Jiang Ping'an Would Not Be Threatened

Below the arena, the student spectators still packed the place like a sea of people.

Besides Princess Bailing, the focus of these student spectators was Jiang Ping'an.

Standing on the arena, although Jiang Ping'an bore the label of "Mortal Body trash," he cut a fine figure: handsome features, jade-tree elegance, a longsword in hand, and a temperament as calm and deep as an abyss. Many female students could not tear their eyes away from him.

"The match begins!" As the referee's voice fell, Team 42 immediately charged fiercely at Princess Bailing as one.

Team 42 had no students particularly skilled in spells, so they decisively adopted a decapitation strategy.

Jiang Ping'an, who stood half apart from the team, was simply ignored.

Seeing that no one attacked him, Jiang Ping'an used the Flower-Separating Willow-Brushing Movement to circle behind Team 42, then unleashed the Xun Star Swordplay against the nearest person.

"Get lost!" The opposing student, Feng Bolong, treated Jiang Ping'an like a fly and backhandedly slashed at Jiang Ping'an's incoming sword, his blade carrying a great deal of saber qi.

There was some subtlety to this slash. It forced Jiang Ping'an either to meet it head-on or retreat a great distance to evade it.

In Feng Bolong's expectation, Jiang Ping'an had a Mortal Body and feeble True Essence, so he would surely not dare clash with him head-on and could only dart backward. As long as Jiang Ping'an retreated, Feng Bolong could seize the chance to continue his fierce assault on Princess Bailing and the others.

Yet, contrary to his expectations, Jiang Ping'an did not withdraw his sword or retreat. He continued thrusting toward him.

Clang—

The saber struck the longsword, but instead of cleaving it apart, it was jolted away by a tremendous force. The longsword continued forward in its thrust.

Feng Bolong was greatly shocked. It was already too late to dodge, so he could only hastily cast the mid-grade spell—Earth Essence Protective Qi—to block the sword tip.

Yet his protective qi was like paper, pierced through at once. It did not even buy him half a breath.

Jiang Ping'an pierced Feng Bolong's clothes, then immediately withdrew his sword the moment it touched his skin.

Feng Bolong stood there in horror, his entire body stiff.

At that moment, the Instructor outside the arena lifted Feng Bolong into the air and removed him from the arena.

Below the arena, seeing Jiang Ping'an defeat a student in one move, the spectators could not help crying out in alarm. "Ah?!!!"

Their cries were filled with astonishment.

After defeating Feng Bolong, Jiang Ping'an immediately launched himself at the back of the second-closest student, swift as a shooting star.

That student was doing his utmost to evade Princess Bailing's spell attacks. Caught by Jiang Ping'an's sudden assault, he was struck and defeated on the spot, then likewise lifted from the arena by the Instructor outside.

The spectators below the arena were clearly dumbfounded. Jiang Ping'an had defeated two students in succession in the blink of an eye.

Who exactly had said Jiang Ping'an possessed a Mortal Body, had weak True Essence, and lacked any real combat ability?

Because of Jiang Ping'an, the battle on the arena became overwhelmingly favorable to Squad 135. They attacked from both front and rear, four against three.

Hong Feng had already been defeated and eliminated. He had recklessly blocked the front line. Though he wore armor with formidable defenses, he knew only mid-grade martial techniques and held out for merely three or four breaths before losing.

The three remaining opponents finally realized that Jiang Ping'an behind them was the greatest threat and hurriedly turned around to deal with him.

As a result, Princess Bailing and the others defeated them in the blink of an eye.

"Squad 135 wins!" the referee announced loudly.

Below the arena, Feng Bolong and the others cursed furiously. "Which turtle bastard spread those rumors? Jiang Ping'an is not a Mortal Body at all! His True Essence is even more abundant than mine!"

"Let that turtle bastard who spread the rumors not get caught by this Young Master! This Young Master won't rest until he settles things with him!!!"

Feng Bolong and the others kept cursing madly, placing all blame for their defeat on the rumor-monger who had claimed Jiang Ping'an possessed a Mortal Body.

The other students found it amusing, while secretly rejoicing that they had not been the ones to mislead others. They even joined Feng Bolong and the others in cursing the rumor-monger, whose heart deserved condemnation.

After leaving the martial arts square, Squad 135 found a quiet place to review their recent battle.

Zhang Jingtian and Lu Zhaisheng stared fixedly at Jiang Ping'an and asked, "Are you really a Mortal Body? How were you able to defeat two people so quickly?"

"I really am a Mortal Body. They exposed their backs to me. If I still could not take them down, then I would not deserve to be your teammate." Jiang Ping'an answered earnestly.

Princess Bailing reproached them slightly. "Zhang Jingtian, Lu Zhaisheng, isn't it a good thing that Jiang Ping'an helped us win this match so easily?"

