"The last two portions of Wusu Fragrance from Training Ground 8 belong to Jiang Qiu!"
The announcement landed like a boulder in a deep pool, setting off a thousand waves.
A clamor of discussion erupted, and countless gazes, sharp as daggers, pierced Jiang Qiu's back. The warmth that had just filled his chest suddenly shattered, replaced by a chilling backlash.
His clear pupils quivered, shot through with blood. He frowned, studying Wu Shan. The instructor's face, with its distinct shadows, showed no hesitation, his voice steady.
'Did he read it wrong?'
'Why would he give me two portions of Wusu Fragrance!'
A sense of absurdity swept away the fighting spirit Jiang Qiu had been building. His heart felt like a lone boat tossed on the waves, directionless.
Just then, the cold glint of a spear tip flashed in his peripheral vision, followed by a sharp, resonant question: "Why isn't Brother Xie getting the two portions of Wusu Fragrance this time?"
"Who the hell does Jiang Qiu think he is? Getting two portions of Wusu Fragrance in his first month at Training Ground 8?!"
"Damn it, guys from the regular classes are so disgusting. He just snatched up two portions of Wusu Fragrance!"
"It's one thing for Wang Guanjia to snatch a portion, but on what grounds does Jiang Qiu get any?!"
The words held back at the corners of their mouths grew more intense. Trembling throats could barely contain the restless torrent of sound. The chirping of sparrows quickly became the frantic howling of wolves—
"Sir, Jiang Qiu just arrived at our Training Ground 8. He shouldn't be getting the Wusu Fragrance, should he?"
"Yeah! Jiang Qiu only finished learning the Ancient Martial Spear Technique a few days ago. How is he worthy of the Wusu Fragrance?"
"Among all the past elite students, few have ever joined in their third year, and even fewer of those made it into Northwest Martial University. Sir, please don't waste resources on him!"
The rising and falling shouts were like a great wave crashing down, causing Jiang Qiu's fists to clench tighter and his gaze to grow deeper, more silent.
Following the voices, he saw Wang Guanjia and Liu Zili staring at him, stunned. In the distance, a group of elite students crowded behind Xie Kuang, shaking their fists and shouting, occasionally throwing scornful, defiant glances his way.
'I'm an elite student who just arrived at Training Ground 8. On what grounds am I receiving the most Wusu Fragrance in my very first month?'
'I don't know what Wu Shan is thinking, but my potential is definitely no lower than anyone else's here!'
At this thought, the words ringing in his ears felt like baseless rumors. Jiang Qiu retracted his fiery gaze and puffed out his chest, filled with spirit.
"Silence—"
A storm-like roar swept away all the restless agitation. Wu Shan's cold eyes swept over the red-faced elite students as he snorted, "My eyes aren't blind enough to misread a name. Who I choose is my business. What does it have to do with any of you?"
"Sir, I refuse to accept this!"
Xie Kuang took a step forward, flecks of spittle flying from his mouth. The tip of his spear struck the ground, flashing with cold light. A vicious glint filled his slanted eyes. "I came to Training Ground 8 when I was selected as an elite student in my first year. I've practiced the Ancient Martial Spear Technique you taught me every single day. Every month, I've been number one in Training Ground 8, entitled to two portions of Wusu Fragrance."
"But this time, the number one spot was taken by Jiang Qiu, who's only been here a week. On what grounds?"
"Xie Kuang, elite student of Training Ground 8, requests a trial against the newly promoted elite student—Jiang Qiu!"
The moment his voice fell, the raised spearhead pointed directly at the solitary Jiang Qiu. A murderous aura instantly erupted, like a carnivorous lone wolf glaring down at a pika standing its ground!
In an instant, the students behind him all stared with wide eyes. Trembling with shock, they glanced at Wu Shan, then back at Jiang Qiu, and couldn't help but swallow hard.
Ever since his public defeat by Wang Guanjia in front of all the instructors, Xie Kuang had never lost again.
He was the undisputed number one when he came to Training Ground 8. After the combat exchange between the top elite students of the eight training grounds, he was even hailed as the top fighter beneath Li Juefeng.
Even Wang Guanjia, who had once been arrogant enough to challenge Li Juefeng, was now completely out of his league. And some nobody, Jiang Qiu, who had popped up out of nowhere, was stealing the top reputation?
