The central plaza of Tianshui Academy was packed to the brim, a sea of curious students gathering to watch the commotion.
An elderly woman with a pale face, Shen Linghan, stood stooped with age, leaning on a dragon-headed cane. Behind her stood Su Yaoyun, dressed in a pleated violet half-sleeve long skirt, along with another gentle-looking teacher wearing black-rimmed glasses.
"Dean Shen, greetings."
The speaker was a refined middle-aged man, around forty years old, with smooth black hair cascading down his back. His face was as handsome as carved jade—broad forehead, straight nose, and square jaw radiating scholarly composure.
"What advice does Sect Master Ning have for visiting our humble academy?" Shen Linghan said coldly, her tone neither warm nor polite.
Ning Fengzhi paused for a moment. As the master of one of the Upper Three Sects, he was used to being received with great respect everywhere he went. He hadn't expected the Tianshui Dean to be so... frosty. Still, his self-control was excellent; he smiled gracefully.
"Advice? I wouldn't dare presume."
"In that case, please return if there's nothing else." Shen Linghan said indifferently.
Su Yaoyun, behind her, tilted her head slightly—her composure cracking as she internally groaned. Seriously, old lady? He's the master of one of the top three sects! At least give him a little face!
"Uh..." Ning Fengzhi was left momentarily speechless. Just then, a short-haired girl with a clear and pretty face stepped out from behind him.
Ning Rongrong spoke directly, "Dean Shen, hello! I came here to become a disciple. I wish to join your academy. My father just came along because he was worried about me."
"Become a disciple?"
Shen Linghan blinked. The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wants to study here?
Though she didn't understand why, she still refused without hesitation. "Sect Master Ning, you can rest easy. I will not be taking your daughter as a student."
Ning Fengzhi was momentarily stunned. Honestly, he hadn't wanted his daughter to come here either—but the girl had been stubborn as a mule about it! Heaven knows what got into her. Of course, he couldn't let her go alone, so he followed to make sure she was safe.
But the moment they arrived, they were turned away outright. So the great name of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect means nothing here, huh?
Ning Rongrong's large black eyes darted around. She bit her lip, scanning the crowd, but the figure she had longed to see wasn't there. What she did see, however, was the familiar Su Yaoyun.
"Teacher! Do you still remember me?" Ning Rongrong waved excitedly.
Both Shen Linghan and Ning Fengzhi turned their heads toward Su Yaoyun, as did the silver-haired elder standing silently behind Ning Fengzhi.
Su Yaoyun smiled. "Of course. It's not been that long—it's hard to forget someone like you."
Ning Rongrong ran forward. "Didn't you tell me I could come to Tianshui Academy? Does that still count?"
Su Yaoyun was about to respond when Shen Linghan coughed loudly. One sharp glare from the Dean made Su Yaoyun clamp her mouth shut. She gave Ning Rongrong a helpless shrug.
"Hmph!" The silver-haired old man behind Ning Fengzhi—eyes cold as a blade—snorted heavily, clearly displeased that his beloved little Rongrong was being snubbed.
"And you are...?" Su Yaoyun stepped forward and asked.
"The old man's name is Chen Xin." The silver-haired elder replied curtly.
Su Yaoyun froze for a split second. But before she could speak again, Shen Linghan said blandly, "Chen Xin? Never heard of you. Sect Master Ning, if there's nothing else, we'll end this here."
Clang!
A sharp sword cry erupted from the old man's body. The sound alone seemed to make heaven and earth tremble. Just by standing there, he radiated an aura of absolute supremacy—as if nothing under heaven could rival him.
"What's the meaning of this?" Shen Linghan's eyes narrowed.
Su Yaoyun was losing her mind internally. This old woman! We're supposed to be staying low-profile! Sure, you can fight him, but if you expose yourself now, how the hell are we going to stay here later?
Sigh…
"Grandpa Jian!" Ning Rongrong hugged the silver-haired elder's arm, instantly dispelling the murderous aura around him.
Ning Fengzhi smiled mildly. "We're guests here, Dean Shen. If we've violated any local customs, I hope you can forgive us."
There's an old saying—a smiling man doesn't get punched. With Ning Fengzhi so polite, Shen Linghan couldn't stay frosty. She said coolly, "Our academy only accepts students with water-attributed Martial Souls."
Su Yaoyun silently observed Ning Fengzhi's tone. Internally, she was impressed. His composure, his self-restraint—this was a man of immense cultivation and political acumen. Not a coward—definitely a schemer.
