179: Fire and water

Zang Yu's actions left everyone feeling baffled.

"What's going on?"

"Did Zang Yu give up?"

"He must have. He can't break Li Jian's defense and isn't his match. Look, he's walking off the arena."

"Xiao Weiqing, what's going on here?"

Fei Xiaobao asked, watching as Zang Yu was about to walk off the arena.

"Terrifying." Xiao Weiqing's expression was grave. He was certain he had just felt a trace of Mental Energy fluctuation—very faint, but very real.

This wasn't because Zang Yu's Mental Energy was weak, but rather that he was too strong. When he slashed, he unleashed his Innate Skill without wasting a single bit of extra Mental Energy.

Sure enough.

The referee's voice rang out just before Zang Yu could step off the arena.

"Zang Yu wins!"

"What?"

"Impossible!"

"What's going on? It's over?"

Countless people stood up and craned their necks to look at the arena, confused as to why the referee had declared Zang Yu the winner when the match had just begun and they had only exchanged a single blow.

Just then.

"Crack~ crack~ crack crack..."

The rocks covering Li Jian's body continuously cracked and fell onto the arena floor, revealing his robust frame.

The next second.

Without any warning, Li Jian collapsed on the arena.

A teacher jumped into the center of the arena and carried Li Jian away. This was the first time a teacher had intervened in the competition, and everyone realized the severity of the situation.

Many people, such as Xiao Weiqing, Xia Mo, and Dongfang Xuan, had long guessed that Zang Yu would win this match. What they were more interested in was Zang Yu's Innate Skill.

However, none of them expected that Li Jian wouldn't even be able to withstand a single move, and they still couldn't gauge the extent of Zang Yu's strength.

At this moment.

The other seven members of the top eight all viewed Zang Yu as their most formidable opponent.

Luo Ziyuan muttered, "That guy has become even stronger after going to the Training Camp. But this time, I will definitely defeat you."

"Everyone!"

"After eight intense matches, our top eight have been decided."

"They are Xia Mo, Lü Heguang, Teng Hai, Ren Jie, Dongfang Xuan, Xiao Weiqing, Luo Ziyuan, and Zang Yu."

...

Afterward, the eight participants drew lots again.

Xiao Weiqing drew Xia Mo.

Tomorrow morning, four matches will determine the top four, and in the afternoon, the top two will be decided.

The audience began to leave.

However, the discussion about the matches never ceased.

"That Zang Yu is so impressive!"

"How so?"

"I don't know, I just feel like he is."

"I think Dongfang Xuan is the strongest. He will definitely defeat everyone and protect the glory of Great Xia Academy."

"..."

The members of Luo Jiang Academy heard these discussions and asked Xiao Weiqing in a low voice.

"Hey, are you confident?"

"Which one do you mean?" Xiao Weiqing responded while walking.

"Xia Mo, or someone else?"

Fei Xiaobao said, "Let's start with Xia Mo."

"No big problem."

"Then your opponent in the afternoon will be Luo Ziyuan. How confident are you?"

"Hard to say."

Qin Tian asked, "What about Zang Yu?"

Xiao Weiqing smiled and said, "What? Do you all think Dongfang Xuan is no match for Zang Yu?"

Qin Tian said, "How should I put it? Dongfang Xuan's strength is visible and understandable."

"But, Zang Yu..." Qin Tian shook his head.

They didn't know Zang Yu's methods and couldn't gauge his true strength, just as they couldn't know how strong their own teacher was.

Xiao Weiqing walked a few steps before replying, "Zang Yu, that's a big problem..."

"What does that mean?"

Fei Xiaobao didn't understand. "You should explain yourself clearly when the time comes."

Xiao Weiqing didn't answer and returned to his accommodation.

Late at night.

Exiting the Starry Sky Contemplation Method, Xiao Weiqing's Mental Energy broke through to a new Realm.

...

Mental Energy: Level 30

...

Mental Energy overflowed from his Sea of Consciousness, forming tangible round shields, semi-circular crescents, and various other shapes, yet Xiao Weiqing was still not satisfied.

Since he began to Cultivate the Starry Sky Contemplation Method, his Mental Energy had grown rapidly, but when it came to application, he was lacking, as he only knew the Mind Shield.

Through comparison, he realized how impressive Zang Yu was; he simply couldn't achieve what Zang Yu did—precisely controlling Mental Energy without the slightest waste.

"But it doesn't matter, I just need to defend against his attacks."

Xiao Weiqing knew clearly what his advantages were; his true methods still relied on techniques, on his Innate Skill.

...

The next day.

The stadium was packed.

There were even standing-room tickets, and the aisles were crowded with people.

