Xu Wuyi’s gaze lingered on ng Jingyuan’s profile for a mont before moving to the next person.
The second person was a woman in a white training uniform. She had a cold, aloof air, and a sword was secured at her waist.
"Bai Li. She’s a genius from the East Sea Bai Family. She just graduated from the Starry Sky Martial Arts Academy last year. Her Life Energy Level is 35.8. Her Swordsmanship is nimble and unpredictable, and she excels at using softness to overco hardness."
’She’s very strong indeed.’
’At my current Level 34.8, I’m at a disadvantage in terms of Energy Level.’
’But a battle between Martial Artists isn’t a simple comparison of numbers. True Intention, Martial Techniques, combat experience, on-the-spot adaptability... all these factors can influence the outco.’
"What about the strongest local fighter from the West Desert?" Xu Wuyi asked.
"My cousin, Ta Shan." Tana’s tone was sowhat complicated. "He’s the number one genius of this generation in the Ximo Royal Family. His Life Energy Level is 35.5, and he cultivates the Royal Family’s secret arts, the Sun Forging Body Technique and the Heaven-Burning Saber Technique."
’A level of 35.5 is considered very strong within the West Desert, but the outside help they’ve brought in consists of geniuses from across the entire Federation.’
’Of course, the West Desert’s connections aren’t extensive enough to gather every genius from the entire Federation. At least, I know for a fact that Hong Nianyi wasn’t invited.’
’If Senior Sister Hong’s na were on the list, I wouldn’t even consider aiming for first place.’
’Even if Hong Nianyi were only at her level from last year’s youth tournant, I’d still have a very hard ti fighting her as I am now.’
’I’d have to wait until my Energy Level breaks through Level 35 and I begin to initially condense my Heart Image before I’d even stand a chance.’
’But without Hong Nianyi, while the remaining people are strong, the files don’t ntion anyone who has already condensed a Heart Image ahead of schedule. That ans it’s a winnable fight.’
Xu Wuyi spent ten minutes carefully reading through the files Tana had provided.
ng Jingyuan, Bai Li, Ta Shan.
Three nas, three different Martial Arts styles, all of them powerful experts above Level 35.
Especially ng Jingyuan. A Life Energy Level of 36.2, combined with the domineering Saber Technique of the Thunder Blade Sect, made him a truly tough opponent.
But Xu Wuyi felt no fear in his heart.
Of course, strictly speaking, Ta Shan wasn’t an opponent, as he was also fighting on behalf of the Ximo Royal Family. They were on the sa side.
He put down the files and looked at Tana. "I’ll take this commission."
...
For the next three days, Xu Wuyi didn’t stay idle.
He accepted several level-two cleanup missions around Yuntai City through Star Martial University’s internal mission system.
They were all minor Star Beast disturbances. The difficulty wasn’t high, but they were very helpful for maintaining his combat readiness.
The missions took him a total of two and a half days and earned him less than five hundred points, but his goal was achieved.
His physical and ntal states were both adjusted to their peak condition.
On the evening of the third day, Xu Wuyi returned to Hidden Dragon Garden and quickly packed a bag.
Early the next morning, Tana’s call ca right on ti.
"The aircraft is already waiting outside the campus. Just co straight over."
Xu Wuyi picked up his backpack and walked out of Villa No. 7.
Hidden Dragon Garden was quiet in the early morning, with only a few scattered students doing their morning exercises.
He crossed the campus and arrived outside the east gate.
A silver-gray, dium-sized aircraft was parked in a designated berth, its streamlined fuselage reflecting the morning light.
Tana stood outside the cabin door, waving at him.
Xu Wuyi walked over and boarded the aircraft.
The cabin was more spacious than he had expected. Besides the cockpit, there were six adjustable seats and a small lounge area.
Three people were already sitting inside.
Xu Wuyi’s eyes swept across them, stopping on a person by the window.
That person also looked up at him, a trace of surprise flashing in their eyes.
"Junior Brother Xu?"
The speaker was a young man of about twenty-three or twenty-four with sharp features, dressed in a standard Star Martial University training uniform.
Xu Wuyi recognized the face—Gu Yang, a fourth-year student at Star Martial University.
He didn’t know Gu Yang just from being a fellow student, but because he had interacted with quite a few people on the internal network after joining Red Star.
Gu Yang was one of them. The profile picture he used on the internal network was his own photo, so it was hard not to recognize him now.
"Senior Brother Gu." Xu Wuyi nodded.
"It really is you." Gu Yang smiled, stood up, and walked over. "I was just wondering which expert Tana managed to invite. I didn’t expect it to be you."
He clapped Xu Wuyi on the shoulder and turned to introduce him to the two people beside him. "This is Xu Wuyi, the most monstrously talented freshman in our Star Martial University’s current class. He was promoted to a Martial Artist after just one year of enrollnt. I’m afraid he’s probably even stronger than , his senior, now."
The words were direct and tinged with self-deprecation, but his tone was frank.
The two people beside Gu Yang were a man and a woman.
The man was about twenty-five or twenty-six, with dark skin and rugged features. He wore a leather hunting outfit common in the West Desert, with a Curved Saber hanging from his waist.
The woman looked to be in her early twenties. She had a cold deanor and wore a dark blue, form-fitting martial arts uniform. A sheathed longsword was strapped to her back.
Both of them fixed their gazes on Xu Wuyi, their eyes filled with scrutiny.
"This is ng Ke, a young expert from the West Desert’s Canglang Tribe." Gu Yang pointed to the rugged man, then to the cold-looking woman.
"And this is Su Qing, the successor of Cold Sword Manor from Beiyuan Province. We were also commissioned to participate in the Fla Venerable’s tournant in the West Desert."
Xu Wuyi nodded to them. "Xu Wuyi, Star Martial University."
ng Ke grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "Beca a Martial Artist in a year? Interesting."
Su Qing rely gave a slight nod and said nothing.
Tana boarded the aircraft at that mont, and the cabin door closed automatically.
She sat down next to Xu Wuyi and said in a low voice, "The Canglang Tribe is very close with our Royal Family, so we’re on the sa side this ti."
Xu Wuyi nodded.
The aircraft’s engines let out a low hum and it slowly ascended into the air.
...
The flight from Yuntai City to the Western Desert Royal Capital would take about five hours.
The cabin soon fell quiet.
Gu Yang and ng Ke were talking in low voices, apparently discussing the distribution of Star Beasts in a certain region of the West Desert.
Su Qing closed her eyes to rest.
Tana, anwhile, opened her personal terminal, pulled up a map of the Western Desert Royal Capital, and began to show Xu Wuyi the specific venue for the tournant and its surrounding facilities.
"The Yanwu Arena is in the eastern district of the Western Desert Royal Capital. It’s a training ground directly under the Royal Family’s control and isn’t usually open to the public. It’s only being temporarily used because Senior Fla Venerable is setting up a tournant."
She pointed to a circular building on the holographic map. "The ring is in the center, and the spectator stands have three levels that can accommodate five thousand people. However, this tournant isn’t open to the public. Only people from invited factions can enter."
Xu Wuyi looked at the map and asked, "Where do the participants stay during the competition?"
"There’s a dedicated reception area next to the Yanwu Arena, with a private suite for each person," Tana said. "The Royal Family will handle all the logistics. You just need to focus on preparing for the matches."
Xu Wuyi nodded.
’The arrangents are quite thorough.’
The aircraft flew smoothly through the clouds. Outside the window was a vast expanse of desert and mountains.
The landscape of the West Desert was completely different from the Central Province—desolate and coarse, yet possessing a vast and rugged beauty.
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