154: If he doesn't die, then Lu Yeli and Ke Yueyao will.

Pengcheng University provides a venue specifically for students to hold Arena Stage matches.

At this moment, the venue was packed to capacity; some people held up their phones to record, while others whispered to one another.

"Why is the Principal holding an Arena Stage match against Old Master Qiu for no reason?"

"To be precise, it's the Vice Principal."

"My mistake."

"It's to compete over who gets to teach Lu Yuan close combat; goodness, two individuals with Transcendent Saint Attainment level close combat skills fighting on the Arena Stage—we're in for a good show!"

The students stared fixedly at Lao Qiyuan and Qiu Zhenbang.

Lao Qiyuan's spear technique, Sword Technique, and blade technique had all reached Transcendent Saint Attainment; Qiu Zhenbang's had only reached it in blade technique.

On the surface, it looked like Lao Qiyuan had it in the bag, but who would win or lose remained unknown.

After all, Qiu Zhenbang had once achieved the magnificent feat of killing a God Emperor Realm ferocious beast with a single blade strike!

"Principal, sit."

In the very center of the venue, Han Junchen wiped down a chair with a wet tissue.

"Principal, how did I do?" Han Junchen asked.

"Not bad."

Lu Yuan was very satisfied and sat in the best position for viewing the Arena Stage.

Beside him were three Vice Principals and Tang Jinghui.

"Who will win?" Lu Yuan asked.

"Not sure."

Tang Jinghui shook his head; this fell into his blind spot of knowledge.

After all, he had suffered from cold poison when he was young, so his close combat skills were nearly zero.

Therefore, during battles, Tang Jinghui tried his best to avoid getting close to enemies.

"The two are old rivals; Old Master Qiu's blade technique is slightly stronger than the Principal's," Vice Principal Zhan Shouzheng said seriously.

A sparring match between those with Transcendent Saint Attainment level close combat skills was not to be missed; he wanted to record the entire thing to study and observe it repeatedly in private.

"Vice Principal Zhan, what is your level in close combat?"

Lu Yuan asked.

"Masterful, and approaching the Pinnacle," Vice Principal Zhan Shouzheng replied.

He specialized in using hammers; Earth Attribute Practitioners were naturally endowed with immense strength and generally used heavier weapons.

"Everyone is so impressive," Lu Yuan thought.

During their conversation, Lao Qiyuan and Qiu Zhenbang walked onto the Arena Stage.

One used a spear, the other used a blade.

"It's been a long time since I've sparred with you," Qiu Zhenbang sighed, gripping the pitch-black giant blade in his hand.

Looking at that pitch-black giant blade, Jiang Tianxia's face appeared in Lu Yuan's mind.

Jiang Tianxia also liked heavy weapons; the heavier, the better.

Without using any Spirit Skill, the two engaged in pure close combat.

Lao Qiyuan, carrying a long spear, launched the first attack!

Clang, clang, clang—

Thrust, collapse, twist, jump, parry...

Lao Qiyuan, whose spear technique was at the Transcendent Saint Attainment level, attacked like a violent storm, forcing Qiu Zhenbang to retreat again and again.

Bang—

A dull sound rang out, and the Arena Stage was smashed into a large hole.

Looking at Qiu Zhenbang, whose single blade strike had power comparable to a grenade explosion, Lu Yuan was amazed.

Was this the strength a seventy or eighty-year-old man could have?

"The teacher is getting serious," Han Junchen, who was standing next to Lu Yuan, said.

From the perspective of the situation, Qiu Zhenbang was at a disadvantage, being beaten by Lao Qiyuan and forced to retreat in a sorry state.

In reality, it was not so.

"You can stab me ten times, a hundred times, but I will only suffer minor injuries," Qiu Zhenbang laughed heartily.

"If I slash you once, you will surely die!"

Hearing Qiu Zhenbang's words, Lao Qiyuan's expression turned solemn.

This was indeed the truth; Lao Qiyuan realized that this old friend's blade technique had improved once again.

He decisively threw away the long spear and took out a long sword from his storage ring.

Gold Attribute, God Emperor Realm Eight-Star, Lao Qiyuan unleashed his signature skills.

Gold Attribute Practitioners were adept at using swords, and Lao Qiyuan was no exception.

Using a spear and using a sword were two different matters: thrust, hack, lift, intercept, parry...

Lao Qiyuan frantically thrust toward the lethal parts of Qiu Zhenbang's body—the center of his eyebrows, his throat, his heart—attempting to decide the outcome with a single sword strike!

