The Foundation Establishment cultivators spectating the scene displayed anger on their faces, disapproving of Ming Yu's actions.
Yet, some believed Ming Yu's fabricated story, thinking he was indeed tricked by Chen Mobai and the other freshmen.
Mi Yudao inwardly lamented, but knew distancing himself now would taint his reputation as a friend-abandoner for life.
"Ming senior, there must be some misunderstanding. How about we stop fighting and find a place to talk this through and clarify the whole situation?"
He had to step forward, hoping to defuse the situation.
"Hmph, you're in cahoots with them, trying to muddle through in front of me, playing the peacemaker."
But Ming Yu didn't even give him a proper look, convinced he had exposed Chen Mobai and the others' slanderous conspiracy. His body radiated spiritual energy, and the Nine Fierce Wood sent out ripples, a powerful binding force descending.
Ming Yihua and Mi Yudao felt their bodies grow heavy, even blinking required spiritual effort.
[Alas, I can only explain to the Student Council through Lu Tian later.] Mi Yudao inwardly groaned, but had no intention of resisting, surrendering without a fight.
On the contrary, Ming Yihua's face flushed as he began to summon the pure Yang spiritual power within him, attempting to break free from the Nine Fierce Wood's binding force.
"Daring to attack me at just the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment, you seem to overestimate yourself."
But at that moment, Chen Mobai uttered a sentence that shocked everyone present.
How could he be so audacious?
The sallow-faced youth losing his composure and attacking Ming Yihua was understandable.
But this fresh-faced junior, so calm and collected, how could he utter such laughable words?
Who was truly underestimating themselves?
Although many disapproved of Ming Yu bullying the new students, they recognized his cultivation level.
At the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment, plus the Nine Fierce Wood, only a handful of students in the entire Refining Department could defeat him head-on, or else he wouldn't have secured the position of vice president.
"Stubborn resistance."
Ming Yu sneered, no longer wanting to waste words with Chen Mobai.
He pushed the Nine Fierce Wood to eighty percent of its power, intending to showcase his terrifying strength before the dozens present, to intimidate everyone while laying the groundwork for clearing his name.
The red and yellow ripples emerged like whirlpools around Chen Mobai and the others, about to completely immobilize them.
Ming Yihua gritted his teeth, ready to activate the Flame Burst Technique on the Pure Yang Scroll, igniting his life's spirit fire, when a dazzling purple flame suddenly lit up beside him.
Turning his head, he saw a purple flame with a hint of green at its core, pulsating like a heart in Chen Mobai's palm.
Although the flame was only the size of a fist, everyone who laid eyes on it felt its blinding heat.
A second-order spirit fire!
But to defeat Ming Yu with it was utterly unrealistic.
Just as everyone thought Chen Mobai was merely struggling, the fist-sized purple-green flame in his palm suddenly erupted with a brilliant deep purple sword light.
He didn't even use the Flying Sparrow Hairpin, simply unleashing the Purple Fire Sword Light with the Qingyang fire.
The sword light was like a ribbon.
In the instant it burst forth, it sliced through the invisible ripples of the Nine Fierce Wood, like a stone skimming across water, stirring up currents, swiftly and unstoppably breaking through the binding vortex, and then, without losing momentum, directly above Ming Yihua's head.
"Sword Rainbow Splitting Light!"
Disbelief filled the eyes of those present. Was there such a swordsman of this caliber among the students in the academy?
But it was too late for regrets. Ming Yu's consciousness exploded, and the yellow light from his robe formed a solid barrier, blocking the deep purple sword light for a breath.
With a "bang," the yellow light shattered like a beautiful firework.
Seizing the moment, Ming Yu retreated, no longer holding back, his spiritual power and consciousness bursting forth at 120 percent, pushing the Nine Fierce Wood to its limit.
But the six bright yellow rings that had just formed were shattered by the deep purple sword light that followed.
"Junior brother, this is all a misunderstanding…"
"Spare me!"
As he spat out blood, Ming Yihua's plea for mercy sounded.
Elsewhere, Hua Zijing's sharp cry echoed as she rushed over with a wave of azure light, trying to block the sword for Ming Yu.
Chen Mobai paused the sword light in his palm upon seeing this.
When Hua Zijing's azure light descended, he struck again.
With a splash, the azure wave met the sword light, dispersing like mercury spilling on the ground, scattering into countless droplets.
