Chapter Thirty-One: A Single Kick to Send Them Flying

Xiao Yan and his group followed Xue Ni toward the testing grounds, the atmosphere initially quite pleasant.

However, just as they reached a corridor near the examination area, a tall, menacing-looking man stepped out from a corner, blocking their path.

This was Luo Bu. He stood with his arms crossed, his eyes filled with disdain as he scanned Xiao Yan and the others. "Halt," he declared. "You lot think you can just breeze through to the test? It’s not going to be that easy."

Xiao Yu frowned and stepped forward. "Luo Bu, what is the meaning of this? We are here to register for the assessment according to the rules. Don't cause trouble here."

Luo Bu sneered. "Rules? You freshmen want to pass through here? You’ll have to get past me first."

The expressions of Xiao Yan and his companions soured instantly. They had not expected that anyone in the Jia Nan Academy would dare to openly obstruct them from taking the assessment.

Xue Ni also frowned slightly. "Luo Bu, don't go too far. They are freshmen here for the assessment; what you're doing is against the rules."

Luo Bu remained unfazed. "Rules or not, I make the calls here. If you don't do as I say today, don't even think about crossing."

Other students passing by witnessed the scene and shook their heads. One whispered, "Stop making trouble. You know as well as I do that this so-called rule of yours is completely meaningless. You’re just making a fool of yourself."

"Exactly. People are here for the test, and you’re just looking for trouble. Aren't you afraid of bringing shame to our academy?"

Hearing these comments, Luo Bu’s expression flickered. He looked at Xiao Yu and waved a hand dismissively. "For your sake, I won't make things too difficult. You just need to send one person to exchange a few moves with me. If they can hold their own, I'll let you pass."

He then scanned Xiao Yan and the others. Upon catching sight of Xiao Yan’s striking, handsome face, he paused for a moment before saying bluntly, "You, kid. You look like you’ve got the face for it, let's see if you’ve actually got any real talent."

Xiao Yan, already displeased with Luo Bu’s behavior, ignored him entirely and stood there coldly.

Seeing this, some of Luo Bu’s companions began to jeer. "Oh, it’s been a while since I’ve seen such an arrogant freshman. He actually dares to ignore Senior Luo Bu."

"That’s right, Senior Luo Bu, give him a lesson. Let him see the power of our seniors."

Provoked by the crowd, a look of恼羞成怒 (shame-turned-anger) crossed Luo Bu’s face. He glared at Xiao Yan and shouted, "Don't be so arrogant, kid. I won't make it hard for you—if you can last twenty rounds against me, I'll let you pass. Well? Do you dare?"

Xiao Yan scoffed at his words. Already annoyed by the waste of time, he found this man’s presence infuriating, and his inner anger flared.

Seeing Xiao Yan remain silent, Luo Bu assumed he was afraid and continued to mock him. "What, too scared? Hmph, with such cowardice, you want to join the Jia Nan Academy? I think you’d better go home early. Today, I’ll teach you how to respect your seniors."

Xiao Yan stepped forward, his gaze as cold as frost.

As he mobilized his Dou Qi, a powerful aura instantly surged outward. Luo Bu’s heart tightened at the pressure, but he forced himself to remain composed.

Just as Luo Bu was about to speak, Xiao Yan struck with an incredibly fast kick.

Luo Bu had no time to react. He felt a massive force slam into him and was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground with a muffled grunt.

The onlookers were stunned. They had never expected this seemingly arrogant freshman to be so formidable, sending Luo Bu flying with a single kick.

Luo Bu struggled to stand, but searing pain racked his body, leaving him unable to move. He looked at Xiao Yan with a mixture of disbelief, terror, and fury.

Xiao Yan looked down at him coldly. "I respect those who deserve respect. Someone like you, who stirs up trouble for no reason, is unworthy of mine."

The students nearby nodded in agreement. One whispered, "Well said. This freshman has real backbone."

"Indeed. Luo Bu has finally kicked an iron plate."

"Luo Bu is a four-star Dou Zhe, yet he was sent flying by a freshman. Just how strong is this kid?"

All eyes were fixed on Xiao Yan, filled with curiosity and awe.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan felt a private sense of wry amusement. Being the center of attention was never a good thing; he now felt like a rare treasure being stared at by everyone.

Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Mei watched him with wide, shocked eyes. Although they knew Xiao Yan had recently resumed his cultivation and made great progress, they never imagined he was strong enough to send a four-star Dou Zhe like Luo Bu flying with one kick.

A glint of confusion and concern flashed in Xiao Xun'er’s beautiful eyes. She stepped forward and asked softly, "Brother Xiao Yan, what level has your cultivation actually reached?"

Xiao Yan smiled at her and laughed it off. "What’s the rush? You'll see during the test in a moment. Everything will be clear then; it’s no fun if I say it now."

Deep down, however, Xiao Yan quickly communicated with Yao Lao: *'Teacher, it’s a good thing I had the cultivation technique provided by Jiu You to hide my true strength. Otherwise, I would have been exposed right then and there—who knows how much trouble that would have caused.'*

*'That technique has certainly been a great help,'* Yao Lao replied. *'However, your rate of improvement is truly startling, even to me. But remember: the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be broken by the wind. You should maintain a lower profile in the future.'*

*'I understand, Teacher. I will be more careful. It’s just that Luo Bu was being so unreasonable today, I couldn't help myself.'*

*'I understand. There is a time to act, but you must learn to measure your actions. Come, don't keep them waiting any longer; the assessment awaits.'*

Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Yan and said, "Xiao Yan, I never expected you to be this strong. Once we enter the academy, having a clansman like you will finally allow our Xiao family to hold our heads high."

Xiao Mei chimed in, "Exactly, Cousin Xiao Yan. You are amazing. You must teach me in the future so I can be as strong as you."

Xiao Yan smiled. "We are all family; helping each other is only natural. Just focus on your cultivation once we get into the academy."

"Come, let’s go. Your good friend is still waiting up ahead. Let’s finish the test early so we can get some rest."