Chapter 47: Unusual

The sound of bells resonated, and the atmosphere around the square instantly grew tense.

Chu Tianyang appeared in the center of the square. As his Origin Qi surged, his powerful voice echoed in everyone's ears: "The rules for the Prefecture Examination are as always: each academy will send four participants, who can challenge freely. Defeat all four of the opposing team, and you can take their place."

"Participants from all academies, now ascend the stage!"

As Chu Tianyang's command ended, figures swiftly emerged from each academy. Amidst widespread cheers, they landed on the Prefecture Examination stage, becoming the focus of attention for countless spectators.

For Class A, the participants had already been decided: Zhou Yuan, Su Youwei, Yang Zai, and Song Qiushui.

"Go for it!" shouted many students from Class A.

The four, including Zhou Yuan, exchanged glances and nodded. Moving swiftly, they ascended the Prefecture Examination stage. Their platform was on the second tier, while on the first tier, conspicuously, were the four individuals from Class B, led by Qi Yue.

Qi Yue stood with his hands behind his back, with Liu Xi beside him. At this moment, they both looked down at Zhou Yuan and the others on the platform below.

"This top platform will still belong to our Class B this year," Qi Yue said flatly, staring at Zhou Yuan with cold eyes. "I advise you not to hold onto that hope."

Zhou Yuan heard this and smiled, saying, "Thanks to the Jade Spirit Waterfall training time you gifted. However, I imagine your Qi Palace is wealthy enough to cultivate talents from your own pockets, so you probably won't mind."

Qi Yue's face twitched slightly. Losing to Zhou Yuan in the Jade Spirit Waterfall had severely damaged his reputation in Class B recently, and much of the support he had painstakingly gathered had also dispersed.

"Hmph, what's there to be proud of?" Liu Xi sneered from beside Qi Yue. "After this Prefecture Examination, you will completely lose the title of Class A. At that time, these things will still be ours."

"It's probably too early to say who will win or lose," Su Youwei said calmly.

"Who are you? Are you even worthy of speaking to me?" Liu Xi said disdainfully.

Su Youwei's eyes slightly lowered as she said, "On this stage, status means nothing. If you lose, it will only add to the mockery."

Liu Xi's eyelid twitched, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "You sharp-tongued girl! If you fall into my hands later, you'll see how I deal with you!"

"Then you should be careful too," Su Youwei retorted, a similar coldness emerging in her beautiful eyes. "As for what happened last time, I also want to settle it with you here."

"I doubt you have the skill!"

The battle had not yet begun, but both sides were already sparking with animosity, their tension palpable.

The four, including Zhou Yuan, sat cross-legged on the futons on the platform. He squinted, glancing behind Qi Yue and Liu Xi, where two tall, well-built youths stood, faint fluctuations of Origin Qi emanating from their bodies.

"Those two are Cao Ling and Fan Wu," Su Youwei whispered beside Zhou Yuan. "They are both outstanding students in Class B. If I'm not mistaken, both of them have likely opened their sixth meridian as well."

Zhou Yuan nodded slightly, taking another look at the two. Faintly, he seemed to sense an unusual fluctuation in their aura.

"Dong! Dong!"

As participants from all academies ascended the stage, the bell sounds became more frequent. Finally, accompanied by a rapid and prolonged bell chime, the Prefecture Examination officially began.

"Li Tong from Class D challenges Wu Jian from Class C!"

"Chai Yanzhi from Class E challenges Sun Qing from Class D!"

The moment the bell stopped chiming, low shouts immediately rang out, followed by figures darting out and landing on the empty stone platforms.

"I'll go first," Yang Zai said, being the first from Class A to stand up. He then fixed his gaze on Cao Ling from Class B and declared in a deep voice, "Yang Zai from Class A challenges Cao Ling from Class B."

On the top platform, the youth named Cao Ling stood up expressionlessly and swiftly moved to the stone platform.

Yang Zai also ascended the stone platform and cupped his fist towards Cao Ling.

A referee descended onto the platform, glanced at both of them, then waved his hand and shouted, "Begin!"

