Revealing Talent

Deep within the Martial Arts Academy, beside the seven-story tower at the highest level, stood a secluded courtyard.

This area was designated for the residences of the Martial Arts Academy's teachers. This particular courtyard was the most exquisite and rarely opened to visitors. However, someone had been residing there for the past few days.

Inside the courtyard.

"Junior Sister, don't blame our Master. Field experience is a must for every martial artist. Becoming a teacher at the Martial Arts Academy is already the easiest and most relaxed path," said a young man wearing a loose black robe, a scar faintly visible on his face.

"I understand."

Huan Xinyan, whose striking black hair drew attention, smiled. "As a teacher, instructing disciples is also a way of instructing oneself. In the more than a year I've been a teacher at the Martial Arts Academy, I've gradually come to understand martial arts principles that I never grasped before."

"Indeed."

The Scarred Youth looked at Huan Xinyan with admiration. "The little one who used to yelp behind her senior brother's heels is finally starting to mature."

"Senior Brother, you always bring up my childhood." Huan Xinyan smiled helplessly.

"Haha, little girls get shy too." The Scarred Youth laughed louder, unable to resist patting Huan Xinyan's head. He sighed, "I wonder which talented young man in the future will be worthy of you."

Though the Scarred Youth appeared young, he was actually over forty. Only his successful Martial Dao cultivation made the traces of age less apparent.

And he had watched Huan Xinyan grow up!

"It's still early," Huan Xinyan replied. "I remember you got married in your thirties."

"I married late because there was no suitable candidate," the Scarred Youth chuckled. "Actually, that young fellow Lu Ren isn't bad."

"Senior Brother, don't make random suggestions. I'm not interested in him, nor do I plan to get married anytime soon." Huan Xinyan shook her head repeatedly.

The Scarred Youth smiled, unconcerned.

Suddenly.

"Teacher Huan, Senior Brother Wu Yuan has arrived at the Martial Arts Academy. He's already headed to the Martial Dao Grand Hall," a slightly flustered voice sounded from outside the courtyard.

The two inside the courtyard looked up.

Outside stood a tall, slender, and youthful girl in disciple attire.

"Wu Yuan is here? Alright, you immediately report to the Dean and the other teachers. I'll be right there," Huan Xinyan said quickly.

"Yes." The girl departed.

"Wu Yuan? He's a disciple of the Martial Arts Academy, isn't he?" the Scarred Youth in the black robe beside her asked with a smile. "He actually made Junior Sister a little nervous?"

He had heard the girl address Wu Yuan as Senior Brother and understood that the other person was likely a disciple of the Martial Arts Academy.

"He was the first disciple I personally taught after coming to the Sect Martial Arts Academy in Li City Prefecture," Huan Xinyan said with a hint of pride. "I'm looking for him because he might have the strength of a Sixth-Rank Martial Master. So, I've called many teachers from the Martial Arts Academy to witness and specifically test him once."

"A Sixth-Rank Martial Master?" The Scarred Youth in the black robe chuckled. "If I recall, the disciples of the Martial Arts Academy are at most fifteen years old, right?"

"Yes!"

"Wu Yuan, he's just turned fourteen a few months ago," Huan Xinyan said solemnly. "Moreover, he's only made such rapid progress in the last few months. Six months ago, I remember he was still a bit short of being a Seventh-Rank Warrior."

"Just over fourteen? And less than a Seventh-Rank Warrior half a year ago?" The Scarred Youth, who had been calm until now, his expression shifted slightly. "Junior Sister, are you sure? Has he awakened his Martial Dao potential?"

"Would I, his teacher, not be sure?" Huan Xinyan said earnestly.

The Scarred Youth nodded slightly. "The improvement in his physical condition is astonishing. I just don't know about his combat effectiveness."

"His saber techniques and footwork are very solid," Huan Xinyan said.

She could tell her Senior Brother was interested.

