Jin's eyes widened in shock as he witnessed Anos's breathtaking victory. Yesterday's swift defeat of his friends had seemed like a fluke, attributable to their slow reaction and inadequate spiritual energy. But now, Anos had effortlessly defeated five Qi Building Six-Star students.
The implications were staggering. One versus five, and Anos had emerged triumphant with alarming ease. Jin's confidence wavered, his pride wounded.
Even someone of Jin's caliber acknowledged that defeating five Six-Stars wouldn't be child's play. His usual arrogance was replaced by unease as he struggled to comprehend Anos's true strength.
"Something's terribly off," Jin thought, his mind racing. "Anos's power... it's beyond what I anticipated. How did he hide this level of strength?"
Sofia's lips curved into a subtle smile. While others remained unaware, her elevated cultivation level allowed her to sense it – Anos had unleashed the strength of a Ninth Star Qi Building Realm cultivator.
For an instant, his power had reached the coveted Ninth Star level. She wondered if it was a temporary boost from a martial skill or his actual cultivation level.
Regardless, Anos's display had left a lasting impression.
"You're the only one left," Anos declared, standing tall like an unyielding monolith.
His aura, confidence, and presence utterly eclipsed Jin, ranked 30th in the intermediate class. In the eyes of the onlookers, Anos had transformed into an expert, exuding an unstoppable force.
Jin's fists trembled with rage, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Anos. The humiliation seared his pride.
Ranked 30th in the intermediate class, Jin boasted a Seven Stars Qi Building Realm. With his martial technique, he could overpower even an Eight Stars Qi Building Realm cultivator.
His confidence surged. "Anos's strength can't be genuine," he thought. "It must be a martial technique's boost."
"Why else would he join Sky Martial Court so late?" Jin reasoned. "A truly exceptional cultivator would have enrolled earlier."
Reassured, Jin's determination hardened. He would not back down.
"I'll show you my true strength," he muttered, eyes locked onto Anos.
Anos stood unwavering, his tranquil demeanor a stark contrast to Jin's seething anger.
"Anos, they're just the lowest-ranked martial artists in the intermediate class," Jin sneered. "I'm ranked 30th. Don't think beating them makes you worthy of facing me."
Anos's expression remained calm. "Alright, alright, stop talking nonsense," he said slowly. "Are you going to fight or not?"
"You're courting death!" Jin snarled, eyes blazing with fury. He charged towards Anos with lightning speed.
As he closed in, his right fist radiated a fiery crimson glow, unleashing a scorching heat wave. Flames danced across his knuckles, swirling with the wind.
"Flaming Fist!" Jin roared, his attack poised to strike.
....
The crowd gasped in surprise. "That's a six-star yellow-ranked skill, Flaming Fist!" someone exclaimed.
"Oh my god, with Jin's realm, Anos won't withstand this!" another spectator cried.
"I didn't expect Jin to value Anos so highly that he'd use such a powerful move first."
"Although Anos is impressive, Flaming Fist's power will overwhelm him!"
"Look, Anos isn't even retreating!" someone noted.
"And Jin's charging up will increase the attack's inertia! If he lands the punch, Anos will definitely be sent flying!"
But before the last speaker could finish, a loud "Bang!" echoed through the air.
The crowd held its breath as Jin's Flaming Fist collided with Anos's. Flames engulfed Anos, and Jin's face twisted in a snarl. "He's done for!"
Even if Anos blocked the punch, the flames would incapacitate him. But Jin's reaction defied expectations.
Anos stood firm, unmoving, as a burst of internal energy exploded from his fist. "Bang!"
The crowd's jaws dropped in stunned silence. Jin's body soared through the air, crashing heavily onto the ground. The flames enveloping Anos vanished instantly, extinguished by a burst of energy.
"Pu!" Jin spat out a mouthful of blood, his face contorted in pain.
The onlookers were aghast. "How is this possible?" someone whispered.
"How can his strength be so immense?" another spectator wondered.
"Qi Building realm, nine stars... Is that really his true power?" someone else murmured.
