by Feng Yise
"Humph! Know fear now? I advise that you better stay in the academy obediently. Otherwise, you won't even know how you lose your little life!" Feng Zhirou continued to land blows.
Ye Yuan stared at Feng Zhirou and suddenly grinned. "Already cultivating the Water Defying Incantation, eh? Not bad of an improvement. Senior Apprentice Sister Feng is talented as expected! I believe that with Senior Apprentice Sister Feng protecting me, there shouldn't be many issues with this trip, right?"
Being said like that by Ye Yuan, Feng Zhirou's pretty face blushed lightly and pouted. "Who wants to protect you? You, a big grown man, still need women to protect you? Aren't you ashamed?"
"Oh please, it's true that I'm a grown man, but I'm also your Junior Apprentice Brother! A senior apprentice sister protecting her junior apprentice brother, isn't that perfectly justified? Furthermore, you're number three on the Martial Roll. If you don't protect me, could it be that I have to protect you?"
Feng Zhirou wanted to continue arguing but was interrupted by Feng Ruoqing. "Zhirou, during this Endless Trials, both me and Teacher Huyan have been transferred away. Now, only you can protect Ye Yuan. Even if Su Yishan broke through to the Fourth Level Spirit Condensation Realm, he's unlikely to be your match. As a matter of fact, you also received great kindness from Ye Yuan. Slightly repaying it is also expected, yes?"
Feng Ruoqing then turned to Ye Yuan. "Zhirou this lass is thin-skinned, so she's embarrassed to thank you. I'll say it on her behalf then. The Water Defying Incantation is simply custom-made for Zhirou. These two days, she cultivated day and night, and said that her body's ailments have been relieved considerably!"
When Feng Ruoqing said that, Feng Zhirou's pretty face became an adorable red apple; charmingly alluring.
"Who wants to thank him? Humph!" Feng Zhirou left like fleeing after saying this.
"This lass. I really don't know what to say about her!" Feng Ruoqing sighed.
"Haha. Junior Apprentice Sister Feng has a genuine personality. It's just that she's a little unruly. Let her be." Ye Yuan just laughed it off.
Feng Ruoqing also did not know which neuron was misfiring. She suddenly opened her mouth to ask, "Ye Yuan, what do you think of Zhirou?"
"Ah? Pretty good! En? Teacher Feng isn't matchmaking, right?" Ye Yuan suddenly reacted and retorted with a question.
Feng Ruoqing's pretty face was flushed red. "Actually, I feel that you and Zhirou are quite compatible."
Feng Ruoqing did not know why, but when she said those words, she became dispirited for no reason. She felt empty as if she lost something.
Ye Yuan chuckled and said, "Teacher Feng hasn't settled your own affairs yet, right? Thinking about finding a groom for your niece already?"
"I . . . I . . ." Feng Ruoqing panicked and blurted out, "I'm infatuated with Alchemy Dao in this lifetime. I don't wish to waste time on this."
Feng Ruoqing already regretted it right after saying it. This was cutting off her route of retreat!
Ye Yuan laughed and said, "Don't randomly be a matchmaker anymore, Teacher Feng. This job isn't suited for you. Haha."
Feng Ruoqing flushed again and really kept mum after that.
This counted as Ye Yuan declining Feng Ruoqing's good intentions.
Regarding the matter of finding a Dao Companion, Ye Yuan really had not considered it.
He was shouldering a deep blood feud. This road in the days to come would be incomparably bumpy. Being his Dao Companion was not so simple. A single misstep and they would die, with their Dao dissipating.
At that time, wouldn't Ye Yuan be in even greater agony?
Just as the two were silent, the entire academy seemed to be in a buzz.
Ye Yuan involuntarily lifted his head to look and saw a streak of multi-colored road pouring down on the top of the Nine Heavens Peak.
After several days, the Rainbow Road reappeared!
Chapter 121 - Long Tang Returns!
"En? Is someone challenging the Nine Heavens Road? And they succeeded?"
Ye Yuan was dumbfounded when he saw the reappearance of the Rainbow Road.
Feng Ruoqing also had a stunned look. She also did not expect that Long Tang could really clear the Nine Heavens Road!
"It's Long Tang! I didn't think that he would really succeed!"