"Haha, Junior Sister, whether it's solid or not depends on actual combat," the Scarred Youth laughed. "Isn't your Martial Arts Academy going to test him?"

"Let's go! Bring Senior Brother along to watch."

"Okay." Huan Xinyan's eyes lit up. She knew very well that her Senior Brother was a high-ranking member of the Sect.

If Wu Yuan could catch his eye?

Then Huan Xinyan's confidence would be even greater, perhaps even a sure thing!

...Martial Dao Grand Hall.

This was the main hall of the Martial Arts Academy, where large public events were held. It also contained several special training rooms and strength testing rooms, and naturally, Martial Arts Academy disciples were constantly coming and going.

"Senior Brother Wu."

"Senior Brother." Most of these Martial Arts Academy disciples recognized Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan, standing to the side of the hall, nodded slightly in response.

"I wonder why Teacher Huan and the Dean specifically sought me out," Wu Yuan pondered.

He couldn't think of any particular reason.

Since the Martial Academy Grand Competition ended, he had been keeping a low profile. Even when cultivating in seclusion at the Martial Arts Academy, he rarely went out.

"In these past few months, I've only seen Teacher Huan two or three times," Wu Yuan mused. "Could it be related to those rumors circulating in my family?"

Rumors had spread in his family that he possessed near Martial Master strength, but those were just rumors, and he hadn't publicly displayed anything.

At this moment.

Six or seven Martial Arts Academy disciples walked into the hall together through the main entrance.

"Brother Guan, he'll definitely be the first in our batch to reach the Seventh-Rank Warrior level!"

"Seventh-Rank Warrior!"

"Guan Yang has been first in the last four mini-competitions, and his progress is getting faster and faster. He has a great chance of entering Cloud Martial Hall next year." The Martial Arts Academy disciples chatted animatedly as they walked, showering praise on the handsome, muscular, short-haired youth in the middle.

"Hm? Isn't that Senior Brother Wu Yuan?" someone suddenly spotted a figure not far away.

"Wu Yuan?"

"He was in the top four of this year's Martial Academy Grand Competition. Rumor has it his strength is almost on par with Liu Ruyan, who ranked first this year!" several disciples whispered.

In terms of age, Wu Yuan wasn't much older than them, even younger than some.

But within the Martial Arts Academy, Wu Yuan had always been a prominent figure.

"Wu Yuan?" the youth named 'Guan Yang' frowned.

He knew Wu Yuan.

As the most dazzling disciple of the Dongye Guan clan in recent years, he desperately wanted to enter Cloud Martial Hall.

And to enter Cloud Martial Hall, one had to win first place in the Martial Academy Grand Competition!

Guan Yang knew who his competitors were, and in his heart, Wu Yuan was the biggest threat!

However, he hadn't seen Wu Yuan for months.

"I heard Wu Yuan isn't old and is eligible to participate in the next Martial Academy Grand Competition, so he's been staying at the academy with the same goal of entering Cloud Martial Hall," a disciple accompanying him whispered. "He's likely a major threat to Brother Guan."

The other disciples nodded. The top four from the previous session, even if their strength didn't improve, would have a chance to win the next competition!

Moreover, at their golden age of physical development, their strength would steadily increase even without intense training.

"His strength is formidable; Brother Guan probably can't defeat him yet," a tall, thin, and calm disciple said.

"Hmph!"

Guan Yang snorted coldly and glanced at the tall, thin disciple, causing the latter's expression to change slightly, realizing he had said the wrong thing.

Whoosh!

Guan Yang changed direction, leading his followers straight towards Wu Yuan.

"Senior Brother Wu." Guan Yang's face was full of smiles, devoid of his earlier coldness, and he spoke first. "I've always admired you, Senior Brother, but I've never had the chance to speak with you."

"Senior Brother Wu."

"Hello, Senior Brother." Several disciples spoke, appearing somewhat reverent.