Under the incredulous gazes of all, the deep purple sword light stopped at Ming Yihua's forehead, circling his scalp like a dragon, branding his hair, and then, as if time reversed, returned to Chen Mobai's palm.
"The two vice presidents of the Student Council, is this all you've got?" After retracting his sword light, Chen Mobai sighed, speaking disinterestedly to Ming Yihua beside him.
"Junior brother, may I have the honor of your name?" Hua Zijing, accompanied by Lu Tian and Yuan Jinjun, both shocked, landed and greeted Chen Mobai with the ancient rites of the Refining Department, inquiring.
"Class of 5012, Chen Mobai."
Having made his move, there was no need to hide anymore.
After announcing his name, he clenched his fist to retract the Qingyang fire, then stood with one hand behind his back, utterly bored.
"Class of 5012! He's from the same class as Zhong Li Tianyu! Who would have thought that besides that monster, there would be another even more terrifying one."
The surrounding Foundation Establishment cultivators, upon hearing of Chen Mobai's background, couldn't help but be astounded.
Zhong Li Tianyu was known as a monster mainly because everyone believed in his future potential, convinced that by his tenth year, he would surpass the current Zuo Qiushi.
But now, Chen Mobai, a swordsmanship genius who had mastered Sword Rainbow Splitting Light, had completely transcended the limits of his realm.
Even with Ming Yihua and Hua Zijing, two vice presidents of the Student Council, acting together, they couldn't withstand a single strike from him.
This person, it seemed, could only be matched by Zuo Qiushi from the entire Student Council.
"Junior brother Chen, Ming Yu was wrong first, and I apologize on his behalf."
Hua Zijing gave Ming Yu a stern look. At this point, he didn't dare say anything more, bowing his head, pretending to be reflective, fearing Chen Mobai would notice him and strike another blow.
"Hmm, should I accept it?"
Chen Mobai pretended to ponder, then turned to Ming Yu and Mi Yudao with a troubled look, the latter swallowing hard, speechless.
"I think it lacks sincerity."
But Ming Yihua, naturally bold, cooperated and added a comment.
"If you two juniors are willing, I can offer you ten free uses of the Wanbao Cave." Hua Zijing misunderstood, thinking Chen Mobai and Ming Yihua were angling for benefits.
"No, my point is, your apology doesn't seem sincere enough."
Chen Mobai pointed at Hua Zijing, who, despite being a beauty and vice president of the Student Council, had lost the courage to act after Chen Mobai sword strike.
"Ming Yu, come and apologize."
Hua Zijing immediately called out, and Ming Yu, no longer concerned about face, came over with his head lowered, performing an apologetic ancient rite to the three of them.
"This is somewhat sincere, don't forget about the ten times in Wanbao Cave."
Ming Yihua, holding the Xuan Yang Cauldron, nodded in satisfaction.
"Ah, you're settling for this?"
But clearly, Chen Mobai and Ming Yihua weren't on the same page this time.
"Then what do you want, to have him apologize too?"
Ming Yihua was a bit confused by Chen Mobai's meaning, pointing at the pale-faced Yuan Jinjun. As the latter sweated profusely, Chen Mobai shook his head helplessly.
"I was actually hoping for Zuo Qiushi, the president, to come and apologize, to see if my sword light has a chance against the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment."
Hiss!
Hearing Chen Mobai's words, everyone, including Ming Yihua, gasped.
【Brother, I know you're fierce, but challenging Zuo Qiushi directly might be a bit too bold.】Ming Yihua secretly approached, signaling that enough was enough, there was no need to be so absolute.
"Since you've said so, let's leave it at that."
Chen Mobai was also receptive to advice, although his original idea wasn't bad. After all, in the Tianhe Realm, fighting against late Foundation Establishment would likely be a matter of life and death.
Here at the Immortal Gate, it was mostly about sparring, and he could use this rare opportunity to see if there was a gap between himself and late Foundation Establishment.
After two battles, he had a rough idea of the lower limit of his own strength.
Early Foundation Establishment and average mid Foundation Establishment could be instantly defeated.
But he hadn't fought against late Foundation Establishment yet. The seventh layer was the weakest of the late stages, perfect for testing his sword.
But it seemed Zuo Qiushi wasn't here, so continuing to slap faces would seem a bit unreasonable.
Chen Mobai shook his head indifferently, retracting the Qingyang fire into his sleeve.