Ye Yuan curled his mouth. "Didn't everyone say that the Nine Heavens Road is a death zone? Looks like it's nothing more than this!"
At any rate, Ye Yuan did not experience overwhelming difficulty. But since other people also successfully cleared it, then the legend of the Nine Heavens Road was somewhat untrue.
But Feng Ruoqing shook her head and said, "You're wrong. The Nine Heavens Road is truly difficult to the extreme. Even if I go and challenge it with my current realm, it would be very tough to retreat unscathed. Long Tang being able to clear it can only mean that his potential is enormous!"
Ye Yuan recalled the terror of that final sword and immediately approved of Feng Ruoqing's statement.
He could withstand that sword, but that did not mean that others could also endure that sword. If the array was at full blast, Feng Ruoqing would really perish if she entered it.
"Alright. The Endless Trials are about to begin. Let's head over first."
. . . . . .
Earth rank and Heaven rank students were already assembled in the central square. The square was densely packed. There were most likely several thousand people.
Because the strength of Black rank and Yellow rank students were too poor, they were not required to participate in the Endless Trials.
They would only become cannon fodder if they go anyway.
The aim of the academy organizing this Endless Trials was to train students, not to send them to die.
The crowd of students clearly also saw the wondrous view of the Rainbow Road reappearing. Each one of them was struck dumb by shock.
The legendary Nine Heavens Road was actually cleared consecutively. After the astonishment, it made the thoughts of many who proclaimed themselves geniuses to waver.
Zuo Bugui looked at that tiny figure on the Nine Heavens Road with indescribable shock.
"He actually made it through! Could it be that he and I are already no longer of the same world?" Zuo Bugui murmured to himself.
Zuo Bugui s.u.c.k.e.d in a deep breath, and could not resist looking for Ye Yuan's figure among the crowd.
It was that person who changed Long Tang and made him undergo a transformation.
Just what kind of magic powers did Ye Yuan have? Why couldn't he feel it?
This search really made him see Ye Yuan.
Ye Yuan and Feng Ruoqing were chatting and laughing as they made their way over, filling the bystanders with jealousy.
Zuo Bugui did not mind that. But no matter how he sensed, he could not feel that so-called 'magic power' on Ye Yuan.
"Senior Apprentice Brother Long is truly talented! He made it past the Nine Heavens Road as expected! He is fully deserving of the number one in the academy!" This was a loyal Long Tang fan.
"Is your brain rotten? It's already been four days since Senior Apprentice Brother Long challenged the Nine Heavens Road. Ye Yuan only used the greater part of a day to challenge the Nine Heavens Road. The two of them are simply incomparable, okay? Furthermore, Ye Yuan made it past the Nine Heavens Road at the Essence Qi Realm. His potential is limitless!"
"So what? In terms of strength, Ye Yuan is far off. Senior Apprentice Brother Long can defeat him with just one hand! Also, as long as one passed the Nine Heavens Road, they would have the status of the high sect's core disciple."
"Not going to argue with a brain-dead fan like you. Senior Apprentice Brother Long's lead is only temporary. Ye Yuan will surpass him before long."
Ye Yuan and Long Tang, as the number one person of the new and old generation, both also having cleared the Nine Heavens Road, possessed a large group of loyal fans each.
On the stage of the square, Zhang Songtao was also ecstatic to see Long Tang clea
r the Nine Heavens Road.
"Haha . . . truly invigorating! Two geniuses who made it past the Nine Heavens Road actually appeared consecutively in my State of Qin's Dan Wu Academy! We can stand up with our heads high! Let's see if those bunch of grandsons dare to show off in front of me when I see them in the future!"
Hu Changsheng also stroked his beard lightly as he said with a smile, "Truly unexpected! Heaven is protecting my State of Qin's Dan Wu Academy. To have two peerless geniuses appear consecutively!"
Su Yubai had seen Ye Yuan long ago. He snickered coldly while looking at him.
Wasn't it just clearing the Nine Heavens Road? What was there to be c.o.c.ky about?! To actually use the status of the high sect's core disciple to suppress Your Father!
Now, Long Tang cleared the Nine Heavens Road as well. Let's see what you have to be arrogant about!
Su Yubai already made the decision to rope in Long Tang at all costs.
