Chapter 131: The Final Trial

"Three days ago, you swept through the students of my five palaces. Did you ever consider the situation today?" Su Mu spoke coldly, revealing his identity.

"If we fought, we fought. A real man does not dwell on the consequences," Feng Chuxun replied indifferently.

After Feng Chuxun spoke, the coldness in Su Mu’s eyes deepened. He had been filled with hostility toward Shen Qingyun and Feng Chuxun from the start, making it clear he had come for revenge. He had not expected Feng Chuxun to show such utter disregard for his standing, brushing off the conflict as if it were nothing.

"Good, very good..." Su Mu gritted his teeth, the sound grating in the air. The coldness in his eyes seemed to solidify as he glared at Feng Chuxun. "A fine 'we fought, so we fought.' Su Mu shall now test your high skills!"

"I hope you don't disappoint me," Feng Chuxun said in a low voice, sword in hand as he stepped forward.

Su Mu did not let anger cloud his judgment. He gathered all his strength, unleashed his full spiritual power, and even drew upon the surrounding essence of heaven and earth to bolster himself. At that moment, his ferocious crocodile spirit manifested, mouth agape, lunging toward Feng Chuxun.

Feng Chuxun’s gaze was sharp. At such close range, he could even see the freezing glint of the crocodile's teeth. A sword unsheathed from behind his back, cutting through the air with fierce intent. However, the crocodile’s scales were unnaturally hard; the black flying sword left only a trail of sparks upon impact.

"It’s useless. Such piddling attacks cannot harm my spiritual manifestation," Su Mu sneered.

"That was only one sword. Furthermore, do you really think that was my full strength?" Feng Chuxun replied calmly.

A second sword unsheathed from his back, joining the first as they circled the crocodile.

The crocodile let out a roar, its massive body crashing to the ground and causing the earth to tremble. The two flying swords, infused with terrifying killing intent, carved two deep, long gashes into the beast’s back. Simultaneously, Su Mu stumbled, a sweet taste rising in his throat as he let out a muffled groan.

Though the crocodile was a spiritual manifestation, no blood flowed from such heavy wounds; it merely howled in pain and rage. Strangely, despite the severe damage, Su Mu did not retract the manifestation, allowing it to continue the fight.

The crocodile looked at Feng Chuxun with a trace of murderous intent, exhaling a foul, fishy mist. The mist, sharp as blades, stirred the air and lashed against Feng Chuxun’s face. He frowned; the stench was overwhelming.

He swung his sword, sending two beams of light into the mist, only for them to be shredded to pieces.

The flying swords returned to Feng Chuxun's back, reforming into wings. Stepping on the wind, Feng Chuxun charged directly into the mist, tearing through it in an instant. He continued his momentum, and before the eyes of all, dove straight into the crocodile’s gaping maw.

*Splurt...*

The crocodile’s body exploded. Feng Chuxun emerged, his blade, Red Snow, glowing with a crimson light.

"Hmm?" Seeing Su Mu’s expression, Feng Chuxun frowned; something was wrong.

"What you just shattered was not his spiritual manifestation; it was a fake," Shen Qingyun’s voice came from behind, resolving his doubt.

"Your spiritual manifestation is a Marsh Dragon, isn't it?" Shen Qingyun walked forward, looking at Su Mu with a calm gaze.

"I didn't expect you to recognize it," Su Mu sneered. The Marsh Dragon was not a true dragon; it was named for the swamp-dwelling beast’s ability to hide its presence and form with unparalleled skill. Because it came and went without a trace, people called it a Marsh Dragon, and its "death-substitution" technique was a feat few beasts could match.

Just now, the Marsh Dragon had used that very trick. Of course, it was done by Su Mu, its master; the true Marsh Dragon had long since returned to his body to rest.

"Let’s give you a chance—all of you, come at us together. Otherwise, you won't be able to stop us from leaving," Shen Qingyun said with a faint smile.

"You underestimate us far too much." Su Mu’s face darkened. "You gained a slight advantage, and you think you can defeat me? No one is to move! I alone am enough!" The last sentence was directed at Guan Yan and the others, who were beginning to stir.

Su Mu roared, and the crocodile reappeared. His violent aura surged into the beast, and in an instant, the wounds on its back began to heal at a visible rate. He leapt, landing squarely on the crocodile’s back.

*Main Manifestation, Auxiliary Spell.*

The crocodile opened its fierce jaws, spewing out a mist of toxic wind like arrows, and charged toward Feng Chuxun.

Feng Chuxun slashed through the mist, his wings transforming into a pair of spectral claws that seized the crocodile’s jaws. He roared, pouring all his strength into the claws, and shouted in a low voice, "Boss!"

"Understood!"

Shen Qingyun nodded. His Square Sky Painted Halberd appeared in his hand, blooming with golden light. He released it, and the spear tip pierced into the crocodile’s mouth, its unstoppable momentum tearing the beast asunder. Su Mu screamed as he fell, crashing to the ground unconscious as his spiritual manifestation shattered.

Feng Chuxun’s claws shifted, the feathers reforming into wings.

"Now, it is your turn," Shen Qingyun scanned the crowd.

Those met by Shen Qingyun’s gaze averted their eyes. If even Su Mu had been defeated, wouldn't charging in one by one just be offering their heads? Guan Yan waved his hand, smiling bitterly. "If you want to fight, go ahead, but I won't be joining you." He crossed his arms, adopting an air of indifference.

"Perhaps we should just let it go?" someone tentatively suggested.

"Yes, we haven't lost much anyway. The top-ranked students from the seven palaces are waiting for them at the fifth gate; failing here shouldn't matter."

"Uh... that makes sense."

As the crowd whispered among themselves, the fourth gate collapsed without a fight. Looking up at Ye Zhong in the sky, Shen Qingyun’s gaze seemed to say, "Look, this is the so-called genius you speak of."

Ye Zhong’s expression chilled. His face flickered as he summoned the vice dean. "Have the instructors of each palace keep a close watch on these people!"

As disciples of the Zixiao Academy, to retreat without a fight—he, Ye Zhong, could not afford such shame!

Cheng Feng received the order and withdrew.

Shen Qingyun and Feng Chuxun continued forward. On the way, Shen Qingyun asked, "Chuxun, which of the three great academies do you think is the strongest, and which is the weakest?"

"In what regard?" Feng Chuxun replied, questioning the criteria for comparison.

"The quality of the students, perhaps."

"I haven't seen them, so I don't know." Feng Chuxun shook his head, answering honestly. Since he hadn't been to the other two academies, he had no way to judge or compare.

High in the sky, Ye Zhong’s face turned grim; Shen Qingyun’s words were clearly aimed at him. Was the quality of Zixiao Academy’s students poor? Without a doubt, as one of the three great academies of the Southern Region, the student quality was top-tier. But as the dean, he knew the truth: in terms of overall strength, Zixiao was not weak, but if judged solely by the students, they were indeed at the bottom. They had been at the bottom for several years, and this year, it might be the same...

Ahead, waiting for them at the fifth gate, was a defensive line formed by the absolute peak students of Zixiao Academy.

"I truly did not expect that the two of you could make it this far." Zhan Yan took a step forward, looking directly at Shen Qingyun, his eyes burning like torches.

"The world is vast. If this little thing is enough to surprise you, that would be truly pathetic," Shen Qingyun said with a smile.

Unfazed by Shen Qingyun’s words, Zhan Yan shouted, "While it is a pity that we cannot be fellow disciples, it is a fact that you have offended the academy. Zhan Yan, the top student of the first palace of Zixiao, asks for your guidance!"