Kill

A multitude of eyes remained riveted on Qin Wentian, their anticipation thick in the air. What choice would he ultimately make?

A buzzing tension enveloped the scene as Orchon made no effort to conceal the murderous intent radiating from him. His long spear crackled with an ominous light, all aimed at Qin Wentian. As he observed the sly grin on Qin Wentian's face, a gnawing unease crept into Orchon's heart. Could it be that Qin Wentian, the man who dared to challenge Orfon, would go so far as to take Orfon's life?

"Release him," Orchon commanded, his voice dripping with frigid authority.

Meeting Orchon's icy gaze, Qin Wentian remained unruffled. He spoke with a calm that seemed to amplify the tension, "Even in the face of such dire circumstances, you still cling to your so-called 'pride.' That same gaze you used to fixate on me—it hasn't changed since before. It appears that Orfon's impending demise doesn't faze you one bit."

With those words, Qin Wentian's clenched fist began to radiate a brilliant light. The onlookers' hearts collectively skipped a beat.

"If you dare to kill him, I promise you that your fate won't be any different from the first person," Janus warned, glaring at Qin Wentian. The third person had ascended to the position of Principal at the Emperor Star Academy, while the first had met a grim end at the hands of the academy.

"That may be true, but even if I spare him, I'd still have no sanctuary in the Royal Capital," Qin Wentian maintained his enigmatic smile. The first person met his demise because he held little value to the Emperor Star Academy. Given that fact, how could Qin Wentian establish a solid foothold in the Royal Capital?

Qin Wentian lowered his gaze to Orfon.

Orfon, too, locked eyes with him. This time, as he peered into Qin Wentian's gaze, Orfon was overtaken by genuine terror.

"Your life hangs in the balance, but there's no one willing to bow down for you. The one you should harbor resentment toward isn't me," Qin Wentian stated placidly, causing Orfon's body to tremble uncontrollably. Qin Wentian's words felt like a death sentence.

In all fairness, considering the numerous times Orfon had sought to end Qin Wentian's life, it was only natural that Qin Wentian sought retribution. Yet, neither his own brother nor Janus was willing to humble themselves and beg for mercy. This realization plunged Orfon into a deep well of despair. The brother he had always revered was now invoking his 'pride,' even with Orfon's life hanging in the balance.

Qin Wentian raised his Heavenly Hammer, infusing it with the essence of the Dragon Subduing Fist, and brought it crashing down with the thunderous roar of an azure dragon.

"I regret this!" Orfon howled, consumed by a torrent of rage and despair. In an instant, his body exploded, leaving behind only the lingering echoes of his unwillingness, resonating through the silence, refusing to dissipate.

The aftermath was so still that you could hear a pin drop.

At that very moment, history was rewritten within the hallowed halls of the Emperor Star Academy, as Qin Wentian became the fourth person to shatter the academy's ironclad rule.

Mustang, Luo Huan, and the others present felt their hearts pound wildly in their chests. Qin Wentian had made an audacious choice – he intended to end Orfon's life before a multitude of witnesses.

A collective gasp escaped the spectators. The Emperor Star Academy had just unleashed two absolute mavericks.

Orchon's eyes blazed with an intense chill as he advanced toward Qin Wentian. The seething anger and murderous intent radiating from him were palpable.

"Orchon!" Janus roared, halting Orchon in his tracks. His desire to impale Qin Wentian with his long spear was nearly overwhelming. Qin Wentian had already crossed a grave line, becoming the fourth individual to defy the academy's unwavering rule. Orchon couldn't be the fifth. If he did become the fifth, even if he avenged Orfon's death, he'd find himself in deep trouble. The Emperor Star Academy was notorious for disregarding social status and authority when it came to meting out discipline.

"Killing a fellow student during the Emperor Star Academy's ranking competition – you are the first to dare to challenge the academy's authority so boldly," Janus said, his gaze drilling into Qin Wentian as if he were a carcass.

"I, Janus, as an Elder of the Academy, humbly beseech the Disciplinary Committee. Allow Orchon to exact revenge for his brother's death by killing Qin Wentian," Janus implored. In short order, several figures leaped onto the arena stage. These individuals were none other than students belonging to the Disciplinary Committee, and they stood together, exerting their presence to bear down on Qin Wentian.

Behind these figures, a middle-aged man gradually ascended – Thousand-Hands, the Elder in charge of the Disciplinary Committee, had arrived.

His expression remained inscrutable as he cast a penetrating gaze at Qin Wentian.

"During the Dark Forest training exercise, Orfon made numerous attempts on Qin Wentian's life. Had this not been the case, they wouldn't have sought revenge against Orfon. I, Mustang, implore the Disciplinary Elder to show mercy. I am willing to take Qin Wentian as my personal disciple," Mustang declared as he stepped forward, approaching the arena.

Janus wanted Qin Wentian dead, while Mustang was determined to shield him.

"Elder Thousand-Hands, Mustang incited Qin Wentian to eliminate his fellow students. If we permit this fiend to escape unpunished today... I strongly urge the Disciplinary Committee to hold Mustang accountable in his place," Janus stepped forward as well, his gaze locked in a fierce glare at Mustang.

The older students of the Emperor Star Academy were well aware that Janus and Mustang belonged to opposing factions, like water and fire. The unfolding scenario wasn't unexpected. What remained to be seen was how the Disciplinary Committee would navigate this tumultuous situation.

"Qin Wentian, do you admit to killing Orfon during the ranking competition?" Thousand Hands ignored both Janus and Mustang's words as he asked this question, his gaze upon Qin Wentian filled with cold resolve.

Members of the Disciplinary Committee had encircled Qin Wentian.

