39: Chapter 39 Geniuses are as plentiful as carp crossing a river

Soon.

The Academy Grand Competition arrived as scheduled.

The morning sun had just begun to bathe the earth in its light.

Within Villa No. 1, a scene of bustling activity was already underway.

"Boss! Second Brother! Third Brother! Today is the day our dormitory makes its name!"

Lu Sheng, dressed in a brand-new combat suit, appeared spirited and brimming with fighting spirit.

However, his bold declaration was met with a swift, unceremonious flick on the forehead from Ning Yuan.

Ning Yuan scolded him with a laugh:

"Alright, alright, enough boasting. You and Third Brother should first consider how to steadily break into the top thousand of the Transcendent Academy."

He and Jiang Mingyue, being in the Qi and Blood Academy, were naturally brimming with confidence and felt no pressure about securing a spot in the top hundred.

However, although Lu Sheng and Zhou Qi were also quite talented, they had only just passed their probation and officially entered the Transcendent Academy, their cultivation barely reaching the peak of the Human Realm.

In the Transcendent Academy, teeming with experts and prodigies, their hope of breaking into the top thousand was significant, but considerable risk remained.

Fortunately.

During this time, Ning Yuan and Jiang Mingyue had each taught them one of their own secret, trump-card techniques.

As long as the two of them could perform normally in the competition, it shouldn't be a problem.

That ancient ruin was also an unmissable great opportunity for them, who were on the verge of a breakthrough.

Ning Yuan naturally didn't want his own brothers to miss out on it.

Having their thoughts exposed by Ning Yuan, Lu Sheng and Zhou Qi both chuckled sheepishly, offering no rebuttal.

The four of them, having prepared themselves, boarded an academy-owned unmanned fighter craft together, heading straight for the central Sacred Martial Mountain.

Sacred Martial Mountain.

Was one of the most core and sacred landmarks within the Great Xia Martial Academy.

From afar, one could see a majestic, precipitous divine mountain, resembling a supreme divine sword thrust upside-down between heaven and earth, piercing straight into the clouds!

As they drew closer, they could feel the overwhelming sense of sharpness and solidity emanating from it.

The entire mountain had been meticulously modified and reinforced with modern technology, countless metal structures shimmering with runic light perfectly integrated with the ancient rock.

Atop the cloud-piercing summit lay an incredibly vast, enormous platform, its area so expansive it could easily accommodate millions without the slightest hint of crowding.

When the fighter craft carrying Ning Yuan and his three companions smoothly landed at the designated parking area, even though they were mentally prepared, they were still deeply awestruck by the spectacular, sea-of-people scene before them.

The entire platform was already a densely packed, teeming mass of people, stretching as far as the eye could see.

And in the void surrounding the platform, rows upon rows of spectator seats constructed from energy hovered, equally filled to capacity.

This was the Great Xia Martial Academy's premier grand event!

Students from both the Qi and Blood Academy and the Transcendent Academy had almost all gathered.

Even some senior students who had long since stepped into the Flying Heaven Realm and were usually as elusive as dragons, made appearances today to watch the competition.

"My heavens, there are so many people!"

Zhou Qi couldn't help but exclaim at the sight before him.

Simultaneously.

An indescribable surge of excitement and pride welled up from the depths of his heart.

Although he had witnessed even more magnificent scenes back home.

This was different.

Because every single person standing here now could be called a dragon among men!

It was no exaggeration to say that if a brick fell from the sky, nine out of ten people it hit would be rare, peerless geniuses from the outside world!

"It's said that this Sacred Martial Mountain was personally created by the Sky-Severing Sword Saint using supreme means. He cleaved a section of a divine mountain from deep within the cosmic void and relocated it here. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its reputation!"

Feeling the faint, elusive aura of rules within the mountain body, Lu Sheng sighed with heartfelt admiration.

At their current realm, they couldn't comprehend the profundity of that aura.

But merely being within its presence made them feel their minds becoming increasingly serene and clear.

Jiang Mingyue also nodded subtly in agreement.

"The Sky-Severing Sword Saint was indeed a figure of astonishing talent. In my past life, if he hadn't unfortunately perished in that decisive battle for humanity's fate, he might truly have had hope of reaching the limits of the Martial Saint realm."

Only Ning Yuan remained exceptionally calm about it.

This Sacred Martial Mountain was certainly extraordinary.

But compared to his own family's Thunder God Mountain, which was more magnificent than a star, it still fell far short.

The arrival of the four didn't cause much of a stir in the crowd.

However, Ning Yuan and Jiang Mingyue's overly handsome and striking faces attracted many curious and admiring glances from female students.

After all, the two of them usually kept to themselves, and not many had seen their true appearances.

Ning Yuan's gaze slowly swept across the crowd.

The vast majority of students present were of the human race, like himself.

But among them were also a small number of exchange students from various other races, each with distinct forms.

Without exception, these other races all carried an air of distinction and a haughty look in their eyes, clearly also being outstanding talents within their respective races.

