Chapter 246: Despair! (Third Update)

Everyone stared intently at Chu Liuyue and the four bursts of starlight shining before her!

She had actually broken through four stages in such a short amount of time, reaching the final stage!

As long as she could successfully crack this last profound array, then the title of Number One Mystic Practitioner—would also be hers!

If people previously felt that Chu Liuyue entering the competition with only one hour remaining was nothing more than a joke, then at this moment, they finally understood that Chu Liuyue had come prepared!

—She clearly possessed the strength to contend for first place!

Now, someone finally could not sit still.

"Brother Zhongyan, don't you think it's time to give an explanation?"

Cheng Han's face was cold, looking as if he were looking for trouble.

"Setting aside the first three stages, the fourth stage is a Grade 4 profound array. Chu Liuyue is merely a Grade 2 Mystic Practitioner; how could she possibly crack it? And so quickly!? I demand an immediate inspection of Chu Liuyue!"

Fu Yunshan glanced at him. Although he didn't speak, he was clearly maintaining a skeptical attitude toward the matter as well.

How could Sun Zhongyan not know what he was plotting? He refused immediately

"The competition has not yet ended; how can there be any reason to stop? If Brother Cheng Han insists on an inspection, then the other two must be inspected together as well!"

Cheng Han sneered

"Never mind me, I fear even the others present harbor doubts about Chu Liuyue! A mere Grade 2 Mystic Practitioner, how could she possess such ability! Even if her talent is good, it absolutely shouldn't reach this level!"

"How do you know it hasn't reached this level?"

Instead of getting angry, Sun Zhongyan looked around and revealed a meaningful smile.

"You all may have heard that Liuyue only passed the entrance exam for our Tianlu Academy two months ago. However, there is one thing you might not be very clear about. Liuyue only began her formal cultivation as a Mystic Practitioner after entering the academy!"

Seeing the shocked expressions of the crowd, he gave a light snort.

"In other words, it only took Liuyue two months to go from an ordinary person to a Grade 2 Mystic Practitioner!"

The crowd fell into a deathly silence! Their eyes were filled with horror!

Sun Zhongyan's words were simply too impactful, too shocking!

"Impossible!"

Cheng Han was the first to react, immediately refuting him.

"How is it impossible? People in the Imperial Capital have all heard of this matter. The elders and teachers of our academy, and even the students, can all testify to it."

Sun Zhongyan smiled like an old fox.

"Could it be that so many people are all saying the same thing just to help Chu Liuyue cover up a lie?!"

Cheng Han was momentarily speechless, his mind going blank.

In reality, he also knew that since Sun Zhongyan dared to say this in public, it proved it must be true!

At the very least, he could verify that what he was saying was true!

He couldn't help but look toward Chu Liuyue.

Despite the massive commotion surrounding her, the person involved seemed completely unaffected, still calmly and composedly cracking the profound array.

The unease in his heart grew stronger.

If Chu Liuyue truly was as Sun Zhongyan said, then her talent...

"Once the competition ends, if you still have doubts, it won't be difficult to conduct an inspection," Sun Zhongyan said leisurely.

To try and stop Chu Liuyue with such a method—keep dreaming!

Cheng Han did not speak for a long time.

Across from him, Fu Yunshan was also stunned for a long while. After much deliberation, he could only hope that Sheng Yiming could crack the final stage before Chu Liuyue!

Wishes are beautiful, but things often go against one's desires.

Fu Yunshan soon discovered that Sheng Yiming's state did not seem very good.

He sat there, staring at the chessboard, but had not moved for a long time.

Even Su Bai, who was beside him, had already begun cracking the final stage, yet Sheng Yiming seemed to have no clue.

Fu Yunshan knew the top students of the academy quite well; seeing him like this, he immediately thought something was wrong.

Sheng Yiming was good at everything in daily life, except for one thing—he was too proud.

He insisted on being the best in everything. If he occasionally lost to others, he would enter the academy's library to study profound arrays, often not emerging for a day and a night.

For this Qingjiao Assembly, he had prepared for a long time before the competition, determined to take first place.

But now, the appearance of Chu Liuyue had clearly placed immense pressure on him...

Xi Wanwan had already returned to her seat, but seeing the situation on the field, her heart hung in her throat once again.

She really shouldn't have left so early just now!

If she had known there was another Chu Liuyue, she would have made sure to eliminate her before stepping down!

But it was too late to say anything now!

As for Sheng Yiming, she didn't know if he could hold his ground...

*Clack.*

Chu Liuyue placed another piece.

A subtle ripple appeared on the chessboard before her.

Sheng Yiming and Su Bai both knew very well what this ripple meant.

—Chu Liuyue had found the correct method to crack it!

As long as she was given more time, she might actually be able to snatch first place ahead of them!

Su Bai followed immediately with a move.

A similar ripple instantly appeared on his chessboard!

Sheng Yiming looked at him, unable to hide his shock.

Su Bai merely gave a small smile and paid him no further mind.

That smile immediately made Sheng Yming realize—Su Bai had also been hiding his strength all along!

Every time, Su Bai had been following behind him. He had thought it was a gap in strength, but he hadn't expected...

Whether it was Si Ting or Su Bai, the confusion was that the current Chu Liuyue seemed to be even stronger than him!

And yet, he had thought he was the most outstanding one, thinking he was advancing triumphantly, when in reality, he was nothing more than a joke in their eyes!

If he lost this time...

Sheng Yiming gripped the chess piece in his hand, his whole body tense.

He tried hard to see the patterns on the chessboard before him, but his mind was so filled with anxiety that he couldn't focus at all.

As for thinking, that was out of the question.

If this continued...

*Clack.*

Su Bai took the lead!

Chu Liuyue followed closely! They placed their pieces almost simultaneously!

Hearing the movements of the two, Sheng Yiming's hand trembled slightly, and he actually crushed the chess piece!

This moderate commotion immediately drew the attention of many people.

In an instant, discussions broke out.

Sheng Yiming felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, experiencing extreme agony.

Chu Liuyue raised her eyes, gave him a faint glance, and the corners of her mouth curled slightly.

A person like Sheng Yiming, even if he possessed some talent, would not go far on the path of Mystic Practitioner cultivation.

Sure enough, Sheng Yming took a deep breath, wanting to pick up another piece, but his hand shook violently; it took a while before he could pick it up.

Looking at the chessboard in a state of mental turmoil, he grew impatient and ended up placing a piece in a random position.

The chessboard shook violently!

Sheng Yming was startled!

He had made a mistake on a critical step; this round was ruined!

Sensing the chaotic energy upon it, an extremely dangerous thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

Immediately, his hand moved as if out of control, sweeping lightly across the chessboard!

The chessboard fell into total chaos!

The energy within the profound array instantly erupted, scattering in all directions!

Chu Liuyue's gaze sharpened, and she grabbed the chessboard in one motion!