Chapter 41: Come Out and Fight Me One on One!
The students present were all prominent figures in the world of alchemy, either hailing from prestigious alchemist families or having been identified as prodigies and trained by renowned masters from an early age. With such illustrious backgrounds, they knew quite a bit about the continent's secrets. However, the information Xiao Yan presented left them stunned it was unlike anything they'd ever heard.
This was because the clearly documented history of the continent only went back around 10,000 years. Anything from 50,000 years ago was practically ancient legend.
Unbothered by their astonished gazes, Xiao Yan continued,
"After the ancient era, many disciplines vanished from the continent, leaving only the Dou Qi and alchemy disciplines flourishing. During this period, Dou Di (Battle Emperor) powerhouses were still present.
"This era, defined by the decline of many ancient schools but with Dou Di powerhouses still in existence, is what we now refer to as the Ancient Era, spanning roughly from 50,000 years ago to 10,000 years ago.
"Around 10,000 years ago, something terrifying began to happen: one Dou Di powerhouse after another started disappearing from the continent.
"This marked the decline of Dou Di powerhouses and the gradual disappearance of Emperor tier alchemists. The last known Emperor tier alchemist was the founder of the current day Yao (Medicine) Clan the Medicine Emperor!
"With the disappearance of Dou Di powerhouses and Emperor tier alchemists, the continent lost its peak combat power and supreme alchemical techniques. The pinnacle of alchemy was no longer reachable, and today, the pinnacle of alchemists is the Ninth Tier.
"In the past millennium, several renowned Ninth Tier alchemists have emerged…"
For the next ten minutes, Xiao Yan spoke in great detail, leaving many students wide eyed with newfound understanding or complete bewilderment. Some even began breathing heavily, excitement evident on their faces.
While their backgrounds were notable, they were relative; some students had never even heard of the Medicine Clan. The insights Xiao Yan shared were ancient knowledge known only to certain clans and were rarely passed down.
Many of the girls in the room gazed at Xiao Yan with starry eyed admiration, including Cao Ying and Dan Chen, who couldn't take their eyes off him.
Yes, look at me with that reverence, Xiao Yan thought, maintaining a calm smile that concealed his inner amusement.
"Assistant Instructor Song, I'm finished," Xiao Yan said, turning to Song Qing.
"Hmm? Finished?" Song Qing snapped out of his daze and reluctantly nodded. But as he processed Cao Ying's starry eyed gaze at Xiao Yan, his expression darkened.
"What Xiao Yan said wasn't bad," Song Qing said coldly, "but as alchemists, there's no need to focus so much on ancient things like formation arts or soul techniques. Please take your seat."
This bastard's starting to pick a fight, huh? Xiao Yan thought, narrowing his eyes as he returned to his seat without a word.
I hope you don't offer yourself up as a target for me to crush, Xiao Yan mused.
But Song Qing was determined to make trouble. In his eyes, Xiao Yan was a thorn in his side, someone he wanted to eliminate as soon as possible.
"Xiao Yan, explain this."
"What you said earlier was good, but…"
Song Qing continued to needle Xiao Yan, his petty remarks growing increasingly annoying. Xiao Yan's expression darkened further with each comment.
Noticing this, Dan Chen timidly tugged on Xiao Yan's sleeve and whispered, "Are you okay?"
"It's fine," Xiao Yan replied with a smile, glancing at Cao Ying, who seemed to be enjoying the drama.
"Xiao Yan," Song Qing said with a tone of self importance, "this is a serious classroom. I know you're talented, but I hope "
"Are you done talking?" Xiao Yan's icy voice cut him off mid sentence.
"Huh?" Song Qing's smugness froze. He hadn't anticipated Xiao Yan would dare to interrupt him so bluntly.
"Are you done spouting your crap, you dog?" Xiao Yan stood up, his tone laced with mockery.
"Are you calling me a dog, Xiao Yan?" Song Qing's face darkened further, his voice now carrying an undercurrent of anger.
"I'm calling you a dog. What? You've got something to say?" Xiao Yan shot back, his gaze like a sharp blade. "What's with that long face? Are you hoping I'll use it as a doormat?"
"You !" Song Qing was utterly livid, his face alternating between red and pale.
"Don't just stand there, come out and fight me!" Xiao Yan shouted, his voice full of provocation.
"You want a duel?" Song Qing asked, his anger momentarily giving way to a gleam of excitement.
"Of course. I'll beat you so badly even your mother won't recognize you," Xiao Yan sneered, his tone dripping with disdain.
"Fine! Xiao Yan, I accept your challenge! Let's settle this outside!" Song Qing's heart swelled with glee. Though Xiao Yan was a prodigy, he was only a two star Dou Huang, while Song Qing himself was an eight star Dou Huang. A one sided beating was inevitable, and it would humiliate Xiao Yan thoroughly in front of Cao Ying.
"Bring it on!" Xiao Yan barked, his tone firm, though a fleeting flicker of uncertainty passed over his face.
"He's scared!" Song Qing noticed Xiao Yan's hesitation and grew even more confident.
"Let's go!" Song Qing said, activating his Dou Qi wings and flying out of the classroom, casting Xiao Yan a mocking glance over his shoulder. "Be a man and follow through, Xiao Yan!"
"A promise is a promise," Xiao Yan replied, his tone biting.
"Xiao Yan, don't go!" Cao Ying grabbed his arm, her expression finally showing some concern. She hadn't expected things to escalate so far.
"Relax. I'll deal with him and then come back for you," Xiao Yan said coldly, his words sending a shiver down Cao Ying's spine.
"Don't… don't go!" Dan Chen's soft voice pleaded, her small hand tugging at Xiao Yan's sleeve.
Xiao Yan stopped and looked at her, his expression softening as he patted her head. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
With that, he spread his Dou Qi wings and flew out of the classroom.
The other students, eager for action, rushed outside to watch the spectacle.
"If Xiao Yan wins, I'm joining his crew!" one boy exclaimed excitedly.
"If Xiao Yan wins, I'll keep him warm at night!" a bold girl declared.
"You guys are insane," the class monitor, Ye Zhong, muttered, realizing how difficult his position had become. Gritting his teeth, he turned and sprinted toward Dean Xuan Kong Zi's office.
(End of Chapter)
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