"Su Yuan, dare to duel with me?"
As soon as Chen Jiujun said this, the large Practical Combat Hall suddenly quieted down. Everyone turned to look, and the members of Class One were even more dumbfounded, including the martial arts instructor, who was stunned.
Chen Jiujun challenged Su Yuan?
The next moment, everyone got excited.
"Oh my god, Chen Jiujun wants to challenge Su Yuan!"
"Shuzhou's genius special admission student versus the top of the joint trial!"
"This is going to be a good show!"
"Su Yuan won't coward out, right?"
"No way, Su Yuan isn't afraid of that arrogant Chen Jiujun!"
"He's clearly from Guangchuan City himself, but he looks down on other Guangchuan students. Now with Su Yuan around, it's about time someone taught him a lesson!"
...
Su Yuan turned his head and looked calmly at Chen Jiujun. "Are you sure?"
Su Yuan could tell that Chen Jiujun was an extremely proud and arrogant person. Such people found it hard to accept being overshadowed by others.
However, Su Yuan didn't expect Chen Jiujun to challenge him in front of everyone.
Have you thought about the consequences of failing?
Chen Jiujun affirmed firmly, "Of course!"
Su Yuan sighed silently. Since you're insisting on seeking a beating, you can't blame me for striking you down.
"Then let's do it. I'm just in the mood to try out my blade."
Su Yuan turned to face Chen Jiujun, his silver pupils appearing devoid of any warmth.
Under Su Yuan's gaze, Chen Jiujun's heart involuntarily tightened. Although the other was just standing there with a casual grip on his saber, he felt an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.
But soon, a wave of shame and anger surged in Chen Jiujun's heart.
Damn it, how could I be suppressed by the aura of a peer?
Chen Jiujun swiftly retreated to create distance, simultaneously spreading his hands. Amidst a shimmer of light, a slender, pitch-black metal staff appeared in his hands, adorned with intricate silver patterns.
Trial reward: Green Star Device, Thunder Drawing Staff.
When using thunder skills, it gives an additional power boost.
In terms of appearance alone, the Thunder Drawing Staff seemed at least two levels more impressive than Su Yuan's Dragon Armor Saber, clearly extraordinary.
Chen Jiujun gripped the staff with both hands, full of vigilance, only to see Su Yuan standing idly in place, which made him even more infuriated.
Magicians are not adept at close combat. Every warrior knows to close in on a magician during a fight, yet Su Yuan stood there motionless, clearly looking down on him.
"Courting death!"
Chen Jiujun shouted, transforming a large amount of star power into thunder elements that surged into the Thunder Drawing Staff. Silver lightning danced as he pointed the staff at Su Yuan.
"Lightning Beam!"
A dazzling silver lightning bolt, magnified by the Thunder Drawing Staff, leaped out and shot towards Su Yuan with incredible speed.
However, a gust of wind arose at Su Yuan's feet, diverting the swift lightning beam to the side. With a "boom!" it exploded behind him, kicking up a cloud of dust!
Though the Thunder Drawing Staff amplified his power, the effects of Transformation Realm Wind Walking in evading long-distance attacks were not something Chen Jiujun's Skilled Level Lightning Beam could penetrate.
A silver flash in Su Yuan's eyes, and he vanished from his original spot.
Instant Movement!
Chen Jiujun, who had long wanted a duel with Su Yuan, was also prepared for his Instant Movement.
Seeing Su Yuan activate Instant Movement, Chen Jiujun calmly initiated his long-held charge.
Amidst the dancing silver lightning, two Thunder Snakes coiled around Chen Jiujun's body, greatly boosting his agility.
Chen Jiujun knew that Su Yuan could only have teleported behind or above him, so he lunged forward without looking back.
At that moment, an irresistible force of terrifying gravity suddenly pressed down on Chen Jiujun!
"Ugh!"
With a grunt, Chen Jiujun's knee abruptly slammed into the ground.
This is... Elemental Magnetism Pressure?
Extracted from the Earth Element Beast Star Core? How could he be so lucky!
Chen Jiujun was utterly shocked, struggling to stand on one knee, a face filled with disbelief!
"You still don't understand the gap between us."
Su Yuan's voice came from the side. The cold blade of the Dragon Armor Saber lightly touched Chen Jiujun's face.
"You lost."
