Ding ding ding ding
Everyone looked in one direction. There, at Barzel's signal, Gui Huo stepped out. Facing over a hundred elites of the Great Yu Empire, a smile appeared on his pale face.
After a pause, Gui Huo spoke in a hoarse voice, "Everyone, Big Brother Barzel has just arrived in the empire and will be in contact with all of you for a considerable period of time. As there is no meeting gift, he is willing to reveal some information about the Astral Combat Academy to all of you, so that you are not too lost."
Everyone was excited; it was finally starting. They had come to the banquet on one hand to find suitable people to team up with, but more importantly, to get intelligence on the Astral Combat Academy, which was crucial for the assessment.
Barzel stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over everyone. Strictly speaking, they were all of the same generation, but in Barzel's eyes, these people were all ants. He didn't mind sharing some secrets with these ants that only a small number of the most elite could know.
"The Astral Combat Academy has been passed down since ancient times, with eight academies in the Innerverse and two in the Outerverse. Our Outerverse Youth Council has a councilor who studied at the Astral-9 Academy, so we are not completely ignorant about the Astral Combat Academies. To call the Astral Combat Academy an academy is less accurate than calling it a place of struggle. Because there, everything you want, you must fight for yourself, not receive through distribution. Because there, there are no dedicated mentors," Barzel said calmly.
Everyone was surprised. No mentors? How could it still be called an academy?
The corner of Barzel's mouth lifted in a smile. "I'm not clear on the situation of other academies, but at the Ninth Academy, if you want to learn, you must strive for it yourself, even fight for it. If you want to ask a mentor for guidance, you must also pay a great price. The Astral Combat Academy has mentors, but those mentors can teach, or they can choose not to. So I'm reminding you all now, combat is, and always will be, the main theme of the Astral Combat Academy. Learning must also be obtained through combat. Do not think of the Astral Combat Academy as an academy. That place is a battlefield."
"Lord Barzel, it's rumored that the Astral Combat Academy has an ancient Trial World. Is that true?" someone asked.
Barzel gave a faint smile. "These are confidential matters, not convenient to disclose."
"Lord Barzel, do you know why the Tenth Academy has descended upon the Canglan territory? Was it really the decision of the Ten Arbiters?" someone else asked.
Barzel brushed it off just the same. He knew some information, but these ants were not worthy of knowing it, because they couldn't get into the Astral Combat Academy at all. Those who could enter the Astral Combat Academy were the most elite geniuses in the universe; these people simply couldn't compete.
Lu Yin watched this scene. Barzel's eyes carried a mixture of pity and arrogance, which made him very uncomfortable, but he was powerless to change it.
Gurbach was about to leave with Gules, having no interest in listening further.
Shuz had already left.
Lu Yin was also planning to leave when suddenly, Barzel said loudly, "Everyone, there is one more piece of news to announce at this time." He then looked at Lu Yin. "King of Zishan, please stop."
Lu Yin turned back, his eyes full of doubt.
A smile played on Barzel's lips. "Councilor of the Outerverse Youth Council, Her Excellency Wendy Yushan, has asked me to inform you of the cancellation of your engagement, effective immediately."
Lu Yin's pupils changed, and an endless rage surged up, his fists clenched tightly.
Everyone was stunned. Gurbach and Gules, who had just reached the door, were also stunned.
Huo Xiaoling, Jenny Ona, and the others were equally dumbfounded.
No one had expected this scene. Barzel had actually announced it in front of everyone. This was a humiliation, a naked humiliation.
Instantly, all sorts of mocking laughter erupted. Lu Yin was the King of Zishan, but he was just an idle king whom not many people cared about. The matter of him wanting to marry Wendy Yushan, in particular, had been mocked by many. At this moment, that mockery spread to its greatest extent. Everyone wore a mocking expression.
Lu Yin's gaze was icy as he stared at Barzel.
This banquet was a conspiracy against him from the very beginning, all for this moment. Barzel had no intention of telling these people anything about the Astral Combat Academy; he just wanted to lure them here and then announce this in front of everyone, in the name of the Outerverse Youth Council. This name was enough to spread this matter throughout the entire universe.
Originally, Lu Yin wanting to marry Wendy Yushan was just a joke on Planet Zhenwu, but from this moment on, this joke would spread throughout the entire universe, because this was an announcement made in the name of the Outerverse Youth Council.
Las sneered smugly.
Jenny Ona's eyes were dazed, a trace of pity flashing through them.
Huo Xiaoling's expression was complicated, showing a hint of sorrow.
