Chapter 169: World Academy Tournament

Yin Shengong burst into laughter at Fang Che's disgruntled display.

"Alright, we'll drop you off at the capital on the way back."

He then turned to Qian Sanjiang with a smile as he remarked, "This little rascal really doesn't let others get away with even the slightest of grievances, does he? You two will have to help me teach him to be more patient and tolerant in the future."

"We'll be sure to do our best!"

"Are we going back on foot?"

"No, let's treat ourselves and go by flying ship! We can complete the rest of the journey on foot after we've dropped off Night Demon."

Qian Sanjiang and Hou Fang exchanged a disgruntled glance with one another before protesting, "Oh, so we don't even get the privilege of traveling by flying ship unless your precious disciple is onboard!"

"If you keep running your mouths, you can make the entire return journey on foot!" Yin Shengong snapped, but his amusement was clear to see.

***

The flying ship rose up into the air, and this time, Fang Che was granted a seat in the upper cabin with Yin Shengong's trio.

"Oh, by the way, Master, my identity really has to be kept a secret from now on," Fang Che said. "I killed way too many people in there. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to crack the top three, so I killed everyone that I came across, even Generals from the main church."

"I don't need you to tell me that!" Yin Shengong scoffed with a roll of his eyes. "Why else do you think we're leaving so early instead of taking this opportunity to socialize and make connections? I knew I had to get you out of there as soon as possible!"

That wasn't entirely true. With so many Generals of the main church dead, all of the popes of the subsidiary churches had fled the scene just like Yin Shengong for fear of being assigned the blame.

However, he was naturally happy to bend the story to make it appear as if he were looking out for Night Demon's best interests.

"Your foresight is truly unmatched, Master!" Fang Che flattered. "However, even though they won't be able to find me, they'll be sure to exert pressure on you and our One Heart Church. I feel like I've become a hindrance to you."

"Don't you worry about that, I can handle that much pressure just fine!" Yin Shengong reassured.

After some time, the flying ship arrived above a forest, at which point it began its descent.

This was where Fang Che was to be dropped off.

"Hurry and get back after you've had your fun. I'm going to alter your official post in our church, so you have to prepare yourself to bear more responsibilities."

"Yes, Master."

Fang Che bade farewell to Yin Shengong's trio, then rushed away like the wind.

In the wake of his departure, Yin Shengong immediately turned to Qian Sanjiang and Hou Fang in a furious fit.

"He ran away before I was even finished speaking to him! Disrespectful little brat!"

Qian Sanjiang and Hou Fang both remained silent.

They were certain that Yin Shengong would instantly turn on them if they went along with what he was saying.

Clearly, Night Demon had become his pride and joy, someone like a son to him.

Yin Shengong stowed the flying ship away, then sighed, "Let's go."

"What are your plans for Night Demon, Pope Yin?" Qian Sanjiang asked.

"Let's discuss that on the way back," Yin Shengong replied, clearly still in a splendid mood. "Actually, let's find a place to have a celebratory drink together first, and I'll hand out some rewards to the two of you. I just won a bunch of divine crystals, after all."

"Thank you, Pope Yin!"

The two elders were ecstatic.

***

Celestial Being Warrior Academy.

The entire venue was awash with the thunderous cheers of frenzied spectators.

The semifinals of the World Academy Tournament were taking place on this day!

For the first-years, the final four academies consisted of Celestial Being Warrior Academy, White Cloud Warrior Academy, West River Warrior Academy, and Great Divination Warrior Academy.

For the second-years, it was Celestial Being Warrior Academy, White Cloud Warrior Academy, East Supreme Warrior Academy, and Great Divination Warrior Academy.

For the third-years: Celestial Being Warrior Academy, White Cloud Warrior Academy, Southern Sword Warrior Academy, and Eastern Capital Warrior Academy.

For the fourth-years: Celestial Being Warrior Academy, White Cloud Warrior Academy, Eastern Capital Warrior Academy, and Great Divination Warrior Academy.

For the fifth-years: Celestial Being Warrior Academy, White Cloud Warrior Academy, Southern Sword Warrior Academy, and Great Divination Warrior Academy.

At the moment, the fifth-year semifinal match between White Cloud Warrior Academy and Celestial Being Warrior Academy was taking place.

The five White Cloud Warrior Academy representatives were Wu Zhibing, Hua Kaixie, Jun Hefang, Dong Yunyu, and Meng Yuanhang.

The currently unfolding clash was the one between the top warrior of each academy, namely Wu Zhibing and Shui Lianjiang.

In the White Cloud Warrior Academy, Dong Yunyu was unconscious and in the process of receiving treatment for his limbs, all four of which had been broken.

Hua Kaixie's entire body was riddled with wounds, and he was also receiving treatment on one of his arms, which was hanging limply by his side.

