Chapter 482 A Bold Challenge! Settling Old scores! Who dares to accept the challenge?

On the main viewing platform.

The deans watched as that slender, upright figure leaped down from the back of the Little Skylark, landing steadily on the battle stage. Unconcealed satisfaction appeared in each of their eyes.

Zhan Qiong supported himself against the railing with both hands, his rugged face full of admiration.

"An Amethyst Tier 6 Beast, top-tier Bloodline, and it seems to be equipped with a Sun-Level treasure. This bird's configuration is not only top-notch among his peers but also the absolute best within the entire younger generation in the provincial capital. And this is only after seven days. Seven days ago, when he left the academy, his strongest Beast was only Gold Rank Eight. Seven days later, he returns, descending from the sky riding an Amethyst Tier 6 Divine Roc. I must admit, I admire the Dean's vision for appointing him as a Heavenly Saint Student against all rules back then."

Vice Dean Yan Lie nodded in agreement from the side, his tone carrying a hint of sour regret.

"It's a pity. When he first enrolled, we Old Fellows almost fought over him, but in the end, none of us managed to snatch him up. Looking at it now, not getting him into the Beast Taming Institute is simply the greatest loss of my life. This kid's speed in cultivating Beasts is ridiculously fast, it's almost like he's cheating."

"And it's not just the Beast Taming Institute."

Medicine Dust Son stroked his beard and gave a bitter smile.

"My Pill Institute, Dean Tie's Artifact Institute, Dean Xuan's Formation Institute, and Dean Wen's Rune Institute—which one of us isn't thirsty for talent? But this kid, he didn't choose any of them and decided to go solo. Yet, he actually has the ability to do so. Looking at it now, all that arguing we Old Fellows did back then was a complete waste of effort."

Tie Kuang added in a muffled voice.

"Waste of effort or not, it feels satisfying to see a student from our academy possess this kind of capability. I just don't know what Realm his True Dragon is at now. Following common logic, since the bird is already Amethyst Tier 6, his main battle True Dragon shouldn't be corresponding to his Beast Tamer Rank, right? Could it be Amethyst Eighth Tier? An Amethyst Eighth Tier True Dragon... tsk tsk, there will be a good show to watch later."

Vice Dean Ming Jing listened to the discussion among the deans and just smiled slightly without responding.

He looked down from above at the calm-as-a-mountain figure of the youth on the battle stage, a flash of deep satisfaction appearing in his eyes.

Then, he slowly stood up, walked to the edge of the main viewing platform, and his gentle yet majestic voice clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

"Jiang Yun."

Jiang Yun turned to face the main viewing platform and bowed.

"The student is here."

Vice Dean Ming Jing nodded slightly, his voice unhurried.

"The competition for spots in the Molten Fire Grotto Secret Realm began yesterday. Listen well to the rules: there are twenty battle stages set up for this battle, corresponding to twenty spots. There are no restrictions on methods or the number of Beasts on the stage. Whoever is still standing on the stage when the time ends will obtain a spot. The schedule is more than halfway through, and there is less than half a day left. Since you have returned, there is no need to delay further; go quickly and strive for a spot."

Jiang Yun bowed again, his voice calm and firm.

"The student understands. I will go and strive for a spot now."

As he spoke, Jiang Yun's gaze swept in all directions.

Vice Dean Ming Jing nodded and sat back down.

Zhan Qiong, beside him, was already leaning forward impatiently, his voice lowered but unable to hide the excitement in his tone.

"Dean, do you think this kid will directly reveal that Amethyst Eighth Tier True Dragon later? I really want to see what his True Dragon looks like now. Seven days ago, it was only Gold Rank. Returning seven days later, it might have changed drastically after advancing!"

"Just wait and see."

Vice Dean Ming Jing picked up his teacup and took a sip unhurriedly, but the smile at the corner of his mouth never faded.

"This Little Fellow will not disappoint us."

Meanwhile, on the stands in all directions of the Colosseum, countless gazes were firmly locked onto Jiang Yun.

From the moment the Dean personally announced his identity, he had become the focus of the entire Colosseum.

Every student was whispering, every Prodigy was sizing him up, and everyone who had a grudge or friendship with Jiang Yun was calculating rapidly in their hearts.

