Offensive and Defensive Arena Battle

"What? Shen Yi really defeated Meng Qing!"

"That was Qi Condensation Realm cultivation! He actually turned the tables at the Body Forging Peak."

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

The crowd below the stage erupted into commotion, all deeply astonished by Shen Yi's earth-shattering performance.

Meng Qing knelt on one knee, a trace of astonishment on his face as well. He could not understand how Shen Yi had managed such a feat. After all, Shen Yi was merely at the Body Forging Peak.

"I practiced a lot. My hands simply got used to it."

Shen Yi spoke lightly, yet no one knew how much he had endured during his Secluded Cultivation.

"Thank you!"

Meng Qing seemed to have grasped something. He did not linger and simply departed.

The other four matches soon ended as well. Just as everyone had predicted, aside from Shen Yi's upset victory over Meng Qing, the others defeated their opponents without surprise.

"The upcoming Offensive and Defensive Arena Battle is the true highlight. I heard the final winner this time can receive an Earth-tier cultivation technique and cultivate in the Thousand Spirit Mirror for twelve hours."

"The Thousand Spirit Mirror? What is that?"

"You don't even know that? The Thousand Spirit Mirror is an Immortal Academy treasure. It is said that cultivating within it for one hour is equivalent to cultivating in the outside world for ten days. Even the Three Great Dynasties do not possess such a treasure."

Shen Yi heard every word clearly, and his heart shook with astonishment. He had not expected the Immortal Academy to offer such rewards. It seemed this struggle for the Grotto-Heaven Ruins would be anything but ordinary, and would likewise be fraught with danger.

"Ahem!" Feng Yang gave a light cough, and the plaza immediately fell silent. "In this grand competition, Shen Yi, Jiang Miaoyi, Yuwen Yue, Wu Liujian, and Wang Teng have all performed exceptionally. Each of you may enter the second floor of the Scripture Depository and select one cultivation technique. At the same time, you will represent the Immortal Academy in the contest for the Grotto-Heaven Ruins three months from now."

After pausing briefly, Feng Yang continued, "The coming matches will follow the Immortal Academy's usual Offensive and Defensive Arena Battle format. One person will defend the arena while the other four challenge in turn. Whoever remains standing until the end shall be the victor. This time, the winner may receive an Earth-tier cultivation technique and will be specially permitted to cultivate in the Immortal Academy's treasure, the Thousand Spirit Mirror, for twelve hours."

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 Immortal Academy, he did not seem to be a student of their cohort. He was likely an older student from a previous class.

At that moment, Chen Chong waved his hand, and more than a dozen medicinal pills descended from the air. Their fragrance instantly filled the entire plaza before they were enveloped by the Spirit Stele's golden light.

"After every match, the winner may come here and take one of these pills to recover. There is no need for restraint. Fight with everything you have!"

"Spirit Recovery Pills!"

Shen Yi recognized at a glance that they were fourth-grade Spirit Recovery Pills. Looking at the green patterns on the pills, they were likely high-grade ones. He could not help but marvel at the Immortal Academy's lavish generosity.

"I wonder who is willing to be the first arena defender. Other than Shen Yi, the other four have similar cultivation. I fear none of them wishes to reveal their trump cards too early."

The five looked at one another, all waiting for someone to step onto the arena first. Feng Yang and Chen Chong did not urge them. Instead, they watched with great interest. After the silence lasted for some time, Jiang Miaoyi was finally the first to speak.

"Since Senior Shen holds number one, why not set an example for the rest of us?"

Seeing the other four nod in agreement, Shen Yi did not refuse. He simply stepped onto the arena and looked down at those below.

"Since Senior Shen has taken the stage first, how about the rest of us challenge according to the order in our hands?"

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

"Senior Shen, excuse me!"

Jiang Miaoyi stepped onto the arena and stood opposite Shen Yi. She held a longsword in her hand, its blade gleaming with a faint, cold light. An aura spread from beneath her feet toward Shen Yi.

"Fairy Jiang has actually broken through to the Qi Refining Fifth Layer! It seems the final victor of this grand competition must surely be her!"

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

Clang!

Fist and sword collided. Shen Yi was puzzled. At the final instant, Jiang Miaoyi had actually withdrawn her strength. Her sword struck his fist and could not pierce it in the slightest, yet under the tremendous impact, the blade bent before springing back in the next instant.

Jiang Miaoyi swiftly retreated several steps. Blood seeped from the corner of her lips, and her face instantly turned pale.

"Senior Brother, what fine skill. I have lost!"

The crowd burst into an uproar. Jiang Miaoyi had failed to withstand Shen Yi's single punch and had actually been injured to the point of vomiting blood.

While everyone wailed in dismay, no one noticed Jiang Miaoyi walk past Shen Yi and flash him a playful smile.

Shen Yi was equally baffled. He did not know why Jiang Miaoyi had gone so easy on him. Only Yuwen Yue below the stage muttered softly, "Jiang Miaoyi, she really is deep-minded!"

What should I do?

Yuwen Yue stood on the arena, her mind filled with that one question. Jiang Miaoyi had pretended to go easy on him, feigning injury and defeat. She could not possibly imitate her too, could she? That would be utterly unoriginal.

"Senior Shen's punch just now still frightens this junior sister. Since I know I am no match for Senior Brother, I might as well admit defeat here. I wish Senior Brother a single stroke of triumph and the championship. When Senior Brother has time, I hope you will travel and discuss the Dao with this junior sister. Please do not refuse!"

Yuwen Yue's actions left everyone even more stunned. Not only did she surrender outright, she even took the initiative to invite Shen Yi to travel and discuss the Dao. Was she actively showing him favor? She was a goddess in the eyes of everyone at the Immortal Academy, yet she treated Shen Yi like this. Combined with her pitiful appearance, Shen Yi instantly became public enemy number one amid everyone's envy and jealousy.

Feng Yang and Chen Chong watched everything unfold, and the veins on their foreheads bulged as well. They were helpless. How could two shrewd old foxes who had lived for centuries fail to see the maneuver behind this? "To win Shen Yi over, those two families are truly willing to pay the price!"

Yet neither of them stopped it. Shen Yi was destined not to belong to Ninghai. He still had a longer road ahead of him, and relying on a greater power was not necessarily a bad thing. As for what choice he would make, that was entirely up to Shen Yi himself.

"Shen Yi, I may have no use for this Earth-tier cultivation technique, but the Thousand Spirit Mirror is of vital importance to me. Excuse me!"

Wu Liujian rode his sword onto the arena and stood upon it, his eyes fixed on Shen Yi. His entire person was like a sword, its edge aimed directly at Shen Yi.

Shen Yi gripped his long halberd, pointing it at Wu Liujian as well. The surroundings fell silent for a time as the two faced each other needle to needle, blade to blade. Although Shen Yi's cultivation was somewhat lower, his bearing did not lose to Wu Liujian's in the slightest.

"Sword, come!"

At that cry, the sword on his back instantly flew from its sheath and soared into the air. Wu Liujian reached out and seized it, speaking coldly,

"Flowing Frost, three feet three inches!"

With the Flowing Frost Sword in hand, Wu Liujian's presence became even colder, and a field of biting frost and snow actually formed before him. With one thrust of his sword, Shen Yi felt a sheet of frost arise before his eyes. He did not dare be careless. His long halberd shot forth to clash with the Flowing Frost Sword.