Chapter 41: A Single Palm

This is the price one pays for not understanding the situation. A mere newcomer to the academy had already provoked the most ruthless youth of the era—if he didn’t deserve to die, who would?

“Your Highness, I have handled my small affair. Please, let us depart.”

Gu Yun was in excellent spirits. Not only had he upheld the rules of the Nirvana Academy, but he had also fulfilled his side of the bargain to kill Xia Jiuxuan—a perfect outcome. In time, that full-figured little girl would also be his to command, a prospect that filled him with delight.

The Third Prince rose. As he passed by Xia Jiuxuan, he shook his head indifferently, then led Gu Yun and Liang Wuhui away.

“Your Highness, why did you not stop me from killing him in seven days?” Gu Yun was the first to speak as they exited the Nirvana Academy. The Third Prince was in need of capable people, and the strength and potential Xia Jiuxuan had just displayed certainly met his standards. Gu Yun was puzzled—why was the prince so uninterested in Xia Jiuxuan?

“Indeed, Your Highness,” Liang Wuhui added, equally perplexed, “Aside from being a bit arrogant and somewhat slow-witted, the boy’s strength is remarkable.”

“Hmph.” The Third Prince snorted disdainfully.

“That reckless brute is no different from the likes of Chu Kui, those country bumpkins. If I took him under my wing, he would only bring me trouble. Moreover, among the various unusual constitutions, the demonic bloodline is the weakest—his future prospects are limited. He is destined for mediocrity. Why should I save him?”

Gu Yun smiled faintly at this. “Your Highness is indeed wise, seeing further than the rest of us.”

Liang Wuhui feigned sudden enlightenment and said, “Hearing Your Highness’s words is like a sudden revelation. It is as they say: only those who survive are truly the gifted.”

“Enough. He’s a backwoods ruffian, not worth our attention. When Brother Gu kills him in a few days, the matter will be settled.” The Third Prince had no interest in discussing a dead man further. Enjoying leisure at the palace with Gu Yun and Liang Wuhui was much more appealing.

…

The square finally returned to calm. Xia Jiuxuan, silent, returned to the ranks of the crowd.

He walked unhurriedly to the back. Wherever he went, the crowd parted for him.

One youth, who was a bit slow to move aside, accidentally brushed shoulders with Xia Jiuxuan. His face went pale at once, and he hurriedly stammered an apology.

Such was the power of intimidation.

Even though they believed Xia Jiuxuan would surely die in seven days, not one dared provoke him in the slightest.

“Listen up, all of you! From this moment, you are formally admitted to the Nirvana Academy. If anyone breaks the rules from now on, you will be executed immediately!” A cultivator at the Spirit-Sealing Realm stepped onto the high platform in the square, his voice booming.

This man was the chief instructor of Nirvana Academy—the highest authority besides the head and deputy head of the academy.

“You little beasts have bullied and killed without hesitation outside these walls. Here, I’ll let you truly understand what it means to kill!”

“Let me be clear: there are one hundred and sixteen of you young offenders in this cohort. In the end, only ten will be spared punishment and survive.” The chief instructor announced.

“What?” The young faces in the square could not remain composed.

Everyone said the Nirvana Academy was harsh, but no one expected such cruelty—out of more than a hundred, only ten would live!

“This isn’t fair! We may have made some mistakes, but if we sincerely repent, why not give us a chance? Do the weak not deserve redemption?”

“Exactly! At this rate, I’d rather rot in prison. With my father’s connections, I’d eat well and live comfortably for half a year—what’s the point of reforming for nothing?”

“Damn it, I’m not doing this! I want to quit!” The youths clamored. Outside, they were arrogant, backed by family power. Here, survival depended solely on strength—they were doomed.

“Silence!” The chief instructor’s shout swept through them, the blast of sound making many cough up blood.

“When you killed, did you ever consider the consequences? The Nirvana Academy is your final chance. Only the strong survive; the weak are unworthy, as simple as that. If any of you refuse to accept this or wish to leave, tell me now—I can oblige you and send you on your way.”

His eyes, brimming with killing intent, swept over the crowd.

No one dared utter another word.

It was hard to blame the academy for its harshness. Most of these youths should have been executed already—offering ten a chance at survival was more than they deserved.

“I have a question.”

Everyone else had fallen silent, but Xia Jiuxuan stood up.

The chief instructor frowned. “You again? Do you think, since you’re fated to die in seven days, you can defy me at will?”

“I haven’t even asked my question. Why assume I mean to defy you?” Xia Jiuxuan’s expression was calm.

The chief instructor’s face darkened. “Very well. Ask.”

Xia Jiuxuan spoke unhurriedly, “Are we allowed to leave the Nirvana Academy from time to time? I have some matters outside that need tending.”

The chief instructor sneered, “Are you dreaming? You think this is your family’s kennel, to come and go as you please?”

Laughter erupted among the youths.

Was this boy insane? To ask such a foolish question of the chief instructor!

Xia Jiuxuan remained unmoved. “And if I insist on leaving?”

The chief instructor didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he stepped down from the platform and walked toward Xia Jiuxuan, one step at a time.

The boys around Xia Jiuxuan felt their hearts pounding. They quickly backed away, not daring to stand too close to him.

That towering figure drew nearer, like a terrifying demon king stalking his prey.

Everyone held their breath, standing rigidly, terrified of making the slightest mistake.

“Say that again?” The chief instructor’s massive form blocked out the light behind him, casting a shadow over Xia Jiuxuan.

“If I insist on leaving, what then?” Xia Jiuxuan looked up, meeting the instructor’s gaze without the slightest hint of fear, even feeling amused. Did this mere Spirit-Sealing Realm expert think to intimidate him with presence alone?

Naive.

Just as everyone expected the instructor to fly into a rage and strike Xia Jiuxuan down, he suddenly burst out laughing.

“Your courage truly exceeds that of ordinary men.” Inwardly, the chief instructor was surprised—under his oppressive aura, this youth remained utterly composed. He was certainly no commoner.

Xia Jiuxuan pressed on, “So? Can I leave or not?”

The instructor regarded him with interest. “For the sake of your courage, I’ll give you a chance. Exchange a single palm strike with me. If you can withstand it without suffering serious injury, I’ll grant you permission to come and go.”

Xia Jiuxuan’s lips curled in a faint smile. “That’s more like it. As long as we can negotiate—strike when you’re ready, I’ll take it.”

At his words, not only the other youths, but even some of the powerful experts standing guard around the square, were taken aback.

This boy truly feared neither heaven nor earth.

The chief instructor’s palm could shatter his very bones—how could he possibly not be hurt?

He had already launched a suicidal attack against Gu Yun, and now he was challenging the chief instructor. What sort of creature was this—was his brain made of mush?

The chief instructor folded one hand behind his back. With the other, he formed a palm, a swirl of violet-blue energy gathering within it. “To make this fair, I’ll only use the power of the fifth level of the Palace Entry Realm.”

Xia Jiuxuan nodded. “That’s good—thank you in advance, chief instructor.”

The crowd was baffled. “Thank you in advance” was generally a phrase offered after winning a match. Did Xia Jiuxuan really have the gall to say it now?

Not only was he thoughtless, he was shockingly ignorant as well.