Two fingers were thrust forward, jade light swirling around them while formidable Genesis Qi tore through the air like a mealstrom.
Ch ch!
The two fingers landed, causing the two figures to be sent flying backwards, fresh blood flowing from their shoulders.
Su Youwei’s hands hung by her side while Genesis Qi light swirled around her body, causing her aura to rise steadily.
Liu Xi stared at Su Youwei, eyes wide open and her jaw clenched so hard she almost shattered her teeth. “You’ve unblocked your sixth meridian channel?!”
She clearly remembered Su Youwei had only just unblocked her fifth meridian channel slightly over a month ago. How had she so quickly unblocked her sixth channel too?
Su Youwei flatly replied, “Unblocked it ten days ago.”
Su Youwei had not slouched off while Zhou Yuan was away from the institute. She received the full efforts of headmaster Chu Tianyang’s personal tutelage. After all, in Chu Tianyang’s opinion, compared to the explosive Zhou Yuan, a stable type like Su Youwei was less worrying. Hence, he had done all he could to train her over this period of time.
Thus, she had not been stagnant while Zhou Yuan was progressing.
Liu Xi’s face was steely green with anger, fire practically spitting from her eyes. She had only managed to unblock her sixth meridian channel half a month ago after lengthy amounts of training and a huge expenditure of resources. Yet, Su Youwei was now practically at her heels using only half the time. How could this not make her jealous.
Liu Xi frostily said, “Do you believe that you will be able to leave just because you have unblocked your sixth meridian channel?”
“Liu Ye, go catch her for me. It will be best if you also carve up that little minx’s face!”
As Liu Xi’s words rang out, a figure slowly walked out from behind. Powerful Genesis Qi spread, displaying the strength of seven channels.
Su Youwei’s expression finally became grave when she saw this. However, while she was trying to think of a plan, her heart suddenly shook as two figures shot out from behind and landed at her side.
They seemed to be ordinary men but the Genesis Qi undulations from their bodies had reached the level of seven channels.
“You are?” Su Youwei was taken aback when she saw the two newcomers.
The two replied with a soft chuckle, “We were sent by his highness miss Su. His highness was worried that Qi Yue would let out his anger on you, thus we have been protecting you in secret.”
Su Youwei blinked when she heard this. Although she did not say anything, the corners of her mouth subconsciously raised a little while her sour mood due to Liu Xi’s appearence took a turn for the better.
The two men lifted their heads, looked Liu Xi and said in a flat voice, “Please watch yourself miss Liu. Do not become Qi Yue’s chess piece.”
Liu Xi’s face had practically become purple due to the interference, but she knew that she could no longer do anything to Su Youwei.
“That blasted Zhou Yuan!”
Liu Xi furiously cursed. Abandoning the deadlock, she led her men and left with a stomp of her foot.
The two imperial guards turned their heads and said to Su Youwei in a low voice, “Miss Su, let us send you back home.”
“I’ll be troubling elder brothers.” Su Youwei did not reject. She paused for a moment before continuing, “Do you know how his highness is doing? He has been absent for almost two months.”
“Don’t worry miss Su, his highness is a crucial point in his training. He will definitely be back for the class ranking exam in half a month.”
Su Youwei nodded. She did not know what would be the outcome of Zhou Yuan’s training session, but she had heard that Qi Yue had already unblocked his seventh meridian channel. For their A class to take back first place at the year-end class ranking exam, a bitter battle could not be avoided...
Chapter 45 Before the Class Ranking Exam
In the mountain forests.
Zhou Yuan stood on a rock, five snarling giant green wolves currently circling him.
These Wind Spirit Wolves were also grade 1 Genesis Beasts. They specialized in speed and were extremely difficult to deal with due to their pack nature. Even seven channel experts would avoid them as much as possible. They could be said to be the tyrants of this particular area.
However, there was not much fear on Zhou Yuan’s face but instead some eagerness.
Swish!
