Chapter 596
The Ability to Traverse the Void
"I'm just testing you. If you hadn't dodged, we would have decided the winner long ago."
"you……!"
Lezhiyou was so angry that he trembled all over, and another mouthful of blood welled up in his throat.
"enough!"
Just then, a calm yet authoritative voice clearly cut through the laughter and reached everyone's ears. It was Dean Wei Lingzhen who spoke.
His gaze fell on Le Zhiyou, with a hint of regret, but more so with sternness.
"Zhiyou, the outcome is decided. There's no need to waste your breath with words or make any more futile struggles. You have already lost."
"I... lost..."
Le Zhiyou muttered to himself, Wei Lingzhen's words were like the last straw, completely breaking down his defenses.
He stood there, looking lost and dejected, the black longsword in his hand falling to the ground with a clang.
He coughed violently, and large mouthfuls of blood spilled from his mouth, staining his shirt shirt red.
But the physical pain was nothing compared to the agony in his heart! He knew that from this day forward, his name, Lezhiyou, would become a complete joke! Surrounded by overwhelming odds and then turned the tables, twice too intimidated to take a direct hit in one-on-one combat… all his pride and reputation were swept away in this battle, along with the deafening laughter that filled the air!
He struggled to lift his head, looked at the expressionless referee, and with his last bit of strength, his voice was hoarse and weak, yet it carried clearly.
"I... admit defeat."
After uttering those three words, he seemed to have all his energy drained away, collapsing to the ground. He was quickly supported by the medical staff from Yanxia Academy and carried off the arena. From beginning to end, he didn't dare to look at Jiang Xuan again.
Inside the assessment area, Xue Shaolin, Yu Wenjing, and Yun Zitong watched Le Zhiyou's disheveled figure being carried away, their faces all solemn and gloomy.
Although they felt sorry for Le Zhiyou, they also knew clearly that Le Zhiyou did not lose because of a lack of strength, but because he lost to Jiang Xuan, a completely illogical "freak"!
With his cultivation at the Human Gang Realm, he withstood the combined attack of four Earth Gang Realm cultivators and one Heaven Gang Realm cultivator, ultimately emerging victorious! Such a feat is probably unparalleled in the entire empire! Jiang Xuan's strength has completely surpassed their understanding of the Human Gang Realm!
……
When all eyes once again focused on the bloodied figure standing tall on the ring, the meaning in their gazes had completely changed. The previous sympathy, regret, and schadenfreude had vanished, replaced by deep admiration, praise, and even fervor!
Everyone realized that they had originally thought Jiang Xuan had drawn the worst possible lot, that he was extremely unlucky and destined to lose.
However, the result was quite the opposite. It wasn't Jiang Xuan who was unlucky, but his opponents who were incredibly unlucky! The four Earthly Realm experts were defeated decisively, and even Le Zhiyou, a Heavenly Realm expert, was reduced to a mere backdrop to highlight Jiang Xuan's strength, his reputation utterly ruined! Jiang Xuan was the biggest and only winner in this chaotic battle of the death group!
This was nothing short of a living miracle! It happened right before their eyes, deeply moving them!
On the white jade platform, Wei Lingzhen looked at Jiang Xuan and couldn't help but sigh again.
"This young man's rise is unstoppable. After this battle, the landscape of the younger generation in the Southwest Province will likely change because of him."
Du Dongtu sighed.
"It's not just the Southwest Province. I now feel that our small temple, the Purple Feather Army, is probably not big enough to contain this great Buddha."
His stage should be in a wider arena.
Liu Wujun nodded slightly, speaking with certainty.
"With the strength and potential he has shown today, not to mention in the Southwest Province, he is definitely among the top-tier young generation in the entire empire."
He is fully qualified, and must participate in the Empire's national examination!
He paused, a barely perceptible hint of regret flashing in his eyes, and added.
“If it weren’t for the fact that he might be associated with the Obsidian Sanctuary, I would have even considered recruiting him myself.”
The important figures exchanged silent glances, all understanding that after this battle, Jiang Xuan's name would no longer be limited to Yanxia City, but would spread like wildfire throughout the entire Southwest Province, and even attract the attention of higher levels of the Empire!
……
Just as everyone was watching with bated breath, cheering, and discussing Jiang Xuan's astonishing comeback, the world was abuzz with excitement.
On the arena, Jiang Xuan, who had just experienced a fierce battle, suddenly took a deep breath, as if to calm the churning blood and still surging fighting spirit within him.
