A New History, Pointing Towards Heaven Tier

"He's so imposing, Li! Getting ambushed by a Nascent Soul cultivator and still fighting for his class. I'm impressed."

"Didn't they say the Li family's second young master was a womanizer who never applied himself, only seeking pleasure? How come he seems so powerful and extraordinary, completely unlike the rumors?"

"I think Li Mu is so handsome! This big sister really likes him..."

"Do you think Li Mu learned his skills at the Twin Phoenix Tower? Maybe we should go there more often."

"Go to hell! I bet your skills would only decline if you went. Our class monitor has a special method, you know?"

Initially, Li Mu felt quite pleased hearing the positive comments from the students below. However, as the discussions quickly veered off-topic, he could only express his admiration for the wild imaginations of these seventeen or eighteen-year-old youths with a look of utter exasperation.

The pain in his waist pulled Li Mu's thoughts back to the arena. While that old scoundrel Nangong was insidious, his strength was indeed terrifying. His sword control was masterful – that was the power of the Nascent Soul Realm. If it weren't for his cold-faced elder brother intervening, his second life would have ended right there.

Thinking of his brother, Li Yue, who had shielded him at the critical moment, Li Mu felt a warmth in his heart. Compared to the loneliness of his previous life, this life at least had family who cared for him and friends with shared aspirations. The immense spiritual fulfillment made Li Mu deeply embrace this new life.

"But how is Big Brother so strong? He broke through to Core Formation Grand Perfection at just twenty-two. His combat ability is comparable to a beginner Nascent Soul cultivator. He's truly a prodigy."

Clutching the wound on his waist with one hand, he took out a large handful of healing and blood-stopping pills with the other and swallowed them in one gulp. After two to three breaths, the sword wound on his waist gradually stopped bleeding, and Li Mu let out a sigh of relief.

"Earth Tier Class, select your next participant. The class battle is about to begin."

Seeing that the Earth Tier Class was taking too long to send out a student, Mu Bai urged them on. This class battle had been full of unexpected events. With elders from the Xuantian Sword Sect observing, an attack on a student had actually occurred. As the actual administrator of the academy, he bore undeniable responsibility.

Furthermore, the two parties in conflict were the most prominent families in Qinglan City. He could only lament that Nangong Wuqing, a dignified Nascent Soul expert, had retaliated against a student, and moreover, the son of Li Yubai. Thinking of Dean Li, who was famously protective of his own, Mu Bai, a seasoned veteran who had navigated the Immortal Realm for many years, felt a headache coming on.

"Who's going? Qian Feng, you're the vice-captain. Why don't you go first?"

"I ate something bad this morning and I'm not feeling well right now. How about letting junior student Nie go instead?"

"Senior, I just saw you full of energy and eating ten steamed buns. How can you suddenly have a stomachache?"

At this moment, after a round of exchanged glances, the members of the Earth Tier Class began to employ their own unique tactics. Some claimed to be unwell, while others suggested other seniors were more suitable. After much bickering, they still couldn't decide who would fight the next match.

Finally, under Mu Bai's repeated urging, a plump young man reluctantly stepped onto the stage. He was none other than Qian Feng, the vice-captain of the Earth Tier Class.

The Qian family was one of the wealthiest families in Qinglan City, with businesses spread across multiple industries, making them true titans of commerce.

Qian Feng had perfectly inherited his family's talent for business. Although his strength wasn't outstanding within the academy, he had his own effective methods for management and networking. To facilitate his expanding social circle, Qian Feng had even spent a considerable sum to bribe Nangong Qi, thereby securing the position of vice-captain for the Earth Tier Class.

But at this moment, Qian Feng wished he could slap himself a few times. What was so great about being vice-captain? Now he was cornered. Thousands of eyes were fixed on him, and there was no escape.

"Senior Qian, I've heard you are highly skilled and renowned in the academy. Junior is honored to spar with you and will give it my all. I hope Senior will not hold back."

Seeing Qian Feng's distressed expression, Li Mu was amused. The young masters of the Earth Tier Class were truly amusing. However, they were usually arrogant towards the students of the Profound Tier Class, so today he would have to collect some interest.

"Highly skilled, my foot! That reputation was bought with money, all to get into the circles of those monstrous geniuses."

Hearing Li Mu's words, Qian Feng was on the verge of tears, but Li Mu's next sentence made him curse aloud.

"However, Senior, our Profound Tier Class is not like your Earth Tier Class. We're used to sparring with a 'touch and stop' approach. After all, we're all commoner disciples. If we get injured, treatment and medicine cost money."

Qian Feng looked at the sincere Li Mu before him and couldn't help but want to curse. 'Touch and stop'? Three of the Earth Tier Class's participants were now severely injured and near death, and two were unconscious. And Li Mu was telling him that the Profound Tier Class was used to 'touch and stop'? Not to mention, he and Hao Meng were eating pills like candy, and their weapons were genuine immortal artifacts. And Li Mu claimed the Profound Tier Class was poor?

