Combat Trials

Ye Lingyun successfully passed the test of spiritual intelligence and, together with the other candidates who had cleared that round, reached the final stage of Lingxi Academy's entrance examination-combat duels. This round would take place in a spacious arena, where the candidates would be paired off to demonstrate their combat prowess and skills.

Spectators had already packed the area around the arena, including instructors from Lingxi Academy, other candidates, and many cultivators from Lingfeng City. They eagerly awaited the duels, hoping to witness dazzling performances from these future stars.

Ye Lingyun stood at the entrance to the arena, both nervous and excited. He knew this duel was not only the final test of his strength but also a crucial step toward entering Lingxi Academy. He looked around, studying the other candidates' expressions and conditions, trying to gauge his potential opponents' strength from their behavior.

Soon, the pairings were announced. Ye Lingyun's opponent was a candidate named Su Ran. Tall and slender, with a cold, stern face, he radiated powerful fluctuations of spiritual power that made his considerable strength clear. When Su Ran saw Ye Lingyun, a trace of disdain flashed through his eyes, as though he did not take Ye Lingyun seriously at all.

"You think you can compete with me for a place at Lingxi Academy? I'll show you what a real gulf in strength looks like," Su Ran said coldly.

Ye Lingyun ignored Su Ran's provocation and replied calmly, "We'll see what you're really made of in the arena."

At the referee's command, Ye Lingyun and Su Ran stepped into the arena at the same time. They stood several yards apart, staring at each other, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense. Su Ran attacked first. A spear appeared in his hand, its tip gleaming coldly. His figure flashed as he charged toward Ye Lingyun like a streak of black lightning, unleashing a fierce sequence of spear strikes. The spearhead blossomed into flickering patterns as it drove straight for Ye Lingyun's throat.

Ye Lingyun dared not let his guard down. He swiftly executed Breeze Phantom Steps, his figure drifting unpredictably like a ghost, and easily evaded Su Ran's attack. At the same time, he swung his sword and unleashed the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique, sending a streak of sword energy shooting toward Su Ran. Seeing it coming, Su Ran quickly drew back his spear and blocked the sword energy.

"You've got some ability, but that's nowhere near enough!" Su Ran snorted coldly and attacked again. This time, his spear strikes were even fiercer, each move carrying powerful spiritual power, as though he intended to crush Ye Lingyun completely. Ye Lingyun deftly dodged through the forest of spears and hail of strikes while searching for a chance to counterattack. He discovered that, although Su Ran's spear technique was powerful, his spiritual power fluctuations shifted for an instant between attacks. That was his opening.

Ye Lingyun seized his chance. When Su Ran attacked again, he did not dodge but charged straight toward the spear. Just before its tip struck him, he used the Spirit Shadow Evasion Technique and vanished on the spot. Su Ran's strike hit empty air, startling him. Before he could react, Ye Lingyun had appeared behind him and thrust his sword fiercely toward his back.

Sensing the danger, Su Ran swiftly turned and blocked Ye Lingyun's attack with his spear. Yet the force of the blow was so great that it left his arms numb. Fury surged through Su Ran. He drove all his spiritual power to its limit and unleashed the strongest move of his spear technique-Void-Splitting Dragon Spear. Spiritual power surged over the spear, transforming into an enormous dragon-shaped manifestation that roared as it lunged toward Ye Lingyun.

Feeling the tremendous might of this attack, Ye Lingyun dared not meet it head-on. He swiftly circulated his spiritual power, pushing the spiritual power transformation methods of the Nine-Turn Spirit Illusion Art to their utmost and forming a spiritual power shield before him. The dragon manifestation slammed into the shield, erupting in a burst of dazzling light. The powerful spiritual power fluctuations shook the arena so violently that cracks spread across its floor.

Ye Lingyun strained to sustain the spiritual power shield while rapidly thinking of a way to respond. He knew that if he remained on the defensive, Su Ran would defeat him sooner or later. He decided to take a risk. The moment the dragon manifestation's assault weakened slightly, he suddenly dismissed his shield and unleashed the strongest move of the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique, infused with Star-Palm Illusion Sword Intent.

A brilliant streak of sword energy soared into the sky. Carrying the power of the stars and the mysteries of spiritual power transformation, it shot toward the dragon manifestation like a meteor. The sword energy collided with the dragon manifestation with an earth-shaking boom. When the light faded, Ye Lingyun and Su Ran came back into view.

Su Ran stared at Ye Lingyun in shock. He had never expected Ye Lingyun to withstand his strongest blow, much less launch such a powerful counterattack. His spiritual power was severely depleted now, and his body trembled slightly. Ye Lingyun was hardly better off. His face was somewhat pale, and his clothes were torn in places, but his gaze remained resolute.

Ye Lingyun gave Su Ran no chance to catch his breath and swiftly attacked again. This time, his sword moves were even fiercer, each strike carrying tremendous force. After barely blocking several blows, Su Ran finally ran out of strength. Ye Lingyun's sword struck his shoulder, sending him flying several yards backward before he crashed heavily to the ground.

Seeing this, the referee immediately announced, "Ye Lingyun wins this match!"

Thunderous applause and cheers instantly rose around the arena. Ye Lingyun's outstanding performance won the crowd's acclaim, and the instructors from Lingxi Academy cast approving looks his way.

Ye Lingyun walked over and helped Su Ran to his feet. "Thank you for the match. You're very strong too."

Su Ran looked at Ye Lingyun. The disdain in his eyes had long since vanished, replaced by a trace of respect. "I lost. You really are stronger than me. I hope you reach even greater heights at Lingxi Academy."

As the matches concluded one after another, the combat duel stage of Lingxi Academy's entrance examination drew to a close. With his outstanding strength and fighting skills, Ye Lingyun successfully passed every stage.

Not long afterward, Lingxi Academy announced its admissions results, and Ye Lingyun's name stood prominently on the list. He had finally fulfilled his wish and become a member of Lingxi Academy, ready to embark on an entirely new journey of cultivation. In this academy filled with opportunities and challenges, what stories would Ye Lingyun experience, and what glories would he achieve? Everything remained unknown, brimming with anticipation...