The day promised to be one of rare excitement. After two days of grueling battles, the fifty strongest students of the Outer Academy had finally emerged, and today they would compete in the climactic final round to determine the ultimate ranking.
The plaza of Jia Nan Academy was packed far more tightly than usual. As Liu Xi arrived at the entrance, he saw a sea of bodies pressing against one another, shoulder to shoulder, leaving not even a crack to slip through.
He let out a helpless sigh. 'Seriously? I'm supposed to compete in the finals today. If I can't even squeeze into the arena, what kind of joke is this?'
Fortunately, Instructor Zhang Yan appeared at his side and led him through a separate passage reserved for faculty. The heavily guarded corridor curved around and brought Liu Xi safely inside.
Emerging from the darkened tunnel, a wave of blinding sunlight washed over him, forcing his eyes into a squint. The thunderous roar of the crowd struck his ears at once, and for a brief moment, he felt disoriented by the sheer energy of the scene.
"Instructor," Liu Xi said with some amazement, "I've been here a full year now, but I've never seen the academy this lively."
Zhang Yan chuckled, clearly proud. "Naturally. Today marks the final stage of the Inner Academy selection tournament. The fifty of you who stand here are the elite chosen from thousands—dragons among men, true prodigies. Of course the academy would turn out in full to witness it."
As the two spoke, Wang Shan—the brawny fighter Liu Xi had faced yesterday—strode over, his expression complicated. His eyes carried the frustration of a man who could not quite accept his loss. "In a head-on fight, I would not be weaker than you," he said firmly. "Yesterday's defeat… it was only because your strange soul technique caught me off guard. I wasn't prepared."
Liu Xi smiled faintly. In truth, without the Illusionary Heart Technique, he admitted he might not have defeated Wang Shan so easily. 'This fellow really is a brute of raw power. If it had been only a contest of strength, I wouldn't have won.'
Aloud, he answered, "Brother Wang Shan, your strength is innate. In pure confrontation, I admit I'm not your match."
For a moment, Wang Shan brightened, only for Liu Xi to add with calm precision, "But strategy and soul techniques are also my strength. Do you expect every enemy outside the academy walls to fight you with brute force alone?"
Wang Shan's face tightened, caught between grievance and the stubborn pride in his heart. "Even so, I refuse to accept it. One day, when I've uncovered a way to break your illusions, I'll challenge you again!"
Liu Xi laughed softly. "Then I'll be waiting. Anytime."
Their exchange drew curious looks from students nearby. To many, Wang Shan's straightforward honesty contrasted sharply with Liu Xi's calm composure. Yet Liu Xi found himself appreciating Wang Shan's straightforwardness—an iron fool, perhaps, but an honorable one.
---
Soon enough, the opening ceremony began. Vice Dean Hu Qian stepped onto the platform and raised his voice, amplified by Dou Qi so it thundered across the vast square. He proclaimed the start of the finals, and the air filled with a wave of cheers.
The fifty finalists drew lots to determine their opponents in successive elimination matches. Liu Xi watched carefully, noting which fighters might prove troublesome. There was Liu Lingfeng, whose Thunder Spear combined vicious speed with lightning-imbued ferocity; Lin Chen, wielder of the Wind Sword, whose blade techniques matched the ruthless swiftness of gales; and Shui Rou'er, whose Spirit Water Whip combined fluid grace and endless stamina—her opponents often collapsed from exhaustion before touching her.
Yet one by one, even these promising talents fell before Liu Xi's unfathomable illusions. When he wove the Illusionary Heart Technique into battle, none could resist. Illusions of fire and death left his foes disoriented, and in those precious moments of weakness, Liu Xi's blade struck true.
By the tournament's end, the crowd erupted into unanimous cheers: Liu Xi stood as champion.
Below the platform, Instructor Zhang Yan nearly burst with pride, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. "This boy… he actually won! He really did it!" His voice cracked with joy, the victory reflecting glory onto himself as much as his student.
On the dais, Elder Huo stroked his beard with satisfaction, boasting to his fellow elders. "Liu Xi, that child… I've watched him since his first step into the academy. Today's triumph doesn't surprise me at all." His tone was heavy with pride.
The crowd swarmed Liu Xi when he descended. Students surrounded him, shouting praise and admiration, some with awe, others with envy. Despite the dizziness that still lingered from his Spiritual Power consumption, Liu Xi returned every smile and greeting with measured warmth.
When Vice Dean Hu Qian finished his closing speech, he summoned the five strongest students—Liu Xi, Wang Shan, Liu Lingfeng, Lin Chen, and Shui Rou'er—and instructed them to report to his office the following morning.
---
The next day dawned bright. Inside a vast chamber lined with towering bookshelves, the five finalists stood quietly before Hu Qian's desk. The air smelled of ancient parchment, the weight of knowledge pressing down on them from every corner.
Hu Qian's expression was solemn. "You five are the Outer Academy's brightest talents. But remember—entering the Inner Academy is not the same as standing here. Every student within is a genius equal to yourselves. And in the Inner Academy, strength alone rules. Whoever wields the hardest fist secures the best cultivation resources. Thus, students often form factions. Those who walk alone… usually meet bitter ends."
The warning drew a frown from Shui Rou'er, the only woman among them. "Does that mean the instructors will simply ignore such matters?"
Hu Qian's smile was thin. "We instructors safeguard your lives. But beyond that, combat and rivalry are encouraged. It is through adversity that true strength is forged."
His gaze swept over them. "If you understand, follow me."
He led them to a black stone wall deep within the academy grounds. With a sweep of his palm, a pulse of invisible power rippled outward, and the wall split apart to reveal a hidden passage.
The group stepped into the dim corridor. Embedded along the walls were luminous pearls, their glow faint yet sufficient. The tunnel stretched on for half an hour before a faint light gleamed at the end. Hastening forward, they emerged into open air.
Before them stretched a secluded valley, cliffs rising high on three sides. At its heart stood a massive, ancient pavilion of heavy stone and aged wood, exuding an aura of timeless majesty. Upon its weathered plaque, three ancient characters could just be discerned despite the erosion of centuries:
Book Collection Hall.
Even eroded by time, the weight of the inscription carried such profound gravitas that Liu Xi felt a tremor of awe. 'So this is the legendary Book Collection Hall of Jia Nan Academy…'
As they neared, Hu Qian halted and bowed toward the pavilion. His voice, carried on Dou Qi, echoed through the valley. "Honored Elders, the top five of this year's selection tournament have arrived. According to tradition, I bring them here—please open the gate."
A still silence followed. Then, as though they had been there all along, two gray-robed figures appeared before the pavilion doors, seated cross-legged in eerie stillness.
Liu Xi's pupils contracted. 'So this is the Academy's twin elders… high-level Dou Zong experts. To manifest like that… is this the power of spatial force?'
A thrill ran through him. His curiosity burned hotter. 'If I can secure even a single Di Class fire-attribute technique here, it will be priceless. This opportunity must not slip by.'
For long minutes, the elders gave no reply. Only after ten breaths of patience did they stir, dry hands forming seals. Ripples spread across the invisible barrier around the pavilion, like waves across a mirror of water. With a sound like tearing silk, the space itself parted, revealing a doorway into another dimension.
"Go," Hu Qian said calmly, stepping through first.
Liu Xi followed, his heartbeat quickening. As he crossed the threshold, the pavilion loomed ahead in perfect clarity. They had entered the Book Collection Hall.
(End of Chapter)
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