Chapter 157: Matching Outfits Aren't Scary—It's Who's Uglier and Weaker That's Embarrassing!
"But… I refuse!"
As Xiao Yuan landed, he extended his hand toward the student who had just threatened to knock Xiao Yu out, clenching his fingers from a distance. In an instant, black ice crystals enveloped the student, sealing him in a frozen coffin.
In the next moment, Xiao Yuan's body moved like drifting snowflakes, gracefully evading Hu Jia and Wu Hao's pursuit. With a swift spin, he unleashed a Wind Eagle Kick.
Crack!
Empowered by his terrifying physical strength, this mere Yellow-Rank High-Level Dou Technique burst forth with the might of a Profound-Rank skill. The frozen coffin shattered, and the student inside was sent flying with a mouthful of blood, hitting the ground unconscious.
So fast!
Far behind, Hu Jia and Wu Hao's attacks missed, and they looked on in shock as Xiao Yuan retracted his leg. His speed just now was comparable to that of some Dou Ling experts!
And yet… he was only a Four-Star Da Dou Shi?
His aura was still steady and full, showing that he had plenty of Dou Qi left.
Could he be cultivating an Earth-Rank technique?
The thought startled both of them. Even Dou Huang-level experts sometimes couldn't obtain suitable Earth-Rank cultivation methods, yet Xiao Yuan already had one at the Da Dou Shi stage? That was a terrifying advantage!
What truly unnerved them, though, was Xiao Yuan's endless stream of high-level Dou Techniques—each executed with mastery.
Normal people, even if they had multiple techniques, could only specialize in one or two. But Xiao Yuan had already used over five, and every single one showed astounding proficiency.
For ordinary cultivators, even casting a single Profound-Rank Dou Technique with control was hard. But Xiao Yuan wielded them as easily as walking.
Just how much effort had he put into mastering Dou Techniques?!
"Still want to continue?" Xiao Yuan asked calmly, glancing over at Xun'er and Xiao Yan, whose fights were nearly finished.
But before Hu Jia and Wu Hao could respond, Xiao Yan's aura suddenly fluctuated wildly. Spatial energy around him surged as waves of pure power began flooding into his body—it was clearly a sign of a breakthrough!
The atmosphere grew tense.
Xun'er immediately dashed over and shielded Xiao Yan, golden light flashing around her like a pulsing flame. Her delicate face turned stern, twin orbs of condensed golden Dou Qi glowing like miniature suns in her palms.
Snap!
Xiao Yuan casually snapped his fingers. In an instant, two ice coffins formed again—this time, sealing both Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu within them.
"Xun'er, don't worry about Xiao Yan's safety. Just finish them off," he said calmly.
Feeling the indestructible ice that surrounded her companions, Xun'er exhaled with relief. Her gaze toward the remaining four enemies sharpened.
But before Xiao Yuan could move again, a rush of blood-colored air surged toward him. Wu Hao's figure flickered forward, both palms sweeping out trails of crimson mist as he launched a brutal assault.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Facing Wu Hao's head-on charge, Xiao Yuan's expression didn't change. Black mist swirled around his palms as he met the attack head-on. Each collision of their hands sounded like a thunderclap.
After nearly ten exchanges, Xiao Yuan suddenly countered with another Ice Palm, sending Wu Hao skidding backward dozens of steps.
Just as Wu Hao staggered back, a whip lashed down from above with a thunderous crack. But Xiao Yuan, with icy precision, caught it with one hand. A wave of black ice crept up the whip, reaching Hu Jia's hand almost instantly.
Even with Dou Qi protecting her, Hu Jia shivered at the biting cold. Before she could react, Xiao Yuan vanished and reappeared in front of Wu Hao, spinning like a top.
Ice Blade Cyclone!
As the icy vortex surged, Xiao Yuan emerged from within, his fist clenched tightly. The mini-cyclone condensed onto his knuckles.
Frost Spiral Fist!
His punch shot toward Hu Jia, who felt her scalp go numb.
Again with the Profound-Rank Techniques?! How much Dou Qi does this guy have?!
Though she managed to form a defensive technique of her own, it was rushed and slightly weaker. Xiao Yuan's punch landed heavily, knocking her backward and drawing blood from her lips.
Not far away, Wu Hao fared no better. His robe was slashed open in many places, revealing deep wounds encrusted with black frost. As he shook off the shards, he winced.
"You're strong," he said flatly, voice laced with pain.
Hu Jia stared at Xiao Yuan with uncharacteristic seriousness.
In the next moment, both of them erupted with aggressive new auras. It was clear that Xiao Yuan's overwhelming strength had left them no choice—they could no longer hold back.
Green and blood-red Dou Qi surged from their bodies, swirling around their weapons. Each readied a ferocious high-tier technique.
Darkwood Serpent Vines!
Bloodcleave Slash!
Their weapons pulsed with violent power. A red-and-green surge of energy roared toward Xiao Yuan, tearing up the arena floor in its wake.
