CHAPTER 217: CHAPTER 203: FALLEN OUT OF FAVOR

Noble families always look down on people from the lower classes.

However, noble families never disdain power. Lan Tiange’s mocking of Gao Xuan was just for her own satisfaction.

She would never dare to actually step into the arena and duel Gao Xuan with swords because she knew her own limitations. But that didn’t stop her from being a verbal warrior.

Lan Tiange truly despised Yun Qingshang. Clearly a poor girl from the mountains, yet colder than her.

Lan Tiange couldn’t stand any other woman outdoing her, especially women like Yun Qingshang, with lowly origins.

Yet Yun Qingshang proved her strength with just one sword strike, making everyone immediately change their opinion of her.

Tong Chuan was greatly surprised; Yun Qingshang turned out to be a skilled fighter, apparently beyond Level 8. This level of skill was outstanding even among Golden Bull University’s students.

Lu Xiuying was also slightly surprised. She knew Yun Qingshang was strong, but not to this extent.

She clapped her hands lightly twice: "Very beautiful swordsmanship, an excellent swordsman."

Lu Xiuying felt there was no need for further assessment; she wasn’t intending to make things difficult for Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang.

With Yun Qingshang’s level, she was more than qualified to join the Sword Dao Academy.

She said: "Yun Qingshang, your swordsmanship is very impressive. There’s no need for further assessments."

The people around also felt this was reasonable; given Yun Qingshang’s swordsmanship, further tests were indeed unnecessary.

But before Lu Xiuying could finish, someone suddenly spoke loudly from the side: "This doesn’t conform to the academy’s rules, I disagree."

A dark-skinned man stepped forward, and he said to Yun Qingshang, "If you want to join the academy, you have to pass my test first."

Seeing this man step forward, Tong Chuan frowned slightly. He glanced at Lu Xiuying, feeling somewhat dissatisfied.

Lu Xiuying was also surprised. Why did Dong Kuohai come out?

Dong Kuohai was also a coach at the Sword Dojo. Previously, he was an expert in a certain combat brigade, constantly fighting at the frontline against alien races, exuding an aura full of killing intent.

He always showed a tough stance, with somewhat barbaric ways.

Lu Xiuying actually disliked Dong Kuohai, but she knew Dong Kuohai had ties with the Xiao family, and she usually didn’t interact much with him.

This person from the Xiao family actually stood up to make things difficult for Xiao Wan? What does this mean? Family infighting?

Lu Xiuying didn’t want to get involved in these things. Since Dong Kuohai wanted to stand out strongly, she wouldn’t intervene.

Besides, this matter also complied with the rules.

Lu Xiuying remained silent, but Tong Chuan couldn’t ignore it. He said, "Coach Dong, isn’t it inappropriate for you to handle the assessment?"

Dong Kuohai was quite stubborn. He nonchalantly said, "I am a coach, and it is my responsibility to assess students. Dean Tong, you must not show favoritism here."

The way he said it wasn’t very pleasant to hear, causing the usually friendly Tong Chuan’s face to change slightly. But Dong Kuohai was stubborn and unreasonable, and Tong Chuan couldn’t openly confront him.

The crucial point was that Dong Kuohai seized a rule and insisted on conducting the assessment, leaving Tong Chuan without a valid reason to stop him.

Tong Chuan didn’t want to argue with Dong Kuohai, so he could only give a helpless smile to Xiao Wan, indicating he couldn’t do anything about it.

Xiao Wan was truly angry. Dong Kuohai, a member of the Xiao family, openly opposing her was an extremely excessive behavior.

But things had come to this, and she couldn’t do anything about Dong Kuohai.

Xiao Wan said to Gao Xuan, "Forget it, admit defeat."

Gao Xuan was puzzled, "Why?"

"Dong Kuohai is from our Xiao family, well, from Xiao Hanshan’s faction. Once he steps into the arena, he’ll surely kill Yun Qingshang."

Xiao Wan said solemnly, "This time, it’s my fault for not arranging well. I’ll give you an explanation."

Gao Xuan shook his head slightly, "Sister Wan’s words sound so formal. We are good friends who share the same interests. What’s a little trouble?"

He said, "Since Dong Kuohai is the enemy, let Qingshang kill him to teach them a lesson."

"Hmm?"

Xiao Wan frowned, "Dong Kuohai is a top swordsman, this is no joking matter."

Even if Gao Xuan stepped into the arena, he might not be a match for Dong Kuohai.

