"Is he about to break through?" the Medical Elder blinked in surprise.
"Junior brothers and sisters, monitor all directions," Yi Yunfei ordered immediately.
Except for Zhu Yanyi on the stage, the other students of the Saint Academy rushed to surround Liu Qirong, forming a protective barrier. Opportunities for breakthrough through comprehension were rare. No one was allowed to disturb any member of the Saint Academy.
"That is your senior brother?" Chanjuan looked at Zhu Yanyi. "Do you think she will break through smoothly?" Her eyes held a strange, eerie glint.
Zhu Yanyi glanced at Chanjuan. "Naturally she can. Why? Do you want to disturb our senior brother's breakthrough?"
Chanjuan stared at Zhu Yanyi. "I dislike people with high cultivation. Your senior brother is clearly at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm. This breakthrough should take her to the late stage. Although she cannot catch up to me, I dislike seeing someone break through in front of me. So, I will have my 'good boys' attack."
After speaking, Chanjuan looked up again and emitted a strange sound. As the sound spread, a chaotic mist appeared, followed by numerous animals. There were common ones like cattle and sheep, as well as snakes, rats, tigers, and more. It seemed Chanjuan had summoned a hundred beasts.
"Summoning a hundred beasts? But your cultivation is insufficient. You can only summon a few types of animals," Zhu Yanyi smiled slightly. She raised her hand gently. A green aura emerged from her body. Countless vine plants appeared along the path where the beasts were approaching.
Everyone felt as if they were dreaming. Such a battle was unbelievable unless seen with one's own eyes. Who would have thought they would witness a clash between a hundred plants and a hundred beasts?
Ignoring the expressions of others, Zhu Yanyi smiled and spoke. "I seem to have forgotten to tell you. You can control beasts, but I can control plants. Any plant, whether in the sky or underground, is under my control."
A hint of strangeness appeared on Zhu Yanyi's face. "Actually, I prefer watching these beasts die slowly. I rarely kill. But since you wish for me to show my killing intent, I will oblige. Let us start with your beasts."
Zhu Yanyi released her aura. Countless plants grew wildly across the sky. The animals were gradually entangled by vines. Numerous man-eating flowers, larger than humans, opened their mouths and swallowed the beasts whole.
"Release my good boys!" Chanjuan’s face changed color.
Zhu Yanyi picked up her white jade flute and placed it to her lips. "Listening to some music is nice. I dislike showing my anger, so everyone should just sleep peacefully."
Music began to play. It was a lullaby. While this music had no effect on the Saint Academy members, everyone else felt the melody entering their minds.
They tried to cover their ears and pretend not to hear, but the music penetrated their thoughts regardless. Slowly, drowsiness overcame them, and they all fell asleep. Even the judges and staff in the back, the host Aguang on stage, and Chanjuan herself, all drifted into slumber.
Zhu Yanyi waved her hand slightly. All the plants vanished. The animals were already asleep.
It gave the impression that the plant attack had merely been an illusion.
The Saint Academy members were stunned by Zhu Yanyi’s profound and mysterious technique. The Medical Elder said speechlessly, "Zhu Yanyi can control plants? How did we not know this?"
Mi Xiao said calmly, "I have known Fifteen for so many years, yet I still do not understand how many skills she possesses. What is this current technique compared to her true abilities?"
Mi Xiao spoke lightly, but the Saint Academy members realized that Zhu Yanyi’s skills likely extended far beyond what they had seen.
Zhu Yanyi’s abilities were indeed vast. The Azure Sovereign Qingdi was an all-around master. Besides medicine, she had dabbled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. These skills had been passed down to Zhu Yanyi.
Moreover, Yan Aohan, as the Lord of the Underworld, knew everything and dabbled in all fields. Worrying that his beloved might suffer in his absence, he taught her everything he could. Thus, it would be strange if Zhu Yanyi did not know these things.
However, she could use certain abilities and then claim she had not. For instance, with the wood ability, she could create an illusion. By playing music, she made the attack seem like a mirage, a fantasy, or a dream.
Zhu Yanyi ignored the sleeping crowd and sat aside, waiting for Liu Qirong to break through.
With Zhu Yanyi’s protection, Liu Qirong’s breakthrough was very smooth. Advancement was a natural process; as long as no one disturbed her, she would succeed.
Liu Qirong opened his eyes. His senior brothers and sisters congratulated him.
"Number Six, you are now at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm. Remember to treat us to a meal," said Jian Feiyan.
"Number Six, you will have to work harder in the future," said Yi Yunfei. With someone’s cultivation increased, they could do more work, allowing him to relax and take a vacation.
"Senior Brother Six, remember to treat us to a big feast," said Mi Xiao.
"Senior Brother Six has recovered. Shouldn’t we wake up the sleeping people?" reminded the honest Niu Wulang.
Only then did everyone remember they were still on the competition stage. They all looked at Zhu Yanyi.
Zhu Yanyi shrugged and blew into her flute. A melody played, and everyone yawned and woke up. However, the animals on the ground remained asleep.
Upon waking and seeing the animals everywhere, everyone was stunned. They recalled Zhu Yanyi’s music and the scene of countless plants. Looking at the arena, there was not a trace of plants. They wondered, was that an illusion?
"What happened to my little good boys?" Chanjuan’s face turned pale.
"Nothing. I do not want them to wake up. I am wondering if I should kill them and roast them for dinner," Zhu Yanyi said seriously.
"You are despicable! How dare you harm my little good boys! I will kill you!" Chanjuan was furious.
Zhu Yanyi sighed. "Whose fault is this? I am merely a victim defending myself, yet I am blamed."
Chanjuan did not care. She looked up and began to summon again.
Seeing this, Zhu Yanyi shook her head slightly. She flew over and slapped Chanjuan to the ground. "With your ability, you think you can summon a hundred beasts? Do you really think you are the King of Beasts? You are merely a wolf woman. If you do not behave, I will break your limbs. Since you do not consider yourself human, I will treat you as an animal."
"You…" Chanjuan’s summoning was interrupted. She had been slapped by Zhu Yanyi. Her eyes were full of anger. She wanted to kill Zhu Yanyi.
"What do you mean 'you'?" Zhu Yanyi looked at Chanjuan, scanning her up and down with disdain.
"What? Not convinced? Hate me? Want to kill me? Come on, come on," Zhu Yanyi provoked with a smile.