Chapter 47: Surrounded by Peril!

This scene at this moment caused everyone to gasp in shock!

The Southern Region was referred to by the other three regions as the "Southern Barbarian Lands." Its martial heritage was backward, its resources were scarce, and its spiritual energy was even more lacking. Consequently, very few powerhouses ever emerged from the Southern Region. In the quadrennial exchange between the four academies, the Southern Region had placed last in every single one of the recent sessions! This had led the people of the other three regions to look down upon those from the South.

And now, Xin Hongyi had defeated her opponent in a crushing manner—and while being at the same cultivation realm. It was truly a staggering turn of events.

The people of the Eastern Region also wore expressions of disbelief.

"This... Junior Brother Li was crushed by a Southern Barbarian?"

"While Junior Brother Li's strength isn't top-tier, it shouldn't be enough to be crushed like that, right?"

Tian Cheng, however, was not surprised in the least. He knew that Ye Qiubai had nonchalantly given that Yin Dragon Blood to the woman on the stage. Yin Dragon Blood was a magnificent item for body tempering and was extremely precious! Had he obtained it, his body-tempering techniques would have broken through once again; Tian Cheng would have even felt confident enough to fight Jian Chaomian!

At that moment, the Elder announced the result: "This battle, Xin Hongyi of the Southern Region wins! If the Eastern Region sends another person up, Xin Hongyi may choose to descend or choose to continue."

Hearing this, Xin Hongyi hesitated for a moment. Then, recalling the image of Ye Qiubai slaying the Yin Dragon, she nodded and said, "I want to continue." Her tone was firm!

Seeing this, the Elder nodded. "Xin Hongyi of the Southern Region will continue to fight." Having said that, he withdrew from the martial stage.

On the other side, the Eastern Region sent another person up.

"I know that person!"

"Yeah, in the Eastern Region Academy, he's second only to Tian Cheng."

"I think his name is Zheng Huai. He seems to be at the peak of the Purple Mansion Realm."

Zheng Huai looked at Xin Hongyi and smiled easily. "I'll allow you to recover first. I don't want people saying I'm bullying the small with the large."

Xin Hongyi replied coldly, "There is no need." With that, she charged toward Zheng Huai with her sword drawn!

Seeing this, Zheng Huai said nothing more and met her halfway, striking out with a palm! In an instant, the palm print covered the entire martial stage! Xin Hongyi was overwhelmed and was quickly wounded. After all, he was at the peak of the Purple Mansion Realm, and he was no ordinary person, but a genius of the academy. Had it not been for the absorption of the Yin Dragon Blood, she likely would have lost long ago!

Xin Hongyi bit her lip, then bit her finger, causing essence blood to fly out! This was a secret technique of a hidden clan: Sacrificing Blood to the Sword! She had used this move back when she fought Ye Qiubai. Now that her strength was greater, the power of the blood sacrifice was even more terrifying!

"Oh?" Zheng Huai's expression turned slightly solemn; he sensed danger from this single strike.

Immediately, Xin Hongyi slashed her sword toward Zheng Huai! Zheng Huai's expression grew grave as he struck out with a palm! This time, he held nothing back!

In an instant! The sword qi shattered, and the palm print dissipated! Xin Hongyi was sent flying backward! Zheng Huai also retreated several steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth; clearly, he had also sustained minor injuries.

The Elder stepped onto the stage and declared, "This battle, Zheng Huai of the Eastern Region wins."

Huo Qingming and the others stepped forward and asked, "How are your injuries?"

Xin Hongyi shook her head. "I'm fine."

Huang Yuan, however, frowned and said, "If you knew you couldn't win, you should have stepped down. Because of you, even if we make it to the next round, we won't be able to fight!"

Xin Hongyi bit her lip.

Lin Ce frowned. "Hey, isn't that a bit too harsh?"

Huang Yuan shot him a glare. "I'm only thinking of the Academy!"

Ye Qiubai handed Xin Hongyi a medicinal pill and then said, "I'll go next."

To his surprise, Huang Yuan shook his head. "I'll go. Your current state is not suitable for combat. Besides, you are only at the late stage of the Purple Mansion Realm."

Hearing this, Ye Qiubai shrugged and said nothing.

On the other side, Zheng Huai was still standing on the stage. Huang Yuan walked up.

"Oh? The team leader is coming up personally?" Zheng Huai laughed. "Don't lose to me again, otherwise, the Hidden Dao Academy won't have anyone left..."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Zheng Huai's expression froze. Huang Yuan's aura erupted violently! The aura of the early Qi Sea Realm was unmistakably revealed! Clearly, Huang Yuan's strength was on the same level as Tian Cheng's!

Huang Yuan looked coldly at Zheng Huai, then took a slight step and vanished from his spot. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Zheng Huai. Before the latter could react, a palm had already slammed into Zheng Huai's chest.

*Puff!*

Instantly, Zheng Huai's chest seemed to cave in! Blood sprayed out as he was sent flying, landing heavily below the martial stage! A single strike had severely injured Zheng Huai!

Tian Cheng looked coldly at Huang Yuan and said, "Was it necessary to strike so heavily?"

Huang Yuan retorted, "And when he knocked Xin Hongyi off the stage, did he hold back?"

Though Huang Yuan's words were harsh, they came from a place of anxiety. After all, if the Southern Region's Hidden Dao Academy placed last again, his master would lose his position as Dean!

Tian Cheng snorted coldly and personally stepped onto the martial stage.

"The leaders of both sides are beginning their duel?"

"Their realms are comparable; I wonder who will prevail."

"Do you even need to think? It's obviously Tian Cheng. He possesses the Natural Divine Strength physique; how could a Southern Barbarian possibly resist him?"

"It seems the Southern Region only has one person left—is that the one ranked first in points, Ye Qiubai?"

"I wonder what his true strength is."

At this moment, on the martial stage, Huang Yuan and Tian Cheng unleashed their might. The auras of the Qi Sea Realm collided continuously!

Then, Huang Yuan let out a cold snort and struck out with a palm! A palm print carrying flecks of green light surged toward Tian Cheng!

Tian Cheng was undaunted. He stomped heavily on the ground, causing the martial stage to tremble! He raised his fist and smashed it toward the green-tinted palm print! For a moment, sonic booms echoed wherever his fist passed! Even the space itself seemed to be compressed!

*Boom!*

A massive explosion erupted! The fist slammed heavily into the palm print. A massive wave of aftershocks swept through the surroundings! The palm print shattered! Tian Cheng also retreated several steps! For a time, neither side could overcome the other!

On the high platform, Wood laughed. "Dean Qin, your disciple is quite good. It looks like the Southern Region might have a chance to climb the rankings this time."

Qin Tiannan took a sip of tea, his expression unchanging. He said calmly, "You flatter me."

The Dean of the Eastern Region Academy smiled and said, "However, Dean Qin, is this the only person left in your Southern Region Academy? I'm afraid this is as far as you can go."

"Is that so?" Qin Tiannan chuckled softly.

How could they know that Qin Tiannan's trump card was not his disciple, Huang Yuan? Relying on Huang Yuan alone would not allow them to rise. The one he was looking forward to... was Ye Qiubai.

On the other side, Jiang Chan watched the stage, but his gaze drifted almost imperceptibly toward the area where the Southern Region Academy students were located.

"What, are you still obsessed with him?"

Beside him, Huang Tianming smiled. "Then why don't you go find him?"

Though he spoke with a smile, his tone was filled with a chilling frost! *And do you think I will let him leave the Northern Region alive?* Of course, Huang Tianming did not say those words aloud.