Looks like I'll have to warn Luo Yu to tread carefully around this one, she thought to herself.
"Only water-attribute souls? That's strange," Ning Fengzhi said with a polite smile. "I heard your academy has a certain young genius with a fire-attribute Martial Soul."
Shen Linghan's expression froze. She had almost forgotten about that boy—mainly because she had never actually met him yet.
At that moment, a commotion broke out among the students. The crowd began to surge toward one direction.
"Hm?" Ning Fengzhi and the others looked over curiously.
There, walking gracefully among a group of girls, was a young man with elegant features and extraordinary bearing—Luo Yu.
Luo Yu sighed inwardly. I just came to watch the fun. Why do I always end up being the center of attention?
When he spotted the mischievous Ning Rongrong, he immediately realized who the man and the silver-haired elder must be.
Seriously? This girl couldn't stay in her sect enjoying life as a little princess? What's she doing here—coming to Tianshui for "life experience"?
"Brother Yu!" Ning Rongrong's face lit up with pure delight as she hurried toward him.
"???"
Every girl in the crowd instantly turned defensive. Their beautiful eyes, each brimming with a different charm, flashed with subtle sharpness.
Xue Wu nudged Luo Yu's waist and whispered teasingly, "Big thigh, which romantic debt is this? The girl even brought her family to claim you."
"What romantic debt? I have no idea what's happening here." Luo Yu sighed helplessly.
Some girls were burning with gossip; others were smoldering with jealousy.
"Brother Luo Yu, do you still remember me?"
"Ning Rongrong, right?"
"It's been so long since we met last time!" she said, eyes gleaming.
"Cough, cough—it's only been, what, a few days?" Luo Yu replied awkwardly.
"It's been forever! Eleven whole days!" Ning Rongrong pouted.
Swish!
No one even saw him move, but in the blink of an eye, the silver-haired elder appeared before Luo Yu. His swordlike gaze bore down with crushing pressure.
"So you're the one my Rongrong speaks so highly of?"
"Grandpa Jian~" Ning Rongrong said sweetly.
Luo Yu, feeling the suffocating presence locking onto him, tensed instantly. It was as if countless invisible blades aimed straight at his throat. Yet, strangely, he didn't sense any killing intent—only... jealousy?
"Uncle Jian, come back," Ning Fengzhi chuckled. "Don't scare the boy."
The Sword Douluo naturally gave face to Ning Fengzhi. He glared once at Luo Yu, then retreated calmly.
Luo Yu sniffed the air subtly. What kind of sour jealousy was that? What's wrong with this old man?
"Dean Shen, doesn't your academy already have a fire-attribute student?" Ning Fengzhi said with a pleasant smile, clearly baiting her for a reply that would sting more than any fight.
Shen Linghan was momentarily speechless, and—like a guilty child—cast an imploring glance at Su Yaoyun.
Su Yaoyun rolled her eyes inwardly. Oh, so now you need me to talk, huh?
Still, she stepped forward gracefully and said, "Sect Master Ning may not know—this student is invincible among peers of the same level. His talent is beyond compare. The Dean values such genius greatly, so an exception was made."
"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow, skepticism flickering in his eyes. "Invincible among peers? Rare in the world? Isn't that... a bit exaggerated?"
Shen Linghan glared daggers at Su Yaoyun. You call that helping? He's never going to believe that!
But Su Yaoyun just smiled faintly. "Every word I said is true—no falsehoods."
"It's not that I don't believe you," Ning Fengzhi said politely. "But such claims are too astonishing. Even geniuses from Spirit Hall wouldn't dare make such a boast."
The implication was obvious: You're bluffing, but I'll be polite about it.
Su Yaoyun chuckled. "If the Sect Master doesn't believe it, a test will tell."
"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi looked intrigued, studying Luo Yu carefully.
Luo Yu's lips twitched. Great. The demoness is setting me up again.
"His aura is truly exceptional," Ning Fengzhi admitted, then suddenly frowned. "Hm? My eyes can't see through his foundation... Perhaps his talent truly is extraordinary."
The Sword Douluo, however, looked increasingly displeased—especially seeing how his precious Rongrong was gazing at Luo Yu with open admiration.
"This teacher," Ning Fengzhi said mildly, "I admit your student is outstanding. But my daughter possesses innate ninth-level soul power and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Surely, she's no less gifted than your student. So when you refused to accept her... was that meant as an insult to me?"
His tone grew sharper, a hint of authority leaking through. As the master of one of the Upper Three Sects, he wasn't used to being dismissed—especially not when it involved his daughter.
