do you two want to go together?"

"Shi Hao, let’s do this together!" Lu An had lost all confidence and hastily spoke to Shi Hao.

Shi Hao smiled, "Okay."

Lu An nodded, split up from Shi Hao, and circled to Lin Yi’s left.

Shi Hao didn’t mind and circled to the right.

"Who should I knock down first, you or you?" Lin Yi’s faint smile appeared as he glanced back and forth between Shi Hao and Lu An. He fixed his gaze on Shi Hao, "You’ll be first."

He strode towards Shi Hao.

Lu An did not launch an attack; the opponent was too strong. He was waiting for an opportunity, sure that Lin Yi would show an opening after he struck, and that would be his moment to shine.

Lin Yi paid no attention to Lu An and kept pressing towards Shi Hao, then swung out a punch: "Tough luck for you!"