The Master Returns

Two days later, Outer Court of the martial arts academy.

Lin Rou stood before the apprentices, sweeping her gaze over them. Her expression was more solemn than usual as she announced loudly.

"Junior brothers, the master has been away for over half a month and returned last night. He'll come to the Outer Court shortly to make an announcement, so pay attention."

The moment those words were spoken, the training grounds erupted.

"The master is back?"

"It's been over half a month. He finally came back!"

"Shh, keep your voice down. The master is a Transformation Realm expert. If he hears that, you'll be in for it!"

The apprentices whispered among themselves, their faces filled with delight.

Although Zheng Hongfeng rarely showed himself around the academy, the title of a Transformation Realm expert spoke for itself.

The words "Transformation Realm" alone were enough to fill every Outer Court apprentice with awe and longing.

Li Daniu sidled up to Fang Han.

"I've been at the academy for nearly a month, and I've only seen the master once.

You don't know this, but us Outer Court apprentices don't even count as the master's disciples.

The master usually only instructs the Inner Court senior brothers. We're lucky just to catch a glimpse of him."

Fang Han nodded slightly, growing somewhat curious about this master he had never met.

A Transformation Realm expert!

He knew better than anyone how much weight those four words carried.

In all of Azure Cloud City, Manifest Force martial artists could be considered notable figures, while hidden-force experts were even rarer.

As for Transformation Realm experts...

Fang Han sighed inwardly.

No wonder Flood Peak Martial Arts Academy had stood firm in Azure Cloud City for so many years. With a Transformation Realm expert holding the fort, what ordinary force would dare provoke it?

"The master is here!"

Everyone immediately fell silent and straightened their backs in unison. The training grounds became utterly quiet.

A group emerged one after another from the moon gate leading to the Inner Court.

At the forefront was a middle-aged man in his forties: the academy master, Zheng Hongfeng.

Zheng Hongfeng had a burly build, broad shoulders, and a wide back. He strode with the bearing of a tiger and dragon, his bronze skin seeming as though it had been cast from copper and iron.

An imposing pressure radiated from him, even without any sign of anger.

Most eye-catching of all was the fierce inch-long scar at the corner of his mouth.

Huo Zheng and five other Inner Court direct disciples surrounded Zheng Hongfeng like stars around the moon.

Li Daniu whispered to Fang Han in an extremely low voice:

"I heard the master suffered a hidden injury years ago. That's why he left the provincial city and returned to Azure Cloud City to open this academy."

Zheng Hongfeng walked to the front of the training grounds and stopped.

Standing with his hands behind his back, his lightning-sharp gaze swept across every apprentice present.

Every apprentice he looked at felt a chill in their heart and instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

Fang Han felt that gaze brush over him. It was as though he were being watched by a fierce tiger, and the hair all over his body stood on end involuntarily.

Zheng Hongfeng's gaze moved slowly through the crowd before lingering a moment longer on two people.

Su Yuhuan and Zhao Jing.

When his gaze fell upon Zhao Jing, however, it remained there for a full three breaths—far longer than it had on anyone else.

Though the detail was subtle, quite a few people caught it sharply.

When Zhao Jing saw the master look at him again, an indescribable pride surged within him.

He unconsciously straightened his back, the corners of his mouth lifting into a confident smile.

The people around him cast envious looks his way.

Some were already considering how to flatter Zhao Jing later.

Zheng Hongfeng withdrew his gaze and got straight to the point. "There is something to announce."

"Demonic beasts have recently been sighted in the outer region of the Transverse Mountains outside Azure Cloud City."

The moment those words were spoken.

The apprentices were all stunned, then exchanged looks.

"Our academy and Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy will join forces, each selecting six Outer Court disciples, for a total of twelve.

You will head to the outer region of the Transverse Mountains for training and hunt demonic beasts.

This will improve your practical combat abilities and prepare you for the martial examination half a year from now."

As soon as he finished speaking, the training grounds burst into uproar.

"Hunt demonic beasts? Us?"

"My God... demonic beasts eat people! Even the weakest ones can easily kill tigers and leopards. Aren't we just throwing our lives away with our strength?"

"Is the master serious...?"

No one dared voice opposition, but their panicked expressions laid bare the fear in their hearts.

Zheng Hongfeng seemed to have anticipated their reaction.

"Two direct disciples will accompany you and ensure your safety. As long as you do not act on your own or leave the group, your lives will not be in danger."

Only then did the apprentices' expressions ease somewhat.

With direct senior brothers accompanying them, their safety would be assured.

"Furthermore."

Zheng Hongfeng changed the subject. "Those who perform exceptionally in hunting demonic beasts will receive Blood-Gathering Pills as rewards!"

"Did the master drink bad wine? He's actually being this generous and offering Blood-Gathering Pills as rewards."

"One Blood-Gathering Pill is worth ten Blood-Qi Pills!"

"Even the Inner Court senior brothers treat Blood-Gathering Pills like treasures... and the master is giving them to us Outer Court apprentices as rewards?"

"Blood-Gathering Pills are enormously helpful even to Manifest Force martial artists. If I could get one, condensing Blood Qi would be a sure thing!"

Cries of shock rose one after another. Everyone was deeply astonished.

Blood-Gathering Pills were cultivation resources ten times more precious than Blood-Qi Pills. A single pill was worth ten taels of silver.

And they were often unavailable even at a price!

They had miraculous effects in condensing Blood Qi. Even among the Inner Court direct disciples, not everyone could afford to use them.

At the front of the crowd, Zhao Jing and Su Yuhuan reacted the most intensely.

Though both came from Lineages in the outer city, neither was a core member of their generation. The family resources they could enjoy were ultimately limited.

Even their Lineages could not casually offer rewards like Blood-Gathering Pills.

The two exchanged a glance, each seeing the determination to win in the other's eyes.

Zheng Hongfeng took in everyone's reactions and continued.

"The candidates will be decided by the results of the next Ten-Day Minor Examination.

The top six will qualify for this training expedition.

Including today, there are six days left."

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone began making their own calculations.

Zhao Jing, Su Yuhuan, and Cao Xuan were exceptionally strong and had almost certainly secured three of the spots.

The remaining three spots became the target of everyone else's competition.

For a moment, many people's gazes toward one another gained an added measure of scrutiny and wariness.

Just then.

A hearty, boisterous laugh suddenly rang out from outside the academy gates.

"Hahaha! Brother Zheng, Chen came uninvited. I hope you'll forgive me!"

The voice was full of vigor and deep strength. Everyone turned toward the gates.

They saw Chen Daqing, the master of Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy, approaching with more than ten disciples.

Fang Han's gaze passed over the crowd and landed on the people behind Chen Daqing.

The next instant, his pupils contracted sharply.

Among Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy's disciples, he saw a familiar figure.

Chen You!

Fang Han quietly clenched his fist within his sleeve, narrowing his eyes.

Chen Xiao had said Chen You had joined a martial arts academy too. He had not expected it to be Thunderclap Martial Arts Academy.

That beast Chen You had harmed Fang Han's life and stolen his Spirit Fish. Fang Han had long wanted to kill him.

Seeing how high-spirited Chen You looked now, Fang Han silently considered how to make his move.