Defending the Arena

"Student Wang Dong, are you sure you want to challenge student Yang Chengzhi?" the referee, who had been standing beside Yang Chengzhi, asked in a deep voice.

The competition rules stipulated that challengers only had one chance to fight for a spot on the Dragon Ranking. If they failed, they would lose their opportunity to contend for a ranking. Therefore, every time a challenger stepped onto the stage, the referee would ask this question.

Actually, he didn't think highly of this freshman. Although his cultivation had reached Peak Spirit Master Stage Nine, he had no chance of winning against Yang Chengzhi, who had already broken through to the Spirit Ancestor realm.

Conversely, if he had chosen to challenge a different spot on the Dragon Ranking, with his Peak Spirit Master Stage Nine cultivation, he would definitely have secured a place on the Dragon Ranking.

"Instructor, I am sure," Wang Dong said, cupping his fists towards the referee.

As a freshman who had just enrolled this year, Wang Dong had every reason to be proud. At such a young age, his cultivation had reached Peak Spirit Master Stage Nine. Among the tens of thousands of students at Zhenguan Academy, he could be considered a top talent.

He had set his sights high for this Dragon Ranking competition, aiming for the top ten.

The main reason he came to challenge Yang Chengzhi was to use him as a stepping stone and gain some attention. After all, Yang Chengzhi was currently receiving a lot of attention. If he could defeat Yang Chengzhi, he would undoubtedly become a prominent figure in this year's Dragon Ranking competition.

As for the rumors that Yang Chengzhi had broken through to the Spirit Sect realm, Wang Dong didn't believe them. Yang Chengzhi was notoriously the academy's trash, his cultivation having stagnated for two years. It was rumored that if someone hadn't taken it easy on him in last year's Dragon Ranking, he wouldn't have even made it to the bottom of the list. Could someone like that break through to the Spirit Sect realm? What a joke. It was likely that he had some spiritual artifact that concealed his cultivation, making it impossible for outsiders to see through it.

"Alright, both sides please abide by the rules of the arena. I now announce that the defense of the 300 spots on the Dragon Ranking begins now." After the referee finished speaking, he stepped off the stage and stood to the side.

There was only one rule for arena combat: no killing blows. Other than that, there were no restrictions on the means the two sides could use on the stage.

Yang Chengzhi and Wang Dong exchanged glances and cupped their fists in a salute.

"Please guide me," Wang Dong said. A long spear appeared out of thin air in his hand. This spear was very peculiar; from the tip to the tassel to the shaft, it was all red. Furthermore, formations were engraved on the shaft. The entire spear was about seven feet two inches long. In Wang Dong's hand, it seemed to elevate his entire aura by thirty percent.

"To actually elevate his cultivation to Peak Spirit Master Stage Nine with just a spear," Yang Chengzhi said with some surprise, his gaze towards the long spear showing a hint of envy.

The rank of this spear was definitely no lower than fifth-tier, as only spiritual artifacts of fifth-tier or above could have formations engraved on them. Spiritual artifacts below fifth-tier could not withstand the power of formations; attempting to engrave them would only cause the artifact to shatter.

Yang Chengzhi had yet to obtain a single fifth-tier spiritual artifact, let alone one with formations engraved on it.

"If it were in previous years, with his cultivation, he would definitely have secured a spot in the top ten of the Dragon Ranking," Yang Chengzhi couldn't help but sigh. He had once naively believed he was a once-in-a-millennium genius. Now, it seemed he was no different from ordinary cultivators. Look at Wang Dong, barely in his early twenties, and already at Peak Spirit Master Stage Nine. Compared to his past self, Yang Chengzhi was nowhere near him.

"However, now..." Yang Chengzhi glanced at Ma Feifei in the stands and noticed he was still looking down and writing. Yang Chengzhi then turned his gaze back to Wang Dong and made a gesture of invitation, saying, "Junior Brother Wang, please!"

Today, let me, Yang Chengzhi, face you prodigies.

Swish~

A spear light flashed, directly piercing towards Yang Chengzhi. Due to its extreme speed, Wang Dong's figure blurred into afterimages, accompanied by some spiritual power, making it exceptionally striking.

"So fast!"

In the stands, Zhou Guanyu exclaimed in surprise at Wang Dong's speed.

Yang Chengzhi was the only person they recognized in this Dragon Ranking competition. Coupled with the fact that they had previously read books together at the bookstore, their attention was naturally focused on Yang Chengzhi.

"The freshmen this year truly live up to their reputation as the strongest generation in a thousand years," Zhou Zhuling sighed. She had just noticed a student ranked in the top 100 of the Dragon Ranking being defeated by a freshman, losing his spot.

