System Possession, One Sword Shocks the Gods

13: The sharp edge is not dullLin Batian’s appearance was like a dark cloud looming overhead, causing the atmosphere, which had slightly relaxed due to the end of the assessment, to instantly freeze.

The powerful Spiritual Pressure of the Kaiyuan Realm Sixth Level was released without reservation, like a physical mountain, pressing down on many young Cultivators on the stage until their faces turned pale and breathing became difficult. His gaze was like two cold iron awls, fixed firmly on Ye Chen, with an undisguised killing intent that almost seemed to pierce through him.

”Instructor Lin, what is the meaning of this?” High on his seat, Steward Zhao Qianjun frowned, his voice deepening. How could the Tianfeng Academy assessment allow outsiders to interfere at will? Even if the other party was from the City Lord’s Mansion.

Lin Batian cupped his fists toward Zhao Qianjun, his tone seemingly respectful but carrying an indisputable hardness: ”Steward Zhao, it is not that Lin wishes to interfere with the academy’s assessment. It is just that this boy, Ye Chen, has a vicious Heart-Nature. During the assessment, he repeatedly struck heavily, crippling others’ cultivation and breaking their bones. How is such behavior different from a demon? I suspect he has practiced some sort of Evil Technique, or has an unknown power supporting him from behind. To ensure the peace of Qingyun City, he must be taken back for strict interrogation! I ask the Steward to grant me this convenience!”

He directly pinned labels like ”practicing Evil Techniques” and ”endangering peace” onto him, even invoking the name of the City Lord’s Mansion, speaking with certainty and an overbearing Aura.

The crowd below became restless, and many looked at Ye Chen with suspicion and doubt. Lin Batian had long held prestige in Qingyun City; his words carried significant weight.

Standing on the stage, facing Lin Batian’s Spiritual Pressure and accusations—which would be enough to make an ordinary Quenching Body Realm Cultivator collapse—Ye Chen’s posture remained as straight as a pine tree. A faint, mocking curve even appeared at the corner of his mouth.

”Instructor Lin sure is putting on a grand display of authority,” Ye Chen spoke, his voice calm yet clearly reaching the entire audience. ”The assessment rules state that falling off the stage or losing combat capability results in elimination. I did not take a single life, so where does this talk of ’viciousness’ come from? As for those three...”

His gaze swept over the direction where the three grey-clothed youths had disappeared, his tone turning cold: ”Those three were at the Ninth Level of Body Tempering Realm and used a combined attack; their power was already comparable to the Kaiyuan Realm. If I hadn’t possessed some ability to protect myself, the one lying on the ground right now would be me. Without distinguishing right from wrong, Instructor Lin accuses me of practicing Evil Techniques and even wants to forcibly take me away for interrogation... Could it be that you are flying into a rage because I ruined some of your shady business?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd erupted in an uproar!

Ye Chen’s words were truly cutting! Not only did they point out that the other party had struck first and he was merely acting in self-defense, but they also directly implied that Lin Batian was connected to the three attackers and was acting out of a personal vendetta!

”You little beast! You dare slander this Instructor!” Lin Batian flew into a rage. He hadn’t expected Ye Chen to be so sharp-tongued and audacious, daring to contradict and even counterattack him in public! His surging killing intent could no longer be suppressed; he took a step forward, the bluestone ground shattering as a powerful Aura swept toward Ye Chen like a storm!

”Hmph!”

A cold snort rang out like a clap of thunder. Steward Zhao Qianjun didn’t move, yet an invisible wall of Qi instantly appeared in front of the stage, blocking all of Lin Batian’s violent Aura!

”Instructor Lin!” Zhao Qianjun’s voice carried an unquestionable authority. ”This is the site of the Tianfeng Academy assessment, not your City Lord’s Mansion’s courtroom! Whether Ye Chen violated the rules or practiced Evil Techniques will be determined by my Tianfeng Academy. It is not your place to interfere!”

His gaze was like lightning as it swept over Lin Batian: ”You keep saying he practiced Evil Techniques, but do you have evidence? If you have no proof and want to seize someone based solely on suspicion, what do you take my Tianfeng Academy for?”

Lin Batian’s face turned pale and then flushed. He indeed had no evidence. Those three assassins were arranged by him privately and could not be brought to light. He had originally intended to use his status and strength to forcibly suppress the boy, but he hadn’t expected Zhao Qianjun to be so firm.