The moment the referee's command ended, both Yang Zai and Cao Ling shot out simultaneously, a low shout ringing out: "Open Six Meridians!"

Both possessed the strength of six meridians, so neither had any intention of holding back. From the start, they activated their six meridians, exerting their full power.

Streaks of Origin Qi light entwined around their bodies. When their fists and feet whistled, the air itself seemed to shatter, their attacks sharp and fierce.

Bang! Bang!

Under the gaze of countless eyes, the two figures became entangled. Fists flew as they held nothing back, aiming straight for each other's vital points. The scene looked extremely dangerous.

"Their strengths are quite similar," Su Youwei whispered, watching intently.

Zhou Yuan nodded slightly. Both had opened six meridians, and their strengths were on par. To determine a victor, it would depend on whose Origin Art was stronger and whose combat awareness was sharper.

His gaze turned towards Qi Yue's direction, but he found the latter staring at the two combatants with a strange expression. He immediately frowned, sensing something was amiss.

Boom! Boom!

On the platform, Yang Zai and Cao Ling's battle became increasingly fierce. However, no one noticed that Cao Ling's eyes had subtly turned a bit reddish, and the Origin Qi surging from within him had gained a hint of wildness, becoming heavy and fierce.

Yang Zai felt this change most clearly. The pressure on him instantly increased significantly, and after several clashes, he showed signs of being suppressed.

"How can this be?" Yang Zai wondered, his heart filled with uncertainty and surprise.

"Get lost!"

As Yang Zai's movements faltered, red light surged in Cao Ling's eyes. A violent roar escaped him as he unleashed a fierce "Tiger Heart Rip" attack. Like a fierce tiger released from its cage, his single punch sent the exhausted Yang Zai flying backward, a mouthful of fresh blood spurting from his lips.

A wave of exclamations immediately swept through the square. No one had expected Yang Zai, who had been evenly matched, to suddenly be defeated.

Zhou Yuan's brows furrowed tightly. In that previous instant, he had faintly sensed an unusual fluctuation in Cao Ling's Origin Qi, becoming even more berserk and violent.

On the top platform, Qi Yue watched this scene with a slight smile. Then his gaze shifted towards Zhou Yuan, a hint of cold malevolence flashing in his eyes.

This Prefecture Examination was extremely important for their Qi Palace. Therefore, he would not give Zhou Yuan any chance, even if it meant using any means necessary.

"I'll go next," Song Qiushui said, her pretty face solemn as she stood up.

"Be careful," Zhou Yuan said, nodding gently.

Seeing Song Qiushui preparing to fight, Qi Yue looked at Fan Wu and said flatly, "You go."

Fan Wu stood up and directly ascended the high platform, with Song Qiushui following closely.

Neither side wasted any words. The moment the referee's command ended, both immediately opened their six meridians. Origin Qi surged into their bodies, and surging power flowed through their limbs.

The two figures shot out, the stone tiles beneath their feet completely cracking.

Zhou Yuan intently watched the two clashing on the platform. Just as before, the difference in their strength was small, so they were evenly matched in their fight.

However, as the battle progressed, Zhou Yuan's eyes suddenly narrowed. He once again sensed that the Origin Qi within Fan Wu's body was subtly beginning to turn berserk.

Boom! Boom!

Fan Wu's attacks were fierce. Each punch contained berserk Origin Qi, which shattered the air, producing low sonic booms.

"It's over," Qi Yue said flatly, observing the scene.

Fan Wu let out a roar, his voice like thunder, which actually made the ground tremble. His palm strike, imbued with mighty Origin Qi, was like a raging storm, crashing down on Song Qiushui with overwhelming force.

Although Song Qiushui tried her best to block, the force was too strong to resist. With a muffled groan, she was sent flying backward, directly knocked off the stone platform.

Thus, exclamations of shock once again resounded around the entire square, as Class A had actually suffered two consecutive defeats…

On the high platform, Zhou Qing's expression also became somewhat grim at this moment, while Qi Yuan wore an inscrutable smile on his lips.

Zhou Yuan stared intently at Fan Wu. A moment later, his eyes flashed, and he slowly said, "I know what trick they're playing…"