Chapter 9 Bibi Dong disregards martial ethics; the academy's assessment.
Summoned to Bibi Dong's room, he was severely beaten for stepping his right foot into the doorframe.
The reason for this is well-known.
"Teacher, I...can I leave now?"
Jiang Nian clutched his backside, still terrified of the ruler.
"Throw these things out! They make me sick!"
Bibi Dong slammed her hand on the table in disgust, a murderous aura rising towards his face.
"Yes!"
Jiang Nian quickly packed up and took the food away.
For the past month, Qian Renxue had been eating every day without fail.
Bibi Dong tasted it, but immediately vomited.
He dared not say anything.
In short, the little golden retriever was happy; perhaps in her heart, her mother loved her.
After proving this, she probably wouldn't need to come again.
Jiang Nian silently packed up, about to step out of the room, when a voice came from behind him.
"Wait."
Bibi Dong's icy gaze lingered on his buttocks as she said calmly, "Come find me at the training ground after you're done. I'll personally test your training progress over the past month."
Jiang Nian's body trembled, and he quickly replied, "Understood, Master."
"Hmm, go now."
The door closed, leaving only Bibi Dong sitting cross-legged on the bed.
At this moment, she was sometimes chillingly murderous, sometimes utterly serene.
The wind blew open the window, bringing a touch of coolness.
The fire in her heart gradually subsided with the coolness. Her wine-red hair rippled slightly, highlighting her stunning beauty.
Bibi Dong exhaled, stood up, and stretched, her ample bosom bulging forward, her alluring charm undeniable even with her cold expression.
"Little brat, let's see how your cultivation is going lately..."
The training ground.
Jiang Nian, dressed in brocade robes, strode in with an imposing air.
Bibi Dong stood rooted to the spot, staring intently at the newcomer.
"How's your swordsmanship I gave you?"
Jiang Nian replied earnestly, "It's already mastered."
Bibi Dong was taken aback: "You don't have a sword spirit, and you haven't had any renowned teacher's guidance, so how did you comprehend it so quickly?"
"Let me see if what you say is true."
Jiang Nian nodded, summoning his Heavenly Dao Umbrella: "Teacher, be careful."
Bibi Dong, carrying an iron sword, lazily defended against his attacks.
At first, she didn't take it seriously, but the more she went, the more she realized she needed to be a little more attentive.
Every attack Jiang Nian made wasn't a waste of energy; on the contrary, it was controlled with great precision.
"Interesting."
Bibi Dong's interest was piqued, and she took the initiative to attack.
On the training ground, the sound of metal clashing echoed in the Saintess Palace, the back-and-forth exchanges seemingly evenly matched.
Jiang Nian knew that even if he mastered swordsmanship, he wouldn't be able to harm a single hair on Bibi Dong's head.
He only needed to go all out and wait to be instructed.
*Crack!*
Bibi Dong's iron sword struck Jiang Nian's umbrella, then she quickly closed it, her wrist flicking to increase her speed.
*Bang!*
Jiang Nian felt a sharp pain in his abdomen and was kicked away.
"Teacher! You have no martial ethics!"
"Who uses their feet?!"
Bibi Dong looked at Jiang Nian lying on the ground and slowly retracted her long, slender leg.
"The idea was good, but you also exposed your weakness."
"It might have some unexpected effect against a Soul Master of the same level, but against someone with higher spiritual power and soul power than you..."
"Just like now."
Jiang Nian stood up; the kick hadn't actually been forceful, just out of displeasure.
His stubbornness, however, pleased Bibi Dong greatly.
"The spot check is over. Focus on your cultivation and strive to reach level twenty as soon as possible."
With that, she vanished from Jiang Nian's sight.
Seeing this, he could only give up.
"I need to find a way to get some whale glue... who should I ask..."
Jiang Nian stroked his chin, deciding to try his luck with some gold soul coins.
He'd try his luck in Han Hai City; maybe he could buy some.
One year later.
Spirit Hall Academy. The classes here are divided into three levels—Heaven, Earth, and Human.
Below level fifteen is the Human level, levels fifteen to thirty are the Earth level, and above level thirty is the Heaven level.
Today.
Spirit Hall Academy's assessment.
About a hundred people gathered in the arena. A handsome young man in a snow-white robe stood quietly in the center of the crowd.
His short hair, barely reaching his eyebrows, swayed gently in the wind, his eyes calm, radiating a cool and aloof aura.
"Next, Jiang Nian!"
The name was uttered, and everyone whispered amongst themselves, their gazes all falling on a certain boy in the crowd.
He stepped onto the arena.
He looked at the Soul Master opposite him.
A head of beautiful black hair cascaded down, his eyes revealing determination.
His delicate, round face was fair and tender, and his voice was sweet and charming.
"Bai Ling, level 15, one-ring Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Thunderflame Griffin."
"Jiang Nian, level 17, one-ring Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Heavenly Dao Umbrella."
Everyone's expressions froze, looking incredulously at the boy holding the cherry-red ancient umbrella.
This cultivation speed, does it really exist?!
Wait, how come he's still here at level 17?!
Jiang Nian muttered to himself, "I just broke through last night, it was just luck."
The black-haired girl was also startled, gritting her teeth as a hint of fear appeared on her face: "I will go all out."
"Okay."
With the referee's whistle, their entrance exam began.
"Thunderflame Griffin!"
Instantly, a huge beast Martial Soul rose behind Bai Ling, its overall color a mix of purple and red.
The quality didn't seem low.
The spirit ring was a normal yellow, no surprises.
Jiang Nian clutched the Heavenly Dao Umbrella in his hand, staring intently at the girl before him.
"Watch out! First spirit skill, Thunderfire Punishment!"
The Thunderfire Griffin's wings flapped, unleashing two elemental powers that materialized and attacked Jiang Nian.
"Six Paths of Reincarnation."
He wasn't careless, instantly activating his gamble.
"A little... never mind, enough."
Jiang Nian took a deep breath, wielding the power of the elements, and instantly a powerful wave appeared out of thin air, covering the Thunderfire Griffin's attack.
Water and thunderfire merged, filling the entire arena with mist.
Bai Ling's expression changed, wondering if she was seeing things.
How could his weapon spirit summon water elements?
"How can you be distracted during a battle?"
Jiang Nian swept in from the front, attacking her face with the Heavenly Dao Umbrella.
Bai Ling slipped, bending her body, a smile appearing on her lips: "I expected this."
Bang!
A massive fireball hurtled close to Jiang Nian's face, but his expression remained calm. His umbrella instantly opened, perfectly blocking the attack and even absorbing some of the fire element.
"You...your umbrella can defend?!"
Bai Ling cried out, her defenses crumbling. In the blink of an eye, the tip of the umbrella pressed against her neck, its metallic sheen gleaming brilliantly.
"You lost."
(End of Chapter)