Chapter 3634: Ding Yan

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Not all Ten Stars students were aware that the Hidden Fog Academy was recruiting students today. Even those who were aware were not very interested. After all, no one of them thought there would be a new Ten Star student. It had been 30 years since a Ten Star student had appeared in the academy. Moreover, that Ten Star student was a Nine Star student who had been promoted. It was even more unlikely for outsiders to become a Ten Star student. The last time an outsider became a Ten Star student was 100 years ago.

…

Inside a primitive-grade courtyard in the Ten Stars students’ dormitory.

Two individuals sat in front of a table, chatting and sipping tea.

“In another 50 years, I’ll be able to graduate and become an inner disciple of the Hidden Fog Sect.”

“You’ll graduate earlier than me. It’d take me another 100 years before I can graduate,” one of them said with a sigh.

“The academy is too strict on students who want to graduate early and become an inner disciple. To do that, one must break a ten-star record of the academy.”

“Well, the academy hopes to temper our body and mind by setting such a high bar. After all, the sect is very different from the academy. The competition is much fiercer in the sect. There’s no one above the age of 3,000 in the academy, but there’s no lack of geniuses above that age in the sect. You can imagine how hard it is to compete with them…”

“I know. There’s no doubt competition can motivate one to work harder. It’s too bad that it’s not a competition of strength among the Ten Stars students in the academy; it’s more of a competition of who has a better background…”

With these words, the duo looked in the direction of the heart of the dormitory as their eyes flashed with a hint of resentment.

Among the five prominent-grade courtyards, only one of the occupants gained the right to live there through his own strength. The other four relied on their backgrounds to occupy the prominent-grade courtyards. If those four were to rely on their strength alone, at best, they would be assigned to live in mediocre-grade courtyards.

The atmosphere grew heavy as the duo continued to sip tea in silence.

Bam!

At this moment, a commotion from the neighboring courtyard shattered the silence.

Following that, a voice drifted in from outside.

“Ding Fan! The new Ten Stars student, Duan Ling Tian, has decided to challenge you. You know the rules so I won’t explain. Don’t delay too much. Otherwise, you’ll be declared the loser by default.”

The duo exchanged a glance upon hearing this voice.

“That’s the Ten Stars Pavilion’s Teacher Chu Feng Yang, right?”

“I think so.”

The duo rose to their feet in unison and left the building. They saw three figures standing outside the neighboring courtyard. They were familiar with two of the three figures: Chu Yang Feng, a teacher, and Liu Jin, one of the weakest Ten Stars students.

The third unfamiliar figure stood at the side. It was a purple-clad young man. His bearing was extraordinary, emitting an aura that made people feel inferior.

“Is he the new Ten Stars student?”

“Didn’t you hear Teacher Chu earlier? He even challenged Ding Fan!”

“Heavens! There hasn’t been an outsider who’s been able to become a Ten Stars student since 100 years ago!”

The duo was thoroughly shocked. They made sure to commit the name, Duan Ling Tian, to memory.

Bam!

At this moment, the door slammed open and a red-clad figure walked out. In just a moment, he had appeared at the gates of the courtyard. The gates were pushed open by his powerful energy instantly.

“Duan Ling Tian?” The red-clad figure picked up the notice of challenge at the entrance before he looked at Duan Ling Tian. “Teacher Chu, he’s Duan Ling Tian?”

Duan Ling Tian sized the red-clad figure up. He naturally knew the red-clad figure was Ding Yan, the opponent whom Chu Feng Yang had selected for him.

Ding Yan was almost 2 meters tall and had an honest-looking face. His thick brows made him look fierce. All in all, he looked like an iron tower. The aura he emitted was scorching hot that it felt as though he was going to burst into flames at any moment.

Based on Ding Yan’s aura and what Liu Jin had told him, Duan Ling Tian knew Ding Yan comprehended the law of fire.

