Chapter 1088: Great Masterpiece
Even if Jiang Zhitong were to die, no one would spare him a second glance, let alone that he was in good condition.
Right now, Ying Baiwu was in the limelight.
After a series of explosive shots, the iron-headed young girl rose upright.
The martial dojo was very big and didn't have a roof. Hence, the blue clear sky became Ying Baiwu's backdrop.
She stood there in the air, looking down at Xu Cong.
The entire martial dojo was silent.
Even the great teachers who had seen a lot in life were extremely astonished right now, let alone the spectators.
Fly... flying?
Was this something that could be done by humans?
Xu Cong looked at Ying Baiwu with a stunned expression. To think that she could fly?
Thereafter, a tremendous wave of defeat filled Xu Cong. It made him feel that his hard work for the past 20 or more years was all futile.
(How am I supposed to fight like this? Even though my sword qi can also hit things from a distance, the range is about 30 meters at most. However, my opponent is now flying over 50 meters up in the sky, and it looks like she can go higher!)
Putting aside the fact that Ying Baiwu's archery skills were unrivaled, even any hunter who couldn't sense spirit qi would be able to shoot Xu Cong to death as long as they could fly.
He had no chance of winning!
After waiting for a few seconds, Ying Baiwu drew her bowstring, gathered spirit qi, then formed a semi-translucent arrow.
"Hmmm? Why did she show her arrow?"
Lu Zhiruo couldn't understand.
"It's because she's sure to win regardless if the arrow is transparent or not."
Tantai Yutang chuckled. Of course, the most important thing was to cause Xu Cong to feel humiliated.
Right now, Xu Cong was facing a difficult situation.
There was no way that he'd be able to win, but if he were to admit his loss... Thinking of the Jiang Clan and his teacher's conflicts, thinking of his honor, he'd rather die in battle than admit his loss willingly.
But he really had no chance of winning this!
Although there was the saying that blades and swords couldn't see and casualties were common in battles, Ying Baiwu cared about her teacher's honor. In a situation where she was sure to win, if she were to shoot and kill her opponent intentionally, it'd make her seem ruthless and heartless. Therefore, Ying Baiwu let Xu Cong make the decision.
(Don't disappoint me!)
Ying Baiwu wore a mocking gaze, intentionally agitating Xu Cong.
The battle entered a stalemate.
Tong Yiming was stunned.
Wasn't Sun Mo too powerful?
It had only been over two years since he first saw Sun Mo in the first great teacher examination. How could Sun Mo have grown to such a horrifying state?
The ancestor-level experts on the judges' stand were stunned too. Only after a long time did one of them speak up.
"Secondary Saint Zhou has really gone for wool and come home shorn. After this examination, Sun Mo's reputation will fill the entire great teacher world. He'll definitely be a saint candidate!"
"That's right. He has comprehended the Ancient Sage Halo and received recognition from over 1,000 ancient sages. Now, he has even invented a way to fly, rewriting the way of battles in Middle-Earth Nine Provinces!"
"I wonder if this flying technique is easily applicable? If it can be mass-produced, it'll be bad."
The ancestor-level great teachers discussed amongst themselves, wearing solemn expressions.
In the past, archers weren't highly regarded and people placed more value on blades and swords. After all, in battles, archers had both advantages and disadvantages. However, once they could fly, how were others going to fight?
Right now, Ying Baiwu didn't need to fight to the bitter end like before. She could just fly and send out a round of explosive shots, ending the battle.
Peak of the Blood Ignition Realm?
Sorry, even someone from the legendary realm would be bashed up. The worst-case scenario would be that Ying Baiwu's attacking prowess was too weak and she couldn't break through her opponent's defense.
However, it would be impossible to kill her!
"Erm, is this considered a violation of rules?"
Someone from the crowd suddenly asked.
"I don't think so? The rules say that if one falls off from the arena and lands on the ground, it'll be considered their loss. But she's flying!"
"That's right. The rules don't say that flying isn't allowed!"
"But isn't this being too shameless?"
"You're blaming others when you're the one who can't fly?"
The spectators discussed amongst themselves, claiming that they had gotten their ticket's worth from watching this battle.
"Kneel down and admit your loss!"
Ying Baiwu was very sly, adding the words "kneel down" just to enrage Xu Cong.
Xu Cong instantly fumed up. He had the urge to kill her, but he couldn't!
"Since you aren't admitting your loss, it means that you want to continue fighting?"
As Ying Baiwu said this, she released the bowstring.
Swoosh!
The arrow shot out.
Xu Cong quickly dodged it, only to realize that the arrow dissipated in midair. His expression turned dark.
She was clearly trying to scare him and had no intention of attacking.
This was too humiliating. Xu Cong wanted to slap his chest and bellowed, challenging her to come down if she had the guts to. However, in the end, he still didn't dare to do so.
"I don't have time to waste on you!"
Ying Baiwu drew her bow once again.
"Indeed, I can't reach you, but it isn't easy for you to kill me either!"