"Do you think the Heavenly Saint Student can actually secure a spot? Although his Beasts are strong, he just returned, so his Realm probably hasn't fully stabilized yet, right? And what exactly is the combat power of that bird of his? No one has ever seen it."

"Aren't you talking nonsense? An Amethyst Tier 6 Beast—just the Bloodline suppression alone is enough to make half of the opponents' Beasts collapse. Didn't those two just get scared away alive? Those were top thirty and top twenty-five on the Heavenly Ranking—they ran without even fighting. Do you think there are many here who can be fiercer than him?"

"But it's not certain. Those in the top ten of the Heavenly Ranking haven't made a move yet. Sect Master Feng Tianyang is back, Qian Luoyun is there, and there are people like Su Qingying. Aren't their Beasts all Amethyst High Tier and above? Although the Divine Roc is strong, it's only Amethyst Tier 6. Going against an Amethyst Ninth Tier Peak Beast, it's still a bit risky to overcome three minor tiers, right?"

"That's right! Have you forgotten? The Heavenly Saint Student has a grudge with the Jingfeng Sect. Will they let the Heavenly Saint Student get a spot so easily?"

"Who knows? The Heavenly Saint Student never fights a battle without certainty. He dares to return so high-profile, he must have the confidence."

On the stage where the three members of the Jingfeng Sect were located, Feng Ziyue's expression had not recovered since Jiang Yun landed.

His hands were tightly gripping the railing at the edge of the stage, his knuckles turning an unnatural pale blue.

When Jiang Yun's gaze swept across the arena and finally paused briefly in the direction of the Jingfeng Sect, Feng Ziyue's heart skipped a beat.

Although they were separated by tens of meters, and although Jiang Yun's gaze only swept past them, that momentary eye contact made Feng Ziyue feel a coldness like being locked onto by a beast.

"He... he saw us."

Feng Ziyue lowered his voice, his lips trembling slightly.

"He must still remember what happened back then. He will definitely come to cause trouble."

"Calm down."

Feng Yu frowned, his voice still steady, but his own hand in his sleeve was already clenched into a fist.

He had also felt Jiang Yun's gaze just now.

There was no anger, no killing intent in that gaze—only a cold calm.

But it was precisely this calm that was more daunting than any anger.

Because it meant that the other party didn't need anger to embolden himself.

He simply remembered this debt.

And was ready to settle it at any time.

Sect Master Feng Tianyang stood in front of the two, arms crossed, his expression unchanged from start to finish.

His gaze pierced through the morning light.

It collided briefly with Jiang Yun's line of sight in the air.

At that moment, the mocking smile at the corner of Sect Master Feng Tianyang's mouth deepened slightly.

He felt the scrutiny and evaluation in Jiang Yun's gaze.

The other party was not provoking; he was weighing.

Just like a young beast sizing up another adult beast, calmly estimating the gap and the odds of victory.

"Interesting."

Sect Master Feng Tianyang said in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of casual playfulness.

"He is actually weighing me. I don't know whether to call it arrogant or ignorant."

He said this, but his eyes, which were always locked on Jiang Yun, betrayed his true inner thoughts.

He was not as relaxed as he appeared on the surface.

Because there was no fear or hesitation in Jiang Yun's gaze, only a calm certainty.

This kind of certainty, he had only seen in the eyes of top-tier prodigies of the same level.

On a nearby stage, Lin Xinmu still had his arms crossed, staring at Jiang Yun's direction expressionlessly.

He maintained his cold and arrogant posture, but attentive people could notice his fingers tapping back and forth on his forearm.

That was an unconscious action that only appeared when he was extremely nervous.

"He's back."

Lin Xinmu calculated silently in his heart.

"An Amethyst Tier 6 Beast, the Realm is already on par with mine. But that Beast's Bloodline—the Wind-Thunder dual attributes... Wind-Thunder power has a certain interference with spatial structures. The advantage of my Void Shadow Mink in front of him is probably not as great as I imagined."

He took a deep breath, his fingers stopped tapping, and he resumed his cold and arrogant expression.

But the vigilance in his heart had risen from three points to seven.

When he issued the challenge, he thought the other party was just a Gold Rank freshman. Even if the SSS-Rank Talent was monstrous, it was impossible to catch up to him in a short time.

