Before Jiang Fan and the others could answer, the people around them couldn't help but chime in.
"Isn't that a pointless question? As a citizen of Great Xia, who doesn't know that?"
"Exactly! Second-Class Divine Wind Guard either need to have reached the Seventh Rank or Seventh Rank in strength, or they need to have enough merit! Of course, even the latter requires sufficient strength!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, I'm so envious! My father and uncles are both Second-Class Divine Wind Guard, wow! The difference between people is just so huge. It seems I didn't choose a good location when I was born, which completely affected my later development."
Su Xiaoyan shrugged and turned her gaze back to Jiang Fan and the fat man.
"Yes, you all heard it too. Just as I said before, Chao Yang's identity is not simple. He was taught by his father and uncle, who are Second-Class Divine Wind Guard, since childhood. Moreover, he has participated in many missions with the Divine Wind Camp squad, and has even been to the Outer Wilderness Zone!"
Su Xiaoyan specifically emphasized the Outer Wilderness Zone, and when she mentioned this, the expressions of Su Xiaoyan and the others all changed.
They were all senior students. As is customary, at the end of this semester, all senior students are required to go to the Outer Wilderness Zone for training.
Going to such a place is like walking on the edge of a cliff; one wrong step and you're doomed!
So how could they not be terrified to even mention it?
You've been to the Outer Wilderness Zone? That's impressive!
Even the fat man couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
This also made Jiang Fan even more excited.
For a moment, everyone had different thoughts.
"Look, look! Aren't those the You brothers, You Shi You Zhong, from Danwu?"
Jiang Fan and the others were interrupted from their thoughts and looked again in the direction where the crowd's gaze was focused.
They were identical twins, each holding a bow and arrow, their expressions cold and meticulous.
"Are they all archers?" Jiang Fan couldn't help but ask.
"As you can see, they are archers just like you."
Su Xiaoyan assumed that Jiang Fan was only interested because he saw someone using the same weapon.
"Their archery skills are exceptionally high, especially when the two of them work together. They can even withstand attacks from Martial Artist who are a level higher than them."
The higher level I'm referring to isn't a minor level, but a major level.
So, they are both Late-Stage Fourth Rank Martial Artist. If the two of them join forces, they can even defeat Early-Stage Fifth Rank.
I've also heard that they once faced off against a Middle-Stage Fifth Rank Martial Artist from the Church of Justice. In their clash, even that Middle-Stage Fifth Rank Righteousness Cult member didn't gain much advantage.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fan's eyes narrowed slightly.
That's really impressive.
The fat man curled his lip, thinking to himself: If someone else said this, he wouldn't think anything of it, but it's inappropriate for you to say it, isn't it?
During the conversation, the appearance of yet another young prodigy caused an uproar among the crowd.
"It's Gao Shou from Qingwu!"
"It really is Gao Shou! He's my idol. Although his strength isn't as good as the Chao Yang and You Shi You Zhong brothers, he came from Fortress No. 18. His upbringing and resources are far inferior to those of Fortress No. 1. Yet, he managed to surpass the geniuses of the major families and become one of the best in Qingwu. He's just too cool!"
"An expert? Is there anyone with that name?" Jiang Fan wondered if he had misheard, so he pricked up his ears and listened more closely.
After listening for a while, I realized I hadn't misheard.
The fat man explained very considerately, "It is indeed Gao Shou, but not the kind of expert you think he is; he's the 'Shou' in 'guardian.'"
"Oh, I see."
As the contestants arrived one after another, the spotlight of the previous three was quickly overshadowed by the appearance of one more person.
He was a boy wearing a white tracksuit, and his handsome face stood out in the sunlight.
The newcomer was neither arrogant nor impatient, and showed no sign of coldness whatsoever.
On the contrary, they give people a warm and approachable feeling, and are very easy to get along with.
But no one dared to approach and greet them, or even make way for them.
The faces of these people all showed expressions of admiration and awe, and even the prodigies like Chao Yang took the initiative to avoid them.
The person who arrived was none other than Ye Qizhen.
Seeing this scene, Jiang Fan felt it looked strangely familiar.
Our first meeting was at Fortress No. 31.
The principal gathered all the teachers and students to welcome this Spirit Master.
He first met Ye Qizhen at the train station. Several months passed in a flash, and when they met again, the scene was both familiar and strangely indescribable.
"Wow-- Ye Qizhen! Spirit Master! Not only is he incredibly talented, but he's also handsome. It's a pity he only joined Shenwu after I joined Yuanwu, otherwise I would definitely have gone to Shenwu."
Su Xiaoyan cupped her face in her hands, her eyes practically screaming "lovestruck fool."
Although Zhao Zhidong, Xie Jingyuan, and the others were unhappy, or rather, very sour, their sourness was undeniable; there was no point in arguing about Ye Qizhen's status Spirit Master.
Looking around at the people, who still cares about the rising Chao Yang, the twins who You Shi You Zhong, or the self-reliant Gao Shou? Almost everyone's attention was drawn to Ye Qizhen.
At that moment, a sarcastic voice rang out.
"Some people think they have a bit of talent and become incredibly arrogant, not realizing that there are always people more capable than themselves, and compared to a Spirit Master, they're nothing but a fart."
The one who said this was Shan Taixiao, the High-Stage Third Rank male student who had been humiliated by Jiang Fan and then scared out of his wits by the Golden One-Horned Lion summoned by the fat man during the Five-School League selection competition.
Shan Taixiao, who was originally confident of winning the starting position, was relegated to a substitute player because of Jiang Fan and Fatty. This caused him to lose face in front of his friends, and naturally he harbored resentment towards the two of them.
He especially hated Jiang Fan to the core.
Therefore, he will not let go of any opportunity he gets to belittle Jiang Fan.
He originally thought that his words would make Jiang Fan feel embarrassed, but Jiang Fan acted as if nothing had happened and didn't take his words seriously at all.
Looking at the fat guy again, he was grinning with his eyes wide open, and he was looking at me with a very smug expression.
This puzzled him.
Before he could figure it out, he saw Ye Qizhen had been walking along just fine, suddenly stop.
Not only that, but their gazes actually fell on them.
The surprise and inexplicable emotions in Ye Qizhen's eyes left everyone, including Shan Taixiao, completely bewildered. They couldn't understand what Ye Qizhen had seen that made him make such an expression.
Then Ye Qizhen quickened her pace and strode up to Jiang Fan.
" Jiang Fan, it really is you! Long time no see!"
That joy, visible to the naked eye, was revealed without any attempt at concealment.
This scene left everyone completely bewildered.
"It has indeed been a long time," Jiang Fan replied.