Rumble!
This was a deep valley. Within the deep valley, there was a waterfall that looked like a heavenly dragon that cascaded down from a huge peak. The loud rumbling sound caused the entire valley to tremble.
The waterfall was accompanied by a frightening force as it came crashing down. However, when the water reached a certain spot below, it was suddenly arched up. At the same time, the waterfall also split apart as a result, transforming into numerous huge streams of water that rushed down. Some of the huge rocks that were occasionally blocking the bottom were instantly crushed into pieces.
At the location where the waterfall arched out, faint Spiritual Energy light could be vaguely seen. If one took a closer look, they would be able to see a figure sitting within the waterfall.
That figure quietly sat there, allowing the frightening force of the water to crash against his body. However, he did not move a single inch.
He sat there quietly for roughly an hour, before he finally opened his eyes. A dazzling lustre appeared within his eyes as an extremely powerful Spiritual Energy swept out. The waterfall before him was instantly dispersed. Only after a long while, did the waterfall continue to descend.
That figure stood up and strode forward, slowly walking out from the waterfall. Spiritual light spread out from his body as his skin flickered with a lustrous white luster, making him look like a piece of jade.
The impact of the water, which was as heavy as ten thousand catties, did not obstruct him in the slightest. As he slowly walked out, the waterfall did not leave a single trace of water on his body.
After that, he floated outside the waterfall. With a move of his body, he landed on a boulder beside the waterfall.
That person wore white clothes with his black hair draped over his shoulders. His handsome face was as dazzling as the sun, with a gentle smile hanging on the corner of his mouth, causing him to look cultured and refined. Such a temperament was simply a fatal attraction to some girls.
On his chest was the emblem of the Academy. On it was a blazing sun that shone with holy light. This was the emblem of the Holy Spirit House.
He was Ji Xuan.
Swoosh.
On the other side, faint whooshing sounds rang out, before a figure appeared in front of Ji Xuan. It was a youth with a rather handsome appearance. Sending a smile towards Ji Xuan, he said, "Xiao Huang's group has fallen out of the top 16, while Wen Qingxuan's group has risen from third to second."
"Looks like they failed," said Ji Xuan with a smile. There wasn't much surprise on his face.
"Mu Feng, has Mu Chen appeared?"
The young man by the name of Mu Feng nodded his head. His expression became slightly surprised as he said, "According to the news that has been sent back, Mu Chen has appeared. Mo Xiu and the other two had joined forces, yet they were defeated by him in a single move. Tsk tsk. This fellow is quite formidable, to actually be able to accomplish such a feat."
"Defeated in one move?"
Ji Xuan's expression remained indifferent as he said, "If it's him, it's not surprising for him to have such capabilities. However, I never imagined that he would be able to catch up so quickly. I had originally thought that the one year delay in the Spiritual Road would have slowed down his cultivation speed."
"Right, why haven't the points of Mo Xiu and the other two dropped?"
Asked Ji Xuan all of a sudden. He had also noticed that the rankings of Mo Xiu and the other two still remained at the bottom of the top 16.
"Mu Chen did not take action against them, and even let them off. However, when he faced Xiao Huang and the other two, he did not show the slightest bit of courtesy, and directly declared that if they don't leave any points, he would leave an arm behind," said Mu Feng.
"With one hand, he buys the hearts of people, and with the other, he intimidates the small fry."
Faintly narrowing his eyes, Ji Xuan said, "As expected of Mu Chen. His methods are still as shrewd as ever. I had originally wanted him to make more enemies. I never imagined that he would actually not fall for it."
With a flash of understanding, Mu Feng said, "No wonder you clearly knew that Mo Xiu and the other two would most likely fail. Yet, you still allowed them to go. So it turns out that you've even dug a hole for Mu Chen. However, it's a pity, that brat isn't someone easy to deal with."
"If he was a simple character, I wouldn't have to waste so much effort."
With a faint smile, Ji Xuan said, "We don't have much of a relationship with Mo Xiu and the other two. Back then, we had only schemed to make them owe us a favor. Now that this matter is over, coupled with the favor that Mu Chen has given them, it's basically impossible for them to get close to us in the future."
"They're just small characters. Do they really think that they're able to stabilize their position at the bottom of the top 16 due to their own capabilities?
Behind them, there's god knows how many powerful groups that are on par with them, or even stronger than them. Without our protection, they won't be able to maintain their position for long, "said Mu Feng with a smile.
"What do you plan to do next?
From the looks of it, Mu Chen and the other two should be together with Wen Qingxuan. That girl, Wen Qingxuan, isn't a simple character. If they join hands, I'm afraid that it'll be somewhat troublesome for us, "said Mu Feng with a frown.
Hearing this, Ji Xuan faintly nodded his head. Wen Qingxuan was indeed not an ordinary person. This was a point that even he had to admit.
"There's no need to be anxious. There's no need to lose our sense of propriety because of them."
Rays of brilliance circulated within Ji Xuan's eyes as he gave a faint smile and said, "Back then in the Spiritual Road, I caused Mu Chen to be expelled from the Spiritual Road. This time, I'll let him truly understand exactly who's the true winner."
Hearing that, Mu Feng nodded his head. Having followed Ji Xuan all the way here, he was exceedingly clear exactly how frightening the strength of the person before him was. Although he had never seen Mu Chen before, he didn't believe that there was truly anyone in the current Great Spiritual Academy Tournament that could defeat Ji Xuan.
