A Promise, I'll Wait for You in the Inner Academy
Zuo Heng's face darkened as he halted his hand that had instinctively reached for his sword.
He understood the gravity of Yang Qingxuan's words. He was no fool. Though the Zuo family was influential, their power was confined to the borders of Cangnan Kingdom. Tiancong Academy, on the other hand, was the top academy in the Five Northern Kingdoms, and its principal, Qing Buli, was revered as the "Martial King"—a master of the Yuanwu Realm. Even the Cangnan Kingdom's royal family wouldn't dare challenge the academy.
Qin Zhen coldly snorted, "You've disrupted the exam, and you should be severely punished. But since I'm in a good mood today, just get out of here."
Zuo Heng's face flushed with anger, but he was powerless. Qin Zhen, being a teacher of Tiancong Academy, was beyond his reach. He could not fight him, and with such a powerful figure in his way, there was nothing Zuo Heng could do.
He could only redirect his fury at Yang Qingxuan, pointing at him with gritted teeth. "Fine, today you're lucky. But mark my words, you've harmed a member of the Zuo family. Let's see if Qin Zhen can protect you for the rest of your life!"
Yang Qingxuan casually brushed the dust off his shoulder and said indifferently, "I don't know who's truly lucky here." Though his words were light, a sense of alertness had already formed in his heart.
When Zuo Heng's right hand had moved toward his sword earlier, Yang Qingxuan instinctively felt a massive pressure, as if the man had suddenly turned into a blade himself—sharp and domineering.
He even noticed Qin Zhen's tension, as though Qin Zhen too was slightly wary of that sword. After Zuo Heng withdrew his hand, Qin Zhen had obviously relaxed.
"You…!" Zuo Heng was on the verge of exploding. Yang Qingxuan's nonchalance only fueled his anger, and his frustration reached a breaking point.
Suddenly, a fragrant breeze filled the air, as if the very atmosphere had become fresher, and a sense of calm settled over the area.
In the next instant, a graceful figure appeared on the arena, and there, standing before Yang Qingxuan, was Wu Qiyue. Her clear, lotus-like eyes looked at him with a complex smile that spoke of unspoken words.
"Qiyue!" Zuo Heng's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes widened in shock. That gentle smile, one he had only ever seen when she played the guqin, was directed at Yang Qingxuan. His heart spasmed painfully—he was certain that Wu Qiyue had never looked at another man this kindly before.
Overwhelming murderous intent flooded Zuo Heng's mind. His eyes turned bloodshot, and the only thing that ran through his head was one word: Kill, kill, kill!
But Wu Qiyue remained unaffected by his murderous gaze. She simply smiled and said, "I'll be waiting for you in the Inner Academy."
Her words caused an immediate uproar, and the entire arena exploded in chatter!
"What's going on here? Even if this... fool… I mean, this student passed the test, he's just a regular student!"
One of the students beneath the arena almost slipped and blurted out "fool," but quickly slapped his mouth in embarrassment, correcting himself.
"Could it be that Wu Qiyue has feelings for him? Impossible! I don't believe it!"
"In terms of looks, I'm far better than him! As for Spirit quality, mine is medium-grade, and his is low-grade! Why? Why him?!"
Zuo Heng was seething with jealousy, his gaze like a venomous snake, fixed on Yang Qingxuan.
In his heart, a thousand questions swirled. He couldn't understand it, couldn't accept it. Wu Qiyue, the most beautiful and talented person in the academy, had no reason to show such affection to someone like Yang Qingxuan.
Yang Qingxuan, for his part, was just as confused. According to all reason, the academy's first beauty should never look at someone like him. And yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this—something hidden beneath her calm demeanor.
He also sensed, with his master-level intuition, that Wu Qiyue's strength was far from what her delicate appearance suggested. She was likely far more formidable than she appeared.
"Waiting for me in the Inner Academy?" Yang Qingxuan thought, memories flooding back. The Inner Academy was the gathering place for the elite students of Tiancong Academy. Only those who passed a rigorous examination could enter and cultivate there.
Those who emerged from the Inner Academy were often the greatest heroes of their generation—figures of power and influence, shaping the future of the Five Northern Kingdoms.
Most martial artists from Cangnan Kingdom who were regarded as masters had come from the Inner Academy. It was a place of vast connections, a power nexus that all students dreamed of entering.
