Chapter Twelve: The Martial Arts Tournament Begins

  Shangguan Yu was also stunned. He could clearly see Zhuge Yuan's emphasis on this book, and he never thought that it would be ruined by him now.

  Zhuge Yuan seemed to have noticed his embarrassment, "It's okay, the fact that 'Inverted Chaos Witchcraft' can automatically enter your mind suggests that this book has a connection with you. To be honest, I've only looked at the cover of this book as a teacher and never opened it. You take a look at the changes in this book!"

  Shangguan Yu closed his eyes, but then opened them again, his face full of helplessness. "Master, this... I can't see the 'Reversal Witchcraft', how do I look for it in my brow?"

  "Don't worry about it for now, you don't have to consider these things. Tomorrow is the martial arts exam at Tongling Academy, do you know that?"

  Shangguan Yu nodded, "I know, but I don't know why the college attaches so much importance to it. There have been martial arts exams in previous years, but the college has never held such a grand event."

  "This year is different from previous years. This year, the Zhen Wu Men came to Fei Yu Wang Chao to recruit people, and the top few in the martial arts exam have a chance to join the Zhen Wu Men."

  "Zhen Wu Men? What kind of sect is that? Is it very powerful?" Shangguan Yu had never heard of Zhen Wu Men before, and in his opinion, the Fei Yu Empire was already very formidable. Could a single sect be even more powerful than an entire empire?

  "You only need to know a little bit to understand, the True Martial Gate was founded by the Great Emperor Zhenwu! I don't resent the Ancient Emperor for not meeting me, but rather for not knowing my abilities. When the heavens and earth are destroyed, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths will be ruled by the True Martial!"

  Shangguan Yu also felt that kind of arrogance, that kind of recklessness, and that kind of loneliness that was invincible in the world. The feeling of being at the peak of this world is fascinating.

  But in his heart, he thought that one day he would surpass the True Martial Great Emperor. If others knew what he was thinking, they would definitely think he was crazy. Who would have thought that the True Martial Great Emperor was not an object of worship and awe?

  "Zhenwu Gate is a supreme great sect. What the Great Emperor left behind before he disappeared, outsiders simply don't know. However, one can imagine that kind of terrifying foundation, let alone the fact that the 'Zhenwu Scripture' has been passed down. That's the ancient scripture founded by the Zhenwu Great Emperor. With this ancient scripture, how could Zhenwu Gate not be powerful? The Feiyu Dynasty is nothing but an ant in front of Zhenwu Gate."

  "But I can't cultivate martial arts, what's the use of entering the True Martial Gate?"

  "You're wrong, just because I can't solve this trouble doesn't mean that the Zhen Wu Men can't. As long as you can join the Zhen Wu Men, you'll have a chance to embark on the path of martial arts."

  Zhuge Yuan thought to himself, even if the Zhenwu Sect could be resolved, they wouldn't make a big fuss just for Shangguan Yu. However, in order to have enough motivation for Shangguan Yu, he could only temporarily conceal the truth and kindly told this lie.

  As expected, Shangguan Yu heard this sentence and immediately became spirited. "Master, rest assured, I will definitely join the Zhenwu Sect!"

  "Hmm, now I can rest assured. You may start your cultivation now, Master has other matters to attend to and will take his leave first!"

  Zhuge Yuan stood up and left the yard.

  Shangguan Yu and Zhuge Yuan left, and he couldn't sit still anymore. He felt that the courtyard was not suitable for practicing his sensory abilities, only by getting close to nature would do. He left a note: "Master, I'm going out to cultivate, I'll be back tonight."

  "Xiao Yu, why did you come so early today?" Xiao Guizi suddenly swam over from the river, splashing a wave of water and scaring away a group of fish.

  "Let me tell you some good news, I've obtained a new cultivation method. Wu, have you heard of it?"

  "Really? I thought it was something else. Isn't it witchcraft? Specializing in cultivating the soul, able to communicate with the heavenly and earthly yuanqi for one's own use, right?"

  Shangguan Yu originally wanted to show off a bit with Xiaogui, but unexpectedly this turtle even knew about this. But thinking about it, he felt relieved, Xiaogui's vast memory bank seemed to have everything.

  "Then I'll go cultivate first, and later we can barbecue meat and fish, you gluttonous turtle can choose!"

  Xiao Gui Zi got this reply and didn't continue to pester Shang Guan Yu. It still wanted to go to the river and discuss its tortoise physiology ideals with those fish and shrimp.

  Shangguan Yu sat down cross-legged, adopting the posture described in the "Great Zhou Heavenly Wizard's Incantation". At first, this posture felt quite awkward, but after sitting for a while, he began to appreciate its benefits. He closed his eyes and plugged his ears, calming his mind and quieting his breath. In stillness, one must first eliminate all distractions, attaining an empty and ethereal state, in order to better perceive everything around him.

  When it comes to Wu, Shangguan Yu thought of the World of Warcraft he played in his previous life. He felt that Wu was a bit like a mage, a bit like a druid, and even a bit like a shaman. He shook his head, interrupting his own thoughts, and quickly entered a state of emptiness.

