Chapter 597: Don't You Have Any Finesse?
Xiang Shaoyun spent three days on the third floor. Over the three days, he had read a large number of books, enriching his brain with knowledge. He now had a general understanding of what was commonly known and the many organizations of the dominion. All that knowledge would benefit him in the future.
After all, as he grew in strength, he could no longer focus on a single city or region. After regaining what was rightfully his, he would most likely travel across the dominion to expand his horizons. Of course, that was all for the future.
During these three days, many people were looking for him. A large number of them wanted to challenge him, as Xiao Wei had just announced that those on the Jiao Luan List could now challenge him as well. Those who could defeat Xiang Shaoyun would gain 1 Dragon Villa in addition to a reward of one million contribution points. It drove a lot of people crazy.
Just 1 Dragon Villa alone was enough to attract the envy of many, and now, one million contribution points were added to sweeten the deal. Not even those on the Jiao Luan List could easily accumulate that many contribution points. Everyone guessed that this was probably the academy's trial for Xiang Shaoyun to see if he was worthy of staying at 1 Dragon Villa.
Whatever the reason, everyone wanted to be the first to locate Xiang Shaoyun and defeat him. When Xiang Shaoyun learned of that at the Book Pavilion, he was dumbstruck. He couldn't help cursing inwardly, Others can earn one million contribution points after defeating me, yet I don't get anything out of defeating my opponents? How am I supposed to make a living?
He did not mind the challenges. He only minded the fact that the same reward wasn't offered to him. At that thought, he had the urge to look for Xiao Wei and reason with him, but then he realized that he had no idea where to find Xiao Wei. More importantly, he did not have the guts to storm the meeting hall himself since he wasn't qualified to go there without being summoned.
Helpless, he was forced to spread the news that he would not be accepting the challenges from those who couldn't wager at least 200,000 contribution points. Since the academy wasn't offering him any rewards, he could only rely on his own hard work to make some contribution points.
Not long after Xiang Shaoyun made the announcement, he received a challenge. The challenger was Lin Yang, someone within the Serpent Fowl List's top 100. During the physique test, it was revealed he had a primary-grade seven-star physique. He also possessed an Innate Flame Physique and was a core disciple.
Lin Yang was 30 years old. Thus, he was very glad that he was able to join the Dragon Phoenix Academy before he became too old to join. He wasn't from an influential and rich family. However, he had always worked hard on cultivation. He was now a peak first-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator. He only needed to take one more step forward to reach the second stage. He could then start challenging those on the Jiao Luan List.
In truth, his combat prowess wasn't much weaker than those at the bottom of the Jiao Luan List. He was only challenging Xiang Shaoyun because he was a member of Flaming Sun. His mission was not only to defeat Xiang Shaoyun but also to recruit him into the Flaming Sun. That was Li Li's idea. She believed Lin Yang would be able to complete this mission.
On the ring, Lin Yang stood with a crimson dagger in hand, nonchalantly picking his nails with it, looking completely calm and composed. He wasn't a handsome person, but he had a steadfast face that wasn't annoying to look at. He also had a stern bearing about him, one that many women liked.
Alas, when Xiang Shaoyun appeared, he grabbed all the attention from Lin Yang. Not only was Xiang Shaoyun handsome, but he also had a graceful temperament that many women liked. He exuded the feeling that he was the son of a god, and nobody was worthy of competing against him. One could say that Xiang Shaoyun was starting to shine like a star. Although his brilliance wasn't exactly unrivaled among his peers, few could compare with him.
"Do you have 200,000 contribution points prepared? If not, I won't waste any time with you," said Xiang Shaoyun the moment he stepped onto the ring.
Lin Yang's face turned ghastly as he cursed inwardly, Don't you have any finesse? Why is this the first thing you ask?
"Yes. Win it from me if you can," said Lin Yang as he played with the dagger in his hand. The dagger shone with a dazzling crimson radiance, revealing that it was not an ordinary weapon.
"Good. I hereby announce that those with 200,000 contribution points are allowed to challenge me. Today, this young master will be staying on the ring. Let's see if anyone can make me leave the ring," said Xiang Shaoyun with a look of madness.
For some reason, after discovering the academy's new announcement regarding him, anger welled up within him. He decided he was not going to remain low-profiled any longer. Otherwise, everyone would think they could bully him. He wanted to prove to the grand elders that his choice of cultivating nine elements was not wrong.
An uproar erupted among the crowd when they heard his announcement.
"Has he gone mad? Does he really think he's undefeatable? That is no different than suicide!"
"Yeah, with his combat prowess, fighting a battle or two in a row will be fine. Any more than that will probably exhaust him to death. Is he deliberately setting himself up for a defeat because he can't take the pressure anymore?"
"Looks like he has gone mad from being driven into a corner. But that's good as well. Although he has an impressive physique, cultivating nine powers is the same as destroying his own future. Now would be a good chance to teach him a lesson and make him restart his cultivation from scratch. He might still have a chance to rise in the future instead of wasting his physique away like this."
"Let's see if he can even survive Lin Yang's challenge."
...
"Are you saying that your victory against me is certain?" asked Lin Yang with a frown.
"Why are you asking a question you already know the answer to?" said Xiang Shaoyun with a shrug.
"You're courting death!" Lin Yang shouted as he erupted with power and flooded the ring with a boundless flame power. Unfortunately, Xiang Shaoyun moved in advance before he could attack.
Overlord's Nine Nether Steps.
Moving like the wind stage, flawless mastery.
As he drew from his wind star, the yin devil wind's power started coursing through his body. With his exquisite footwork and footwork intent, he transformed into wind and instantly appeared beside Lin Yang.
Seven Scorching Sun Claws!
No longer hiding anything, he converged Yun Flame's power around his palms and clawed at Lin Yang. The might of the Seven Scorching Sun claws had increased substantially after he had gained the teachings of the gravekeeper elder. The attack was clean and efficient, each motion flowing smoothly and erupting with abundant power as it shot towards Lin Yang's vitals.
Lin Yang had not expected Xiang Shaoyun's attack to come so quickly. Its speed was already comparable to a fourth-stage Emperor. Before he could even react, red bloomed from his body.