Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Seizing the Crown

The martial arts exam has now entered a boiling point.

No student left in the arena is weak; each one wants to achieve a better ranking, and no one wants to admit they’re weaker than the others.

Especially these outstanding students from each school.

Therefore.

No matter if they can endure or not, each student grits their teeth and summons their Martial Intent to resist that terrifying Thunder Beast in mid-air.

Of course.

The martial arts exam is not a dinner party, nor a poetry recital. If you can’t hold on and still try to force it, there are bound to be problems.

The first one to encounter problems was Li Mingfeng from Wutong City.

As the student leader of Wutong City and part of the six cities near Zenith City, Wutong City’s economic strength and martial arts power rank in the top four among the Twelve Cities of Maple Leaf Prefecture.

It’s obvious.

Their top student is definitely not a weakling.

But under the pressure of Ni Yezhou’s Thunder Beast, Li Mingfeng endured for twelve minutes, feeling an uncontrollable rush of frustration bubbling up, swelling to his throat.

His tongue tasted sweet.

Bright red blood was spat out.

The phoenix illusion surrounding him let out a sorrowful cry and shattered unwillingly.

He was hit as if by a gigantic hammer, the bones across his body cracking, and he fell straight to the ground, no different from someone faking an accident on the street.

“Quick, quick, rescue him.”

The teachers from Wutong City became anxious at a glance and hurriedly called for the medical staff nearby.

According to their calculations, Li Mingfeng should have held out for fifteen minutes, but he fell at twelve minutes, which simply defied logic.

Of course.

They were unaware that Baiyu played a significant role in this.

Li Mingfeng was initially steady, advancing and retreating with control. Even if he couldn’t hold on, he shouldn’t have fallen so quickly. However, Baiyu’s appearance completely disrupted his strategy.

The impact from the Demon Ape also inflicted some damage on his mentality.

With a disturbed mind, his Martial Intent weakened.

Therefore, even though he tried his utmost to hold on, he could only last twelve minutes, ending up utterly embarrassed.

“Baiyu, he looks pitiful.”

Under Baiyu’s signal, Ning Qian had already approached. Seeing Li Mingfeng’s miserable state, she murmured while resisting the pressure of the Thunder Beast.

Baiyu remained expressionless: “This is what happens when you’re not proficient. Remember this? Look, even though you’re weak, you’re better than him. Those top students are clearly overrated, not learning with solid steps.”

“Yes, indeed, learning should be step by step, our class leader is awesome.”

Ning Qian nodded habitually.

Although their conversation was quiet, everyone present had keen ears; the judges in the seats were caught between laughing and crying, and the remaining students’ faces turned as black as soot.

“Damn couple, disturbing my Dao Heart!!”

“Damn, damn, this jerk must be doing it on purpose. I must hold on and slap these two in the face.”

For a moment.

Anger simmered in everyone’s hearts.

Even some Martial Intent illusions around those present grew stronger instantly from Baiyu and Ning Qian’s seemingly sarcastic remarks, staring daggers at the Linjiang City’s area, eyes as if wanting to devour Baiyu alive.

However.

If effort sufficed, what role would talent play?

After Li Mingfeng vomited blood and withdrew, within only ten seconds, another person was shaken to weak knees by the pressure, collapsing to the ground, someone from September City.

That person’s collapse was like a signal.

Smack, smack, smack.

One after another vomited blood and withdrew, lying on the medical staff’s stretchers, eyes wide open, trembling fingers pointing at Baiyu and Ning Qian, carried out with full-faced reluctance.

Once a chain reaction starts, it’s hard to stop.

As it approached fifteen minutes, every second, the pressure incurred multiplied geometrically, bearing down on the candidates’ brains like a mountain.

“Ring, ring, ring!”

Another bell rang.

Fifteen minutes!

Only three participants remained in the arena, separated in the examination areas of Zenith City and Linjiang City.

In Zenith City was a silver-haired girl.

Her long hair cascaded down her back, wearing a white dress that bared her smooth, delicate calves, with common laced flat shoes below.

Her eyes were large and brimming with Spiritual Qi, her features very exquisite, giving an anime girl vibe.

Her chest was flat, a genuine plain board, highlighting her wealth.

Her Martial Intent, rather unusually, wasn’t a beast but a longsword, hovering above her head, and Baiyu feared each time he glanced over that the sword might fall and impale her.

At this moment.

Baiyu and Ning Qian stood together, gazing across at the silver-haired girl, exactly half a ring separating them.

The hearts of everyone on the judges’ seat were in their throats.

“Prefect, it seems your daughter has encountered a formidable opponent.”

“Moreover, they’re even fighting alongside a girl.”

“Tsk tsk, the prefect’s teachings aren’t so great after all, not as good as Qiong Yue’s.”

Several people fanned the flames frantically.

Yuwen Ba was incredibly tense, clenching his fists, silently cheering in his heart: “Daughter, don’t lose to this bastard. Come on, hang in there; whoever loses temper first loses. A man’s endurance falls short!”

Whoosh…

The next moment.

The sword above Yuwen Yundie’s head shattered, blood seeped from her mouth, and she fell backward unwillingly.

Originally, she thought she could hold out for two more minutes.

But for some reason.

Suddenly, she collapsed.

As she fell, she looked deeply at Baiyu and Ning Qian, moved her mouth, and faintly cursed out three words.

“Damn couple!”

…

Only two remained in the arena.

Ning Qian immediately chose to withdraw, tactically falling to the ground.

When the camera panned over, only Baiyu’s handsome face was on screen.

Martial arts exams are unlike written exams.

The entire martial arts exam is broadcast live across the twelve cities of the prefecture, with nearly seventy percent of Maple Leaf Prefecture’s population focused here. It even rivals the Olympics in terms of popularity.

After all.

Ordinary people want to see who will become future heroes against Exotic Beasts.

Students from various schools want to see which school secured first place, and which senior or junior earned an idol and goal to strive for.

Even martial arts schools have to pay attention.

Because they too want to capture these potential talents.

Students at martial arts schools also want to know what level of strength their juniors possess.

The martial arts exam is broadcast live from start to finish.

And now.

Only Baiyu remains on the stage.

All major media cameras focused on him, flashbulbs continuously flashing.

Baiyu froze for a second, immediately reacting in his heart, almost in the blink of an eye, before Ni Yezhou could announce the results, turning his head and rushing into the crowd.

He felt deeply troubled in his heart.

He clearly wanted to keep a low profile, quietly securing first place to get the task reward.

But now it’s really… damn it.

Is it true that exceptionally talented people shine like fireflies wherever they go?