NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 77: Sparring
The morning's physical training class was exhausting, so Tang San rested a little first. Then, he started meditating, entering the state remarkably quickly. The energy in his body surged, merging with the energy of the Mysterious Heavens Technique, and he could clearly feel some improvements in himself.
It wasn't until the bell inside the academy rang that he awoke from his meditation. Outside, he could hear noise—clearly, his colleagues were already heading for the afternoon classes.
After stretching his body, Tang San sprang up and left the room. His fellow students were all gathered there in the courtyard, presumably having rested for a while themselves.
Guan Longjiang and Mu Enqing were present, while Mu Yunyu and Si Ru were absent.
Mu Enqing said, “Today’s practical combat class will be held within the academy. Tang San, step forward.”
Tang San took a step forward, emerging from the group.
Mu Enqing continued, “As you are new to the academy, both the teachers and your colleagues must become familiar with your abilities. You may choose one person as your opponent for a real combat match. You can go all out in the match. Teacher Guan and I will ensure your safety.”
“Yes, Teacher.” Tang San nodded, turning toward the other students.
The students of Redemption Academy were somewhat curious about this newcomer, especially as he was the youngest among them. They were particularly intrigued by his successful completion of the morning's physical training, even more so after learning that Mu Yunyu had increased his weight load during the session.
Naturally, Redemption Academy placed great emphasis on potential when selecting its students, but Mu Yunyu's physical training class was not easy to handle. Everyone struggled with it when they first arrived. Thus, Tang San's physical capabilities, coupled with his young age, had already drawn extra attention from everyone.
Tang San's gaze swept over his senior fellow students. One of them waved his hands repeatedly at him, indicating he did not wish to engage in actual combat with Tang San.
Du Bai had just gotten back, and his face was still somewhat pale. The physical training class had indeed been torturous for him.
Tang San had already decided on his target. "I choose senior sister Cheng Zicheng."
"Okay. Cheng Zicheng's Demon God Transformation is of the flying type," Mu Enqing reminded him, "so be mentally prepared."
Cheng Zicheng, pouting her red lips, stepped forward. "He knows. I ran into him in today's physical training class. Hey, are you sure you want to challenge me? I told you I won't go easy on you."
The latter statement was naturally addressed to Tang San, who smiled and said, "Please enlighten me, senior sister."
The others stepped back, leaving the center of the courtyard to them. Mu Enqing and Guan Longjiang positioned themselves closer to the center, ready to intervene quickly if any danger arose during the fight.
The two stood twenty meters apart, facing each other. Cheng Zicheng's eyes sparkled with confidence, and she seemed eager to begin.
Tang San, however, appeared very calm, merely gazing at her serenely.
"Begin!"
With Mu Enqing's command, Tang San's first real battle since arriving at the Redemption Academy commenced.
Cheng Zicheng's body shimmered in an orange-yellow glow, her arms spreading at her sides and swiftly transforming into wings, her lengthy hair turning orange, interspersed with feather-like strands.
Most Demonic Gods Transformations Tang San had witnessed resulted in an ugly, beastly appearance. However, Cheng Zicheng's transformation made her even more radiant and beautiful. Even her demeanor seemed more fairy-like.
While she activated her Demonic God Transformation, Tang San also took action.
Facing Cheng Zicheng, who possessed the Golden Roc Transformation, his biggest challenge would naturally be her ability to fly. A green light flashed around Tang San as he activated the Wind Wolf imprint. The wind element began to gather around him visibly, lightening his body instantly. He accelerated suddenly, covering twenty meters before anyone even had time to be surprised.
Cheng Zicheng didn't fly immediately after activating the Golden Roc transformation. Instead, her arms, transformed into wings, suddenly closed inward, sweeping toward Tang San like two scythes, their sharp edges seemingly tearing the air apart.
Tang San lunged forward, as if he was throwing himself under the scythes. At that moment, his hands swung forward at the same time, releasing two green-colored wind blades that shot like lightning, striking the Golden Roc's wings in the nick of time.
With two crisp clangs, Cheng Zicheng noticeably faltered; the wings slicing through the air were abruptly stopped and she was jolted back a step by the impact of the wind blades.
Simultaneously, Tang San's fingers quivered, and a series of wind blades shot out rapidly from his palms, as if he was spraying them.
Eighteen wind blades burst forth like flowers scattering from the hands of a celestial maiden, illuminating the battlefield in a green hue. The intense concentration of wind element even caused a distinct howling sound throughout the courtyard.
The eighteen wind blades were actually not aimed at Cheng Zicheng; rather, they shot upward, intertwining in the air to form a large net. This instantly discouraged Cheng Zicheng, who was in fact preparing to take flight after being pushed back earlier.
When the eighteen wind blades flew out, tracing arcs in the air, Guan Longjiang's and Mu Enqing's eyes lit up instantly. They exchanged glances, unable to hide their surprise in their expressions.
Although they had heard from Zhang Tianxiao about Tang San's exquisite control over wind blades, seeing was believing. Witnessing him instantly release so many wind blades, each solid and entirely under his control, was simply amazing. How could a nine-year-old child achieve this? This level of control seemed on par with or even beyond that of an eighth or ninth-order member of the Wind Wolf Clan. It was clear that there was some kind of unique technique behind this astonishing control.
In contrast to their amazement, Cheng Zicheng was feeling a mix of shock and anger. She had certain expectations and judgments about Tang San and she knew he was skilled in using wind blades. However, she had never anticipated being suppressed after just their first exchange.
The two wind blades launched by Tang San had been extremely forceful; upon impact, her tough Golden Roc wings felt numb from the shock. And just as she was about to take off, she found that the eighteen wind blades in the air posed such a threat that she couldn't risk flying.
The feeling of losing control over the battle before it even began was unbearably frustrating.
But Cheng Zicheng was still a member of the Redemption Academy, and therefore not someone to be easily defeated. Realizing that taking flight might make her a target for the wind blades, she reacted almost instantly. Instead of retreating, she advanced, her wings flapping fiercely to create a gust of wind. This wind served as her shield against the aerial wind blades, and simultaneously, she accelerated hard. Almost like teleporting, she lunged directly toward Tang San.
In a flash of orange-yellow light, she was already face to face with Tang San. At this moment, Tang San, had just unleashed eighteen wind blades, and he obviously couldn't release another.
Cheng Zicheng finally showed a hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth. You want to block my flight, huh? Then I'll go straight for the jugular and beat you in close combat.
But her smile stiffened on her lips in the next instant.
Tang San had disappeared.
Just as Cheng Zicheng thought she was about to collide with him, suddenly everything blurred before her eyes, and Tang San vanished into thin air. Then came the sensation of numerous sharp edges coming from all directions. Not only that, but her wings closed; she was immobilized.
To the others, it looked like Tang San shifted a bit before the collision and somehow appeared behind Cheng Zicheng. Then, he grabbed her shoulders, holding her in place. The eighteen wind blades he had set in the air were now homed in on Cheng Zicheng like swallows returning to their nest.