Chapter 170: Chapter 169: Miwu Ghost Forest

Soon, three hours had passed.

And the opponent arrived at the martial arts arena punctually.

The eleventh-ranked student among the second stage students was a young man about twenty-four or twenty-five years old.

He introduced himself as Jin Zhenggang.

He was significantly older than Xu Lingjun, yet after several years, he remained a second stage student, suggesting that his talent wasn’t great.

But being ranked 11th on the list shows he must be extremely hardworking.

He arrived with a simple, honest smile on his face.

First, he greeted the teacher, then shook hands with Xu Lingjun, sincerely expressing that it was an honor to spar with the Dragon Gate Champion Scholar.

He appeared to be a rather amiable young man.

But once they both stepped into the sealed martial arts arena.

He immediately showed his true colors.

His eyes were full of teasing mirth as he looked at Xu Lingjun, with a sinister grin on his face, he sneered, “As expected, yet another fool falls for it… hahaha, I knew you would find challenging the top ten too troublesome, so the eleventh would become your best target, and I, need someone to challenge me, because it’s how I earn academic credits, which is why I’m ranked eleventh.”

Xu Lingjun asked in surprise, “You deliberately controlled your ranking?”

“That’s right, in fact, two years ago, I could have broken through the Huichuan Realm to become a Tier Three student, but I have no interest in Tier Three at all, academic credits are tangible, and the higher you go, the harder it is to earn… so every time I was about to break through, I would deliberately get injured, then suppress my realm. In reality, I’m much stronger than normal True Transformation Realm martial artists now,”

Jin Zhenggang laughed maniacally, “Dragon Gate Champion Scholar, in the end, you’re just a freshman who has been in school for a month. Do you really think you’re invincible in the True Transformation realm? Come on, kid, I’ll teach you a lesson.”

He seemed to consider Xu Lingjun nothing more than a disposable fool, and since the trap was set… he didn’t even bother to disguise his intentions anymore.

“Such a sinister fellow, this fight will be even more satisfying.”

Xu Lingjun bent slightly, thinking to himself that he was underestimated?

Joking… I never underestimate any enemy.

“Come on!”

Jin Zhenggang laughed arrogantly, leaping towards Xu Lingjun, his True Qi already refined and gathered in his fist, he punched towards Xu Lingjun.

He had actually been in school for many years, and because he intentionally hid his strength, he lingered in the True Transformation Realm much longer than others… his combat experience was immensely rich. This punch seemed straightforward, but it concealed several variations, and as long as Xu Lingjun dared to dodge, no matter which direction he evaded, he would face an even more violent assault.

But Xu Lingjun didn’t move.

He simply extended his left palm forward, with his right hand clenched in a fist at his waist, seemingly gathering strength.

Not dodging?

Does he intend to go down together with me?

Naive, this year’s Dragon Gate Champion is too naive.

Jin Zhenggang hesitated no longer, just imagining dragging the Dragon Gate Champion out like a dead dog… that feeling of being in the spotlight…

Yes, suppressing my cultivation was indeed the right choice.

All the intricacies transformed into simple brute force, concentrated in his fist, crashing onto Xu Lingjun’s chest.

With a bang.

Like hitting cotton, the expected scene of blood, flying back, and collapsing didn’t happen.

Instead, his fist surged with intense pain.

It felt like his fist had been violently hit by the opponent’s chest.

While the opponent remained completely unmoved.

For a moment, they both just stared at each other, wide-eyed.

And then…

“I’m ready now.”

Xu Lingjun shouted, throwing a punch of his own.

This punch was like a thunderous explosion echoing between Jin Zhenggang’s ears, and before the pain even hit, a flash of white light blinded his eyes, followed by a tremendous pain.

It felt like being hit by a high-speed train going 400 km/h while running at full speed…

The previously proud Protective True Qi was as fragile as a piece of paper, torn apart effortlessly, then the Fist Force seeped into his internal organs.

He spewed a mouthful of fresh blood.

Jin Zhenggang was blasted horizontally, flying over ten meters, rolling on the ground for a long distance, then collapsing powerlessly on the ground, saliva dripping down the corner of his mouth, he seemed to have been beaten senselessly.

“How… is it… possible…”

Jin Zhenggang looked dazedly at Xu Lingjun, who stood there, patting the dust off his chest.

He wanted to raise his hand, but his right hand felt broken, unable to lift.

He just watched, wide-eyed, as Xu Lingjun lifted his foot, dragging him outside…

Outside.

Many students who were processing papers and preparing for the challenge couldn’t help but pay attention to what was happening inside this martial arts arena.

