Best Young Master

Li Tianfeng’s holy embryo turned out to be a mutant blue lotus, which no one had expected.

Plant holy embryos are generally considered to be useless, without any special abilities.

However—

Once Li Tianfeng cultivated ordinary flames into Azure Lotus Heavenly Fire, this Qing Lian Holy Embryo truly shone, not inferior to cultivators who formed Heavenly Dragon or Fierce Tiger Holy Embryos.

Upon seeing Li Tianfeng’s Qing Lian Holy Embryo, Yu Tidou knew there was no need to continue the match; he was doomed to lose. Yet, to avoid an embarrassing defeat, he decided to give it his all, even if it meant revealing his most powerful card.

"I never expected that, in the end, I’d have to use this!"

Yu Tidou shook his head while laying down three layers of crystalline blue ice shield barriers in front of him. Then, with a flash of light in his hand, a black Mystic Iron Hammer appeared.

Crack!

As the Mystic Iron Hammer appeared, Yu Tidou’s figure visibly sank, and the bluestone under his feet cracked, showing just how heavy this large Mystic Iron Hammer was.

"None of it matters, let’s end this!"

Li Tianfeng shouted, turning into a streak of blue light. The mutant Qing Lian Holy Embryo, emanating scorching heat, pierced through three layers of ice shields and smashed fiercely onto the Mystic Iron Hammer.

Thud!

A muffled thud resounded as the Mystic Iron Hammer was swept away by a delicate blue lotus. Immediately, the Qing Lian Holy Embryo pressed against Yu Tidou’s chest, and with just a faint exertion of divine power, it could have taken his life.

"I... lost!"

Yu Tidou’s face turned pale as his blood drained away. He never expected that even with the Mystic Iron Hammer, he couldn’t withstand Li Tianfeng’s attack.

As promised, the battle was resolved within three moves, and indeed, it only took three moves!

Though Li Tianfeng was arrogant, he had the right to be. With immense strength and skills that counter his opponent’s, he defeated Yu Tidou in three moves.

"Li Tianfeng is victorious!"

Lan Yingfei appeared in the arena at the right time, separating Yu Tidou and Li Tianfeng, and announced the result. He then said to Yu Tidou, "Don’t be discouraged; you didn’t lose because of a lack of strength. Go rest, and I look forward to your outstanding performance in the upcoming matches."

"Thank you, elder, I will!"

Yu Tidou clenched his fist, took a stoic glance at the triumphant Li Tianfeng, and walked directly toward the waiting area.

"The second match begins, both contestants, step onto the platform!"

Lan Yingfei didn’t give Li Tianfeng the chance to bask in his glory, instead, he promptly announced the start of the second match and removed Li Tianfeng from the stage.

The second match featured Ancient Saint Gu Hao versus Ma Mingxiao. As soon as both stepped onto the platform, they started fighting even before Lan Yingfei could announce the match’s start.

Seeing this, a gleam of interest flashed in Lan Yingfei’s eyes. He didn’t intervene but instead ascended into the air to supervise the intense battle between the two.

"Let’s make this quick to free up time for the later matches!" Ancient Saint Gu Hao shouted loudly.

"Just what I wanted! Let’s decide the winner within ten moves!"

Ma Mingxiao was equally boastful. Even when facing a long-standing Holy Land Saint Heir, he showed no fear, aggressively attacking and matching Gu Hao evenly.

Bang bang bang bang...

The arena echoed with intense collisions akin to popping corn. The fight was so fierce that the audience could only see two figures entwined, unable to discern the specific combat techniques.

The spectators were disciples of the Immortal Academy, skilled in observation, knowledgeable enough to realize that the two fighters were evenly matched, neither able to gain an advantage, thus heightening the intensity.

In the VIP seats, the Heroic Lords were captivated by the series of thrilling matches.

The vice principal, the Old Fox, laughed like a thief who had pilfered someone’s chickens, caressing his goat beard. He was quite satisfied with this year’s disciples.

The only thing that irked him was the loss of six disciples in the Immortal Secret Realm; it was a classic case of losing both the chicken and the rice.

Of course, he understood well that the outside of the Ancient City in the Immortal Secret Realm was fraught with dangers, and despite the fast return array platforms, the risk of falling was high. Great wealth comes with great risk; there are no free lunches in the world.

"Qilin Stepping Fire!"

Gu Hao shouted, and a Qilin shrouded in violet flames appeared, charging at Ma Mingxiao with majestic intensity.

"Horse Trampling Void!"

Ma Mingxiao also roared. Behind him appeared a divine Dragon Horse, treading the void, aiming to trample the Purple Qilin’s back.

"Sky-shattering Seven Hammers!"

The Ancient Saint wielded a Bright Silver Hammer, its light flashing in his hand, as if weighing down the void, fiercely smashing towards Ma Mingxiao.

Hmm?

Watching, Ye Fan was secretly astonished. Gu Hao’s progress was immense. He had encountered the Sky-shattering Seven Hammers in the Southern Domain’s genius competition, but now its power had tripled.

"To me, sword!"

Ma Mingxiao brought forth a Thick Blade in his hand, spinning a string of sword light, fiercely aiming at Gu Hao. The sword light spanned several zhang, splitting the void.

"Hah!"