This was intolerable!
"Xie Kuang, Jiang Qiu, step forward. Everyone else, back away." Wu Shan folded his arms, his expression unreadable, his right eye half-closed. "Whoever wins gets the two portions of Wusu Fragrance. They will also represent Training Ground 8 as the top elite student in the school's upcoming activities, with the authority to lead other students."
'Wusu Fragrance is a good thing, but it's not that easy to get.'
'Xie Kuang is naturally wild and arrogant. He has already mastered Copper Skin and comprehended Spearpoint Armor-Piercing. Even his Hidden Force is quite impressive, and he's on track to grasp the use of Spear Rod Armor Shattering before the college entrance exams.'
'Compared to a genius like Li Juefeng, his strength is already top-tier among the eight training grounds.'
Thinking this, Wu Shan glanced at Jiang Qiu, who was now standing opposite Xie Kuang. The corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the two walked to the center of Training Ground 8. They lowered their spear tips toward each other, taking a confrontational stance.
The rhomboid spearhead in Xie Kuang's hand was like the fang of a vicious wolf, its chilling aura seeming to pierce through armor.
He glanced at the sword-like Double Arc Blade spearhead in Jiang Qiu's hand, snorted, and held his head high.
'I became a Spear Leader two years ago. This spear has been my companion for twenty-four months. It's covered in dents, its blade nicked, but its cold glint remains as sharp as ever!'
'You're just a regular student who's been a Spear Leader for less than a week. You've fought a few elite students, practiced the Ancient Martial Spear Technique for a few days—how many people are actually convinced of your abilities?'
'Since the instructor wants to prop you up, fine. Let me see just what you're made of!'
"Begin!"
The instant the shout rang out, Xie Kuang's bent knees launched him off the ground. The tiles beneath his feet gave a crisp CRACK as the full Strength of his body twisted into his hands, channeling into a sudden, piercing thrust of his spear!
The force of his lunge plastered his black shirt to his chest, the dark spear in his hand like a Wolf King claiming a head, striking out through the wind in the blink of an eye!
He unleashed fifty percent of his Strength. The flashing, cold glint of the spear's shadow horrified the elite students ten steps away. Brother Xie was showing no mercy, erupting with his full power from the very start!
"Someone from the regular classes doesn't deserve the Wusu Fragrance!"
The approaching shout pierced Jiang Qiu's heart like a bolt of Thunder. Hot blood gushed from the wound, instantly surging through his limbs. A burst of fury shot from his eyes.
'So what if I'm from the regular class? So what if you're an elite student?'
'Even if your dad's a Martial Artist, today the winner takes the Wusu Fragrance!'
The thought snapped into his mind, and the muscles and sinews of his arm gathered power like a fully drawn bowstring.
The Double Arc Blade spearhead spiraled up in an upward slash, striking first despite moving second!
Seeing his reaction, the crowd of elite students curled their lips into sneers—
'When Brother Xie puts his full power into a thrust, every student in the eight training grounds, aside from Li Juefeng, has to avoid the brunt of his attack!'
'If you haven't mastered Copper Skin, a grazing blow will shatter bone. Even if you have, a direct hit will still pierce flesh!'
BANG—
The Double Arc Blade spearhead was like an Azure Dragon wrapping around a Stone Pillar. Its unyielding iron shaft slammed against the dark spear rod, the ultimate collision embodying the vast and powerful aesthetic of an Azure Dragon emerging from a mountain peak.
The vibrations that burst forth in that instant spread like ripples on water. Everyone present felt their eardrums tickle, followed by an involuntary shiver that ran through their entire body.
The force of that interception was truly shocking. It had actually knocked Xie Kuang's piercing thrust off course. The cold glint that had been aimed at Jiang Qiu's chest was now deflected toward his left ribs.
However, the killing intent did not diminish. The spear tip had already closed to within five inches of his torso!
He had already missed the optimal window to dodge. This one strike would break flesh and blood, deciding the victor!
At that moment, the corners of the elite students' mouths slowly curled upward into triumphant smirks. Wang Guanjia's brow furrowed, Liu Zili's knuckles turned white in her clenched fist, and Hu Ye'ye's bandaged right hand froze.