Dumbo

Dumbo

Qin Wentian tightened his grip on the ancient halberd, his astral energy surging within it as he observed the intense battle between Luo Huan and Jiang Xiu.

Every inch counted, and the danger increased with each moment. Senior Luo Huan's long whip moved gracefully, while Jiang Xiu's swordplay remained impeccable even under constant pressure. Qin Wentian couldn't help but realize that the day he had trained with Luo Huan, she had never truly unleashed her full strength.

As the shadows of her long whip filled the sky, each lash produced a deafening, demon-like howl.

Qin Wentian started to walk forward, his figure becoming a blur as he shot toward the heavens like a meteor. In an instant, he appeared directly above Jiang Xiu, the ancient halberd pointed at him. With a furious howl and immense pressure, Qin Wentian executed the Green Dragon Stance, bringing the ancient halberd within an inch of Jiang Xiu's head. Jiang Xiu's face paled in terror.

"Despicable!" Jiang Xiu attempted to block Qin Wentian's attack with his sword, but the sheer force of the ancient halberd was overwhelming. It shattered his sword into irreparable pieces.

A tearing sound echoed as Jiang Xiu's robes were torn, and blood spurted from the whip laceration on his chest. He was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the ground. His shattered sword fragments rained down around him.

The crowd watched in stunned silence as Jiang Xiu, one of the 10 prodigies, suffered such a humiliating defeat. It was an extraordinary turn of events within the Emperor Star Academy.

"How audacious!" Qiu Mo bellowed, his Yuanfu pressure emanating from his body. But Luo Huan stepped forward, blocking him, and said, "Is Senior Qiu Mo planning to use his Yuanfu cultivation base to bully both me and Junior Brother Qin?"

Jiang Xiu slowly rose from the ground, his eyes burning with intense sword intent, his expression marred by bitterness.

Losing in front of a crowd was a brutal blow to Jiang Xiu, one of the 10 prodigies. He felt extreme humiliation wash over him.

The entire crowd had witnessed his defeat. He couldn't allow this shame to linger; he had to redeem himself, or he'd never be able to face anyone again.

"You both ganged up on me and even resorted to a sneak attack," Qiu Mo sneered coldly as he advanced. His immense Yuanfu aura pressed down on Luo Huan and Qin Wentian, a pressure that felt insurmountable. The gap between the Yuanfu Realm and Arterial Circulation was like a chasm.

Luo Huan locked eyes with Qiu Mo. "Jiang Xiu, an Emperor Star Academy genius and one of the 10 prodigies, faced off against a new student. I didn't see Senior Qiu Mo intervening when Jiang Xiu attacked Junior Brother Qin earlier. Besides, are you telling me Jiang Xiu felt threatened by Junior Brother Qin's 6th level of Arterial Circulation? The 10 prodigies shouldn't be this weak. With a three-level difference, Jiang Xiu should have easily brushed off Junior Brother Qin's attack."

Luo Huan's words carried a sting of humiliation for Jiang Xiu, whose expression grew increasingly sour.

Indeed, as one of the 10 prodigies with a 9th level Arterial Circulation cultivation base, Jiang Xiu should have been impervious to Qin Wentian's 6th level. Unless, of course, Qin Wentian's martial prowess had suppressed him.

"Qiu Mo, their fight is none of your business," Luo Cheng's voice cut through the tension. Qiu Mo's eyes flashed with anger at the rebuke.

"Now that you've reached Yuanfu, you should be seeking challenges from fellow Yuanfu cultivators. Who do you think you are, playing the hero here?" Luo Cheng continued, refusing to grant Qiu Mo any face. "Furthermore, this was a challenge Jiang Xiu initiated on his own. If he's still a man, he should resolve it himself. Otherwise, Jiang Xiu will tarnish the reputation of the 10 prodigies, relying on others to fight his battles."

"The year is coming to an end, and after the Jun Lin Banquet, Jiang Xiu's name won't appear among the 10 prodigies anymore," Luo Cheng stated matter-of-factly. His words garnered nods of agreement from the other elites on stage.

The annual Jun Lin Banquet always resulted in changes in the rankings of the 10 prodigies, and this year would be no exception. Luo Cheng didn't mince words; Jiang Xiu wouldn't simply stop advancing in the rankings, but he'd be entirely removed from them, replaced by others.

"Both of you can take me on at once," Jiang Xiu roared, summoning his Sword-type Astral Soul.

His eyes glinted like blades as he stared down Luo Huan and Qin Wentian. His chest bore a visible laceration, blood staining his clothes crimson. Jiang Xiu had reached his boiling point.

With his declaration hanging in the air, he stepped forward, and his sword Qi unleashed a dazzling ray of sword light toward Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian thrust his ancient halberd, the faint Xuanwu Tortoise shadow materializing once more. But the incoming sword slash shattered the manifestation, and a surge of razor-sharp pressure rushed at him.

"You're quite full of yourself," Luo Huan retorted with a cold snort, her eyes burning with anger. She summoned her Astral Soul, and her long whip cracked through the air. It felt like a storm of attacks was covering the entire sky, and her whip's shadow devoured space itself, quelling the sword light.

