Deep within the martial academy, next to the seven-story tower, stood a quiet, secluded courtyard house. This vicinity housed the martial academy’s instructors, and among all the residences, this courtyard house was the most splendid. It seldom received visitors, but it had been hosting an occupant for the past few days.
Inside the courtyard house.
“Junior Sister, don’t fault Master. Every martial artist must go through the trials of the world. Being an instructor at the martial academy is already one of the easiest and most leisurely roles,” laughed a young man clad in a roomy black robe, with a faint scar on his face.
“I know.” Huan Xinyan, her striking black hair framing her face, smiled, “To be an instructor, to teach students, is also to teach oneself. In the year that I’ve served as an instructor at the martial academy, the martial principles that eluded me in the past have slowly become clearer to me.”
“That’s right.” The scarred young man regarded Huan Xinyan appreciatively, “The little girl who once followed her senior brother around, making a fuss, has finally started to mature.”
“Senior Brother, you’re always bringing up my childhood,” Huan Xinyan gave a resigned smile.
“Haha, even this young lady knows how to feel bashful,” the scarred young man chuckled heartily. He patted Huan Xinyan’s head affectionately. “I wonder which talented young man out there will one day be worthy of you.”
Despite his youthful appearance, the scarred young man was actually over 40 years old. His mastery of martial arts had preserved his looks remarkably well over time, and he was someone who had witnessed Huan Xinyan grow up every step of the way.
“It’s still early,” Huan Xinyan said, “I remember you were over 30 when you got married, Senior Brother.”
“I married late because there was no suitable match,” the scarred young man chuckled, “Actually, that young lad Lu Ren is not bad.”
“Senior Brother, please don’t make things up. I’m not interested in him, and I’m not thinking of getting married anytime soon,” Huan Xinyan shook her head.
The knife-scarred young man simply smiled in amusement, clearly not taking her words to heart.
“Instructor Huan, Senior Brother Wu Yuan has arrived at the martial academy. He has already gone to the martial grand hall,” a somewhat uneasy voice called from outside the small courtyard.
The two within the courtyard house turned their heads toward the voice. Outside the courtyard stood a tall, slender girl. She looked youthful and wore the martial academy disciple uniform.
“Wu Yuan has arrived? Good, immediately report this to the headmaster, as well as the other instructors of the martial academy. I shall be there promptly,” Huan Xinyan instructed.
“Understood.” The girl took her leave.
“Wu Yuan? A disciple of the martial academy, I presume,” the scarred youth in black robes chuckled. “It appears you are worried about him, Junior Sister?” Earlier, he had heard the girl addressing Wu Yuan as ‘Senior Brother’, thus he deduced his position within the martial academy.
“He was my first personal mentee since my arrival at the Li County martial academy,” Huan Xinyan wore a slightly prideful smile. “I’m looking for him because he potentially possesses the strength of a sixth-grade martial virtuoso. Hence, I wish for all the instructors of the martial academy to witness an assessment of his abilities.”
“A sixth-grade martial virtuoso?” the scarred youth in the black robe chuckled. “The disciples of the martial academy are typically no older than fifteen, if I recall correctly.”
“Correct! Wu Yuan has barely turned fourteen,” said Huan Xinyan earnestly. “Moreover, his rapid progress has only occurred over the past few months. Just half a year ago, he was still somewhat lacking even for a seventh-grade martial novice.”
“Barely fourteen? And not even a seventh-grade martial novice just six months ago?” The usually composed youth in black robes appeared slightly taken aback. “Sister, are you certain? Did he experience an awakening in his martial path?”
“How can I not be certain of my personal mentee’s progress?” Huan Xinyan affirmed.
The black-robed youth nodded slightly. “His physical constitution has improved at an astonishing rate. I do wonder how he fares in actual combat, though.”
“His blade techniques and footwork are both solid,” Huan Xinyan said confidently. She could see that her senior brother was intrigued.
“Haha, Junior Sister, whether his training is solid or not is best determined through actual combat,” the scar-faced youth in black laughed. “Isn’t your martial academy planning to assess him? Take me with you, I would like to see him for myself.”
“Alright.” Huan Xinyan’s eyes brightened. She knew well that her senior brother held a high position within the sect. Should Wu Yuan catch his eye, Huan Xinyan was even more confident about Wu Yuan’s chances of joining the sect. One could even say that it was set in stone.
The martial grand hall was the main hall of the martial academy, a venue for large-scale public events. Within the hall were several practice rooms and strength assessment chambers. It was a place where disciples of the martial academy frequented.
“Senior Brother Wu Yuan.”
“Senior Brother.” These martial academy disciples all recognized Wu Yuan.
Standing by the side of the grand hall, Wu Yuan responded with a modest nod.
Why would Instructor Huan and the Headmaster be looking for me? He could think of no particular reason.
Ever since the martial academy major tournament ended, he had kept a low profile, seldom venturing out even when he cultivated at the martial academy.
These few months, I have only met Instructor Huan two or three times. Could it be related to those rumors spread by the clan?
Within his clan, it was rumored that he possessed a level of strength nearing that of a martial virtuoso. But that was only a rumor, he had never publicly demonstrated such power.
At this moment, a group of six or seven martial academy disciples walked through the large door of the grand hall.
“Brother Guan, you will definitely be the first of us to reach the level of a seventh-grade martial novice!”
“A seventh-grade martial novice!”
“Brother Guan has placed first in the last four minor tournaments, and the speed of his progress is getting faster each day. There’s a good chance he’ll enter the Cloud Martial Hall next year.” The disciples chattered as they walked, complimenting the handsome, burly young man in the center of the group.
“Hm? Isn’t that Senior Brother Wu Yuan over there?” One of them suddenly noticed Wu Yuan standing close by.
“Wu Yuan?”
