Chapter 69: One Against Eight? How Can a Barnyard Chicken Become a Phoenix!

In the span of little more than ten breaths, Li Luoyan felt as if she had endured an endless century. Her whole body was drenched in fragrant sweat, and she collapsed powerless onto the ground. The old wound of her sword soul had been torn open anew. The medicinal power of the Soul-Nourishing Pill, under Xia Jiuxuan’s manipulation, began to work rapidly. Wisps of green mist formed, swirling about the wound of Li Luoyan’s sword soul.

If it had been any other holy healer, this would have been the limit of what they could do. Perhaps in ten days or half a month, Li Luoyan would recover. Yet, there was an even greater chance that she would simply succumb to the agony and perish in despair.

Xia Jiuxuan’s spirit consciousness surged forth, employing his exclusive soul-nourishing secret technique to nurture Li Luoyan’s sword soul. The medicinal effect was pushed to its peak, and the pain began to subside. Within twenty breaths, the torment faded, replaced by waves of tingling numbness that radiated from her sword soul.

A low sound escaped Li Luoyan’s lips as her body suddenly tensed. Her face, once pale as death, flushed crimson. The sensation was as if she had passed from hell to paradise in an instant. As Xia Jiuxuan continued to nourish her with his secret method, Li Luoyan could no longer restrain herself, her body twisting uncontrollably. In the end, she inevitably began to emit strange, involuntary noises.

Xia Jiuxuan opened his eyes and glanced over, seeing Li Luoyan drenched and writhing, feeling a rush of heat rise within him. He reminded himself to keep his composure and maintain restraint.

A quarter of an hour passed before Xia Jiuxuan finally stopped. He could go no further; exhaustion pressed his eyelids shut. Li Luoyan’s sword soul had been largely restored.

“This is as far as I can go. To repair it further, we’ll need better medicinal ingredients.” In truth, managing to restore so much of her sword soul with such ordinary materials was already a remarkable feat. Aside from the gods of the Nine Heavens, fewer than a hundred people could accomplish such a thing.

“Stop pretending. My soul consciousness has withdrawn, and yet you’re still writhing?” Xia Jiuxuan exposed her mercilessly, watching Li Luoyan still immersed in that lingering comfort.

Li Luoyan weakly sat up, her voice shy and apologetic. “Forgive me, young master. I couldn’t help myself.”

“Your self-control is lacking.” Xia Jiuxuan shook his head, secretly swallowing, thinking to himself: Even I nearly lost control—her demeanor is little inferior to the Snow Lotus Empress.

“Your lesson is well taken, young master. It’s my shallow nature. I will restrain myself with all my might in the future.” Li Luoyan’s face was still red, head bowed in shame, her voice barely audible.

“Good.” Xia Jiuxuan nodded with an air of formality. “I’m too tired. I need to rest. You should recover as well and see how much your strength has improved.”

“Yes, young master.” Li Luoyan couldn’t even spare a moment to change clothes, immediately sinking into cultivation.

Xia Jiuxuan leaned against the alchemy furnace, eyes closed, but no matter how he tried, sleep eluded him. He kept unconsciously opening his eyes to glance forward.

...

On the third day, the gates of the Spirit Artifact Estate swung open.

The plaza ahead was already crowded with academy disciples—thousands, by all estimates.

“What a magnificent estate! How did it even appear?”

“It’s uncanny. Master Xia is no ordinary person. They say this estate sprang up overnight, and no one knows how it was built.”

“Today is the grand competition of the Nine Academies. Let’s see how Master Xia handles it.”

“I dare not speculate anymore. Master Xia’s actions are beyond ordinary logic.”

“Indeed—who knows what miracle will happen today?”

The disciples gathered around the estate dared not underestimate Xia Jiuxuan in the slightest. The series of astonishing reversals he had performed were indelibly etched in their minds.

Soon, Xia Jiuxuan’s figure emerged from the gates. Beside him, Li Luoyan still wore her veil, while Yao Yunya led Xia Ran by the hand. At the rear was Han Yu.

