Practical Combat Tournament

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, the weekly practical combat tournament had arrived. Class A paired participants through random draws, and the matches were held at the school's practical training grounds.

The practical training grounds were a massive enclosed space that simulated all kinds of complex environments, including forests, mountains, and plains. They could even release simulated alien beasts of different levels as needed, making the grounds highly suitable for practical combat training.

Fang Yan's opponent was a boy named Chu Feng. Chu Feng was tall and slender, with a handsome face. He held a Folding Fan in his hand and looked refined and courteous, but a sharp glint shone in his eyes. His blood energy was as high as 2.9, placing him only one step away from the Martial Master Realm. He was also one of the stronger students near the top of Class A's rankings.

"Please guide me." Chu Feng cupped his hands toward Fang Yan. His tone was calm, but carried a trace of barely perceptible arrogance.

Fang Yan returned the gesture. "Likewise."

The two stepped onto the combat platform. With the referee's command, the match officially began.

Chu Feng attacked first. The Folding Fan in his hand snapped open, and dozens of tiny silver needles suddenly shot from its surface, streaking toward Fang Yan as fast as lightning. A faint inner force clung to the needles; they had clearly been poisoned.

"What speed!" Fang Yan was startled inwardly. He immediately used Wind-Treading Steps, weaving nimbly through the rain of needles. At the same time, he circulated the Extreme Ice Prison Art, condensing a thin ice shield before him to block several stray needles.

"Hm?" Chu Feng was somewhat surprised. He had not expected Fang Yan to evade his needles so easily. With a turn of his wrist, he closed the Folding Fan, transforming it into a short rod, and smashed it toward Fang Yan's head.

Fang Yan's eyes narrowed. He neither dodged nor retreated. The Ink Ice Spear in his hand thrust out fiercely, aiming straight for Chu Feng's wrist. He knew that although Chu Feng's attacks were sharp, his defense was relatively weak. As long as he forced back the attack, he would find an opportunity to counterattack.

"Clang!"

The Ink Ice Spear collided with the Folding Fan, producing a crisp ring. Chu Feng felt a tremendous force surge through the fan, numbing his wrist and forcing his body back two steps.

"Your strength isn't bad." A trace of surprise flashed through Chu Feng's eyes, followed by a cold laugh. "But strength alone isn't enough."

His figure blurred, and he suddenly vanished from where he stood. The next second, he appeared behind Fang Yan. The Folding Fan in his hand opened once more, and a fierce wind blade slashed toward Fang Yan's back.

"A wind-element movement technique!" Fang Yan's heart tightened. He could feel the sharp wind behind him and immediately used the Great Desolation Prison Heaven Finger, shooting an ice-blue finger force behind him.

"Pfft!"

The finger force collided with the wind blade and canceled each other out. Taking advantage of the opening, Fang Yan spun around and swept out with the Ink Ice Spear. A biting chill clung to the spearhead as it struck toward Chu Feng.

Chu Feng did not dare be careless and immediately used his movement technique to evade. The two came and went, locked in a dead heat. Chu Feng's movements were agile and graceful, while his attacks constantly changed. He alternated silver needles and wind blades, keeping Fang Yan constantly off guard. Fang Yan, meanwhile, relied on his solid foundation and tremendous strength to meet change with constancy. The Ink Ice Spear danced in an impenetrable veil, dissolving Chu Feng's attacks time and again.

"This can't go on." Fang Yan thought to himself, Chu Feng's movement technique is too agile. It will be difficult for me to hit him. I have to find a way to restrict his speed.

He drew a deep breath and suddenly changed tactics. He no longer attacked proactively, instead releasing the inner force of the Extreme Ice Prison Art with all his might, causing the temperature across the entire combat platform to plummet. Ice began to form across the ground, while bone-piercing chill filled the air.

"This is..." Chu Feng's expression changed. He could feel his movement technique being affected, his speed slowing noticeably.

Fang Yan seized the opportunity and took a fierce step forward. The Ink Ice Spear thrust out, and a huge phantom ice dragon condensed around its tip.

"Ice Soul Spear Technique: Ice Dragon Roar!"

The phantom ice dragon carried overwhelming momentum as it bore down on Chu Feng.

Chu Feng knew this strike was extraordinary. If it hit him, defeat would be certain. He gritted his teeth and concentrated all the inner force in his body into the Folding Fan. The fan opened once more, and a massive wind blade erupted from its surface, smashing into the phantom ice dragon.

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion erupted. A tremendous shock wave spread outward, making the protective railings around the combat platform hum and tremble.

As the smoke dispersed, Chu Feng could be seen half-kneeling on the ground, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. He was clearly badly injured. Fang Yan also stood where he was, breathing slightly heavily, while the phantom ice dragon atop the Ink Ice Spear had already vanished.

"I lost." Chu Feng slowly rose to his feet. An unwilling look appeared on his face, but he still cupped his hands toward Fang Yan. "Your strength is formidable. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly."

The referee immediately announced, "Fang Yan wins!"

Warm applause and cheers instantly erupted beneath the platform. No one had expected Fang Yan to defeat Chu Feng, who ranked near the top. Once again, he became the center of everyone's attention.

Su Wan stood below the platform, watching Fang Yan's performance with a satisfied smile in her eyes. She had not expected this disciple from the Mystic Martial Pavilion to improve so quickly.

After the match ended, Su Wan walked up to Fang Yan and said, "Your performance today was excellent. In particular, you knew how to use the environment and the advantages of your Cultivation Technique to restrict your opponent. That shows that you are not only strong, but quick-witted as well."

She paused before continuing, "For next month's wilderness trial, I will put you and Chu Feng in the same group. I hope you can put aside your prejudices, cooperate with each other, and complete the trial mission."

"Yes, Teacher Su." Fang Yan nodded. He knew that the wilderness trial would be more dangerous than the practical combat tournament. Having a powerful teammate would undoubtedly increase their chances of success.

Chu Feng also walked over. Looking at Fang Yan, he said sincerely, "Fang Yan, I underestimated you before. Let's work well together during next month's wilderness trial."

"Good." Fang Yan smiled faintly and extended his hand.

Chu Feng froze for a moment, then extended his own hand and clasped it with Fang Yan's.

Although the two had just gone through an intense battle, they still chose to temporarily set aside their grievances and join hands in preparation for the upcoming wilderness trial.

Fang Yan knew that this was only the first formidable enemy he had encountered at Kyoto University of Science and Technology. In the days ahead, he would meet even more powerful opponents. But he was confident that through his own hard work and continuous breakthroughs, he would surely carve out a world of his own in this academy where geniuses gathered.