Chapter 130: Siege

With the conclusion of this so-called first stage, the bottom-tier students of Zixiao Academy were effectively eliminated. For the second stage, the number of participants remained significant; a glance revealed no fewer than thirty students. They were primarily at the mid-stage of the Spirit Phase realm. Since they had reached the second stage with mid-stage Spirit Phase cultivation, they possessed ample confidence in their own techniques and strength.

Some unleashed unique spells, standing suspended in the void, radiating the grand, overwhelming pressure of the Spirit Phase.

Thud!

Feng Chuxun took a step, and the ground emitted a dull resonance; each step he took produced a rhythmic sound. The students of Zixiao Academy watched in shock as a pair of black feathered wings manifested behind him.

Once Feng Chuxun released his Broken Sword Spirit, countless phantom projections of light hung in the firmament. Dozens of Spirit Phase practitioners unleashed their own spirits simultaneously, their combined pressure faintly eclipsing their individual might, permeating the air.

Feng Chuxun stared expressionlessly at the dazzling array of spirits. He took another step, and the dull thudding sound echoed incessantly, causing the magnificent academy grounds to tremble.

Many were struck with terror as Feng Chuxun’s Broken Sword Spirit began to elongate and rise, its blade wreathed in gray energy. Soon, the sword reached a daunting height that blotted out the sunlight. Everyone felt as if the sky were collapsing upon them, pressing down until they could barely breathe.

Endless brilliance flickered as countless spirit projections bloomed with various colors, unleashing a torrent of radiant spells.

As the barrage of spells surged toward him, Feng Chuxun remained unmoved, bathed in gray light as if draped in armor. Standing his ground, he suddenly drew his sword. The blade erupted with light, sweeping outward like a sword god reborn. The sword light collided with the spells, annihilating them in the void.

The collision took place in mid-air, yet it caused the hearts of the Zixiao Academy students to jolt violently. They felt a sense of dismay; their spells had been obliterated by a single strike of sword light, and it appeared that their opponent had not even used his full strength.

But had he truly not used his full strength? Shen Qingyun, standing behind him, saw it clearly. In the instant Feng Chuxun swung his blade, there had been a brief, momentary lapse in his spiritual energy and sword intent. Shen Qingyun was curious as to why that gap had been filled so quickly.

"I will give you one chance: withdraw on your own, and I shall strike no further," Feng Chuxun said calmly.

"You must be at the end of your rope, otherwise you would not be offering us a way out," a late-stage Spirit Phase practitioner retorted. His words acted as a shot of adrenaline for his side. Everyone stared intently at Feng Chuxun, weighing the meaning behind his words. Judging by his expression, he did not look like someone at the end of his tether; there was not a trace of weakness.

Yet, it could very well be a facade.

Moreover, the fact that two people faced the barrier formed by all members of the Seven Palaces of Zixiao without showing the slightest fear was convincing in itself, making it hard not to believe they truly possessed such power.

Because of the disparity in the lineups, many students felt a pang of guilt. While it was true that the rules of Zixiao could not be broken, the Dean’s actions were indeed a bit bullying.

"So, you do not intend to accept my proposal?" Feng Chuxun sighed, then murmured to himself, "I had intended to let you off. Why persist?"

Shen Qingyun heard the murmur, and his gaze toward Feng Chuxun shifted; he felt as though he barely recognized him. Was this a side effect of merging with the Broken Sword?

"Indeed. If you have any other tricks, show them," the late-stage Spirit Phase practitioner insisted.

"As you wish." Feng Chuxun nodded. He pushed off the ground, charging toward the Zixiao group with unstoppable momentum.

"Cast your spells! Stop him!" the late-stage Spirit Phase practitioner roared. An ice-blue glow bloomed in his palm, and he hurled an ice-blue orb that morphed into a piercing, frigid icicle.

Fire-type spells followed, enhanced by wind-type magic; in the howling gale, they coalesced into a fire dragon that coiled around the icicle. If hit by such a combination of ice and fire, the pain would be excruciating. Furthermore, numerous other spells rained down simultaneously.

Just as everyone thought this would be the end, they realized that despite the relentless bombardment, Feng Chuxun’s figure remained unshaken, his speed not diminished in the slightest. The sword in his hand seemed imbued with divine power; with a single strike, he severed the ice and fire dragon!

At that moment, everyone realized that it was not only Shen Qingyun who was a monster.

"How is this possible!" The late-stage Spirit Phase practitioner’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Wood-type spells! Use wood thorns to block him!"

As the words left his lips, his pupils contracted. He watched as Feng Chuxun leaped over the forming thorns and descended like a god.

"Do you concede?"

Feng Chuxun’s silhouette stood before him like a mountain, looking down. In terms of presence, the late-stage practitioner felt diminished.

"I..."

The late-stage practitioner lowered his head powerlessly. His voice drifted out: "I concede!"

The world fell into silence.

All fighting spirit vanished. Their leader’s concession meant that their defense had failed. They were unwilling to accept such an outcome, yet they felt it was only natural.

A genius?

Only someone like Feng Chuxun could truly be called a genius, they thought.

The third stage went much the same way. Having witnessed Feng Chuxun’s performance in the second stage from afar, they were ruthlessly defeated before they could even fully display their strength.

In the fourth stage, Shen Qingyun saw a familiar face.

Guan Yan, with whom he had fought side-by-side in the forest.

Upon seeing Shen Qingyun, Guan Yan smiled faintly. "I didn’t expect us to meet again."

"Indeed, we meet again," Shen Qingyun replied.

"Oh? Guan Yan, you know him?" A young woman to Guan Yan’s right blinked and asked.

Guan Yan nodded, pursing his lips. "I do. We are friends who have fought side-by-side."

Su Ling immediately asked, "Then you must know what techniques he has?"

Guan Yan fell silent. What could he possibly know? He knew nothing. When they faced the Three-Eyed Mad Ape, he had relied solely on a halberd; he had used nothing else.

"Why talk so much? One Foundation Establishment and one early Spirit Phase practitioner—just attack," Su Ling’s brother, Su Mu, sneered as he watched them.

Guan Yan shrugged inwardly; if only it were that simple.

A terrifying beastly crocodile manifested behind Su Mu, letting out a thunderous roar toward Feng Chuxun before charging with all its might.

"These people are different from the previous ones," Shen Qingyun whispered from behind. Feng Chuxun nodded slightly, a touch of gravity appearing in his eyes.

The wings behind Feng Chuxun shifted, transforming into two black swords strapped to his back.

At this moment, Guan Yan and the others split into four groups, guarding four directions, encircling Shen Qingyun, Feng Chuxun, and Su Mu.