  Perception requires closeness to nature, feeling the pulse of nature. Perception can see both tangible and intangible objects. This process is very dull, but Shangguan Yu learned with relish, without any boredom.

  Time slipped away unnoticed from our fingertips, and no one could grasp it.

  Today is the opening of the martial arts exam at Tongling Academy, and the whole academy is bustling with excitement. The junior class martial arts exam shouldn't be so grand, but most people know the significance of this competition.

  The Spiritual Academy has poor students, but it is mainly composed of noble students. Those with family backgrounds, who doesn't know the purpose of this trial?

  The poor people's college is small, but each and every one of them are geniuses. At least in the Feathered Wings Dynasty, they are indeed geniuses. The Feathered Wings Dynasty has a special department dedicated to finding talented children from poor families. They are then admitted to Tongling College for cultivation, and later become loyal servants of the Feathered Wings Dynasty.

  The noble students looked at the poor students with even more vigilance, they knew that if they did well this time, they would have a chance to enter the True Martial Gate in the future. That was the supreme great sect, and those who learned from the True Martial Gate and returned to the Flying Feather Dynasty were at least generals. Generally speaking, it was harder to enter the True Martial Gate than to ascend to heaven. How rare this opportunity was, who wouldn't cherish it?

  "Ladies and gentlemen, students and instructors, good morning! Today marks the opening day of our Spiritual Academy's martial arts competition. I am Li Heng, the Vice President of this academy, and also the host of this event. I'm sure you've all been eagerly anticipating this moment? This martial arts competition is highly valued by our academy, and our President, Wise King Zhi Jue, has even arrived in person. Moreover, His Majesty the Emperor attaches great importance to this event as well, and has sent Wu Wang to attend. Is everyone welcome?"

  The entire college was in an uproar, as the two kings, Zhī Jué Wáng and Wēi Wǔ Wáng, who were normally impossible to meet, had personally arrived on the scene. Zhī Jué Wáng, legendary for his unparalleled strategic mind, was said to be the only non-royal king of the Fēi Yǔ dynasty. Even if he couldn't cultivate martial arts, it wouldn't diminish others' reverence for him.

  If Zhī Jué Wáng is the smartest person in the Flying Feather Dynasty, then Wēi Wǔ Wáng is the bravest. At least that's what people think. Wēi Wǔ Wáng Li Fēng has been a martial arts fanatic since he was young, and his love for it is like life itself. Li Fēng appears to be only in his thirties, with a robust build and an aura of ferocity emanating from every pore.

  It is said that Weiwu Wang was already a strong man at the peak of the King Extreme Realm. His combat power was extremely high, and even the current emperor had lost to him before. He didn't know how many battles he had been through in his life, and it was not something ordinary people could compare with.

  However, in Shangguan Yu's view, there was nothing. Having seen Zhuge Yuan take action, he didn't think Li Feng could compare. At least he hadn't heard that a warrior at the Wang Ji realm could fly, but for him now, Li Feng was definitely a top-notch expert.

  He closed his eyes and began to sense. The vice president of this Spiritual Academy was really too capable. A person on the stage spoke endlessly, without a moment's pause. Officer Yu only knew that Li Heng must be an expert, otherwise it would not have been possible for him to have such a loud voice, making every student hear his nonsense.

  He even thinks that if Li Heng were to be brought to Earth, he would absolutely be a popular host. Li Heng is too good at stirring up the atmosphere, haven't you seen how many students are listening with rapt attention? Haven't you seen how many students are in high spirits? And Li Heng himself becomes more and more spirited as he speaks, spitting out words left and right.

  "Alright, let's announce the rules for the martial arts tournament!"

  A voice interrupted Li Heng's nonsense, and Shangguan Yu also opened his eyes. King Li Feng was really fed up with these nonsense words, he was a martial arts enthusiast, and preferred to see others compete in combat. Even if the realm of these students was very low, it was still much better than idle chatter.

  Originally interrupted by others, Li Heng was quite displeased, but seeing that it was done by the mighty King Wu, he had no choice.

  "This time, the rules of the martial arts competition are very simple. We will only select the top ten. However, the top ten won't be ranked in order because the top ten will receive a reward that will surprise all of you. I can't tell you now, but it's definitely a treasure beyond your imagination!"

  "This time, there are a total of 300 students participating in the martial arts competition. Each match will eliminate half of the participants. I will assign each of you a number, and it is absolutely fair and just. The first round, No. 1 vs. No. 300, No. 2 vs. No. 209, No. 3 vs. No. 208... and so on, with each round using this method to compete."

  "After the first round, 150 students will be left. I will continue to assign numbers in the same way as before until there are only 75 students left. In this case, one student will be exempt from the competition and can advance directly, which is just luck. According to these rules, the last 10 students remaining will be the top 10 of this martial arts test! At that time, these 10 lucky ones will receive rewards from the college, and I can assure you that you will all be extremely satisfied."

  "Alright, the rules are that simple. Now it's your turn to come and get your numbers! I hope you all achieve good results, don't disappoint the college, and don't disappoint your fathers! Such a great opportunity isn't available every year, so cherish it well!"

  "Oh my, isn't this the young master of the Rong family who was first in our college's literary examination? How come you look so miserable now? Has the Rong family abandoned you?"