Challenging a martial arts school is a crude way of putting it.
The Scarlet Sand Nation declared that they wished to engage in a sparring session with the mentors of the Phoenix Academy for mutual progress.
This was a very diplomatic way of putting it, and there was no issue with it.
There had been sparrings and exchanges between the seven great nations of the Cloud Radiance Great Domain before, but never had they occurred so suddenly, and under the watchful eyes of countless observers.
Numerous awakened individuals surrounding the academy were astonished, but powerhouses from influential backgrounds or those with extensive experience were not entirely surprised.
"The landscape of the Cloud Radiance Great Domain has been fixed for a long time."
"If it were just the emergence of a super power or a super oasis, the seven great nations might not have paid much attention. However, the Phoenix Academy is different. Its appearance is undoubtedly changing the situation in the Cloud Radiance Great Domain!"
"After all, the academy possesses unimaginably vast training grounds and equally formidable strength."
As someone with extensive experience said.
Others suddenly understood, and immediately waved their hands, strongly supporting the Phoenix Academy in their minds, and defeating the shameless powerhouses of the Scarlet Sand Nation.
The monkey-faced peddler shook his head:
"I also hope the Phoenix Academy can win, but to analyze it rationally, the current situation is extremely unfavorable for the Phoenix Academy."
He paused and said, "The Phoenix Academy has quite a few Mythic Lords, such as the Lord of Radiant Sword, Roland, the Lord of Thousand Hands and Lightning, Luo Rui, the Lord of Wrathful Vajra, Ming Deng... Firstly, let me clarify that the Mythic Lords of the academy are all very strong. However, has anyone noticed that the Mythic existences in the Phoenix Academy are all very young? There isn't a single elder among them."
Old hands who had participated in multiple recruitment assessments were no longer unfamiliar with the powerful mentors of the Phoenix Academy.
They recalled for a moment and discovered... it was true!
Even the older Mythic Lords Ming Deng and Roland did not possess the weathered aura of long years of cultivation.
The monkey-faced peddler continued, "Undoubtedly, the mentors of the Phoenix Academy are extraordinary, but they are too young. Being young is a significant disadvantage. How can a hundred-year-old Mythic compare to someone who has cultivated for centuries?"
"As for the Hand of Shifting Sands, the Wall of Red Sand, and the Lion of Scarlet Sand, they are all powerhouses of the previous generation and direct descendants of the Scarlet Sand royal family, who have already established formidable reputations."
As the monkey-faced peddler spoke eloquently, those awakened individuals around who were not familiar with these three titles suddenly realized: it wasn't that these three Lords were not famous, but rather that they were already legendary figures of the martial world when they themselves were not yet born. And by the time they became active, these three great figures were already ancient legends.
"In that case, is the Phoenix Academy in danger?"
"Not necessarily. At most, they will lose in the sparring match. In full view of everyone, the Mythic Lords of the Scarlet Sand Nation should not dare to do anything. Besides, this is the Phoenix Academy's territory, equipped with numerous defensive arrays."
"Uh, since they know they are outmatched, will the Phoenix Academy refuse the sparring session with the Scarlet Sand Nation?"
Someone said.
If it were them, knowing they would surely lose, they would never accept the challenge.
They supported the Phoenix Academy in their minds, but if this challenge match didn't happen, and there was no spectacle to watch, they would be somewhat disappointed.
The monkey-faced peddler stroked his chin and said, "It's unlikely that the Phoenix Academy will refuse, or rather... they cannot refuse."
...
"When you're in the business, you need to maintain face and reputation."
Inside the colossal triangular prism-like aircraft, a certain being gazed at the main gate of the Phoenix Academy.
That's right, he admitted, he was extremely envious of the Phoenix Academy's training facilities and inheritance grounds. If they possessed those, their Scarlet Sand Nation could cultivate more Mythic Lords, and their existing Mythic Lords could ascend to greater heights, perhaps even giving rise to a new demigod.
However, he would prefer to use great power and influence to exert pressure rather than resorting to despicable methods of seizure.
This was his pride, and also his confidence.
He was confident that they would not lose this sparring session, and this probe was merely the beginning.
