Thunderous noises echoed across the field.
Zhou Yuan and the rest of the A class students arrived at the field. Their gazes turned towards the five tall platforms before ultimately stopping at the tallest one, the platform that represented the leader of the classes.
Every year, the first amongst the classes would place their class flag upon it.
Currently, a tall flag fluttered on the class leader platform. A flag marked by a bold ‘B’.
“Our A class has lost the class leader platform for two years.” Chu Tianyang sighed softly from the side. This was the shared pain of every A class member. The glory that was originally theirs had been monopolized by the B class for two years, making their title as leader of the classes nothing but an empty name.
Zhou Yuan pursed his lips as a stern look emerged in his eyes. If the B class still wanted to dominate the leader class platform this year, they would have to first ask his fists.
As the sun hung high in the sky, the crowd surrounding the class ranking exam field grew larger and larger.
“His and her majesties have arrived!”
A loud shout suddenly rang out across the area. One could only watch as Zhou Qing, Qin Yu and Yaoyao appeared on the central viewing platform and seated themselves on the highest seats.
This class ranking exam was so important that even Zhou Qing could not help but personally make a trip over.
“King Qi has arrived!”
Not long after Zhou Qing arrived, another loud shout rang out. One would turn only to see a procession of people rushing over from another direction under the attention of countless gazes.
Zhou Yuan’s eyes were fixed at the front of the procession where a middle-aged man in official-looking robes was located. His steps were as majestic as a tiger, his expression cold and stern, while his eyes shined brightly. An invisible pressure spread, making it such that no one to dared to look directly at this man.
“King Qi, Qi Yuan…” Zhou Yuan’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the man. This person was the biggest tumor of Great Zhou and the secret needle Great Wu had stuck here.
King Qi had the strength of the Alpha-Origin stage and was one of the top experts in Great Zhou.
Chu Tianyang frostily remarked, “It seems that today’s class ranking exam is also very important to king Qi.”
On the central viewing platform, Qi Yuan cupped his fists together towards Zhou Qing but did not offer him the greetings of a subject.
Zhou Qing expression did not change as he nodded. The level of hostility between the royal clan and Qi Manor was clear as day.
Dong dong!
After Zhou Qing and Qi Yuan appeared, the excitement in the air reached its peak as the sound of a gong reverberated across the area.
“The class ranking exam begins!”
Chapter 47 Strange
As the gong reverberated across the area, the excitement surrounding the field instantly soared.
Chu Tianyang’s figure appeared at the center of the field, Genesis Qi surging around him as his powerful voice rang out by everyone’s ears, “The rules of the class ranking exam are the same as usual. Every class will send four participants that are free to challenge each other. Defeating all four members of a class will allow your class to replace their current position.”
“Participants from the respective classes, please ascend your respective platforms!”
As Chu Tianyang’s loud voice faded, figures immediately shot out from each of the classes. Amongst the cheers that filled the sky, the figures landed on the stages, allowing everyone to see them.
The participants from the A class had been decided long ago. Zhou Yuan, Su Youwei, Yang Zai and Song Qiushui.
“You guys can do it!” The numerous A class students cheered loudly.
Zhou Yuan and the other three exchanged a look and nodded before their figures flew onto the second highest platform. The highest belonged to Qi Yue and the other three B class participants.
Qi Yue stood with his hands behind his back while Liu Xi stood beside him. At this very moment, they were looking down from above at Zhou Yuan and the rest on the lower platforms.
Iciness overflowed from Qi Yue’s eyes as he stared at Zhou Yuan and said in a cold voice, “This class leader stage will still end up with my B class this year. I advise all of you to not have any designs on it.”
Zhou Yuan smiled upon hearing this and replied, “Many thanks for your gift of the Jade Spirit Waterfall training time. I believe that the rich Qi Manor should not mind too much since you can even afford to groom others from your own pockets.”
Qi Yue’s face twitched slightly. Losing to Zhou Yuan in the Jade Spirit Waterfall had caused his reputation in the B class to become extremely terrible. Moreover, the substantial amount of the good will he had painstakingly cultivated was now gone.
