Divine-level Base

Among the twenty prodigies below, only the three from Shuijing High School’s "Three Heroes and Seven Prodigies" had any hope of placing in the top twenty of the National Spiritual Martial Arts Tournament.

The cheerful-looking boy was Ning Bufan, one of the Three Heroes. The ordinary-looking boy was Mu Mu, one of the Seven Prodigies. And the beautiful girl with a bold fashion sense was Shen Xuan, another of the Three Heroes.

Among the three Extraordinary High Schools, Azure Dragon High School was backed by the Shield of Glory, which was directly under the Royal Family. Shuijing High School was backed by the Guardian Flame, which answered to the Congress. And Xuanwei High School was backed by the Heart of Steel, an affiliate of the military.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, graduates from the Spiritual Power Element of these three Extraordinary High Schools would directly enroll in their affiliated universities and go on to serve in their respective organizations.

Of the three Extraordinary High Schools, Azure Dragon High School boasted the greatest achievements in Spiritual Martial Arts, Xuanwei High School was the strongest in practical combat, and Shuijing High School excelled in scientific research.

The top ten spots in every past National Spiritual Martial Arts Tournament had always been monopolized by the geniuses from Azure Dragon and Xuanwei High Schools. It was a struggle for Shuijing High School’s prodigies to even break into the top twenty.

Song He just hoped they wouldn’t suffer too humiliating a defeat this time. He would be content if even one person could make it into the top twenty of the national tournament.

Song He said, "I’ll keep this brief! You are all the strongest Spiritual Martial Arts prodigies of Shuijing High School. I hope you can achieve good results in the National Spiritual Martial Arts Tournament. Anyone who places in the top twenty will be rewarded with one opportunity to cultivate in the Dragon Transformation Spirit Pool!"

"The top ten might be difficult, but isn’t getting into the top twenty pretty simple?"

"Maybe I have a chance to cultivate in the Dragon Transformation Spirit Pool!"

"..."

As soon as he said this, a flash of excitement appeared in the eyes of every prodigious student below.

Song He said, "Alright! Let’s depart!"

"Hold on! Principal Song He, my apprentice Shu Feng wants to participate in this year’s National Spiritual Martial Arts Tournament."

Along with an incredibly proud voice, Fang Yao stepped into the Grand Martial Arts Arena. She wore a black formal dress, looking like a beautiful and sexy goddess. Following beside her was none other than Shu Feng.

Song He’s brow twitched, and he said with a hint of a headache, "Fang Yao, don’t be ridiculous! The roster is already full. How can we just stick someone else in now?"

Fang Yao said domineeringly, "It’s simple. Just kick out some piece of trash and let my apprentice take his place, won’t that solve it? My apprentice, Shu Feng, is a one-in-ten-thousand genius. This time, he is destined to become number one in the National Spiritual Martial Arts Tournament!"

Song He said, "Fang Yao, it’s true that Shu Feng possesses a Celestial-level Summoning Ability, but a Summoning Ability does not improve his combat power in terms of Spiritual Martial Arts. You should know that in the Spiritual Martial Arts Tournament, no abilities can be used besides Spiritual Martial Arts."

Fang Yao chuckled lightly. "Of course! If you don’t believe me, why not have one of your students compete against my apprentice to find out? The winner stays, the loser gets lost! It’s that simple!"

Song He pondered for a moment before saying decisively, "Fine! Fang Chen, you’re up!"

"Yes, Principal!"

A well-built youth with handsome features, standing one-point-nine meters tall and with arms slightly longer than average, walked to the center of the Grand Martial Arts Arena holding a wooden sword.

Fang Yao barked, "Shu Feng, three moves! If you can’t take care of this guy in three moves, you’ll be swinging your sword one hundred thousand times for me today!"

"Yes, Master!"

Shu Feng gave a wry smile and walked to the center of the Grand Martial Arts Arena.