"But I have to admit, the Phoenix Academy not only possesses enviable training inheritances but is also brimming with talent! If they were to develop for a few more centuries or millennia, they might very well catch up to us seven great nations."
Based on various clues, the Scarlet Sand Nation's intelligence department had determined that the entire Phoenix Academy secret realm, including its various training grounds, was a 'Kandra Legacy'.
Furthermore, the Phoenix Academy had not possessed this legacy secret realm for long.
It would not exceed a hundred years.
At the same time, the predecessor of the Phoenix Academy was not an oasis power, but rather a group like a mercenary team, a chamber of commerce, or a clandestine organization, lacking a steady stream of talent. This was why their personnel were scarce, and they had to recruit people externally in the form of students.
However, in the eyes of the Scarlet Sand Nation's higher-ups, the Phoenix Academy was too hasty.
If they were in their position, they would definitely choose a remote great domain, occupy an oasis, cultivate for hundreds or thousands of years, and then emerge.
But indeed, a young power with over ten Mythic Lords could not endure centuries of solitude.
Mythic Lords were also human.
Mythic Lords also sought fame.
"It will not be today, but you will witness the profound accumulation of the old Mythic Lords and a power far surpassing that of the young Mythic Lords."
...
Outside the majestic palace gate that connected to the secret realm of the Phoenix Academy, figures emerged one after another.
The students were indignant, especially those from humble backgrounds with no path to advancement.
Master Ming Deng, Luo Rui, and the others remained calm, but their chests also burned with fighting spirit.
"I've heard that the Cloud Radiance Great Domain is the most prosperous region for humans, and the Scarlet Sand Nation is one of the representative powers of the Cloud Radiance Great Domain. Let me gauge their capabilities."
Luo Jianxing said, his eyes flashing with golden divine radiance.
Then he was dragged away.
Among the Mythic Lords present, who was the strongest was yet to be determined, but who was the weakest... Luo Jianxing, who had only recently ascended, was the prime candidate for the weakest Mythic Lord.
Gou Ping An said, "This battle concerns the reputation of our Phoenix Academy. Let's wait for the mentors or instructors to arrange it."
As the onlookers expected, the Phoenix Academy did not refuse the sparring session.
The next day, as the scorching sun blazed high in the sky.
On the vast open ground outside the academy's clear azure sky, two figures stood facing each other, cupping their fists in a gesture of respect for the spar.
The Cloud Radiance Great Domain was teeming with powerhouses, and Mythic Lords were not few. Many awakened individuals had witnessed public battles between Mythic Lords before, but this did not mean they would not be excited.
On the left stood Rahm, the Hand of Shifting Sands from the Scarlet Sand Nation.
On the right stood Ming Deng, the Wrathful Vajra from the Phoenix Academy.
"The most famous feat of the Hand of Shifting Sands was single-handedly holding back a million-level aberrant tide, dragging several seven-star aberrants into quicksand, and trapping them until reinforcements arrived."
"And this battle occurred two hundred years ago."
Among the crowd, two Mythic Lords from the Cloud Map Nation were observing.
One of them was Steward Luo Xiu, who had previously escorted Mia. Upon receiving the news of the Scarlet Sand Nation's arrival and their desire to spar with the Phoenix Academy, he was dispatched again by the ruler.
The other was the Cloud Map Nation's sage and head of intelligence, "Venerable Huang."
The one who had just spoken was Venerable Huang, who knew almost every Mythic Lord in the Cloud Radiance Great Domain like the back of his hand, and he was also well-informed about the powerhouses of the Phoenix Academy.
"Ming Deng, the Wrathful Vajra, is one of the most popular mentors at the Phoenix Academy, responsible for body-conditioning courses. He possesses an extremely formidable physique and transcendent combat skills, but in other aspects, this Mythic Lord Ming Deng is somewhat lacking."
"Then, do you think Mythic Lord Ming Deng will surely lose?"
"The probability of defeat is high. However, I do not have enough information about Mythic Lord Ming Deng, and he may not only be skilled in physical conditioning. And to be chosen to appear as the main general for the Phoenix Academy, Wrathful Vajra is likely ranked among the top three Mythic Lords within the academy... This is somewhat beyond my initial estimation."
