"Is this Fang Yang’s first real fight in the martial arts arena?"

"Dongfang Xueyu’s Fire Phoenix Spear Skill is powerful enough to burn rivers and boil seas. Fang Yang also has his Anomalous Flame Magic. This is sure to be a spectacular duel between Fire Dao Cultivators!"

"This is boring. I want to see rivers of blood."

"Aaaargh, I wish this lecture and the next three days would just fly by. I can’t wait any longer..."

A good portion of the buzz around the Saint Institute was now focused on the duel between Fang Yang and Dongfang Xueyu.

If the Thunder Saint Academy had a trending list, this duel would easily make the top twenty.

That’s just how it was. The hype surrounding a Great Saint Seed was that incredible.

If it weren’t for this, people like Lin Tianxue, Qing Mang, and Nanyu wouldn’t have relentlessly chased after Fang Yang.

’My brother is going to fight a duel against Fang Yang...’

During a lecture in the Medicine Hall, Dongfang Xuezhi’s expression grew vacant when she heard the news.

Her aptitude and talent were excellent, but under the guidance of her family’s Saint elders, she had chosen to minor in the Path of the Alchemist Doctor.

Unlike Fang Min, she didn’t have a do-or-die mentality, dedicating herself completely to the killing arts.

Yet for some reason, her heart ached as if a venomous snake were coiling tightly around it, causing her to frown repeatedly.

Normally, issuing or accepting a challenge was a perfectly ordinary matter.

But for her brother to make such an abrupt move, something was clearly wrong.

「Meanwhile.」

In Bai Zhi the Medicine Saint’s exclusive class.

Sen Hui heard the news the moment her class ended.

However, she wasn’t worried about Fang Yang in the slightest.

She had already learned from her sister that the current Fang Yang could even hold his own against Dongli.

Dealing with Dongfang Xueyu would be no problem at all.

...

Amidst all the commotion, Fang Yang, the man at the center of it all, arrived at Changfeng Pavilion.

Changfeng Pavilion was a major institution that served as a link to the real world.

From here, you could send letters to your family or even to a specific individual.

Furthermore, if you wanted to leave the Thunder Control Great World and return to reality, you had to pass through a series of rigorous inspections here.

In Fang Yang’s eyes, this place was essentially the customs office for the Thunder Control Great World.

’I hope Lu Yao can speed things up.’

After completing the final procedure, Fang Yang stood up and watched as the envelope was taken away by a scholar in a green robe.

Since the start of the Xuan-Yu War, Lu Yao had never disappointed Fang Yang.

Essentially, Lu Yao always executed the policies and tasks he assigned her exceptionally well.

In return, he had allowed her to gather the remnants of the old Cyan Deer Tribe and granted her considerable authority.

Thus, once the letter was collected, he departed from Changfeng Pavilion with a light step.

「An hour later.」

Dongfeng Pavilion, Inspection and Review Area.

"Hmm? A letter from Fang Yang?"

Murong Caiwei looked at the stack of envelopes on her desk.

A subtle smile touched her lips as she looked at the envelope on top.

’Doesn’t Fang Yang know that I’m a Steward at Dongfeng Pavilion?’

Her lips curled as she sneered internally. ’Approval can take a day, or it can take a year. Heh.’

Immediately, she took the envelope inscribed with Fang Yang’s name from the top of the stack and placed it at the very bottom.

She decided to delay processing it until the very last day of the stipulated deadline.

She could even reject the letter after a year, sending it back to be re-filed and forcing Fang Yang to start over.

Even if someone found out, it would be dismissed as a petty and willful abuse of her authority.

This way, no one could find any fault with her actions.

...

「Three days later.」

Martial Arts Arena A-3 was already packed with spectators, not an empty seat in sight.

Qing Mang was slightly taken aback. "So many people."

Hearing this, Mo Ran, Nanyu, and Lin Tianxue glanced around and gasped.

The level of hype was already on par with a duel between experts on the Celestial Ranking!

Xuezhi, sitting to the side, was not in the mood for such observations.

She sat in her seat, her brows slightly knitted, her face filled with worry.

"To see Fang Yang and Dongfang Xueyu duel, I’d have paid ten times the ticket price!" Black Tower City’s booming laughter made Muri Guanglong’s brow twitch in annoyance.

"Sen! Hui!" That was Murong Caiwei, glaring at Sen Hui and grinding her teeth.

At this moment, Sen Hui was standing to one side with Sen Cangba, Qing Xixi, and others.

Their area was clearly roped off in a semicircle, keeping unrelated people out.

As time went on, the clamor in the arena grew louder and more chaotic.

The arena became a chaotic mix of people, all shouting and making a racket.

Just then, a speck of azure flame ignited. It rapidly swelled into the shape of a blue fire phoenix and descended from the sky.

Under everyone’s gaze, the blue fire phoenix dissipated, revealing Dongfang Xueyu’s figure.

Dongfang Xueyu was tall and lean, with a handsome face and eyes as placid as a deep pool.

He wore a blue martial artist’s uniform and held an orange-yellow long spear, exuding a fierce, unapproachable aura.

Not long after Dongfang Xueyu’s arrival, Fang Yang also arrived, riding the wind on the back of a White Feathered Eagle.

’This oppressive presence...’ Dongfang Xueyu’s eyes narrowed.

He stared at Fang Yang, his face full of hesitation.

Today, Fang Yang wore a plum-blossom snow robe and held the Crimson Purple Battle Lance. His aura was completely retracted, giving him a calm and carefree appearance.

Yet, this very composure made him seem all the more confident.

RUMBLE—

As soon as both combatants were present, the martial arts arena instantly transformed.

Before everyone’s eyes, a blazing white light enveloped the area where Fang Yang and Dongfang Xueyu stood.

It transported them to the [Yellow Sand Desert] wondrous realm, where outsiders could no longer interfere.

This method of teleportation was the work of a Saint.

It made sense. A duel between two combatants in the top thirty of the Earth Ranking was certainly enough to attract the attention of a Saint.

In the Yellow Sand Desert, sandstorms raged across the sky, with roaring twisters occasionally erupting.

Fang Yang and Dongfang Xueyu stood apart, facing each other.

The spectators outside sat up straighter, their eyes glued to the scene.

"This is bound to be a battle between a dragon and a tiger!" Black Tower City concluded.

’Are they finally going to fight? Sigh...’ A look of sorrow crossed Xuezhi’s face.

’Come on, Xueyu. At least cause Fang Yang enough trouble,’ Murong Caiwei thought, clenching her fists in anticipation.

As long as Dongfang Xueyu could create enough trouble for Fang Yang, she would have a chance to drag Dongli into the situation and pressure Fang Yang.

Under the watchful eyes of all.

BOOM! Dongfang Xueyu and his spear became one, transforming into a fire phoenix that soared into the air.

It left a trail of fire in its wake, incinerating half the desert. Its awesome power left the spectators completely stunned.

An all-out Dongfang Xueyu was truly terrifying.

But...

The next moment, the fire phoenix let out a sorrowful cry. Dongfang Xueyu was sent flying backward even faster, falling unconscious, his condition unknown.

Fang Yang had struck. He had taken down Dongfang Xueyu with a single punch!

This scene instantly silenced the crowd outside. The arena fell deathly quiet.

Even the Saint managing the wondrous realm seemed momentarily stunned, causing the raging sandstorm to freeze in place.