The next day, as the brilliant sunlight spilled over Beiling City, Beiling Academy also bustled with activity.
Beiling Academy was divided into the East and West Branches. Although fierce rivalries constantly flared up between the two, it was perhaps due to this competitive pressure that the academy had produced many outstanding students over the years.
The rivalry between the two branches usually peaked during the inter-branch competition held every few months, which also determined their rankings within the academy. Young men were naturally competitive, and in front of their beautiful senior and junior sisters, they were even more eager to show off. This was why so many students pushed themselves to the limit to achieve a decent result in this competition.
The western area of Beiling Academy featured a vast plaza used as an arena. Several martial stages were scattered across it, each surrounded by tiered spectator stands, which were packed to the brim today.
A cacophony of voices filled the air, mingled with the silver-bell laughter of young girls, infusing the atmosphere with a vibrant, youthful energy.
The massive crowd in the plaza was divided into two distinct camps: the disciples of the East Branch and the West Branch. Driven by their rivalry, they occasionally traded provocations and banter, making the atmosphere incredibly lively.
"Our East Branch only has four people in the top ten of the Beiling Academy's Earth Division, and the top three are all from the West Branch. I wonder if we can change that in this academy competition?"
"This time, our East Branch's Earth Division also has some very strong contenders, like Liu Feng and Tan Qingshan. I heard they are close to reaching the Spiritual Movement Stage. If that's true, they should at least be able to break into the top five."
The disciples sitting in the East Branch section began to whisper among themselves. Hearing this, Su Ling, who was standing nearby, curled his lips and said, "You guys should know what the most important thing in this competition is. It doesn't matter if we have fewer people in the top ten. As long as Brother Mu can take first place, the West Branch crowd will have to shut their mouths."
Several East Branch disciples looked at each other and sighed softly. That was easy to say, but to take first place, one had to defeat Liu Yang, and word had it that he possessed a Human-Grade Spiritual Meridian...
"Brother Mu, for this academy competition, our East Branch is counting on you," Su Ling said with a grin, looking at the youth standing in front of him.
Mu Chen smiled faintly, his gaze drifting toward the center of the plaza. Although the competition had not yet begun, quite a few people on the stages were already bickering.
As Mu Chen stared at the arena, a rustling sound came from behind him, followed by a waft of sweet fragrance. A beautiful figure suddenly appeared by his side, calling out softly, "Hey!"
Mu Chen turned to look and saw that the newcomer was Tang Qian'er. Today, she wore a green outfit. Her rosy cheeks and swaying black ponytail drew many envious and admiring gazes from the surrounding crowd.
Tang Qian'er was a disciple of the East Branch's Heaven Division. Moreover, she was exceptionally beautiful and had a pleasant personality, making her the undisputed flower of the East Branch. Wherever she went, she naturally became the center of attention.
"Why are you here?" Mu Chen was quite surprised to see Tang Qian'er. Weren't the disciples of the Heaven Division supposed to be cultivating at this time?
"I came to cheer you on..." Tang Qian'er giggled, then teased, "Besides, if you end up getting beaten black and blue, at least I can carry you back."
"Then thank you, Sis," Mu Chen shook his head in exasperation.
"Hey, are you really sure about this? You had a clash with Liu Yang yesterday, so I'm worried he'll deliberately cause trouble for you today." A trace of anxiety flickered in Tang Qian'er's eyes. Joking aside, she understood the importance of today; otherwise, she wouldn't have skipped her classes to rush over here.
"I'll just do my best," Mu Chen smiled. Just as he was about to continue, his expression shifted. He looked up toward the opposite side and saw someone staring coldly at him from the central seats of the West Branch. It was Liu Yang.
Beside Liu Yang were Mu Yuan, Xue Dong, and the others. At this moment, the entire group was looking at Mu Chen with provocative glares.
Mu Chen locked eyes with Liu Yang, sparks seemingly flying where their gazes clashed.
