As the arena watched, a valiant youth stepped forward.
"Who is this?"
"Why does he look so young, almost underage?"
"Shh! Don't talk nonsense. This is Huo Tongtian from the Great Capital Province. The Ancient Spirits he's awakened are absolutely ruthless."
"Absolutely ruthless? How ruthless is that?"
"He's been undefeated his whole life, titled Marquis of the Champion by Emperor Wu of Han after sealing the northern barbarians—get it?" The speaker raised an eyebrow, looking towards the questioning classmate.
"Dang, Huo Qubing?" someone exclaimed.
"Can we stop making a big fuss? Shouldn't we have learned about the powerhouses before starting school?"
"Now that the descendant of the Champion Marquis is up there, this kid has no chance. Defeat is certain."
"Yeah, this is way more ruthless than Chang Yuchun, a great general from the Ming Dynasty, and I believe Huo Tongtian won't be careless."
Among the more than nine hundred freshmen, discussion buzzed as they placed their favor on the heir to the Champion Marquis.
Meanwhile, the senior students watching the live broadcast nodded in approval.
"For the legendary Marquis who drank from the sea and sealed the wolves, we must show the respect he deserves," Bai Feng said, munching on a handful of peanuts and slapping his hands before turning to the dark-skinned youth beside him.
Li Heizi nodded, "Exactly. My Black Whirlwind probably won't stand a chance against the Champion Marquis supporting him."
Bai Feng chuckled, "But we've been cultivating longer than they have, so we can still show off our seniority with our profound heritage."
Li Heizi rolled his eyes and said irritably,
"These favored sons of heaven will only be weaker than us for a while. Who knows about later? Would you dare offend them?"
"Let's not talk about this anymore. Looks like Xia Luo is about to be defeated," Bai Feng remarked.
The monitoring instructors' eyes twinkled from their high vantage point.
The white-haired elder Yang Cang stroked his beard and nodded in agreement, "I didn't expect the heir of the Champion Marquis to show up. I wonder how much of the Marquis's spirit this young man has inherited."
"Boom—"
On the stage, Huo Tongtian's eyes flashed like thunderous purple lightning, full of fighting spirit. Behind him, the Iron Blood Great Flag appeared in the sky, snapping in the wind.
Visions of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood emerged, filled with ghostly wails and howls of countless barbarian souls, showing their ferocious forms.
"Come out, Champion Marquis!"
"Swoosh!"
The gigantic vision of the mountain of corpses and sea of blood was split open, and a majestic general on a Blazing Flame Warhorse appeared.
All the wronged souls suddenly halted their wails, forming an army formation, standing ready behind the valiant general.
Huo Tongtian's gaze was piercing as he locked eyes with Luo Yu, his pupils brimming with pride.
"I can see, you've tried hard."
"After all, to have such an Ancient Spirit, yet capable of defeating Chang Shengshan, who had the spirit of a Ming Dynasty founding general."
"But me, I aim for the utmost height. Mere effort is not enough; talent is also necessary."
Luo Yu's expression remained unchanged, but his heart felt incredibly strange.
Compete with him for talent?
Tsk.
Already putting on airs?
Huo Tongtian spoke slowly, "I can see, you don't look convinced?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Soon you'll be convinced, I appreciate you and won't hurt you."
"To be honest, since I started my journey, I've been unbeaten except for once, when I was defeated by that man."
"Unfortunately, you are not him."
Luo Yu sighed helplessly and said,
"Do you all like to deliver a long speech before a fight, showing off your sense of superiority?"
"Come on, let's make it quick."
"Good."
Huo Tongtian's eyes shone brightly.
"Courageous, I like opponents like you."
"Boom—"
At that moment, Huo Tongtian achieved Human-Spirit Fusion. His whole body was clad in battle armor, with a longbow on his back and a sharp war sword in his hand. He charged towards Luo Yu, wielding the war sword — cold light surged in the air, filled with an aura of iron and blood from the battlefield.
"So strong," the new recruits watching the battle exclaimed internally.
"Not bad, this youngster has potential," a voice of approval came from the instructors, "The young man opposite him is probably in danger."
"Whish whish—"
Before Huo Tongtian and his horse reached him, his sword energy had already arrived.
Luo Yu extended his hand forward, and the Ancient Spirit in the guise of an old farmer behind him also reached out. The wheat-shaped plant flew into Luo Yu's hand, and he swung it forward — bright green light scattered in all directions, instantly dispersing all the sword energy.
"Skillful."
Huo Tongtian's Blazing Flame Warhorse's hooves kicked towards Luo Yu's chest, and he swung his war sword at Luo Yu's head.
Each move was fierce, yet without the intent to kill.
Luo Yu remained composed, gripping the green wheat-shaped plant in his hand and pouring Spiritual Power into it.
He swept it forward.
"Bang—"
The Blazing Flame Warhorse let out a cry of pain and was forced back by the overwhelming green light.
Huo Tongtian hadn't expected such power from the plant Luo Yu was holding; the warhorse stumbled, and he also faltered slightly.
The angle of his war sword attack was off.
Luo Yu seized the opportunity, leapt up from the ground, and delivered a kick in the air, sending Huo Tongtian's war sword flying aside, where it dropped to the ground.
"Keen sight, fierce moves, decisive action!"
Huo Tongtian instantly judged Luo Yu, abandoned his horse, leapt up, and hurled a punch at Luo Yu's chest in a counterattack.
As the successor to the Marquis of the Champion, he excelled at Physical Combat Skill on the battlefield.
His punch came at a tricky angle, aimed directly at a vital spot, and was filled with penetrating force.
Huo Tongtian thought that Luo Yu, an ordinary-looking young man, could not possibly catch the punch, but then he heard Luo Yu chuckle softly.
"A bit slow—"
"Slow?"
A question mark flashed through Huo Tongtian's mind. The next second, Luo Yu caught his fist with his left hand, while his right hand, holding the wheat-shaped plant, whipped over, striking Huo Tongtian square in the chest.