Meng Yuanhang had a puddle of blood on his chest, while Jun Hefang appeared largely unscathed, but he was coughing uncontrollably with specks of blood-tinged saliva spraying out of his mouth.

At the moment, the match was tied 2:2.

Meng Yuanhang was defeated, but that was the expected outcome as he had gone up against the opposing academy's second seed.

Jun Hefang put his life on the line to win his battle, thereby tying the match.

Dong Yunyu was defeated, and his sharp tongue had evoked so much resentment from his opponent that they had broken all four of his limbs in retaliation.

Hua Kaixie and his opponent had been very evenly matched, and in the end, Hua Kaixie was only able to knock his opponent off the platform at the expense of an arm.

The first four battles had been a truly riveting affair, with all combatants putting their lives on the line for the glory of their academy.

Many of the instructors from the two academies were watching with tears swimming in their eyes.

The outcome of the battle between Wu Zhibing and Shui Lianjiang would decide which academy would progress to the grand final.

Mo Ganyun and the others were seated in the first-year dugout, watching intently with battle intent smoldering in their eyes.

The other fifth-years should've already been taken to the infirmary for treatment, but they insisted on staying in the dugout to see Wu Zhibing carry them to the promised land.

Wu Zhibing was dressed in his usual pristine, white robe, resembling a gust of freezing wind from the summit of a snowy mountain.

In the instant that he stepped onto the platform, a deafening chorus of cheers had rung out from countless female spectators in the stands.

His opponent was the number one prodigy of Celestial Being Warrior Academy, Shui Lianjiang.

The two of them were old rivals, having fought against each other for the past four years, and Wu Zhibing had already suffered four consecutive defeats.

"Those were some intense battles," Shui Lianjiang remarked with a smile. "I thought I wouldn't have to fight, but it seems like a battle against you was always inevitable."

"This is our final year. I, for one, would be sorely disappointed if we didn't have a final battle as our swansong," Wu Zhibing said.

"You've already lost to me four years in a row, so there must be trauma there. If those past defeats are weighing on your mind, then your chances of beating me today will remain very slim. You can always surrender, Old Man Wu. No one would blame you."

"I've already forgotten all my past defeats. All I know is that I will emerge victorious today!"

A burst of fearsome spear intent erupted out of his body as he spoke, threatening to pierce through the very heavens.

"Is that so?"

Shui Lianjiang burst into laughter as he drew his longsword with a resounding clang.

Wu Zhibing took a step forward as he swept his spear through the air, producing an arc of light that lingered in the air for a long time.

This spear was forged from meteorite iron essence, and it was his trump card, weighing in excess of 180 kilograms.[1]

Wu Zhibing's incredibly handsome looks coupled with his unmatched spear intent had countless female spectators swooning in the stands.

Shui Lianjiang was quite a handsome young man in his own right, but he was completely outshone by Wu Zhibing.

"Your pretty face isn't going to help you, Wu Zhibing!"

"Shut your mouth!"

The two combatants sprang forward amid a ferocious gust of wind, and a resounding thump rang out, heralding the commencement of their clash.

In the blink of an eye, the two of them had already transformed into a pair of blurs, moving too quickly for the naked eye to follow.

The two referees on the platform were both looking on with intense focus, not even daring to blink.

Both of these students were Emperors, so their battle was not to be taken lightly, and the outcome could be decided in an instant.

Both of the referees were high-rank Sovereigns, but they didn't dare to let down their guard at all.

They could only pray that there would be some telltale sign before the two combatants unleashed their most powerful techniques, tipping them off so that they could prepare to intervene.

Otherwise, if a prodigy of this caliber were to perish under their watch, then they would never be able to lift their heads again.

The battle quickly reached white-hot intensity, and loud clangs were ringing out incessantly like iron rain droplets pelting a steel banana leaf.

All of a sudden, Wu Zhibing took five steps back in succession, and Shui Lianjiang immediately sprang forward to seize the initiative.

Wu Zhibing twisted around as he let loose a loud roar, and his spear sprang forward like a ferocious python from the side of his waist.

The spear hurtled through the air like a bolt of lightning, instantly piercing through Shui Lianjiang's body in a flash. However, his body then quickly disintegrated, revealing it to have been nothing more than an afterimage.

His true body had already circled around to attack Wu Zhibing from behind.

The spear that had just been hurled toward Shui Lianjiang had somehow returned to Wu Zhibing's grasp, and he twisted around once again to retaliate against Shui Lianjiang's attacks.

The two of them sprang up into the air in unison, and the battle continued.

Wu Zhibing displayed incredible poise and elegance, looking as if he were strolling above the clouds, while Shui Lianjiang's movements were unmatched in smoothness and efficiency.

1. Roughly 397lbs. ☜