On the Arena

Orfon's prowess stood out prominently among the new batch of students. In this fresh cohort, Murong Feng had achieved the 4th level of the Arterial Circulation Realm, while Laxus and Du Hao were firmly rooted in the 3rd level. There were also three students at the 2nd level, and among them was none other than Orfon.

Today, Orfon's opponent was a novice at the first level of the Arterial Circulation Realm. The gap in their strengths was painfully evident. With a flourish of his Frenzied Python Spear Arts, Orfon swiftly dispatched his unfortunate adversary.

Watching this display, Janus couldn't help but smile with indifference. He remarked, "Orfon's spear arts combine the agility of a snake with the dominance of a python. He's truly grasped the essence of this innate technique. After this victory, he's undoubtedly within the top ten."

"Excellent! Orfon has exceeded my expectations," Orchon exclaimed with a satisfied nod. Everything was unfolding just as he had foreseen.

However, on the other side of the arena, Mustang's expression soured. Due to their differing viewpoints, he and Janus represented opposing factions within the Emperor Star Academy, and this divide extended to their students. When each new batch of students arrived, Mustang, Janus, and the other instructors would select the students they wanted to mentor. In reality, it was often the students who chose their preferred teachers.

Orfon naturally fell under Orchon's tutelage, whereas Mustang had high hopes for a student named Qin Wentian, who had been conspicuously absent for the past ten days.

"This Orfon... I can't shake this feeling of discomfort when I look at him. Sigh, only Junior Brother Qin is truly honest and easy on the eyes," Luo Huan muttered, her expression clouded with displeasure as she observed the smug look on Orfon's face.

As Orfon prepared to leave the arena, a voice suddenly cut through the air, exclaiming, "Impressive, truly impressive!"

In that voice, a hint of provocation was unmistakable. The crowd turned to see a plump figure approaching the arena. Orfon's eyes narrowed upon seeing the newcomer, a glint of coldness flashing within them. How was this possible? Shouldn't he have perished?

"Why can't I be here?" Fan Le grinned mischievously as he gazed at Orfon. In an instant, Orfon realized he was on the verge of revealing information that could implicate him. He hastily sealed his lips, pretending he didn't recognize Fan Le.

"Long time no see," another voice chimed in. Before Orfon, yet another familiar figure emerged. It was none other than Qin Wentian.

"Junior Brother Qin!" Mountain and Luo Huan couldn't contain their excitement as they stood up in the spectator's stand. A gleam of joy shone in Luo Huan's eyes as she laughed, "I knew he wouldn't meet an easy end."

A white blur dashed forward, leaping into Luo Huan's embrace. Amidst countless envious gazes, Little Rascal had chosen the coziest spot, leaving many in the crowd salivating with envy.

Mustang's heart relaxed as he spotted Qin Wentian confidently striding towards the arena. Who would have thought this young man would boldly step onto the stage?

The spectators wore expressions of confusion. Why were two more individuals suddenly joining the fray?

Qin Wentian and Fan Le moved deliberately in Orfon's direction, causing Orfon to retreat hesitantly, as if he feared their presence. After all, in the Dark Forest, Orfon had firsthand experience of what Fan Le and Qin Wentian were capable of. He had seen Fan Le take down Makino, a fellow cultivator at the same level, with deadly precision.

"How dare you disrupt this arena? Who are you two?" Janus bellowed, his gaze sweeping over Qin Wentian and Fan Le, as if feigning ignorance of their identities.

"I am Qin Wentian, a student of the Emperor Star Academy."

"I am Fan Le, also a student of the Emperor Star Academy."

"Oh, is that so? Then why have you chosen today to grace us with your presence?" Janus coldly inquired.

"We were fashionably late due to an unexpected delay," Fan Le replied, sporting an impish grin.

"Delay? You claim to be delayed and expect me to believe that? This is the Emperor Star Academy, not a place for your whims. Begone!" Janus declared, a sharp glint in his eyes.

Qin Wentian and Fan Le exchanged knowing glances, their laughter concealed in their hearts.

"May I ask Elder Janus one thing? Since we passed the initial examination and survived the Dark Forest expedition, can we be considered legitimate students of the academy?" Fan Le asked, maintaining his smile.

"That's correct," Janus conceded, unable to refute Fan Le's assertion. This fact was well-known to everyone.

"Elder Janus personally witnessed my success in the initial examination, as did countless others when I entered the Dark Forest. Now that I stand before you, alive and well, would Elder Janus dare to question my status as an Emperor Star Academy student?" Fan Le continued, his grin still intact.