Meanwhile, Yun Qingshang had already received Gao Xuan’s signal. She lifted her sword and walked before Dong Kuohai, cupping her fists in salute, indicating she accepted the assessment.

Dong Kuohai’s dark face showed a grim smile, "Bold, I like brave young people like you."

He drew the sword from his waist and gave it a shake. The Sword Qi vibrated ominously like a tiger’s roar, echoing fiercely throughout the Sword Dojo.

This maneuver alone caused the spectating students to change their expressions.

Although Dong Kuohai had not yet condensed his Sword Intent, his Sword Qi already possessed some personal spirit and exuded a menacing tiger-like might.

Those with insufficient Sword Dao Cultivation felt their hearts stir and naturally developed a sense of awe when swept by his Sword Qi.

Lan Tiange, a seventh-level swordsman, was already shivering with source power fluctuation, her face ashen due to being too close.

Even Lan Tianshou’s face looked slightly unnatural. Although he was a tenth-level swordsman, his cultivation was indeed inferior to Dong Kuohai’s. Moreover, he lacked Dong Kuohai’s almost tangible murderous aura.

Tong Chuan’s face was full of worry; Dong Kuohai seemed intent on killing!

Lu Xiuying raised her eyebrows but ultimately said nothing. Dong Kuohai wanted to kill, but it had nothing to do with her; it was an internal conflict within the Xiao family!

Dong Kuohai, full of fierce spirit, said to Yun Qingshang, "I’m from the military, and I don’t hold back in a fight. If you die later, don’t blame me."

Yun Qingshang nodded slightly, indicating she understood.

Dong Kuohai didn’t waste words; he raised his sword level, and the Sword Qi transformed into a black tiger, appearing to loom over him.

The black tiger formed by Sword Qi stood over four meters tall, enveloping Dong Kuohai within.

The tiger appeared lifelike, its scarlet-yellow eyes radiating a fierce light, its muscles and bones slowly stretching, seemingly ready to pounce at any moment.

"A display." Xiao Wan scoffed. Turning Sword Qi into a tiger form was imposing, but didn’t really help in actual combat.

Of course, this actually represents Dong Kuohai’s exquisite control over Sword Qi, enabling him to shape it into a tiger, lifelike and vivid.

Once Dong Kuohai achieves Sword Intent, this Sword Qi tiger could truly come to life. For now, it is just a mere form.

Dong Kuohai flaunted his Black Tiger Sword Qi but didn’t see any fear on Yun Qingshang’s face, which made him slightly displeased.

But being from a military background, having gone through hundreds of real battles, since he couldn’t intimidate the opponent, he might as well take direct action.

As the sword tip quivered, the Sword Qi black tiger roared and pounced. Even if Yun Qingshang was wearing armor, the fierce Sword Qi could blast her into pieces.

Dong Kuohai’s attack was so fierce and aggressive that it made many student spectators tremble in fear. It was clear that he intended to kill.

Yun Qingshang was elegantly beautiful, though cold and aloof, yet very likable.

Thinking of such a young girl about to be blasted into a pile of rotten flesh, many people felt reluctant. Nonetheless, no one was willing to close their eyes.

This was a rare chance to witness a tenth-level swordsman demonstrate powerful Sword Qi. Even more rare was that the opposite was a living person; they also wanted to see the real power of Sword Qi.

At the very moment the Black Tiger Sword Qi was about to strike, Yun Qingshang abruptly swung her heavy sword.

The dozens of kilograms heavy sword slashed through the air, forming a crescent-shaped arc of Sword Light, and the huge Black Tiger Sword Qi shattered under the crescent Sword Light.

The crescent-shaped Sword Light divided further; another crescent Sword Light slashed straight at Dong Kuohai.

Dong Kuohai was shocked; this arc-shaped Sword Light was clearly Sword Qi! That eighteen-year-old girl opposite him had unexpectedly become a tenth-level swordsman!

Moreover, the crescent Sword Qi she unleashed was so sharp and swift, surpassing his Black Tiger Sword Qi.

With his rich combat experience, Dong Kuohai had no time to wonder how Yun Qingshang was so formidable at this moment.

He spun the longsword in his hand continuously, releasing paths of black Sword Qi, layer by layer intercepting the crescent Sword Light.

The surging Sword Qi fell onto the mat, immediately leaving a long Sword mark. The shattered debris was flung up to dozens of meters away along with the Sword Qi.

Many students, seeing the situation turning bad, hurriedly scattered and retreated.

Lan Tiange wisely hid behind Lan Tianshou; with her brother around, she would somehow be protected.

