Chapter 140: The Last Tranquility (2)
Chapter 140: The Last Tranquility (2)
As the time arrived, Gong Xiaoyu walked onto the stage in casual attire. Though not elaborately dressed, her natural beauty was still captivating. She secretly glanced at Zhanyue and the others nearby before turning to face the sea of students.
“No amount of theoretical teaching can compare to actual combat. Who’s willing to serve as an assistant for this demonstration?” Gong Xiaoyu asked the audience.
“Well…” The students below looked at each other, realizing this teacher was truly unique.
“Let me try!” A green sword hovered above the crowd. Yu Xuanyi leapt up, standing on the sword. With a graceful flip, he landed on the stage, then summoned the sword to his hand. The entire sequence was smooth and stylish, coupled with Yu Xuanyi’s handsome face, causing the female students below to scream in excitement.
“So handsome! Who is he?”
“You don’t know him? He’s the star of this year’s class, Yu Xuanyi, who broke several entrance exam records.”
“So that’s Yu Xuanyi? This will be interesting to watch.”
The crowd below buzzed with discussion.
Nangong Weilai, sitting beside Zhanyue, fixed her keen eyes on Yu Xuanyi, her expression changing immediately.
“This person is very strong, much stronger than me. Where did he come from? Why have I never heard of him before?” Nangong Weilai’s expression was complex.“He’s much more powerful than you?” Zhanyue was stunned. Did this mean this person’s strength surpassed his own? The world was indeed full of hidden talents.
“Teacher Gong, please instruct me,” Yu Xuanyi said with a confident smile. He stepped forward to show off, hoping to catch the Holy Maiden’s attention. If he could get close to her, he had ways to abduct her even under heavy protection. The Light Holy Maiden was crucial for future events and indispensable to the Azure Wind Realm, which was why he came personally.
“Very good. This student should be a weapon contractor, skilled in swordsmanship,” Gong Xiaoyu said. Yu Xuanyi gave her an uncomfortable feeling. “A disguise? He’s hiding his true cultivation level? Why?”
Yu Xuanyi currently exuded the aura of a seventh-stage Star Profound Realm cultivator, outstanding in the academy but not top-tier. However, Gong Xiaoyu knew his strength definitely exceeded that level. “Where did such a powerful figure come from?” Gong Xiaoyu wondered, echoing Nangong Weilai’s question.
“Indeed. My sword is named Green Edge. Please instruct me, Teacher Gong,” Yu Xuanyi said politely with a proper attitude, making a good impression. But his hands didn’t stop moving. With a wave, Green Edge flew towards Gong Xiaoyu.
“Sword control?” Gong Xiaoyu looked puzzled. This person could also use sword control, just like Zhanyue had when they sparred earlier.
“He can control swords too?” Zhanyue became interested and watched attentively from below.
Gong Xiaoyu fought with Yu Xuanyi while explaining, describing the characteristics of spirit contractors in battle and how to use or counter these traits.
The flying sword pierced through Gong Xiaoyu’s body, but Yu Xuanyi didn’t relax at all. As expected, Gong Xiaoyu turned into water and reformed elsewhere.
“Spirit contractors aren’t easily harmed by blunt weapons. Don’t let your guard down. Elementalizing one’s body is also an ability spirit contractors must master,” Gong Xiaoyu said after reforming.
“Seven Stars Nine Glories!” Yu Xuanyi used his real skill. Green Edge spun around its hilt, drawing circles in the air and leaving nine afterimages. Then, a pillar of sword energy shot towards Gong Xiaoyu.
Gong Xiaoyu’s gaze turned serious. This sword energy could indeed harm her.
She waved her jade hand, instantly gathering moisture from the air to form a shield, blocking the sword energy.
“Yu Xuanyi’s sword energy attack contains boundless profound energy. A Profound Being’s energy can indeed harm spirit contractors, so one cannot physically block such attacks. Alright, let’s end today’s demonstration here,” Gong Xiaoyu said. She could have defeated Yu Xuanyi, but there was no need.
Yu Xuanyi nodded and returned to his seat, not forgetting to glance at the Holy Maiden’s position.
However, Holy Maiden Lixi was chatting with Zhanyue and didn’t even look at him, which disappointed Yu Xuanyi greatly. “Who is that man? Could the Holy Maiden already be taken? No, that’s not acceptable.”
Though the Holy Maiden was beautiful, Yu Xuanyi wasn’t shallow. He was devoted to martial arts and had come on behalf of his ancestor to capture the Holy Maiden and gain merit. He personally had no interest in MuMu Lixi. With his talent, status, and strength, he never lacked female attention. He was extremely proud and had no inclination to be a sycophant. Unfortunately, MuMu Lixi showed no interest in him either.