His eyes searched through the crowd, trying to spot where that Ling Wanhe, whom his brother tongzi couldn't forget, was.

Soon.

His gaze crossed the clear dividing line between the Qi and Blood Academy and the Transcendent Academy, landing on the Transcendent Academy's side.

The powerful pressure unconsciously emanating from those Transcendent Academy students felt like a gentle breeze to him, causing no effect whatsoever.

Then, his gaze suddenly jolted.

At the very forefront of the Transcendent Academy's ranks, a peerlessly beautiful young woman in white robes, draped in starlight, stood quietly.

Her aura was transcendent, holy and peerless, as if she did not belong to this mortal world.

"That's Ling Wanhe? Hmm, her appearance is indeed good."

Ning Yuan merely offered a calm evaluation.

Indeed, she was very good.

But, that was all.

With no woman in his heart, drawing his blade would naturally be divine.

If not for completing the system's mission, he couldn't be bothered to pay more attention.

That fairy-like young woman seemed to sense this gaze that was different from the others.

Usually, the gazes directed at her were mostly filled with admiration, awe, and worship.

But this gaze was exceptionally calm, even... carrying a hint of scrutiny.

This piqued her curiosity.

However, when she followed her senses to look over, the owner of that gaze had already withdrawn his line of sight.

Just then, a golden figure swaggered past Ning Yuan and the others.

"Hey! You lot, move aside! Don't block my way!"

It was a tall youth from the Golden God Clan. His tone was arrogant, his actions even more overbearing, as he shoved his way straight through the crowd towards the front.

A few human students who couldn't dodge in time were sent staggering back by his powerful physique, feeling a dull pain in their internal organs.

But they all dared to be angry without speaking up.

Ning Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Golden God Clan!"

The second most powerful race among the Ten Thousand Races of the Starry Sky!

This race's talents were extremely comprehensive, possessing not only incomparably powerful physiques but also extraordinary soul power, hence they were also called the Natural God Race.

Nearby, some students began whispering.

"It's Jin Yan of the Golden God Clan! He's also one of the top talents among this batch of Golden God Clan exchange students!"

"Although his strength isn't yet on par with that Jin Jiao who already defeated Senior Ye Lingjun, he's definitely a strong contender for the top hundred in the Qi and Blood Academy!"

"These guys are all so full of themselves! They could clearly turn off their glowing special effects, but they insist on being so flashy!"

"Exactly! So arrogant! I hope someone gives them a good beating on the arena later!"

That Golden God Clan youth named Jin Yan, upon passing Ning Yuan and his group and seeing they hadn't proactively moved aside, maintained his arrogant attitude, preparing to shove through them directly.

"You lowly lot! A God Race member is before you! Hurry up and get out of my way!"

Jiang Mingyue's brow immediately furrowed.

A sharp aura faintly erupted from within her!

"Get lost!"

Jin Yan's expression changed sharply, about to erupt in anger.

Just then, several immensely powerful auras descended from the distant sky.

He glared viciously at Jiang Mingyue, making a throat-slitting gesture of provocation towards her.

Then, he quickly walked over to the Golden God Clan's ranks in the distance.

Faintly, he could be seen pointing in the direction of Ning Yuan and the others, saying something to the people there.

One indifferent, hostile gaze after another was subsequently cast their way.

Among them was that Jin Jiao, currently riding high on fame in the Qi and Blood Academy.

However, Jin Jiao only gave a casual glance in their direction before losing interest.

In his view, they were just a few nobodies who could be dealt with casually once the competition began.

Seeing this, Jiang Mingyue snorted coldly.

"These golden turds are really used to being arrogant."

"Pfft!"

The others beside her couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Not gonna lie, it was a pretty apt description.

Each one golden and shiny... didn't they look exactly like... lumps?

Ning Yuan patted Jiang Mingyue's shoulder and said:

"Don't worry. If we meet on the arena later, I'll vent your anger for you."

But Jiang Mingyue raised her chin proudly.

"Hmph! No need! I can suppress them myself!"

As the group conversed.

In the distant sky, those powerful auras finally descended completely!

Five towering figures slowly landed on the central grandstand at the peak of Sacred Martial Mountain.

They were none other than the five deans of the Great Xia Martial Academy—Zhuang Chen, Jiang Qinglan, Jiang Baihe, Li Mang, and Ren Wanlong.

Behind them followed dozens of academy instructors, without exception, all Martial Kings and Martial Emperors.

Any one of these individuals, if they ventured out, would be a powerful lifeform capable of traversing the cosmic sea of stars.

But at this moment, they had all restrained their auras, appearing extremely amiable, no different from ordinary teachers.

The leading old dean, Zhuang Chen, looked down at the young, vibrant faces of the gathered geniuses below, a gratified smile appearing in his eyes.

He stepped forward and delivered a brief yet impassioned speech.

Then, he waved his hand with a chuckle.

"Alright, this old man won't ramble on any longer here."

"I declare the Great Xia Martial Academy Grand Competition officially open!"

"First event: the competition for the top one hundred in the Qi and Blood Academy!"