Chapter 72: The Prodigy Zhou Yan, The Thirty-Two Remaining! (Bonus Chapter)

(Due to recent feedback from some readers who feel unsatisfied and accuse me of being too verbose, plus in celebration of reaching the top three in the rankings, here’s an extra chapter!)

“This...”

Upon hearing Luo Xuan confirm her intention to take the assessment for the Sublime Rank, Cong Shiyun couldn’t help but cast an appraising glance at the young woman. He noticed her eyes held a restrained brilliance, her aura composed and harmonious.

His eyes brightened. “It seems you really have achieved the Sublime Rank? Sublime Rank before twenty?!”

“Indeed.”

“Excellent, excellent!” Cong Shiyun’s excitement was palpable. “Luo Xuan, whatever resources you need, I can find a way to advance them to you, so long as you can guarantee passing the Sublime Rank assessment!”

Luo Xuan shook her head calmly, lowering her voice as she spoke to Cong Shiyun. “I am confident. I require no extra support. Instead, I wish to request something else from you, Master.”

“Speak!” Cong Shiyun gestured grandly.

Luo Xuan lowered her gaze. “I intend to teach Zhou Yan the Breathing Technique... I ask your approval.”

Cong Shiyun was momentarily stunned, then a sly smile curled on his lips. “Luo Xuan, you don’t think I haven’t noticed Zhou Yan has long since practiced the Breathing Technique, do you? Judging by his breathing habits, he’s already reached the Hundred Chirps level.”

He chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. “You instructors have a habit of teaching promising students the Breathing Technique ahead of time. I’ve known that for ages. But you’re so eager to teach him the Hundred Chirps level—it’s a bit premature. Even if he learns it, he won’t have the resources to use it yet...”

Luo Xuan lifted her head. “No, I have never truly taught Zhou Yan the Breathing Technique.”

“Hm?” Now it was Cong Shiyun’s turn to be surprised.

Luo Xuan spoke calmly, revealing the truth. “Zhou Yan’s insight is extraordinary. He merely observed me use the Breathing Technique once, then imitated the entry level... and in the same manner, smoothly cultivated up to the Hundred Chirps tier...”

Cong Shiyun’s eyes widened. A man who had weathered countless storms found his own breath growing a little rapid.

He murmured, “You mean to say that this boy... is a rare genius who mastered the Breathing Technique just by watching?”

Luo Xuan nodded quietly.

“Ah!” Cong Shiyun drew a sharp breath.

He leaned back slightly in his chair. “Let me take a moment.”

Luo Xuan obediently fell silent.

Cong Shiyun sat in silence for a while, his fingers tapping quickly on his thigh. At last, he opened his eyes, excitement shining within them.

“You, Li Guanqi, Zhou Yan... and that boy from the Army Division. Four great talents, old and new, gather in Wing City—and at such a meaningful time as the Exchange Conference...”

‘Could it be that this Exchange Conference in Wing City will mark the beginning of Vermilion Palace’s rise?’

This thought flickered in his mind, unspoken.

Not only that, he quickly composed himself, coughed lightly, and nodded steadily toward the puzzled Luo Xuan. “Very well. You may formally teach Zhou Yan the Breathing Technique now. I’ll notify the Inspection Division, and after the Exchange Conference, Zhou Yan’s eligibility will be officially registered.”

“At that time, I’ll arrange an extra allotment of secret medicines needed for cultivating the Breathing Technique for you.”

...

Zhou Yan was unaware of the conversation between Luo Xuan and Cong Shiyun.

He had long since finished his awkward chat with the staff and retrieved his verified mechanical left hand.

Now, he was staring intently at the screen.

The audience seats in the dueling arena were nearly full, as seen on the display.

A massive matchup bracket appeared on the four-sided screens suspended above the arena, visible to every spectator.

It was the chart for the sixty-four contestants, divided into two major groups of thirty-two on each side.

Zhou Yan spotted his own position: third match in the first main group.

No time for rest at all...

Fortunately, he had secret medicine supplements to restore his stamina; otherwise, having just finished the free-for-all, it would be quite a disadvantage to immediately face another bout after such heavy exertion.

Perhaps because it was a closed internal exchange, the procedures advanced with remarkable speed.

Zhou Yan had barely finished reviewing the bracket when two sword-wielding students, fully equipped with protective gear, were led onto the arena by staff.

As the participants entered, staff knocked again on Zhou Yan’s door. “Student Zhou Yan, the first match is about to begin. Since these are simulated combat rules, the matches will proceed quickly. We should head to the waiting area.”

“Alright.” Zhou Yan glanced at the screen again. The two contestants were still listening to the broadcast explaining the rules; the fight had not yet begun.

Without further delay, he donned his protective gear with the staff’s help and followed them out of the lounge.

Guided through a corridor and down half a flight of stairs, he arrived at a brightly lit passage.

Five minutes had passed.

“The second match has already started,” the staff ahead told him with a smile. “There are many rounds on the first day, so it’s a single-elimination system. The victory conditions are similar to those of the free-for-all you participated in. Both sides wear protective gear with special sensors. When a part is struck, it locks out, and if too many parts lock or a vital area is hit, rendering you unable to move, it’s considered defeat.”

“Understood...” Zhou Yan remarked, “This gear is truly a convenient tool for competitions—serves two purposes at once.”

The staff gave him a curious look. “This gear isn’t just for our internal sword duels; many domestic and international open sword and halberd tournaments use this system. Student Zhou Yan, have you never seen it before?”

“Hm... perhaps I didn’t notice back then.” Zhou Yan smiled and nodded, not inclined to publicize his ‘amnesia.’

The staff didn’t press further. Receiving instructions through his headset, he led Zhou Yan through the passage onto the stage.

His opponent entered from the opposite side, standing ten meters away across from him.

“Please confirm each other’s identities and put on your masks.”

The broadcast boomed.

Zhou Yan glanced at his opponent—a stranger, unfamiliar to him.

As they faced each other, the opponent clearly showed signs of apprehension.

Perhaps he had witnessed Zhou Yan’s performance in the free-for-all and thought himself inferior.

Zhou Yan calmly followed the broadcast’s instructions, fastening his mask and silently raising his sword.

An unknown challenger—even if he didn’t face Zhou Yan, he would encounter other strong contenders.

Since defeat was inevitable, better to be Zhou Yan’s stepping stone.

With this thought, he assumed a flawless owl stance, sword held horizontally beside his face.

Moments later, the referee entered and deftly swung his arm.

“Match begins!”

In his opponent’s eyes, Zhou Yan, who had been standing still, suddenly blurred.

Tap-tap-tap-tap—

In a flurry of rapid footsteps, the ten meters between them vanished in a second.

In the blink of an eye, Zhou Yan closed in!

‘So fast!’

‘You’re strong, but maybe I still have a chance—’

That thought flashed through his opponent’s mind, and he instinctively raised his sword to block.

But Zhou Yan, as they were about to engage, slipped aside with uncanny precision, as if he had predicted the move, deftly evading the opponent’s blade.

Scarlet Thrust!

It proved the saying: once a move is anticipated, defeat is inevitable.

Smack!

They passed each other.

Zhou Yan slowly withdrew his sword.

Behind him, his opponent was sent flying by the force of the thrust and crashed heavily to the ground.

“Third match, winner: Zhou Yan.”

The referee immediately announced the result loudly.

*