Gu Hao shouted fiercely, wielding the Bright Silver Hammer with both hands. It reflected the blinding light under the sun, disturbing the opponent’s sight, and smashed it fiercely against the Thick Blade.

Dang!

With a loud crash, Ma Mingxiao’s Thick Blade almost slipped from his hand, causing his tiger’s mouth to go numb, and he couldn’t help but take a step back.

Gu Hao seized the moment with a shout, purple flames enveloping his entire body, even wrapping around the Bright Silver Hammer as he smashed it toward Ma Mingxiao again.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Five consecutive hammers, carrying a monstrous fire, directly knocked Ma Mingxiao back five steps, causing the Thick Blade in his hand to fly out.

"Roar!"

Gu Hao roared again, unleashing the final strike of the Sky-shattering Seven Hammers, sending Ma Mingxiao flying and crashing hard into the Defensive Shield, blood spurting from his seven orifices, nearly smashing him to death.

However, Gu Hao knew his limits, and he couldn’t intentionally harm his opponent. Otherwise, it would be considered a foul, at worst leading to severe punishment or outright expulsion from the academy.

Lan Yingfei helped Ma Mingxiao up, checking his injuries. Though he was knocked out, the injuries were not serious. After some massage and feeding him a Restoration Pill, he wouldn’t miss tomorrow’s match, letting Lan Yingfei finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Gu Hao wins!"

Lan Yingfei announced the result of the match without expression.

In the Immortal Academy, there are no strongest heirs from the Di Clan, no Saint Heirs. Even if sealed, the Emperor’s sons born in this life are of no use here; only names matter, not identity.

As Gu Hao injured Ma Mingxiao with seven hammers, the Purple Fire Qilin and Dragon Horse also settled their match, each returning to their respective hosts to stabilize their injuries.

The Dragon Horse is strong, but ultimately, it is not a real Dragon Horse, but a cultivator’s Holy Embryo. It lacks consciousness, and its battle capability is directed by the two duelists.

After Gu Hao gained the upper hand, the Purple Fire Qilin also overwhelmingly tormented the Dragon Horse.

Soon, Ma Mingxiao regains consciousness, knowing that Gu Hao held back, feeling a complicated mix of emotions. Everyone is a genius, and no one is significantly weaker than the other, yet ultimately, he lost!

However, his performance has been praised by many heroic lords; to endure so long against the long-standing Holy Land’s Saint Heir is already remarkable.

Lan Yingfei comforted him with a few words, escorted him off the platform, and then announced the start of the third match.

Whiz!

Xiong Kuang’s figure flickered, and the next moment he was already standing on the platform, coldly looking at Ye Fan.

Ye Fan smiled faintly, leisurely walking onto the stage, as if strolling, without placing the upcoming match in his mind at all.

"This brat is quite arrogant, Xiong Kuang is already arrogant enough, but he is even more arrogant than Xiong Kuang. I really wonder where his confidence comes from?"

"Is this Ye Fan? The one who was given the lowest odds by Saintess Yaling? Nothing special, really!"

"If he ends up winning the championship, I’ll drink footwash as tea."

"Don’t say that. He is a weirdo who has set several records and was personally greeted by the Old Bastard. How many in the academy have such an honor?"

"..."

Seeing Ye Fan leisurely stepping onto the stage, the crowd buzzed with discussion, with some people wishing for Xiong Kuang to beat Ye Fan soundly.

Having bet on Qi Tianlin and Zhou Zhaolong to win the championship, naturally, they didn’t want Ye Fan to become the dark horse, harboring some hostility wishing he doesn’t win.

"Old Bear, knock him down."

"Xiong Kuang, go for it, defeat him, and let him understand there are always stronger people and higher heavens."

"He’s just an Early-stage Divine Realm, yet dreams of winning the championship; it’s laughable!"

When Ye Fan stepped onto the stage, the audience almost boiled over. Except for Hu Fei and Shi Ye, who had close ties with Ye Fan, almost everyone hoped he would lose.

"This Yaling, she’s causing me trouble!"

Listening to the escalating noise, Ye Fan touched his nose with a bitter smile. Yaling pegging him as a strong favorite for the championship essentially put him in a hot seat.

"Quiet!"

Faced with this situation, Lan Yingfei couldn’t stand it anymore, shouting loudly and suppressing all the voices.

Lan Yingfei, known as the Iron Face Yama, commanded fear among all academy disciples. Once he spoke, everyone immediately quieted down, although soft murmurs still persisted, but wouldn’t interfere with the two on stage.

"Although I don’t know why Saintess Yaling chose you as the favorite, in my view, you’re not my opponent at all, so you’d better give up!"

Once Ye Fan settled, Xiong Kuang spoke, unable to bear Ye Fan’s poor favorability among others - hardly anyone was cheering for him.

"Whether I’m your opponent will only be known after the fight. I don’t have the habit of surrendering, so make your move!" Ye Fan replied calmly.

"Fine, since you don’t surrender, I’ll hit you until you do!"

Xiong Kuang’s eyes flashed fiercely, and his fighting intent soared.

He has great confidence in his strength, with lofty goals for this tournament - aiming to challenge four seed players, at least breaking into the top three!

This is his first battle; he must win and win beautifully!

Firstly, to display his power publicly; secondly, to give Ye Fan a shock, reminding him that the so-called favorite is merely laughable!

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