One of the Wind Spirit Wolves took the lead and attacked, a green figure darting forward like a shadow, sharp claws ripping through the air as they mercilessly slashed at Zhou Yuan’s back.
However, its surprise attack was not the least bit effective. Zhou Yuan’s figure seemed to flicker as it turned blurry, causing the sharp claws to slice through empty air.
Bang!
Zhou Yuan’s counterattack was as swift as thunder. Five fingers tightly clenched into a fist as vigorous Genesis Qi surged around it. A punch slammed into the attacking wolf’s waist, breaking bone with a crack and sending the wolf to its death.
Ahwoo!
The moment it died, scarlet red washed over the other four wolves eyes as they shot forward with a howl.
“Martial form!”
Zhou Yuan let out a hearty laugh as he charged towards the remaining four Wind Spirit Wolves. He grasped the growing Heavenly Yuan Brush and swung it horizontally like a long spear, sending one of the wolves flying.
Ch ch!
In the forest, a human exchanged vicious blows with four wolves. Zhou Yuan wielded the Heavenly Yuan Brush like a heavy metal spear, devastating force wreaking havoc as it swept forth, making it practically impossible for the four wolves to approach.
The snow-white hairs of the brush tip flickered with sharpness, cutting deep and bloody wounds everytime it swept across a wolf’s body.
The battle started intensely and ended quickly.
After several minutes, Zhou Yuan stood on the spot, the Heavenly Yuan Brush in his hand standing on the ground at a slightly slanted angle. Fresh blood dripped from the tip of the brush while the corpses of five WInd Spirit Wolves gradually turned cold around him.
A breath was slowly spat out from Zhou Yuan’s mouth while a stern glint surged in his eyes like a sharp blade. Two months of training in the mountain forest had given Zhou Yuan a faint aura of ferocity.
“Culture form.”
The Heavenly Yuan Brush in his hand swiftly shrunk, becoming a foot long again as Zhou Yuan stuck it back into his waistband.
He raised his head, eyes narrowing slightly as he watched sunlight spill through the cracks in the trees and mumbled, “Only a few days left till the class ranking exam. It’s about time to return.”
He had trained for about two months in the mountain forests and his fifth meridian channel had already been completely unblocked a month earlier.
He had not returned because his channel opening speed would drop once he left this Genesis Beast infested mountain forests. Instead, he used the Genesis Beasts in the forest to temper himself.
He bent down to dig out the Beast Spirit Crystals from the heads of the five Wind Spirit Wolves before turning around and leaving the forest. Half an hour later, he arrived at the valley.
“Are we returning?” When Yaoyao saw that Zhou Yuan had returned, she seemed to know that he was ready to go back. She stretched lazily, displaying the enchanting outline of her waist.
She had previously lived with Cang Yuan in a domain void of any other people and was used to this kind of life. Thus, her two months her had been rather leisurely.
Zhou Yuan smiled and nodded before whistling. After a brief period, a dozen figures flew out from the mountain forests. They were the imperial guards that had been protecting him from the shadows.
“Inform captain Lu to prepare our return to Great Zhou City.”
Zhou Yuan watched the imperial guards withdraw before turning his head. His gaze seemed to penetrate the dense forests and see Great Zhou City.
>
“The guards reported some time ago that Qi Yue has already unblocked his seventh meridian channel… that guy does have some ability.”
Zhou Yuan’s lips were tightly pursed as coldness surfaced in his eyes.
Qi Yue had constantly caused trouble for him ever since he entered the Great Zhou Institute and most recently even using such an underhanded tactic at the Jade Spirit Waterfall. Qi Yue had even tried to use Su Youwei to threaten Zhou Yuan after the former’s subsequent loss of the Auraflare technique.
These actions had already roused Zhou Yuan’s desire to kill.
“There were never any chances in the past, but in the class ranking exam… Qi Yue, it is time for us to properly write off these debts!”
...
Great Zhou royal palace.
Zhou Qing and Qin Yu rushed over the moment Zhou Yuan arrived at the royal palace.
