Mu Chen looked at the bamboo slip in his hand, on which was carved the number 1. He raised the bamboo slip, turning the number outwards. The others, seeing this, also raised their own bamboo slips.
"How interesting... I was just thinking about it."
Chen Tong smiled at Mu Chen, proudly raising his bamboo slip. On its surface was also the number 1, just like Mu Chen's. Evidently, he was Mu Chen's opponent in this very first match.
Mu Chen looked at Chen Tong, shaking his head helplessly.
"Idiot..."
Chen Fan cursed under his breath, feeling that the fellow's smile was incredibly foolish, not even realizing the tragedy that awaited him. He and Huo Yun had quickly been defeated by Mu Chen when they teamed up; this Chen Tong was even weaker than him, yet he was still smiling with such a radiant, spring-like expression. He truly was an idiot.
"It's over..."
Mo Ling, beside him, turned pale, forcing a bitter smile. He shook the bamboo slip in his hand and sighed, "My opponent is Liu Mubai."
"Huh?"
Chen Fan and Tang Tian'er quickly looked at his bamboo slip, then glanced over to the other side, only able to offer Mo Ling sympathetic and pitying looks. In this struggle for quotas, Mu Chen and Liu Mubai were the two most difficult opponents. For Mo Ling to face Liu Mubai in the very first match was truly unfortunate.
"It's alright. Although the outcome of this competition greatly affects the quotas, it doesn't mean you lose your qualification if you lose."
Mu Chen patted Mo Ling's shoulder, looking up at the distinguished guests on the platform, his gaze fixed on that Mr. Hao from the Five Great Academies.
"Your current strength has met the standards of the Five Great Academies. So, even if you lose, if you can display extraordinary talent, you might just get another chance."
"Really?"
Mo Ling was stunned, doubtful.
Mu Chen nodded, saying, "Of course, how you manage to attract that person's attention will depend on you."
Mo Ling nodded gratefully. The quota was very important to him. If he had trained so hard to get here only to fail by a narrow margin, he would also be unable to enter the Five Great Academies. This year was his last chance.
"Clang!"
The sound of a bronze gong echoed through the arena again. Chen Fan, Tang Tian'er, Huo Yun, and Mo Ling all retreated. Everyone clearly saw that this first match was Mu Chen versus Chen Tong.
The crowd retreated, leaving the two young men to become the center of attention for over 100,000 people in the stands.
"Haha, I didn't expect Mu Chen to perform in the first match."
Tang Shan said with a laugh, looking at the two in the arena.
Mu Feng also nodded with a smile. He naturally saw that both of them were at the initial stage of the Spirit Wheel Realm, but his son's opponent was not too difficult. As long as he won the first match, he would at least secure a quota for the Five Great Academies.
"Is that the Mu Chen?"
On the main platform, Mr. Hao, who had been lounging lazily, suddenly sat up straight, his eyes strangely fixed on the handsome young man on the arena.
Dean Xiao, beside him, glanced over, smiling faintly and nodding in confirmation.
"He looks like such a gentle young man. I didn't expect him to cause such a huge incident. Truly, one cannot judge a person by their appearance..."
Mr. Hao muttered excitedly.
"I hope this kid doesn't disappoint me. I really don't want to make this trip for nothing."
Dean Xiao grew even more curious hearing Old Hao mutter, but he dared not ask. He became increasingly certain that the seed quota was for that special young man who had caused such a world-shaking event that the Five Great Academies would never forget.
"I often say that when people encounter a string of bad luck, there's truly no logical explanation for it."
Chen Tong smiled at Mu Chen. Just now, he had secretly wished for an opportunity to fight Mu Chen and teach him a lesson. He never expected that an opportunity would present itself immediately.
Mu Chen sighed, looked at Chen Tong, and shook his head. This guy was truly either too stupid or blind.
"Can you stop talking so much?" Mu Chen sighed and said.
Chen Tong saw that Mu Chen was ignoring him, and his teeth ground together, a furious expression on his face.
"Mu Chen, now I'll let you be arrogant!" Chen Tong shouted coldly. The powerful spiritual energy within his body surged out, its formidable presence making many disciples of the Northern Spiritual Academy below envious. He was indeed a Spirit Wheel Realm expert.
"Whoosh!"
His foot stomped the ground, and his body shot forward. His palms were enveloped in tyrannical spiritual energy, burning fiercely and powerfully.
"Blazing Flame Shattering Heart Palm!" Chen Tong instantly appeared before Mu Chen. Red flames condensed in his hands, like real, intensely hot flames, carrying a wild gust of wind as they struck towards Mu Chen's chest.
Mu Chen indifferently raised his hand.
"Slap!"
