Chapter 6: The First Battle of the Grass Hut!

There were two days left until the Academy Grand Competition.

Ye Qiubai stood before the painting of the Sword Immortal dancing with his sword.

He seemed to have gained another insight, and waves of sword intent erupted from within his body.

His aura climbed rapidly.

Peak Golden Core Realm!

Feeling his cultivation level improve once again, he couldn't help but sigh, "As expected of Master. Every time I look at this painting, I gain different insights into the way of the sword."

If Ye Qiubai knew that this painting was actually something Lu Changsheng had doodled while bored, he would surely be terrified.

However, after these days of cultivation, Ye Qiubai also felt that he had reached a bottleneck.

During these days, Ye Qiubai had also learned about the Cangdao Academy.

In the Cangdao Academy, contribution points were used as the standard for evaluation.

Contribution points could be used to enter the Treasure Pavilion to select cultivation techniques and martial arts, or they could be exchanged for rare treasures.

There were three ways to earn contribution points.

The first was to complete academy missions.

The second was to make outstanding contributions to the academy.

And the third was to go to the Martial Arts Arena and spar with others in the academy.

By wagering contribution points, one could step onto the stage to challenge others. The more rounds one won, the more the contribution points would multiply; once defeated, all contribution points would belong to the opponent.

Thinking of this, Ye Qiubai decided to go to the Martial Arts Arena to spar.

It would be a perfect opportunity for actual combat to verify his current insights into the way of the sword.

He could also earn some contribution points along the way.

Thus, Ye Qiubai picked up a wooden sword and headed down the mountain.

Arriving at the registration office, an old man sat at the entrance.

"Name, which hall, cultivation level, and contribution points wagered."

Ye Qiubai reported his name, "Caotang, Golden Core Realm, wager 100 contribution points."

Caotang?

The old man looked up at Ye Qiubai, handed him a tag with the number 11 written on it, and said, "The Golden Core Realm sparring has already begun. You can head over directly."

"Many thanks."

Ye Qiubai cupped his hands and entered the Martial Arts Arena.

After waiting for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, number 11, Ye Qiubai's number, was called.

Ye Qiubai took a light step and jumped onto the arena. Opposite him stood a man with a massive frame, his muscles bulging with explosive power.

"Martial Hall's Li He, versus Caotang's Ye Qiubai. Same realm, multiplier of one."

After an old man finished announcing this, he retreated off the stage.

The spectators were shocked when they heard this.

"Caotang? Is that the Caotang that hasn't accepted a disciple in decades?"

"Yes, Caotang is accepting disciples again. I want to see what kind of ability this Caotang actually has."

Hearing the whispers around him, Li He couldn't help but sneer, "A disciple of Caotang? I'd like to see what kind of ability people from Caotang really have."

Ye Qiubai did not reply, but instead took out his wooden sword.

After all, once he revealed his strength, these people would naturally shut their mouths.

At the same time, several elders arrived in the air above.

Among them was the Academy Dean, Qin Tiannan.

"It seems everyone wants to see how the disciple that kid Changsheng took in is doing."

The Sword Hall elder snorted coldly, "If the disciple he took in is incompetent, then he will no longer be allowed to occupy the academy's resources."

The Martial Hall elder nodded in agreement, "The opinions within the academy are growing stronger by the day; I'm afraid the Dean won't be able to suppress them much longer."

Qin Tiannan sighed, "Let's just watch this child for now."

The match began.

Li He gave a grim smile, slammed his feet into the ground, and his explosive muscles bulged as he threw a punch toward Ye Qiubai's chest!

Those from the Martial Hall all possessed extremely formidable physical bodies, and Li He, being a standout among them, was even more extraordinary.

With that one punch, the wind around them changed direction, and sonic booms erupted in the air!

Even the surrounding spectators were horrified.

"Li He's physical body has become even stronger. I reckon even someone at the peak of the Golden Core Realm would find it hard to withstand this punch."

"This Ye Qiubai is just standing there motionless; he's probably been intimidated by the sheer power of this punch."

"Caotang... nothing more than this."

Ye Qiubai looked at the punch with a calm expression. Indeed, the physical body was very strong.

However, that was all.

He flicked his wooden sword slightly and thrust it forward!

"A wooden sword, and you want to block my punch?"

Li He sneered, his fist crashing down heavily onto the wooden sword!

However, the scene of the wooden sword shattering did not happen as Li He had expected.

Instead, it felt as if his fist had smashed into an extremely sharp precious sword!

*Puff!*

In an instant, his fist was pierced through by that wooden sword!

Li He's expression changed in shock, and he stepped back!

The Sword Hall elder above had a grave expression, saying, "Restrained sword intent. This child's mastery of sword intent is truly formidable."

One must know that restraining sword intent is not difficult, but to contain it within a fragile wooden sword is far more difficult.

The Martial Hall elder's face darkened, "Let's keep watching. This alone is not enough."

After all, Li He was a student of their Martial Hall.

The audience was also shocked.

Clearly, this scene exceeded their expectations.

Ye Qiubai's expression remained unchanged, his eyes as calm as a lake, without the slightest ripple.

He took a slight step, and like an arrow released from a bow, he shot forward!

He swung his wooden sword, and streaks of sword light formed a web, locking Li He in place.

There was no escape!

Seeing this, Li He knew he had underestimated his opponent.

The web of sword light before him seemed to cut through space as it descended upon him!

The gusts of sword wind cut into Li He's powerful body, leaving behind streaks of blood!

If he let them strike him, he would likely be sliced into pieces!

Thinking of this, Li He roared to the sky, and his arms began to petrify.

Black-gold colors flowed along his petrified arms to his five fingers, transforming into black-gold gauntlets.

"That's a peak-grade treasure! Black-gold gauntlets, and he's even using the Mountain-Shaking Fist. This is Li He's strongest move!"

"Li He once used this move to kill a peak Golden Core expert while he was only at the early stage of the Golden Core Realm!"

Seeing this, Ye Qiubai was slightly surprised. The opponent's aura was also climbing rapidly; he figured the power of that punch would be quite significant.

If it were the old him, he probably wouldn't have been able to take that punch.

But now, with the *Taichu Sword Scripture* given by his Master, plus the modifications from various medicinal pills, this punch was nothing more than this.

He swung his wooden sword again!

Sword intent surged out, and the web of sword light became even sharper and more solid, as if it could tear through space itself!

Fist and sword collided, emitting the clanging sound of metal striking metal.

Waves of immense energy continuously spread outward!

Unfortunately, this state did not last long.

Cracks soon appeared on Li He's black-gold gauntlets!

There was nowhere to hide!

Li He's expression changed, and the black-gold gauntlets shattered in an instant!

His petrified arms were also slashed with cracks, and blood sprayed out from them!

With a scream, he was sent flying backward, falling outside the Martial Arts Arena.

"The winner, Caotang's Ye Qiubai!"

(End of chapter)