Chapter 9: The Rules

"Are there such benefits?"

Hearing the system's voice, Chu Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh, completely unexpected.

Although it was just points, points were akin to money, and the treasures in the academy's shop could be freely chosen, provided one had enough points.

"What's up?"

Elder Yang, naturally unaware of this scene, had yet to comprehend even a hint of intent, which was incredibly mysterious and required chance to understand.

"It's nothing."

Chu Xiaotian apologized with a smile to Elder Yang and quickly followed him.

"Elder Yang, are these your newly recruited disciples?"

Upon entering the stone gate, two outer sect disciples guarding the gate spoke.

"Yes."

Elder Yang nodded, understanding their thoughts but said nothing more, as this was a tradition of the Divine Sword Academy.

"I'll go ahead."

One of the guarding outer sect disciples quickly entered the martial academy after informing his colleague and Elder Yang.

Entering the stone gate, they arrived at the square.

The square was large, several dozen zhang in size, easily accommodating tens of thousands of people. Many Divine Sword Academy disciples were practicing around the square, with some even practicing martial skills on the square itself.

"Alright, disciples with seven meridians opened, come forward."

Elder Yang stopped, and Chu Xiaotian and the others halted, then heard Elder Yang speak.

"Just reached the academy's standard, reward five hundred points."

"Eight meridians, reward eight hundred points."

"Nine meridians, reward one thousand points."

"First realm of martial arts, reward two thousand points."

Elder Yang then took out a point token and handed it to Chu Xiaotian and the others, instructing them to engrave their names on it when they officially became disciples of the Divine Sword Academy.

"I'll be leaving now. Soon, senior brothers and sisters will lead you to register, and they'll arrange what type of disciple you'll become."

Elder Yang left these words and turned to leave.

After all, the new students' entry rules couldn't be changed, and as a high-ranking member of the academy, Elder Yang naturally couldn't interfere, even staying here was inappropriate.

"Brother Zhou, these are the ones."

The outer sect disciple stationed at the stone gate quickly led a group of senior brothers and sisters and pointed towards Chu Xiaotian and his group.

"You go ahead; you'll get a hundred points later."

Brother Zhou nodded and instructed the outer sect disciple.

Brother Zhou was handsome, wearing the black robe of an inner sect disciple, his mature charm radiating, immediately attracting the attention of several girls in Chu Xiaotian's group.

"Greetings, junior brothers and sisters. I am Zhou Yang, an inner sect disciple of the Divine Sword Academy!"

"The Divine Sword Academy has an unwritten rule; you need to challenge us. Only after losing three consecutive battles can you enter the great hall to register. Of course, each battle has a cost: fifty points per fight."

Zhou Yang slowly spoke to Chu Xiaotian and the others.

"Brother, what if someone wins three consecutive battles?"

Chu Xiaotian asked Zhou Yang.

"Good question. If you win three in a row, more powerful senior brothers and sisters will come until you lose three times."

Zhou Yang answered Chu Xiaotian's question.

"Thank you."

Hearing Zhou Yang's words, Chu Xiaotian and the others understood.

This was simply the seniors bullying the juniors, essentially robbing them of their academy points through combat.

"Alright, choose your opponents."

Zhou Yang instructed, letting Chu Xiaotian and the group of new Divine Sword Academy disciples pick their opponents.

Eventually, Chu Xiaotian decided not to reveal his true strength but to hide his skills.

Since each fight had fifty points at stake, if he won, he could gain a few points, so it was better to start with the weakest and earn more points!

"I choose this senior brother."

Chu Xiaotian eventually chose an outer sect disciple with seven meridians opened as his opponent.

Others chose the weakest or those of similar realms, not challenging Divine Sword Academy disciples beyond their strength!

"They chose Locke, looks like the newbie is in for it."

"True, Locke's harmless appearance does attract many challengers."

"Sigh, being a pretty boy really helps."

The official disciples, seeing Chu Xiaotian choose Locke, were immediately abuzz, attracting some attention.

Hearing these voices, Chu Xiaotian carefully observed his opponent.

Locke looked gentle and harmless, with a slender body and a non-threatening demeanor.

"Are you ready?"

Locke asked Chu Xiaotian.

"Ready."

Chu Xiaotian nodded.

"Wham."

Locke, without another word, threw a punch, swift as the wind, fierce as a tiger, with a sonic boom echoing.

Locke's strength, unlike his appearance, was formidable; such a punch could even challenge an eight mer

idian martial artist.

But he was facing Chu Xiaotian.

Ultimately, it would be in vain, and he'd have to give up fifty points.

Chu Xiaotian was a true first realm martial artist, with the Draw Sword Technique.

The Sky-Cleaving Sword appeared, unsheathed.

"Clang..."

"Draw Sword Technique!"

Locke was fast and loud.

Chu Xiaotian's swordplay was faster, louder, like thunder.

And most importantly, it was bolstered by 10% sword intent!

In an instant, in Locke's eyes, it wasn't just a fast sword but ten swords, a hundred swords, even sword light reaching the sky!

"Thud!"

Unable to resist, reacting too late, Locke was immediately struck and sent flying by a single sword strike!

The speed was so fast that no one clearly saw how Chu Xiaotian struck or how Locke was defeated.

"Clang!"

The Sky-Cleaving Sword sheathed, another sound echoed, and everyone realized Locke was defeated.

"Next!"

Chu Xiaotian looked at the other unchallenged senior brothers and sisters and slowly spoke.

"I'll go!"

Seeing Chu Xiaotian's triumphant demeanor, the group of official Divine Sword Academy disciples was immediately infuriated.

Defeating one person and thinking he's great?

There were many more, outer sect disciples, then inner sect ones, and core disciples until someone defeated him.

"Bang!"

Chu Xiaotian struck again, sending another flying.

"Next."

Chu Xiaotian sent another flying with a single sword strike.

"Next."

"Bang!"

Chu Xiaotian continued to defeat each one with a single strike.

"Continue, next."

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

It was like dropping dumplings in the Divine Sword Academy square.

Everyone who faced Chu Xiaotian was sent flying with a single sword strike!

Chu Xiaotian's strength was overwhelmingly formidable!

Not a single outer sect disciple could defeat him!

"Brother Zhou Yang, we've let you down."

More than a dozen outer sect disciples were defeated, looking ashamedly at Zhou Yang.

"It's alright, I'll personally handle him."

Zhou Yang, seemingly gentle, assured them with a wave of his hand, his gaze filled with challenge towards Chu Xiaotian.

Zhou Yang appeared gentle and elegant, but was actually very petty.