But the outcome was undeniable. Jin's attack, repelled in an instant, proved Anos's strength to be at least that of a nine-star Qi Building realm.
....
Was he truly a Qi Building realm nine-star cultivator? Unbelievable! Anos, a newcomer to the beginner class, had shattered expectations.
A nine-star Qi Building realm would rank among the top ten in the intermediate class! Jin's defeat was crushing, a humiliating fall at the hands of a supposed "clown."
The silence was palpable... until suddenly:
Three seconds passed.
Then, thunderous applause erupted!
Despite initial reservations, the beginner class couldn't help but admire Anos's breathtaking display.
His bold claim to compete with the intermediate class now made sense – he had the power to back it up!
The crowd's cheers and whispers filled the air:
"Incredible!"
"Unthinkable!"
"A monster!"
Anos stood calmly, his reputation forever changed.
...
"Ding... Acting cool successful, scumbag points + 10,000."
"Ding... Successfully made 5 beauties cry over your handsomeness, scumbag points + 200,000."
"Ding... Feeling adoration from 13 beauties, scumbag points + 150,000."
The system's notifications flooded Anos's mind, eliciting a sly smile.
"If not for these scumbag points, why bother showing off?" Anos thought, amused.
"Sasha, Anos is incredibly strong!" someone exclaimed, eyes wide with awe.
On the other side, the two girls who had initially disdained Anos were stunned, their faces pale with shock. They had known Anos was powerful, having defeated Jayden, Leo, and others. But they never expected him to take down all six intermediate-class opponents simultaneously.
"It's... unbelievable," one of them stammered, struggling to process the display of strength.
Sasha's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Y-Yes, he's quite strong," she murmured, lost in thought. Her gaze drifted back to Anos, her expression softening.
But suddenly, she flushed, realizing her reaction might be misinterpreted. "W-What does his strength have to do with me?" she hastily added, attempting to feign nonchalance. Her cheeks remained crimson, betraying her true feelings.
"That's right," Mia sneered, shaking her fist. "Compared to John, Anos is still far behind. John can take down dozens, no, hundreds from the intermediate class single-handedly. Just wait till he arrives and see how he'll crush Anos!"
Meanwhile, Anos withdrew his aura and cast a chilly glance at Jin. "I'll trouble you to deliver a message to the intermediate class," he said, his voice dripping with confidence. "In three days, I, Anos, will challenge them as a beginner class student."
With a triumphant grin, Anos turned to Sofia. "Teacher Sofia, didn't I make you proud? Now, about that autograph..."
Sofia rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "We'll discuss that after you defeat the intermediate class. Off you go, for now."
....
"Okay, okay." Jin and the others struggled to their feet, battered and bruised. They shot Anos resentful glares before slinking back to their seats.
Sofia surveyed the crowd, her gaze commanding attention. "As you've witnessed, the beginner class can hold its own against the intermediate class. My message to you is simple: with dedication and hard work, you'll become formidable warriors."
She paused, her expression intense. "Now, for the second announcement. The new students of Sky Martial Court will undergo seven days of intensive training, excluding the upcoming competition in three days. During this period, you'll participate in at least 300 virtual battles and master martial skills."
"In these seven days, you'll forego rest, food, and even bathroom breaks. My goal is to propel you from novice to 30% proficiency in just one week."
....
"Wah!" The crowd erupted into despairing wails, shocked by Sofia's announcement.
"This is too cruel!" someone exclaimed.
As martial artists, they were accustomed to austerity, and Qi Building Stage Five Stars could endure a day without food. But Sofia's demands pushed the limits.
Before the crowd's lamentations subsided, Sofia pressed on, her voice unyielding.
"The third announcement: after seven days, I'll lead you out of Flower City, into the Demonic Beast Domain. You'll engage in real combat with actual Demonic Beasts."
The room fell silent, dread replacing despair.
"Remember, if you slack off during these seven days, don't blame anyone but yourselves if you fall in battle. Your lives will be in your own hands."
...