Ming Deng, Professor An, and Instructor Black Saber? Venerable Huang mused.
On the vast open ground, two figures stood facing each other from a distance. Standing beside them was a Mythic Lord from the Blazing Thunder Nation, invited by the Scarlet Sand Nation to serve as the referee.
The Blazing Thunder Nation! The number one powerful nation among the seven nations of the Cloud Radiance.
Twenty thousand years ago, the Blazing Thunder Nation was extremely powerful under its ruler at the time, even aspiring to challenge the position of the Central Sacred Court. However, before the plan could be implemented, a rather tragic civil war broke out in the Blazing Thunder Nation. In that civil war, the Blazing Thunder Nation lost many inheritances, much of its irreproducible Kandra heritage was destroyed, many Mythic Lords perished, and its foundation was greatly weakened. Even today, the Blazing Thunder Nation's national strength is far from its peak, yet it still retains the title of the foremost of the seven nations.
Even if it was just a title, other nations did not hesitate to invite the Blazing Thunder Nation to preside over matters such as authentication and refereeing.
At this moment,
The Mythic Lord from the Blazing Thunder Nation swept his gaze over the two figures expressionlessly and said:
"This battle is for exchange and sparring. Only victory and defeat will be determined, not life and death."
"Then now, the first round of the sparring exchange... begins!"
As his voice fell, Ming Deng's eyes widened, veins bulged on his arms, and he charged forward with imposing might.
The ground cracked and trembled violently with each step he took.
But the speed of Rahm, the Hand of Shifting Sands, was also extremely fast. He retreated backward while raising his hands, unleashing an invisible force. The arid and desolate land immediately became soft and sticky, like a flowing sand river wrapped in yellow sand.
He instantly altered the terrain within a radius of several kilometers!
Ming Deng leaped into the air.
From within the sand river, strands of sand ropes shot out, closely pursuing him.
Ming Deng chased the Hand of Shifting Sands;
Sand ropes chased Ming Deng;
It was a chase and an escape, with figures shifting in the air.
"Since this is an exchange match, the combat area is defined, limiting the space for Rahm, the Hand of Shifting Sands, to evade. However, this veteran Mythic Lord has long possessed a very complete combat system and has focused on cultivating two displacement abilities... Wrathful Vajra Ming Deng, it seems, will not be able to catch up."
"And the yellow sand ropes of Mythic Lord Rahm will only increase over time. At this rate, Ming Deng will be defeated within a dozen rounds."
Venerable Huang made his judgment.
At this moment, Ming Deng stopped his fierce pursuit. He reached out and clapped his palms, which then shone brightly.
Skill: Buddha's Radiance Palm!
Skill: Invisible Hand!
Combined Skill: Buddha's Radiance Grand Seal!
A bright palm seal, hundreds of meters large, descended from the sky with unparalleled might, causing countless awakened individuals to cry out in alarm.
But the Buddha's Radiance Grand Seal slowed down as it descended. Countless yellow sands were seen seeping through the gaps between the fingers of the palm. In the next moment, the entire Grand Seal exploded, leaving only flying yellow sand in the sky.
"Mythic Lord Ming Deng's ability is very exquisite, but his fundamental power is still considerably inferior to Mythic Lord Rahm. Otherwise, this move would have been enough to threaten him... He is suffering from a lack of accumulation, indeed a young Mythic Lord."
Venerable Huang commented, "And Rahm, the Hand of Shifting Sands, not only has a slightly stronger energy output but also possesses richer combat experience than Mythic Lord Ming Deng."
"He not only broke through the Buddha's Radiance Grand Seal but also seized the environmental advantage to set up the next attack."
As expected,
The sky filled with yellow sand descended like a large net, tightly binding the muscular body of Master Ming Deng. More and more yellow sand surged from the surroundings, like a giant hand, gripping and crushing the tiny ant until it was crushed.
"Mythic Lord Ming Deng is in great danger."
Venerable Huang said.