“At this year’s martial academy major tournament, it’s said that his strength was not far off from Liu Ruyan, who took first place!” Several disciples whispered among themselves.
In terms of age, Wu Yuan was even younger than some of them. However within the martial academy, Wu Yuan had always been a famous figure.
“Wu Yuan?” the teenager named Guan Yang furrowed his brows. He had heard of Wu Yuan.
As the most dazzling disciple from the Dongye Guan Clan in recent years, he yearned to enter the Cloud Martial Hall more than anything else. And to enter the Cloud Martial Hall, he had to seize first place in the martial academy major tournament.
Guan Yang had assessed his competitors, and his greatest competitor was none other than Wu Yuan. But in the past few months, he had not seen Wu Yuan around.
“I heard that Wu Yuan is eligible to participate in the next martial academy major tournament. That’s why he stayed in the academy for one more year; he’s aiming for the Cloud Martial Hall too,” a disciple whispered. “He is Brother Guan’s biggest threat.”
The other disciples all nodded in agreement; even without increasing their strength, the top four of the previous tournament all had the potential to seize first place in the next major tournament. Moreover, they were at the golden age of physical development. Even without intense training, their strength would steadily increase.
“He’s very powerful; I don’t think Brother Guan can match him yet,” said a rather calm, tall, and skinny disciple in the group.
“Hmph!” Guan Yang huffed coldly, shooting a stern glance at the skinny disciple. The disciple’s expression faltered, immediately realizing he had misspoken.
Guan Yang abruptly changed his direction, leading his followers straight towards Wu Yuan.
“Senior Brother Wu,” Guan Yang greeted with a beaming smile, showing no trace of his previous coldness. “I have always admired Senior Brother Wu, but never got the chance to speak with you.”
“Senior Brother Wu.”
“Hello, Senior Brother.” Several disciples greeted him with a look of awe.
Even though they formed a clique with Guan Yang, they were still quite reserved in front of the famous Senior Brother Wu.
“Hello,” Wu Yuan casually replied, not minding them.
“Senior Brother Wu, my name is Guan Yang. I was wondering if my name rings a bell with you?” Guan Yang maintained a graceful smile.
“Guan Yang?” Wu Yuan pondered, shaking his head, “No.”
Guan Yang’s face stiffened. At that moment, he was fully convinced that Wu Yuan was deliberately mocking him. After all, he had seized first place in the minor tournament four times consecutively. Even if Wu Yuan didn’t recognize him, how could he not know his name?
Little did he know that ever since the last martial academy major tournament, Wu Yuan no longer paid any attention to the events within the academy.
Martial academy major tournament? That was just a bunch of children playing house. In Wu Yuan’s original plan, he had no intention to participate.
“Senior Brother Wu, your reputation precedes you,” Guan Yang fixed his gaze on Wu Yuan. “Word has it that you decided not to enroll in Southdream Martial Academy, all to secure the top spot in next year’s major tournament. Interestingly, I also have my sights set on joining the Cloud Martial Hall.”
“Why don’t we have a contest now? Senior Brother, what do you think?”
“A contest?” Wu Yuan raised an eyebrow. He swept his gaze around, only then noticing the martial academy disciples behind Guan Yang. He quickly grasped the situation.
“There’s no need for a contest.” Wu Yuan said indifferently.
“Is Senior Brother Wu scared, or do you think I’m not worthy?” Guan Yang asked in a low voice, “Senior brother Wu, you are strong. At fourteen, you became a seventh-grade martial novice. I admire that. Perhaps physically, I’m not as strong as you.”
“However, I received personal guidance and training from my clan’s ancestor. I believe my saber skills are rather unique. I heard Senior Brother is also proficient in the saber. I would like to request your guidance.” Guan Yang stared at Wu Yuan.
Guan Yang was not impulsive by nature. But if he wanted to enter the Cloud Martial Hall, he had to understand the gap in strength between Wu Yuan and himself.
“Ancestor?” Wu Yuan’s brow furrowed slightly before he suddenly asked, “You are from the Dongye Guan Clan?”
“Indeed!” Guan Yang replied with a hint of pride.
Wu Yuan understood. The ancestor of Dongye Municipality’s Guan Clan, Guan Zishan, was the top expert of Li City, a former first-rate Adept! The Guan Clan was one of the most prominent families in Li City.
“There’s Wu Yuan.”
“He’s finally back.” Noise echoed from the grand hall’s entrance as a group entered, drawing the attention of numerous disciples.
Guan Yang and Wu Yuan both turned to look.
Headmaster Zhang Da, Huan Xinyan, and over ten other martial academy instructors clad in purple robes walked in together.
“Headmaster? Instructor Liu?” Guan Yang asked, slightly surprised.
“So many instructors! Why have they suddenly come to the martial grand hall?” The twenty-odd disciples in the hall were all puzzled.
Wu Yuan also looked over, but his gaze passed over the rest of the instructors and landed on a young man in black robes with a scarred face at the very back of the group.
That stride. Those eyes. And that aura, perfectly concealed but still caught by Wu Yuan’s sharp perception. He instantly knew that this was an expert, at least a first-rate Adept!
“Haha, Guan Yang, I didn’t expect you all to be here,” one of the martial academy instructors stepped forward, laughing, “We were going to call you over to observe and learn from your senior brother, Wu Yuan. Since you are all here already, you’ve saved us the trouble.”
“Instructor Liu, what do you mean by ‘observe and learn’?” Guan Yang couldn’t help but ask.
“What?” the martial academy instructor frowned, “Don’t you know? Your senior brother Wu Yuan has reached the level of martial virtuoso. Today, the martial academy is publicly assessing him!”
“Senior Brother Wu? Martial virtuoso?” Guan Yang stared at Wu Yuan as though looking at a monster.