Seeing this, Xiao Yuan finally looked interested. He smiled lightly.
Two high-tier Profound-Rank techniques. Impressive, though their execution was mediocre due to their limited strength.
"Ice Dragon Soar!"
With a deep breath, Xiao Yuan rapidly formed hand seals. Just before the twin energies hit, a pitch-black ice dragon exploded forward with a roar. At the same time, Xiao Yuan unleashed a strange, resonating cry—eerily similar to the dragon's, but somehow more lifelike.
The sound stunned Hu Jia and Wu Hao momentarily.
Then—
BOOM!
The two energies collided with the ice dragon. For a second, all was still… and then a deafening explosion shook the entire arena.
Dust and debris filled the air, and the entire square was reduced to rubble.
The spectators fell into stunned silence.
As the smoke cleared, Xiao Yuan stood tall, his white robe billowing. The enormous ice dragon coiled beside him.
Far away, Hu Jia and Wu Hao lay collapsed in the ruins, clearly gravely wounded.
Hiss!
Everyone watching couldn't help but draw in a breath.
He actually won outright after all that?!
In another direction, golden light flared—Xun'er emerged from the dust, standing over the defeated figures of three other competitors.
Crack!
The ice encasing Xiao Yan shattered. A powerful aura burst forth—it was the aura of a Six-Star Da Dou Shi.
His breakthrough had succeeded.
Looking at the four members of the Xiao Clan still standing in the rubble, Vice Principal Hu Qian's expression turned complicated.
So much for that rule change. Turns out it played right into their hands.
As for Hu Jia and Wu Hao...
Sigh. Let's just say they tied for fifth. The Academy didn't need to be stingy with rewards.
Most spectators hadn't even seen the final moment clearly, but Hu Jia and Wu Hao knew all too well—Xiao Yuan's last move was something even a Dou Ling might not dare take head-on. His strength was monstrously overwhelming.
They had nearly forgotten—Xiao Yuan was only a Four-Star Da Dou Shi!
No one had expected this outcome. On the platform, Instructor Ruo Lin slowly covered her parted lips with trembling fingers.
He actually did it.
Four out of the top five were her students.
On the referee's bench, several judges exchanged glances and looked to Hu Qian.
Had it been anyone else, there'd be no issue. But it was Hu Jia, the Academy's troublemaker. And she'd been beaten so badly.
Not just because of her background—but because Hu Jia was undeniably beautiful. Many in the Academy adored her, and even if they could beat her, few would do it so mercilessly.
But Xiao Yuan hadn't held back. At all.
Still, it was understandable. Let's be honest—Hu Jia wasn't even better looking than him.
Hu Qian rolled his eyes. "What are you looking at me for? He won fair and square. Fifteen people ganged up on him, and he still won. Who's to blame?"
"So, the top five...?"
A younger judge asked tentatively.
"We'll call it a tie."
Hu Qian waved it off with a sigh.
The other judges nodded. A senior judge stood up and loudly declared:
"This year's Inner Academy Selection Tournament is now over! After fierce battles, the top five have emerged: Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Yu—Wu Hao and Hu Jia will share fifth place!"
As his words echoed out, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause. The entire arena trembled from the cheering.
From the stands, everyone gazed in admiration at the four figures standing proudly amidst the rubble—particularly Xiao Yuan, dressed in spotless white, with a majestic ice dragon at his side.
To the female students, he was the dream prince—powerful, handsome, and elegant.
And all of it rested on a foundation of sheer power. In this Academy, only strength earned true respect.
Xiao Yu walked over, latching onto Xiao Yuan's arm with a proud, happy smile.
Fourth place, while doing nothing at all!
Having a good boyfriend really is everything.
As applause thundered around them, Hu Jia and Wu Hao sat slumped in the ruins, wincing in pain. Xiao Yuan's last attack had fully drained their strength. Thankfully, he had held back—after three to five days of rest, they would recover.
"That bastard... hitting so hard—he's no man!" Hu Jia bit her lip, her usual mischievous eyes misting up. She had never been defeated so badly—especially not by someone her own age.
Worse, he was even prettier than she was.
"No doubt he's strong… but I'll surpass him!" Wu Hao clenched his chest, coughing violently. Yet the fire in his eyes didn't dim. If anything, Xiao Yuan's power had only ignited his determination.
Some distance away, Bai Shan sat in the stands, fists clenched in fury.
He had been humiliated by Xiao Yuan. Now even Wu Hao and Hu Jia, together, had been bested. Worse, Xiao Yuan had won admiration from the entire Academy.
Over the past two years, Bai Shan had been elevated as the Outer Academy's golden boy. But today, Xiao Yuan shattered that illusion.
Now, whenever his name was mentioned at Jia Nan Academy, it would always come second to one man—a man who was stronger, better looking, and wore the same color robe.
And for the prideful Bai Shan, that reality was far worse than death.
(END CHAPTER)
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