As he spoke, the yellow sand in the sky exploded with a bang.
The kasaya worn by Master Ming Deng also became tattered, revealing his robust muscular lines and the vivid dragon and snake totems on them.
The shadows of dragons and snakes emerged.
"Dragon-Snake Body Tempering! I didn't expect Mythic Lord Ming Deng to have inherited this epic body-tempering technique, and to have cultivated it to a considerable level!"
Venerable Huang was somewhat surprised.
But at the same time, he became even more certain that the Phoenix Academy had indeed obtained a Kandra legacy. After all, Dragon-Snake Body Tempering was a relatively famous high-level inheritance of the Kandra Empire.
As a Kandra scholar, he could not be mistaken.
On the field, Ming Deng became increasingly fierce, his punches creating sonic booms and shattering countless yellow sands. His punches descended like countless missiles streaking across the sky, targeting Rahm, the Hand of Shifting Sands.
In the eyes of the audience, explosions of smoke and clouds erupted in the air. Mythic Lord Ming Deng was incredibly brave, firmly suppressing his opponent and displaying the ultimate heroic demeanor, drawing cheers from the crowd.
But in the eyes of the Mythic Lords...
Master Ming Deng had indeed gained an advantageous position. He was not a pure muscle-bound warrior, but a 'mage' with a muscular physique! His range was far and fierce!
"And he still has a killing move!"
Ming Deng stood in the air, using the brief moment of suppressing his opponent, free from the interference of the yellow sand, he paused for a moment, and a circle of Buddha's radiance emanated from him.
He held a alms bowl artifact in one hand and raised his palm high in the other, then pressed down abruptly.
Instantly, the sky darkened.
A giant palm, ten times more terrifying than the Buddha's Radiance Grand Seal, shrouded in flames, like a sun, descended from the sky.
It was as if the sun had fallen! As if the sun had perished!
This was Master Ming Deng's core skill, a skill he had recently acquired with a large amount of contribution, and had learned under the guidance of a mentor.
—The Great Sun Tathagata Dharma Image!
However, he had only recently begun practicing this skill, and his own realm was insufficient. He was far from manifesting a colossal Buddha phantom that reached the heavens and earth. He merely manifested a palm.
It still possessed world-destroying power.
"Oh my gosh!"
"Is this the power of Mythic Lord Ming Deng?!"
"To possess such a powerful killing move, no wonder Mythic Lord Ming Deng can rank among the top three Mythic Lords of the Phoenix Academy. It looks like his chances of winning are not small."
Venerable Huang said.
But the Hand of Shifting Sands did not sit idly by. He was also a powerful Mythic Lord and had cultivated diligently for many years.
Immediately, a colossal earth-yellow giant rose from the ground with immense pressure.
The heavens and earth roared, and shockwaves rippled out one after another, only to be extinguished by the clear azure sky.
Finally, as the smoke and dust gradually dispersed, the first battle of the sparring match was decided.
Wrathful Vajra Ming Deng... ultimately fell. He was engulfed by quicksand and sank underground, unable to struggle, thus he was judged to have lost.
"It's not that he was outmaneuvered, but that his accumulated power was ultimately insufficient, causing him to lose to Rahm, the Hand of Shifting Sands."
Venerable Huang said, eliciting a strange look from Steward Luo Xiu: You didn't say that just now.
He coughed.
"Mythic Lord Ming Deng's win rate was not low, compared to the beginning. But ultimately, Mythic Lord Rahm has a higher realm, which is the advantage of an experienced and powerful old Mythic Lord."
"Perhaps in a few decades or a century, Mythic Lord Ming Deng will be able to surpass the Hand of Shifting Sands, but now, there is still an unbridgeable gap between them."
...
In front of the palace, the injured Master Ming Deng retreated.
His injuries were not severe, and he had learned the blue skill 'Super Self-Healing'. By the time he walked down, he had almost recovered.
However, the main reason was that Rahm, the Hand of Shifting Sands, had held back, only trapping him.
This indicated a considerable gap between the two.
Even though he had learned a legendary skill.
Ming Deng showed no signs of dejection at his defeat. "But we've lost one match, and we have no room for further failure."
