Chapter 16: Hello, I’m ready to attack

“Oh?” Ning Yue couldn’t stand being threatened; her eyes narrowed.

Powerful spiritual energy surged from around her, so strong that even those scattered elsewhere couldn’t help but look over.

The old man, who had just disappeared, reappeared, thoughtfully watching Ning Yue.

“How… how is this possible!” Xu Feng looked incredulously at Ning Yue’s clothes rippling in the wind.

“Wasn’t everyone suppressed to the Qi Refining stage?! How can you have such powerful spiritual energy!?”

Ning Yue sneered at him. “Do you think everyone’s Qi Refining stage is as spiritually impoverished as yours?”

…Spiritually impoverished.

Everyone who heard Ning Yue’s words couldn’t help but twitch their mouths, feeling a sense of being indirectly insulted.

Xu Feng’s level, while not genius-level, was at least average.

And that’s considered impoverished?

Then what would be considered *not* impoverished?!

Those nearby instinctively distanced themselves from Ning Yue, hoping to avoid being targeted later.

“So what!” Xu Feng struggled to say. “Your earth element can’t break my wood element!”

“Playing the element counter game, huh?” Ning Yue laughed with interest. “Then you’ve found the right person.”

As the vines were about to attack,

Ning Yue raised a finger

A huge fireball appeared out of thin air at her fingertip.

The size and temperature of the fireball were terrifying.

“Fire-elemental spiritual energy?! How is that possible!?”

“You’re a three-spiritual-root cultivator?! Aren’t mixed spiritual roots considered trash? How can you have such powerful spiritual energy!”

Xu Feng’s voice almost cracked; he looked at Ning Yue incredulously.

“Whoa, who is this?  A Qi Refining stage cultivator can use such powerful fire-elemental magic!”

Ning Yue ignored the surrounding exclamations, stared at Xu Feng, and mercilessly threw the fireball.

Xu Feng’s mind went blank; he watched the fireball approach

No! It’s too fast!

By the time he reacted and activated his defense, it was too late.

The vines ignited instantly and turned to ashes in less than five seconds!

“…Impossible.” Xu Feng stood there dumbfounded, then looked at Ning Yue with a terrified expression.

Ning Yue remained silent, raising an eyebrow at him.

With the vines out of the way,

Duan Huailin kept one hand behind his back and raised the other, spiritual energy exploding in the air, emitting a dazzling light.

He no longer saw Ning Yue as an ordinary person; he easily accepted her terrifying strength and reacted immediately.

The several ice blades behind him, carrying a sharp chill, moved at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, rushing towards the opponent, directly destroying the formation’s eye.

The destructive power was immense!

Those nearby who hadn’t yet left didn’t bother to quietly retreat; they all ran away in a panic.

Their formation’s eye was destroyed, meaning they were defeated.

Xu Feng and his partner stared blankly at the formation at their feet.

After a moment

His partner reacted and loudly questioned Xu Feng.

“It’s your fault for offending them! Otherwise, why would they attack us directly!

And! Didn’t you say this formation would last until the end?! It didn’t even withstand a single attack, and you’re still bragging!”

Xu Feng was scolded until his face turned red, and he couldn’t help but confront him.

“Aren’t multiple spiritual roots considered trash! How could I know Ning Yue not only has multiple spiritual roots but is also ridiculously strong.

Besides, who do you think Duan Huailin is?!  Formations being broken is common!  But you! You didn’t do anything, relying entirely on me, and now you dare to blame me!?”

“Uh…”

Ning Yue and Duan Huailin exchanged glances, somewhat suspecting this was actually praise.

“Xu Feng…” an old voice came.

Everyone turned to see the refined and scholarly old man appearing behind them.

“This was supposed to be a preliminary trial; as long as you successfully draw a formation, you pass.

You maliciously destroyed another’s formation during the trial; the offense is serious.  Fusang Sect has decided to cancel your admission.  Leave on your own after you go out.”

After saying this, he disappeared into a puff of smoke, just as before.

Xu Feng, in front of everyone, couldn’t support himself and collapsed to the ground.

Ning Yue raised an eyebrow. “I thought that old man kept disappearing and was unconcerned, but he’s actually quite observant.”

Duan Huailin reminded her, “He might not have left yet; be careful what you say.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ning Yue felt a light tap on her head.

“Ouch!” Ning Yue covered her head and looked up at the void, but there was no one there.

Duan Huailin looked at her. “See?”

Ning Yue nodded sheepishly and remained silent.

“What’s next?” Ning Yue looked around. “Who should we fight first?”

Everyone she looked at took several steps back in unison.

Oh dear! Whoever makes eye contact with her is next!

Ice blades formed behind Duan Huailin again. He said to Ning Yue, “Don’t scare them.”

Everyone: “…Brother, you’re pretty scary too…”

Duan Huailin said calmly, “Leave the rest to me. You’ve used a lot of spiritual energy; rest for a while.”

Ning Yue stretched her body; she felt fine and didn’t feel drained.

But she obediently retreated behind Duan Huailin.

She opened a simple protective barrier.  Even though she knew Duan Huailin probably wouldn’t need it, she had to do it anyway.

…

“Hello,” Duan Huailin greeted politely. “Please set up your formation; I’m ready to attack.”

The lucky person chosen by Duan Huailin widened their eyes in terror: “…”

Ning Yue tried to hold it in, but finally burst out laughing.

Duan Huailin is so funny! Hahaha!

He greeted the remaining teams with the same greeting and used the same method to destroy their formation’s eye.

By the end, the others were numb.

Kill them! Kill them all!

Ning Yue basically didn’t do anything and easily won.

Could anything be better than this? No!

After the competition.

The seemingly refined and scholarly old man popped out from somewhere again.

Ning Yue silently muttered in her heart.

You’re really good at hiding.

The old man’s gaze felt tangible

Ning Yue widened her eyes!

No way! I haven’t even said anything yet!

Duan Huailin stepped in front of Ning Yue, blocking the old man’s sight, and quietly asked Ning Yue.

“…What did you say again?”

Ning Yue felt wronged. “Honestly, I haven’t even opened my mouth!”

Fortunately, the old man quickly withdrew his gaze, waved his sleeve, and opened a door.

“Formation Chief Duan Huailin.”

Duan Huailin nodded calmly.

Everyone else looked like they already knew this would happen.

…

Several people exited through the door.

The scene outside was the same, except this time, several disciples in white robes were standing at the entrance.

They seemed to be senior disciples of the sect.

“The trial is over; please follow me”

A young man in a white robe with a blue sash, whose sleeves and collar were embroidered with gold thread, said.

Ning Yue looked at him twice; he was wearing the same clothes as Shi Yinghan.

She guessed these were the robes of direct disciples.

“I’m Gong Zhi, your senior brother. I’ll take you to rest now.  Tomorrow at noon, you’ll have your spiritual roots and aptitude tested with the spirit stones.”

He led the way.