Xu Cong planned on going all out to dodge the attack. (I don't believe that your spirit qi can allow you to fly forever.)
Beng!
The bowstring trembled.
An arrow shot out and then split up into 99 shadows above the arena. They came down like the rain.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Wind King Divine Arrows exploded over a large area.
"Admit loss... We admit our loss!"
Jiang Zhitong was supported by two of his good friends and he shouted out weakly.
He really couldn't accept this!
But so what?
Sun Mo looked over.
The two friends who were supporting Jiang Zhitong immediately lowered their heads. They didn't wish to offend Sun Mo and be seen to be on the same side as Jiang Zhitong.
"This round, Ying Baiwu wins!"
Tong Yiming announced.
Ying Baiwu landed on the arena. Then, with another leap, she flew lightly over to Sun Mo. Her actions looked very cool.
"Teacher Sun, how is this done?"
Despite knowing that this wasn't a suitable time to ask such a question, Liang Hongda really couldn't hold it in.
Swoosh!
Everyone's eyes stared at Sun Mo, having a strong wish to know.
"Through spirit runes!"
Sun Mo smiled, not hiding anything.
Old Master Zheng, Li Xiu, and Prince Consort Qi had seen it before, so it was impossible to hide it. Moreover, Sun Mo was also planning to let more people know about this spirit rune and use it to attract more outstanding students and great teachers.
Take these few ancestors for example. Would they want one?
If they did, then they should come to the Central Province Academy to teach. Sun Mo wouldn't ask for too much. Maybe just come for half a month in a year?
This was the tactical value of the Skyward Spirit Rune.
"Wow, isn't Sun Mo's luck too heaven-defying?"
"I wonder which darkness ruins he dug it out from?"
"Won't you know if you investigate his movements over the last two years?"
All sorts of mumblings rang out around them. No one felt that Sun Mo was the one who had invented the Skyward Spirit Rune because this was too unbelievable.
"Teacher Sun, may I be so intrusive to ask you to talk about the story behind this spirit rune?"
The ancestors in the judges' stand who majored in spirit runes finally couldn't hold it in anymore. It was as if they had seen the most beautiful treasure.
"That day, Teacher woke up from his afternoon nap and ate a pile of snacks with a cup of afternoon tea. Then, he had a sudden inspiration to..."
Qin Yaoguang always liked to create trouble. She cleared her throat and started the story.
Everyone instantly perked their ears. The martial dojo that was filled with over 10,000 people was extremely quiet.
"To go to the toilet!"
Qin Yaoguang's lips twitched. "Hanji Bakery's snacks really don't taste good. Daoji Bakery's ones are better. Oh, are there people from Daoji Bakery here? Remember to send me the advertising fees!"
"What rubbish is this?"
Everyone frowned, feeling speechless but didn't dare to kick up a fuss.
"Stop it!" Li Ziqi rolled her eyes at the snack girl. "This spirit rune was accidentally and miraculously invented by my teacher after he had completed an operation."
The little sunny egg wasn't going to tell these people that her teacher's inspiration came from a mechanical doll that Lu Zhiruo had found after opening a mysterious chest.
"In... invented?"
An ancestor spirit runist was stunned and he stuttered, "You... you're saying that... this spirit rune was... was invented by Teacher Sun?"
"That's right!"
Li Ziqi smiled sweetly. "Have you seen anyone else using it before?"
Sssss!
The place was filled with gasping sounds, almost rendering the martial dojo into a vacuum state.
Everyone's gazes when they looked toward Sun Mo were filled with doubt, astonishment, envy, but eventually, all these feelings turned into disbelief.
This spirit rune was unbelievable. So was Sun Mo!
This... this was definitely the best creation in the Nine Provinces' spirit runes world, right?
"You... you have one too?" the ancestor asked.
Li Ziqi didn't reply. After giving a faint smile, her body floated up directly.
"Masterpiece! Masterpiece!" The ancestor clapped and praised, "This is really a great masterpiece!"
"Everyone, this small thing isn't worth mentioning. The personal disciples battle has been disrupted. Judge Tong, please carry on!"
Sun Mo cupped his fists together and apologized.
The battles started, but who'd still be in the mood to watch them? Even if two saints were dueling each other right now, no one would be interested to watch them.
"Teacher Sun, you..."
The examinees nearby came crowding over, wanting to be closer to him. One of them had just spoken when he was lashed out.
"What Teacher Sun? Who are you calling? You're being rude. You must address him with more respect[1], understand?"
This person felt that he had done a good job in bootlicking and that Sun Mo would have a good impression of him. However, at the next instant, he realized that there'd always be someone better out there.
"What rubbish. Who are you looking down on? Do you have the right to be his disciple? Call him Ancestor Sun! Great Ancestor Sun!"
A female great teacher reproached in a righteous tone.
The people on the judges stand could only watch blankly at Sun Mo. They really wanted to go over and have a talk with him!
From ancient times, flying had always been everyone's dream.
"We'll talk about the spirit rune after the examination is over!"