Yang Qingxuan had never considered the possibility of entering the Inner Academy. His goal had simply been to become a martial artist. But now, everything had changed. With his performance in the exam, he had the qualifications to enter the Inner Academy.
"Alright, I'll be there," Yang Qingxuan said calmly, his eyes gleaming with determination.
Zuo Heng's face contorted with rage, and he pointed at Yang Qingxuan, speaking through gritted teeth. "If you have the guts to enter the Inner Academy, I will personally kill you!"
Yang Qingxuan gave him a sidelong glance and sneered, "And who are you, exactly?"
Zuo Heng was beyond enraged. In all of Tiancong Academy, no one had ever spoken to him like that. And yet here was a nameless student, one whom he could easily crush, daring to defy him. If it weren't for Qin Zhen's presence, he would have already killed Yang Qingxuan!
But the next series of events only stoked his fury further.
Wu Qiyue, her eyes cold, stepped in front of Yang Qingxuan, staring at Zuo Heng with a chilling gaze. "What do you want to do?"
Qin Zhen, too, stepped forward, positioning himself protectively behind Yang Qingxuan, his energy swirling around him in preparation for a potential attack from Zuo Heng.
Zuo Heng realized that with Wu Qiyue and Qin Zhen standing in his way, he couldn't act recklessly. His fury bubbled over as he ground his teeth. "Fine, fine! I'll let this fool live for a few more days!"
Wu Qiyue's expression remained ice-cold. Yang Qingxuan's identity was special, and no one could harm him without consequences.
However, realizing that pushing further might provoke Zuo Heng, she spoke again, her voice icy but calm. "You can go after him, but he is still only at the Qi Martial Realm. Even if you defeat him, it will be an unfair fight."
Her eyes sparkled as she extended a finger. "One year. Give him one year. After that, you can challenge him."
Zuo Heng's eyes blazed with killing intent. "Is that your word?"
Wu Qiyue nodded, unfazed. "Naturally."
Zuo Heng seethed, but the confidence in Wu Qiyue's demeanor made him hesitate. "Fine. I'll let him live for a year. After that, if he loses, it's not up to you anymore."
Wu Qiyue nodded again. "Agreed."
Though Zuo Heng was still burning with anger, the situation had defused for now. He turned away, but in his mind, a thousand questions swirled. Who was this fool really? And what was his relationship with Wu Qiyue?
Yang Qingxuan had questions of his own, but for now, he chose to keep them to himself. He had a long road ahead, and he would find answers in time.
After speaking, Wu Qiyue turned and left, as quietly and gracefully as she had arrived.
Zuo Heng followed behind her, his composure shattered. His once-calm demeanor was replaced by a deep, brooding anger, and his eyes glinted with something darker—scheming and calculating.
The entire scene had left everyone stunned. Their eyes were fixed on Yang Qingxuan, as if they had never seen him before.
Once Wu Qiyue and Zuo Heng had walked away, Qin Zhen turned his gaze back to Yang Qingxuan, saying quietly, "That move you made earlier..."
Yang Qingxuan's mind raced, unsure how to respond. But before he could say anything, Qin Zhen spoke again, "It seems that not only have you regained your mind, but your cultivation has advanced greatly. You should have reached the Great Perfection of the Qi Martial Realm by now."
The surrounding students, though they had already suspected as much, couldn't help but gasp at the confirmation. The Great Perfection of the Qi Martial Realm was the level just before refining the Spirit and stepping into the Spirit Martial Realm—a true martial artist!
Reaching the Spirit Martial Realm was essentially the standard requirement for entering the Inner Academy. While there were rare exceptions of Qi Martial experts entering the Inner Academy, those were anomalies.
The atmosphere in the arena was thick with tension and unease. Many of the students who had bullied Yang Qingxuan during the past three years now felt a heavy sense of guilt and fear.
Qin Zhen handed Yang Qingxuan a booklet. "This is my interpretation of
how to refine your Spirit. You can read it. You've offended Zuo Heng, and there might be some trouble, but don't worry. As long as you're my student, I'll protect you. Zuo Heng won't dare touch you as long as I'm here."
Yang Qingxuan felt a warmth in his heart and cupped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Teacher." With that, he left the arena, his steps purposeful.
He had passed the exam, and now, it was time to go home and share the good news with his grandfather.
Home.