Ten Thousand Dragons Technique-Chapter 39: End-of-Month Assessment! Lin Xuan’s Opponent!
Feng Qingxue was the top genius among the new disciples. When she was first admitted, she was already a Ninth Grade Martial Artist, her strength and talent both being top-notch. Yet, even as powerful as she was, she was no match for a second-level Demon Beast. She was only able to barely fend it off by relying on the Thousand Mechanism Umbrella in her hand. Otherwise, she would have been killed by the second-level Demon Beast long ago.
But now, Lin Xuan was actually withstanding the attacks of a second-level Demon Beast, and he was doing it with his own power!
This is simply unbelievable! This defies the laws of nature!
While she was reeling from shock, the battle ahead erupted completely.
The Gale Wolf was also enraged. It roared repeatedly, its massive body sweeping forward like a storm. Its speed was incredible, and it appeared before Lin Xuan in an instant.
But Lin Xuan was even faster.
He executed the Wandering Dragon Step, instantly dodging the attack. He then began to circle his opponent, launching a series of fierce attacks of his own.
"Nine-Fold Swordsmanship—Second Fold!"
The power of this swordsmanship was terrifying. One strike after another rained down, forcing the Gale Wolf to retreat again and again. Before long, its body was covered in dozens of startlingly deep sword gashes, and blood was flowing profusely.
The Gale Wolf was finally scared. It let out a roar before turning to flee.
"Where do you think you’re going?" Lin Xuan snorted coldly and used Gale Step to give chase.
With another slash, he split the Gale Wolf in two.
BOOM.
The massive corpse collapsed, its impact making the very ground tremble.
Feng Qingxue, watching from a distance, was utterly dumbfounded.
Heavens! Lin Xuan actually killed a second-level Demon Beast! That’s unbelievable! She felt as if she were dreaming.
Lin Xuan retrieved a walnut-sized Demon Core from the massive corpse. It was a second-level Demon Core, worth 100 points.
Not bad, not bad at all. Lin Xuan was very satisfied. After putting it away, he turned around and said, "It’s taken care of."
Feng Qingxue snapped back to her senses, her face a mask of astonishment. "How are you so strong?" she asked. "Aren’t you one of the Heaven-Forsaken? But why do I feel like you’re one of the Heaven-Chosen?"
"I was never one of the Heaven-Forsaken. The Celestial Stele was the one with the problem. It’s just afraid of me."
At first, Feng Qingxue was inclined to believe him, but she couldn’t accept his claim that the Celestial Stele was afraid of him. How could the Celestial Stele possibly be afraid of Lin Xuan? There had to be some other secret about him. But then again, who didn’t have a secret or two? Feng Qingxue decided not to press the issue.
Instead, she said, "My name is Feng Qingxue. Lin Xuan, thank you for saving me. I will be sure to thank you properly when we get back."
"There’s no need. We’re all fellow disciples. Saving you was no trouble at all," Lin Xuan said with a wave of his hand. "You should head back first. It’s quite dangerous here." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
"What about you? Aren’t you leaving?" Feng Qingxue asked, surprised.
Lin Xuan replied, "I need to keep collecting Demon Cores. I have to gather 1,000 points as quickly as possible."
"A thousand points!" Feng Qingxue gasped. Then, as if recalling something, she asked, "Are you planning to go to Dao Cliff?"
"Oh, so you know about Dao Cliff," Lin Xuan said, equally surprised. He didn’t try to hide it. "That’s right, I’m going to Dao Cliff! That’s why I need a large number of points."
He’s really going to Dao Cliff! Feng Qingxue was shocked. She then recalled the rumors. Lin Xuan is one of the Heaven-Forsaken, said to have no future. They all say he can’t break through to the Martial General Realm. He must be going to Dao Cliff to prepare for that breakthrough.
Thinking of this, Feng Qingxue said, "I know a way to get a lot of points."
"What is it?" Lin Xuan asked, his expression brightening. Points were what he needed most right now.
"According to information I’ve received, the Heavenly Dao Academy will be issuing a major mission soon. If we can join that mission, we’ll be able to earn a lot of points."
"A major mission!" Lin Xuan asked curiously, "What kind of mission?"
Feng Qingxue shook her head. "I’m not sure about the specifics, but I know it’s related to Demon Beasts. It’s also said that not just anyone can participate. But don’t worry, I’m sure I can get you in. Consider it my way of repaying you for saving my life."
"Really? Thank you so much!" Lin Xuan was overjoyed.
After that, Feng Qingxue left.
Lin Xuan continued his hunt, killing another 200 Demon Beasts. In total, he had now killed several hundred, collecting 380 first-level Demon Cores. Combined with the single second-level Demon Core, his total came to 480 points. He had killed nearly all the first-level Demon Beasts in the surrounding area, and the remaining ones had fled deeper into the forest. It even seemed like the second-level Demon Beasts were preparing to team up against him. Seeing this, Lin Xuan decided it was best to leave for the time being.
He left the Tian Gu mountain range and returned to the Heavenly Dao Academy, where he exchanged all his Demon Cores for points.
With 480 points in hand, Lin Xuan returned to his small wooden cabin. He rested for two days before the end-of-month test arrived. The Heavenly Dao Academy held a test at the end of every month.
Thus, Lin Xuan made his way to the Martial Arts Arena. The arena was incredibly lively when he arrived. To his surprise, he saw not only disciples from his Wangyue Pavilion but also disciples from several other pavilions.
What’s going on? Don’t the others need to take the end-of-month test? Lin Xuan wondered. He soon understood the reason: the Dean was here.
The Dean of the Heavenly Dao Academy personally visiting Wangyue Pavilion had caused a sensation throughout the academy, which was why so many other disciples and elders had come to watch. Even the members of Wangyue Pavilion were stunned. An ordinary end-of-month test would never attract the Dean’s attention. Even if it did, he would surely go to the strongest Star Pavilion. Why had he come to the weakest, Wangyue Pavilion?
Everyone was extremely curious, but the Dean just smiled, offering no explanation. He sat there, seemingly waiting for someone. It wasn’t until he saw Lin Xuan that the Dean smiled and waved him over. "Little guy, come here."
Lin Xuan walked over and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Dean."
The Dean of the Heavenly Dao Academy nodded. "A month has passed. How is your practice of the Wandering Dragon Step coming along?"
"I’ve mastered it," Lin Xuan replied.
"Mastered it?" The Dean looked stunned. He stared at Lin Xuan intently, his eyes filled with doubt. "Little one, do you know the consequences of lying to me? If you haven’t mastered it, just be honest. I won’t blame you. After all, the Wandering Dragon Step is incredibly difficult to practice. Forget one month—one might not even master it in a year."
"I really have mastered it," Lin Xuan insisted.
"Very well. The Wangyue Pavilion’s end-of-month assessment is next. You will demonstrate the Wandering Dragon Body Technique for me during the assessment." The Dean still didn’t believe him and wouldn’t until he saw it with his own eyes.
Lin Xuan nodded, agreeing to the demonstration, and then walked into the Martial Arts Arena.
The moment he entered, countless eyes turned to him, their owners curious about what he and the Dean had discussed.
Elder Feng saw it too, his brow furrowing tightly. What right does a good-for-nothing like Lin Xuan have to attract the Dean’s attention? I’ll have to teach this kid a lesson later. During the assessment, I’ll have him fight Zhao Jie, the strongest of the new disciples. Zhao Jie is a late-stage Ninth Grade Martial Artist, just one step away from the Martial General Realm, and he’s even mastered Profound-rank martial arts. With his strength, defeating Lin Xuan will be effortless.
