The sudden whispery voice abruptly silenced once again the previously buzzing square, where murmurs had just resurfaced. Glances, full of astonishment, shot toward the young man in black cloth, standing in the center of the square as attention magnet; a notably oversized black ruler slung across his back, its dimensions rivaling his very height. Instantly, not a sound pierced the tense stillness suffusing the space—the square stood mute in anticipation. “Brother Xiao Yan…” Xun’er glanced at the man’s silhouette. Although clearly more erect, and slightly leaner than he had been two years ago, this vision stirred her heart. A beautiful and elegant smile naturally adorned her fair features—an exquisite sight evoking immense craving from young male scholars around her. “This boy again… Each time he shows off like this—just so boastful,” Mei Nu murmured, eyes locked lovingly upon the silhouette she hadn’t seen for two years while her expression maintained its characteristic pout. “Hee hee, Miss Xiao Yu, is this Xun’er’s ‘Brother Xiao Yan?‘ Didn’t think he arrive at just this last moment,” giggled a female classmate beside Xiao Yu—her expression curious as she watched the young figure mid-arena and addressed the girl beside her. “Exactly, he is that mischievous boy always lingering in Xun’s thoughts. Disappointed?” Xiao Yu glanced playfully at the lightly smiling face of the younger girl beside her and quipped. “Ha! You need to have real strength—it won’t work to be just good-looking,” chirped another girl enthusiastically—emphasized sentiments prevailing within the environment at Jia Nan Academy, where martial prowess held precedence over outward attractiveness. What captured the heart—winning the match by skillfully dominating every foe handily, and striding away coolly was, indeed, every girl’s ultimate definition of a perfect gentleman.
“But no matter if he is here… circumstances do look tough,” said thoughtfully a girl possessing delicate beauty who seemed rather timid. “Xue Peng holds an elite eighth-Dou rank, wielding profound Dou skills honed through tireless years in his deadly repertoire. His intermediate Xun-tier ‘Surging Waves’ spear skill alone crushed an array of formidable challenges…”
Her words brought about creased brows all around the small gathering—before shifting eyes uncertainly towards calm Xun’er nearby with words laced slightly uneasily: “This rascal must manage—there is just no way he hasn’t risen at least somewhat through these years with a stubborn streak like his.”
Observing carefully the massive ruler-laden young man below for a while stirred quiet calm similarly for teacher Ruo Lin, whose gaze locked unwaveringly upon the youth—confidence renewed: Xiao Yan’s timely arrival meant her career aspirations weren’t entirely jeopardized. Should she lose the contest this year for her ascension within Jia Nan, there would always remain potential for future contention next. Remembering vividly the exceptional natural talent Xiao Yan displayed earlier, Ruo Lin was certain that within a year his prowess would catch pace or exceed many.
“Alright ladies, enough daydreaming!” With an exhaled sigh and stern sideways look at the gathering of dreamy girls, teacher Ruo Lin resumed command. Whether this boy prevails or flounders, we stand alongside, at least momentarily—our class remains his present dwelling.”
Yet despite her commanding tone cloaked in optimism for the group, Ruo Lin herself maintained a tempered stance inwardly, realistically gauging any potential for Xiao Yan against Xue.
“He truly is Xiao Yan,” observed Bai Mountain, impeccably poised in white attire with a lithe physique and graceful poise standing apart on a pavilion balcony surveying the young cloaked figure below—an unexpected appearance from their shared history.
“He actually made it in precisely the clutch.”
“Still, a composed appearance suggests skill… although that’s really all it implies,” murmured the young man whose keen gaze assessed impassively the young figure’s unaffected countenance amidst this intense audience—the potential romantic rival received only limited accolade within Bai Shan’s critical appraisal.
“Such a supposed revered hero by the beloved Xiao Xu’er,” questioned the cloader girl—attired in vibrant red, a keen eye roving lazily yet curiosly scanning Xiao Yan’s profile before offering a faint smirk. “Well now! He doesn’t look terribly impressive after all, does he? She carries about him so often, yet—”
“What charm serves his form?” chimed a white-haired elder with an impassive shrug as anciently discerning yet otherwise unremarkably aged orbs fixed sharply upon Xiao Yan from aside. His observation continued with furrow forming at the brow before dissolving again into faint intrigue-induced chuckling. “How curious indeed—a peculiar fellow worth remembering.”
“Would I pity the outcome if in a single instance he’s defeated immediately,” muttered the lady adorned again crimson while idly brushing flowing scarlet strands behind her ear teasingly, reveling subtly in imagined missteps.
Meanwhile a knowing grin formed upon aged lines at the elder’s mouth whose gaze drifted momentarily beyond—to fellow arbiters in elevated viewing. Their widened surprise echoed silently his expectations—their knowing eyes betraying a discovery of something unexpected within Xiao Yan as they watched, as well.
“Xiao Yan?” Echoed the frosty voice of the spear-wielding antagonist named Xve Beng upon center stage—a heavy thrust planting his lengthy shaft sharply onto firm marble floor while fixing eyes steely cold to face Xiao Yan, poised black cloak figure before him.
Xiao Yan nodded gently—amusement flickering.
“You’re undeserving of her” The declaration from Xue fell disdainfully.
“Perhaps… he sighed lightly—again met by a self-proclaimed admirer vying against Xun, this cycle ever continuous, he realized—within such circles at Jia Nan, the charming princess undoubtedly reeled hearts ceaselessly—such was Xun’ers life.
