Chapter 879: Jiang Jiang Qinge

At dawn, Jiang Jiang Qinge opened her eyes, her clear and mysterious golden irises fixed on the bed curtain; perhaps still half-asleep, a rare languor lingered in her gaze.

She lay still on the bed—this was the Sacred Light Ancient Academy, and though she had lived here nearly half a year, she still had not grown accustomed to it; what she truly preferred was the room in Luo Lan Mansion, where stepping out led directly to a corridor bridge connecting to Li Luo's residence nearby.

Thinking of Li Luo, a faint smile curved her lips, and she reached beneath her pillow to pull out a yellowed marriage contract.

She held the contract before her, its outer surface inscribed with a delicate character: "marriage."

It was one she had written with her own hand.

Yet this contract had now been broken off.

Jiang Jiang Qinge lightly flicked the paper with her slender fingers, and deep within her golden eyes, a tide of deep amusement surged forth.

"Broken off…" A low, soft laugh echoed.

Then she sat up from the bed; sunlight streamed through the window, falling upon her slender figure clad in a white nightgown embroidered with a plump, adorable white goose—utterly charming.

It had been made for her by Dan Tai Lan herself.

The light pierced through the nightgown, faintly outlining her perfect figure.

At this moment, sunlight itself took on a beautiful shape.

Jiang Jiang Qinge idly tied up her long hair, tapped the "marriage contract" with her jade hand, and murmured to herself: "Li Luo, you truly have boldness—daring to break off my engagement."

"Since you've done this, before we meet again, you'd better live in constant fear—this white goose has wings, and when it flies away, you'll beg on your knees and still not get it back."

Imagining Li Luo kneeling before her, weeping helplessly, Jiang Jiang Qinge's morning mood instantly brightened.

Then she rose to wash and groom herself; once everything was neatly done, she casually picked up the Sacred Light Ancient Academy's white uniform coat, its design refined, embroidered with golden threads, and at its center back, a blazing golden sun radiating brilliant light.

After dressing, Jiang Jiang Qinge turned back to retrieve the marriage contract from beside her bed; she did not place it inside her space orb, but kept it pressed against her body.

Jiang Jiang Qinge's jade hand touched the contract pressed against her chest, and once again, Li Luo's image surfaced in her mind.

Li Luo, how are you faring in the Li Li Tianwang lineage?

I trust your ability—you will shine wherever you are, so let us both strive forward.

Jiang Jiang Qinge pushed open the door, light bathing her figure as she stepped out.

Today, she would face a promotion battle.

Soon after arriving at the Sacred Light Ancient Academy, she had officially entered the legendary "Celestial Star Court," a court level unique to this ancient academy, higher than the Four-Star Court she had known at the Sacred Mystic Star Academy.

The minimum requirement to enter the Celestial Star Court was Tian Xiang Jing.

In truth, the Celestial Star Court gathered the very core of the academy's accumulated talent over the past decade!

Among them, future Marquis-level experts were certain to emerge—this was undeniable; whether any would ascend to King status depended entirely on individual fortune.

Within the Celestial Star Court, there was an Upper Court and a Lower Court.

Jiang Jiang Qinge currently resided in the Lower Court, but today she would challenge a student of the Upper Court—if successful, she would truly enter the Upper Court.

The Upper Court of the Celestial Star Court held only ninety-nine seats, each occupied by one individual of Da Tian Xiang Jing strength, governed by a bottom-rank elimination system.

That is, the Upper Court seats were limited; to enter, you must knock someone down—this competition was undeniably ruthless.

Thus, promotion battles had always been the most sensational contests within this ancient academy.

Moreover, the one undergoing this promotion battle today was Jiang Jiang Qinge, the most renowned newcomer of the past half-year at the Sacred Light Ancient Academy.

So when Jiang Jiang Qinge arrived at the battle hall, the place was already packed with crowds, the clamor nearly overturning the dome.

Countless blazing gazes turned toward Jiang Jiang Qinge as she entered, filled with awe and admiration.

The Sacred Light Ancient Academy teemed with hidden dragons and crouching tigers—countless prodigies dwelled here, even top talents from Li Tianwang-level factions came here to train humbly.

Yet even so, over the past half-year Jiang Jiang Qinge had still shone brightly within the academy, not merely due to her beauty and aura, but also because of the invincible aura she radiated.