This kind of people would definitely become a powerhouse of their generation. With him covering the Su Family, they would be as stable as Mt Tai for the next few centuries!
And Ye Yuan would surely become a quietly fallen comet after this Endless Trials, becoming a bygone.
. . . . . .
Long Tang came.
The clothes on him already became strips of rags. His aura was also somewhat disorderly, making him appear somewhat ragged. There was a sharp contrast with Ye Yuan calmly clearing the Nine Heavens Road.
It was obvious from his condition that the Nine Heavens Road was not so fun. Long Tang definitely experienced terrifying attacks on the Nine Heavens Road.
However, while Long Tang's aura was disorderly, his entire person was displaying his edge fully; complete polar opposites from his usual self.
This point was very similar to Ye Yuan.
"Hahaha! What a fine Long Tang! Truly remarkable! Indeed worthy of being number one on the Martial Roll! The way I see it, your potential is even greater than Mo Yuntian and Ye Yuan!" Su Yubai went up to greet him with a hearty laugh.
Su Yubai's words incurred many people's disgust. They also saw his intention to rope him in, but nobody dared to say anything.
There was a vast difference between whether Long Tang passed the Nine Heavens Road or not.
If he made it past the Nine Heavens Road, Long Tang's future accomplishments would absolutely increase multiple folds.
If he failed to make it past the Nine Heavens Road, then he would at most be an expert in the State of Qin. It obviously would not be worth it for Su Yubai to pull him in then.
Long Tang did not show much of a reaction towards Su Yubai's solicitation. He just bowed slightly and said, "Many thanks for Elder Su's praise. Long Tang doesn't deserve this!"
"Worthy! Worthy! What's there to be undeserving about? You, Long Tang, have always been the absolute number one in the academy. Now, you even cleared the Nine Heavens Road. Who would dare say that you are undeserving?" Su Yubai said smilingly.
If it was somebody else, they would more or less have to expound on the Disciplinary Hall's First Elder's solicitation. But Long Tang shook his head and said, "Senior Apprentice Brother Mo is a senior who already left the Dan Wu Academy. It isn't good to compare with him. As for Ye Yuan . . . I am vastly inferior to him! If I did not clear the Nine Heavens Road, I could perhaps still numb myself. But now that I've experienced it for myself, I know just how gifted Ye Yuan is! This title of number one, Long Tang dare not accept!"
Following Long Tang's words, Su Yubai's face grew increasingly darker.
Long Tang's words were undoubtedly giving him, Su Yubai, a slap in front of thousands of people!
How awkward was this for the lofty Disciplinary Hall's First Elder?
But Long Tang ignored Su Yubai's complexion and circled around Su Yubai to come in front of Zhang Songtao. He was the highest figure hosting this Endless Trials.
"Dean Zhang, Long Tang came here for two matters. The first is to request not to take part in the Endless Trials this time. Long Tang has just passed the Nine Heavens Road and have some gains. I wish to enter closed-door seclusion for a period of time. I hope that Dean Zhang will allow it."
Long Tang's current condition was clearly unsuitable for participating in the Endless Trials. Zhang Songtao naturally would not be so unreasonable. He nodded and said, "En. Enter closed-seclusion and comprehend your gains well. Forget about the Endless Trials. What's the second matter?"
"The second matter is to express thanks to a person! Without him, I couldn't have cleared the Nine Heavens Road!"
"Oh? There's such a thing? Who has such capabilities to actually aid you in passing the Nine Heavens Road?" Zhang Songtao exclaimed in surprise.
Long Tang's word aroused everybody's curiosity. But nobody knew the answer except for Zuo Bugui!
Chapter 122 - Destined Battle!
Long Tang turned around and swept his gaze across the crowd beneath the stage.
Everyone looked in all directions trying to find the person which Long Tang spoke of.
"Just who is it? To actually be able to help Senior Apprentice Brother Long pass through the Nine Heavens Road! A Heavenly Dao Oath has to be sworn every time before entering the Nine Heavens Road. Who would divulge information on the Nine Heavens Road?"
"Who knows? I reckon that Senior Apprentice Brother Long hooked up with some senior apprentice sister? The power of love is the mightiest. It was this conviction supporting him as he charged through the Nine Heavens Road, right?"
