CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48 FEDERATION ACADEMY COMPETITION_1

Upon hearing Wang Qi’s words, Wang Zhan’s eyes lit up instantly.

However, before he could say anything, Wang Qi saw through his little agenda and said flatly, "Don’t even think about it. Your appearance here alone has already made me quite unhappy. The level 8 beast has nothing to do with you."

"I see..."

Wang Zhan managed a bitter laugh. If it were someone else, he would have feigned agreement, planning to swoop in for the kill later, but facing Wang Qi, he didn’t dare to resist in the least.

The scars of past bullying have left a deep psychological shadow.

"Can I, at least, go and watch? I promise not to act," Wang Zhan suggested. "Besides, my current strength should suffice for survival against a level 8 beast, right? And with you around, there is nothing to worry about."

Wang Qi took a deep look at Wang Zhan. She understood her brother’s temperament. If she didn’t agree now, he would likely go against her directives later.

"Okay, but you better behave yourself!" she told him.

Wang Zhan and his two friends followed Wang Qi shortly after.

The level 8 beast Wang Qi mentioned was a Mammoth Beast. It was a creature that had undergone atavistic regression after being exposed to cosmic Spiritual Energy.

The Mammoth Beast was enormous, one of the largest among soldier-level beasts.

Furthermore, the Mammoth Beast’s defensive capabilities were impressive. Even a level 7 Martial Artist wielding soldier-level weapons would have a hard time injuring it.

"The decision to target the Mammoth Beast this time is entirely thanks to Sister Qi. We two are just here to tag along," Zhou Yi explained with a laugh.

Hearing this, Wang Zhan looked at Wang Qi doubtfully, only stopping after receiving a disapproving glance from her.

"Indeed, we’re not completely sure we can eliminate the Mammoth Beast, but we are confident we can get away safely," Wang Qi said. "The Mammoth Beast’s enormous size is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Its speed is slow, so there’s not too much to worry about."

Along the way, Wang Qi told Wang Zhan and his friends about her adventures in the wilderness. Her experiences were quite captivating, as she was among the top Martial Artists of their senior year.

Wang Zhan had been too weak in the past, so weak that Wang Qi rarely mentioned matters related to Martial Artists to him. But now was different. Wang Zhan had displayed astonishing aptitude, so Wang Qi would proactively share many things with him.

About an hour later, after venturing another ten kilometers or so into the Valley Plain, Wang Qi, who was leading the way, suddenly raised her hand.

"Little Yi, go check out the situation."

Zhou Yi nodded, crouched, and disappeared into the meter-high wild grass in an instant.

"Such speed!" Wang Zhan and his friends exclaimed in surprise. Zhou Yi had spoken with them a lot along the way and didn’t seem like someone who acted so decisively.

Wang Qi maintained a vigilant posture, while Yue Xinyue explained, "Our team exists entirely for Sister Qi. Besides being a Martial Artist, I’m also proficient in surgery, acting as her support. Zhou Yi specializes in agility and is her scout."

Wang Zhan and his friends listened, completely bewildered. A team like that actually exists?

Yue Xinyue chuckled. "Sister Qi’s Talent is excellent. Actually, if she were willing, she might have already broken through to the Warrior realm by now. It’s just that she’s been constantly refining and suppressing her realm, pushing her own limits. But even so, a few days ago, she still had to break through to become a level 8 Martial Artist."

"Level 8? You broke through again?" Wang Zhan stared at Wang Qi, stunned.

Before this, Wang Zhan had always thought his own breakthrough speed was already very fast.

It had been less than three months since the semester began, and he had already broken through all the way to become a level 5 Martial Artist! This lightning-fast speed was built upon the System.

Because of the System’s assistance, Wang Zhan could engage in cultivation rapidly without any reservations.

But Wang Qi was different; she was genuinely progressing based on her own Talent.

Wang Zhan remembered that before the semester started, Wang Qi had just become a level 6 Martial Artist. In just two months, she had reached level 8, and it was a breakthrough she ’had to’ make while still suppressing her realm. If word of this got out, it would probably infuriate many people.

Other Martial Artists tried every method to break through levels, but Wang Qi was different. If she didn’t have to, she would continue to suppress her realm.

"That’s Sister Qi for you," Huang Pufeng and Song Dongming exclaimed in unison.

"When did you two become such bootlickers?" Wang Zhan shot his companions an odd look.

He knew Wang Qi was formidable, but there was no need to suck up this much, was there?

"What do you know? Sister Qi was the only Martial Artist from outside the four major Martial Arts Academies to make it into the top ten in the last Federation Academy Competition!" Huang Pufeng said.

Song Dongming also chimed in, "That’s right! Our Military Martial Arts Academy gets so many resources allocated to it now, and it’s largely thanks to Sister Qi making a splash back then."

"Hold on, Federation Academy Competition?" Wang Zhan raised an eyebrow. How come I’ve never heard of this thing?

"The Federation has so many Martial Arts Academies, and resources are centrally planned and distributed by the Federation’s high-levels. As for the distribution method, it’s naturally based on student quality. Thus, the Federation Academy Competition came into being."

