Selection Tournament Concludes

Selection Tournament Concludes

Amid the fervent atmosphere, the Inner Academy Selection Tournament proceeded in an orderly fashion.

As match after match came to an end, it was getting closer and closer to Xiao Ling's turn.

During this time, Xiao Xun'er also took the stage for a match, shocking everyone with her strength as a nine-year-old Five-star Dou Shi.

After the hundredth round ended, an old man stepped out from the judges' platform. He glanced at the match list in his hand and announced loudly, "Round 101: Xiao Ling of Xuan Tier Class One versus Chen Anping of Xuan Tier Class Four."

As the referee's words fell, the noisy plaza quieted somewhat.

Countless gazes gathered on the arena, anticipating the match of the "Inner Academy's number one genius."

Xiao Ling smiled at Xiao Xun'er from the stands. "Xun'er, it's my match. I'll be right back."

"Then do your best, Brother Xiao Ling. Don't get careless." Though she had absolute confidence in Xiao Ling, Xiao Xun'er still gave him a small reminder.

Xiao Ling activated the Wind Chasing Swift Steps, landing on one side of the arena in an instant. His blue-silver hair fluttered in the wind, making him look exceptionally dashing.

Though he stood silently on the stage, he still drew a wave of cheers from the students at the edge of the arena.

"Junior Student Xiao Ling, you're so handsome!"

"Junior Student Xiao Ling, I love you!"

"Junior Student Xiao Ling, do you want a wife?!"

It was clear that Xiao Ling was extremely popular at the academy, especially among the female students, where his popularity was through the roof.

Across from Xiao Ling, Chen Anping slowly stepped onto the arena as well. He was tall and straight, with skin as fair as snow, sword-like brows, and bright eyes. He gave off an overall impression of being handsome and spirited, but his entire demeanor carried a sense of stubbornness, dullness, and single-mindedness.

Xiao Ling swept him with his Soul Perception and faintly sensed a sharp aura. Though Chen Anping was only a Five-star Dou Shi, he gave Xiao Ling the impression that he was even somewhat stronger than a Seven-star Dou Shi. Xiao Ling narrowed his eyes, his interest piqued.

The referee shouted, "The match begins!"

The two rushed toward each other. Xiao Ling used only the Dou Qi cultivation of a Five-star Dou Shi, intending to test Chen Anping's true ability.

Their arms collided, and a ring of airwaves spread outward. They immediately began close-quarters combat. With the sharpness of his Soul Perception, Chen Anping could not touch Xiao Ling at all, while Xiao Ling could easily injure him. From the state of the battle, Xiao Ling held an absolute advantage. There seemed to be no suspense as to the outcome.

After knocking Chen Anping back with a punch, Xiao Ling tilted his head and said, "There's a bit of a gap between our cultivation levels. Draw your sword. Let's decide the winner in one move."

Upon hearing this, Chen Anping merely nodded. Naturally, he could see that Xiao Ling had already shown him plenty of courtesy by not simply defeating him with his superior cultivation.

He raised a hand and shouted, "Sword, come!"

A longsword appeared in his hand, and he slashed it toward Xiao Ling. The aura of the attack was so powerful that it lightly stirred the hair of nearby students.

Xiao Ling was completely unafraid. With a gesture, a long spear fell into his hand. He swept the shaft horizontally and met the sword energy head-on.

Though he did not use a Dou Technique, the terrifying force Xiao Ling generated with his spear caused even the air to ripple faintly. The piercing sound of a sonic boom rang out like muffled thunder, showing just how heavy this attack was.

Bang!

The two attacks collided, and an enormous blast erupted from the arena. The hard stone slabs beneath their point of contact shattered into powder with a boom, while cracks spread continuously like a spiderweb.

The air exploded as both men retreated. Xiao Ling casually performed a backflip and landed steadily, while Chen Anping was already drenched in sweat, his Dou Qi clearly exhausted.

He cupped his hands toward Xiao Ling. "Junior Student Xiao Ling, my skills are inferior. I concede."

Xiao Ling returned the salute, and the two left the arena.

Seeing this, the referee announced loudly, "Xiao Ling of Xuan Tier Class One versus Chen Anping of Xuan Tier Class Four. Xiao Ling wins!"

The spectators in the stands erupted into applause and cheers.

Hu Gan could not help sighing from the stands. "He can contend with Dou Techniques using only his physical body. Although his opponent's cultivation was not high, it is still truly astounding."

Elder Huo agreed, "This boy's spiritual perception and physical body are both outstanding. His talent is truly heaven-given. Others can only envy it."

After the match, Xiao Ling returned to his class's area.

He sat beside Xiao Xun'er, and after chatting casually for a few moments, the two continued watching the matches.

Besides Xiao Ling's companions, there were two Da Dou Shi in this tournament. One was Han Xian, and the other was someone never mentioned in the original work, named Chu He.

Once everyone's matches had concluded smoothly, they returned to their dormitories and began cultivating.

Over the next few days, the Inner Academy Selection Tournament continued as usual. Relying on his cultivation as a Three-star Great Dou Shi and Soul Perception far surpassing those of his peers,

Xiao Ling fought his way through every opponent and claimed the championship of the Inner Academy Selection Tournament. Lin Xiuyai took second, Liu Qing third, Lin Yan fourth, and Han Yue fifth. Xiao Xun'er was eliminated within the top fifty, but entering the Inner Academy at the age of nine set a new record for the youngest Outer Academy student of Jia Nan Academy to enter the Inner Academy. It also made everyone view her in a new light. Some students even began to wonder what kind of family the Xiao Family of Wutan City was, to produce two peerless prodigies at once.

If Xiao Ling knew what they were thinking, he would only reply calmly, "Do you understand the heritage of the Eight Ancient Clans?"

After all the matches ended, the top five stepped onto the arena.

Hu Gan, the Vice Dean of the Outer Academy, first gave everyone a long-winded speech. It made Xiao Ling recall his school days, when the old principal would speak on stage as if he had completely lost all sense of time.

After finishing, Hu Gan swept his gaze over the plaza and loudly declared, "The Inner Academy Selection Tournament has now concluded. After fierce battles, the top five have been decided: Xiao Ling, Lin Xiuyai, Liu Qing, Lin Yan, and Han Yue. Let us give them a round of applause."

The moment his voice fell, thunderous cheers suddenly erupted across the plaza. Amid the tidal roar, the entire plaza trembled, and countless people rose from their seats in the stands. Looking at the five people onstage, their eyes were filled with envy, admiration, and yearning.

The five waved to the crowd around them before leaving the arena together.

Under countless gazes, they slowly walked out of the deafeningly noisy plaza.

The annual Inner Academy Selection Tournament of Jia Nan Academy came to an end with their final departure.