But now, not only did the person catch up, but he also returned with a Beast of extraordinary Bloodline.

This challenge was no longer as easy as he had imagined.

On the central stage, Qian Rongrong was craning her neck, peering in Jiang Yun's direction.

Her hands were gripping the stage railing, her toes slightly raised, and her goose-yellow sleeves were gently swaying in the morning breeze.

The moment the Little Skylark folded its wings and Jiang Yun's face was fully revealed, Qian Rongrong's expression suddenly froze.

She blinked.

And blinked again.

Then, she suddenly pointed her finger at Jiang Yun.

Her voice became a bit sharp due to excessive shock.

"Is... is it him?! How could it be him?! "

Qian Luoyun was leaning lazily against the railing, startled by his sister's sudden reaction, and frowned slightly.

"What's wrong, Rongrong? Do you know this Heavenly Saint Student?"

Qian Rongrong nodded vigorously, her goose-yellow sleeves flapping, her expression a mixture of shock, realization, and a belly full of grievances she had held for a long time.

"Brother! Do you remember when I told you that when I was at the Beast Taming Mall in C City, a young man said the Beast Egg the clan Elder picked for me was dead?"

Qian Luoyun raised his eyebrows slightly, and his eyes, which had been slightly narrowed, finally opened a little.

"Is that the Beast Egg you thought you picked up as a bargain, but found out the Beast inside had long been dead when you tried to sign the contract?"

"Yes! That's the time!"

Qian Rongrong stomped her feet.

"That young man just said it casually at the time, and I didn't take it seriously, thinking he was younger than me and couldn't know anything about appraisal. But then... that egg was really dead! I bought a dead egg back! That young man... is him! It's that Heavenly Saint Student Jiang Yun! I would never recognize him wrong!"

Qian Luoyun stood up straight.

His gaze pierced through the crowd and landed on Jiang Yun.

Deep in his slightly narrowed eyes, a meaningful glint flashed.

"So it was him. You said at the time that there was a young man who could see the life and death of a Beast Egg at a glance, and I thought you had met some hidden master. I didn't expect it to be the Heavenly Saint Student of our academy. To be able to see through the life force inside a Beast Egg at a glance... this kind of Appraisal Technique is not something just any Beast Tamer can do. It seems that this Heavenly Saint Student not only has a Heaven-Defying Beast Taming talent but also has profound attainments in the Appraisal Technique."

He turned his head and looked at his little sister with interest.

"He helped you see through the dead egg at that time; didn't you thank him properly?"

Qian Rongrong's expression suddenly became a bit subtle.

At that time, she just thought the other party was talking nonsense...

After all, even she didn't see it...

At that time, she was a Medium Grade Appraiser...

And there were two High-Grade Appraisers with her...

And the young man turned and left after speaking.

He didn't even leave his name.

Let alone asking how he saw it.

Later, every time she thought about this, she would be annoyed for a long time.

She missed an appraisal expert who could see the life and death of a Beast Egg at a glance.

But now.

That expert turned out to be the Heavenly Saint Student Jiang Yun.

"But... that's not right..."

Qian Rongrong suddenly frowned.

A flash of confusion appeared in her lively eyes.

"Brother, I always feel that there is a very familiar feeling about this Heavenly Saint Student. It's like I've seen him somewhere before, and not that time in C City."

Qian Luoyun looked at her.

"What do you mean?"

Qian Rongrong bit her lip.

Trying hard to search for the source of that familiarity in her mind.

"I can't quite explain it... It's that kind of... temperament. Yes, the temperament is very similar. But he is completely different from the person in my impression. One is a master who stays in the Appraisal Institute researching Appraisal Techniques every day, and the other is a Beast Taming Prodigy who steps on a bird and dominates the whole scene... They don't look like the same person at all. And that person never shows his face, wearing a mask, wearing a cloak... seems very low-key..."

The more she talked, the more she felt it was impossible.

Finally, she shook her head herself.

"Forget it, I'm probably overthinking. How could Grand Tutor Dongxuan be the Heavenly Saint Student? A Grand Tutor Level Appraiser and an SSS-Rank Beast Taming Prodigy—these two identities are worlds apart; how could they be the same person."

