"What, our opponent today is Black Radiance Academy."
In the central plaza of Chizhang City, Song Wei Qian was somewhat surprised upon learning their opponent for the match.
Black Radiance Academy ranked second in the Southern Domain Academies, boasting a long history of nearly six thousand years.
It was rumored that this year, they had produced many outstanding students who outshone their peers.
Even before the Academy Ranking Competition began, Black Radiance Academy had openly declared their intention to break into the top ten.
Logically, this was only the third match of the preliminary rounds, and Lang Ya shouldn't have encountered Black Radiance, ranked twentieth. Yet, it had happened.
Song Wei Qian could finally confirm that someone was deliberately targeting Lang Ya, most likely the Tang family.
"It seems Lang Ya's good days are over. They were lucky to win against Ji Jia yesterday, but today they'll surely be brought back to reality by Black Radiance."
"What a pity, the Tang family's gambling houses aren't taking bets on Lang Ya Academy. Otherwise, I'd definitely bet on Lang Ya to lose and make a fortune."
"Black Radiance Academy declared early this morning, vowing to teach Lang Ya Academy a harsh lesson and avenge Ji Jia Academy."
A considerable number of curious cultivators had gathered around the battle stage where Lang Ya Academy was competing.
These people were chattering amongst themselves, none of them optimistic about Lang Ya, clearly there to witness Lang Ya's downfall.
People from Ji Jia Academy also appeared in the crowd, their faces filled with malice, having come specifically to watch this match, waiting to see how Black Radiance would brutally defeat Lang Ya.
Tang Heng stood in the distance, his face filled with murderous intent. Last night, the Tang family had suffered the loss of three Spirit Emperors for nothing because of Lang Ya Academy.
Today, he intended for three students from Lang Ya to be buried with the family's three Spirit Emperors, an eye for an eye.
The elder leading the Black Radiance Academy team instructed the participating students: "The Tang family has already given their word. They want the Lang Ya students dead, so don't hold back. Don't worry about the consequences; find opportunities to kill them."
The students showed hesitation, as deliberately killing an opponent during a match would greatly affect their reputation.
However, this hesitation quickly vanished because the elder promised substantial rewards: anyone who successfully killed a student from Lang Ya Academy would be rewarded with a legendary-grade equipment.
Greed moved their hearts!
With such benefits, the students no longer had any psychological burdens and their killing intent surged.
As long as they killed the participating students from Lang Ya Academy, they would not only receive legendary equipment but also curry favor with the Tang family, a win-win situation. Why wouldn't they?
"Miss Song, it seems someone is targeting your Lang Ya Academy. For your safety, why not withdraw from the competition voluntarily? You defeated Ji Jia Academy yesterday, and your ranking should improve significantly. This competition can be considered a success."
Elders from several allied academies, friendly with Lang Ya Academy, kindly advised Song Wei Qian.
They believed self-preservation was the best course of action, as the students' safety might not be guaranteed if they insisted on participating.
Could they not see the blatant killing intent from Black Radiance Academy? It was clear they intended to strike ruthlessly.
Ji Mo, who hadn't understood the intricacies of the situation, suddenly realized what was happening after listening to the elders' analysis. He knew someone was playing dirty, plotting against Lang Ya in secret.
His temper flared immediately. After all, he always believed in prioritizing competition over friendship and had constantly reminded his students to control themselves and avoid causing fatalities.
Now, it seemed that the meek were bullied, and the good were ridden by others. Someone wanted to treat Lang Ya like a pushover.
Ji Mo instructed his three students: "No more hiding. Show your strength and let others know that Lang Ya is not to be trifled with."
Since there were no bets placed now, there was no need to conceal their abilities. The students could go all out.
Those elders listened, inexplicably excited. Was Lang Ya Academy finally going to display its true strength? Did they have the confidence to contend with Black Radiance Academy?
Upon hearing that they no longer needed to hold back, Lin Meng Meng couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
She was not good at deception and feared that if she couldn't control her strength, she might reveal herself. Now, she finally had no such worries.
At the referee's signal, both sides sent their students onto the battle stage.
Lang Ya Academy's first participant was still Lin Meng Meng.
As Ji Mo's first disciple, she was considered the senior disciple, and being a girl, both Xuan Yang and Wang Wen Jian deferred to her. Thus, she would lead the charge.
Black Radiance Academy sent out a cold-faced youth, who was extremely ostentatious. He made a "throat-slitting" gesture towards Lin Meng Meng, revealing a chilling, sinister grin.
This action was incredibly arrogant and rude, especially directed at a naive girl, and was considered quite classless.
A wave of boos erupted from the surroundings, as many clearly disapproved of the youth's behavior.
Lin Meng Meng, having not slept well the previous night, was already in a bad mood. Seeing the opponent's posture now, a trace of anger flowed from her clear black and white eyes.
"The match begins!"
The referee announced.
Before the words had even faded, the cold-faced youth had vanished from his spot. His feet radiated brilliant halos, his speed pushed to the extreme, leaving only an afterimage in the air.
"Die!"
He was insidious, going all out from the start, intending to catch Lin Meng Meng off guard.
He wanted to deliver a fatal blow before Lin Meng Meng could even react, killing her in the fastest possible time. This way, he could create the illusion of an accidental kill and absolve himself.
Lin Meng Meng seemed genuinely unable to react, remaining motionless, watching her opponent rush towards her.
The opponent's rough hand was less than half a foot away from her slender and fair neck. In the next moment, he could directly grab her throat and easily snap it.
The cold-faced youth already wore a cruel smile. At this point, even admitting defeat would be too late.
No one could stop him from killing this cute and foolish girl.
However, ideals are often full, but reality is cruel.
Just as his palm was about to grasp Lin Meng Meng's neck, she counterattacked.
Lin Meng Meng struck faster, though she moved later.
Her delicate fist struck his palm with lightning speed.
*Crack!*
He was utterly unable to resist. His entire arm twisted and broke, almost turning into mush under the impact of the opponent's terrifying power.
Subsequently, Lin Meng Meng kicked him in the chest.
The cold-faced youth's chest caved in deeply. He spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward, landing hundreds of meters away, his life or death unknown.
This scene shocked everyone present.
Lin Meng Meng was truly overwhelmingly strong, defeating her opponent with just one punch and one kick.
To be precise, she had already won with the punch. The follow-up kick was clearly a consequence of the opponent's malicious actions, a case of poetic justice.
"How is this possible? It's too exaggerated!"
Many found it unbelievable. Logically, Lang Ya Academy should have been easily dealt with by Black Radiance, but the outcome was the exact opposite.
"Hiss..."
Those elders gasped in disbelief, then couldn't help but cheer excitedly, feeling proud.
The performance of this young lady from Lang Ya Academy was simply magnificent!