Tian Ming and the others frowned deeply. This was too much. This Barzel wanted to make Lu Yin the laughingstock of the entire universe. Unless he could win Wendy Yushan's heart, this matter would forever be his stain.
Gules immediately went to Lu Yin's side and pulled him. "Let's go."
Gurbach also held Lu Yin back. "Sorry, I didn't expect it to be like this."
Barzel smiled. "My apologies, this is an order from Her Excellency Wendy Yushan. As compensation, I can promise you that as long as you successfully enter the Astral Combat Academy, in the future, I can be your referrer and help you enter the Outerverse Youth Council."
Everyone's expressions changed again, not knowing what to think. These words were too vicious. In the future, even if Lu Yin entered the Outerverse Youth Council on his own merits, he would be branded with the label of "compensation". Barzel was trying to completely destroy him.
Lu Yin's pupils were filled with bloodshot veins. He was rarely this angry. Ever since he could remember, the first time was because of Liu Shaoge, who had brought him extreme pain. The second time was in a dream, that jade finger that crushed the starry sky. And the third time was this very moment.
Gurbach held Lu Yin tightly and said in a low voice, "Don't be reckless. He's an Explorer."
Lu Yin stared at Barzel. The coldness in his eyes sent a momentary chill down Barzel's spine. His expression changed, and he had a dark feeling that he had done something he would regret. But then he immediately smiled dismissively. Just a Reaching Realm cultivator. Even if he has an extraordinary talent, can he surpass Gui Huo? There are too many prodigies in the universe. This kind of person can't even get into the Astral Combat Academy, let alone threaten me.
In the end, Lu Yin left without a word, amidst the mocking and pitying gazes of everyone.
Outside the hotel, Gurbach patted Lu Yin's shoulder. "Sorry, I was the one who persuaded you to come. I didn't expect this to happen."
Gules also looked at Lu Yin, a trace of worry in her eyes.
Lu Yin shrugged and smiled. "It's nothing, just a broken engagement. It's not like I wanted to marry her anyway."
Gurbach sighed. "Brother Lu, the universe is truly cruel. Without strength, you are forever the weak. And the weak have no sharp sword to protect their dignity. These were Princess Wendy's words to the five of us. Before you have your sharp sword, don't overthink it." With that, he left with Gules.
Lu Yin stood in his original spot. His heart was far from as calm as it appeared on the surface. It could be said that everything that had just happened was enough for him to remember for the rest of his life, etched in his bones and engraved in his heart. He felt the ultimate humiliation. Barzel, and also—Wendy Yushan.
Before long, this news spread, and it spread quickly. Lu Yin became the object of everyone's laughter and ridicule. He had become a toad wanting to eat swan meat.
Five days later, a huge spaceship passed through the three continental rings and entered the endless dark universe. Onboard were the young elites of the Great Yu Empire, carrying the Great Yu Empire's expectations for the Astral Combat Academy.
At this moment, even Undying Yushan appeared at the space station to see them off.
No one knew how many could enter the Astral Combat Academy; they just hoped they wouldn't be completely wiped out.
Barzel also came. Gui Huo had boarded that spaceship, and he was here to see him off. He was still very confident in Gui Huo. No one in the Reaching Realm could defeat him, not even the prodigies from the Innerverse. It shouldn't be difficult to enter the Astral Combat Academy.
"Councilor Barzel, I heard you held a banquet a few days ago. How are the young people of my Great Yu Empire?" Undying Yushan said to Barzel.
Barzel smiled. "Yes, they are all very enthusiastic."
Undying Yushan nodded. "Really?" He then coughed twice and gently placed his hand on Barzel's shoulder. "You've worked hard, going out of your way to announce the cancellation of the engagement for Little Yin. However, this is an internal affair of my Great Yu Empire. It is not your turn to make an announcement." As he spoke, Undying Yushan's tone gradually turned cold, and the hand on Barzel's shoulder grew heavier and heavier.
Barzel didn't mind at first, but as Undying Yushan's hand grew heavier, his expression changed. He wanted to resist, but no matter what, he couldn't escape Undying Yushan's right hand. That hand was like a great mountain pressing down on his shoulder, rendering him immobile. In an instant, a terrifying pressure descended. Barzel's face turned pale, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. A ferocious Star-Devouring Bear faintly appeared on his body, attempting to resist, but it was crushed in less than a second after appearing.
Undying Yushan's hand slowly lifted. He smiled at Barzel and slowly walked away.
From beginning to end, Barzel had no ability to resist, even when he used his talent. And there were no changes in the surroundings; not even a crack appeared on the ground.