While there were hundreds of people ready to fight, most of them would not even get an opportunity to do so.
The other two dojos, altogether, had brought around fifty or so disciples. Since they had issued the challenge together, the Flying Snow Dojo was going to meet them head-on with fifty of their own disciples.
Because Yueshi and a few others were going to participate in the exam, they were left for last - just as a countermeasure if anything happened.
However, as much as Yuanqi wished for it to be easy, things were not that simple. The disciples of the other two dojos were also strong and, in their own specialized arts, the Flying Snow Dojo could not compare to them.
If someone like Mu Qiang taught spear arts to everyone, that may have been different, but the man was not interested in that.
In short, they were losing more fights than they were winning, and the other dojos' disciples were being fairly heavy-handed.
Yueshi could only watch with placid eyes as everything happened.
Finally, not being able to withstand it anymore, one of the examination participants stepped forward. Yueshi heard he had been training at the dojo since he was a child, and the dojo had been a second home for him.
It was apparent that he could not continue watching as his fellow disciples were laughed and scorned at, because they were not only calling his brothers and sisters weak but they were, also, looking down on the Flying Snow Dojo!
"Brother Feng, take care!" Feeling empathetic toward the young man, Yueshi could only wish him the best of luck.
At the same time, he wished that the other party was not here to really cause trouble for the exam applicants. It was just that taking into account the arrogant attitude of the two big families and their associates, there was a bit too much to ask for.
It didn't come as a surprise that his wishes were for naught.
Wu Feng had been in the dojo since he was eight, and now, twelve years later, he was still here. He was not talented nor particularly bright. His selling point was his strong heart and unwavering willpower.
And he lost.
His opponent wasn't only stronger than him but had also been hand-picked to fight against him. Wu Feng trained in the sword, and while it was vague, one could see he wanted to travel a path of stability and toughness.
Stable like a rock, unbreakable like iron!
His opponent was too fast for him, too fast and too vicious. His sword moves were like phantoms as they cut through the flesh and drew blood.
That was merely the start, though.
The Myriad Sword Dojo's disciple, Xiao Yunfei, somersaulted in the air as if flying while dodging Wu Feng's sword arts. He grinned and laughed, while, at the same time, disparaging and humiliating his opponent.
'Did they come here to lower or moral?' Yueshi could not understand their intentions, but seeing his fellow dojo disciples frowns, Wu Feng's situation was clearly affecting them.
Wu Feng, seeing that his attacks were not working, made a drastic choice – to abandon all defense. It was a stupid move that only idiots would use; at the same time it was fairly effective in certain situations.
A sword slash came his way, tearing the air in its path; however, he didn't even spare it a glance, his own sword striking with ferocity and power and flying toward his enemy's head.
Seeing his actions, Xiao Yunfei laughed with a cruel and sick sneer. Coming here to lower their morale? As if they had so much spare time. His footwork changed as his figure turned illusory; then, a flash of light appeared…
There was no sound of flesh being torn apart, or blasts of air… nothing, only silence. Wu Feng froze where he was standing while Xiao Yunfeing was right behind him.
A moment later…
With a splashing sound, blood gushed out like a fountain from Wu Feng's chest, his body falling to the ground with a heavy thud.
Xiao Yunfei stood there, sending the disciples of the Flying Snow Dojo a smile of disdain and disgust. As if telling them this was all they amounted to – little flies that could not even touch the hem of his robe.
Yueshi looked to the side and could see the seriousness in Yuanqi eyes… and the extreme rage and anger that threatened to burst forth at any moment.
He only calmed down a bit when the lady instructor that Yueshi saw bore patted his shoulder. Them, promptly, he went ahead to check Wu Feng's condition.
"Sorry, sorry, my disciple was too heavy-handed just now." A master from the Myriad Sword Dojo spoke, laughing softly. "I guess he didn't expect his opponent to be so frail… like a porcelain doll."
Yueshi lifted an eyebrow at the comment, noting that teacher and student alike were odious.
"Chen Li, say one more word and I will rip that thing you have between your legs!" Suddenly, a powerful voice echoed.
Yueshi watched as the woman that patted Yuanqi on the shoulder stepped forward.
Hearing her words, the middle-aged Chen Li looked toward her. However, when their eyes met, his body seemed to freeze.
"Your bitch who do you thin…." Seeing his master stay in silence, Xiao Yunfei wanted to score a few points with him.
It was just that, before he could do anything, something hit him on the back of his head, making him fall head-on on the ground.
Yueshi watched the scene with a smile… the one that had slapped that guy was none other than his master. "Senior Zhiyun is quite vicious. I heard she already cut seven men's little brothers'." From his side, Yuan Yue spoke giggling.
Hearing her words, however, Yueshi's smile disappeared as he shuddered, clasping his legs tighter as if afraid of something. His fellow male disciples seemed to also have a similar reaction, painting a funny scene.
