Chapter 30: The Trial of Skill

The arena fell silent for a fleeting moment before erupting into deafening screams and heated discussions.

Wang Chu’s eyes widened, fixated on the purple spirit ring slowly pulsing around Ning Xi.

The Seven-Kill Sword!
A purple spirit ring!
A thousand-year spirit ring!

How did he not know that her martial spirit was the Seven-Kill Sword? And that terrifying purple spirit ring—was she related to Sword Douluo?

It was a truly shocking sight. Even Xue Ke and the others had their pupils dilated, staring in disbelief at the young girl standing on the stage with a long sword in her hand.

"This... her first spirit ring is already a thousand-year one?!"

Before anyone could identify who had voiced the question, a wave of further speculation broke out.

"You, you actually..." Wang Chu was so stunned that he could not form a coherent sentence, nor did he know what to say. No wonder she had been admitted to the academy. But having stepped onto the stage, there was no turning back. He had to fight.

"Watch yourself!" Wang Chu roared. His martial spirit, the King Cobra, instantly possessed him. His arms grew thick and powerful, and black scales emerged on his skin, shimmering with a cold, metallic luster. His eyes became narrow and sharp, radiating a sinister chill.

Wang Chu stomped on the ground and shot toward Ning Xi like an arrow released from a bowstring. His hands transformed into sharp fangs, glinting with a cold light as they aimed directly for Ning Xi’s throat.

How insidious!

Ning Xi stood her ground, neither dodging nor retreating. Only when his attack was about to strike did she tilt slightly, easily evading the blow. Her movements were as light as a swallow, as if she were merely taking a leisurely stroll.

Wang Chu was startled that his strike had missed, but he quickly adjusted his posture and attacked again. Though his assault was fierce, it appeared riddled with openings in Ning Xi’s eyes. She dodged, observing his movements to find the perfect moment for a counterattack.

"Too slow," Ning Xi remarked, her voice tinged with disdain.

Enraged, Wang Chu intensified his offense. Yet, it was precisely then that Ning Xi found his flaw.

She kicked out with precision, striking Wang Chu’s wrist. The light blades in his hands dissipated instantly, and he lost his balance, stumbling back several steps.

Burning with anger, Wang Chu immediately unleashed his first spirit skill.

"First spirit skill: Venomous Fang Thrust!" Wang Chu shouted. His arms instantly transformed into two massive king cobras, their heads reared high and their sharp fangs glinting with lethal poison. He lunged forward, his snake-headed arms striking out like two black shadows. His speed was immense, the fangs leaving trailing images in the air that were nearly impossible to defend against.

Ning Xi’s gaze sharpened as she sensed the threat. She swung the Seven-Kill Sword, and the lightning power within the blade erupted, forming a shield of electricity that blocked his strike. The Seven-Kill Sword trembled in her hand, emitting a low hum as if responding to her call.

A surge of killing intent burst from the sword, creating an invisible storm of sword energy that swept across the surroundings. The ground was carved with deep fissures, and the air itself seemed torn, shrieking under the pressure. Countless blades of energy surged toward Wang Chu.

Seeing this, Wang Chu was shocked, but his reaction was swift. He whipped his head, and the snake-like tail behind him lashed out at Ning Xi like a giant whip, stirring up a gale.

Ning Xi retreated rapidly to avoid the tail, but Wang Chu’s onslaught did not cease.

"Second spirit skill: Countless Snake Shadows!" he bellowed. The tail behind him suddenly split into a multitude of phantoms, attacking Ning Xi from all directions. Each phantom carried lethal poison, leaving her almost nowhere to hide.

Ning Xi’s eyes narrowed. She spun the Seven-Kill Sword rapidly, creating a curtain of steel that deflected every phantom. Her movements were fluid and seamless; the sword moved in harmony with her body, every swing executed with absolute precision.

"Since you’ve finished your performance, it’s my turn."

Ning Xi curled her lips into a cold smile. In an instant, her aura shifted.

"First spirit skill: Thunderstorm Slash!"

In a heartbeat, the lightning energy of heaven and earth seemed to answer her call, rushing frantically toward the Seven-Kill Sword in her hand. The blade was instantly enveloped in dazzling lightning, emitting a blinding purple glow that illuminated the entire arena.

Ning Xi gripped the sword with both hands and slashed forward. The lightning energy exploded, forming a thunderous strike several meters long. It descended like a divine judgment, sweeping toward Wang Chu with earth-shattering momentum.

*Boom!*

With a thunderous explosion, the lightning strike collided violently with Wang Chu’s snake tail. The immense impact sent Wang Chu flying; his tail, scorched by the lightning, emitted wisps of smoke as he crashed heavily to the ground.

Wang Chu struggled to rise, his face pale and his eyes filled with shock and terror. He had never expected Ning Xi’s spirit skill to be so powerful; his prized martial spirit felt fragile and pathetic under her assault.

Ning Xi swung the Seven-Kill Sword again. The sword energy split into several beams, each one striking Wang Chu’s tail with surgical precision. The tail hissed in agony, and Wang Chu was knocked back once more, slamming into the ground. His King Cobra martial spirit dissipated instantly, his spirit power completely exhausted.

Ning Xi stood her ground, the Seven-Kill Sword in hand, her gaze cold and stern. Looking down at the fallen Wang Chu, she said calmly, "You lost."

Wang Chu struggled to his feet, his face flushed red with humiliation and fury. He had never imagined he would lose to a girl, and so easily at that.

"I... I lost..." Dejected and spiritless, Wang Chu stumbled out of the arena.

Seeing Ning Xi’s easy victory, Jun Han finally let out a breath of relief. He walked to her side and said with a smile, "I knew Sister Xi would have no trouble."

"You know what my strength is," Ning Xi replied with a smile.

The onlookers were stunned by the spectacle of the battle. Xue Ke and the others quickly approached, greeting her warmly. "Little Sister Xi, I didn’t realize you were so powerful! That stance you used just now was so cool!"

Dugu Yan also felt a sense of admiration. "Little Sister Xi, that was impressive. We can spar together in the future."

They were all suddenly eager to test themselves against her, surprised that she could so thoroughly defeat a Great Spirit Master. This young junior was destined for great things.

Following this match, many people now knew who Ning Xi was, and it was unlikely anyone would come looking for trouble for some time.

Wang Chu walked over from the other side, mumbling, "I’m sorry. From now on, you are my boss." He avoided eye contact, too ashamed to look her in the eye. It was simply too embarrassing to have lost to a girl so much younger than him, but he kept his word.

Ning Xi smiled. "Very well."

"Little Junior, you’re just too amazing, beating that arrogant Wang Chu from the Tianwei grade. Tsk tsk!" Yu Feng looked at Wang Chu and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Come on, you must be tired after the fight. Let’s go somewhere to rest," Xue Ke said, taking Ning Xi’s hand and leading her toward the group.

The others chatted and laughed, following along. As they were quite famous in the academy, other aristocratic students made way as they passed, and in this moment, Ning Xi’s reputation was firmly established.

Xue Ke led Ning Xi toward a simulated cultivation area, introducing the various facilities of the academy as they walked, to which Ning Xi responded with nods. Without realizing it, their bond seemed to have grown even stronger.

After resting for a while, the group dispersed to attend to their own cultivation.