Sun Mo was feeling troubled by all the noises.
"Sun Mo is going to be very popular now."
Gu Xiuxun felt emotional. "Sister An, you have to hold onto him tightly and not let him get headhunted by other famous schools."
"Only the Nine Greats have the right to headhunt him. I don't believe that the headmasters from those 'A' grade famous schools can put down their pride and ask him."
Mei Ziyu thought to herself that even her mother felt embarrassed to try to headhunt him.
Sun Mo's three disciples were done with their matches, so he didn't need to stay here anymore. After telling his students to stay behind and watch the battles to accumulate experience, he left.
"Teacher Sun!"
Sun Mo had just stepped out and hadn't gone far when Mei Yazhi came chasing after him.
"Aunt Mei, you're being too polite. Just call me Sun Mo!"
Sun Mo revealed his eight teeth, looking bright and handsome with his smile. It was as Apollo, the God of the sun, had descended onto the world.
Seeing that Sun Mo didn't become arrogant and did not pay any heed to other people despite having achieved such results, Mei Yazhi felt very satisfied. "I'll get straight to the point. That spirit rune..."
"If you want, I can tattoo one for you at any time!"
She was one of his important backers, and he had to hold onto her tightly.
"But what I have now is the first version and there are some minor flaws. The flying speed is limited and won't be too agile when making turns."
Sun Mo explained, but his gaze darted at Mei Yazhi.
(Her figure is really well-maintained. Compared to Mei Ziyu, the hairtail girl, Aunt Mei is a lot more voluptuous. Should I tattoo it on her chest?)
"Of course, you can be assured that with my Ancient Dragon Capturing Hands, I can remove the old spirit runes any time. It won't affect your future. However, I hope that you can keep this matter a secret."
"Of course!"
Mei Yazhi nodded and then felt very emotional.
Were all the youngsters these days so sensible?
Mei Yazhi increasingly felt that Sun Mo was very considerate. He was a lot better than her daughter.
(Sigh, if I were ten years younger, I'd definitely try to fight with An Xinhui.)
Although Mei Yazhi didn't say anything about repaying Sun Mo, given her character, she'd definitely not let Sun Mo suffer a loss.
...
The battles continued, but everyone had lost interest in them. Their attention was all on Sun Mo.
Although 64 people were still going to take part in the championship battle, how could Sun Mo's disciples lose after he had revealed the Skyward Spirit Rune?
The archer Ying Baiwu was sure to enter the finals. As for Li Ziqi, everyone hadn't forgotten about her pile of spirit rune rods. If she were to float in the sky and toss them down, who'd be able to hold off her attacks?
Also, there were Sun Mo's record-breaking results from the Ancient Sage Building. If there were no accidents, he'd be the champion of this year's 4-stars great teacher examination.
Passing four consecutive examinations with the best result, being the champion. Moreover, he had broken records for each of them.
This result was really shocking.
Moreover, because of the epochal Skyward Spirit Rune, people were starting to give Sun Mo the 'saint candidate' title.
After all, a great teacher who could achieve such terrifying achievements at the age of 22 had never appeared in the great teacher world before.
...
The great teachers battle ended, and 100 winners were selected and given the honorable 4-stars great teacher title.
To speak the truth, because the Ancient Sage Building's test was too hard, the judges had lowered the standards. Otherwise, only Sun Mo, Zhang Wentao, and Wan Xiulin would have passed.
This meant that the three of them had reached the level of a 6-stars great teacher in terms of their lecture, as well as in their knowledge accumulation and foresight.
If it wasn't because everyone knew that the three of them couldn't be headhunted, those headmasters would have made a move long ago. They wouldn't mind even if they had to make a sky-high offer.
"Teacher, are we still participating in the championship battle?"
When they were having their meal in the hotel, Huang Peng seemed very listless.
"Why? Are you afraid of losing?"
Wan Xiulin furrowed his brows deeply and put down the bowl and chopsticks.
"It's not that I'm afraid of losing. I just can't think of any possibility of winning!"
Huang Peng felt depressed.
"Is not being able to win the reason for you to give up?"
Wan Xiulin reproached, "Go face the wall and reflect upon yourself!"
After his disciple left dejectedly, Wan Xiulin had lost his appetite. (Do you think I want to fight? We're from the Secondary Saint Zhou's faction! We don't have a choice!)
(Teacher, giving up on Li Ziqi is really the greatest mistake you've made in your life!
(No! Giving up on Li Ziqi isn't scary. What's scary is that Li Ziqi met Sun Mo. Sigh!)
It was really aggrieving to be from the same era as Sun Mo.
Wan Xiulin was also a shining new star who had a lot of attention showered upon him. However, he was completely suppressed by Sun Mo in this examination.
Even if they couldn't win against Ying Baiwu, they must at least win against Li Ziqi!
This was Wan Xiulin's minimum expectation.
[1] The term 'laoshi' (old/elder teacher) has been mentioned before. In this story's context, it is a much more respectful way of addressing someone compared to simply using the word 'shi' (teacher).