"Ning Chuan, so this is where you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!"
A voice rang out, accompanied by laughter like silver bells.
Ning Chuan looked up to see Wang Ershui walking toward him with a microphone, accompanied by the middle-aged cameraman from that day.
"Reporter Wang, are you here to cover Qingshan No. 1 High School's monthly exam?"
A faint smile appeared on Ning Chuan's face.
Wang Ershui's livestream had played a significant part in his receiving so many rewards. Whether she had meant to help or not, he had benefited.
"Thanks to you, I don't have to report on food at shopping plazas anymore after that livestream!"
Wang Ershui smiled brightly.
After a pause, she glanced around and lowered her voice. "I interviewed some students just now and found that most of them don't expect you to do well. Do you know why?"
Ning Chuan smiled without explaining and asked, "What do you think?"
"I think you'll definitely take first place!"
Wang Ershui said earnestly.
She was only at Awakening Stage Seven and couldn't discern the realm of Ning Chuan's saber technique.
But she had been there that day. Even from dozens of meters away, she had felt the sharp force radiating from Ning Chuan's saber, piercing through the curtain of rain and chilling her skin.
At the Awakening Stage, who could rival him unless a Martial Artist appeared?
"If you put it that way, it'll be hard for me to enjoy face-slapping!"
Ning Chuan shrugged, seemingly a little helpless.
Wang Ershui was stunned for a moment. A few seconds later, she understood what he meant, and her large eyes began to shine.
Ning Chuan was aiming his sword at first place!
This was big news!
Wang Ershui raised her microphone and spoke to the camera. "As everyone can see from that interview, despite so many people doubting him, Ning Chuan is still full of confidence and determined to take first place. It's no wonder he could defeat a stronger opponent and slay a Heavenly Martial spy.
"But Qingshan No. 1 High School is a key high school in the city, with countless experts!
"Who will ultimately claim first place? Everyone, let's wait and see!"
As Wang Ershui spoke, Ning Chuan caught sight of a curvaceous figure nearby out of the corner of his eye.
"Reporter Wang, I have something to do. I'll see you another time if I get the chance."
Ning Chuan bowed slightly, then hurried away.
"Good afternoon, Teacher Su."
Ning Chuan smiled and greeted her as he approached.
When Su Yun saw Ning Chuan, her fair brow furrowed. "I think you'd better not take the martial arts exam this afternoon.
"The atmosphere isn't right!
"I suspect someone can't stand seeing you steal the spotlight and is targeting you.
"If you lose, I'm afraid a flood of criticism will follow!"
Ning Chuan grinned. "Teacher Su, just yesterday you asked in the group chat whether I could make the top thirty!"
"I didn't know someone would be targeting you then."
Su Yun considered for a moment. "Yesterday, I asked the Education Department whether you could get an extra Hundred Beasts Nutrient Solution if you placed in the top thirty."
"What did they say?"
Ning Chuan's interest was piqued.
With his current wealth, one Hundred Beasts Nutrient Solution wasn't much, but the more of them he had, the better.
The Ancient Dragon Elephant Scripture was far too expensive!
Su Yun shook her head and sighed. "The Education Department refused. You have to place in the top ten to get an extra Hundred Beasts Nutrient Solution.
"That's too difficult. Even someone at Awakening Stage Nine can't be sure of making it, much less you!"
Ning Chuan ignored the disappointment in Su Yun's voice, his eyes lighting up. "If I can get two Hundred Beasts Nutrient Solutions for placing in the top ten, what about first place? How many will the Education Department give me?!"
"Five!"
Su Yun glared at Ning Chuan resentfully. "Do you think you can get your hands on them?!
"There are at least three seniors at Peak Awakening Stage Nine!
"Don't you know whether you're a match for them?!"
As she spoke, she released her Force to probe Ning Chuan's strength.
"You're at Awakening Stage Six?!"
Su Yun couldn't help being stunned.
If she remembered correctly, Ning Chuan had still been at Awakening Stage Four a little over twenty days ago.
He had broken through two stages in such a short time?!
It might not be unparalleled throughout history, but it could at least rank among the best in the Federation's history.
"Now you know how impressive I am, right?"
Ning Chuan raised his eyebrows and looked Su Yun over with a chuckle.
"You still can't do it!"
After thinking it over, Su Yun said seriously, "With Awakening Stage Six and Flash Thunder Slash at the Minute Subtlety Realm, you have the combat strength of someone at Awakening Eighth Stage.
