Chapter 25: Life-and-Death Battle

"Have you heard? The last place in the Yellow class, the guy known as the eternal bottom-feeder Ye Yuan, signed a life-and-death contract with someone."

"Of course I've heard. Isn't that just asking for death? But hasn't it been two years since we last had a life-and-death contract in our academy? This is big news, enough to keep everyone talking for a while."

"Yeah, two years and five months. Last time, it was Senior Brother Long who signed one. He was also in the Yellow class back then, but he defeated an opponent two minor realms higher. Who would have thought that two years later, he'd rise to the top of the martial rankings?"

"Right? Senior Brother Long hadn't shown his edge back then. But after that life-and-death duel, he became unstoppable, cutting through opponents all the way to the Heaven class and seizing the top spot on the martial rankings."

"Hey, do you think this kid named Ye Yuan might also defeat a stronger opponent? I heard he jumped two levels in just a few days, from Qi Refining first level to third level."

"Give me a break! Can he compare to Senior Brother Long? Senior Brother Long kept a low profile back then, but he wasn't as pathetic as this guy. Jumped two levels? Don't you know how Ye Yuan got into the academy? His father is Ye Hang, one of the top alchemists in our Qin Kingdom. With his methods, boosting his son's cultivation by two levels is nothing strange. Such improvements are hollow—what combat ability can they bring?"

"True. I heard that guy has been in the academy for half a year now. If he could improve, he would have done so long ago, not wait until now. Looks like he used some secret technique to boost his strength."

"Heh, that guy really doesn't know his limits. I heard he previously competed with that Fei Qingping in detoxification and nearly got poisoned to death. His old man saved him, and now he's back at school to die again. Don't you think he's missing a screw?"

The Danwu Academy divided students into four classes—Heaven, Earth, Mystery, and Yellow—based on their strength. Both Ye Yuan and Fei Qingping belonged to the Yellow class.

Usually, the academy's attention was focused on the Heaven class, with little interest in Yellow class matters. But this time, Ye Yuan and Fei Qingping's life-and-death contract became the academy's biggest news, drawing massive attention.

Although the academy tacitly allowed competition and fights among students, it did not permit wanton killing. Once, a student from a prominent family killed someone in the academy and was executed by the academy without mercy, and the family didn't dare utter a word.

But a life-and-death contract was different. The instructors would not intervene, and death was acceptable.

In the entire Danwu Academy, everyone knew Long Tang, the top of the martial rankings, but not everyone knew Ye Yuan, the bottom. However, this life-and-death contract shot Ye Yuan's fame to the skies, almost matching Long Tang's.

Of course, most people, like the two gossiping earlier, sneered at Ye Yuan's idiotic move.

Ye Yuan's sudden surge in strength was also a hot topic, but no one believed it came from his own cultivation. They thought Ye Hang must have used some secret technique to forcibly boost him to Qi Refining third level.

Thus, people's assessment of Ye Yuan became: brainless, foolish, rushing to meet the King of Hell.

"Hey, look, isn't that Ye Yuan?" As the two were talking, one suddenly whispered.

"Is that him? He doesn't look like an idiot."

"Pfft, who wears 'idiot' on their face?"

"True. The life-and-death battle is in three days. Why isn't he preparing? Where's he going?"

"Probably knows it's useless no matter how he prepares. The bottom-feeder, no matter how extraordinary, can't defeat an opponent a whole realm higher, right? I heard Fei Qingping, being two years older, is already in the top ten of the Yellow class."

"No, he seems to be heading toward the Sutra Library. Is he cramming at the last minute?"

"Heh, cramming isn't that easy. Hey, someone's blocking him. That looks like Wan Yuan, who just advanced to the Earth class."

"Really? Do you see the girl next to Wan Yuan? Wow, that's my goddess Liu Ruoshui! If she spoke a single word to me, I'd die happy!"

"Look at you, lovesick fool. But Liu Ruoshui really is beautiful..."

...

Ye Yuan was indeed heading to the Sutra Library.

That terrible predecessor's memories were a mess; the bits he'd picked up in class were fragmented and mostly useless. Ye Yuan needed to find some martial techniques to suit the occasion.

Ye Yuan had countless martial techniques in his mind, but none suitable for the Qi Refining realm. Given his past status, how could any Qi Refining technique, no matter how good, catch his eye?

Unexpectedly, on his way to the Sutra Library, Wan Yuan blocked him.

It seemed Wan Yuan was waiting for him. As for Liu Ruoshui beside Wan Yuan, Ye Yuan was no stranger to her. Days ago, he had competed with Fei Qingping because of her.

"What a coincidence, isn't this Young Master Ye? Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry? To be reborn?" Wan Yuan's eyes were full of mockery, as if looking at a dead man.

Ye Yuan sneered inwardly at his eagerness. Wan Yuan was certain Ye Yuan would die this time, so he came early to taunt him.

After the life-and-death battle, Ye Yuan would be dead. Where else would Wan Yuan find such pleasure?

Seeing Wan Yuan's demeanor, Ye Yuan was no longer in a hurry to reach the Sutra Library. He smiled and said, "Indeed, to be reborn—but to send you to be reborn."

Wan Yuan laughed heartily. "Send me to be reborn? Haha, I'm standing right here. If you have the guts, do it! Don't tell me you think that reaching Qi Refining third level through crooked means gives you the right to challenge me?"

Beside him, Liu Ruoshui covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled, finding Ye Yuan utterly ridiculous.

Liu Ruoshui exuded a natural allure in every gesture, stirring the desires in men's hearts. Most male students at the Danwu Academy were hot-blooded youths; without a strong will, how could they resist her innate charm?

The predecessor was just a naive and foolish playboy, pathetically weak. How could he withstand Liu Ruoshui's seduction?

Back then, she had only hovered around him for a while, and the predecessor fell deeply. Later, with a little manipulation, he took the bait and ended up dead.

"Senior Brother Wan, this Junior Brother Ye is quite amusing. Clearly a spineless wretch, yet he dreams of a swan eating a toad; clearly weak, yet he puts up a brave front to duel others. Now he's even threatening you. Isn't that funny?" Liu Ruoshui was as beautiful as a flower, but her words were sharp and venomous.

Before, she had lured Ye Yuan in, playing the pitiable role. Now that Ye Yuan was about to duel Fei Qingping and was as good as dead, she no longer needed to pretend. She poured out all her disdain and contempt.