"So what? Can they beat Yang Chengzhi?" Ma Feifei, who was scribbling away, couldn't help but interject. No matter how strong they are, they can't be stronger than someone cultivated by the system.

Hearing this, Zhou Zhuling couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle. She really liked Ma Feifei's protective nature.

"Yes, compared to Yang Chengzhi, they are indeed a bit inferior." Ah, women! In front of the man they like, they have no principles.

Zhou Guanyu beside them couldn't help but roll his eyes and shifted his body outwards, continuing to watch the match.

Zhenguan Academy had a four-year program. Distinguishing between the students' years was simple: they had a peony embroidered on their sleeves. New students had one blooming peony, and so on.

For example, the peony on Yang Chengzhi's sleeve had already bloomed three times.

"Caught it!"

In the arena, the spear light was actually caught between Yang Chengzhi's index and middle fingers! Under the pinch of Yang Chengzhi's two fingers, the crimson spear tip didn't advance even an inch.

"So strong!"

The students watching the match from below exclaimed in amazement. An attack from Peak Spirit Master Stage Nine was so effortlessly caught by him.

Moreover, Wang Dong's veins were bulging, clearly indicating he had used all his strength. In contrast, Yang Chengzhi's expression was relaxed and nonchalant.

They might be able to block an attack from Peak Spirit Master Stage Nine, but none of them believed they could do it as easily as Yang Chengzhi, casually catching it with just two fingers.

If Yang Chengzhi's mysterious cultivation had made people hesitant before, then the strength he displayed now had completely extinguished the desire of any student who still wanted to challenge him.

"Senior Brother Yang is truly strong!" Feng Xinglie stood on the stage, looking at Yang Chengzhi catching the attack with two fingers, and couldn't help but praise him.

"If it were me, I definitely couldn't do it as easily as Junior Brother Yang," said a fourth-year senior whose sleeve had four blooming flowers. He was also one of the top ten on the Dragon Ranking, ranked seventh.

The rest of the people were silent, looking at Yang Chengzhi. Especially Xiaoyaozi, his face had become somewhat gloomy, his eyes filled with apprehension.

"What has this trash gone through? Why has his cultivation increased so drastically!"

No one had expected that after disappearing for just one month, Yang Chengzhi's strength would have become so formidable. Even the students currently ranked in the top ten of the Dragon Ranking did not have absolute confidence that they could win against Yang Chengzhi.

"Why?" Wang Dong urged all his spiritual power, trying to break free from Yang Chengzhi's fingers. However, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't pull the long spear out of Yang Chengzhi's grasp.

"Junior Brother Wang, concede," Yang Chengzhi said with a slight smile. He lightly flicked the spearhead with his fingers. Wang Dong felt an irresistible force surge through the spear shaft, flinging him away.

The entire fight lasted only one move, taking less than ten seconds.

"Yang Chengzhi successfully defended his spot," the instructors watching the match from below couldn't help but sigh as they saw Wang Dong being flung off the stage.

"What a shame."

If he hadn't sought out Yang Chengzhi, he might not have ended up this way. But now, his name was destined not to be on this year's Dragon Ranking.

Wang Dong sat foolishly on the ground, looking at Yang Chengzhi on the stage, his chest filled with indignation. He still had many martial skills he hadn't used, many high-tier spiritual artifacts he hadn't brought out, and even spiritual medicine to temporarily boost his cultivation. He had prepared so much for this Dragon Ranking competition.

But he didn't have time to use anything!

He had considered facing tough opponents in this Dragon Ranking competition. He had considered losing, but he had never imagined an outcome like this.

How could the heavens' favorite, Wang Dong, accept such a blow?

Whoosh~

Wang Dong flipped over, brandished his long spear, and glared at Yang Chengzhi on the stage.

"I refuse to accept this!"

"Wang Dong, this is the Dragon Ranking competition, what are you doing? Stand down!" a nearby mentor snapped.

The Dragon Ranking competition absolutely did not allow anyone to act recklessly. It didn't matter how powerful your backing was; it wouldn't fly. Wang Dong had already been knocked off the stage. According to the competition rules, he had lost.

Wang Dong's face was grim. His grip on the long spear tightened so hard it dug into his flesh, drawing blood. In the end, he relented, saying in a low voice, "I lost."

With that, Wang Dong dragged his long spear and slowly left the Dragon's Pool, leaving behind only a lonely figure.

"Do you need to rest?" the mentor asked.

A successful defender of the arena could receive a period of rest to recover depleted spiritual power.

Yang Chengzhi shook his head, indicating he didn't need to.

"Then, the defense of the arena continues."

Wang Dong's defeat gave many students a new understanding of Yang Chengzhi's strength. Consequently, after Wang Dong, for a long time, no one else dared to challenge Yang Chengzhi.

"This Dragon Ranking competition is going to be interesting."