Qin Yu quickly walked forward the moment she saw Zhou Yuan, grabbing his shoulders as she said in a tender voice, “My child, you did not return for so long after you left, look at how thin you’ve become.”
The current Zhou Yuan had actually become leaner, but to Qin Yu, training in the mountain forests was purely suffering.
Zhou Yuan smiled as he hugged Qin Yu. After some consoling, he let Yaoyao accompany Qin Yu as he walked away with Zhou Qing.
“Unblocked your fifth meridian channel?” Zhou Qing grinned as he glanced at Zhou Yuan.
Zhou Yuan nodded.
“Lu Tieshan has told me what happened. I did not expect Qi Yue would be so bold and actually target you.” A cold look flitted across Zhou Qing’s face.
Looks like the past few years of tolerating Qi Manor’s actions had now made them fearless. However, he did have his difficulties. After all, if he fully fall out with Qi Manor, the Great Zhou Empire would definitely have to welcome a war that would hurt them to the very core. This would be extremely detrimental to Great Zhou.
Hence, he somewhat blamed himself for the attack on Zhou Yuan. If he was not such a useless father, Zhou Yuan would not have fallen into such danger.
Zhou Yuan knew how his father suffered in silence. With a smile, he fished out the Auraflare technique jade scroll form his clothes and said, “Don’t dwell on it too much father, I was not the one who suffered a loss this time.”
“Auraflare technique? It has indeed landed in your hands!” Zhou Qing was a little taken aback but soon burst out into laughter. He was naturally aware how Qi Manor had practically turned the place upside down in search of this very technique.
“Let them pay a little interest first. As for Qi Yue, father need not worry. I will properly resolve the debts between us in the class ranking exam three days from now.”
Although Zhou Yuan’s expression was calm, the confidence in his voice made Zhou Qing feel rather gratified as he nodded. Two months of training in the deep mountain forests had slightly unsheathed the blade that was Zhou Yuan.
Zhou Qing slowly said, “The upcoming class ranking exam is extremely important. If the A class is defeated by the B class again, the headmaster position might fall into Qi Manor’s hands. All their years of plotting have cumulated into this very day.”
Zhou Yuan nodded. He clearly understood the importance of the upcoming class ranking exam. It might seem to be a contest between the two classes, but the truth was that it would affect both the Great Zhou royal clan and Qi Manor.
The him of the past was unable to find his meridian channels and naturally could not be of much aid with regards to this matter. But since he had now opened five channels, Qi Manor would have to first ask his permission if they intended on taking over the Great Zhou Institute.
Zhou Yuan took in a deep breath as his eyes narrowed. All his months of bitter training were for this very day!
Chapter 46 Beginning of the Class Ranking Exam
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
When the third day arrived, faint undercurrents began to stir a little in Great Zhou City as numerous factions turned their gazes towards the Great Zhou Institute in unison.
They knew that today was the class ranking exam.
Of course, a mere class ranking exam was naturally incapable of drawing the attention of so many factions. It was because this class ranking exam concerned the struggle between the royal clan and Qi Manor.
Everyone knew that Qi Manor had been eyeing the institute for many years and had used all sorts of methods to infiltrate it. It was now time for them to reap their harvest. As long as the B class was able to take the number one spot in the class ranking exam this year, Qi Manor’s representative, Xu Hong, would likely replace Chu Tianyang and become the new headmaster of the institute.
If so, the Great Zhou Institute would secretly become the Great Qi Institute.
This would be a huge blow to the royal clan because it also meant that Qi Manor was gradually gaining the upper hand in the struggle between the two parties, a fact that would undoubtedly sway the stances of the other factions towards Qi Manor, hence furthering the royal clan’s decline.
Thus, the outcome of this class ranking exam could be said to even shake the royal clan’s position and its importance was self-evident.
…
Great Zhou Institute, A class courtyard.
When Zhou Yuan once again stepped into the A class courtyard, he immediately felt the many students within look over before being stupefied by the subsequent orderly applause.
