"Senior Brother is truly extraordinary," Ling He exclaimed, filled with admiration as if gazing up at a towering mountain.
"What level is Senior Brother Zhu at now?" Jiang Wang asked.
"I haven't seen him in a while either," Zhang Linchuan sighed inexplicably. "He's probably already broken through the Gate of Heaven and Earth by now..."
"Then he's not much ahead of you, Senior Brother Zhang! Still neck and neck! You're my pick for the top of Chengdao Academy!" Huang Azhan flattered with great enthusiasm.
Everyone knew that Zhang Linchuan had glimpsed the Gate of Heaven and Earth long ago, and was just a step away from the sixth rank, the Soaring Dragon Realm. So saying there wasn't much difference wasn't entirely wrong—but still...
Zhang Linchuan gave Huang Azhan a strange look and subtly stepped two paces away.
Zhu Weiwo may have only just stepped into the sixth rank, but he was currently hunting down the Heart-Devouring Demon across the world! Could such a person really be considered just an average beginner at sixth rank?
Zhao Rucheng exchanged a glance with Jiang Wang, and in perfect unison, they too took a few steps away.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Huang Azhan shouted.
Zhao Rucheng sighed. "Now I finally understand how Du Laohu got dumber over time."
Jiang Wang also looked up at the sky. "Maybe stupidity is contagious..."
At this moment, Dong Ah had reached the final spot for first-years:"As per tradition, each academy must offer a spot in the Dao Discussion to a new disciple from the latest intake, to show that the river of talent never ceases..."
In the audience, Fang Heling suddenly clenched his fists!
Among the disciples of his cohort, only he and Jiang Wang had opened their meridians first. Although several others had done so since, only Fang Heling had completed his Foundation Establishment.
He stood unrivaled!
If anyone were to represent the freshman class of Fenglin City Dao Academy, who else but him?This was an honor—one that could wash away the controversy of his father purchasing a Meridian Opening Pill for him against heavy opposition.
He, Fang Heling, must—
"Jiang Wang," Dong Ah announced.
The crowd stirred. As the first outer disciple to enter the inner sect and having decisively won a deadly Dao battle in public, Jiang Wang's name was well known in the entire academy. His prolonged delay in Foundation Establishment had also become widely discussed, spread further by people with hidden agendas.
Talks of "burnt-out talent" and "no follow-through" had long circulated.
And now, in the eyes of the academy head Dong Ah, he represented the pinnacle of the new cohort?
"Dean!" Fang Heling stood up furiously. Under Dong Ah's cold and stern gaze, he felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over him, trembling with unease—but he still raised his chin. "I... I object!"
"Heh." Wei Quji chuckled. He was quite pleased to see Dong Ah being challenged, though he had faith that Dong Ah's judgment was rarely wrong.
"It's simple," Wei Quji said. "Step onto the stage. Whoever wins gets the spot."
Only after the words left his mouth did Fang Heling realize how foolish they were. Under no circumstances should he have questioned Dong Ah's authority—someone who could easily decide his future.
His heels trembled, but he held his ground and met Dong Ah's gaze. He was too far in now to back down.
Fortunately, Dong Ah didn't seem to mind. Nor did he take offense at Wei Quji's suggestion.
"Very well," Dong Ah said plainly.
Fang Heling breathed a sigh of relief, straightened his back, and walked toward the high platform under the scrutiny of the crowd.
He would win decisively with superior Dao techniques. He would prove that he stood not just for himself, but for the entire Fenglin City Dao Academy.In a grand event like the Three-City Martial Meet, how could they let someone who hadn't even formed a foundation take the field?
He could feel the stares of the crowd—admiration, envy, resentment, and solemnity.
Walking through the parting crowd, he suddenly wondered—was this how his cousin Fang Pengju had felt during his glory days?
But Fang Pengju had died before reaching the inner sect. And yet here he was—already a full-fledged inner disciple!
Then he heard Jiang Wang speak.
Through the entire course of events, Jiang Wang had remained calm—as if none of it involved him in the slightest.
But after Dong Ah agreed to the duel, he finally lifted his eyes and asked, in a light and offhanded tone—
"Can I hurt him?"
Can I hurt him?He was asking whether the rules allowed it—not whether he was capable of doing so.
Fang Heling nearly exploded with rage!
Dong Ah remained expressionless. "No maiming. No killing."
Meaning—anything short of that was fair game.
Wei Quji, Dong Ah, and several Fenglin City officials and academy instructors stepped back from the center of the platform to give the combatants space.
Jiang Wang nodded, one hand resting calmly on his sword's scabbard, and walked toward the platform.
Fang Heling, already standing on the stage, stared at him like a nail being hammered in.
"Don't worry. We're from the same academy—I won't cripple you," Fang Heling said through gritted teeth.
People waited for a harsh comeback from Jiang Wang. But he remained silent.
The two stood face to face on the platform.
It reminded many of a Dao duel from a few months ago—where Jiang Wang had faced another opponent with the surname Fang.
Wei Quji had been excited at first, but seeing Fang Heling's eagerness and nervousness, contrasted with Jiang Wang's unshakable calm, his interest quickly faded.
One had clearly never faced death. The other had fought countless battles. Even with a minor difference in cultivation, what suspense could there be?
"Begin," Wei Quji waved, bored.
Shiiing~!
The hiss of a sword leaving its sheath!
Before the fight began, Fang Heling had imagined many strategies and openings. He wasn't a fool—he knew his advantage over Jiang Wang lay in Dao techniques. He could use them; Jiang Wang could not. That was his path to victory.
But the sword—was too fast.
He had chosen the Flame Blade as his opening technique: the most ferocious of the basic Five Elements arts, and the one he had mastered best.
He'd trained relentlessly, even more so to silence critics in his clan. He could now finish the hand signs in just three breaths!
But the sword—was too fast.
Two breaths? One breath?He had barely begun forming the seal when the blade was already at his throat. Its edge grazed his skin, sending pain through the arteries in his neck.
Was it over?
What kind of sword technique was that!?
Jiang Wang turned the blade and tapped Fang Heling lightly on the cheek with the flat of his sword, snapping him out of his daze.
"You lost," Jiang Wang said.
Fang Heling was stunned, at a complete loss. How? He hadn't even cast a single Dao technique!
If... if... If only he had finished a full Minor Circulation Cycle. If only he had branded the Flame Blade into his Celestial Palace. Then he could cast instantly! Then he wouldn't have been so helpless!
If only...
He suddenly looked up and snapped, "You must have used Dao essence to power your sword technique! You haven't even established your foundation, and every bit of essence counts. And yet you wasted it for this duel—how extravagant!"
Jiang Wang sheathed his sword and walked off the platform, just like every other time he had been challenged by Fang Heling—disdainful, without a word.
Like a human ignoring an ant's squeaks from the roadside.
"You'll never form your foundation in your life!" Fang Heling yelled after him.
"Get off the stage! What a disgrace!" Dong Ah's sleeve waved, and Fang Heling was literally blown off the platform.
He stood up, looking around, and met only eyes of sympathy or contempt.
He stood frozen for a moment, then suddenly let out a howl and stumbled away in humiliation.