True Martial Academy was one of the Great Chu Dynasty's eight first-rate academies. Though its overall strength did not rank first, it was generally among the top three.
How was an academy's overall strength measured? One important criterion was the number and strength of its instructors.
True Martial Academy had four year levels, from first through fourth, with several thousand students and as many as two or three hundred instructors.
Most of its third- and fourth-year instructors were experts at the Great Martial Master level.
Even its first- and second-year instructors were at least eighth- or ninth-rank Martial Masters.
And Qian Tonghe,
was a ninth-rank Martial Master!
Yet Wei Yi was now taking the initiative to challenge Qian Tonghe. Even Zhu Ling'er and Yang Qingqing, who were full of confidence in Wei Yi, could not help widening their eyes in shock.
Qian Tonghe was nothing like that Blackwater Bandits leader. Not only was there an enormous gap in their cultivation, but the cultivation methods and martial techniques they practiced were not on the same level either. After all, one was a Blackwater Bandit whom everyone wanted beaten down, while the other had True Martial Academy, with its deep foundations and long heritage, behind him.
To put it bluntly, even several Blackwater Bandits leaders together could not possibly be Qian Tonghe's match.
No matter how extraordinary Wei Yi's talent was, he had not cultivated at all during the previous year. In other words, even counting generously, Wei Yi had only cultivated for a year. How could he possibly be Qian Tonghe's match?
Hearing Wei Yi's words, Qian Tonghe was so furious that he laughed.
This was the first time a student had challenged him since he became an instructor. In his eyes, Wei Yi was no longer merely disregarding him, but openly insulting him.
However,
he did not refuse.
"You disregard discipline, act with unbridled arrogance, disrespect your teachers, and beat your fellow students."
"What right does scum like you have to Stay at the Academy? What right do you have to continue being a student of True Martial Academy?"
"Today, I'll teach you a lesson on the academy's behalf!"
As he spoke, Qian Tonghe strode toward Wei Yi.
At the same time, he fully unleashed the formidable strength of a Ninth-Stage Martial Master.
Surging internal Qi circulated through his body, and a vast, imposing presence erupted wildly. Some of the nearby students seemed unable to withstand the pressure surrounding him and hurriedly moved aside.
Wei Yi's expression grew a little more solemn as well.
Whatever sort of person Qian Tonghe was, his strength as a Ninth-Stage Martial Master was genuine.
A Ninth-Stage Martial Master was only a single step away from the Great Martial Master realm, indeed far beyond comparison with a First-Stage Martial Master.
But Wei Yi had no choice now.
He could only fight!
There was no fear whatsoever in Wei Yi's heart, and this was also his greatest strength.
"Who exactly is the scum here?"
"Don't think I don't know you accepted benefits from Sun Wenzong."
"Taking bribes, colluding with a petty villain, framing a student in your own class-utterly sinister and vicious. Does a petty villain like you deserve to be a role model for students? Do you deserve to be an instructor at True Martial Academy? Are you even qualified to teach me a lesson?"
Wei Yi was no slouch when it came to firing off verbal broadsides; he simply could not usually be bothered.
Although he did not know exactly what deal Qian Tonghe and Sun Wenzong had made, that did not matter. Knowing that something of the sort had happened was enough.
Sure enough.
The moment these words came out, the many students in the training room could not help looking at Qian Tonghe differently.
Qian Tonghe's face also turned as black and ugly as the bottom of a pot.
"Brat, you dare sling mud at me again!"
With that furious shout, Qian Tonghe no longer dared hesitate, afraid Wei Yi would reveal some other shocking news next.
He immediately rushed up to Wei Yi, formed his right hand into a palm, and slammed it viciously down toward Wei Yi's forehead.
Bang!
Wei Yi crossed his arms to block it head-on, but Qian Tonghe's palm still forced him several steps back.
Then he immediately unleashed the Azure Ape Fist Art, frantically driving the internal Qi in his dantian as Wei Yi seized the initiative and attacked.