Upon their appearance, aside from Xia Jiuxuan himself, the most attention fell upon Han Yu. Most gazes were fixed on him.

“That kid—how can he possibly win?”

“No matter how amazing Master Xia is, he can’t turn a chicken into a phoenix.”

“A frail scholar—why wade into these muddy waters?”

“Poor little girl—once she steps onto the stage, she’s doomed.”

“I actually think the estate master’s gone too far—not even sparing a young girl.”

“Hush! Are you courting death? Daring to criticize the estate master!”

...

The grand competition of the academies was to take place at the Martial Arena of Taixuan Academy. Traditionally held every three years, it was originally scheduled for the end of the year. Yet, to suppress and pressure Xia Jiuxuan, it had been moved forward.

Xia Jiuxuan and his companions strolled leisurely, and wherever they passed, disciples parted to make way, not daring to speak.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, an apprentice clad in azure lotus robes darted out, blocking their path.

Xia Jiuxuan raised an eyebrow.

“Master Xia, your actions are unjust,” the youth said, bowing with feigned politeness.

“How so?” Xia Jiuxuan replied coolly.

“Hmph.” The youth snorted. “When you founded your estate, you had your disciple Han Yu publicly announce his challenge to all the new leaders of the academies. Have you forgotten?”

“So? Is there a problem?” Xia Jiuxuan recognized the youth—it was Luo Fei from the Azure Lotus Sword Academy, the one who had felt insulted that day.

“Of course there’s a problem!” Luo Fei lifted his chin, casting a cold glance at Han Yu. “If Han Yu is killed in today’s competition, my reputation can’t be salvaged. What do you propose?”

“And then? What do you want?” Xia Jiuxuan remained indifferent.

“It’s simple. I demand the challenge be brought forward. Surely Master Xia won’t protect his disciple and make things difficult for me?”

Luo Fei turned to the crowd, looking quite pleased with himself.

“That’s all? I agree,” Xia Jiuxuan replied.

Luo Fei was stunned—he hadn’t expected such easy consent. Was this a trap?

“Begin. Start now,” Xia Jiuxuan ordered.

Luo Fei hesitated, suddenly feeling uneasy. He regretted stepping forward to play the hero. He had expected Xia Jiuxuan to resist, allowing himself to push harder and win cheers. Instead, the opposition agreed so readily—it felt dangerous.

He was now riding a tiger and couldn’t back down; he’d initiated the challenge and couldn’t retract it without losing face.

“Hmph, fine. Eight hours from now, let’s meet at the Life-and-Death Platform!” Luo Fei forced himself to respond.

Slap!

Suddenly, a palm struck his cheek, catching him off guard. He turned to see that it was Han Yu, the so-called failure, who had slapped him.

“Didn’t you hear my teacher? He told you to act now. Who gave you permission to delay eight hours?”

Han Yu’s expression was cold and resolute, completely different from his usual bitter demeanor.

“You!” Luo Fei was furious—this useless scholar dared to be so aggressive!

“Han Yu, what’s with your arrogance?”

At that moment, seven people arrived together, each radiating murderous intent. These seven were the new leaders of the other academies.

On the day Han Yu had issued his challenge, they had rushed over, only to find him absent, which had left them pounding their chests in frustration.

Today, at last, they had caught him.

“A useless scholar, and yet you’re so cocky! Your challenge from the other day—I accept!”

“I, Ye Wu, accept your challenge—life or death!”

“I, Yao Xingyu, accept your challenge—life or death!”

...

Including Luo Fei, eight in total—all accepted the challenge!

Seeing this, Luo Fei secretly breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what fortune Han Yu possessed, today he surely couldn’t escape death.

“Very well. See you at the Life-and-Death Platform!” Han Yu showed no fear. In these past two days, under his teacher’s guidance, he had gained a slight increase in strength.

At the Martial Arena, upon the Life-and-Death Platform, Han Yu stood facing eight new leaders.

Such a scene had never occurred in the history of Taixuan Academy.

All the disciples watched in anticipation, eager to see what confidence this so-called failure Han Yu possessed, to dare challenge eight leaders at once.