When Qian Luoyun heard the words 'Grand Tutor Dongxuan', his eyebrows raised slightly, but he did not continue to ask.

He just looked at his little sister thoughtfully, then turned his gaze back to Jiang Yun on the stage, the meaningful smile in his eyes deepening a few more points.

And at this moment.

On the stage.

Jiang Yun looked around.

The morning breeze swept past behind him.

Blowing the hem of his dark green martial outfit.

The Little Skylark had folded its wings and stood quietly at the edge of the stage, the azure and pale purple divine feathers reflecting brilliant luster in the sunlight, and the rotating thunderstorm pattern in those pupils was still slowly turning.

Jiang Yun took a deep breath, his voice not loud, but it clearly spread throughout the entire Colosseum.

"Since the stage under my feet is already ownerless... then next, I will defend the stage."

He stood with his hands behind his back in the center of the stage, his gaze sweeping across the audience like a physical force, and where it passed, an invisible pressure seemed to spread with it.

"Everyone present... whether you want to compete for a spot or want to spar and learn... you are all welcome to come on stage and challenge me."

His voice was calm and firm.

Every word landed on the ground with a dull echo.

That was not a provocation, not arrogance, but a calm self-confidence based on absolute strength.

Like a mountain, silent and unmoving.

Yet enough to make the Peaks bow.

His gaze swept towards the eastern stand.

Standing there were several experts in the top thirty of the Heavenly Ranking who occupied the battle stages.

When Jiang Yun's gaze swept over, two Heavenly Ranking experts ranked outside the top fifteen subconsciously lowered their eyes, not daring to look at him.

Their Beasts had also been suppressed by Bloodline and trembled when the Little Skylark unleashed its pressure just now; although they had calmed down now, the memory of that fear from the depths of their Souls had not yet completely faded.

Let them challenge Jiang Yun?

Are you kidding?

The guy didn't even use skills; just standing there scared away people in the top thirty of the Heavenly Ranking.

Jiang Yun's gaze continued to move to the west.

Passing through row after row of battle stages, passing through those gazes that were surprised, wary, or curious, and finally landing on a battle stage not far from the main viewing platform.

On that stage stood a cold-looking woman in purple, quietly watching him.

Su Qingying.

Ninth on the Heavenly Ranking.

Master of the Tingxue Pavilion.

Owner of the Glazed Pure Light · Seven-Luminary Divine Deer.

She had once stepped forward to block Feng Yu for him when he was forced by the Jingfeng Sect.

Their gazes met in the air.

Jiang Yun nodded slightly.

Su Qingying also nodded gently.

The corners of her lips seemed to curve upward.

No words were needed.

A simple nod was enough to express everything.

She had stood up for him back then.

He kept this favor in his heart.

Jiang Yun's gaze continued to move.

Then he saw the Qian siblings.

Qian Luoyun was still leaning lazily against the railing, his slightly narrowed eyes now fully opened, looking at him with great interest.

The moment the two looked at each other.

The three Beast Taming Contracts in Jiang Yun's body shook slightly at the same time.

Not fear, but alertness.

That was the instinctive reaction that only occurs when encountering a truly evenly matched Prodigy.

His Meteor Rank Mental Energy automatically operated at this moment, forming an invisible defensive barrier in his Sea of Consciousness.

Qian Luoyun.

Second on the Heavenly Ranking, the eldest young master of the Qian family, it is said that his Beast is already at the Purple Crystal Ninth Rank Peak, with combat power enough to crush ordinary Diamond Rank mid-tier or even high-tier.

Except for that mysterious top-ranked Feng Xingyun who had never appeared, this person was the true Peak in the entire provincial capital.

Jiang Yun made a judgment in his heart quickly.

If he were to become an enemy with this person.

It would be the strongest peer opponent he had encountered so far.

The opponent's strength was unfathomable, and that calm and unhurried temperament was clearly an absolute self-confidence precipitated from countless battles.

However, what surprised Jiang Yun was that Qian Luoyun did not look at him with a scrutinizing or wary gaze like others.

On the contrary.

The powerhouse ranked second on the Heavenly Ranking offered him a faint smile.

That smile was subtle, carrying a hint of appreciation, a touch of curiosity, and even a faint sense of expectation.

It was like a swordsman who had cultivated for too long in the deep mountains, suddenly seeing a newly unsheathed sharp sword.

