The Villain Plundered the Children of Destiny’s Luck - Chapter 40:

Chapter 40: Keep Your Distance from Ye Tian and Yang Hao

Among the 100 people remaining on stage, there was one at the late-stage Postnatal Realm, thirty-seven at the mid-stage Postnatal Realm, and the rest were all at the early-stage Postnatal Realm.

“Alright, all of you step down and rest for a while. The third round will begin shortly. Those who were knocked off the arena will have a chance to challenge you. Each person will get one chance,” the instructor said. “As long as you can endure ten rounds, you will officially become students of the True Martial Academy.”

After half an hour of rest, the third round officially began. The 100 people were divided into ten groups, each arena holding ten participants. Those who had fallen earlier could choose any opponent they believed they could defeat to issue a challenge.

“I’ll go first. I challenge him,” a youth at the 4th stage Postnatal Realm declared as he stepped onto the arena, pointing at a white-robed boy at the 2nd stage Postnatal Realm.

Earlier, he had been unlucky, surrounded and beaten down by several early-stage martial artists. Among those who had ganged up on him was this very boy, so naturally, he wanted to reclaim his honor.

The chosen boy’s face turned grim. He had barely survived the previous round and now found himself targeted by someone at the 4th stage Postnatal Realm, whom he had once helped eliminate. This was clearly revenge. He knew if he stepped onto the stage, he would be pummeled. With no other choice, he said coldly, “Hmph! You win. I admit defeat!”

“Hmph! At least you know your place,” the challenger sneered. He then replaced the white-robed boy’s position.

With this start, more challenges quickly followed. Most challengers, however, chose opponents at the early-stage Postnatal Realm. Few dared to target those at the mid-stage, let alone Yang Hao, who stood at the late-stage.

The challenge matches continued for three hours before ending. In the end, about thirty participants were defeated and had their spots taken.

Out of the final 100 qualified students, nearly half had the backing of Innate Realm experts, while the rest were divided among other forces. Qin Xiao’s group passed without surprise, all gaining the right to enter the True Martial Academy.

Of course, the academy’s recruitment was not yet over. Tomorrow would be the selection for Body Tempering Realm cultivators and those under fifteen who had reached the 9th stage Body Tempering Realm. But most people were not very interested in that, since compared to the main event, it was just a sideshow.

Those who passed the assessment each received an identification token of the True Martial Academy—the official student token.

…

As night fell, the outstanding youths who had performed brilliantly in the assessment became the center of conversation. Especially Yang Hao—his cultivation at the 8th stage Postnatal Realm had crushed the entire arena. Combined with his striking appearance, his fame skyrocketed, and he quickly became the object of admiration for countless young girls in Xuanfeng City.

“Excellent, excellent. You all passed the True Martial Academy’s assessment and brought glory to our Lingfeng City. I am very pleased,” Qin Xiao said, stroking his beard in satisfaction. He then took out four banknotes, each worth 10,000 taels, and handed them to the four juniors. “This is your reward. When you arrive at the academy, you must cultivate diligently.”

“Thank you, grandfather!”
“Thank you, godfather!”
“Thank you, master!”

The four of them accepted the banknotes gratefully.

Qin Xiao nodded and said, “Good. Go rest now. You’ve had a tiring day. In two days, you will depart for Ji Prefecture City.”

“Yes!”

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. The academy’s recruitment ended, with a total of 124 students admitted. They would all follow the instructors to Ji Prefecture High Academy for study. Unless they broke through to the Innate Realm or had special circumstances, they would not return to Xuanfeng City for the next three years.

This was not because the academy forced them to stay, but simply because Ji Prefecture City was too far away. The journey alone would take one or two months. For those still in the Postnatal Realm, traveling back would be extremely difficult and dangerous. Only those who reached the Innate Realm had a measure of safety.

“Xiao Tian, when you reach Ji Prefecture, you must take good care of yourself. Don’t stir up trouble. Be cautious in all things,” Ye Suxin said, her eyes misty with reluctance. Her son had grown up and was now leaving for faraway cultivation. She might not see him for years.

“Mother, don’t worry. I will take care of myself. You must also look after yourself,” Ye Tian replied. Although he despised Qin Xiao, he had to admit that Qin Xiao treated his mother sincerely well. While not indulging her in everything, he had never wronged her. What Ye Tian worried about most was Yang Qingwu. With Qin Xiao’s lustful nature, once she grew up, he would certainly not let her go.

Ye Tian clenched his fists inwardly. He had to break through to the Innate Realm as soon as possible and return to take Yang Qingwu away, before she was ruined by that old villain Qin Xiao. He was confident he could do it within two years. And even if he failed, Yang Hao surely would. As long as one of them succeeded, they could protect Yang Qingwu.

On the other side, Yang Qingwu was saying her own farewells. “Brother, when you reach the academy, be careful in everything. Take good care of yourself,” she said softly, eyes filled with concern.

Yang Hao stroked her head affectionately. “Yes, I know. You must also look after yourself.” Looking at his sensible sister, Yang Hao vowed silently, “Don’t worry, Qingwu. I will soon break through to the Innate Realm. When that happens, I will take you away from the Qin Family with honor and dignity.” Deep down, the memory that tormented him most was how his sister had been forced to enter the Qin Family for the Yang Family’s sake.

“You two, once you’re at the academy, don’t cause trouble. Focus on cultivating, understand?” Qin Xiao reminded his grandson Qin Zhenyuan and granddaughter Qin Tianmei. After all, they were his bloodline, and some concern was necessary.

“We understand,” the two replied together.

Qin Xiao then secretly transmitted a message to them, “Remember, once you’re there, keep your distance from Ye Tian and Yang Hao. Stay far away from them and do not get involved in anything concerning them. Above all, don’t let others know you have any connection with them.” Both Ye Tian and Yang Hao were Children of Destiny. Wherever they went, they would be targeted. If his grandchildren were dragged into their mess, it would spell disaster.

“Yes!” Qin Zhenyuan and Qin Tianmei responded obediently, though confused by his words. Still, they followed them without question. The Qin Family’s way of raising children ensured absolute obedience. Those who disobeyed were beaten until they obeyed.