After the first half of the Joint Training is completed, comes the Competition.
All of the Academy students gathered in a large arena where they will witness the culmination of a month of training by the competing students.
In the first semester, there was Wu Chen, Wu Yuen, Wu Lizha and Laiza, Gu Tian and many more.
And courtesy of the senior, they allow the First Semester to compete first, followed by the Second Semester and so on.
But before the Martial competition, comes the Theorem quiz session.
"Lixian, here's a watermelon"
Ji Mei said as she presented to Wu Lixian a half slice of a watermelon.
"Thanks, but…"
But Lixian focus was elsewhere, Ji Mei cheek robs all her attention.
"Awww, if you like me that much you shouldn't just stare at my cheek you know~"
Ji Mei twirled her body and covered her cheeks with her vacant hand, drawing ire from Rin who sat just beside Wu Lixian.
But again, it's not Ji Mei cuteness or allure that draws Wu Lixian gaze, it's what's inside those cheeks that caused her to be curious.
"Did you just, eat the rest of the watermelon?"
It was evident by how plump her cheek is, Ji Mei, befitting of her nickname of mouse, just lodged an almost whole watermelon inside her mouth, skin and all.
So unrealistically outrageous, Wu Lixian even thought that Ji Mei has a constitution focused on eating.
"What about it?"
"…Laomei"
"Whyy! I thought we agree not to call me that!!"
Ji Mei squirmed around trying to act cute so that Wu Lixian didn't call her Laomei again. Rin chimes in from besides her.
"Unsatiable Laomei, can I have a slice?"
"Unsa what? well, whatever you said cannot be good, so no! I'm not giving you any!"
Ji Mei covered her mouth with both of her hands now that the watermelon slice, she held has been taken away by Wu Lixian.
But Wu Lixian did something that flustered Ji Mei, she offered her watermelon slice to Rin, and she took it as an invitation to be fed by Wu Lixian.
Rin face instantly lit up at the activity and bit more than necessary, Ji Mei mouth drooled looking at the both of them. Whether from the wish of being hand-fed by Wu Lixian or just the fact that she can eat another watermelon.
Nevertheless, she pointed towards herself, a gesture that lacks any meaningful vocal, yet Wu Lixian understood the gesture immediately and flat-out refuse.
"No, you already have a whole watermelon…"
"Awwww"
Ji Mei looked down, literally, at her rejection. Sniffing her nose and trying to hold back tears.
"Instead, I pat you in the head"
Wu Lixian hand landed on top of Ji Mei hair and ruffle it sides to side, Ji Mei seems to delightfully enjoy the motion of her calloused hand as she deliberately raise her head so that Wu Lixian's hand touched more of her hair.
"…Greedy Rat…"
Rin pouts and crossed both her legs and hands, but rather than protesting she instead turn Wu Lixian attention elsewhere.
"Boss, look! Nanming is on the stage!"
As she said that, Wu Lixian entire gaze falls towards Nanming, leaving Ji Mei hair without any sign of the previously warm hand ruffling it. She looked at Rin angrily and stomped her feet in dissatisfaction, but she was quickly silenced by Wu Lixian.
"Quiet, we cannot break his focus!"
As the three watch Nanming got into his seat alongside 25 other students, in front a bearded old man walked in. He is the Academy Library proctor and the quiz giver of today; his long white beard is a picture book reference of scholars.
"Are you all ready"
His voice, though grizzled, remains high spirited, signifying great health of someone his age.
""Yes!""
All who presents, including Nanming said in unison. The old man nods and begins the first question.
"What is the Element that is considered neutral in Polarity?"
Nanming hand shoots up, as the old man regards and allowing him to answer.
"Earth and Wood!"
"Correct! One point for Nanming… Next question"
As the old man ponders which question he will gift, the seated students anticipate with fierce eyes and tense body, all are prepared to shoot their hands up and answering it at the same time.
Yet Nanming remains calm.
"What theology does the Unorthodox follows in term of their cultivation path?"
A student's hand shoots up, and he answers before the old man could even look at him.
"C-Confucianism!"
"False, Confucianism is considered in the Orthodox Path alongside the widespread Tao"
Nanming hand shoots up in turn, and much life before he waited until the old man regards him and allows him to speak.
"The unorthodox follows Daoism, to seek the higher realm of cultivation regardless of its price and consequences that may entail others"
"Correct! Another point for Nanming!"
Two in a row, and it's a very specific and niche knowledge that its surprising for even the old man who looked astonished at Nanming's knowledge.
"Damn, what even is D-Dao thingy"
Ji Mei remarks, her eyes blown as wide as an acorn as she processed the question, she thought the question will be like, whats the capital of Nusantara, where is Hana located and the likes.
"Daoism is a derivative of Buddhism, sharing its teaching and philosophy with Taoism but Daoism is more on the conservative side as what Nanming just said; they don't care about the consequences as long as they can cultivate higher in their Realm"
Rin who reads a lot of books during her childhood is in similar note, astonished by Nanming knowledge regarding theology, since the study in theology is considered outdated and not a lot of scholars divulge on them.