It was not hostility, but mutual appreciation.

Jiang Yun was slightly taken aback.

He then nodded in return with a smile.

Since the other party harbored no hostility, he would naturally not make an enemy of him.

Having one more friend was always better than having one more enemy.

Especially a friend of this caliber.

However, when his gaze shifted to Qian Rongrong beside Qian Luoyun, the corner of his mouth beneath the mask twitched uncontrollably.

Qian Rongrong was staring straight at him with an extremely complex expression.

Her lively eyes were a mix of curiosity, confusion, scrutiny, and a faint, lingering resentment.

It was as if she were asking why he hadn't told her who he was back then, or perhaps she was trying hard to identify him.

Alarm bells rang in Jiang Yun's heart.

He recalled the time he had presented himself as Grand Tutor Dongxuan at the Appraisers Guild.

He still vividly remembered how this girl had pestered him to take her as a disciple back then.

He had barely managed to escape her clutches at the time, and he certainly didn't want to be entangled with her again.

Therefore, he withdrew his gaze without hesitation, so quickly that it seemed like a casual sweep, without even a moment's pause.

Qian Rongrong widened her eyes.

What was wrong with this guy?

He had nodded and smiled at her brother just a moment ago, so why did he skip right over her?

He didn't even give her a proper look!

She had even leaned forward on purpose, almost waving her sleeves to get his attention.

But he had already turned his gaze elsewhere, giving her no chance at all.

"This guy... he actually ignored me?"

Qian Rongrong puffed out her cheeks in anger.

She muttered under her breath,

"I'm not a monster, will it kill him to look at me? Do I have something dirty on my face? Brother, is there something on my face?"

Qian Luoyun's mouth twitched slightly.

He turned his head away, too lazy to answer.

Jiang Yun's gaze continued to move.

Then, he saw Lin Xinmu.

The moment their eyes met, something in the air seemed to stiffen.

Lin Xinmu stood at the edge of the battle platform with his arms crossed, maintaining his usual cold and arrogant appearance, his chin slightly raised, a look of deliberate disdain hanging on the corners of his mouth.

But from the slightly tense lines of his shoulders and neck, from the stiffness in his forearms that was greater than before, and from the flicker that flashed deep within his eyes, Jiang Yun captured the fear and unease hidden behind that forced toughness.

Seven days ago, when he had challenged Jiang Yun from afar, how arrogant and contemptuous he had been, as if he were merely disciplining a naive freshman.

But seven days later, when this freshman descended from the sky with a Sun-Level Divine Roc of Amethyst Rank 6, although he was still putting on a show of arrogance, his confidence was clearly lacking.

Jiang Yun's heart was as calm as water.

The duel between him and Lin Xinmu was bound to happen sooner or later.

Seven days ago, the other party had challenged him, a Gold Rank 8, with his Amethyst Tier 3 cultivation, which was an act of bullying the weak.

Now that he had returned, his cultivation had caught up, and his beast was even stronger.

It was time to fulfill this promise.

His gaze continued to move.

Then, it landed on the three members of the Jingfeng Sect.

As soon as Feng Ziyue's eyes met Jiang Yun's, he recoiled half a step as if pricked by a needle.

His eyes darted away in panic, not daring to look at him at all.

That face, which had been showing off in front of the Longxiang Pavilion members just a moment ago, was now pale and filled with terror.

He was afraid of Jiang Yun.

Not the awe one feels for a powerhouse, but the fear of someone with a guilty conscience.

He knew all too well what he had done back then.

Blocking the gate, cheating... he had almost crippled the other party's beast.

Each of these things was enough for the other party to rightfully come back and settle the score.

Feng Yu was much stronger than Feng Ziyue.

His gaze was cold and sinister, and when he met Jiang Yun's eyes, the corners of his mouth pulled down slightly, meeting Jiang Yun's scrutiny with a blank expression.

But his hand had already extended from his sleeve, fingers slightly spread—a posture ready to fight at any moment.

He was not as terrified as Feng Ziyue, but his vigilance was higher.

Because he knew how despicable his actions of bullying the weak and forcing Su Qingying to step in had been.

If the other party wanted to settle accounts, he, Feng Yu, was also on the list.

