152: Magic Cultivation vs. Physical Cultivation (Seventh Update!)

The Dragon and Phoenix phantoms circled in the air three times, emitting a resonating cry that echoed through the heavens, then transformed into countless specks of light, scattering like a rain of stars.

On the Martial Arts Training Ground, Han Li’s figure reappeared in the center of the camera, the microphone in his hand shimmering with spiritual light.

“How about it, esteemed audience!”

“Our Artifact Refining Department students’ opening performance was quite spectacular, wasn’t it?”

The barrage of comments in the live stream could no longer be described with words; the screen was flooded with “Holy sh*t” and “666.”

Han Li savored the feeling of being in the spotlight, his smile growing even brighter.

He cleared his throat, his voice, amplified by the sound-enhancement Spell formation, spread throughout the venue and reached every audience member’s ears.

“The best is yet to come!”

“Next up is the highly anticipated Kunlun Cultivation Academy’s first overall selection, the group arena competition!”

“First, let’s invite the two teams who drew lot number one to the stage!”

“They are—”

Han Li deliberately drew out his words, keeping everyone in suspense.

“The Magic Cultivation Department representative team!”

“And their opponents, the Body Cultivation Department representative team!”

As his voice fell, six figures on either side of the Martial Arts Training Ground soared into the sky almost simultaneously, cutting six distinctly different streaks of light across the air, finally landing lightly on the enormous arena.

The camera immediately zoomed in for a close-up.

Billions of viewers worldwide instantly held their breath.

However, in the image, the faces of the six individuals were shrouded in a faint glow, indistinct and impossible to see clearly.

“What’s going on? Is it lagging? Why can’t I see their faces?”

“It’s not lagging, it’s intentional! This is definitely a Spell!”

“Damn, I’m so anxious! I want to see what the Immortal brothers and sisters look like!”

“Kunlun Academy’s confidentiality work is too good!”

Jinghai City, inside a female dormitory.

Lin Xue’s roommate was also clutching her phone, looking exasperated.

“What the heck? They’ve already flown, are they still afraid of people seeing their faces? How petty!”

“Exactly, exactly! I still want to see what my future Dao Companion looks like!”

However, Lin Xue, who was beside them, was as still as if she had been subjected to a Body Immobilization Spell.

Her eyes were fixed on the screen, her pupils filled with disbelief.

Because among those six blurry figures, there was one she saw clearly.

That face... although much more mature and confident than when she saw it in the bar a few months ago, that familiar outline was clearly her high school classmate, the one they mocked, the one they ignored... Fang Yuan!

How could this be?

How could he... he wasn’t... Lin Xue’s mind went blank.

“Xuexue, what’s wrong?” Her roommate noticed her abnormality and nudged her.

“I... I...” Lin Xue’s lips trembled, unable to utter a single word.

Another roommate also leaned over, following her gaze, and then let out a gasp.

“Holy sh*t! I think I can see one clearly too!”

“That... that one in the blue clothes, why do I feel like he looks familiar?”

“Wait a minute! Isn’t this... that day at the bar, your silly classmate, Xuexue?!”

“It’s him! It’s him!”

In an instant, the entire dormitory fell into a deathly silence.

The three girls exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from shock, to bewilderment, and then to an indescribable panic and regret.

That ordinary person they had treated as a joke.

That young man they thought was still troubled by his college entrance exam failure.

At this moment, he stood under the world’s spotlight, in a posture they could only look up to.

Standing in that... Immortal Cultivation Academy... On the Martial Arts Training Ground, Han Li’s impassioned voice rang out again.

“Let’s introduce the members of both sides!”

“First, the Magic Cultivation Department representative team! They are Fang Yuan, who possesses the entire Academy’s number one Thunder Element Heavenly Spiritual Root and has mastered the Five Thunders Orthodox Law!”

“Zhang Qiqi, a Water Element Heavenly Spiritual Root with unfathomable strength!”

“And Li Qingyuan, who is also proficient in Thunder Spells and has a flexible and unpredictable combat style!”

As Han Li introduced them, Fang Yuan, Zhang Qiqi, and Li Qingyuan all nodded slightly towards the camera. Although outsiders couldn’t see their faces clearly, the aura of power belonging to strong cultivators emanated through the screen.

“And their opponents, the Body Cultivation Department representative team! Their lineup is equally luxurious!”

“Chen Pingan, known for his extreme strength and speed, the acknowledged ‘Martial Arts Genius’ of the Body Refining System!”

“Wu Gang, also a strength-type competitor, with a fierce and overbearing style!”

“And... in the demon suppressing pagoda assessment, she single-handedly faced an Ancient Great Demon Avatar head-on! Our undisputed number one in the Body Refining System!”

Han Li’s voice suddenly rose, filled with fervor.

“Lu Miaomiao!”

When Lu Miaomiao’s name was called, the entire student body erupted in thunderous cheers.

On the arena, the petite Lu Miaomiao simply stood calmly, forming a stark contrast with her two robust, tower-like teammates beside her.

Han Li took a deep breath and announced loudly.

“The rules are simple! It’s a three-on-three arena competition. The loser leaves the stage, and the winner continues until one side is completely eliminated!”

“Now, please send out the first member from each side!”

On the Magic Cultivation Department’s side, the three quickly exchanged glances.

Zhang Qiqi looked at Fang Yuan: “You go first?”

Li Qingyuan also nodded: “You leading the charge is the most stable.”

Fang Yuan felt the trust of his friends and the expectant gazes from his parents below, and a surge of heroic spirit welled up in his chest.

He was no longer that unconfident young man.

“Alright!”

Fang Yuan nodded heavily and stepped forward.

“I’ll do it!”

He wanted to use this battle to prove to his parents and to the whole world that his choice was not wrong!

On the Body Cultivation Department’s side, there was almost no discussion.

Chen Pingan and Wu Gang both looked at Lu Miaomiao.

Lu Miaomiao felt the surging Battle Intent from Fang Yuan, and a hint of interest appeared on her calm face.

She also stepped forward, standing out.

Her movements were clean and decisive.

Zhang Qiqi, Li Qingyuan, Chen Pingan, and Wu Gang tacitly retreated to the edge of the arena, leaving the vast space to the two who were about to duel.

For a moment, the entire Martial Arts Training Ground, and even the whole world, fell silent.

Everyone’s gaze was focused on the center of the arena.

One was a young man whose body faintly shimmered with electric light, possessing a calm and reserved demeanor.

The other was the number one Body Cultivator, petite and seemingly delicate, but with an aura as profound as an abyss.

Two completely different styles were about to collide with the fiercest impact!

Han Li raised the microphone to his mouth and, with all his might, roared out.

“Group stage, first match!”

“Magic Cultivation Department’s Fang Yuan, against, Body Cultivation Department’s Lu Miaomiao!”

“The match—begins!”

(Magic Cultivation freestyle fighting ~)