Clang, clang, clang—

The situation reversed once again.

Everyone in the venue held their breath, fearing they would miss any details of the two's battle.

Lu Yuan's heart twitched violently!

It tore; Lao Qiyuan's clothes tore, revealing a body of toned muscles.

Although his hair was completely silver, Lao Qiyuan's physique was as perfect as a sculpture.

This physical fitness was likely better than that of the vast majority of young people.

More importantly, Lu Yuan saw that on Lao Qiyuan's left arm, there was a birthmark shaped like a small sword!

Sensing Lu Yuan's shift in emotion, Tang Jinghui was confused.

"What's wrong?"

Their eyes met!

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Lu Yuan's mind.

It was the Principal who killed Li Jinxue's grandfather, and it was highly likely that the Principal also killed Li Jinxue's entire family!

Should he tell the teacher? If he told the teacher, would he believe him?

Why did the Principal want to kill Li Jinxue's grandfather?

In the blink of an eye, Lu Yuan thought of a great many things.

Finally, he gripped the armrest of his chair tightly.

"The Principal's Sword Technique is truly worthy of reaching the Transcendent Saint Attainment level; the naked eye cannot see the speed of his sword strikes at all," Lu Yuan said.

"Yes, compared to Old Master Qiu, I would prefer the Principal to teach you close combat skills."

Tang Jinghui looked toward the Arena Stage.

The winner had been decided!

Qiu Zhenbang looked down at the long sword pressed against his heart; his heavy blade was stopped at Lao Qiyuan's left arm.

If it were a life-or-death battle, he would die, while Lao Qiyuan would at most lose an arm.

"I lost!" Qiu Zhenbang said frankly.

His blade technique was stronger than Lao Qiyuan's.

Lao Qiyuan couldn't win using a blade, and at best, it would be a draw using a spear.

But when using a sword, the gap between their strengths was very obvious!

"I almost lost to you." Lao Qiyuan gave Qiu Zhenbang plenty of face and glanced at Lu Yuan, who had been staring at the birthmark on his arm.

He quickly put on a new top!

Clap, clap, clap—

Applause erupted!

Everyone reminisced about the battle scenes between Lao Qiyuan and Qiu Zhenbang.

"Lu Yuan, let me teach you how to practice with a blade; the blade is the most powerful weapon!"

Qiu Zhenbang stood in front of Lu Yuan.

"You are truly shameless; it was agreed that whoever won would teach Lu Yuan!" Lao Qiyuan looked at Qiu Zhenbang with contempt.

"Heh, I am just shameless; what can you do about it?"

Qiu Zhenbang said indifferently.

What was the point of having face? It couldn't fill one's stomach.

Lu Yuan was the most brilliant genius in the thousand years since the Spiritual Qi resurgence; Qiu Zhenbang wanted to build a good relationship with Lu Yuan.

In the future, when Lu Yuan grew up and became a titan, he could look after the Zhenbang Martial Arts Hall.

"Lu Yuan, no, Principal, who do you want to teach you?" Lao Qiyuan asked.

From beginning to end, he and Qiu Zhenbang had only talked about teaching, not about taking Lu Yuan as an apprentice.

The reason was simple: Lu Yuan already had a master.

Swish, swish, swish—

All eyes gathered on Lu Yuan, anticipating his choice.

"The Principal, I suppose."

Lu Yuan said.

If he had to choose, he would naturally choose the strongest.

Besides, by choosing Lao Qiyuan, he could learn the sword, blade, or spear—whichever he wanted to learn.

In contrast, Qiu Zhenbang was much more monotonous.

A smile appeared on Lao Qiyuan's face, while Qiu Zhenbang's expression was slightly regretful.

"You are very curious about my birthmark; did Lu Yeli tell you something?" Lao Qiyuan suddenly spoke out of the blue, pointing to the location of the birthmark on his left arm.

It was a small sword-shaped birthmark, with the traditional Chinese character for 'One' imprinted on it.

The atmosphere suddenly became subtle.

Lu Yuan looked up.

His Older Sister had indeed told him that she and Ke Yueyao were researching a Fusion Spirit Skill of positioning space and Time Attribute.

But what did this have to do with the Principal's birthmark?

And Lao Qiyuan's words left Lu Yuan stunned in place.

"That's right, you are Lu Yeli's younger brother; it's only natural that she would tell you."

"This world only allows one Practitioner to possess both space and Time Attribute simultaneously; if Lu Jingyuan doesn't die, then Lu Yeli and Ke Yueyao will!"