With Ming Deng's defeat, Gou Ping An, Roland, Luo Rui, and the others did not dare to volunteer to go on stage.
They were not afraid of losing; they had lost many sparring matches before, but today they represented the Phoenix Academy, so they had to be extremely cautious.
And among them, no one could confidently say they could defeat Ming Deng, but there were indeed those who could surely defeat him.
Outside, countless eyes were cast, waiting for the Phoenix Academy's second participant.
"Will it be Professor An or Instructor Black Saber?"
Venerable Huang mused.
Fang You was also pondering.
Looking at his panel, he didn't have many great generals he could send out. Shidina, Xing Jinglei, and others represented the Burning Flame Chamber of Commerce; Liu Shang, Yin Ling, and others were non-combat personnel; Pei Hongjing was currently managing affairs on Blue Star.
The only ones truly suitable to represent the Phoenix Academy seemed to be Black Saber and An Jianyou.
"An Jianyou is not currently in the academy; she is still exploring the Valley of Nirvana. Of course, if necessary, Xiao Huan can make a round trip in just a second or two..."
He thought, and Xiao Huan's playful image appeared before his eyes.
"Master, why not try the all-around Xiao Huan?"
"Xiao Huan is not what she used to be now."
She was eager to take the stage.
Xiao Huan had broken through to the Mythic realm a long time ago and possessed a spatial ability that was almost a bug. If she had enough combat experience, she could be almost naturally invincible.
However...
Fang You thought for a moment and decided that letting Xiao Huan participate was also an option.
It wasn't that he trusted her combat power, but rather that if Xiao Huan fell into a disadvantage, he, Mentor Fang, could always possess Xiao Huan and stage a brilliant 'substitute' performance.
The young lady Xiao Huan beamed with joy and immediately manifested her physical body, wearing a beautiful light armor, and appeared outside the Phoenix Palace gate.
"I'll take this battle."
"I am the Master... Dean's assistant and academy mentor, 'Xiao Huan', please give me your guidance."
Mentor Xiao Huan? Did our academy have such a young and beautiful mentor? I don't think so!
Countless students exchanged confused glances.
Let alone them, even many teaching assistants and mentors were bewildered.
Only Master Ming Deng, Roland, Gou Ping An, and a few others had some guesses.
"There seems to be such a young lady beside the mentor, but she has never appeared before."
...
"This Mythic Lord is not in our existing intelligence. Although she appears very weak, since she can represent the Phoenix Academy, she must have special abilities."
Venerable Huang said, then changed the subject:
"However, Ibn, the Wall of Yellow Sand from the Scarlet Sand Nation, possesses considerably stronger power than the Hand of Shifting Sands... And this young lady Xiao Huan is clearly also a very young Mythic Lord, even younger than Mythic Lord Ming Deng..."
No matter what special abilities she had, if the realm difference was too great, it would be in vain.
Ibn, the Wall of Yellow Sand, also thought so.
He felt somewhat reluctant to deal with a young girl, but he would not hold back, as that was the greatest respect to his opponent.
Whoosh—
As soon as the battle began, sand walls condensed and appeared, surrounding Ibn.
But he looked up and saw... Where was she? Where was the Mythic Lord opposite him?
A sense of crisis suddenly struck. Ibn instinctively reinforced the sand wall on his left, and in the next moment, he rolled out. The sand wall shattered, and lightning and fire blazed upon it.
He was not injured, only astonished, and quickly retaliated.
He condensed sand spears, arranged them in hundreds or thousands, and shot them out with a "咻咻" sound.
But...
The figure in his sight disappeared again.
As fellow Mythic Lords, their speed should not be so fast that his eyes couldn't keep up.
"It's an extremely rare spatial ability!"
Possessing spatial abilities was tantamount to being invincible.
Even if Ibn, the Wall of Yellow Sand, unleashed attacks that covered the sky and enveloped everything, it would be in vain.
"However, the attacks of Mythic Lord Xiao Huan cannot penetrate this Wall of Yellow Sand."