"Hehe, of course it is." Zhang Jingtian and Lu Zhaisheng hurriedly smiled ingratiatingly. "We were merely curious about the combat strength of a Mortal Body."

Princess Bailing smiled at Jiang Ping'an. "I was somewhat surprised by you as well."

After reviewing and summarizing for the time it took an incense stick to burn, they disbanded and returned separately to rest.

The third round of matches would be held that afternoon. They needed to rest well and conserve their energy.

However, not long after they separated, Zhang Jingtian and Lu Zhaisheng caught up to Jiang Ping'an together. "Jiang Ping'an, we have something to say to you. Come with us!"

Their tone left no room for refusal.

Yet to their surprise, the "weak" Jiang Ping'an merely smiled and gently shook his head. "If you have something to say, say it here, or we can speak over there. I'm rather busy."

As he spoke, he pointed to the shade beneath a large tree three or four zhang away from the road.

He had always been easygoing before only because he did not wish to fight with others over a woman. Zhang Jingtian and Lu Zhaisheng wished to court favor before Princess Bailing, and there was no need for him to stand in their way.

"Jiang Ping'an, don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!" Lu Zhaisheng threatened darkly.

Zhang Jingtian also said, "Don't forget what background you come from, and what background we come from."

"Then there is nothing to discuss." Jiang Ping'an's expression did not change. He turned and continued walking forward.

Zhang Jingtian and Lu Zhaisheng could not help becoming angry. After exchanging a glance, Lu Zhaisheng called after Jiang Ping'an's retreating back, "Then let's talk under that tree!"

Jiang Ping'an turned and walked beneath the tree.

As soon as they arrived beneath it, Lu Zhaisheng sternly said, "Jiang Ping'an, in the coming matches, you are not allowed to steal the limelight again, nor are you allowed to defeat anyone!"

"That's right, absolutely not allowed!" Zhang Jingtian said in a grave voice as well.

Jiang Ping'an said calmly, "You want the top two spots in the squad after the squad wins, don't you?"

"It's good that you know!" Zhang Jingtian said coldly. "There are some things you are not qualified to take!"

In the first two rounds, Jiang Ping'an had performed outstandingly, and his contribution had even surpassed Princess Bailing's. If this continued, Jiang Ping'an would certainly rank among the top two in the squad in the end. Princess Bailing was guaranteed to occupy one spot, which meant he and Lu Zhaisheng would have no chance of entering the champion group matches.

Jiang Ping'an did not care. "I can take it by relying on my strength. You can take it by relying on your strength too."

"Can't you understand human speech?" Lu Zhaisheng barked impatiently, his tone full of threat.

Jiang Ping'an said blandly, "I even dared offend the children of the Young Lord of the Zhennan Marquis Estate. Do you think I would fear your threats?"

With that, he turned and strode away.

"Brother Zhang, what do we do?" Lu Zhaisheng turned to Zhang Jingtian and asked. "This fellow suddenly grew a backbone. He was clearly pretending before, lulling us into carelessness!"

Zhang Jingtian had no good plan for the moment and could only say, "Time is too tight. We do not have time to force him into submission. In the next two rounds, we will each rely on our own abilities!"

"Ah, that's the only way." Lu Zhaisheng said resentfully.

Jiang Ping'an returned to the front of Jia Chen Dorm in the Upper Kun Courtyard, then turned and walked to the Jia Mao Dorm next door, raising his hand to knock on the Courtyard Gate.

Before long, the Courtyard Gate opened, revealing a beautiful young palace maid.

"So it is Young Master Jiang. May I ask what business you have?" The young palace maid had seen Jiang Ping'an once before and remembered his appearance.

Jiang Ping'an smiled. "Hello, young lady. I have an important matter to discuss with Princess Bailing. Could you please announce me?"

Zhang Jingtian and Lu Zhaisheng both wanted to compete for the top two places within the squad. They had missed their chance in the first two rounds, so in the coming matches they would likely stop at nothing to seize credit. At that time, the formation would surely descend into chaos, cooperation would vanish, and they might even deliberately trip up their teammates. It would be hard to ensure the squad would not suffer an unexpected defeat.

Therefore, it was necessary to discuss countermeasures with Princess Bailing.

The young palace maid's pretty face reddened slightly as she said softly, "My name is Caixia. Young Master Jiang may call me by my name, or Little Xia."

"So you are Miss Caixia." Jiang Ping'an cupped his hands with a smile.

"I wouldn't dare." Caixia hurriedly returned the salute, then said, "I will report to the Princess at once."

With that, she closed the gate.

In less than the time it took a cup of tea to brew, the Courtyard Gate opened again, and it was still Caixia.

Taking the opportunity, she gave Jiang Ping'an's handsome face a good look, then stepped aside and saluted. "Young Master Jiang, the Princess invites you in."

"Thank you." Jiang Ping'an cupped his hands, then strode gracefully through the Courtyard Gate.