Liu Xi sneered as she said, “Humph, what’s there to be happy about. After the class ranking exam, you guys will lose your title as the A class. When that time comes, all of these things will still be ours.”
Su Youwei flatly replied, “It’s a little early to speak of who will win or lose.”
Liu Xi said with disdain, “Who do you think you are? Do you believe that someone like you has the right to talk to me?"
Su Youwei’s eyes lowered slightly. “Status does not mean anything on this stage. If you lose, your words will merely be a joke.”
Liu Xi’s eyelids twitched as she said through gnashed teeth, “Sharp-tongued commoner girl, if you fall into my hands later, prepare to see just how I will deal with you!”
“You should also be careful. I too plan to properly settle things between us with regards to what happened previously.” Cold light also surged in Su Youwei’s eyes.
“I’m afraid that you don’t have that capability!”
Sparks were already flying between the two parties before the battle began.
Zhou Yuan’s group sat down on the mats atop the platform as he shot a look at Qi Yue’s group with narrowed eyes. Behind Liu Xi were two tall and well-built youths whose bodies were surrounded by faint Genesis Qi undulations.
Beside Zhou Yuan, Su Youwei softly said, “Those two are Cao Ling and Fan Wu, elites of the B class. If my guess is correct, both of them should have already unblocked their six meridian channel.”
Zhou Yuan gave a slight nod as he glanced at the duo. He seemed to sense a faint but strange aura from the two.
Dong dong!
As the participants from the various classes ascended the stages, the sound of the gong grew increasingly frequent until the last hurried yet drawn out ‘dong’, marking the start of the class ranking exam.
“D class’ Li Tong challenges C class’ Wu Jian!”
“E class’ Chai Yanzhi challenges D class’ Sun Qing!”
“……”
A series of shouts immediately followed the final gong. Figures quickly flew out one by one and landed on the empty stone stages.
“I’ll go test the waters.” On the A class side, Yang Zai was the first to stand up. His gaze locked onto Cao Ling on the B class side and yelled, “A class’ Yang Zai challenges B class’ Cao Ling.”
The youth called Cao Ling was expressionless as he stood up on the class leader platform and leaped onto the stone stage.
Yang Zai also flew up to the stone stage and cupped his fists together towards Cao Ling.
A referee landed on the stage and looked at the both of them before waving his hand. “Begin!”
Bang!
Two figures immediately shot forward as two low shouts rang out, “Six channels open!”
Both of them had the strength of six channels and did not intend to hold anything back. Six channels were opened from the beginning, their respective full power blasting out.
Strands of Genesis Qi swirled on both of their bodies as punches and kicks whizzed forth, causing even the air to be blasted away, neither party willing to give a single inch.
Thump! Thump!
The two figures clashed unde
r the attention of countless gazes, fists zipping here and there. Neither showed any mercy and every attack was aimed to hurt, making the fight look exceptionally dangerous.
Su Youwei remarked in a low voice while concentrating on the fight, “They are pretty even.”
Zhou Yuan gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. Both individuals had the strength of six channels, giving neither an advantage over the other. Victory would hinge on who had stronger Genesis techniques and the better battle sense.
His gaze turned towards Qi Yue, only to discover a strange look on his face as he watched the two exchange blows. Zhou Yuan immediately frowned, feeling that something was amiss.
Rumble!
On the stage, Yang Zai’s and Cao Ling’s battle grew increasingly intense. However, no one had discovered the slight tinge of redness in Cao Ling’s eyes and the additional sliver of berserk and heavy feeling in the Genesis Qi that poured out from his body.
These changes were most clearly felt by Yang Zai. He suddenly felt much more pressured and there were signs of being suppressed in the subsequent clashes.
“Why is this happening?” Yang Zai was filled with confusion.
“Get lost!”
Following a brief lapse in Yang Zai’s movement, red light surged in Cao Ling’s eyes as a roar emerged. He pounced like a tiger that had just been released from its cage and sent the weakened Yang Zai flying with a punch, causing him to vomit a mouthful of fresh blood.
