Chapter 126: Sending Wang Da Flying

"Fight!"
"Fight!"

With two thunderous shouts, Xiao Beihan and Long Ya clashed once again. Moments later, sword light crisscrossed the air, followed by surging primordial energy; at one moment the combat was razor-sharp, at the next, it was violently ferocious.

Outside the trial space, on a high platform within the Heavenly Book Academy, Qi Daobei gazed down at the vast sea of students and the representatives from countless families. "You are not destined for the Heavenly Book Academy," he announced. "You will be assigned to one of the four affiliated academies. I hope you will strive diligently. Should you shine brightly in the future Academy Grand Tournament, there will be opportunities to return to the Heavenly Book Academy."

"We refuse to accept this!"
"Exactly! The person who eliminated us did not rely on his own strength!"
"That’s right, it is the Academy’s fault! If your screening hadn't been so lax, we wouldn't have been eliminated!"
"We refuse!"
"Unfair!"

As soon as Qi Daobei finished speaking, a chorus of countless students roared in protest, a deafening sound like rolling thunder. Simultaneously, the representatives of the families spoke up.

"The Heavenly Book Academy is powerful, and no one dares to provoke it, but there are over ten thousand of us, large and small. Does your Academy truly wish to incite public outrage?"
"Indeed. We do not demand that you accept our talented descendants, but you must grant them another chance to enter the trial space. As for that rule-breaking student, hand him over to us to deal with!"
"I imagine the Academy isn't foolish enough to stand against all of us, right?"
"Yes, Dean Qi, we know you are a great master, but for the Academy to act this way, does it not lose its dignity? How are we to answer to our main families when we return?"

A flurry of warnings and threats converged. Perhaps emboldened by the strength of their numbers, they felt no sense of danger even when facing the greatest master of the Ice and Snow Kingdom.

"Oh?" Qi Daobei narrowed his eyes as he listened. "Do you think I am offering an explanation? Do you think I am negotiating with you? I believe you are mistaken."

Seeing the crowd remained clamorous, Qi Daobei’s eyes suddenly widened. With a boom, a violent, heaven-shrouding aura erupted. Dark clouds gathered in the sky instantly, and an overwhelming pressure bore down on everyone's hearts, causing those who were still shouting to stagger as if struck by a heavy blow.

"I am warning you, do you understand?" Qi Daobei looked down at the terrified crowd, his voice chilling. "Yes, a warning. If any of you refuse to accept this, go ahead and unite your families to attack the Heavenly Book Academy. If my Academy fails to wipe out every single one of your families within a day, then you can decide how the Academy is run. How does that sound?"

"It's over, it's over! The Dean has lost his temper!"
"The old man is furious, hurry and find His Majesty!"

In the distance, countless mentors of the Heavenly Book Academy broke into cold sweats. While the students and their protectors might have been skeptical of the Dean's words, the mentors knew his temper all too well; this was no idle threat.

Inside the trial space, Lin Fan and the others watched the frenzied battle between Xiao Beihan and Long Ya in silence. In the distance, Long Xinlan was equally bewildered as to why her brother had descended into such madness.

Long Ya’s body was covered in countless wounds left by the sharp blade, blood spurting from them. His eyes were burning with intensity, and he utilized every part of his body—fists, palms, feet, and knees—launching a violent and savage offensive.

Xiao Beihan, naturally, did not show weakness. His sword light flickered, sharp and peerless, shifting between explosive power and intricate patterns, at times rising like a mountain peak. He and Long Ya were locked in an inseparable struggle.

Xiao Beihan had also suffered severe injuries, though because Long Ya favored brute force, Xiao Beihan showed fewer external wounds. Internally, however, his organs were damaged, and even his bones were fractured in several places. Yet, a smile lingered on his lips, for Long Ya’s strength had already reached the level of over twenty apertures in the Qi Pulse Realm!

"How exhausting. Either concede or restore your full Pulse-Connecting Realm strength and finish him in one move," Long Xinlan muttered to herself. "He claimed he would fight with equal strength, but he’s already opened so many apertures; he’s already lost. Why continue?"

"If he wants to win so badly, fine—just restore his strength and crush that boy!" She finally gritted her teeth and signaled her two companions of the Pulse-Connecting Realm, Wang Da and Zhu He. "Go, stop them! I’m going to rob these people of their points!"

Wang Da and Zhu He, who had long been impatient, nodded in agreement. With a flash, they lunged toward the battlefield, but a figure blocked their path before they could arrive.

"It’s you?" The two were astonished by the speed of this person, yet they could see his cultivation was merely in the Qi Pulse Realm. Was this due to some movement technique?

"Don't disturb them. They are testing the gap between their realms," Lin Fan said with a smile.

In the distance, Long Xinlan shook her head, lamenting Lin Fan’s audacity. How could a Qi Pulse Realm cultivator block two Pulse-Connecting Realm masters? She turned her attention to Li Ji and the others, deciding to secure their points first.

"Hand over your points and we will spare you," Long Xinlan said, looking at the group. When her gaze fell upon Lin Hongyi, she was momentarily stunned by her exquisite beauty, and she added with a smile, "Unlike my brainless brother, I know how to be reasonable. Don't worry, little sister, I'll leave you a few points."

*Boom!*

Long Ya continued his fierce assault. In just a few breaths, he had opened dozens more apertures. He found it hard to believe that Xiao Beihan could bridge such a gap. His own primordial energy was vast, yet even with over thirty apertures open, he felt he was falling short against the increasing ferocity of Xiao Beihan's sword.

"I advise you to step aside and hand over your points to Xinlan," Wang Da said with a cruel grin, looking at Lin Fan. "You might avoid some physical pain. Otherwise, don't blame us for being ruthless."

"Yes, kid, move aside!" Zhu He added, glancing at the battle. "That boy is indeed fierce; he’s forced Long Ya to open over thirty apertures. If we were at the same level, we wouldn't be his match. But we aren't Long Ya. We won't handicap ourselves to fight you. Why throw away our advantage?"

"Facing you, we will go all out. A Qi Pulse Realm cultivator cannot hold back two Pulse-Connecting Realm masters. Step aside to save yourself the suffering."

Lin Fan nodded. "Your analysis is sound. Unfortunately, you are talking about a normal Qi Pulse Realm cultivator. I am not one of them. I have already killed dozens of Pulse-Connecting Realm experts. I advise you both to step aside for the sake of your reputation, lest you lose face in front of your companion."

"Boastful fool!" Wang Da’s eyes widened. He found the claim absurd.

"Forget it, I’m done talking. Zhu He, let me handle this!" Wang Da threw a punch without using true energy, clearly believing his physical strength as a Pulse-Connecting Realm expert was more than enough to handle Lin Fan.

*Bang!*

Lin Fan caught the fist with one hand and smiled. "Don't underestimate people!"

"What?!" Wang Da was stunned.

Before he could react, Lin Fan grabbed his shoulder with his other hand and hurled him through the air.

"Do I have the strength to stop you?" Lin Fan’s voice echoed as Wang Da landed, his feet cracking the ground. Wang Da stared at him in disbelief—this strength was terrifying.