Su Yaoyun laughed softly. "Sect Master Ning, I assure you, there's no exaggeration. The Dean broke precedent only because this boy's talent warranted it."
Shen Linghan could barely stand it anymore. She shot Su Yaoyun a murderous glare. The boy literally came in through the backdoor, and you're talking like he's the Son of Heaven!
Ning Fengzhi said calmly, "Then allow Elder Chen to test him. If he truly possesses such ability, I'll say no more."
Luo Yu watched quietly, a faint sense of dread rising. Whatever this woman's planning, it's not good news for me.
Ning Fengzhi raised a hand, stopping Sword Douluo. His smile deepened. "How about this—we make a wager. Since your teacher claims this young man is invincible among his peers, let Elder Chen suppress his cultivation to the same level and spar with him."
"If Elder Chen wins, my daughter will be free to choose whether she wishes to join your academy."
He paused. "If your student wins, then I'll personally apologize for this unannounced visit—and provide Tianshui Academy with one year's worth of cultivation resources."
Shen Linghan immediately frowned. She could see how terrifying Sword Douluo's strength was—no way she'd agree to that! But before she could speak, Su Yaoyun stepped forward with a bright smile.
"Then let's do as Sect Master Ning suggests!"
The surrounding Tianshui students stared in shock.
"Father, that's not fair!" Ning Rongrong cried. "Grandpa Jian's cultivation is at level ninety-six! Even if he suppresses his power, Brother Yu can't possibly win!"
Gasps erupted throughout the plaza. The crowd's eyes went wide. A Level 96 Super Douluo—one of the rarest, most terrifying beings in the world!
"Ice'er, pinch me! Am I dreaming? Did I just hear 'Level 96 Super Douluo'?!" Xue Wu whispered in disbelief.
Even Shui Bing'er was shaken. A Super Douluo's strength was the stuff of legends—most people never even see one in their entire lives.
"And they want someone like that to spar with Brother Yu?" Shui Yue'er murmured blankly.
The entire academy silently cursed Ning Fengzhi for his shamelessness. How is this fair? Even suppressed, a Super Douluo's combat experience and control are on another level!
Ning Fengzhi sighed as he looked at his daughter. Traitorous little brat—already taking the other boy's side? Am I still your father?
Still, facing the crowd's disapproval, even he felt a bit awkward. Having Sword Douluo, famed as the strongest offensive Douluo alive, duel a young man—even with suppression—was... excessive. But hey, he hadn't been the one to claim "invincible among peers."
He turned to Su Yaoyun. "Well then, teacher, what do you say?"
Su Yaoyun smiled, stepping up to Luo Yu and patting his shoulder. "A deal's a deal, isn't it? I believe in this one. Just... don't hold it against us if you lose."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Of course not."
Seeing her so confident, he actually started to doubt himself. Then again, how could any youth match a Sword Douluo—someone who had walked the Way of the Sword for countless years? Even among other Level 96 experts, few could rival him.
Only perhaps the monsters of the Haotian Sect might stand equal.
Ning Rongrong pouted unhappily at her father.
Sword Douluo smiled gently. "Don't worry, Rongrong. I'll just test him for you. I won't hurt him."
The students around them all looked toward the trio from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—though their eyes held more resentment than admiration.
"Isn't this bullying?"
"Even if Luo Yu's a genius, how can he possibly beat that?"
"Didn't they say he'd suppress his cultivation?" one girl asked timidly.
"You fool," another replied. "Suppression doesn't erase battle instincts! And our school's top beauty is more for looks, not brawling!"
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, and Dean Shen headed toward the training grounds, surrounded by curious students. Luo Yu rolled his eyes at Su Yaoyun walking beside him.
"You little demoness—what are you trying to pull? I'm just an innocent bystander here."
"Help me beat that old man, and I'll reward you," Su Yaoyun whispered through sound transmission.
"How do you know I won't get beaten to a pulp?" Luo Yu glared.
"Come on, little man~ Big Sister needs your help," she cooed.
"Give me one good reason!" he grumbled.
"I have... a plan. Something that'll help both me and the academy." Her pink eyes sparkled with sincerity.
"Uh…"
"Well? You helping or not?" she snapped, raising a brow.
"Fine! Fine, I'll do it! You win."
"Hehe~ Beat him, and Big Sister will give you a big reward later."
Hearing her sultry voice echo in his mind, Luo Yu felt his heart skip a beat. He shook his head quickly. Gotta stay sharp. Or I'll end up sold by this fox one day.
And just like that, they arrived at the Training Arena.
...
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