“The trials await without end from this hour forth,” Xue’s sneer continued ominously after laughter darkly mellowed into a chilling challenge. “I am first to test you—but I’ll certainly won’t be ending this contest first.” With swift flourish spear tip leveled menacingly outward, its sharp point directed unwaveringly at Xiao Yan: “Defeated and forsake hope to approach such a shining girl ever again. No feeble man holds rights to the exceptional!”
“Aww… yet again, squabble among rival youths,” Xiao Yan exhaled wearily—an inner sigh to such a predictable challenge, barely containing a snort before stepping into position, grip tightening upon the massive ruler beside him.
“I detest endless disruptions constantly,” continued Xiao Yan with measured ease drawing forth his massive black relic, sweeping down to cleave a black arc against marble stone as its mighty presence awakened, stirring a sharp rush of pressure-filled air howling audibly across. “And thus—for quiet sake, a simple lesson shall suffice…” he proclaimed with slight smile, giant implement carving its shadow heavily forward toward waiting opponent.
“Oh-h? So—you desire a demonstration through fear using me—show others the stakes?” Xue’s sharp mind caught Xiao’s implications quickly—his eyes dimmed briefly with slight resentment while maintaining his smug poise. “Careful words lest your tongue meets fate untoward!”
“Now that we’ve set our terms?” Xiao Yan’s tone remained easy—yet shifted as he tilted gaze politely beyond—to where seasoned arbitrating figures presided, seated upon high thrones across a raised stage: seated in semi-circle—a group numbering near ten, grayed elders overseeing.
“Indeed,” replied calmly one elder, followed unanimously by several nodding approvals from others of their group.
“Bragging youngster,” Xue spat furiously while grasping tightly weapon handle beneath callous fingers and forcefully stamped his boot into stone surface—an aggressive burst launched weapon forward like an arrow fired—a shrieking gust trailed piercing toward Xiao Yan without mercy.
Yet Xiao Yan—undisturbed—maintained position as he regarded the rapidly charging opponent approaching in fierce assault. Indeed—he well comprehends within walls of this academy many hearts brim hostile due to a certain lovely presence’s fondness for him specifically, so arriving fresh upon scene here—a firm, definitive lesson must suppress those challenges arising continuously. Only with a firm overwhelming win would any pretenses toward her cease entirely. Even beyond this reasoning—impressing immediate dominance against this elite talent of this institute is essential. He desires, upon return, to display irrestibly his might to every observer—and prove unflinchingly, for this girl so dearly spoken about—only someone strong enough to stand unscathed before her storms could match her stature fully! Once the girl stood protectively ahead to shelter his past helpless existence… he refused history repeat. This conflict cannot afford a drawn-out match—it demanded nothing less than absolute total dominance. This demonstration would serve humble acknowledgment for two years spent waiting faithfully—a time well used by this ‘waste’ of before!
Resolute conviction flooded Xiao Yan’s spirit. Taking a steadying breath he drove the weighted ruler into unyielding ground below him while both hands extended beyond dark cloaks. Slowly rolling up his sleeves while the opponent’s charge reached peak intensity, Xiao Yan exuded composure unfazed amidst the rising tension. Observers collectively huffed, breathless; stunned silence gripped them. “How audacious.” Such an expression perfectly fitting to capture his present unphased expression—a boldness so striking they can scarce contain the collective astonishment across the immense crowds.
Fueled by rising anger, Xue poured energy wildly within his rushing attack now—the spear vibrantly glowing faint red in response before striking furiously. His grip tightened; he smashed palm directly unto hilt’s back edge. The resulting impact propelled the piercing point rocketing forth, closing that vast chasm of air with shocking quickness—in but an instant reaching Xiao Yan at throat’s edge—a deadly apex threatening imminent peril.
Gasps erupted around the gathering—Xiao Yu beside Xiao Lin and Master Ru’Lin reacted with startled expressions. Only Xun’er maintained peacefulness—fully aware, that Xiao Yan no longer remained a weak failure within a proud clan—a girl of remarkable promise from the Nan Lan lineage fell before him after arduous trials under powerful sects, evidence strong his strength had risen prodigously from the ashes once discarded so completely.
With many gazes charged variously upon expectation unfolding, the lethal spear neared completion. Everyone awaited for either a bloodcurdling conclusion or a stunning reversal to come.
Then—mere slivers away… suddenly—halted.
Just before contact—the piercing tip halted abruptly, as if space had congealed. Gasps multiplied and intensified further along every row—an abrupt, eerie stasis prevailing across thousands of breaths suspended within the stillness.
Follow gazes along the halted spear shaft and they alit at last upon—gripping firm hold around it—a pale elongated palm. Incredulously enough one singularly powerful grasp—exerted from an individual hand alone arrested the overwhelming spear point entirely! From spear back up along arm, then ultimately reaching the composed hooded youth himself—the scene now ignited astonished cries rippling from the stunned collective.
Gazing steadily Xiao Yan allowed the smallest whispering grin creeping outward upon his lips at witnessing Xun’er’s widened features in startled realization.
“In one single move.” He muttered, voice deceptively soft.
And with this declaration—his presence seemed to blur instantly—a sudden surge into motion. A mere moment—within which a singular shadow formed. Fist tightly bound—it screamed aloud with air’s scream, crackling with sheer force of motion. Instantaneously—sensing rising menace—Xue’s eyes dilated, his composure cracking as genuine, palpable fear surfaced—too long delayed realization: the gravity of peril surrounding.
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