"And not just theology too, but alchemical knowledge as well…"
She said that she regards Nanming on a different light, and she is a bit envious as well since she needs a lot of time to study Alchemy and yet Nanming is already on the similar level as she is despite being in the Second semester.
Wu Lixian smiles, admiring her lil bro skills and knowledge stems from his desire to understand those around him a bit better. Seeing him so determined filled a void in her heart.
If she cannot be the person she dreamt off to become, perhaps Nanming can. And it's her duty to help him reach that height and possibly ascend higher.
.
.
.
"…"
About 15 minutes later, the first match for the First Semester student has started, it's a match between Wu Lizha and a male name Hao Lu.
The match was off to a great start by Wu Lizha whose move is akin to a dance, the description isn't anything too specific, because the one who is observing her fight is Wu Chen who cannot maintain his focus on the fight because of a figure who sat beside him.
"Her form incorporates a lot of spinning, should she use a weapon I think an umbrella would befit her"
Is Wu Yincang, he watched the match with great interest be it feigned or not. Putting his hand over his chin before he regards Wu Chen.
"What do you think, Sixth brother?"
"…I think alike, however a fan fits her better than umbrella"
Wu Chen managed to calm himself down as he regards the figure who is as pale as a corpse sits close to him, he can smell something from him, nothing, how can One smell like nothing?
"Oh? Do elaborate"
Wu Yincang locked his neutral eyes deep red, like having a dialogue with a doll; every word and action he made caused Wu Chen to irresistibly reveal his true self.
As Wu Chen soundlessly swallowed his spit, he said in stern voice.
"Wu Lizha is the more energetic of the twin, hence the use of fan would befit her more"
"Hmm, you speak as if you know her for a long time?"
"That's because I do know her for a long time, you never did because you rarely talk to us"
"Fair enough, but I do sense that her tone and body frame would benefits from wielding a long slender yet wide structure of an umbrella"
"And what make you think that?"
The amount of dialogue Wu Yincang spits out, contrary to its quantity has some real weight put into it, like the words of someone who ponders long before they speak.
The difference is that there is not a second delay in his speech, like he utters out the words that come from his mind without much thought. Therefore, Wu Chen was forced to do the same to avoid being overtaken by his words.
In a way, it's like Wu Yincang is putting a bait for Wu Chen to take and misspoke, and that stray words will be sharpened and weaponized by Wu Yincang in return.
And just like now, Wu Yincang instantly speaks.
"You lack experience Dearest Chen, that's what separates you from me…"
Wu Yincang smiles, a faint but true smile, but his eyes remain motionless. Locking its stern, ever presence gazes upon him.
"My experience works in tandem with my knowledge, preventing me from making sloppy movement…"
His habit of pausing his words unnecessarily returns.
"…Just like what you did to Gao Len"
"…"
At that words, Wu Chen heart sank and his stomach dropped. He knows his scheme and plan, but how? He isn't even there.
"A lot of questions borne from unstill and irresolute mind, if you cannot still your heart it will affect the quality of your judgment and strategy"
Wu Yincang then rises from his seat, preparing to take his leave. But before that, he imparts one last words to his dearest little brother.
"Don't think when it comes to the movement of pawn, a King does not spare those who are disposable anyway… That is another weakness from you, you feel before you think"
His habit of explaining his analogy is getting old, Wu Chen is smart enough to work his mind to make sense of his words. It's like he regards him as a child still, wandering without any idea where he is.
"…"
Wearing a satisfied face, Wu Yincang strides away with his hand behind his back. As he did, several more students followed behind him, even here he treats each step as if it would introduce him to his death.
Wu Chen pitied such carefulness, what kind of world has he created where he must tread each step with mindful strides?
That is the only negative of Wu Yincang, he is distrustful, and that nature passed down upon the rest of his followers in a tight web of knife edge where one another dares not to stab the others, yet when push comes to shove, they will sink their blades down their comrades back.
What is it again? A saying Wu Chen likes very much.
"Back stabber must watch their back"
A roar of claps then ensued.
"The Winner is Wu Lizha!!"
She won, but Wu Chen did not know how or when. Wu Yincang is so attention worthy that he cannot properly process what happens to his surroundings.
If someone were to assassinate him, he would not know. Next time, he should be more wary of his surroundings.
"Next contestant, Wu Chen against Wu Yuen!"
The announcer holler, it was met with explosive roar like the entire reason why the audience was here is to watch both Wu Chen and Wu Yuen fights.
Both were among the top students with high grades, and even when Wu Yuen is quite problematic, her skill in martial arts is undoubtable.
As Wu Chen enters the ring, an explosive roar by the females ensued like a thunder following a lightning.
The same goes for Wu Yuen, as she fully revealed herself, the instantaneous roar of the males follows through like leaf being swept by the wind.
"Brother, the Honeydew you give me some day ago is really delicious~"
She opens conversations like that, it's quite random but Wu Chen is somewhat used to them. He simply nods and smiles at her remarks.
As his eyes swept through the seat of the audience, seeing Gu Tian sitting alongside Namgoong Hien and Gu Liang, behind them is Wu Nanming and Wu Lixian? Since when did both get so close?