Surprise painted the faces of the onlookers. Had Luo Huan been this powerful all along? Even without Qin Wentian, she alone could easily suppress Jiang Xiu.

"You're truly delusional. Can't you see that Luo Huan's strength has already surpassed yours?" Luo Cheng taunted, a hint of disdain in his eyes. Jiang Xiu had been ranked as the 10th prodigy in last year's Banquet, likely due to weaker competition. However, this year was different, and the competition among the elites would be much fiercer.

Luo Huan had the potential to vie for a top position, and Luo Cheng had similar aspirations. He also knew that Luo Qianqiu's martial prowess exceeded his own. After reaching the 8th level, Luo Qianqiu had secluded himself once more, setting his sights on claiming the first position in the Jun Lin Banquet. At the year-end banquet, there would be no Yuanfu cultivators. How many in Arterial Circulation could hope to defeat Luo Qianqiu by then?

Qin Wentian refrained from attacking, instead, he taunted, "10 prodigies? Even if there were 15 prodigies, Jiang Xiu, you still wouldn't make the cut."

Jiang Xiu's anger grew, affecting his swordplay. It seemed more potent on the surface, but he struggled to sustain it. In contrast, Luo Huan's whip danced gracefully, forming an impenetrable net that even wind and rain couldn't breach.

Luo Huan's lithe figure moved with elegance, and many couldn't help but fantasize about being her partner. However, they all knew that despite her flirtatious demeanor, no man had successfully courted her before.

As everyone's attention remained on the intense battle, the distant sound of a bird call grew nearer. The crowd turned their gaze toward the source, their faces a mix of shock and surprise. Who dared to ride a flying beast within the Emperor Star Academy?

As the bird call approached, their eyes fell upon a beautiful figure atop a white crane in the distance.

"Mo Qingcheng."

Many men in the crowd gaped at her in awe, momentarily forgetting the ongoing battle between Jiang Xiu and Luo Huan.

In the distance, the lady in white riding the white crane appeared like a celestial being. Her beauty, combined with the crane and her attire, made her seem like an angel descending from the heavens.

Comparatively, Nolan, who stood beside her, faded into the background, unnoticed by the crowd. It wasn't that Nolan lacked beauty, but when standing next to Mo Qingcheng, her allure was completely overshadowed.

Chu Country may have had its share of beauties, but none could hold a candle to Mo Qingcheng.

"How beautiful," Qin Yao couldn't help but praise her as the white crane approached. She couldn't help but think of Luo Huan's earlier words about Qin Wentian ending up with Mo Qingcheng. Wouldn't that be a perfect match?

The white crane quickly neared the spectators and hovered in the air.

"It seems Mo Qingcheng is interested in watching the battle," some commented as they noticed her gaze directed at them.

Qiu Mo glanced at the white crane and smiled warmly at the beautiful figure. He appeared approachable and friendly.

"Why is she here too?" Qin Wentian expressed his puzzlement. Every time he looked at Mo Qingcheng, his heartstrings were stirred. As a young, hot-blooded man, it was hard to maintain composure in the presence of Mo Qingcheng's breathtaking beauty. After all, their cultivation levels weren't enough for them to achieve that serene state of mind.

Descending gracefully from the white crane, the two beautiful girls landed on the ground, immediately capturing everyone's attention. The intense battle between Luo Huan and Jiang Xiu was pushed to the back of their minds, forgotten in the face of such beauty.

"Qingcheng, what brings you here today?" Qiu Mo approached Mo Qingcheng with a smile.

"Hey, hey, Qiu Mo, since when did Qingcheng become so familiar with you? Show some respect when talking to her," Nolan scolded Qiu Mo, causing him to look awkward. However, he quickly recovered with a gentle smile.

Mo Qingcheng didn't pay much attention to Qiu Mo, giving him a casual glance. Qiu Mo had anticipated her response, and he knew Mo Qingcheng didn't bother much with most of the members of the 10 prodigies.

But as Qiu Mo saw Mo Qingcheng walking toward Qin Wentian, a change crossed his face, and a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.

Rumors had circulated about Mo Qingcheng's treatment of Qin Wentian during Chu Tianjiao's banquet. It was noticeably different from how she treated others. Did this mean that Qin Wentian wasn't on the same level as the 10 prodigies from the Royal Capital? Could it be that Mo Qingcheng, the number one beauty of Chu, had such a close relationship with Qin Wentian?

Just the thought of it made him feel increasingly irritated and resentful, silently cursing Qin Wentian's good fortune. He had obtained numerous 3rd level divine imprints and secured Mo Qingcheng's approval.

"Dumbo," Mo Qingcheng called out to Qin Wentian with a light smile. Whenever she looked at his expression, she couldn't help but find him adorably clueless.

"Hmm?" Qin Wentian blinked. Dumbo?

In that moment, he recalled the day he had spent with Mo Qingcheng, watching the beautiful falling snow. He couldn't help but think, was he really that much of a dumbo?

Qin Wentian suddenly felt numerous envious gazes directed at him, and Qiu Mo was no exception. It left him slightly perplexed.

Could Qiu Mo's deliberate targeting of him be because of Mo Qingcheng?