"Junior brother Chen, if you really want to challenge the president, you can leave your contact information." but at this time, Hua Zijing was a bit unconvinced.
Although you've mastered Sword Rainbow Splitting Light and can defeat the two vice presidents, Zuo Qiushi has also built an invincible belief in their hearts over the years.
To belittle the Student Council president so dismissively in front of so many people made Hua Zijing, who had followed Zuo Qiushi as vice president and secretary of the secretariat, feel humiliated.
"Fine, when he's free, set a time and place, but I'm about to attend the Red City Cave Heaven University Alliance Exchange. You'd better arrange it quickly." after hearing this, Chen Mobai showed no concern as imagined by the crowd, but instead excitedly took out his phone and added Hua Zijing as a friend.
"Good, please wait for junior brother Chen." Hua Zijing, biting her teeth and tagging him as "Madman," decided to inform Zuo Qiushi of this matter immediately.
Chen Mobai didn't waste any more time here, leaving with Ming Yihua and Mi Yudao.
"Junior brother, if you ever need me, just contact me."
After flying out of the tunnel, Mi Yudao looked at him with awe and then took his leave.
Chen Mobai smiled and parted ways with him, then flew off the back mountain with the very satisfied Ming Yihua.
"Brother, thanks."
Holding the Xuan Yang Cauldron, Ming Yihua was content. He hadn't expected to acquire such a precious artifact on his first visit to Wanbao Cave.
"Between you and me, there's no need for formalities."
The two parted ways on campus, with Ming Yihua still living in the school dormitory.
Chen Mobai returned to his rented wooden cabin.
After ensuring Ming Yihua would spend a long time appraising treasures and reverse-engineering the incantations, thus not bothering him to visit Wanbao Cave again, Chen Mobai deliberately made his rainbow flight home as bright as possible.
He even added some sounds of breaking the air, signaling to his neighbor Meng Huang'er that he was back.
After returning to the wooden cabin, Chen Mobai waited for about half an hour before taking out his phone and sending a very direct message.
"Can I listen to you sing?"
***
Student Council.
Hua Zijing and the other three sat in the previous meeting room, the atmosphere extremely oppressive and somber.
"Vice president, I suddenly remembered I haven't been home in a long time. I suddenly want to go back this year."
Yuan Jinjun cautiously spoke to Hua Zijing.
"Going home? Hmph, you're just scared to be in the same team as that junior brother at the exchange, aren't you?"
Hua Zijing coldly exposed Yuan Jinjun's thoughts.
The Red City Cave Heaven University Alliance Exchange had always been organized by student councils from all participating universities, and Hua Zijing had been in charge for three years. Yuan Jinjun was responsible for liaising with the Pure Yang Academy, always the most enthusiastic about it.
Because students from the Refining Department were always the most respected and held the highest status at the exchange.
After all, they were young and liked being admired.
But when Yuan Jinjun heard that Chen Mobai was also participating this year, he thought it best to lay low and suddenly missed home.
"Ah, this mistake is really my fault. As the vice president of the Student Council these past years, I've been too arrogant and complacent, unable to admit that someone else's mastery of spiritual sight was better than mine, which led to this incident. I'm willing to resign to take responsibility." Ming Yu suddenly spoke up, and everyone was taken aback.
"I can't decide on this matter. You can talk to the president when he arrives."
Although Hua Zijing also disliked the arrogant Ming Yu, she felt a bit sentimental when this long-time colleague wanted to leave.
"No need, I've already heard."
Suddenly, a deep voice sounded.
The people in the meeting room looked up in surprise, and then a young man dressed in a red and black robe of the Refining Department, with a burly figure, was already seated at the end of the table.
"President."
***
At night.
Chen Mobai was discussing his favorite music styles with Meng Huang'er, about to coax her into singing a few lines, when suddenly a call interrupted their chat app.
It was from Hua Zijing.
[So annoying, just at this time.] But Chen Mobai still patiently answered, and Hua Zijing, without any nonsense, was there to arrange a fight on behalf of Zuo Qiushi.
"Fine, you just wait!"
After gritting his teeth and saying this, Chen Mobai apologetically sent a voice message to Meng Huang'er.
"I'm going to duel with Zuo Qiushi, and I'll be right back to listen to you sing."
In the hilltop villa, Meng Huang'er, who had just heard this voice message, widened her eyes.
She naturally knew who Zuo Qiushi was!
Proofreader & Editor:Peter Pan