"But you're still a long way from Peak Awakening Stage Nine!
"Besides, you need to understand that the martial arts exam isn't just one arena match. Your stamina is a weakness; it's nowhere near that of those at the High Awakening Stage.
"By the time you get to fight them, you'll have at most sixty percent of your strength left!"
Ning Chuan spread his hands and said with a grin, "Teacher Su, have a little more confidence in me."
"Is this about having confidence or not?!"
Su Yun's beautiful eyes widened, and she said in exasperation, "With such a huge gap in strength, confidence won't make any difference!"
After a pause, Su Yun composed herself and tried to persuade him. "Before this, I would have wanted nothing more than for you to take an active part in the martial arts exam, but now someone is clearly targeting you!
"Even making the top thirty won't help.
"As long as you lose one match, countless people will throw mud at you, and the insults won't stop.
"In that situation, you won't be able to prepare for the college entrance exam in peace, and the rest of your life will be affected!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Just then, the war drums announcing the start of the martial arts exam sounded, each beat heavier than the last, deep and powerful.
The air itself seemed to grow a little more tense, as if swords were drawn and crossbows cocked.
Several thousand seniors quickly began to move.
"Teacher Su, let's talk after the exam."
Ning Chuan took out his phone and checked which arena he had been assigned to. Smiling, he said goodbye and walked away.
Seeing this, Su Yun felt veins bulge on her forehead.
Clearly, Ning Chuan hadn't taken in a single word of her earnest advice.
There was no need to think about it. The praise from all the media outlets had surely sent Ning Chuan soaring into the clouds, and he really believed he had the combat strength of a full-fledged Martial Artist.
Su Yun looked up at Ning Chuan's retreating figure and gritted her teeth, but didn't try to stop him again.
As his homeroom teacher, she had done all she could.
Still, worried about him, Su Yun followed.
Arena No. 17.
Ning Chuan saw his opponent. It wasn't Wei Bohu.
It was someone named Wang Zhong, at Awakening Stage Four.
Qingshan No. 1 High School's arena matches followed certain rules. Students first fought others at the same stage, and only after winning would they be matched with stronger opponents.
And in the academic affairs office's records, Ning Chuan's strength was still listed as Awakening Stage Four.
To face Wei Bohu, he would have to win several matches in a row at the very least.
"Ning Chuan's over here!"
Someone with sharp eyes called out, and more than half the spectators at the training ground hurried over.
The students in the other arenas watched with envy at his power to draw a crowd.
"Why is his opponent at Awakening Stage Four?!"
Someone saw the screen displaying the students' information beside the arena and was disappointed.
"Don't worry. We can roughly judge his strength by how long it takes him to win."
"If they end up fighting to a standstill, that'll be entertaining!"
As the spectators talked, the referee on the arena swept out an arm and announced the start of the match.
"Draw your saber, Ning Chuan!"
Wang Zhong looked grave as he gripped a heavy saber with both hands, holding it upright before his chest.
The referees for the arena matches were all Martial Artist teachers from the school. They were strong enough to stop danger in time, so students were allowed to use weapons.
"I don't need to."
Ning Chuan's eyes were calm, his arms hanging naturally at his sides as he stood completely relaxed.
"Arrogant!"
Wang Zhong snorted in displeasure and charged forward with his saber.
"I know you have Flash Thunder Slash at the Minute Subtlety Realm, but how can you use it without a saber? A lion uses its full strength even when hunting a rabbit, and what's more, we're both at Awakening Stage Four!"
As he spoke, Wang Zhong reached him and brought his saber down hard, the heavy blow sending the wind howling.
Mountain-Cleaving Saber!
It was an E-rank martial art.
It was characterized by its heavy power and relatively slow speed.
Wang Zhong had cultivated it well, reaching the Proficiency Realm.
"Whoosh!"
The fierce wind pressed forward by the saber lifted a few strands of black hair. Ning Chuan stood where he was, neither dodging nor evading, and only raised his right hand when the saber was less than half a meter away.
Then he curled a finger and flicked it at the oncoming saber tip.
Boom!
A golden light flashed, and sparks flew.
The heavy saber flew high, nearly leaving Wang Zhong's hands.
The impact sent Wang Zhong stumbling backward. After more than ten steps, he fell off the arena with a thud.
One finger, and Wang Zhong was defeated!
The noisy crowd below the arena abruptly fell silent!