“That’s right.” Chu Feng Yang nodded. “Since you already know the rules, there’s no need for me to explain them. Since you’re here, let’s decide on the date of the challenge.”

“There’s no need for that. Since you’re here, I won’t trouble you to make another trip. We can proceed with the challenge now,” Ding Fan said as he shook his head, “Moreover, I need the exercise. It’s been a while.”

After Ding Yan finished speaking, he looked at Duan Ling Tian intently. His eyes flashed as he said arrogantly, “You have to be quite strong to be able to pass the Ten Stars assessment. However, in your quest to occupy a primitive-grade courtyard, you’ve challenged the wrong person. Today, I, your senior brother, will teach you a lesson. Young people shouldn’t be impulsive. Of course, if you need time to prepare…”

Before Ding Yang finished speaking, Duan Ling Tian interjected, “No need. We can do it now.”

Duan Ling Tian’s tone was indifferent as though Ding Yang’s attitude did not bother him at all. Then, he continued to say, “This way, after our challenge, Teacher Chu can help me obtain another notice of challenge..”

Chu Feng Yang’s eyes widened slightly upon hearing Duan Ling Tian’s words while shock was written all over Liu Jin’s face.

Ding Yang was briefly stunned. When he recovered his senses, he chuckled. “Kid, you really think you can beat me?”

“Teacher Chu, there’s a venue built especially for challenges, right?”

Chu Feng Yang nodded. “It’s the arena at the back of the Ten Stars Pavilion.”

Duan Ling Tian looked at Ding Yan and said tonelessly, “Since you’re up for it, let’s go to the arena.”

Ding Yan’s eyes glinted coldly as he said, “Since you wish to be beaten, I’ll fulfill your wish.”

Ding Yan took the lead and made his way to the arena.

Duan Ling Tian, Chu Feng Yang, Liu Jin followed after him.

At this time, quite a few people from the surrounding courtyards had gathered. After listening to the conversation, realization finally dawned on them.

“Someone challenged Ding Yan?”

“Duan Ling Tian? He passed the Ten Stars assessment today?”

“He just joined the academy, and he’s already trying to snatch a primitive-grade courtyard for himself?”

“Even if he wants to occupy a primitive-grade courtyard, there’s no need for him to challenge Ding Yan, right? Ding Yan is one of the strongest among the occupants of primitive-grade courtyards, after all. There are only a few who are a match for him. Even then, they can only fight to a draw…”

“That’s right! I heard he has a high comprehension of the law of fire as well! That gives him an advantage over those who have the same cultivation base as him!”

“I wonder why the new student chose to challenge him of all people!”

Needless to say, this group of Ten Stars students followed Duan Ling Tian and the others to the arena to watch a show. After all, it’s been a while since there was such an exciting challenge. Moreover, since there was a newcomer, the fight was bound to be interesting compared to the fights between students with whom they were familiar.

“Let’s go! There’s going to be a good show”

“I’m going to tell Wang Dong about this!”

…

It started with just a few students. However, as the news spread, more and more students began to gather. Even a few from the mediocre-grade courtyards joined in the fun as well.

A flock of students could be seen making their way to the arena that was located behind the Ten Stars Pavilion, which existed only to help Ten Stars students, at this moment.

Everyone watched as Duan Ling Tian hovered in the air above the arena across from Ding Yan.

“He’s Duan Ling Tian? The new student?”

“It’s been 100 years. I can’t believe an outsider became a Ten Star student today. Since he passed the Ten Stars assessment, he has to be quite strong. At the very least, he can’t be weaker than the weakest among us.”

“He’s like a newborn calf that’s unafraid of tigers. He’s just joined the academy, and yet, he dares to challenge one of the strongest occupants of primitive-grade courtyards.”

“I heard Teacher Chu selected his opponent for him.”

At this moment, almost 20 students were gathered. This number was half the total number of Ten Stars students.. Clearly, everyone could not wait to watch the show.