Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest-Chapter 1203: Star Sea (8)

Arrogance wasn’t directly visible on Senior Chen’s face.

Yet the aura exuded in his every move and gesture constantly revealed the self-confidence that this young man had in himself!

And among the spectators, no one found it strange.

Because his name was Chen Yuxuan!

Chen Yuxuan was undoubtedly the star of the Third Intermediate Academy of Long Sea City, dominating the academy’s online forums as the most popular figure for four years straight, without ever encountering a challenger.

Not only was he handsome and from a prominent family, but he also possessed exceptional martial arts talent.

He was considered a potential candidate for The Seven Great of Empire.

The so-called "The Seven Great" refers to the seven most prestigious institutions of the empire, including Imperial College, Shenjing University, Starry Seas Advanced Academy, and Holy Hall Advanced Academy.

Students who manage to enter these seven academies are akin to fish leaping through the dragon’s gate, with boundless prospects for the future!

For centuries, The Seven Great have produced countless heroes and talents, bright and dazzling like stars, shining throughout the history of the Holy Light Empire and inspiring endless admiration and emulation from those who follow.

Although the Third Intermediate Academy ranks among the top-tier intermediate academies in Long Sea City, it only manages to send one or two students to the Seven Great per year, and often none at all.

The importance placed on Chen Yuxuan was therefore understandable.

Unfortunately, this gifted student faced bad luck last year, suffering an unexpected injury while participating in the advanced examination, which led to scores insufficient for admission into a top-tier academy.

Thus, he chose to repeat the year, keeping his sights firmly locked on the Seven Great!

For Zhang Zhaocheng to bring Chen Yuxuan, this prodigy, to stand on his side was truly remarkable.

Chen Yuxuan was not someone who could be swayed by money!

Everyone cast pitying looks at Wang Chen, as if already witnessing his imminent defeat at Chen Yuxuan’s hands.

Chen Yuxuan’s swordsmanship was recognized as the best in the Third Intermediate Academy, with skills that rivaled even several of the instructors.

When the two stood on the stage, ready to duel, even Cui Hong, the academy’s chief swordsmanship instructor, came to watch the match after hearing about it.

Chen Yuxuan was Cui Hong’s favorite student!

Because of Chen Yuxuan’s immense popularity, the moment he appeared, someone posted the news on the academy’s forums, drawing even more spectators.

Many of them were girls.

"Watch how you’re going to lose!"

Zhang Zhaocheng, in the crowd of viewers, clenched his fists in excitement.

To secure this opportunity, he had paid a hefty price to invite Chen Yuxuan and owed him a significant favor.

But Zhang Zhaocheng’s goal wasn’t merely to win this battle; he wanted to use Chen Yuxuan’s sword to completely break Lu Yuan’s spirit and ensure he’d never again dare to participate in the advanced martial examination!

On the stage at this moment, the teacher serving as referee was thoroughly inspecting the protective equipment and weapons of both Chen Yuxuan and Wang Chen.

The academy’s duels were not battles to the death — participants were required to wear protective gear, and their weapons were unsharpened practice swords, ensuring that at most, there’d only be minor injuries even if mishaps occurred.

But when it came to crushing someone’s confidence, physical harm was secondary.

Chen Yuxuan held his sword lightly in his hand, looking at his opponent with a faint trace of impatience in his eyes.

To him, this battle was merely a dull game.

"Three moves."

He suddenly held up three fingers and arrogantly declared, "If you can withstand three moves from me, I’ll count it as your win."

A burst of excited cheers erupted from the crowd around the stage.

Countless girls blushed as they enthusiastically held up their personal terminals to record and even livestream Chen Yuxuan’s dazzling presence on stage.

He was too handsome, too charismatic!

As for Wang Chen, he had completely turned into a mere backdrop at this point.

Mu Yu, who appeared quietly beside Zhang Zhaocheng in the crowd, looked at Wang Chen with a complex expression full of pity, ridicule, and regret.

If she had a choice, she really didn’t want things to turn out like this.

After all, the other party had cared for her for so many years. Even if there wasn’t love involved, there was still some sentiment there.

Yet, all her affection had been fed to the dogs!

Zhang Zhaocheng wrapped his hand around Mu Yu’s waist as he sneered, "Just watch. Senior Chen can end this battle in just one move!"

His voice was loud enough that everyone around them could hear clearly.

The crowd nodded in agreement without hesitation.

On the stage, Wang Chen completely ignored the voices around him. Holding his sword, he bowed politely towards Chen Yuxuan, his posture impeccably standard: "Please teach me."

Chen Yuxuan scoffed disdainfully and didn’t even bother to return the courtesy. "Prepare yourself."

As soon as his words fell, he shot forward like an arrow off the string, a fierce Sword Light aimed directly at Wang Chen’s heart with blistering speed, precision, and undeniable skill.

This strike was as swift as a rabbit darting out, as fluid as a dragon weaving through the air. Whether in speed, power, or technique, it was flawless.

Even the swordsmanship instructor Cui Hong under the stage subtly nodded his head in approval.

Chen Yuxuan had undeniably improved.

But in the blink of an eye, Chen Yuxuan’s seemingly guaranteed strike missed its mark!

Just as his longsword was about to pierce Wang Chen, the latter abruptly leaned back and tilted his body to the side while his legs remained firmly rooted to the stage, narrowly avoiding the attack.

Chen Yuxuan’s sword struck air, and his heart sank in surprise. He quickly halted his movement, regaining his stance and readying his guard.

This abrupt shift between offense and defense, dynamic and static, was handled with seamless expertise, living up to his reputation as a prodigy.

But the next instant, a cold sword blade rested gently against Chen Yuxuan’s throat.

Apart from a select few, no one in the audience had seen Wang Chen counterattack; they could only watch as he leaped backward several steps, lowered his sword, and respectfully saluted: "Acknowledged."

The clash was over in the blink of an eye!

The Martial Arts Hall fell silent.

What just happened?

The spectators exchanged puzzled glances, unable to grasp the situation.

Those quick-witted enough immediately replayed the footage on their personal terminals to uncover the mystery.

What everyone saw was Chen Yuxuan frozen in place on the stage, his handsome face flushed purple-red, sweat beading on his forehead.

A single strike to the throat!

It was a decisive technique in sword duels — if one side executed a throat strike, it meant complete and utter defeat for the other party.

Chen Yuxuan was unwilling and indignant, unable to believe he had lost to a nobody like Wang Chen with a throat strike.

But denial was useless!

With so many people recording the match, attempting to cheat wouldn’t just fail to alter the result but would also disgrace himself and his family name.

Chen Yuxuan forcibly suppressed the tumultuous emotions churning in his chest and exhaled deeply.

Returning the salute, he said, "I concede."

It was an admission of defeat.

The surrounding crowd erupted in astonishment.

Zhang Zhaocheng and Mu Yu were left utterly speechless, their mouths agape without a single word coming out.

At that moment, Chen Yuxuan no longer had the face to stay on the stage. Bracing himself with the last remnants of his dignity, he left.

Yet no matter how hard he tried to maintain his composure, his retreating figure carried an unmistakable air of humiliation.

Wang Chen descended from the stage as well, stopping before the pale-faced Zhang Zhaocheng.

"Twenty-eight thousand six hundred and nine Star Currency. Forget the extra fifty cents."

"Don’t forget to transfer the funds. Thanks!"

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The first update is here.