Sect Master Feng Tianyang stood on the platform in front of the two, arms crossed, the same mocking arc on his lips.

He was not intimidated by Jiang Yun's pressure in the slightest; instead, he sized Jiang Yun up from head to toe with a gaze like one inspecting prey, as if evaluating an unformed weapon.

There was no awe in his eyes, only a condescending scrutiny and faint mockery.

It was as if he were saying,

"Is this it? A mere Amethyst Rank 6 dares to provoke my Jingfeng Sect?"

Jiang Yun's gaze lingered on Sect Master Feng Tianyang for the longest time.

Seeing the relationship between the three, he had already guessed their identities.

He even secretly activated the Entry Manifestation Talent.

A semi-transparent panel, visible only to him, unfolded before his eyes.

Sixth on the Heavenly Ranking, Sect Master of the Jingfeng Sect.

His beast cultivation had reached the Purple Crystal Ninth Rank Peak, just one step away from the Brick Stone Rank.

His beast:

Void-Rending Golden Roc, Purple Crystal Ninth Rank Peak, an advanced form of the Golden-Winged Roc King, possessing a trace of an extremely thin Ancient Heavenly Roc Bloodline.

The panel clearly listed multiple Legendary skills of the Void-Rending Golden Roc, none of which were inferior to the skill levels of Little Fire and Little Skylark.

As expected, not an easy opponent.

A Purple Crystal Ninth Rank Peak with an Ancient Heavenly Roc Bloodline, combined with Sect Master Feng Tianyang's own combat prowess, made this configuration extremely troublesome even among the top ten of the Heavenly Ranking.

However, after reading the entry, Jiang Yun felt no fear in his heart.

His three beasts:

Little Fire at Amethyst Rank 8, Nether Abyss at Amethyst Rank 8, and Little Skylark at Amethyst Rank 6.

Although their individual Realms were indeed inferior to Sect Master Feng Tianyang's, when it came to Bloodline Rank and skill combinations, his beast lineup was not at all weak.

Moreover, he had just returned from training in the Liu family treasury, and his three beasts had consecutively defeated a Diamond Rank 9 Azure Ancient Dragon and a Diamond Rank 7 Void Guardian; the experience of fighting across Ranks was already etched into their bones.

The Purple Crystal Ninth Rank Peak was strong, but with the right tactics, it was by no means invincible.

Jiang Yun withdrew his gaze, his mind made up.

This debt with the Jingfeng Sect would be settled sooner or later.

Feng Ziyue had blocked the gate and cheated, almost crippling his beast, and Feng Yu had bullied the weak, forcing Su Qingying to step in to end it; he had not forgotten this grudge for a single day.

After the quota competition ended,

He would go and block the Jingfeng Sect's gate.

He would pay them back in their own coin.

He would make sure the Jingfeng Sect bled heavily when the time came.

His gaze continued to move.

Then, it landed on Lin Feng.

He was a tall, thin young man with a cold expression and a sinister air between his brows.

He looked a few years older than Lin Tao, but his facial features were five or six parts similar to Lin Tao's.

Lin Feng stood at the edge of a battle platform, hands behind his back, meeting Jiang Yun's gaze squarely.

He did not dodge, his eyes burning with suppressed hostility and undisguised coldness.

Looking at him, Jiang Yun immediately thought of Lin Tao, who had tried to kill him back in Ash Town.

This person looked too much like Lin Tao, especially those eyes.

Lin Tao had the same expression when looking at him—a mix of venom and disdain.

It seemed this person was indeed Lin Tao's brother, Lin Feng.

He hadn't expected Lin Tao's brother to also be an Amethyst-rank Beast Tamer, and one who could occupy a battle platform with no one daring to challenge him; it seemed he had some means in the academy.

But for Jiang Yun,

The debt with the Lin family would also be settled sooner or later.

Because of Lin Tao, the Lin family had a score to settle with him.

This grudge could not be resolved by a mere tournament.

Jiang Yun's gaze continued to sweep across the crowd below.

Then he saw the particularly lively area at the edge of the crowd.

Longxiang Pavilion.

Zhao Tiezhu was waving his arms desperately at him, his sturdy frame particularly eye-catching in the crowd.

His entire face was flushed red, and his waving was so vigorous that Lin Kuo, standing beside him, couldn't even stand steadily.