His gaze calmly swept over the countless eyes focused on him from the stands. The cold, murderous look on his face slowly faded, replaced by a slightly solemn expression, yet with a hint of something inexplicable.
Then, under the gaze of nearly 100,000 eyes, he slightly grinned, revealing a smile that was quite different from his current image as a blood-soaked war god. It was a smile that was somewhat simple and even a little silly. He spoke in a clear and serious tone.
"When it comes to buying magical artifacts, I only choose Jin Yutang."
"..."
"???"
"..."
The entire room fell into an eerie stillness.
Everyone was stunned, utterly stunned! Their eyes widened, their mouths agape, their faces filled with bewilderment, astonishment, and a sense of absurdity, as if they were wondering, "Did I hear that right?"
No one expected that after experiencing such a thrilling and historic comeback victory, a feat worthy of being recorded in the history of the Southwest Province's provincial examinations, the first thing this miraculous young man said after regaining his footing was neither expressing his triumphant pride nor declaring his strength, but rather... advertising?!
Advertising for that trading company called "Jin Yu Tang"?!
The turn of events was so abrupt and unbelievable that everyone's brains went blank for several seconds, completely unable to process this huge information gap.
Especially in the audience, the many young girls who had been completely captivated by Jiang Xuan's domineering, powerful, and blood-soaked figure, their eyes sparkling and their hearts secretly smitten, suddenly froze their adoration and infatuation, which then shattered little by little, turning into deep heartbreak and despair.
"How could he... how could he do this..."
"My brother Jiang Xuan... how could this be..."
"Waaaaah... My image... is completely ruined..."
Some girls with weaker mental fortitude even covered their faces and let out mournful cries.
The perfectly crafted image of a war god, which had just been established, crumbled in the face of this sudden advertising slogan.
The entire Qingyun Square fell into an unprecedented and extremely strange silence. Only Jiang Xuan's words, "When buying spiritual artifacts, I only choose Jin Yutang," seemed to still echo in the air, challenging everyone's bottom line of cognition.
On the white jade platform, Liu Wujun, Wei Lingzhen, Du Dongtu and other important figures looked at Jiang Xuan on the stage, who had finished reciting the advertising slogan with a calm expression, even with a hint of "I did a good job, right?" The corners of their mouths twitched involuntarily, and their expressions were extremely strange.
“This child… truly, truly is a complicated matter…” Wei Lingzhen shook her head, rubbing her forehead, both amused and exasperated.
He had lived for so many years and had seen countless brilliant geniuses, but someone like Jiang Xuan... unconventional and unpredictable, was definitely the first of his kind.
Liu Wujun remained expressionless, but the subtle twitching at the corner of his eye betrayed his inner turmoil. Du Dongtu grinned, as if to say something, but ultimately let out a helpless sigh.
"This kid... always manages to do something unexpected."
Although Jiang Xuan achieved a brilliant victory in this battle, his injuries were quite severe, especially the deep sword wound on his left shoulder that exposed bone, as well as the internal injuries caused by the shockwave from Yue Zhiyou's Heavenly Gang Realm spiritual energy. Both of these injuries required immediate treatment.
Coupled with the intense battles that had drained his physical strength and spiritual energy, he didn't linger on the arena. After the referee announced his advancement, he decisively turned and left, intending to return to his residence as soon as possible to recuperate. After all, the final round of assessment wouldn't take place for another three days, and he needed to make the most of this precious time.
With Jiang Xuan gone, the third round of the "Six Jia Challenge" continued fiercely on other arenas.
However, news of the astonishing comeback battle on the ninth arena spread like wildfire throughout Yanxia City, sparking heated discussions throughout the city!
In the streets and alleys, in restaurants and teahouses, everyone is talking about the same name—Jiang Xuan!
"Have you heard? That Jiang Xuan took on five opponents in the assessment! Four Earthly Realm cultivators and one Heavenly Realm cultivator! He actually won!"
"My God! Is this for real? Is he even human? This is absolutely insane!"
"Absolutely true! I was there! You know Le Zhiyou, right? That genius from Yanxia Academy, who reached the Heavenly Gang Realm, was blasted away by Jiang Xuan with a single punch, coughing up blood and admitting defeat! That's incredible!"
"Tsk tsk, Le Zhiyou is really unlucky. He just had to run into Jiang Xuan, that monster. Now his reputation is ruined."