"Even if that's the case, what's your point?" Janus snorted dismissively. "Today, the Emperor Star Academy..."

"Stop!" Fan Le interrupted before Janus could finish his sentence. Fatty raised his head slowly and shouted, "If that's the case, why are you still blabbering on?"

As Fan Le's voice echoed through the arena, silence fell. All eyes were on Fan Le, who proudly tilted his head, a radiant smile on his face. Despite his current grin, Fatty's temper had been genuinely inflamed back in the Dark Forest. What was even more disgraceful was that Orchon, in front of so many witnesses, had actually pointed his spear at him, a moment of profound humiliation for Fan Le.

Astral Light shimmered and coalesced, forming an Astral Bow that materialized in Fatty's hand. In the blink of an eye, an arrow shot forth with breathtaking speed. The crowd's heads swiveled to trace the arrow's trajectory, their faces a mosaic of bewilderment. Within moments, the arrow landed behind Orfon, sealing off his escape route.

Simultaneously, Qin Wentian sprang into action.

"Boom!" The arena floor trembled as Qin Wentian surged forward like a hurricane, hurtling toward Orfon. The earth quaked beneath his every stride.

The sudden turn of events caught the spectators off guard. Fan Le had just finished giving Orfon a tongue-lashing when, to the astonishment of everyone, Qin Wentian and Fan Le simultaneously launched their assault against Orfon during the Emperor Star Academy's ranking competition.

Orfon's expression twisted into an unsightly mask. He wanted to retreat, but his escape route was now blocked, and he was acutely aware of Fan Le's uncanny archery skills. Since Fan Le had effectively sealed his path, retreating was no longer an option. He had no choice but to advance. His only hope was to defeat Qin Wentian and make a successful retreat.

With this determination in mind, Orfon sprinted madly toward Qin Wentian. Instead of retreating, he advanced, unleashing a flurry of stabs with his Frenzied Python Spear, each move akin to an agile, dancing snake poised to strike.

Leveraging the momentum from his explosive speed, Qin Wentian struck out with his fist, showcasing the brutal power of the Dragon Subduing Fist. The furious roar of an azure dragon echoed forth, colliding head-on with Orfon's Frenzied Python Spear Arts.

"Bang, bang..." Orfon's Astral long spear crumbled bit by bit. Confronted with the overwhelming Qi emanating from the Draconic Roar of the Nine Heavens, Orfon's complexion turned ashen, his facial features feeling as though they might be torn asunder by the force of the roar.

"Arterial Circulation Realm," Orfon realized, his heart trembling. Qin Wentian's aura indicated he had reached the Arterial Circulation Realm! Yet, despite this, why were his attacks so overwhelmingly fierce?

Orfon backpedaled, forming an Astral Shield with condensed Astral Light that hovered before him.

"Howl!"

The roar reverberated through the void as spectators fixated on the arena. They witnessed the razor-sharp claws of an Azure Dragon slashing through the Astral Shield, reducing it to nothingness. With a flex of its claw, the Azure Dragon seized Orfon by the throat.

In an instant, Qin Wentian had Orfon by the neck, hoisting him into the air with a single hand.

"Impudent!"

"Release him!"

Outraged cries filled the air as Orchon and two other youths rushed forward, their auras unleashed. Orchon, in particular, leveled his spear at Qin Wentian, his eyes seething with murderous intent.

"You are playing with fire." Orchon's voice dripped with ice as he stared at Qin Wentian as if he were a corpse.

Qin Wentian detested that look. Just as he had in the Dark Forest, Orchon's gaze made him profoundly uncomfortable.

In response, Qin Wentian abruptly shifted his grip and slammed Orfon onto the ground, the sickening sound of bones shattering reverberating through the arena. Orfon's face contorted in agony.

Qin Wentian had dared to humiliate Orfon right before Orchon's eyes. This act wasn't a mere slap in the face; it was a thunderous punch.

Orchon had never experienced such intense fury and shame. His face blazed red, his unbridled killing intent surging. He wanted to tear Qin Wentian limb from limb.

Even Mustang and his students stood in stunned silence, but as they regained their senses, a myriad of thoughts raced through Mustang's mind, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"This guy is genuinely straightforward," Luo Huan remarked with laughter dancing in her beautiful eyes. Qin Wentian might appear harmless and innocent in normal circumstances, but when provoked, he turned brutally efficient, as evidenced by the current situation.

And oh, how she relished it!