Although Lin Kuo was also waving, he was much more reserved than Zhao Tiezhu, though his mouth was grinning from ear to ear.

Xiao Yutian stood beside Lin Kuo without speaking,

But his eyes were red.

Shang Xiaoxiao stood behind the three, her hands clasped in front of her, looking up at him slightly, her eyes full of excitement and pride.

Seeing Shang Xiaoxiao, he was slightly stunned.

He hadn't expected Shang Xiaoxiao to have already arrived at the academy to report.

Jiang Yun looked at these familiar faces.

A smile appeared on his face unconsciously.

Longxiang Pavilion was founded by his own hands.

These people were his most trusted fellow townsmen and friends.

Being able to see them again—this feeling was more reassuring than any treasure.

However, when his gaze shifted to the three disheveled figures beside Zhao Tiezhu, the smile on his face faltered slightly.

Liu Qingshuang, Xiao Chen, Lei Qing.

All three of them bore varying degrees of injuries and were standing in the Longxiang Pavilion camp looking at him.

Liu Qingshuang's right sleeve was torn, and blood marks from wind blades were vaguely visible on her arm.

The blood at the corner of Xiao Chen's mouth had not been wiped clean, and the aura of his Heavenly Sword Beast beside him was clearly not as sharp as usual.

Lei Qing was the worst off; his left trouser leg was charred by lightning, and he was limping as he walked.

Jiang Yun's brows furrowed slightly.

These three had fought side by side with him in the Bone Burial Area; although they couldn't be called friends of life and death, they did have the camaraderie of fellow soldiers.

How did they end up with Zhao Tiezhu?

And looking at their position in the Longxiang Pavilion camp, they seemed to be very familiar with the members of Longxiang Pavilion.

Jiang Yun was very puzzled.

He directly sent a voice transmission to Zhao Tiezhu to ask,

"Tiezhu! How are you all doing? Is Longxiang Pavilion okay? And..."

He paused, his gaze landing on Liu Qingshuang and the other two.

"Liu Qingshuang, Xiao Chen, Lei Qing... how did you end up with Longxiang Pavilion?"

Zhao Tiezhu looked up at Jiang Yun.

His eyes were turning red.

He waved his fist vigorously, his voice hoarse and excited as he replied via voice transmission,

"Pavilion Master! We are all fine! Longxiang Pavilion is fine too! It's just that we worried about you every day when you weren't here... Oh, right! Liu Qingshuang, Xiao Chen, and Lei Qing are now our Longxiang Pavilion's Deacon Elders! After returning from the Bone Burial Area, they came to us themselves and said they volunteered to join! Now that we have the three of them holding down the fort, no one in the academy dares to look down on us!"

Jiang Yun was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

A trace of warmth flashed in his eyes.

He looked at Liu Qingshuang; although she remained as cold and aloof as ever, she nodded gently when his gaze fell upon her, implicitly confirming Zhao Tiezhu's words.

Xiao Chen raised his hand and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, grinning at him.

Lei Qing even shouted at the top of his lungs,

"Pavilion Master! Don't blame us for acting on our own! The name Longxiang Pavilion is imposing enough, so we decided to tag along with you!"

Jiang Yun's mouth curled up slightly.

Just as he was about to say something, Zhao Tiezhu's expression suddenly changed.

He pointed fiercely at the direction of the battle platforms of the Jingfeng Sect and Lin Feng in the distance, his voice full of resentment and frustration.

"Jiang Yun! You don't know... just before you came back, that Feng Ziyue and Lin Feng kept targeting Liu Qingshuang and the other two! Every time they got on a battle platform, Feng Ziyue and Lin Feng would go up to challenge them, and after fighting, they would leave without holding the platform—they were deliberately targeting our Longxiang Pavilion! Now, all three of them have been knocked down, and our Longxiang Pavilion hasn't obtained a single quota!"

Jiang Yun's smile slowly froze.

He turned to look at the injuries on Liu Qingshuang and the other two, then glanced at the direction of Feng Ziyue and Lin Feng in the distance.

Feng Ziyue happened to be peeking over here, and when he met his gaze, he recoiled abruptly, his expression as panicked as a cat that had its tail stepped on.

Jiang Yun's face darkened completely.