Although they followed Guan Yang and formed a small group, they were quite reserved when facing the 'renowned' Senior Brother Wu.

"Hello," Wu Yuan replied with a casual smile, unconcerned.

"Senior Brother Wu, my name is Guan Yang. Have you heard of me?" Guan Yang maintained a smile he thought was graceful.

"Guan Yang?" Wu Yuan pondered for a moment and shook his head. "No!"

Guan Yang's face stiffened.

In an instant, Guan Yang concluded that Wu Yuan was deliberately mocking him. After all, in his opinion, he had won first place in four consecutive mini-competitions; how could the other person not even know his name if he didn't recognize him?

But he had no idea that Wu Yuan hadn't paid attention to matters within the academy since the last Martial Academy Grand Competition.

Martial Academy Grand Competition? Child's play.

In Wu Yuan's original plan, he had no intention of participating.

"Senior Brother Wu, I've heard your name for a long time," Guan Yang stared at Wu Yuan. "I heard you're not going to Nanmeng Martial Academy specifically to win first place in next year's Martial Academy Grand Competition. Coincidentally, I also aspire to enter Cloud Martial Hall."

"How about we have a spar now? What do you say?"

"A spar?" Wu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

His gaze swept over them, and he finally noticed that this group of Martial Arts Academy disciples was led by Guan Yang. He understood immediately.

"There's no need for a spar," Wu Yuan said calmly.

"Are you afraid, Senior Brother Wu, or do you think I'm not qualified?" Guan Yang asked in a low voice. "Senior Brother Wu is strong; you became a Seventh-Rank Warrior at fourteen. I admire that, and my physical condition might not be as good as yours."

"However, I have my ancestor's personal guidance and training. I believe my swordsmanship has some unique aspects. I heard you also excel at swordsmanship, so I'd like to ask for your pointers." Guan Yang stared at Wu Yuan.

Guan Yang's temperament wasn't impulsive.

But he knew that to enter Cloud Martial Hall, he had to understand the gap in strength between himself and Wu Yuan.

"Ancestor?" Wu Yuan frowned slightly and suddenly asked, "Are you a disciple of the Dongye Guan clan?"

"Indeed!" Guan Yang showed a hint of pride.

Wu Yuan understood.

The ancestor of the Dongye Guan clan, 'Guan Zishan', was the foremost expert in Li City, a former First-class Expert!

The Guan clan was also one of the top families in Li City.

Suddenly.

"There's Wu Yuan."

"He's finally here." A commotion came from the entrance of the Grand Hall as a group of people walked in, drawing the attention of many disciples.

Guan Yang and Wu Yuan also looked over.

Dean Zhang Da, Huan Xinyan, and over ten other Martial Arts Academy Teachers in purple robes entered simultaneously.

"Dean? Teacher Liu?" Guan Yang asked in surprise.

"So many teachers, why are they suddenly at the Martial Dao Grand Hall?" The nearly twenty disciples inside the hall were all a bit confused.

"Him?" Wu Yuan also looked over, but his gaze passed over the teachers and landed on the figure of the black-robed Scarred Youth at the back of the crowd.

Those steps!

That gaze! And that invisible aura, though well-hidden, was still detected by Wu Yuan!

How astonishing was Wu Yuan's perception? He instantly judged – an expert!

At least a First-class Expert!

"Haha, Guan Yang, you're all here." One of the Martial Arts Academy Teachers quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "I was originally planning to call you over to observe and learn from your Senior Brother Wu. Since you're all here, it's perfect."

"Teacher Liu, observe and learn what?" Guan Yang couldn't help but ask.

"What?" The Martial Arts Academy Teacher frowned. "Don't you know? Your Senior Brother Wu already has the strength of a Martial Master. Today is the Martial Arts Academy's public recognition test!"

"Senior Brother Wu? Martial Master strength?" Guan Yang's eyes widened, and he looked at Wu Yuan beside him as if he were a monster.