Lan Tianshou had no mind to care for his sister, his eyes fixated on the dueling parties, his complexion growing paler.

Dong Kuohai was a veteran tenth-level swordsman, his Sword Qi vigorous and fierce, which was normal.

But Yun Qingshang could also unleash Sword Qi, and her Sword Qi was sharp and fierce; the dozens of kilograms heavy sword in her hand changed swiftly and unpredictably.

Respectable tenth-level swordsman Dong Kuohai was completely suppressed by Yun Qingshang.

Lan Tianshou grew increasingly astounded the more he watched; Yun Qingshang was evidently far superior to him. Once she came, he was surely going to be overshadowed.

Lan Tianshou couldn’t understand; in a place as barren as Pegasus Star, producing a Gao Xuan was already heaven-defying, and now another even more extraordinary Yun Qingshang emerged.

"If this continues, Dong Kuohai might lose..."

Just as this thought occurred to Lan Tianshou, a perfect and flawless circular Sword Light deeply imprinted itself into his eyes.

As the flawless Sword Light shone, within the circular Sword Light, two opposing arc-shaped Sword Lights emerged.

Dong Kuohai was greatly alarmed; the opponent’s Sword Qi was roundly enclosing with arcs, the arcs unpredictable as they split. He couldn’t see through the opponent’s Sword technique change.

More frightening, the opponent’s Sword Qi was extremely sharp and fierce; he feared he wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

Dong Kuohai could only desperately unleash layers of black Sword Qi, but unable to see through the real and fake, he was immediately seized upon by Yun Qingshang, whose Sword Light, wavering unpredictably, transformed into a direct arc cut, shredding through the layers of black Sword Qi, leaving a straight Sword mark on Dong Kuohai’s forehead.

Dong Kuohai froze; a line of blood on his body suddenly spread, and he exploded with a bang.

The splattering blood sprayed dozens of meters away, splattering large patches of blood on many of the spectators.

Yun Qingshang withdrew her sword and stood silently, bowing in salute to Lu Xiuying with her sword.

Gao Xuan approached a few steps regrettably, saying, "I’m sorry, Coach Dong was really too strong, she couldn’t hold back. What a tragedy. Why did it have to come to this."

He comforted Yun Qingshang, "Don’t be afraid, it’s not your fault. Don’t let it cast a shadow on your mind. Forget it, better not look. The scene is a bit bloody. Watching too much might give you nightmares."

Xiao Wan almost wanted to laugh at this; this guy sure has a sharp tongue, but she liked it.

She said to Lu Xiuying and Tong Chuan, "It’s truly regrettable that such an incident occurred."

Lu Xiuying said with an odd expression, "It is quite regrettable."

Tong Chuan sighed, "A fair fight, it’s not that kid’s fault. It’s all Dong Kuohai’s recklessness that cost him his life. It truly shouldn’t have happened."

He added, "If Dong Kuohai hadn’t had an accident, I would have punished him."

Lu Xiuying’s expression turned more peculiar; talking condescendingly over his dead body, Dean Tong was quite sly.

But then, Dong Kuohai was conceited and his attack was vicious with intent to kill. Being counter-killed, he had no words to say.

This young girl Yun Qingshang is indeed remarkable; there might be no one in the Twelve Star Domain University who could rival her.

Originally, Golden Source University had produced several super geniuses in the past two years, greatly flourishing. Their Sword Team was pressured to the brink, Lan Tianshou alone had difficulty standing against many and couldn’t sustain the situation.

Now with Yun Qingshang, combined with Lan Tianshou and Gao Xuan, Golden Source University was no longer a problem. Even visiting the Central Star Realm they could perform admirably.

Lu Xiuying’s thoughts were simple; as long as they were useful to the Sword Team, they were good students. Whatever factions or backgrounds, she wasn’t too concerned.

Having unexpectedly acquired a swordsmanship genius like Yun Qingshang, were it not for the bloody spectacle, Lu Xiuying might have burst into laughter.

She said to Yun Qingshang and Gao Xuan, "You’ve both passed the assessment; I’ll take you to the education office to complete the admission formalities..."

Lu Xiuying also said to Tong Chuan, "I’ll leave the aftermath here to you, Dean."

Lu Xiuying led Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang away.

Lan Tianshou watched Lu Xiuying’s amiable demeanor, feeling rather uncomfortable.

This chief coach was usually harsh and sharp, but she had never been this warm towards him.

Now that Gao Xuan and Yun Qingshang had arrived, was he going to fall out of favor...