Zhou Yuan asked in bewilderment, “What are you guys doing?”
Su Youwei, Song Qiushui and Yang Zai were all smiles as they approached. “Are we not thanking you? If it weren’t for you winning an additional two hours of Jade Spirit Waterfall training time from the B class, our A class would have no hope for this class ranking exam.”
Zhou Yuan could not help but smile when he heard this. “Looks like you guys have grown substantially stronger over the past two months.”
Su Youwei’s little mouth was pursed as she let out a soft laugh. “The three of us have already unblocked our sixth meridian channel.”
Yang Zai also chuckled as he said, “It’s all thanks to the additional Jade Spirit Waterfall training time. Or else, we would likely need another month to unblock our sixth channel.”
Zhou Yuan was somewhat amazed. Looks like the two additional hours of Jade Spirit Waterfall training time had done a rather huge service to them.
Zhou Yuan asked with interest, “What about the B class? With only an hour of Jade Spirit Waterfall training time left, they should not have made much progress, right?”
Song Qiushui pondered a little before she replied, “The morale of the B class has been rather low recently and they seem to hold some resentment towards Qi Yue.”
After all, three quarters of their B class’ originally four hour long Jade Spirit Waterfall training time had been lost by Qi Yue. Who could tolerate such a huge drop? Even if they did not dare to say anything due to Qi Yue’s status, some resentment could not be avoided.
“All of you will be gravely mistaken to believe that the B class’ strength has fallen just because they lost those three hours.” A voice was suddenly heard while they were talking.
Zhou Yuan’s looked over and saw a solemn-face Chu Tianyang walking over with his hands behind his back.
Everyone greeted one after another. “Class master!”
Chu Tianyang waved his hand and glanced at Zhou Yuan as he slowly said, “As far as I know, Qi Yue has secretly brought several B students to Qi Manor over the past two months.”
“Oh?” Zhou Yuan’s eyes narrowed when he heard this. “He plans to do all he can to groom them with Qi Manor’s resources?”
Chu Tianyang’s expression was ugly as he nodded. Qi Yue’s actions were nauseating but there was nothing the former could say. After all, outsiders did not have any right to comment on how others were training.
Qi Manor had abundant resources and it was a very simple task for them to groom another handful of people.
However, thi
s also made the other B class students feel rather unhappy and unfairly treated. Thus, there had been a lot of complaints recently from the B class about Qi Yue, complaints that ended up forcibly suppressed by Xu Hong.
Chu Tianyang said in a stern voice, “So don’t become complacent just because you have unblocked your sixth meridian channel because Qi Yue has already reached seven channels!”
The numerous A class students turned silent as worry emerged in their eyes. The pressure Qi Yue gave to the A class was really too great. Although Zhou Yuan had defeated Qi Yue in the Jade Spirit Waterfall that one time, it was after all a very limited kind of contest and was nothing like the upcoming class ranking exam where one needed to rely on one’s own strength.
As the crowd worried, several gazes turned towards Zhou Yuan. After all, he was the only person who had been able to ‘defeat’ Qi Yue in the past year. Hence, they naturally held some expectations for him.
Zhou Yuan smiled as he looked at Chu Tianyang and said, “Relax class master, I will deal with Qi Yue.”
Chu Tianyang nodded. However, there was still some worry in his eyes. After all, the class ranking exam was nothing like the Jade Spirit Waterfall contest.
However, he also understood that he could not allow the A class’ morale to be affected at such a time. Hence, he waved his hand and said, “If everyone is ready, follow me to the class ranking exam site.”
He turned around the moment his words faded while Zhou Yuan, Su Youwei and the rest of the A class students flocked over.
…
The class ranking exam site was the northern district of the Great Zhou Institute.
An enormous field sprawled across the place. Five tall platforms of varying heights rose on the field, platforms which were also known as the class ranking exam stages.
At this current moment, the surroundings of the field was already a sea of people. Practically all of the students had gathered here and even quite a number of people from the city had come to watch.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 32