”Steward Zhao, this boy...” He still wanted to argue.

”Enough!” Zhao Qianjun interrupted directly, his tone icy. ”The assessment results are set. Ye Chen is ranked in the top ten and meets our academy’s recruitment standards. If you continue to make trouble without reason, do not blame me for showing no mercy!”

A Spiritual Pressure far deeper and more vast than Lin Batian’s faintly emanated from Zhao Qianjun, making Lin Batian’s heart tremble. He forced himself to swallow the words he was about to say. He knew very well that this Tianfeng Academy steward’s strength was definitely not below his own, and might even be superior.

The scene froze for a moment.

Just then, a cold and pleasant voice rang out:

”Instructor Lin has quite a temper.”

The crowd parted once more, and Ye Qingxue, dressed in white and accompanied by Uncle Fu, walked over slowly. She looked at Lin Batian with a calm gaze and spoke indifferently: ”Ye Chen is a disciple of my Ye Family. Even if he has done wrong, he will be dealt with according to our Ye Family’s rules. For Instructor Lin to overstep his bounds, isn’t that a bit against the rules? Or is it that the City Lord’s Mansion can now freely interfere in my Ye Family’s internal affairs?”

Her words were soft, yet each carried the weight of gold, directly elevating the issue to the Family level!

Lin Batian’s eyes twitched; he was even more wary of Ye Qingxue. Not only was she the eldest Young Miss of the Ye Family’s direct line and exceptionally talented, but she was also deeply favored by the Ye Family Head. Her status was far beyond what a mere instructor of the City Lord’s Mansion could compare to.

”Young Miss Qingxue, you overstate the matter. Lin has no such intention.” Lin Batian was forced to suppress his anger and managed to squeeze out a slight smile. ”It was just a matter of duty; concern led to confusion.”

”Since it’s a misunderstanding, it’s best to clear it up,” Ye Qingxue said indifferently, characterizing the matter as a ”misunderstanding.” She then turned to Zhao Qianjun and bowed slightly. ”Steward Zhao, the Ye Family’s lack of discipline has caused you trouble. The Ye Family has no objection to the assessment results.”

Zhao Qianjun’s expression softened slightly, and he nodded. ”It is good that Young Miss Qingxue is reasonable.”

Lin Batian stood to the side, his face so dark it looked like it could drip ink. He glared fiercely at Ye Chen on the stage, his eyes conveying that ”this isn’t over.” Then, with a cold snort, he flicked his sleeves and left, not even bothering with pleasantries.

The disturbance was temporarily quelled through the joint efforts of Ye Qingxue and Zhao Qianjun.

The crowd below watched this scene with varying thoughts. Anyone could see that Ye Chen not only possessed startling talent but also seemed to have a deep connection with the Ye Family’s eldest Young Miss, even making Lin Batian back down. This boy was certainly no ordinary person!

Zhao Qianjun’s gaze once again swept over the ten selected people on the stage, lingering for a moment on Ye Chen in particular. He announced loudly: ”The assessment is over! Those selected, gather here at dawn in three days to follow me to Tianfeng Academy!”

”Yes!” the ten people on stage, including Ye Chen, responded in unison.

The dust had settled.

Ye Chen stepped off the stage, came before Ye Qingxue, and gave a solemn salute: ”Thank you, Cousin, for helping me out.”

Ye Qingxue looked at him, a hint of complexity flashing in her eyes. She said softly, ”There’s no need to thank me. Lin Batian is a man who seeks revenge for the smallest grievance. Although he retreated today, he will never let this go. Once you reach Tianfeng Academy, you must be careful in everything. Within the academy, although private killing is prohibited, overt and covert struggles—and even ’accidental’ deaths—are not unheard of.”

”I understand,” Ye Chen nodded. He never placed his hopes entirely on the protection of others.

”Prepare well.” Ye Qingxue said no more and turned to leave with Uncle Fu.

Ye Chen watched her retreating back, then glanced in the direction where Lin Batian had disappeared, his eyes deep.

He knew that Qingyun City was only the starting point, and Tianfeng Academy was not the end. The road ahead was still covered in thorns, surrounded by powerful enemies.

But the qingfeng sword in his hand was already unsheathed, its sharpness beginning to show. How could it become blunt just because of a few obstacles?

He gripped the hilt behind his back, feeling the cool touch and the internal sharpness.

Tianfeng Academy, Liuyun Sword Sect, a broader world... I, Ye Chen, have arrived!