Chapter 359

Chapter 359: Trial by Combat

After Yan Liuyan finished speaking, the atmosphere on the scene immediately tensed.

Scattered leaves lay on the ground, dark brown withered branches mixed with green tender leaves. More than fifty members of ‘Jungle Archers’ were hidden among them, some slowly retreating, some standing still, and others looking bewildered.

Many students were only between 16-20 years old, and they had always been studying and living at school. They never imagined that the world would change so quickly. The once peaceful and beautiful Emanas seemed to have changed overnight. Those renowned high-sequence teachers and wise elders appeared like emotionless puppets, mechanically teaching and arranging activities according to past plans, turning a blind eye to everything happening within the school.

This made many students who were accustomed to relying on their teachers feel very uncomfortable. Some were extremely anxious, others were terrified, and still others wanted to escape the academy and return home for safety. Although the ‘Black Veil’ members wouldn’t kill anyone, they would arrange treatment for those severely injured. But if one lost their own identity, what was the difference from being killed? Free will might be more important than life itself to some.

Nowadays, Emanas was different from before. With teachers and wise elders remaining silent and inactive, many things began to change within the school.

Firstly, students started to band together. Fewer people were acting alone; most gradually gathered around clubs. They tried to stay together as much as possible when attending classes, eating, or even resting. Those loners either had exceptional skills or would be forcibly recruited by ‘Black Veil’ members and join the club. They had developed a mature method of preaching, and with the help of special potions, it worked incredibly well, making every student in the academy feel threatened.

Secondly, a martial spirit became popular. Originally, Chongzhai Academy pursued elegance and various hobbies, but now everyone turned to matters related to combat. They practiced against each other, improved their techniques, and developed new spells or skills. Even conservative factions began to exchange insights. The crafting of extraordinary weapons and potions became increasingly popular, and it was common to see advertisements seeking excellent materials and finished products on the bulletin board.

Lastly, the various academies began to isolate themselves. The situation of freely visiting each other was gradually disappearing. Other academies learned about the strange phenomena occurring within Chongzhai Academy. Under uncertain circumstances, each academy began to prohibit students from other schools from casually entering their campus to prevent the spread of unknown organizations and the infiltration of intelligence-gathering personnel.

Yan Liuyan frowned, displeased and contemptuous, seeing no one among these people capable of making decisions, whispering to each other below.

“Hmph, they’re just a disorganized mob.”

Not all clubs had strong organizational power, and many presidents took their positions merely because members were familiar with them. Nothing was wrong with this during normal times, but during critical moments, it was difficult to unify the entire club.

“What should we do? Should we run away?” Three people hiding behind the rubble whispered quickly.

“It’s not a good idea to leave while others are still here,” one of them disagreed.

“But waiting here is just giving our opponents an advantage. This fight is doomed to fail. Reality isn’t a story in poetry; can you suddenly become stronger?” A short-haired youth bit down on a slightly bitter leaf and complained.

“If we can’t win, the earlier we leave, the better. I don’t want to be brainwashed.”

“Exactly. Then why are you still standing there?”

“Because if everyone else stays and I run away alone, it would be too embarrassing.”

“Hard to believe you come from a noble family. How can you lack backbone?”

“Noble families must consider the situation. As a disregarded youngest son, there’s no need to live such a strenuous life. It’s enough to be comfortable.”

“Enough, stop talking. That person over there is getting impatient.”

Seeing these students still confused and hesitant, Yan Liuyan decided to take action rather than argue with them further.

The long red iron saber was drawn again, and a scorching wave of fire rapidly swept through the forest, burning all weeds and dead branches. The scene instantly became clear. Behind him, black-robed members poured into the forest, beginning to capture the ‘Jungle Archers’.

The battle began.

The sound of bowstrings vibrated densely in the woods. Enchanted long feathers arrows shot out like a dense rain, piercing through the bodies of a batch of black-robed members, causing blood to spurt. Painful screams, clashing weapons, burning flames, and falling trees echoed throughout the forest.

But soon, the ‘Jungle Archers’ couldn’t hold on any longer. On one hand, their enchanted arrows were limited, and ordinary arrows were ineffective against extraordinary beings, easily blocked and resisted. On the other hand, the number of high-sequence members among them was clearly less than their opponents. Black-robed swordsmen began chasing the archers wearing dark leather armor, while those who fell were restricted and bound.

“Violence is indeed simple and satisfying,” Yan Liuyan said, arms crossed, feeling somewhat bored, ready to lean against a tree and rest.

Whoosh—

A slender and dark red feather arrow pierced through the dense branches, chaotic scene, and fighting crowd, directly heading towards the closed-eyed Yan Liuyan. Its speed was incredible, almost unseen, and if not for the faint sound of air breaking, it wouldn’t even be noticed passing by.

The scorching blade emerged partially from its sheath, and with a metallic clash, though not fully drawn, the blade cleanly sliced the arrow in half.

Could it be that an interesting opponent has finally appeared? Yan Liuyan thought. It was time to test his saber. He hadn’t had a thrilling fight since reaching this level of strength.

He slashed directly at the arrow’s path, the saber light blinding white, flames condensed within, intending to cut through the forest layers and injure the enemy.

“I’m right here~”

A clear and ethereal voice sounded above. Yan Liuyan looked up and saw an elf girl flying in the air with transparent butterfly wings, followed by three incoming arrows.

Each arrow bore flowing inscriptions, moving incredibly fast.

He swung his saber again to strike these arrows, several thuds sounding on the blade, the arrows exploding, and then he felt the tremor in his right hand, nearly losing his long saber.

“Haha, isn’t this interesting?” The elf girl laughed, her fingertips covered in pale blue nails emitting dangerous light, following a peculiar trajectory straight for Yan Liuyan’s neck.

(End of Chapter 359)