*Uproar*
A commotion immediately broke out in the field. No one had expected the originally even fight to abruptly end in Yang Zai’s defeat.
Zhou Yuan’s brows were tightly knitted together. In that brief moment earlier, he had faintly felt the Genesis Qi in Cao Ling’s body pulse strangely before suddenly becoming more berserk and violent.
On the class leader platform, Qi Yue grinned as he watched this scene before his gaze turned towards Zhou Yuan, a dark and cold look flitting across the former’s eyes.
This class ranking exam was extremely important to Qi Manor. Thus, he had pulled out all the stops to make sure Zhou Yuan had no chance.
“I’ll go next.” Song Qiushui’s stood up with a grave expression.
“Be careful.” Zhou Yuan gave a slight nod.
Upon seeing Song Qiushui rise, Qi Yue looked at Fan Wu and said in an emotionless voice, “You, go.”
Fan Wu stood up and flew onto the stage while Song Qiushui swiftly followed suit.
Both sides did not waste any time with words. Six channels were opened the moment the referee signalled the start. Genesis Qi poured into their bodies as surging power filled their limbs.
Two figures shot forth, cracking the stone beneath their feet.
Zhou Yuan’s eyes were glued to the duo that were exchanging blows on the stage. Like before, the gap between them was not big and the fight was naturally rather even.
However… as time passed, Zhou Yuan’s pupils suddenly tightened when he once again sensed the Genesis Qi in Fan Wu’s body show faint signs of becoming berserk.
Boom boom!
Fan Wu’s attacks became more ferocious, each punch filled with violent Genesis Qi that shattered the air, causing explosion sounds to emerge.
Qi Yue indifferently said as he watched. “It’s over.”
YAA!
A thunderous howl from Fan Wu shook the ground as a punch containing churning Genesis Qi stirred up a storm and blasted towards Song Qiushui with a momentum that could overturn mountains and the sea.
Thump!
Although Song Qiushui did all she could to defend, the power of the attack was far too great, causing her to catapult off the stage with a muffled thump.
An uproar once again swept through the entire field. The A class had suffered two consecutive defeats…
On the tall platform, Zhou Qing’s expression became rather ugly. In contrast, a strange and mysterious smile hung on Qi Yuan’s lips.
Zhou Yuan stared hard at Fan Wu. Moments later, his eyes seemed to flash as he slowly said, “I know what trick they used…”
Chapter 48 Next
“What do you mean?” Su Youwei was stunned by Zhou Yuan’s words.
Zhou Yuan’s eyes were a little cold as he looked towards Cao Ling and Fan Wei and said in a flat voice, “If my guess is correct, they have used the Blood Boiling Rune.”
“Blood Boiling Rune?”
Zhou Yuan slowly explained, “It is a grade 1 Genesis Rune which uses Genesis Beast essence blood as an anchor. When drawn on the body, it can burn the essence blood in the body, allowing one’s Genesis Qi to become berserk and violent. However, it is very harmful to the user and will cause a loss of essence blood. In serious cases, it may even damage one’s meridian channels, making it difficult to progress one’s cultivation in future.”
The Blood Boiling Rune was somewhat similar to the Nine Beast Channel Opening Rune. However, the former was not as refined at the latter.
The expression in Su Youwei’s pretty face changed slightly. “Such Genesis Runes are forbidden! They wouldn’t dare!”
Zhou Yuan’s eyes narrowed. “They’ve concealed it well, making it extremely difficult to discover. It is likely that no runes can be found on their bodies.”
“Can’t be found? Then how were they drawn?” Su Youwei was puzzled. She was clearly not as proficient in Genesis Runes as Zhou Yuan.
Zhou Yuan slowly explained, “They probably had the Blood Boiling Rune inscribed on their bodies every day before the class ranking exam, allowing some of the rune’s power to remain in the body. Hence, the blood within their bodies will gradually start to boil as the battles intensifies. As such, no one will be able to find out.”
“However, this will cause even greater harm to the users body. I’m afraid that Cao Ling and Fan Wu will likely become cripples in the future.”
Su Youwei could not help but clench her jaw. “How vicious.”
