Offensive and Defensive Arena Battle

"What? Shen Yi actually defeated Meng Qing!"

"That's Qi Condensation realm cultivation, yet he turned it around from Body Forging peak."

"Shen Yi has also revealed his trump card; I'm afraid he won't make it to the end."

The crowd below erupted into commotion, deeply astonished by Shen Yi's stunning performance.

Meng Qing knelt on one knee, a trace of surprise on his face. He couldn't understand how Shen Yi had managed such a feat, given that he was merely at Body Forging peak.

"Practice makes perfect."

Shen Yi said it lightly, but no one knew how much he had sacrificed during his secluded cultivation.

"Thank you!"

Meng Qing seemed to grasp something and, without lingering further, turned and left.

The other four duels soon concluded, just as everyone had predicted—aside from Shen Yi's upset victory over Meng Qing, the rest had all defeated their opponents without incident.

"Next up is the Offensive and Defensive Arena Battle, which is the real highlight. Word is that the final winner will receive an Earth-tier cultivation technique and twelve hours of cultivation inside the Thousand Spirit Mirror."

"Thousand Spirit Mirror? What's that?"

"You don't even know that? The Thousand Spirit Mirror is the Immortal Academy's ultimate treasure. One hour of cultivation inside it is said to equal ten days of training outside. Not even the three great dynasties possess such a thing."

Shen Yi heard this clearly, his heart shaken. He hadn't expected the Immortal Academy to offer such rewards—it seemed the upcoming Grotto-Heaven Ruins contest was no ordinary affair, and would be fraught with danger.

"Ahem!" Feng Yang cleared his throat, and the square immediately fell silent. "In this competition, Shen Yi, Jiang Miaoyi, Yuwen Yue, Wu Liujian, and Wang Teng have all performed excellently. Each of you may enter the second floor of the Scripture Depository to select one technique, and you will also represent the Immortal Academy in the Grotto-Heaven Ruins contest three months from now."

After a brief pause, Feng Yang continued, "The next round will follow the academy's traditional Offensive and Defensive Arena Battle format: one person defends the arena, while the other four take turns attacking. The one who remains standing at the end is the victor. The winner will receive an Earth-tier cultivation technique and be granted twelve hours of cultivation in the Immortal Academy's treasure, the Thousand Spirit Mirror."

Shen Yi was somewhat surprised—Dean Feng Yang's words were exactly the same as what that person had said earlier. Judging by that person's familiarity with the academy, he was likely not a fellow student but a senior from a previous year.

At that moment, Chen Chong waved his hand, and over a dozen pills descended from the air, their fragrance instantly filling the entire square before being enveloped by the golden light of the Spirit Stele.

"After each match, the victor may come here to take these pills and recover. Fight with all your strength—hold nothing back!"

"Spirit Recovery Pill!"

Shen Yi recognized at a glance that the pill was a fourth-grade Spirit Recovery Pill. Judging by the green patterns on its surface, it was likely of high quality. He couldn't help but marvel at the Immortal Academy's lavish generosity.

"I wonder who will be the first to defend the arena. Aside from Shen Yi, the other four are close in cultivation. I doubt any of them wants to reveal their trump cards too early."

The five of them exchanged glances, each waiting for someone to step onto the arena first. Feng Yang and the others didn't rush them, instead watching with keen interest. After a long silence, Jiang Miaoyi finally spoke up:

"Senior Disciple Shen holds the number one token. Why not set an example for us?"

Seeing the other three nod in agreement, Shen Yi didn't refuse. He simply stepped onto the arena and looked down at the others.

"Since Senior Disciple Shen has taken the stage first, shall we challenge in order of our tokens?"

Jiang Miaoyi's crimson lips parted slightly, and her proposal once again won the approval of the other three.

"Senior Disciple Shen, forgive my impertinence!"

Jiang Miaoyi stepped onto the arena in one stride, standing opposite Shen Yi. A long sword gleamed with a cold light in her hand, and an aura spread from her feet, pressing toward Shen Yi.

"Fairy Jiang has actually broken through to the Qi Refining Fifth Layer! It seems the final winner of this competition is surely hers!"

Shen Yi's expression turned grave. Jiang Miaoyi's aura actually exerted a pressure on him, slowing his movements. Even so, he channeled all his strength and raised his fist to meet the sword thrust toward him.

Clang!

Fist met sword. Shen Yi was puzzled—Jiang Miaoyi had pulled her strength at the very last moment. The sword struck his fist but couldn't pierce it; instead, it bent under the immense impact before springing back.

Jiang Miaoyi retreated several steps, a trace of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, her face instantly turning pale.

"Senior Disciple Shen is skilled. I concede."

The crowd erupted in uproar. Jiang Miaoyi couldn't withstand a single punch from Shen Yi and had actually been injured to the point of spitting blood.

As the crowd lamented, no one noticed Jiang Miaoyi flash a playful smile at Shen Yi as she passed him.

Shen Yi was equally baffled, unable to understand why Jiang Miaoyi had gone so easy on him. Only Yuwen Yue, standing below the arena, muttered under his breath, "Jiang Miaoyi... her schemes run deep."

"What should I do?"

Yuwen Yue stood on the arena, his mind filled with that single question. Jiang Miaoyi had feigned weakness and pretended to be injured. He couldn't very well copy her—that would be far too unoriginal.

"Senior Disciple Shen, that punch of yours still terrifies me. Since I know I'm no match for you, I'll just concede here and now. I wish you the best in claiming victory. When you have the time, please don't refuse if I invite you to wander and discuss the Dao together."

Yuwen Yue's move left everyone stunned. Not only did he concede outright, but he also took the initiative to invite Shen Yi for a stroll and Dao discussion. Was this a show of goodwill? The very goddess of the Immortal Academy in everyone's eyes was acting like this toward Shen Yi. With her pitiful demeanor, she turned Shen Yi into a public enemy amid the crowd's envy and jealousy.

Feng Yang and Chen Chong watched it all unfold, their veins bulging in helpless frustration. As two old foxes who had lived for centuries, how could they not see through the maneuvering? "To win over Shen Yi, those two families are really willing to go all out."

But they didn't intervene. Shen Yi was never meant to stay in Ninghai. He had a longer road ahead, and attaching himself to a greater power wasn't necessarily a bad thing. As for his final choice, it was entirely up to him.

"Shen Yi, I have no use for an Earth-tier cultivation technique, but the Thousand Spirit Mirror is vital to me. Forgive my impertinence!"

Wu Liujian stepped onto his sword and ascended to the arena, his eyes fixed on Shen Yi. His entire being was like a sword, its blade aimed straight at Shen Yi.

Shen Yi gripped his halberd, pointing it at Wu Liujian in return. The surroundings fell silent as the two faced off. Though Shen Yi's cultivation was lower, his aura was in no way inferior to Wu Liujian's.

"Sword, come!"

At his command, the sword on his back flew from its sheath into the air. Wu Liujian reached out and grasped it, speaking coldly, "Flowing Frost, three feet three inches!"

With the Flowing Frost Sword in hand, Wu Liujian's demeanor grew even icier, forming a layer of frost and snow before him. As he thrust his sword, Shen Yi felt a chill spread before his eyes. He dared not be careless, charging forward with his halberd to clash with the Flowing Frost Sword.