After saying this, Su Yuan sheathed the Dragon Armor Saber, retracted the Elemental Magnetism Pressure, and walked out of the Practical Combat Hall without looking back.
The hall remained silent. What everyone thought would be a battle of equals ended so quickly?
The crowd stared blankly at Su Yuan leaving the hall, gradually coming back to their senses.
"One hit! Damn, Su Yuan took down Chen Jiujun in one move!"
"Unbelievable, that's the specially admitted talent from Wanzhou, not some random guy!"
"What happened to Chen Jiujun just now? Why did he suddenly stop moving?"
"No idea... I need to post this explosive news on the forum. Dear god, Guangchuan Middle School's forum will blow up today!"
...
The entire Practical Combat Hall was in an uproar. All the students excitedly discussed in loud voices.
Only Chen Jiujun remained kneeling on the ground, defeated, with Su Yuan's words echoing in his mind.
You still don't understand the gap between us...
...
For Su Yuan, the incident with Chen Jiujun was just a minor episode.
As he walked out of the Practical Combat Hall, his phone suddenly rang.
"Hello?"
"Su Yuan, it's me." Came Wang Haiping's voice from the other end.
"Director Wang?" Su Yuan's heart stirred. Could it be news about Demon Capital Academy?
"I'm calling to inform you about two things. First, the recommendation to Demon Capital Academy is settled. They didn't recruit many this year, so in two months, there will be a final supplementary special admission. My mentor has already submitted your name, so you'll join then."
Great!
Su Yuan was overjoyed. However, Wang Haiping's tone didn't sound entirely positive.
"But..."
Hearing this "but," Su Yuan thought, indeed, there's a catch.
"My mentor told me privately that there are several exceptional candidates in the upcoming supplementary special admission. In fact, it's primarily for one of them. Even though Demon Capital Academy hasn't set a limit on how many they will admit, if your performance isn't outstanding among these strong competitors, you'll be easily passed over."
So, a nearly predetermined genius, huh...
Su Yuan pondered, then calmly said, "Rest assured, Director. I'll give it my all."
Sensing that he might have pressured Su Yuan too much, Wang Haiping smiled. "There's another piece of good news. If you seize this chance, your chances of passing the special admission will greatly increase."
"Oh?" Su Yuan's eyes lit up. "What is it, Director?"
"The Divine Tree in Qingye City's Secret Realm is about to bloom again. This special Divine Tree is a precious Master-quality plant-type Star Beast. It blooms once a year, each bloom lasting only a day. Then its flowers fly into the sky and become Heavenly Sweet Fruits that descend.
As a Master Grade plant-type Star Beast, it can absorb various energies from the heavens and earth and convert them into star power. The Heavenly Sweet Fruits contain its overflowing star power essence.
Qingye City's Divine Tree is still young, at the Gold Level. The Heavenly Sweet Fruits' energy is limited, not much use to Star Card Masters above Bronze, but for Star Apprentices, they are an extremely nourishing supplement.
Every year, one or two people use the fruit to reach the Ninth Stage Limit, and occasionally, a talented genius breaks through to the Bronze Level!"
"Director Wang, so you're saying...?" Su Yuan understood the implication as Wang Haiping continued.
"Because the Secret Realm is in Qingye City, they get more slots. I managed to secure one. The Divine Tree will bloom about two weeks before the Demon Capital special admission, which is in one and a half months.
You'll join me in Qingye City and compete for the final qualification to enter the Secret Realm. Assuming all goes well, reaching the Ninth Stage shouldn't be a problem, which would greatly increase your chances in the special admission."
"Great! Thank you, Director Wang!" Su Yuan sincerely expressed his gratitude.
Though Wang downplayed it, it was clear this opportunity wasn't easy to get. Valuable resources are always better with fewer people involved.
"Prepare well then. There are only four slots to enter the Secret Realm. To promote the development of second and third-level cities, no one from Shuzhou will compete, but Qingye City and other second-level cities under Shuzhou will.
Every year, about twenty people compete for those slots."
"Got it, no problem."
After the call, Su Yuan reflected.
I must enter this Secret Realm. Even if there's only one slot, I'll get it.
And despite only having two months, reaching the Ninth Stage would significantly increase my chances.
As for the strong candidates and that genius for whom the special admission is nearly held... I wonder what kind of talent they are.
Su Yuan chuckled, anticipating the future journey even more.