"Ehem"
Wu Yuen coughed, causing Wu Chen to switch his attention almost instantly.
"Apology, I was distracted…"
He said while smiling, which was reciprocated by Wu Yuen own, cold smile that is somehow warm at the same time.
"Now, the rules are simple. No killing technique is allowed!"
The announcer did his thing.
"Anything else besides that follows the ordinary rules of sparring… Then, the audience shall see to themselves if the duel is fit to begin or not!"
The announcer then retreats into a fortified section of the arena, as he walks the audience chant their countdown in unison.
""THREE!""
Wu Chen prepared a stance; his form widened as his fist was loaded.
""TWO!!""
Wu Yuen simply angled her body so that her right hand cannot be seen, her lips arch into a smirk as her lazy golden eyes regards Wu Chen.
""ONE!!!""
Wu Chen draws his breath; Wu Yuen loads her fist.
"""BEGINS!!!!"""
Wu Yuen launched first, her hidden fist catapulted into a blinding speed as it rustled the very wind, yet Wu Chen dodged it by the nick of his hair as he delivered a long jab into her ribs.
But Wu Yuen grabs that hand before it could connect, but in doing so both of her hands were occupied and cannot defend against Wu Chen quick straight.
BLAM
Into her face, her head recoiled back but her gaze remained trained towards Wu Chen center of body.
She swept her left leg to Wu Chen torso which he quickly blocked, a mistake.
Wu Yuen twirls her entire body using Wu Chen mass as support, leaving him with all her weight as he cannot move an inch, having to see as her right leg connects to his head.
BANG
Causing him to get staggered and yet Wu Yuen did not stop attacking. As her entire body in a horizontal position being held by her right hand as she spins and activates a technique.
'Spin-Kick'
KABLAM
It hits Wu Chen face with extraordinary weight and force put behind it; his head literally slides away from his neck in a split second before he was thrown away to the other side of the rings.
""OHHHH""
Drawing the gasp of the crowd as they watch this fierce duel with their hands practically clenching into anything they can grab.
"Huff"
Wu Yuen exhales a breath, assuming another stance, this time her form looks like a tiger.
From the kicked-up dust of Wu Chen fast approaches to the ground, he emerges with dirty look.
Dirt and dust clinging to his skin, tarnishing his blemish-less pale skin as blood flows down from his nose.
"Ptui"
He spit out blood from his mouth, before that blood flows again into Wu Chen, healing him slightly.
"Anyone else and they might die…"
His remarks were met with a scoff by Wu Yuen who simply snickered back and spoke
"I do it specifically because you won't~"
"Hah"
Wu Chen laughed lightly, pushing the bang of his hair back to reveal a set of glowing red eyes. His lips twisted into a full smile, revealing his bare teeth.
"So much for 'protecting' a sibling!"
He didn't dash, he didn't run, he simply walks really fast. But in doing so it surprised Wu Yuen who expects a blinding speed which she cannot properly react to.
Her tempo was thrown away as a flurry of fist and palm strike pounded on her face,
BAM
, ribs,
BAM
, chest
BAM
, both hands and her shoulders,
BANG
before his fist snapped into her neck and pushed her away.
'Shockwave Ripple'
A technique that utilizes the shockwave of compressed air amplified using energy to send the opponents multiple paces away.
He recently found out about a neat little thing about Martial Artist, each of them has their own 'way' of fighting, a Dao.
It can be anything, either the wind being displaced by their opponent, the heartbeat or even the sound of the muscle contracting.
For Wu Yuen, it's a tempo. Once she gets into this rhythmic like state, her attack will become relentless and unstoppable.
Which means if she was forcefully pulled away from her tempo, she would become confused, like a tiger cub that got separated by her mother.
Wu Chen himself relied on preparation and strategy. Hence his only weakness is surprise attack, a weakness he will amend soon.
Wu Yuen then rises back up, caressing her neck, her eyes lit in this dangerous gold glint, her lips twisted into a smile as she assumes a low stance.
"Huff, this is getting fun…"
"…"
Wu Chen could only smile at her newfound explosive energy, it was extremely faint, but she is leaking Aura. What kind of beast has he woken up?
BOOM
But a sudden explosion caused them both to turn their attention towards the source of the booming sound.
Smoke bellows out from beyond the arena wall, causing panic among the audience who see them and curiosity from those who did not.
"Keep calm! Keep Calm!"
The announcer emerges from his section and demand the attention of all the audience.
"Everyone walks in order towards the West, South and East exit! IN. ORDER!!!"
He said, which was successfully complied by the orderly march of the students. Panic persists, but it was kept in line.
"You two, get over here!"
The announcer then regards at both Wu Chen and Wu Yuen, they quickly comply and is escorted out of the arena rings.
When both safely exit through the back door, the announcer mumbled through a pendant.
"Lord of Sword was correct; a danger falls upon the Academy Walls"
No voice replied, but as if something was responding back, the announcer nodded and his eyes turned bright red.
"Yes, it shall be done…"
He procure a red demon mask and wears it, the moment he does his entire form meld into the very air around him.