The Selection Competition Ends

Amid this fervent atmosphere, the Inner Academy Selection Competition proceeded in an orderly fashion.

As one match after another came to an end, it was getting closer and closer to Xiao Ling's turn to take the stage.

During this time, Xiao Xun'er also went up for a match, astonishing everyone with the strength of a nine-year-old Five Star Dou Shi.

After the hundredth round concluded, an elderly man stepped out from the judges' stand. He glanced at the match list in his hand and announced loudly, "Round one hundred and one: Xiao Ling of Mystic Class One versus Chen Anping of Mystic Class Four."

As the referee's words fell, the noisy plaza quieted somewhat.

Countless gazes converged on the arena, eagerly anticipating the match of the "number one genius of the Inner Academy."

From the stands, Xiao Ling smiled at Xiao Xun'er. "Xun'er, it's my turn. I'll be back soon."

"Then good luck, Brother Xiao Ling. Don't be careless." Although she had absolute confidence in Xiao Ling, Xiao Xun'er still gave him a small reminder.

Xiao Ling activated his movement technique, Wind Chasing Steps, and landed at one side of the arena in an instant. His blue-silver hair fluttered in the wind, making him look exceptionally dashing.

Though he stood on the stage without saying a word, he still drew a wave of cheers from the students around the arena.

"Junior Xiao Ling, you're so handsome!"

"Junior Xiao Ling, I love you!"

"Junior Xiao Ling, do you want a wife?!"

It was clear that Xiao Ling was extremely popular at the academy, especially among the female students, where his popularity was through the roof.

Across from Xiao Ling, Chen Anping also slowly stepped onto the stage. He was tall and straight, with skin fair as snow, sword-like brows, and bright eyes. He gave off an overall impression of handsome elegance, but his temperament also carried a sense of stubbornness, dullness, and single-mindedness.

Xiao Ling swept him with Soul Perception and faintly sensed a sharp aura. Although Chen Anping's cultivation was only at Five Star Dou Shi, he gave Xiao Ling the impression that he was even stronger than some Seven Star Dou Shi. Xiao Ling could not help narrowing his eyes, his interest piqued.

With a loud shout from the referee, "Begin!"

The two rushed toward each other. Xiao Ling only used the Dou Qi cultivation of a Five Star Dou Shi, intending to test Chen Anping's true capabilities.

Their arms collided, and a ring of air waves spread in every direction. They immediately began close-quarters combat. With the sharpness of his Soul Perception, Chen Anping could not touch Xiao Ling at all, while Xiao Ling could easily injure him. From the looks of it, Xiao Ling held an absolute advantage, and there seemed to be no suspense as to the outcome.

After knocking Chen Anping back with a punch, Xiao Ling tilted his head and said, "There's a bit of a gap between our cultivation levels. Draw your sword. Let's decide the victor in one move."

Hearing this, Chen Anping merely nodded slightly. Naturally, he could see that Xiao Ling had already shown him considerable respect by not using his cultivation to defeat him outright.

He beckoned with one hand and shouted, "Sword, come!"

A longsword appeared in his hand. He swung it at Xiao Ling, the force of its aura stirring the hair of the nearby students.

Xiao Ling was entirely fearless. With a beckoning gesture, a long spear fell into his hand. He swept it across, meeting the sword qi head-on.

Though he had not used a Dou Technique, the terrifying force Xiao Ling raised with his spear caused even space itself to ripple faintly. The piercing sonic boom sounded like muffled thunder, showing just how heavy this attack was.

Bang!

The two attacks collided. In an instant, a tremendous explosion rang out from the arena. The hard stone slabs beneath their point of contact shattered into powder with a boom, while cracks spread outward like a spiderweb.

The air exploded as both men retreated. Xiao Ling casually performed a backflip and landed steadily, while Chen Anping was already drenched in sweat, clearly having exhausted his Dou Qi.

He cupped his hands toward Xiao Ling and said, "Junior Xiao Ling, my skills are inferior. I concede."

Xiao Ling returned the salute, and the two left the arena one after the other.

Seeing this, the referee announced loudly, "Xiao Ling of Mystic Class One versus Chen Anping of Mystic Class Four. Xiao Ling is the victor!"

The spectators in the stands also burst into applause and cheers.

Hu Gan, seated in the stands, could not help sighing. "He can contend with a Dou Technique using only his physical body. Though his opponent's cultivation was not high, that is still truly astonishing."

Elder Huo agreed, "This kid's spiritual perception and physical body are both outstanding. His talent is truly heaven-given, something others can only envy."

After the match, Xiao Ling returned to his class's area.

Sitting beside Xiao Xun'er, the two chatted casually for a few moments before continuing to watch the matches.

Aside from Xiao Ling's companions, there were two Great Dou Shi in this competition. One was Han Xian, while the other was someone never mentioned in the original work, named Chu He.

Once everyone's matches had concluded smoothly, they returned to their dormitories and began cultivating.

Over the following days, the Inner Academy Selection Competition continued as usual. With the cultivation of a Three Star Great Dou Shi and Soul Perception far surpassing those of his peers,

Xiao Ling cut through every opponent and claimed the championship of the Inner Academy Selection Competition. Lin Xiuyai came in second, Liu Qing third, Lin Yan fourth, and Han Yue fifth. Xiao Xun'er ended her run within the top fifty, but by entering the Inner Academy at the age of nine, she set the record for the youngest Outer Academy student to enter the Inner Academy at Jia Nan Academy. This caused everyone to view her in a new light. Some students even began wondering what kind of family the Xiao Family of Wutan City was, to produce two peerless prodigies at once.

If Xiao Ling knew what they were thinking, he would only reply blandly, "Do you understand the foundation of the Eight Ancient Clans?"

After all the matches ended, the top five stepped onto the arena.

Hu Gan, the vice principal of the Outer Academy, first gave everyone a long speech. It reminded Xiao Ling of his school days, when the old principal would speak onstage as though he had lost all sense of time.

After he finished speaking, Hu Gan swept his gaze around the plaza before loudly announcing, "The Inner Academy Selection Competition has now come to an end. After fierce battles, the top five have been decided. They are Xiao Ling, Lin Xiuyai, Liu Qing, Lin Yan, and Han Yue. Let us give them a round of applause."

The moment his voice fell, thunderous cheers erupted across the plaza. Amid the tidal wave of sound, the entire plaza trembled. Countless people rose from the stands, looking at the five onstage with eyes full of envy, admiration, and longing.

The five waved to the crowd, then left the arena together.

Under countless watchful gazes, they slowly walked out of the plaza, where the clamor shook the heavens.

The annual Inner Academy Selection Competition of Jia Nan Academy thus came to a close with their final departure.