“I had hoped to attract the Holy Maiden’s attention with my talent, ideally becoming her confidant to find a chance to get close to her and be alone with her. It seems this approach won’t work,” Yu Xuanyi frowned. Though confident in his talent and looks, he immediately noticed the Holy Maiden’s lack of interest. “I need to change my strategy.”
Gong Xiaoyu wasn’t particularly skilled at lecturing, but her strength and knowledge were sufficient. The audience gained a lot, and her beauty was pleasing to the eye. Soon, the open class ended. Gong Xiaoyu left faster than anyone, leaving students who wanted to ask questions bewildered.
“I’m planning to go out for a while,” Zhanyue said. He hadn’t visited his old friend Cheng Lu since coming to the Academy Town. Having found out where Cheng Lu was, he planned to visit his old friend. In this world, Zhanyue didn’t have many friends, so he valued Cheng Lu greatly.
“Mm,” MuMu Lixi naturally didn’t say much and returned to the villa early with Nangong Weilai’s company. As for the students who wanted to watch, they had long been blocked far away by the academy guards and soldiers.
“Sister MuMu Lixi, be careful of that Yu Xuanyi. He kept secretly looking at you many times,” Nangong Weilai warned.
MuMu Lixi frowned, “Is that strange?” She was aware of her beauty, and Yu Xuanyi wasn’t the only one sneaking glances. That’s why she didn’t like appearing in public much; no one likes being stared at constantly.
“No, his gaze was different from others. It was like a hunter eyeing prey. He likely has ulterior motives towards you,” Nangong Weilai said perceptively. No wonder Wind Lord had her accompany the Holy Maiden constantly.
MuMu Lixi nodded, “I have no connection with him. I’ll just stay away from him in the future.” She trusted Nangong Weilai’s words, given her strange and special abilities.
After seeing Zhanyue leave the Academy gates, Yu Xuanyi clapped his hands, and an ordinary-looking student approached.
“Greetings, Young Master,” the person said respectfully.
“No need for formalities. How has your investigation been these days?” Yu Xuanyi asked.
“The Holy Maiden resides in Tianhe Garden Villa, which is Princess Mi Hongchen’s residence within the academy. Security is very tight. Even with my special abilities, I dare not get too close,” the person replied.
“Do you know who that man often appearing beside the Holy Maiden is?” Yu Xuanyi asked again.
“That person? I’ve noticed him too. He seems to be called Zhanyue, with a first-stage Star Profound Realm cultivation. I don’t know his specific background. However, the Holy Maiden seems very close to him, and he’s the only male who can easily enter and exit Tianhe Garden Villa,” the man said, able to uncover information difficult for others to obtain.
“Very good. Tell me, if I transform to look like him, would I have a chance to approach the Holy Maiden?” Yu Xuanyi asked, revealing his plan.
“It should be possible. The Holy Maiden trusts him greatly, but the chances of being discovered are extremely high,” the man said honestly.
“Being discovered doesn’t matter. I just need an opportunity to get close to the Holy Maiden. As long as I can get within one meter of her, it’s enough,” Yu Xuanyi was confident in his abilities. “This eighth-grade pill, its refinement method has been lost to the world. I didn’t expect to use it here, but it’s worth it. Capturing the Holy Maiden is more important than anything.”
Yu Xuanyi found a secluded spot and took the pill. Soon, his appearance and aura changed to match Zhanyue’s. They looked identical, with only slight differences in demeanor. The eighth-grade Divine Appearance Pill was extraordinary, and only Yu Xuanyi’s unfamiliarity with Zhanyue prevented a perfect imitation.
As Yu Xuanyi, disguised as Zhanyue, walked towards Tianhe Garden, two pairs of eyes locked onto him.
“It’s definitely him, right? We clearly saw him leave the academy, how did he return so quickly? And he changed clothes?” one person asked, puzzled.
“It’s definitely him. His appearance matches the portrait, and his aura is familiar to us both,” the other replied.
“Then let’s make our move on the green path ahead. There are fewer people there.”
“Why do we have to act inside the academy? Wouldn’t it be easier outside?”
“You don’t understand. It’s precisely because the academy’s defenses are so tight that he’ll let his guard down. Outside the academy is a different story. Anyway, he’s alone now. With that thing we have, are you afraid we can’t kill him?”
“You’re right. That thing can even kill Spirit God Realm experts, let alone a mere Star Profound Realm cultivator.”
As the two plotted their attack, the real Zhanyue appeared at the city defense military camp in the Academy Town. He was completely unaware of what was happening in the academy.