"You don't say. There might really be that possibility! It's just who knows which family's girl have that honor. In my view, only Senior Apprentice Sister Feng can match with Senior Apprentice Brother Long in the entire academy. It's not her, right?"
"I won't believe it even if you beat me to death! Teacher Feng has already been acquired by Ye Yuan. If Senior Apprentice Sister Feng and Senior Apprentice Brother Long become a pair, how will they let us live?!"
The students started whispering to each other with their rich imagination. Soon, the topic digressed to Feng Ruoqing and her niece.
Martial artists' auditory abilities were excellent. Some words were inevitably transmitted into their ears, making Feng Ruoqing blush to the tips of her ears.
Who knew since when she was already 'acquired' by Ye Yuan. Even she was unaware of it.
In front of the public, Feng Ruoqing forever had that ice-cold look.
Hearing the crowd's discussion, an intangible killing qi spread out. Except that there were too many people talking. She could not possibly kill them all, right?
Long Tang swiftly found Ye Yuan in the crowd. He paid attention to Ye Yuan for a very long time already and was naturally familiar with his aura.
"Thank you, Ye Yuan! Without your guidance, I couldn't possibly have passed the Nine Heavens Road!" Long Tang extended his heartfelt thanks.
Long Tang's words instantly caused an uproar.
"What? It was actually Ye Yuan? How's that possible? It seemed like they didn't even know each other, right?"
"Yeah! Also, Ye Yuan is only at the Ninth Level Essence Qi Realm. What can he teach Senior Apprentice Brother Long? He couldn't have divulged the secrets of the Nine Heavens Road, right? But Ye Yuan is still living well right now!"
"It couldn't be that Senior Apprentice Brother Long cleared it himself like that after watching Ye Yuan challenge the Nine Heavens Road, right? That's too sinister."
Everybody felt doubt and bafflement towards Long Tang's words. Even if Long Tang's talent was beneath Ye Yuan's, Ye Yuan's current strength was still weak. What could he help Long Tang with?
Furthermore, those familiar with Long Tang knew that he and Ye Yuan were not even acquainted. When did Ye Yuan even help him?
Su Yubai's face promptly darkened after hearing Long Tang's words.
This Long Tang simply did not know how to appreciate favors. To actually praise Ye Yuan in front of so many people!
Even if he did not accept the olive branch he cast, did he not kno
w that Ye Yuan and the Su Family were mortal enemies?
Was each one of them rushing to oppose the Su Family?
If a tiger did not demonstrate its might, did they really treat me, Su Yubai, like a sick cat?
You all are geniuses, yes, but a genius who can't m.a.t.u.r.e will only be a speck of dust in history!
Who would remember you all?
Ye Yuan was also mischievously guessing who gave Long Tang pointers just now. Who would have expected Long Tang to actually name him, leaving him somewhat caught unaware.
"Hey, are you mistaken, Senior Apprentice Brother Long? When have I ever guided you? This is the first time we've met ok?" Ye Yuan was rather bewildered.
Long Tang suddenly beamed, smiling very happily.
Those familiar with Long Tang knew that he rarely smiled. Today was really without precedent.
"You've said wrongly, Ye Yuan. Today is indeed the first time you've met me. But I've already seen you many times before. Virtually every time you fought in the academy, I've been observing you. All the way until you charged bravely into the Nine Heavens Road. Finally, I was enlightened, and found the path which belongs to me! Hence, even though you don't know that I've changed because of you, I still have to thank you!" Long Tang proclaimed loudly.
"Oh, so that's the case. Haha, then congratulations to you. There isn't a need to thank me. It would be great if you can help me finish off that old fellow behind you." Ye Yuan pointed to Su Yubai behind Long Tang and said with a smile.
Su Yubai's face darkened even more severely with Ye Yuan's words.
He did not think that Ye Yuan would actually dare to request Long Tang to kill him in front of so many people.
Utterly preposterous!
Just keep being smug, brat! I've already laid down an inescapable net for you in the Endless Forest. Just go without worry!
Long Tang did not turn back. He knew who Ye Yuan was pointing to.
"Hur hur . I'm still not Elder Su's match right now. I'm afraid I won't be able to help you fulfill this wish of yours. However, one year is probably a little tight for me. But it should be sufficient for you. It's still more refreshing to personally do this sort of thing like revenge!"