As the sun shot toward Northern Spiritual City like a fiery arrow, Northern Spiritual Academy gradually grew lively as well.
The Academy Trial, held once every few months, was finally about to begin.
The Academy Trial was the time when the East and West Courtyards competed most fiercely.
Many of the academy's rankings were determined through these Academy Trials.
Many students were high-spirited. Such scenes appeared every time, yet after suffering setbacks, quite a few of those vibrant figures would become dispirited.
The Academy Trial was a competitive test, but also a tempering of one's character.
In the western district of Northern Spiritual Academy stood an arena-like venue, about the size of a football field.
Platforms were scattered across the grounds, surrounded by tier upon tier of spectator seats.
The usually empty stands were now packed with a sea of people, nearly filled to capacity.
The youthful boys and girls chatted among themselves, filling the air with energy.
Of course.
Although there were many people in the stands, they were clearly divided into two groups.
The East Courtyard and the West Courtyard.
The two sides were rivals, and their occasional provocations toward each other added even more liveliness to the atmosphere.
More figures continued arriving from all directions and taking their seats.
A student seated in the West Courtyard swept his gaze toward the East Courtyard, then voiced his thoughts.
"Last time, our West Courtyard took six of the top ten spots in the Earth Grade, including the top three. I wonder whether we can achieve even better results in this Academy Trial."
Hearing this, a student seated behind him snorted coldly.
"You think too highly of those East Courtyard fellows."
"Brother Liu has already claimed first place in the Earth Grade several times. With his Spiritual Vein, Brother Liu's strength would not be weak even in the Heaven Grade. No one in the Earth Grade can possibly shake his position."
At the mention of the Heaven Grade, the student's gaze suddenly sharpened. Seeing a group of people, he exclaimed in surprise.
"That's..."
The West Courtyard students looked over as well, and their expressions froze.
Then, the entire West Courtyard section instantly fell silent.
That group leaned against the railing, lazily watching the platforms below. They occasionally smiled mockingly, clearly not taking the matches in the arena seriously.
"Senior Hong Ling."
Among them was a girl dressed in fiery red. She looked valiant and dashing, while her beautiful face appeared even more alluring against her attire, adding several degrees of charm. She was none other than the West Courtyard's Hong Ling.
"Who is the person beside her?"
Someone noticed a figure standing beside Hong Ling. His features somewhat resembled Liu Yang's, and he was tall and upright with an extraordinary bearing.
"Big Brother!"
At that moment, Liu Yang, seated in the center of the West Courtyard section, cried out happily.
The many students suddenly understood.
"S-So it's Liu Mu Bai, Brother Liu's elder brother. I never expected even him to come..."
If they faced Liu Yang, they might still have the courage to fight him. But before Liu Mu Bai, they probably would not even dare to muster the courage to challenge him.
Liu Mu Bai was the true number one of Northern Spiritual Academy.
Ever since he had entered Northern Spiritual Academy, no one had been able to shake his first-place position in the slightest.
Liu Mu Bai nodded at Liu Yang, then rested both hands on the railing.
He did not say much, but the West Courtyard's morale immediately surged.
Clearly, Liu Mu Bai had deliberately come to support the West Courtyard.
Given his standing in Northern Spiritual Academy, although the East Courtyard also had senior students in the Heaven Grade, no one dared contend with him.
Many students thought of a certain pitiful fellow who had been brutally rejected and could not help shaking their heads. He really did not know his place.
Keep his distance?
What did Liu Mu Bai count for, then?
If that fellow found out, who knew how he would feel?
They also wondered whether that fellow had come.
Quite a few West Courtyard students searched for Mu Yuan, including Liu Yang, whose fury toward him burned fiercely.
Mu Yuan had already heard about this from Mu Chen last night.
He felt rather depressed at having inexplicably become the tragic male lead in this melodramatic story.
Although he had never intended to pursue Hong Ling, he still felt a trace of displeasure. It had nothing to do with love; he was simply annoyed.
Of course, he did not care too much about it. What surprised him more was Tang Qian'er's sudden appearance here.
Tang Qian'er was dressed in emerald green today.
As the undisputed beauty of the East Courtyard, her appearance immediately drew many heated gazes from the surrounding area.
"Why are you here?"
Shouldn't the Heaven Grade students be cultivating at this hour?
"I heard you pursued Hong Ling yesterday and got rejected."
Tang Qian'er propped her chin on both hands and asked gossipily.
"You came to laugh at me."
Mu Yuan said irritably.
"Seeing that you can still talk back to me, I'm relieved."
"Of all people, Hong Ling had to choose Liu Mu Bai."
"Everyone in Northern Spiritual Academy knows Liu Yang has never gotten along with you. Want me to beat Hong Ling up for you?"
Tang Qian'er raised her small fist.
"Thanks. If you and Hong Ling got into a fight, another legendary tale about me would be added to Northern Spiritual Academy tomorrow."
Mu Yuan rolled his eyes.
This little girl seemed to have a violent streak.
"This lady can't even be bothered to make a move. But what about Liu Yang? Are you really confident?"
Tang Qian'er curled her lips, a trace of worry flashing through her bright eyes.
Jokes aside, she understood the importance of today's matter. Otherwise, she would not have skipped her cultivation lesson to come here.
"As for him, he shouldn't be much trouble."
Mu Chen spoke indifferently from the side.
"Hmph, all you do is talk big. We don't want to see the two of you beaten black and blue later, only for me to carry you both back, do we?"
Tang Qian'er teased.
"Don't worry."
Mu Yuan smiled. Just as he was about to speak, his expression shifted and he looked up across from them.
The gazes of the students across the way toward him carried a strange look.
"So that's how it is."
Mu Yuan saw Hong Ling and immediately understood.
However, Hong Ling's gaze was somewhat evasive, as though she did not dare look at him.
Meanwhile, Liu Yang, seated in the center of the West Courtyard section, stared at him with blazing fury in his eyes.
And not only that.
When Liu Yang shifted his gaze toward Tang Qian'er and Mu Chen, who were chatting and laughing beside him, the fury in his eyes intensified even further.
Mu Yuan took in all these subtle changes and found them rather amusing.
No wonder Liu Yang sometimes targeted him and Little Mu. Aside from the grudge between their fathers, Tang Qian'er and Hong Ling were probably part of the reason as well.
So Liu Yang was a sister-obsessed man with a rather particular fetish.
"Unfortunately, you picked the wrong target."
Mu Yuan and Liu Yang stared at each other from afar. As their gazes collided, sparks seemed to flicker between them.
Both were rather famous figures in their respective courtyards, and everyone knew of the grudge between them.
Thus, seeing the two of them glaring at each other so confrontationally, the students grinned. It seemed today's good show was unavoidable.
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