--- - -
As the battles continued to take place, those that were not going to participate in the outer disciple examination were faced with harsh remarks and humiliation when they were in the losing end – and eventually, the Flying Snow Dojo's disciples took the same stance.
However, when the ones participating stepped forth, they would be faced with vicious attacks. Wu Feng's chest wound was bone-deep, and though he would be able to participate in the exam, the wound would lower his strength a lot, to the point it was hard to know if he could join the sect.
It was the same for the other three that were going to participate and had fought. Their enemies had been picked not only to counter them but also grievously injury them.
Yuanqi and the others wanted to stop the battles when they turned dangerous, but even when they moved a single muscle the other party's mentors would look at them and be stance-ready to move too.
Moreover…
"Even if means being grievously wounded, we are willing to go", "rest assured teacher, I will protect the dojo's honor" and "the dojo has taken care of me for years, now it's time for me to help the dojo"…
With the disciples saying all that despite knowing the danger, they did not know what to do.
Seeing his own mentor approach, Yueshi looked at him.
"I will not ask you to give up." His voice was slow and calm, yet, Yueshi shuddered - there was a certain coldness to his tone that seemed to seep on the flesh, on the bones, and encroach upon his heart. "But I hope that when you go there, you break them completely…"
The impression Yueshi had of his mentor was that of a calm and level-headed man. Moreover, he looked ordinary, his clothes were so-so, and his eyes were a bit dull – different from the radiant eyes that someone like Yuanqi had. However, deep inside his black eyes, a flame burned bright and with intensity, showing his indomitable will.
Yet, right now, his eyes were dim, almost lifeless. There was a coldness in them that would make the bravest of the men cower in fear - a coldness that reflected his deep rage.
Yueshi had to admit that he did not think his mentor would be so incensed by the events of today. But that did not matter.
"Leave it to me." There was no need to refuse, as he had planned to do exactly that. Not to fight and win, or to crush them with absolute power. What he was aiming to do, what his mentor also wanted him to do, was break them mercilessly.
Seeing the sharp light in his student's eyes, Mu Qiang smiled a bit – and oh, how evil he looked at that moment – before retreating.
Yueshi thought for a moment, before turning toward his sister. "Later, when I fight… can you close your eyes and ears?" He hesitated a bit when speaking.
Seeing his tense expression, Xuehua smiled. "Go on, don't worry about me. I am your sister and I will always support you", her voice was calming and soothing, and her words made him sigh – in exasperation and relief.
How could she have not noticed the changes her brother went through?
The young boy that always worked hard and always kept his feelings to himself had matured. Although it felt a bit sudden to her, he had become even more determined and also ambitious. Finally, there was some sort of aura to him, she thought, that told her that he had far greater confidence in himself now.
It was just that the coldness that creped up its way to his hand was not really to her liking.
Seeing his eyes turn toward the battle taking place, a flash of sorrow passed through Xuehua's eyes. Many thoughts swirled inside of her heart at that moment. Her younger brother's changes in temperament and bearing, the unknown future ahead, and…
She softly sighed. There was just so much to think and worry about. Thinking that there was no use in that now, she looked ahead and gazed at the battle.
Whatever was coming, would come, she concluded. And no matter sort of future they found themselves in, she'd face it all if it was to protect him.
'Father, mother, you don't have to worry. Shi'er is growing up well.' Her mind then started to wander again, as if completely forgetting the fight.
--- - -
Xiao Hu and Feng Miao were the ones responsible for bringing the disciples to the Flying Snow Dojo today, though they were not the ones that gave the order.
However, be it their idea or not, they liked to see those pitiful disciples of the Flying Snow Dojo suffering defeat after defeat while having their prized disciples injured.
The expression on Yuanqi's and the witch Zhiyun's eyes was also exciting to no end. There was also that average-looking man by their side; they were not sure of who, exactly, he was… but his aura told them enough – he was extremely angry, and he wanted to eradicate them.
As they were delving into their glee, two disciples approached them.
"What is it?" Feng Miao spoke, her pleasant voice tingling in the ears of the young disciples.
"They guy that has come forth… how do we deal with him?" One of the two asked, pointing at a shabby-clothed young man standing on stage.
Feng Miao and Xiao Hu looked at the teenager; he was slightly more handsome than the average man, and his eyes glowed with a sharp light.
Standing there, holding a spear, he looked quite strong if compared to the ordinary disciples.
"He has been sitting with the other examinees until now, so he is probably one of them too." Xiao Hu spoke after a moment. "Well, there is only him and that girl remaining. So why don't we send your nephew?" Speaking so, he looked at his partner.
"Hm." Nodding, the woman told the two disciples to tell her nephew, Feng Xia, to go deal with the other young man.
Honestly, she thought it would be overkill to send him, but since the elders asked her to show the dojo's strength, then so be it.