The next day, Ling Feng attended his classes as usual, catching the imperial history lecture given by the beautiful mentor, Su Qingxuan.
Su Qingxuan was quite surprised to see Ling Feng back. Although Ling Feng had promised not to skip classes without reason, going out on missions was something beyond his control.
Soon, the classes ended, and Ling Feng took Jiang Xiaofan to the East Court's sword team training ground.
To cut to the chase, it was best to settle the matter of Jiang Xiaofan joining the sword team quickly. He could then start training with everyone else and still make it in time for the Five Courts' Sword Team Grand Competition.
Ling Feng had high hopes for Jiang Xiaofan. A drop of Xuanwu blood was enough to completely transform him.
East Court's sword team, training ground.
"What? Ling Feng, you can't be serious. Even if you want to look out for your brother, you can't do this."
Before Gu Tengfeng, the leader, could speak, the arrogant Ye Nanfeng shouted out upon hearing that Ling Feng was recommending Jiang Xiaofan for the East Court's sword team.
Vice-captain Gong Cheng also nodded, saying sincerely, "Ling Feng, I understand your feelings. Xiaofan is indeed very diligent. In another year or two, he might reach the standard for the sword team, but right now..."
Gong Cheng shook his head thoughtfully before saying, "Honestly, with the Five Courts' Sword Team Grand Competition approaching, I don't think recruiting new members at this time is wise."
"Right, I agree with the vice-captain," Ye Nanfeng nodded repeatedly.
Xue Xiaolin also frowned, crossing her arms and pouting. "Ling Feng, Xiaofan, sorry, but I also agree with Gong Cheng."
As for Lin Mochen, Yu Sixian, and Li Bufan, they just stood by without expressing any opinion.
However, Li Bufan, who was a fellow student of Jiang Xiaofan, had witnessed Jiang Xiaofan's remarkable physical strength during gravity training sessions. He knew Ling Feng's recommendation wasn't simply out of friendship.
Otherwise, Ling Feng could have suggested that Jiang Xiaofan join the team long ago.
Ling Feng pursed his lips and smiled lightly, saying, "I understand everyone's concerns, but Xiaofan is completely different from before. The captain should be aware of this, right?"
Gu Tengfeng nodded slightly. "Yes. Xiaofan is indeed not the same as he was. I've been considering inviting him to join the sword team. However, Gong Cheng's concerns are valid. If Xiaofan can't keep up, it could be a problem..."
"Captain Gu, please rest assured. I will definitely keep up!" Jiang Xiaofan stepped forward, gritting his teeth.
"Xiaofan, I believe in your determination," Gu Tengfeng nodded, pondered for a moment, and then looked at Ye Nanfeng with a smile. "How about this? You spar with Nanfeng. You've opened ten or so meridian gates so far, so if you can withstand three of his moves, I'll agree to you joining the sword team."
"Alright!" Jiang Xiaofan nodded firmly. "Thank you, Captain Gu."
"Hey, Xiaofan, don't get too happy too soon!" Ye Nanfeng cracked his knuckles and grinned. "Although we're friends, I won't hold back for the sake of the sword team's overall performance."
"Big Brother Nanfeng, just give it your best shot," Jiang Xiaofan said while gritting his teeth. "I won't easily give up the chance to join the sword team."
"Good, I'm glad you have such determination." Ye Nanfeng stretched a bit, drew his sword, and leaped onto a training platform. "Xiaofan, come up here!"
Ling Feng stepped forward and patted Jiang Xiaofan's shoulder while smiling. "Xiaofan, good luck!"
"Haha, Xiaofan, do your best. Don't embarrass us East Court guys!"
"Xiaofan, we're rooting for you!"
"Yes!" Jiang Xiaofan glanced deeply at Ling Feng, and then nodded to everyone before saying, "Don't worry, I won't embarrass our East Court!"
With that, Jiang Xiaofan took off his robe and jumped onto the platform, bare from the waist up.
"Big Brother Nanfeng, make your move!"
Jiang Xiaofan took a deep breath and silently activated the Xuanwu blood within him. In an instant, his aura became incredibly terrifying, as if a monstrous beast had fused with him.
In the next moment, everyone understood why Jiang Xiaofan had removed his outer robe. His body had suddenly grown significantly taller, reaching over two meters, with his muscles bulging exaggeratedly.
A humanoid beast – this term probably described someone like him.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that Jiang Xiaofan's body was covered in slightly raised patches of keratin[1] that were etched with strange patterns resembling some kind of ancient array.
"What an impressive defense!"
Ling Feng's mouth twitched slightly. It’s no wonder this guy could move effortlessly in a fifty-times gravity zone.
Ling Feng had previously tested his own limits. Even with his Primordial Locks unlocked, he found the forty-plus-times gravity zone quite challenging. Though Ling Feng had some energy left, Ouyang Jing and the others had mentioned that Jiang Xiaofan moved easily in the fifty-times gravity zone and was nowhere near his limit.
Xuanwu blood – it truly lived up to its reputation as the blood of a divine beast!
Everyone present was stunned. It was then clear why Ling Feng had recommended Jiang Xiaofan for the sword team. With such a special bloodline, Jiang Xiaofan was comparable to the hidden talents selected for special training each year at Tianwei Academy.
Gu Tengfeng was equally shocked by Jiang Xiaofan. He had witnessed Jiang Xiaofan's breakthrough firsthand and knew he had gained a great opportunity. However, he hadn't expected Jiang Xiaofan's strength to increase tenfold in such a short time!
Ye Nanfeng's expression grew serious. He had suffered a great loss to Ling Feng before, and it seemed there was a risk of that repeating.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Nanfeng secretly activated his true qi. All forty-eight of his meridian gates opened and he concentrated all his true qi on the tip of his sword. He struck out fiercely, while shouting, "Cloud Emerging from the Mountain!"
As the sword technique was executed, Lin Mochen and Yu Sixian's eyes widened.
"Damn, Old Ye is serious!" Lin Mochen exclaimed.
"He has to be serious! Jiang Xiaofan has truly transformed for the better," Yu Sixian said while pursing his lips. He thought to himself, if Jiang Xiaofan joins the sword team, I might end up on the bench like the other substitutes.
I'll have more time to flirt with the pretty junior students.
If Gu Tengfeng knew what Yu Sixian was thinking, he would probably have kicked him to death.
Ling Feng pursed his lips. Having been a member of the East Court's sword team for a while, he knew that Cloud Emerging from the Mountain was Ye Nanfeng's most powerful move from the Clear Wind Thirteen Swords. Its piercing power was terrifying which clearly meant that Ye Nanfeng wanted to break through Jiang Xiaofan's defense in one strike.
"Xiaofan, be careful!"
Ye Nanfeng shouted, and sword qi filled the air, accompanied by a gale force. Sword qi as elusive as smoke and clouds pierced right toward Jiang Xiaofan's left chest.
At that moment, everyone held their breath.
It was a contest between Ye Nanfeng's destructive power and Jiang Xiaofan's defense!
1. Imagine it as animal scale maybe? or the scientific term to describe it is stratum corneum / outermost layer of the epidermis ☜