Coldness flashed in Zhou Yuan’s eyes as he said, “Looks like Qi Manor is very prudent. To think that they would resort to such tactics to ensure that nothing unexpected would happen even with Qi Yue at the helm. It seems that they are very determined on obtaining the Great Zhou Institute.”
“They likely plan on using Fan Wu and Cao Ling to tire you.” Su Youwei’s eyes narrowed a little, a stern look emerging in them as her hand slowly closed into a fist. “But don’t worry, I will not let them succeed!”
She could vaguely sense how important this class ranking exam was to Zhou Yuan and intended to do everything in her power to help him. For him, she would sweep away all of the stumbling blocks in his path. At the very least, she needed to ensure Zhou Yuan was at his peak condition when he faced Qi Yue and not allow anyone to tire him out.
Zhou Yuan had begun to think of a way to deal with the situation, but it was at this moment that a ball of paper was suddenly thrown over, landing at his side.
Zhou Yuan was taken aback. He picked up the ball of paper and slowly unfurled it, only to find three beautifully drawn words: Clear Heart Rune.
“These words… big sis Yaoyao?” Zhou Yuan was stunned. Subsequently, he raised his head and looked towards a distant platform where Yaoyao was holding Tuntun as she lazily observed the field. As if sensing his gaze, Yaoyao tilted her head and gave him a small smile.
It was obvious that she had also discovered the problem. Her mastery of Genesis Runes was even greater than Zhou Yuan, hence she had very quickly worked out a solution.
“So that’s how…”
With this pointer from Yaoyao, Zhou Yuan immediately understood. He grinned as he turned to Su Youwei and said, “It is not impossible to deal with the Blood Boiling Rune. Give me your hand.”
Su Youwei was a little confused but she still reached out a hand as instructed. He her hand was soft, supple, fair and slender, while her nails were akin to little shells, neat and cute.
Without much thought, Zhou Yuan also reached out and grabbed Su Youwei’s small hand.
Upon seeing his actions, Su
Youwei was a little alarmed as her face flushed red. However, before she could say anything, Zhou Yuan retrieved the Heavenly Yuan Brush from his waist and swiftly started to draw on her palm with a serious expression.
He was soon done, and continued to hold Su Youwei’s hand as he said in a low voice, “This is the Clear Heart Rune. Although it is only an elementary level rune, it will be very useful in this situation.”
“Clear Heart Rune?” Su Youwei was somewhat surprised. She naturally knew of this elementary rune but did not understand how it would be of use against the Blood Boiling Rune
Zhou Yuan smiled and said in a mysterious manner, “When they activate the Blood Boiling Rune later, use this hand to attack the top of their head.”
Although she was still somewhat puzzled, Su Youwei obediently nodded. Her clear-water-like eyes subsequently looked towards Zhou Yuan as she said with a red face, “Are still not going to let go?”
Only then did Zhou Yuan realise that he was still holding a small, soft hand and immediately released his grip. Soon after, he said without a change in expression, “I was talking about important matters and did not intend to take advantage.”
Su Youwei softly snorted. “You’ve become accustomed to it anyways.”
Zhou Yuan felt somewhat embarrassed. Just as he was about to try and explain, he saw Yang Zai and Song Qiushui walk over with shame on their faces.
“Sorry. We lost.” The two hung their heads in dejection. Zhou Yuan had won two hours of Jade Spirit Waterfall training time for them, but they had still lost in the class ranking exam, making them feel that they had let him down.
Zhou Yuan did not seem to mind as he smiled and said, “Don’t mind it, it was not your skills that were lacking but our opponents’ tactics that were far too devious.”
He lifted his head and looked at the class leader platform, only to see Qi Yue look back with a superficial smile. From the curve of his lips, it was as if victory was already assured.
“Already so happy huh…”
Zhou Yuan withdrew his gaze as an icy smile emerged on his face.
At this current moment, countless gazes from the field were looking towards the A class. Evidently, the A class’ two consecutive losses had led many believe that they would once again be suppressed by the B class.
Dragon Prince Yuan c1-1251 Page 33