When the contestants entered the arena, countless people began to cheer.

"Dongfang Xuan!"

"Dongfang Xuan!"

"Dongfang Xuan!"

...

"Xia Mo!!!"

"Xiao Weiqing!"

"Xiao Weiqing!"

Most of those shouting Dongfang Xuan's name were from Great Xia Academy and locals from the capital. There were more men shouting for Xia Mo, while those shouting for Xiao Weiqing were mostly women.

Even though Xiao Weiqing didn't want to pay attention, hearing the screams behind him, along with some strange voices, still sent a chill down his spine.

Because they clearly didn't sound like the voices of young women.

Half an hour.

The stadium slowly quieted down.

The order of the four matches.

Xia Mo versus Xiao Weiqing, Dongfang Xuan versus Lü Heguang, Ren Jie versus Luo Ziyuan, and Teng Hai versus Zang Yu.

"Welcome everyone to the top four matches. Without further ado, let's welcome the two contestants for the first match: Xia Mo from Ziyun Academy and Xiao Weiqing from Luo Jiang Academy."

Xia Mo and Xiao Weiqing stepped onto the arena simultaneously.

"The match begins!!"

As soon as the words fell.

Xia Mo moved, her body erupting with thick Spiritual Qi as she retreated.

However.

Xia Mo was fast, but Xiao Weiqing was faster.

Pushing off his feet, in an instant, he crossed most of the arena and arrived in front of Xia Mo.

"So fast!"

With water currents swirling around her body, Xia Mo waved her slender hand. A water surface suddenly appeared out of thin air on the arena, and several Water Jiao rapidly formed beneath the water, twisting and killing as they lunged.

Xiao Weiqing ignored them and simply pushed out a palm.

"Fire Owl!"

A beam of flame erupted with a boom.

Pshhh!~

Fire met water.

A massive amount of steam was stirred up as the crimson palm began to break through Xia Mo's defensive water shield.

Splash~~

The first wave of Water Jiao attacks had taken effect, wrapping around Xiao Weiqing's legs, while the water on the arena overturned, creating a miniature tsunami.

As the palm approached, the scorching flames made Xia Mo's skin feel a stinging pain, but she did not panic.

She was gambling—gambling that she could defeat Xiao Weiqing before he broke through her defense. Her Spiritual Qi was inferior to Xiao Weiqing's, so she only had this one chance.

"Boom!~"

Refined Fire swirled around Xiao Weiqing, forming a blazing fire shield; the Water Jiao couldn't touch him at all.

Behind him, a ten-meter-high tsunami swept over with an earth-shattering Aura.

Looking at Xia Mo, who was within arm's reach.

Xiao Weiqing's eyes narrowed. A Fire Owl appeared within the beam of flame, looking both golden and silver.

In an instant, it pierced through the heavy water defense, shooting straight at Xia Mo's face.

"How is that possible?"

Xia Mo was greatly shocked, her pupils dilating as she felt the scent of death.

Just at this moment.

A teacher appeared behind Xia Mo and pulled her out of the heavy water.

"Xiao Weiqing wins!"

"The match is over!"

The referee suddenly announced the end of the match.

Hearing the referee's voice, Xiao Weiqing beckoned with his hand, and the Fire Owl returned to his hand and vanished.

Then.

Under the gaze of everyone, Xiao Weiqing walked through the ten-meter-high tsunami, treating Xia Mo's heavy water as if it were nothing; everywhere he passed became a vacuum.

After Xiao Weiqing unhurriedly walked off the arena, the entire stadium erupted into thunderous cheers.

"Awesome!"

"Wow, Xiao Weiqing is so amazing."

"As expected of my male god; that Xia Mo isn't really all that."

"This Xiao Weiqing has some issues..."

"What issues??"

"I've seen that Fire Owl move before; it feels a bit off, but I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong."

"..."

Luo Jiang Academy contestant area.

"Qin Tian, Xiao Weiqing's Fire Owl was golden, right? The color seems to have faded, but why does it feel like it has become more powerful? Xia Mo's defense was effectively useless," Fei Xiaobao said.

Of course, they wouldn't think Xia Mo was weak. Generally speaking, those who possess Strange Water are stronger than those who possess Strange Fire; just look at Teng Hai.

Qin Tian was also a bit puzzled, but he was even more annoyed by Fei Xiaobao's questioning.

"How would I know? Stop asking me all the time."

Xue Cheng said, "Isn't it because you've been beaten by this move so many times that you have experience, which is why we're asking you?"

Fei Xiaobao nodded continuously, "That makes sense."

"Get lost, I don't know!"