"Oh, right!"
Ji Xuan's voice slightly paused as he looked towards Mu Feng, an indescribable glint flashing within his eyes. After a long while, he said, "There's a girl by the name of Luo Li by Mu Chen's side, right?"
Hearing that, Mu Feng nodded his head as he shot a look at Ji Xuan. That's because he was able to sense a rare sliver of peculiarity within the latter's words.
"That Luo Li has always been by Mu Chen's side. She's extremely formidable, and can even be described as a person who has concealed herself deeply. I feel that she might not be any weaker than Wen Qingxuan," said Mu Feng.
"How could the next Empress of the Luo God Clan be ordinary?"
Muttered Ji Xuan. However, upon thinking about how Luo Li had always been by Mu Chen's side, even with his deep scheming heart, a dark shadow uncontrollably surfaced on his face, causing his heart to feel exceedingly uncomfortable. That emotion should be something called jealousy.
When he had seen her for the first time in the Spiritual Road, the young girl's tranquil and lotus-like temperament, as well as her crystal-clear glass-like bright eyes, as well as her silvery and dazzling long hair, had caused his heart to twitch.
In the Spiritual Road, Ji Xuan and Mu Chen had become irreconcilable enemies. He knew that the main reason for this might be due to that girl, who would always quietly stand by Mu Chen's side, regardless of anything.
That's because no matter what he did, he was unable to attract the gentle gaze of that girl. No matter what he did, the faint smile at the corner of that girl's mouth would not blossom for him.
He was extremely unwilling to accept this. Ever since he was young, he had been a proud son of the heavens. His excellence had caused him to be as dazzling as the sun. However, this was the first time that he had encountered such a feeling of defeat from someone not caring about his excellence.
Since he was unable to make her care about him, he would make her firmly remember him, regardless of whether it was hatred or killing intent.
Therefore, he had schemed against Luo Li in the Spiritual Road, using it to force the usually calm and collected Mu Chen to be completely enraged. In the end, he had disregarded everything and caused the Blood Calamity, which resulted in him being expelled.
On the day that Mu Chen was expelled from the Spiritual Road, Ji Xuan had also seen this scene from afar. He was able to see the tranquil gaze of the youth as he left. However, it was precisely that tranquility that caused his gaze to turn somewhat dark.
At that time, Luo Li had also been present. However, she had only quietly watched as Mu Chen left. From the start to the end, she had not cast a single glance in his direction. When Mu Chen's figure disappeared, she had also turned around and left, leaving behind a slender and beautiful figure in Ji Xuan's eyes.
On that day, Ji Xuan's emotions were exceptionally violent and furious.
He had successfully achieved his goal of forcing Mu Chen out of the Spiritual Road. Perhaps in the eyes of many, he had done it quite perfectly. After all, in the Spiritual Road, methods and whatnot weren't important. All that mattered was the result.
However, Ji Xuan wasn't very happy. When Mu Chen left, the tranquil gaze in his eyes and when Luo Li turned around and left, neither made Ji Xuan feel the slightest bit of joy.
Furthermore, after Mu Chen had been expelled from the Spiritual Road, Ji Xuan hadn't seen Luo Li again, until the end of the Spiritual Road.
The young girl was still wearing a black dress. Her long silver hair hung down to her slender waist. She stood alone, her glass-like clear eyes finally sweeping a glance at Ji Xuan.
With just a single glance, Ji Xuan's back involuntarily straightened slightly, fully displaying his dazzling side.
However, the young girl ignored all of this. Before the countless outstanding geniuses present, she slowly raised the longsword in her hand, pointing its tip straight at Ji Xuan.
She still didn't say a single word. As her silver hair fluttered, she had already started her attack.
Ruthless, swift and fierce.
In the end, both of them suffered heavy injuries.
The young girl didn't utter a single word. She had given up on the qualifications to fight for the Spiritual Crown, and had directly dragged Ji Xuan down, preventing him from obtaining that glory. She had used a method to tell Ji Xuan, as well as everyone else, about the anger she had suppressed in her heart.
At that moment, Ji Xuan had retreated in a somewhat miserable manner. As he looked towards the young girl, who was similarly covered in injuries, a torrential killing intent gushed out from his heart. It wasn't directed towards Luo Li, but towards Mu Chen.
That fellow had merely been lucky enough to come into contact with Luo Li before him. Originally, this girl should have disregarded everything for his sake. It was all because of that fellow called Mu Chen!
Without him, he, Ji Xuan, would be the true winner of the Spiritual Road!
Regardless of glory or the girl.
Creak.
Ji Xuan slowly clenched his fists. Veins popped up on his jade-like skin. The rumbling sounds of the waterfall rang out along with the moisture, causing him to gradually break away from those memories.
However, his eyes had turned increasingly cold at this moment. The chilling intent caused even Mu Feng, who was standing by the side, to shiver for a moment.
Raising his head, Ji Xuan stared into the distance, his gaze ice-cold.
Luo Li, this time, I'll truly trample Mu Chen beneath my feet in front of you. I'll let you know that, compared to me, he, Mu Chen, is nothing!
Be it in terms of tactics or strength, I'll be stronger than Mu Chen!
Therefore, only I'm the most suitable for you!