However, challenges were isolated, and besides the instructor, no outsiders were allowed to watch the fighting scenes, merely to prevent secrets from being leaked.

But in their spare time, they couldn’t help but discuss in whispers…

One is the Dragon Gate Champion Scholar, who caused quite a stir upon entering school, although later faded into the crowd.

And the other one is ranked eleventh on the second stage student list, although he never dared to challenge the top ten.

A dragon-tiger duel between these two is bound to happen… Um…

Amidst the crowd’s discussions, the door opened wide.

Xu Lingjun dragged Jin Zhenggang out by his foot, unceremoniously tossed him on the ground, and said, “Instructor, I won.”

“Ah… Hmm, you… you won.”

The instructor was stunned for a moment; he was probably the only one who witnessed the battle.

Precisely because he saw it, he was even more shocked…

Using one’s own body to attack another’s fist, and then sending him flying.

This combat method, honestly, he was seeing for the first time in his life.

“Cheating, he cheated… I’m reporting… unfair…”

Jin Zhenggang seemed to have gotten punched senseless, only mumbling incoherently with drool.

The instructor sighed; he had witnessed this martial test throughout.

Xu Lingjun dressed very lightly, clearly without wearing protective clothing… Right, his body could train to that level of defense power, is there any need for protective clothing?

Isn’t it just unnecessary like taking off pants to fart?

“Yes, you won.”

He ignored the defeated one below and signaled Xu Lingjun to bring over his academic credit card, gently swiping it.

On the card, a huge number “11” was already displayed on it.

The 89 academic credits risked earlier during the challenge had now been returned.

The surrounding crowd was instantly in an uproar, this… winning just like that?

Xu Lingjun was too fast, it felt like the two just entered, exchanged a few words, and in the brief time they faced each other, he already won?

“Congratulations, Xu Tongxue.”

The instructor sincerely smiled and said, “From today, you’re the student ranked eleventh on the second stage list, and every first day of the month, you can earn 39 extra academic credits as a reward. Plus, entering the Secret Realm, you can waive the 20 credit fee, but since you’re ranked eleventh, if someone challenges you, within three days, you must accept the challenge, understand?”

“Thank you, instructor.”

Xu Lingjun nodded agreeing, glanced at the seemingly foolish Jin Zhenggang, and asked, “Instructor, should I call a doctor?”

“Don’t worry, only severe injuries to his organs plus a fractured right arm. I’ll arrange medical staff for his treatment.”

The instructor clearly knew Jin Zhenggang’s character.

His gaze held disdain as he said, “Every year, he purposely gets injured; this year just happened not to yet. You considered helping him quite a bit… Although the injuries might be more severe than he imagined, hmm, he’ll likely need to pay a lot of credits to heal. You were headed to the Secret Realm, right? Remember to prepare well, and bring your teaching assistant along.”

“Thank you for the guidance, instructor. I will.”

Xu Lingjun nodded.

After parting with the instructor, he headed toward the Secret Realm.

Everything that needed to be asked was clarified, and he’s now eager to enter that Secret Realm to explore the internal situation.

Moreover, all the preparations were done in advance.

Masks, clothes, etc….

He had been to the Secret Realm before, mainly to see if there’s any good task needing doing, but never truly entered deep.

The entry point of the Miwu Ghost Forest is located at the very perimeter of the Secret Realm area.

Just stepping into the Miwu Ghost Forest area, Xu Lingjun found that upon entering, everyone had already put on masks or face-covering tools.

No one revealed their identity.

Nearby, there’s a dedicated dressing area.

Following suit, he also went in to change clothes, coming out from one of several random exits.

It seems the Martial Mansion thought it through thoroughly, several entrances and exits, clothing changed, no worry of being identified.

Meanwhile, many students were lining up to pay credits…

But everyone’s original face couldn’t be seen, not even distinguishing genders, it looked as if they were having Halloween.

Soon, it was Xu Lingjun’s turn.

“Hello, please mark the name you plan to use in the Secret Realm this time on record here.”

The staff member looked up suddenly shivering uncontrollably.

The person in front of him was dressed all in black clothing, wearing a deathly white mask, with red swirling circles painted on the cheeks of the mask, looking peculiarly eerie and terrifying.

“Uh…”

The staff member couldn’t help swallow, just moments ago, the strong voice softened considerably, he gently asked, “Could you tell me the code name you’ve prepared to use…”

“Jigsaw!”

Xu Lingjun replied hoarsely, using a specially bought voice changer.