Venerable Huang said, "Now, neither can do anything to the other. But in terms of attrition, Ibn, with his superior accumulation of power, definitely has a significant advantage over Mythic Lord Xiao Huan."
"The balance has already tilted."
The battle situation instantly shifted!
Seeing that her prolonged assault was ineffective, Xiao Huan's figure flashed before Ibn, the Wall of Yellow Sand. She phased through the solid barrier and then solidified, slashing with her bare hand.
"Pfft—"
Golden-red Mythic blood splattered across the sky. Ibn stared at his undamaged legendary armor, and the clean, split wound on it, his eyes widening.
This ability...
Before he could think further, a chill ran straight up his spine. He instinctively condensed more sand walls and twisted his body.
"Pfft—"
Another spray of golden-red.
His defenses were completely ineffective.
"No, there's no invincible ability. She must have a weakness!"
After several rounds, Ibn, relying on his seasoned experience, discovered Xiao Huan's weakness.
— When she attacks, she must reveal her true form. This is his opportunity.
...
"This Mythic Lord Xiao Huan is indeed a bit young and doesn't know how to conceal her abilities."
Venerable Huang commented.
He also saw that this ability was practically heaven-defying.
"However, her combat experience is too shallow, and this type of combat system requires experience. As soon as she reveals a flaw, she will lose."
Steward Luo Xiu asked, "In other words, the Wall of Yellow Sand still has a greater chance of winning?"
Venerable Huang nodded. "Just like the previous match, the ultimate victor will still be the experienced and accumulative old Mythic Lord."
...
If she only attacked from a distance, Xiao Huan could sit back and relax.
But if she wanted to win, and win beautifully, she needed to adopt a more 'perilous' combat style.
Holding the 'Space Blade', she moved back and forth, phasing in and out.
Seemingly incredibly perilous, but in reality...
Everything is under my control~!
She had secretly cultivated diligently for years, all for the purpose of shining brightly before her Master today, hmph!
Xiao Huan was indeed aware of her weaknesses.
Therefore, she began to devise a way. Utilizing her racial traits, she constructed a 'mind space' and 'virtual space' capable of transforming everything. Within this virtual space, she materialized Xing Jinglei, Black Saber, An Jianyou, Iroshi, and others as her simulated sparring partners.
At first glance, she was merely a civilian staff member, but in reality, she had undergone 'countless' life-and-death battles... although not entirely life-and-death, the accumulated experience was not false.
She flashed out, slashed, and before Ibn's attack arrived, she calmly retreated into the illusory realm.
She was like a sprite dancing in the cracks of space, her movements graceful.
Ibn, the Wall of Yellow Sand, had long broken out in a cold sweat. He couldn't keep up with Xiao Huan's speed, nor could he defend against Xiao Huan's cuts. He had never fought such a difficult battle!
He could only avoid vital points by relying on his combat experience and keen instinctive intuition.
But he could only avoid vital points.
After dozens of rounds, Ibn was already bleeding profusely.
The repeated failed counterattacks gradually filled him with despair.
He couldn't win!
He absolutely couldn't win!
There was no hope at all!
Only those at the center of the battle could truly understand the despair of facing Xiao Huan.
In the eyes of outsiders, although Ibn was at a disadvantage, he was still desperately trying to seize opportunities.
"Just a little more."
"Still a little more."
"But as Ibn gradually becomes familiar with this spatial combat mode, he will be able to recover his disadvantage."
Venerable Huang said with certainty.
Ibn, the Wall of Yellow Sand, could be hit a hundred times, but Mythic Lord Xiao Huan would lose if she was hit even once.
Steward Luo Xiu nodded in agreement.
"I bet that within ten more moves, Ibn will seize the opportunity and deliver a fatal blow."
Venerable Huang added.
Ten moves later, Venerable Huang's eyelids twitched.
"At most five more moves, Ibn will seize the opportunity. He has already seen through the opponent's trick."
Five moves later,
"At most three more moves."
Three moves later, Da Feng Novel Network
"At most..."
Ibn, the Wall of Yellow Sand, collapsed. The accumulated injuries and despair finally overwhelmed him, and he could no longer stand.
Venerable Huang fell silent.