Chapter 2195

Three days had passed. Out of thousands of candidates, only two hundred and thirty had emerged. These were exceptionally talented individuals, yet the true challenge lay ahead.

"Two hundred and thirty people, all present. Now, the real competition begins," Xi Muzheng said slowly.

"Dean, what do you mean by 'real competition'? We don't understand," one student asked.

Xi Muzheng spoke calmly, "I know that although you are participating in this contest, you are deeply dissatisfied with those fifty people over there. You believe their cultivation is inferior to yours, yet they received free spots simply for visiting the Bright Forest. You are angry."

"Dean, our group of fifty already has a team name. We temporarily call ourselves 'Born for the Competition.' Isn't that a good name?" Chen Zhengyong raised his hand with a grin.

"What a terrible name? Who came up with that?" Zhu Yanyi asked Ouyang Tianyun beside her in a low voice.

Ouyang Tianyun shrugged. "Those few bored people came up with it. They said since we are competing for Qixia, we need a team name, so they called it 'Born for the Competition.'" He smiled.

Zhu Yanyi wrinkled her nose in disgust. "That name is so clumsy. Since we are competing for Qixia, the name should be 'Competing for Qixia.' The intent is clear and distinct. Much better."

Zhu Yanyi had just spoken casually when Ouyang Tianyun raised her hand. "Dean, we changed our team name again. Our captain said the previous name lacked clear intent, so we changed it to 'Competing for Qixia.'"

Xi Muzheng was amused by their antics. "Do not interrupt me, or you can handle it yourselves."

Zhu Yanyi said, "When did I become the captain?"

"You have always been our captain," Sikong Xuran said with a grin from the side.

Zhu Yanyi shrugged, then looked at Xi Muzheng. "Dean, please hurry up and get to the point."

Xi Muzheng laughed again. "I can't be bothered with you lot."

She then addressed the two hundred and thirty people. "I know you are unwilling to accept this. I know others are too. You think the fifty spots we gave are unfair. You believe those fifty spots should belong to you, because your contributions are greater, and they stole your opportunities.

But you have forgotten that in the past, our academy usually only gave about one hundred spots for Qixia. Their fifty spots do not take from that quota. However, you do not believe this. I know there is much gossip outside. I deliberately did not suppress it, because it is unnecessary. Let strength speak for itself. In the cultivation world, the strong are respected."

Xi Muzheng’s tone grew stern. "You know this principle well, because you consider yourselves strong and look down on others. This time, prove it to me. Therefore, I announce that all two hundred and thirty spots are canceled. Only the fifty spots for those fifty people are valid.

If you want a spot, you must challenge them.

Each of the fifty can accept at most three challenges per day. If they lose even once, their spot belongs to the winner. However, if you lose, and their fifty spots remain untouched, starting from the day after the competition ends, you will all be confined for ten years to reflect on your mistakes. This is your punishment. If you still cannot understand after that, you may leave the Sage Academy."

Xi Muzheng had not originally planned for such a punishment, but he decided it was necessary. These students did not understand right from wrong. Only through punishment would they realize their errors. Moreover, if they failed, they would be deeply打击 (struck down). It takes time to recover from such a blow. After much thought, he decided on a ten-year confinement. Through ten years of reflection, they might awaken. If they still could not wake up, Xi Muzheng felt they had no place in the school.

Everyone except Zhu Yanyi’s group of fifty was stunned. Three days! The competition over those three days had been fierce. They had used all their abilities to fight for one of the two hundred and thirty spots. Yet, Xi Muzheng told them those spots were gone. To enter the Qixia Secret Realm, they had to defeat one of Zhu Yanyi’s fifty people.

They looked at Zhu Yanyi’s group. The fifty of them waved happily, showing no desire to face a cruel battle.

"How about I start?" Zhu Yanyi smiled and walked onto the stage.

"Today, I can accept three matches. Martial arts, medicine, alchemy, herb usage, etc., you can choose freely. New tricks are also allowed, but each challenger can only choose one type.

I will only accept three challengers today. I am very easy to talk to. If I lose, my spot is yours. So, senior brothers and sisters, please do your best. Look, I am younger than you."

Zhu Yanyi paused. "I am only twenty-three years old. I am so young, so please show mercy. Of course, because I am young, I will not show mercy."

Hearing this, the other forty-nine people covered their eyes, unwilling to watch Zhu Yanyi. Her face was too thick. Listen to what she said: others should show mercy because she was young, but she wouldn’t show mercy because she was young. The problem was, even if others didn’t show mercy, they might not be her match. If they showed mercy, they might not even have a chance to turn the tables.

Zhu Yanyi ignored the actions of the other forty-nine. She wore an innocent smile, her clear eyes blinking, looking like a young girl just starting out.

Seeing this, Xi Muzheng whispered to Mu Rongyin, "I think only blind people would think she is harmless."

Mu Rongyin coughed twice. "Dean, there really are blind people."

Indeed, a student had already stepped onto the stage. It was a male student. "Hello, junior sister. My name is Yue Rong, from the Martial Arts class. I would like to spar with you."

"Great, great," Zhu Yanyi nodded, then said seriously, "Then let’s spar. I am best at using medicine. I wonder what weapon senior brother is best at using."

"Is medicine a weapon?" Yue Rong looked at Zhu Yanyi in surprise.

Zhu Yanyi nodded solemnly. "Of course it is a weapon. When facing an enemy, one should use what they are best at."

Yue Rong felt something was wrong but couldn’t figure out what. He just nodded and said, "Then I will offend you." He clenched his hands, and his weapons appeared—double-handed blades.