The sword swinging Fang Yao mentioned wasn’t ordinary sword swinging, but weighted sword swinging. One hundred thousand weighted swings would be enough to exhaust Shu Feng half to death.

"The match begins!"

As soon as Shu Feng and Fang Chen had taken their positions, Song He made the announcement.

’Thinking you can beat me in three moves? You’re underestimating me!’

Indignant, Fang Chen acted the moment Song He’s voice fell. He channeled his Spirit Master Peak Spiritual Power and executed the Superior Swordsmanship, Illusion Cloud Falling Flower Sword Technique. His wooden sword moved like fluttering flower petals, nine feints and one true strike aimed at Shu Feng.

Shu Feng smiled calmly and thrust his Long Sword out like a gale, a single strike piercing through the flurry of sword light.

In an instant, the sky full of sword shadows collapsed and vanished. The force of the blow knocked Fang Chen’s sword from his grasp. Shu Feng’s wooden sword continued its path like a venomous dragon, and in the next moment, its tip tapped against Fang Chen’s chest. A burst of Spiritual Power erupted, sending Fang Chen flying back more than ten meters.

Song He announced, "Shu Feng wins!"

Ning Bufan said in admiration, "What incredible Swordsmanship! Shu Feng, not only is your Spiritual Ability powerful, but your Swordsmanship is also outstanding. That’s truly amazing!"

A flash of disdain crossed Shen Xuan’s beautiful eyes as she said, "That Gale Sword Technique is decent! But his cultivation is too weak. A mere Spirit Master Peak is not even worth mentioning at the national high school Spiritual Martial Arts tournament."

Song He glanced at Shu Feng and said flatly, "Shu Feng joins, Fang Chen is out! Let’s go!"

Shu Feng joined the group of twenty prodigies.

Fang Yao also walked over to Song He’s side.

A look of surprise flashed in Song He’s eyes. "Fang Yao, you’re going too?"

A cold glint flashed in Fang Yao’s beautiful eyes. "Of course! This time, my apprentice must seize the crown at the national high school Spiritual Martial Arts tournament and teach a harsh lesson to that little bitch’s apprentice!!"

Song He sighed softly. "That incident was so many years ago. Haven’t you let it go yet?"

Fang Yao said coldly, "That little bitch betrayed my best friend, causing her to waste away from grief. I wish I could chop him into seven or eight pieces. I can’t kill him, so are you saying I’m not even allowed to teach him a lesson?"

Song He immediately fell silent. The beautiful woman before him was petty, overprotective, and held grudges, but her cultivation talent and background were both astonishingly powerful. He did not want to provoke her.

Ning Bufan openly approached Shu Feng and said, "Shu Feng, I’m Ning Bufan. Let’s get to know each other. How about we become friends?"

Shu Feng smiled. "Sure!"

"Mu Mu!"

"I’m Shen Xuan!"

"..."

After a round of polite small talk, Shu Feng got to know the other nineteen prodigies from Shuijing High School, and then they all boarded a high-speed train bound for Azure Dragon Spirit City.

"Shu Feng, are you interested in joining the Celestial Mirror Society? I’m the president of the society. Before, Han Leiying and Zhuo Mingyao prevented you from joining, and most of the members also disagreed with your admission. I didn’t know anything about you back then, so I didn’t invite you either."

"However, you are now the eighth Celestial-level Spiritual Ability User in our Qianyuan Republic. It would be an honor for the Celestial Mirror Society to have you join us. Are you willing to join the Celestial Mirror Society now? If you are, I’ll handle the admission procedures for you when I get back."

Shu Feng smiled slightly. "Of course, I’m willing!"

The Celestial Mirror Society was the top-level club at Shuijing High School, as well as the top-level society at Shuijing University. Many top-level experts had emerged from its ranks, including provincial Governors, the heads of Major Noble Families, and top-level scientists in various fields. It was an enormous network of connections, and Shu Feng was naturally willing to join to gain access to such a valuable resource.