Qi Ming and Tu Mo stood on the stage, their eyes clashing like sparks. They attacked simultaneously. Qi Ming took a step, and the two collided. Fists met fists. The instant they clashed, Qi Ming realized how hard the opponent's fists were. He had used his full strength, yet his arm trembled from the impact. Qi Ming knew this was not good for him. He swung his left leg in a spinning kick. Tu Mo saw Qi Ming change his move, and with a flick of his legs, he easily dodged the strike.
As he leaped into the air, Tu Mo clenched his fist. The moment he landed, he threw a punch. Its speed was entirely different from before. Qi Ming crossed his arms, and with a thud, he was pushed back, only managing to stabilize himself near the edge of the stage. Qi Ming hadn't expected the opponent to be hiding his strength during their earlier exchange. That punch had shaken his internal organs, and blood welled up in his mouth. He forced himself to swallow it.
He couldn't bring shame to his mentor Yun Feng. He had to win, he absolutely had to win. Everyone looked down on people from the Northern Wasteland, so he would prove them wrong. Yun Feng, watching from below, glanced at Chen Tian and said lightly, "Chen Tian, who do you think will win?"
"If Qi Ming wins by trading injuries, his chances are close to seventy percent. If it's a normal fight, he has no chance. The worst outcome of trading injuries is mutual destruction."
Chen Tian spoke analytically. Indeed, Qi Ming was only at the seventh level of the Condensing Spirit realm, while the opponent was at the ninth level. That was a difference of two realms. Moreover, demonic beasts' physiques and abilities were generally stronger than humans. Qi Ming had trained his body, or he would have lost long ago. Yun Feng nodded, acknowledging Chen Tian's assessment. He then said, "Chen Tian, Lin Feng, it looks like the two of you will have to fight in these next two matches!"
"Don't worry, teacher, I won't stand by idly. Even if I didn't want to fight, they wouldn't let me off."
Chen Tian said calmly. Lin Feng's eyes were bloodshot, and his tongue darted out. If there were no rules against killing, he would have liked to experience what it felt like to kill a genius from another region. However, there were many geniuses in the academy, and he could challenge them anytime. He would just endure for now.
Once he entered the academy and grew stronger, Lin Feng intended to kill all the geniuses in the entire academy. This was Lin Feng's ambition, and it naturally included Chen Tian. Chen Tian was a monstrous talent and would be his first target.
Seeing Lin Feng like this, Yun Feng warned, "Lin Feng, be mindful of your limits when you fight. If you take a life, you will be expelled from the academy."
"Understood, mentor. Don't worry."
Lin Feng replied coldly, his gaze devoid of emotion, filled only with killing intent. This made those around him keep their distance.
They feared he might suddenly attack and kill them. He was a lunatic.
On the stage, Tu Mo and Qi Ming were locked in a fierce battle. Qi Ming abandoned defense and launched fierce attacks. Attacks collided with attacks, and both sides were trading injuries. Qi Ming's injuries were more severe, but this fighting style was a test of will. Whoever persevered the longest would win.
As a disciple of the Qi family, Qi Ming had learned martial arts, a third-grade martial art called "Wind God Leg." In Qi Ming's hands, the Wind God Leg was unleashed with ferocity, sending hundreds of leg shadows striking Tu Mo. Tu Mo, belonging to the Half-Demon race, had no martial arts. Half-demons inherited half of the genes from demonic beasts and humans. Once they reached a certain cultivation level, they would awaken their innate divine pupils. Half-demons could cultivate human martial arts, but they disdained human martial arts and never learned them.
This led to the situation on the stage slowly turning in Qi Ming's favor. Tu Mo's physical strength was slightly greater than Qi Ming's, but with Qi Ming's use of the Wind God Leg, the damage inflicted was extensive.
"Madman, madman, you're a madman!"
Tu Mo looked at Qi Ming's relentless attacks. Neither of them was defending, taking each other's blows head-on. Tu Mo felt fear deep within. If this continued, it would take days to recover. Couldn't these days be better spent on cultivation and classes?
Why must they fight to the death here? Tu Mo didn't dare to continue. If he did, he would be at a disadvantage. He was here to improve his strength, and losing a few days would widen the gap and hinder his progress.
Tu Mo and Qi Ming were both fighting with all their might. This next blow would decide the victor. Both had reached their final moments. With a thunderous roar, waves of air surged, and shockwaves spread. The stage was made of some unknown material, as the full-power attacks of two Condensing Spirit realm martial artists left no trace of damage.
On the stage, Qi Ming and Tu Mo lay motionless. It was a draw, a mutual destruction. The little girl announced, "A draw. Next!"
This time, Yun Feng sent out a girl from the Lin family, the only girl on the team, Lin Xue, the eldest daughter of the Lin family patriarch. Her strength was slightly weaker than Qi Ming's. As for why Chen Tian and Lin Feng weren't sent out earlier, Yun Feng had his own plans. Yun Feng believed the opposing side had stronger heavenly talents.
Those appearing now were merely small fry. The truly powerful ones would appear later, saving Lin Feng and Chen Tian for the end. He eagerly anticipated seeing Ba Tian make a fool of himself.
Ba Tian looked at the young girl standing on the stage. A young girl from Ba Tian's side slowly walked forward. Water droplets appeared on the ground.
"Mentor Ba Tian, let me handle this."
"Good!"
Ba Tian looked at the person approaching with great confidence. Two beautiful girls of different builds stood on the stage, forming a picturesque scene. Both girls were stunningly beautiful, on a comparable level.
"Lin family disciple, Lin Xue."
"Half-demon, Jiao Shui."
"Please guide me!"
The two made polite gestures and introductions. After all, this was a spar, not a battle, and proper etiquette was necessary. Lin Xue and Jiao Shui's eyes met. Jiao Shui opened her palm, and countless blue streams of water flowed from the stage, transforming into sharp swords that shot towards Lin Xue.
Lin Xue pulled a whip from behind her back. The purple whip swung, shattering all the water swords. Seeing that Lin Xue had some skill, Jiao Shui gathered water in her palm and shot out a giant water ball, like a raging ocean descending to engulf everything.
Lin Xue swung her whip, tracing a gentle S-shaped trajectory. The water ball was cut apart. But it wasn't over. The moment the water ball was sliced open, the water didn't dissipate but transformed into water chains that wrapped around Lin Xue's arms and legs.
Lin Xue reacted swiftly, making a judgment. She swung her whip, colliding with the chains. When all the chains shattered, Lin Xue stood in place. Neither side had the upper hand; this was the only way to describe their fight.
The main reason was that Jiao Shui's offensive method was not close combat but water control. This was a divine ability, an innate divine pupil.
Chen Tian's divine pupils opened, and he gained information. It turned out she was from the Demonic Water Dragon clan. It was normal for them to awaken divine abilities at this realm.
Based on the previous battle, Jiao Shui's awakened divine abilities were water control and water generation.
There was no flowing water on the stage, so the water control ability was useless. However, the water generation ability could create flowing water in the surrounding environment.