"Then, Senior, I'll make the first move. Take this!"

Seeing Qian Feng's face turn even uglier than if he'd eaten excrement, Li Mu decided to add another blow. The Shadowless Sword was instantly unsheathed. With a flick of his wrist, a black sword flower bloomed in the air, and a powerful Sword Intent directly enveloped Qian Feng.

"Wait! I concede! I concede!"

Seeing the all-too-familiar sword shadow, and recalling Nangong Qi's fate, Qian Feng couldn't even muster the thought of resistance. He immediately raised his hand and signaled to Mu Bai, indicating his direct surrender.

Since the start of the Qinglan Academy class battles, there had never been a participant who forfeited. After all, those who could represent their class were all exceptional talents. Someone like Qian Feng, who directly abandoned his pride and dignity to save his life, was truly the first in history.

Mu Bai felt his mind struggling to keep up, even suspecting that he was truly getting old and couldn't keep pace with the times. The actions of these children today had completely surpassed his understanding, in every aspect.

Before Mu Bai could announce the result, Qian Feng, twisting his plump waist, jumped off the stage. What dignity as a cultivator? What glory for the class? None of it was as important as his life. Nangong Qi, who was so powerful, was directly knocked unconscious by Li Mu. His own superficial cultivation would surely be life-threatening in a fight.

Qian Feng's surrender directly shattered the psychological defenses of everyone in the Earth Tier Class. They had all witnessed the fates of Wu Sheng, Fang Yan, and Nangong Qi. Moreover, being mostly from wealthy families, most had never experienced life-or-death combat. Seeing such a brutal match, they were all terrified. Seeing their vice-captain surrender, they all declared their forfeiture.

Thus, for the first time since the founding of Qinglan Academy, the class ranking changed. The Heaven Tier Class took the top spot, followed by the Profound Tier Class, with the Earth Tier Class falling to the bottom.

Similarly, the academy's cultivation resource allocation for the next six months would be distributed according to this new order. When Mu Bai officially announced this news, the Profound Tier Class erupted in cheers. The task that countless senior students had failed to accomplish over the years had actually been completed by Li Mu.

The cheers from below filled Li Mu with heroic spirit on the stage. He had truly done it, leading the Profound Tier Class to defeat the mighty Earth Tier Class, rewriting the rules of Qinglan Academy, and giving these commoner students hope for improving their strength.

Suddenly, he noticed several figures from the Heaven Tier Class's area beginning to leave. Li Mu, drawing on an unknown surge of courage, took a step forward, pointing the Shadowless Sword at those powerful auras.

"Senior Liu Yu, we didn't have a chance to spar this time. Next year, our Profound Tier Class will definitely challenge the Heaven Tier Class's position. I hope Senior Liu will not hesitate to offer guidance then."

Liu Yu stopped and looked back at Li Mu on the stage. The white-clothed youth's gaze was fiery. Although his body was stained with blood, the confidence he exuded was dazzlingly visible.

"Junior Li, I believe you will have that qualification next year. I, Liu Yu, will be your opponent then."

The blue-clothed maiden did not seem displeased by Li Mu's words. She cupped her hands with her sword and responded earnestly before turning to leave with the rest of the Heaven Tier Class.

"Senior Liu, isn't this Junior Li being a bit too overconfident? Challenging us publicly like that. Senior Hao Meng will likely reach Core Formation smoothly this time and graduate. What will their Profound Tier Class have to compete with us next year?"

A yellow-clothed maiden behind Liu Yu whispered in her ear, clearly thinking Li Mu's bold challenge was somewhat impulsive and arrogant.

"I don't know why, but I have a feeling he can surprise me. I'm really looking forward to him truly standing before me next year and accepting my sword."

The blue-clothed maiden listened to her companion's words without comment, but in her heart, she agreed with Li Mu. Even she couldn't explain the specific reason, but she just believed that Li Mu wasn't merely speaking empty words. Perhaps this was the mutual appreciation between heroes.

The dramatic Qinglan Academy Grand Competition thus concluded. However, everyone in the city was still immersed in this unprecedented class battle. News of the competition spread like wildfire throughout the city. In restaurants, theaters, and every gathering place, one could almost always hear discussions about this class battle.

And names like Li Mu, Hao Meng, and Fang Yan became the most frequently mentioned. Of course, Nangong Qi, who was forcefully defeated, and Nangong Wuqing, who was enraged and resorted to bullying, were also mentioned, though the comments about them were not as positive.

Meanwhile, in a quiet room within Qinglan Academy, a figure was emitting waves of powerful aura. The elemental energy of heaven and earth was continuously absorbed into his body, then absorbed by the golden vortex in his dantian. Within this vortex, a dazzling golden core was growing larger and larger.