Chapter 1233: Chapter 1230: First Place
"It’s somewhat ironic that an academy founded by a Westerner ends up with us Huaxia people fighting for the championship, haha..." Lin Tian said with a slight chuckle.
"Each has its strengths, but when it comes to cultivation, Eastern people truly have a natural advantage. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors were already exploring the mysteries of life through cultivation, while Westerners were still in their primitive eras, with distinct civilizations developing differently."
"Our cultivation heritage has never broken, whereas Western civilization took another path, focusing more on strengthening themselves through technology, like genetic modification and combat exoskeletons. If gods truly exist in this world, maybe one day humans will also study the genes of gods." Xiao Manxue said impartially, without bias towards any side.
Always fixating on others’ faults and belittling them, you’re not far from decline; even Huaxia ancestors have said to take the strengths of all schools for one’s use.
Xiao Manxue stood up and walked to the center of the field, facing Li Wenfeng. She held a Huaxia-style longsword, while Li Wenfeng wielded a Western-style broadsword—two distinct styles, one agile and the other heavy.
"Cousin, let’s decide the winner with one move. The championship doesn’t matter much to me; I just want to know how much my cousin has improved." Li Wenfeng said straightforwardly. This address of cousin made many people look at each other in surprise, as nobody knew they were related.
Xiao Manxue did not respond to his address; her face was calm, her eyes seemingly staring at nothing. With a metallic clang, the longsword in her hand was drawn, emitting a bright light.
Li Wenfeng also gripped his sword with both hands, his aura continuously rising until the sword shook, releasing a golden light that enveloped the arena. Where he stood, the ground seemed unable to endure his power, cracking open.
In stark contrast, Xiao Manxue’s aura also reached its peak, her longsword emitting a piercing blue light, sharp enough to cut through anything. Yet where she stood remained unscathed, as if she were floating or perfectly controlling her internal True Energy.
"Storm Slash!"
Li Wenfeng swung his broadsword, spinning it towards Xiao Manxue, a golden sword light transforming into a tornado in the night, aiming to shred anyone in its path.
"Sword Energy Cross!"
Xiao Manxue lifted her sword and then shook it again, countless sword shadows interwoven with blue sword light, enveloping the area like a death curtain. The blue net collided with the golden tornado.
The crowd first saw an intense light, as if a small sun was born where they collided, dazzling in the night, hurting their eyes. Then came a thunderous roar like lightning.
A mushroom cloud rose in the field, accompanied by a shockwave spreading fiercely outward, even knocking nearby people off balance. Those slightly weaker were sometimes knocked unconscious.
After the dust settled, the training ground was a mess; a crater appeared in the center surrounded by cracked tiles and rubble everywhere, as if bombarded by explosions; the unconscious were quickly carried away by teachers.
Xiao Manxue firmly held her longsword, pointing it at Li Wenfeng’s throat, her expression indifferent, while Li Wenfeng propped his sword to the ground, face pale, eyes filled with unwillingness.
"Li Wenfeng, you wanted to test my strength through the selection tournament; now you’ve seen clearly. As long as I’m here, your Li Family can forget about swallowing the Xiao Family. If you touch my bottom line, my sword can do anything." Xiao Manxue said coldly.
The meaning was clear: if the Li Family used commercial tactics against the Xiao Family, that’s their skill, but if they dared employ underhanded tricks or harm family members, her sword wouldn’t hesitate to answer with blood for blood. She doesn’t kill, but it doesn’t mean she’s afraid to kill—this was Xiao Manxue’s warning.
After saying this, Xiao Manxue didn’t spare another glance at Li Wenfeng and turned to walk back to Lin Tian, receiving admiring glances from all the students. The girls from the Female College worshiped her even more, as she was their sister, their senior.
"Senior! Senior..."
Someone started chanting, and the girls collectively shouted for Xiao Manxue, their senior and role model, expressing their excitement and admiration.
Meanwhile, the boys from the Knight Academy were either dejected, in awe, or enamored; now, Xiao Manxue was the focus, basking in glory.
"Congratulations." Lin Tian offered sincere congratulations, "You know what I’m congratulating you for."
"Of course, you’re congratulating me for finally defeating Li Wenfeng and venting my anger publicly, leaving the Li Family speechless." Xiao Manxue replied with a smile.
"It must feel great to beat the Li Family’s eldest heir." Lin Tian teased.
"The Li Family can’t afford to openly deal with the Xiao Family, yet always schemes behind the scenes, with Li Wenfeng planning many of those tricks. I’ve long wanted to beat him." Xiao Manxue said somewhat arrogantly, hinting at a delicate violence hidden beneath her beauty.
"Fellow students, the selection tournament has successfully concluded. I announce the final results: First place goes to Xiao Manxue from the Female College, Second place to Li Wenfeng from the Knight Academy. Let’s give them a round of applause for their honor!" The host came forward to announce the results.
Normally, second place already signifies formidable strength to most students, but for Li Wenfeng, it’s an unacceptable result, especially since Xiao Manxue defeated him.
Along with losing the Sword of the King, his displeasure and frustration were evident. He glanced at Xiao Manxue and Lin Tian, then turned and left the field, ignoring even the host calling his name.
"Manxue, follow us; your mentor will give you the crown’s deserved reward." Reina Sword Saint stood up, addressing Xiao Manxue.
This reward was already predetermined before the tournament—the top three would receive Lukins’ martial techniques awards. The host tried to retain Li Wenfeng for this reason, but he had no face to stay.
"Lin Tian, go back first. My mentor’s stay might involve more than just rewards. This selection tournament’s purpose is to prepare for the upcoming hunt; I suppose the mentor is planning related matters." Xiao Manxue turned to Lin Tian.
"Alright, be cautious of Li Wenfeng; he’s too cunning, don’t let him play any dirty tricks." Lin Tian nodded and advised.
Xiao Manxue left with the judges, while the male and female students gradually dispersed. The previously bustling field suddenly quieted down, only the chaos in the center indicating the fierce battle that had just taken place.