NOVEL NEXT Chapter 172: Chapter 172
Yao Chen stayed silent and didn't know how to comfort his disciple. Even though Xiao Ning's words carried a part of the truth, it was still cruel towards Xiao Yan.
"Yan'er, the reality is cruel, and only by becoming strong can you overcome these hurdles. So, train harder, become stronger than Xiao Ning, and regain everything you have lost." Yao Chen's words soothed Xiao Yan.
"Yes, I can not give up," Xiao Yan glanced at the pretty face on his shoulder, and endless fighting intent replaced the despair in his eyes.
'Hmm!' Gu Xun Er hummed lightly and blinked her eyes, she looked up only to see a pair of eyes staring at her. Her pretty little face turned red like a tomato, and she hurriedly pushed Xiao Yan away.
Xiao Yan laughed at her cute actions, and it melted away the anger and depression in his heart.
'This girl,' Xiao Yan thought amusedly.
Gu Xun Er turned her head to the other side and dared not to look back. "I am going back," she spoke softly. The next second, she jumped off the roof and disappeared.
"Brat, stop staring, she's long gone. I have a proposal; why don't you take my surname?" Yao Chen's voice sounded in his heart.
After hearing his teacher's proposal, Xiao Yan stopped his actions and thought about it. No matter what, giving up one's surname is an act of disgrace.
Once again, his face became hideous as he thought about it; in the end, Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and agreed to Yao Chen's proposal.
'Xiao Ning,' Xiao Yan or Yao Yan's eyes brimmed with hatred as he thought about him.
...
After Xiao Yan and Gu Xun Er left, Xiao Ning meditated for the rest of the night as if nothing had happened in the first place.
Xiao Ning had pre-planned his itinerary for the next couple of days before the qualification battle ended.
He wandered around Jia Nan city during the day and meditated at night. Before entering the inner academy, it was a rare opportunity for him to relax and calm his mind.
He interacted with many people from different departments and learned about the academy. It also strengthened his determination to join the alchemy department.
...
'Present day!'
The Sun shone brightly in the sky, and the city brimmed with vitality. Everyone rushed towards the arena in the middle of the city. It was like an annual grand event at Jia Nan Academy.
Xiao Ning and the other two followed Instructor Rou Ling toward the stadium. On the way, Xiao Yan, or rather, Yao Yan and Gu Xun Er, attracted everyone's attention.
Students surrounding them looked at them with envy, jealousy, and hate; most of it was directed toward Yao Yan. Gu Xun Er's beauty and lovely personality attracted suiters of both genders.
Today, the students and people were exceptionally enthusiastic because of the presence of famous students like Gu Xun Er, Bai Shan, and the young lady in the red dress.
Xiao Ning calmly followed behind instructor Rou Ling, passed through the crowded section, and walked towards their designated seats. He curled his lips in disdain after Xiao Ning felt scorching gazes from around the stadium.
He ignored them and glanced at the viewing gallery, and Xiao Ning's gaze stopped at four old men, who sat at the center. With his powerful spiritual perception, Xiao Ning guessed their strength.
'Four Dou Emperors! Worthy of Jia Nan Academy,' he thought.
The four old men perceived something and looked back at Xiao Ning's direction in surprise. Although Xiao Ning was only at the peak of Dou Spirit, he did not shy away from their gaze.
He had tasted the power brought by his bloodline and was not awed by the coercion of a Dou Emperor.
'Huh!' The four simultaneously exclaimed in surprise and raised their heads.
'An excellent seedling,' one of them muttered. The other three agreed silently.
With Xiao Ning's presence, the four elders of the academy did not look at Yao Yan.
A few minutes passed by, and after looking at the fully packed stadium, one among the four stood up and waved his hand, marking the beginning of the qualifying competition. Then, a middle-aged judge walked onto the open ground, and a defying cheer erupted from the stadium.
"Once the student's names are announced, they must come to the arena within the stipulated time, or else we will think of it as you giving up." The middle-aged judge calmly explained the rules and walked back to the judge's seat.
The competition began in an orderly manner, one after another, competitors fought, raising the heat in the stadium.
Among them, Xiao Yan's sudden changing of his name caused an uproar in the stadium. Initially, he got a lot of hot stares because of his relationship with Gu Xun Er; but now the same people showed undisguised contempt.
...
'A few hours later!'
"Thirtieth round: Alchemist department: Lu Mu against Yellow Class-Second class Xiao Ning."
After hearing the names, the stadium turned silent momentarily before they cheered loudly.
The next moment, a blue shadow instantly cut through the air and finally pressed his legs gently on the surrounding pillars of the arena, before somersaulting in midair and landing in it.
When the blue figure revealed himself, many cheered. Lu Mu smiled slightly, glanced at Xiao Ning in the viewing gallery, and made a provocative gesture.
"Don't lose," Rou Ling spoke softly.
Xiao Ning looked at instructor Rou Ling and smiled lightly in response before he jumped out of the gallery and landed in the arena.
'Thump!' The ground beneath Xiao Ning's feet cracked, and the cracks rapidly spread around. He raised his head and looked at Lu Mu opposite to him.
"Xiao Ning, I have heard of you; you are Xiao Yu's younger brother. I haven't seen her in the academy for a long time. How about we gamble? If I win, you will help me convince your sister."
Lu Mu's words resounded throughout the stadium, and everyone turned silent.
The corner of Xiao Ning's eyes twitched, and golden flames flared in them. He thought about teaching the other party a profound lesson.