As they observed this situation, the hearts of the spectators quaked. It appeared that the Disciplinary Committee had no intention of letting Qin Wentian off the hook.

"As for the matter of Orfon repeatedly attempting to take my life within the Dark Forest, will the Disciplinary Committee investigate it and seek justice on my behalf?" Qin Wentian inquired, locking eyes with Thousand-Hands.

"No," Thousand-Hands replied curtly.

"Since the Disciplinary Committee can't be bothered, is there anything wrong with me seeking revenge for myself?" Qin Wentian's resolute voice rang out, his determination unwavering.

"This guy," Mountain, seated in the spectator stands, was utterly baffled. Why was Qin Wentian refusing to yield even an inch, directly challenging the Disciplinary Committee itself?

"I humbly implore the Disciplinary Committee once more to permit Orchon to avenge his brother's death," Janus urged, his voice dripping with fervor.

Thousand-Hands fell silent for a moment, then signaled the students of the Disciplinary Committee to withdraw, leaving Orchon standing alone, facing off against Qin Wentian.

"Elder Thousand-Hands, if the Disciplinary Committee accedes to Janus's request, then I must intervene," Mustang declared firmly, showing no signs of backing down.

"Mustang, you dare to defy the Disciplinary Committee?" Janus sneered coldly, positioning himself to block Mustang. Meanwhile, Orchon, emanating an aura of impending violence, advanced steadily toward Qin Wentian. The students aligned with Janus and Mustang took positions on the arena, forming two opposing sides with Qin Wentian at the center.

The winds of this tumultuous confrontation grew stronger by the moment.

Amidst this brewing tempest, Astral Light shimmered on Qin Wentian's forehead as he unleashed his Astral Soul. The radiant golden halo indicated that his Astral Soul had reached at least the 3rd Heavenly Layer.

This development caused Thousand-Hands to narrow his eyes. Unfamiliar with Qin Wentian, he had no way of knowing that Qin Wentian's first Astral Soul had been condensed to the 3rd Heavenly Layer.

Translator's Note: Due to the lingering effects of the needle technique, they still believed that his first Astral Soul was at the 3rd Heavenly Layer.

"The 3rd Heavenly Layer... Who is this guy, and what's his background? No wonder Mustang is determined to protect him," whispered the onlookers, finding the situation increasingly intriguing. Was the Emperor Star Academy prepared to mete out punishment to a talent whose first Astral Soul had reached the 3rd Heavenly Layer?

Thousand-Hands' eyes held a trace of contemplation. Qin Wentian was undeniably prideful, but he also possessed the strength to back up his pride. Thousand-Hands pondered the best approach to deal with him.

"Orchon, make your move!" Janus shouted. Almost immediately, Orchon charged towards Qin Wentian, while Janus positioned himself firmly in front of Mustang.

Mountain stepped forward, his Astral Soul emerging in all its glory. He transformed into a colossal human shield, standing protectively in front of Qin Wentian. With a mighty punch, he unleashed a projection resembling a colossal rock, brimming with unstoppable force, hurtling towards Orchon.

"Scram!" Orchon bellowed in fury, his long spear aglow with Astral Light. Shadows of frenzied pythons burst forth, shattering the rock-like projection.

Mountain's expression darkened as Orchon's pressure forced him to retreat. Arrogant as Orchon might be, within the Emperor Star Academy, he was undoubtedly a formidable cultivator.

Meanwhile, Thousand-Hands remained in contemplation, silently observing the unfolding drama.

Qin Wentian, however, remained astonishingly composed. With the Ou Clan and the Ye Clan breathing down his neck, he had only one recourse left – to prove his true worth on this arena.

A brilliant radiance enveloped Qin Wentian as he released his second Astral Soul. In addition to his Heavenly Hammer Astral Soul, the Dreamcast Astral Soul now made its appearance.

Thousand-Hands turned his gaze toward Qin Wentian's second Astral Soul, but what he saw left him stunned. The halo of this Astral Soul was pure gold, and the Dreamcast Astral Soul revolved within it.

Thousand-Hands, a formidable cultivator of the Yuanfu Realm and the head of the Disciplinary Committee, had never imagined that he would witness a pure-gold corona of an Astral Soul emanating from a 16-year-old youth in his lifetime. Yet, here it was, happening before his eyes.

But he wasn't alone in witnessing this extraordinary sight; everyone else in the arena was equally dumbfounded. When the pure-gold Astral Soul appeared, the significance of Qin Wentian's involvement in Orfon's death suddenly paled in comparison. All eyes were fixed on the second Astral Soul he had unveiled.

Qin Wentian's expression remained serene, but his standing in the hearts of the spectators had undergone a profound transformation.

Wasn't that pure-gold Astral Soul supposed to be condensed from the 4th Heavenly Layer?

His first Astral Soul was at the 3rd Heavenly Layer, and now his second Astral Soul hailed from the 4th Heavenly Layer.

This was a historic first in the annals of the Emperor Star Academy. Qin Wentian stood alone in this remarkable achievement.

"Ceasefire!" A voice as thunderous as a tempest echoed through the sky, abruptly halting the combatants and mesmerized spectators alike.

Thousand-Hands' pupils contracted, a glimmer of reverence in his eyes, as he commanded, "Everyone, stand down. Disobedience will be met with disciplinary consequences."

During this brief ceasefire, all eyes were fixed on Qin Wentian, tinged with awe. Even Janus and Orchon's expressions held a captivating mix of fascination and astonishment.

A profound silence, akin to the stillness of death, settled over the arena. The focus of every spectator was now firmly on the young man who had vanquished Orfon, transforming him into one of the principal actors in this extraordinary drama.