"So you've advanced to the Martial Master realm. No wonder you're so arrogant..."
"But you're merely a First-Stage Martial Master. I can deal with you in just a few moves!"
Though Qian Tonghe appeared disdainful, inwardly he was utterly shocked.
The Martial Master realm!
He had never expected Wei Yi to have already broken through to the Martial Master realm.
He clearly remembered that when he had spoken to Wei Yi on the academy's behalf a few months ago, Wei Yi had not possessed the slightest cultivation.
In other words, Wei Yi had broken through to the Martial Master realm in these few short months, perhaps even less...
After all, there was not a single Martial Master in Class Eight, which he currently taught. The strongest was merely an eighth-rank Martial Apprentice. Even across the entire second year, only a handful had broken through to Martial Master, and every one of them was a renowned genius.
How was that possible?
How could trash like Wei Yi possibly have broken through to the Martial Master realm?
Qian Tonghe's heart was filled with shock.
But precisely because of this, he became even more determined to seize this chance to force Wei Yi out of the academy. Otherwise, with the talent Wei Yi had displayed, if he set his sights on Qian Tonghe in the future, along with the Wei Clan backing him, Qian Tonghe's days at the academy would certainly not be easy.
"Today, I'll show you the price of challenging an instructor!"
Qian Tonghe no longer held back in the slightest. He directly mobilized all the internal Qi in his body and unleashed his Iron Palm martial technique again. A hazy curtain of light appeared over his palm as it swung down in an instant, like Mount Tai crashing down from above, placing tremendous pressure on Wei Yi.
Wei Yi immediately threw a punch, but even his max-level Azure Ape Fist Art could not contend with it.
With a thunderous crash, Wei Yi was instantly blasted out of the training room and slammed straight into the railing of the academy's walkway outside. He violently spat out a mouthful of blood, and his face grew somewhat pale.
"Very good, very good..."
Wei Yi wiped the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, yet instead began laughing loudly.
"Strength like this makes for a satisfying fight."
"This is exactly the kind of challenge I like."
"Qian Tonghe, get out here! Let's fight again!"
Wei Yi roared furiously, his voice shaking the entire academy. Countless students and instructors rushed out of the various training rooms and looked toward Wei Yi standing outside.
At that moment, Wei Yi also drew the Qinggang Sword.
With a sword in hand, his entire presence instantly changed. This was his true strongest state.
His max-level Azure Ape Fist Art was no match for Qian Tonghe.
No matter!
Then he would switch to his max-level Storm Sword Technique.
His fists were not Wei Yi's strongest weapon-the Qinggang Sword in his hand was!
Although he was challenging a Ninth-Stage Martial Master with the strength of a First-Stage Martial Master, Wei Yi feared nothing. With a sword in hand, he would dare fight even the Heavenly King himself. His pitch-black eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
Being reserved and keeping a low profile were merely occasional disguises.
Wild arrogance was his true nature.
"Qian Tonghe, get out here!"
"Qian Tonghe, get out here!"
"Qian Tonghe, get out here!"
Wei Yi used the Blackwater Movement Technique and leaped onto the raised platform outside. Pointing his sword straight ahead, he shouted furiously, his voice echoing without end.
It prompted countless people to discuss what was happening.
Qian Tonghe strode out of the training room with a gloomy face.
Seeing countless people throughout the academy gathering to watch, he knew he would probably become famous today-and in precisely the way he least wanted. For him, this was a calamity, not a blessing.
And all of this was thanks to Wei Yi.
He abruptly raised his head to look at Wei Yi, his utterly dark gaze practically wishing he could tear Wei Yi into ten thousand pieces on the spot.
At that moment, however, system notifications sounded in Wei Yi's mind once again.
"Ding, player Wei Yi's fighting spirit index has exceeded the average level." "Ding, player Wei Yi has met the conditions for awakening his hidden bloodline. Begin awakening now?"
"Awaken!"
Wei Yi's gaze was deep, without the slightest hesitation.