Both of them were quite well-known in their respective branches. Moreover, many people knew what was going to happen today, so when they saw the two facing off like this, they merely smirked, thinking to themselves that they were in for a good show.
Liu Yang glared at Mu Chen from a distance, then glanced at Tang Qian'er sitting beside him. He immediately gritted his teeth, and his gaze toward Mu Chen grew even colder.
"A femme fatale..." Mu Chen noticed these subtle shifts in Liu Yang's expression and turned to smile at Tang Qian'er. In the Northern Spiritual Academy, who didn't know that Liu Yang fancied Tang Qian'er? It was just that she had never given him the time of day. Sometimes, Mu Chen wondered if Liu Yang's hostility toward him, aside from the personal grudges between their fathers, was also due to jealousy over Tang Qian'er always hanging around him.
"If you think I'm such a nuisance, then I'm leaving," Tang Qian'er said, her face turning solemn.
Mu Chen couldn't help but chuckle. His dark eyes remained fixed on Tang Qian'er. The youth's bright gaze made the young girl blush, yet she still stared straight back at him.
"I never said that," Mu Chen said with a smile.
"Hmph, you're all talk. Win your match first, then we'll talk."
Tang Qian'er pouted, her beautiful eyes scanning the arena. A moment later, her smile suddenly vanished, and she whispered, "I didn't expect that guy to show up too..."
Mu Chen also cast his gaze in that direction, and his expression darkened as well. It wasn't just him; everyone from the East Branch sitting nearby quickly fell silent.
Within everyone's line of sight, several youths around seventeen or eighteen years old appeared on the West Branch's side. They were clearly slightly older than the Earth Division students. These people were leaning against the railings, casually looking down at the arena, laughing and chatting from time to time. Clearly, they did not think much of the students competing below.
In the midst of that crowd, there were two people who drew everyone's attention, a male and a female. The female wore red attire, her almond-shaped eyes exceptionally charming; she was Hong Ling of the West Branch's Heaven Division.
The male wore white clothing, with a tall stature and a handsome face. At this moment, he was looking over at the East Branch's area. Wherever his gaze swept, silence followed, clearly suppressed by his imposing aura.
"Ah... isn't that Liu Mubai? I didn't expect him to come here too..." Su Ling swallowed hard, his voice turning dry.
If they were facing Liu Yang, they might still muster some fighting spirit, but before Liu Mubai, they lacked even the courage to fight.
This was because Liu Mubai was the strongest student in the Northern Spiritual Academy. Ever since his arrival, no one had been able to shake his position at the very top.
Mu Chen stared at the white-robed youth. Their dark eyes met, and despite the distance between them, he could still feel the oppressive pressure radiating from the other.
Even as their gazes locked, Mu Chen did not show the slightest hint of fear like the other students. His composure left the other youth somewhat surprised.
"Oh, I didn't expect that kid to have such backbone..." The seniors from the Heaven Division's West Branch standing nearby remarked in surprise, chuckling when they saw that Mu Chen showed no fear of Liu Mubai.
Hong Ling's gentle eyes also fixed upon Liu Mubai and Mu Chen. Although Mu Chen's face still held a touch of youthfulness, it exuded an extraordinary calmness—a sense that even if he had to face the academy's number one student in battle, he would not feel the slightest trepidation.
She fell into a brief daze, amazed by how much the once-timid boy from years ago had changed...
"Big brother!"
A shout echoed from not far away as Liu Yang looked over with a bright smile.
Liu Mubai gave Liu Yang a slight nod, then rested his hands on the railing without saying another word. Yet, his mere presence was enough to suppress the lively atmosphere of the Earth Division's East Branch, while boosting the morale of the West Branch.
Clearly, Liu Mubai had come here on purpose. Given his current status in the Northern Spiritual Academy, even if the seniors from the East Branch were to show up, none of them could hope to compete with him.
*Dong!*
Just as Liu Mubai's overbearing aura dominated the entire arena, the clear, resonant chime of a bell suddenly rang out, lifting the spirits of the students. At long last, the academy competition had begun.