His voice remained calm, but it carried a layer of icy chill.

"Tiezhu, you mean... they took turns targeting Liu Qingshuang and the others in the tournament just to prevent our Longxiang Pavilion from getting a quota?"

Zhao Tiezhu nodded vigorously.

Lin Kuo, standing beside him, also added indignantly,

"That's right! Feng Ziyue relies on his Purple Crystal Level 4 Void-Splitting Profound Gold Eagle, and Lin Feng relies on his Amethyst Rank 3 beast; the two of them take turns. As soon as Liu Qingshuang and the others get on a battle platform, the two of them follow them up to challenge them, and after fighting, they leave. It's clearly intentional to prevent our Longxiang Pavilion from getting any quota for the Molten Cavern! And Jiang Yun, they also said some very ugly things... saying that Longxiang Pavilion is just a bunch of stragglers, that we don't deserve a quota, and that without you, Jiang Yun, we are just a bunch of trash..."

Jiang Yun did not speak.

But the Falling Star Rank Mental Energy field around him, which had not yet fully retracted, suddenly trembled slightly, and an invisible pressure spread silently and instantly like a tide.

The members of Longxiang Pavilion closest to the battle platform felt their scalps go numb simultaneously, as if some extremely dangerous beast was slowly opening its eyes in front of them.

"They are so rampant... As fellow students of Sky Dome Academy, to actually use such heavy hands on the people of my Longxiang Pavilion during the quota tournament because of personal grudges?"

Jiang Yun spoke slowly, his voice calm, but every word sounded like a cold wind squeezed from beneath an ice sheet.

"Good, good, good! Lin Xinmu! Jingfeng Sect! Lin Feng!"

"Since you are so aggressive, don't blame me. Since you started it, then today, the Jingfeng Sect and the Lin family... will not get a single quota."

His gaze was like a cold spear, piercing through the crowd and pinning directly onto Lin Xinmu.

Lin Xinmu was standing on his battle platform when he suddenly felt an extremely dangerous gaze coming from Jiang Yun's direction.

He subconsciously looked up and met Jiang Yun's gaze.

Then, his whole body shuddered violently.

The youth was looking down at him from above, his eyes cold and sharp, carrying an unquestionable certainty.

That gaze didn't look like it was observing an opponent of the same level, but rather like it was looking at a target already marked.

Lin Xinmu's heart skipped a beat uncontrollably, and an extremely subtle yet real fear quietly rose from the bottom of his heart.

He subconsciously took a half-step back.

His back hit the railing behind him.

He forced himself not to look away, but his fingers resting on the railing were trembling slightly.

Just then, Jiang Yun moved.

He suddenly turned around.

With a clean and decisive pat on Little Skylark's neck, Little Skylark let out a clear cry that pierced the clouds.

Its wings spread out suddenly, the huge cyan-purple divine feathers blotting out the sky, carving a brilliant arc in the morning light.

Jiang Yun stepped steadily onto its broad back, and the ten thousand thunders of the Wind-Thunder Calamity Domain exploded into blinding electric light at the tips of Little Skylark's wings.

Man and bird, like a cyan-purple meteorite, shot up into the sky from the battle platform, carving a sharp arc in the air, and then suddenly hovered directly above a battle platform on the west side of the Colosseum.

Standing on that battle platform was none other than Lin Xinmu.

Little Skylark hovered over the battle platform, the wind and thunder currents stirred up by its wings blowing the protective formation patterns at the edge of the battle platform until they hummed.

Jiang Yun stood on its back with his hands behind his back, looking down at the young man in green robes on the battle platform whose face had already turned slightly pale.

His voice was not loud, but it exploded over the entire Colosseum like a clap of thunder, every word clearly hammering into the eardrums of everyone present.

"Senior Lin Xinmu! Seven days ago, you challenged me from afar... saying that the day I, Jiang Yun, advanced to the Amethyst Rank would be the day you and I fight in the arena!"

"Today... I have come to fulfill the appointment!"

He raised a hand and pointed to the battle platform beneath his feet, the corners of his mouth curling slightly, his eyes flashing with cold and confident light.

"This battle shall be fought by you and me on this platform; the winner stays, the loser leaves. Senior Lin, do you dare to accept the challenge?"