Song Dongming explained, "In every competition, over 80% of the top 100 students are from the four major Martial Arts Academies. As for the top ten, they’re usually completely dominated by them. The only exception was the last competition."

Wang Zhan was stunned by this. He couldn’t help but pat Wang Qi, who was in front of him.

"Sis, why didn’t you ever tell me about something so major?"

Wang Qi turned her head back. "Just think about what you were like this time last year."

Wang Zhan was suddenly rendered speechless.

After waiting for another ten or so minutes, Zhou Yi finally returned.

"The information is correct. There’s a pool ahead that’s the Mammoth Beast’s territory. The Mammoth Beast is there right now, sleeping," Zhou Yi reported.

Wang Qi nodded. "Let’s go!"

The group of six moved quickly. In less than half an hour, they could already see a swamp-like terrain in the distance.

The ground beneath their feet had changed from soil to mud. The once-dense weeds gradually became sparse, and even the air was filled with a moist scent.

"With such a huge body, it still comes to a swamp land? Isn’t it afraid of getting stuck?" Wang Zhan grumbled.

"The Mammoth Beast can control the earth and water elements around it. It’s a relatively special Talent skill. This swamp land is actually its home turf," Yue Xinyue explained with a smile.

"Alright, I’m going. You all be careful," Wang Qi said, sounding impatient. Perhaps she was embarrassed by Wang Zhan’s ignorance.

As soon as she finished speaking, Wang Qi revealed herself without hesitation. Simultaneously, a suffocating aura emanated from her.

So strong, Wang Zhan thought, inwardly alarmed.

He had originally thought that with his attributes nearing 1,000 points, he could at least exchange a couple of blows with Wang Qi. Yet, at this moment, merely her aura made him feel somewhat overwhelmed.

It was hard to imagine this was merely a level 8 Martial Artist.

Meanwhile, the Mammoth Beast on the other side had already been startled awake and was now glaring intently at Wang Qi.

"Stay put and don’t interfere!"

After casually warning them, Wang Qi drew the longsword from her back and charged forward.

In an instant, she was already before the Mammoth Beast! She slashed out with her sword, but it was blocked by the Mammoth Beast’s tusk, sending sparks flying.

"The Mammoth Beast’s tusks are made of very high-quality material. Although it’s only a level 8 beast, its tusks can be used as material for soldier-level equipment and are exceptionally tough," Zhou Yi explained from the side.

Hearing this, Wang Zhan immediately focused his gaze on the nearly two-meter-long tusks. He then noticed that every time the tusks and Wang Qi’s longsword collided, sword marks were left behind.

"Sister Qi’s weapon is extraordinary," Song Dongming, also a sword user, instantly noticed the difference in Wang Qi’s longsword.

"That’s the Moon Tidal Sword, a General-level weapon crafted by the master weaponsmith Rui Feng!" Zhou Yi said with a smile. "It was a reward from last year’s Federation Academy Competition. Many mentors are envious of it, you know."

"A General-level weapon?" Wang Zhan’s spirits lifted.

General-level equipment is a tier above soldier-level, and not just by a small margin.

While they were discussing this, the battle between Wang Qi and the Mammoth Beast had already intensified.

Wang Qi’s speed wasn’t exceptionally fast, and her sword style was one of broad, sweeping attacks. However, each strike was filled with such an imposing aura that it left no room for evasion; one could only meet it head-on.

This made it clear she intended to defeat the Mammoth Beast directly.

Time ticked by. Finally, under the relentless assault of Wang Qi’s Moon Tidal Sword, one of the Mammoth Beast’s supposedly indestructible tusks was forcefully severed.

"With one tusk gone, more than half your body is now an opening. You’re finished," Wang Qi’s face broke into an icy smile, and her attacks quickened further.

After a sidestep, she had already reached an opening on the Mammoth Beast’s flank. This was an excellent opportunity.

But just then, Wang Qi suddenly felt the ground beneath her become unstable.

"Be careful, it’s its Talent skill!" Zhou Yi, seeing this from a distance, quickly shouted a warning.

Actually, even without Zhou Yi’s warning, Wang Qi already knew what was happening.

She immediately leaped high. Following that, the ground where she had been standing suddenly turned into a pool of muddy water. The swamp land that could have supported her weight had now completely transformed.

Not only that, but the area of the transforming swamp land was also expanding. In a moment, the entire area within a ten-meter radius around the Mammoth Beast had turned into a pool, leaving no solid ground to stand on.

"This skill is so powerful! It’s practically unbeatable for staying alive," Wang Zhan exclaimed in amazement. Then he asked, "Should we go help? She can only stand on the beast’s back now."

"No need. Just watch the show," Zhou Yi said, having complete confidence in Wang Qi.

As if to confirm Zhou Yi’s words.

At this moment, Wang Qi stood balanced on the Mammoth Beast’s back, her expression stern. The light around her suddenly dimmed.

Though it was clearly a bright, sunny afternoon, the area around Wang Qi grew dim, and faint starlight could be seen twinkling.

"Dream Shadow Sword Technique!"

Wang Qi’s sword descended, leaving Wang Zhan and the others, who were watching from a distance, completely stunned.