"Hahaha, you guys didn't see it! The first thing Jiang Xuan did after winning was to advertise for that Jin Yutang! Everyone was stunned!"
"Pfft! Is that even possible? This kid... he's really something else! Even in a life-or-death battle, he doesn't forget about making money?"
The reactions varied. Some were shocked by Jiang Xuan's monstrous strength, some lamented Le Zhiyou's bad luck, and many more were left speechless by Jiang Xuan's sudden advertising stunt after the battle, finding it quite a strange story.
Regardless, Jiang Xuan's fame reached an unprecedented height, thanks to this incredible victory and his bizarre actions.
……
When Jiang Xuan returned to the secluded courtyard in the south of the city, it was already late at night. The only sound in the courtyard was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
"Senior, I'm back."
He greeted the figure holding a wine jar in the corner, his voice carrying an undisguised weariness.
Xuejin remained leaning there, seemingly fast asleep, and did not respond.
Jiang Xuan didn't care; he was in pain all over and desperately needed to regulate his breathing.
He went straight into his room, closed the door, sat cross-legged on the bed, cleared his mind of distractions, and began to circulate his internal energy, guiding the remaining spiritual energy within his body to nourish and repair the damaged meridians and internal organs, while also treating the hideous wound on his left shoulder.
He must recover his injuries and strength as much as possible within three days to prepare for the final round, which will undoubtedly be the most intense test.
In the courtyard, Xue Jin, who seemed to be fast asleep, slowly opened her cloudy old eyes after Jiang Xuan entered the room. There was no trace of sleepiness in them, but rather a complex sense of bewilderment.
He looked up at the small patch of night sky cut off by the eaves, silently calculating in his mind.
"The provincial examination is over. Regardless of the results, as agreed, we should all leave Yanxia City and head to that turbulent wasteland in three days..."
Just as his thoughts were drifting away, suddenly, as if sensing something, he abruptly looked up at the sky above the courtyard!
The once calm night sky rippled slightly like water, and the next moment, a huge shadow silently appeared, obscuring the moonlight.
That was a magnificent falcon! Its feathers had a deep, dark color, shimmering with an eerie glow under the moonlight.
It was enormous, with an astonishing wingspan, and most remarkably, it had three pairs of wings, totaling six, growing on its back! Its sharp golden eyes, like molten gold, gleamed with a cold light, and its crimson claws, curved like hooks, emitted a chilling glint.
The Dark Night Six-Winged Falcon! An extremely rare and powerful demonic beast with the ability to traverse the void!
It landed silently in the courtyard without stirring up a speck of dust.
Those eyes, like molten gold, fell directly on Xue Jin in the corner.
A slightly hoarse, neither-male-nor-female voice came directly from the mouth of the Dark Night Six-Winged Falcon, carrying an unquestionable tone.
"Your Majesty's order.
Xue Jin, remain where you are and await further instructions.
Xue Jin sat up straight, a glint of light flashing in his cloudy eyes, and asked in a deep voice.
"What happened? Why the sudden change of plans?"
The Dark Night Six-Winged Falcon tilted its head, its golden pupils devoid of any emotion, and continued speaking in its flat voice.
"A traitor has emerged within the Obsidian Sanctuary, leaking some core secrets. This matter... may be related to the 'target' you are protecting, Jiang Xuan."
"what?!"
Xue Jin's heart jolted, and for the first time, a look of shock appeared on her face. A traitor had appeared in the Obsidian Sanctuary? And one who had leaked core secrets related to Jiang Xuan? This news was far too sudden and serious!
He wanted to ask for more details, but the six-winged falcon seemed to be just relaying the message. After it finished speaking, it ignored Xue Jin. With a slight flap of its six wings, its figure became blurred as if it had merged into the night. The next moment, it had completely disappeared, as if it had never existed.
Silence returned to the courtyard, leaving Xue Jin alone, her brows furrowed and her expression shifting.
“Traitor… top secret… related to Jiang Xuan…”
He pondered these keywords repeatedly, a storm raging within him. The internal affairs of the Obsidian Sanctuary were always strictly confidential; anything that could be called a core secret was invariably a matter of paramount importance concerning the very foundation of the Sanctuary.
Now there's a traitor, and Jiang Xuan is involved?
He realized that the seriousness of the situation might be far greater than he had imagined.
However, the message from the other party was too brief, and he had too little information to determine exactly what had happened or what impact this would have on Jiang Xuan. (End of Chapter)