A sharp, sudden sound echoed throughout the arena. Chen Tong's attacking hands abruptly froze. He trembled, but his gaze was not on Mu Chen; instead, he was looking towards the spectator stands, an indescribable pain spreading across his face.
He couldn't understand why he had been slapped so hard that his neck twisted.
"Oh..."
The stands were suddenly surprised. Many people didn't know what had just happened; they only heard a crisp slap, and a deep red handprint was already visible on Chen Tong's face.
"Such a fast strike!"
Some people with good eyesight clearly saw the scene, their eyes sparkling with excitement as they murmured. They had only vaguely seen Mu Chen strike as fast as thunder and lightning.
"I'll tear you apart!"
Although he didn't understand what had just happened, the pain on his face was real, making him furious and red-faced. His eyes burned with hatred as he glared at Mu Chen. The spiritual energy in his body surged out without reservation, roaring forth. His palm strikes swept out like flames, attacking Mu Chen.
However, in the face of his opponent's fierce assault, Mu Chen merely stepped lightly to the side, moving leisurely as if in an empty space. No matter how frantically Chen Tong attacked, he couldn't even grasp the hem of Mu Chen's clothes.
The scene in the arena was quite amusing: one person attacked wildly, while the other moved leisurely, looking like a small fishing boat, light yet steady amidst a storm.
This scene also made many high-ranking individuals notice the significant disparity. It was clear that the two people fighting were not evenly matched at all.
"Such profound movement techniques. Mu Chen is not simple." A few people with considerable strength nodded in admiration. To face the chaotic attacks of an early-stage Spirit Wheel Realm expert with such ease and composure was not something many could do.
Liu Mubai observed the battle with icy eyes. Mu Chen's speed also made him slightly uneasy, but a dangerous smirk still played on his lips. This was what made it interesting; otherwise, how could it pique his interest?
"Do you only know how to dodge?" After a long period of ineffective attacks, Chen Tong angrily shouted. Each attack struck only air, which was truly unbearable.
Suddenly, Mu Chen's feet stopped, no longer moving. His calm black eyes looked at Chen Tong.
"Flame Burst Spirit Fist!" Chen Tong saw him stop, and his eyes lit up with joy as he immediately unleashed a powerful spiritual technique. His two fists blazed with hot flames, attacking fiercely.
"If there's an opportunity, I must seize it immediately, concentrate all my power for a killing blow, and smash that guy!"
That thought flashed through Chen Tong's mind, and he threw out a punch, straight as a spear.
At this moment, Mu Chen's fist was also enveloped by dark spiritual energy. He neither dodged nor evaded, meeting the opponent's full-force strike head-on. A thunderous crash echoed.
Violent waves of energy roared out from the two of them.
Mu Chen was completely unharmed, but Chen Tong's face turned crimson, his body trembling. To the audience's astonishment, he flew backward, tumbling over ten meters across the arena floor before painfully getting back up.
"Huh... what... happened..."
Chen Tong raised his head, his face filled with disbelief. Both of them possessed the strength of the initial stage of the Spirit Wheel Realm. Why couldn't he even withstand a single blow from Mu Chen?
"I don't believe it!"
Chen Tong's eyes turned bloodshot as he roared, preparing to charge forward madly once more.
"Smack!"
But before he could even rush out, a ghostly hand grabbed his neck, cold and filled with killing intent.
Feeling the extreme danger at his ice-cold throat, Chen Tong instantly froze in terror. His opponent's face, which had been gentle and amiable just moments ago, was now chillingly terrifying, like a wild beast eyeing its prey, making his heart leap. He felt as if he were being threatened by a leopard.
"I... I surrender."
Chen Tong stammered in fear. He finally understood the disparity between them. Although he had reached the Spirit Wheel Realm, he was still no match for Mu Chen, just as before.
Mu Chen glanced at him, not bothering to say anything, and slowly relaxed his hand.
"Brother Mu is amazing!"
As his hand released, the stands erupted. The disciples of the East Courtyard cheered loudly, especially Su Ling and Tan Qingshan, who roared excitedly, shouting with such fervor as if they themselves had won. Although they hadn't clearly seen the details of the battle, they had clearly seen Chen Tong's usually arrogant expression twist into one of fear. That guy had been completely crushed by Mu Chen.
Hearing the cheers of support, Mu Chen turned his face and smiled happily, his earlier murderous expression completely returning to its gentle and approachable state. He suddenly felt something and looked to the other side. Liu Mubai stood there with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed like a wolf eyeing its prey.
Liu Mubai met Mu Chen's eyes, smiled faintly, and his lips moved.
Mu Chen narrowed his eyes, clearly seeing what Liu Mubai wanted to say.
"Your outcome will be even more tragic than his."
Mu Chen smiled, his eyes cold, and replied.
"I'll wait."