Upon entering the academy, she directly entered the Celestial Star Court's Lower Court; during her time there, she endured countless challenges and remained undefeated, transforming from a newcomer into the undisputed top of the Lower Court, drawing immense attention.

And now, after only half a year in the Celestial Star Court, she was preparing for a direct promotion battle.

Such achievements, while not entirely unprecedented in the academy's history, were exceedingly rare.

Amid the roaring crowd and countless blazing gazes, Jiang Jiang Qinge ascended the stage, where a mentor stood and asked: "Jiang Jiang Qinge, do you wish to initiate your promotion battle?"

"Yes." Jiang Jiang Qinge's gaze was calm, unruffled.

"Which Upper Court seat do you challenge?"

"Upper Court Seat Ninety-Six, Senior Lu Jin Guang."

This choice was not surprising—promotion battles typically target those at the bottom of the rankings, to maximize chances of victory.

Meanwhile, on a high platform in the hall, a figure leapt up and slammed down onto the central arena, explosive Xiang power erupting from his body, causing the very air to tremble.

This man was Lu Jin Guang, Upper Court Seat Ninety-Six, Jiang Jiang Qinge's opponent.

Lu Jin Guang stood tall and handsome, his features sharp with an intensely piercing aura; as he appeared, the hall erupted in cheers—he was clearly popular within the Sacred Light Ancient Academy.

Yet anyone who secured an Upper Court seat was naturally among the academy's top prodigies; admiration was unsurprising.

"Didn't expect to be chosen by Junior Jiang—haha, even if I lose this match, it's still a joyful thing." Lu Jin Guang grinned broadly at Jiang Jiang Qinge.

Jiang Jiang Qinge shook her head slightly. "Among the bottom few, you're the only one with Jin Xiang."

Lu Jin Guang blinked, confused. "What's special about Jin Xiang?"

But Jiang Jiang Qinge did not answer.

Then, from a corner of the high platform, laughter rang out: "Brother Lu, Junior Jiang is still new—don't go too hard on her, or it'll make the Upper Court seem uncouth."

This laughter instantly drew countless eyes toward its source, revealing a young man standing with arms crossed, a faint smile on his face.

The youth had fiery red hair, loosely flowing, radiating an aura of dominance; as he spoke, vast, powerful Xiang energy flowed, warping the air around him with intense heat.

Many gazes fixed on the red-haired youth, and low murmurs spread through the hall.

"That's… Senior Wei Chonglou?"

"Tsk, this guy's one of the academy's top figures—ranked among the top ten of the Celestial Star Court's Upper Court, he's been training here for years, one of the most senior students."

"I heard that three months ago, Senior Wei Chonglou happened to meet Senior Jiang, was instantly awestruck, and tried every means to get close to her—but none of it worked."

"Is he showing up now to support Senior Jiang?"

"Hee hee, what a domineering Senior Wei. If only he would take a fancy to me."

"..."

On the battle platform, Lu Jin Guang also raised his head to gaze at the youth with fiery red hair, smiling as he said, "Senior Wei, don't put pressure on me. Junior Sister Jiang is no ordinary opponent."

However, facing their words, Jiang Jiang Qinge's jade face remained as calm as water; she did not even raise her head to look at the high platform once, her gaze merely turning toward the referee instructor.

"Instructor, may we begin?"

Upon hearing this, the referee instructor nodded, and amidst the roaring of the entire arena, announced the start of the challenge.

Just as his voice fell, Lu Jin Guang formed the hand seal first; the next moment, the Xiang force within his body erupted without reservation.

It was seen that sharp, peerless Jin Guang Xiang force gushed forth, and amidst the sky-filling golden light, a giant golden sword illusion about a hundred zhang in length was formed.

Upon the giant golden sword, Jin Xiang force surged like a torrent, sharp and unstoppable.

A terrifying pressure spread out from that giant golden sword, filling the void with boundless, sharp sword intent.

This is the Da Tian Xiang.

Only after one's own self has stepped into the Da Tian Xiang Jing can one's own Xiang nature be condensed into a solid object, with power extremely formidable.

And when Lu Jin Guang displayed his own Da Tian Xiang, endless sacred light also surged behind Jiang Jiang Qinge, evolving into a golden, brilliant great sun, with flowing brightness illuminating all four directions.

However, compared to Lu Jin Guang's solid-like giant golden sword, the golden great sun behind Jiang Jiang Qinge appeared somewhat illusory.

This is because the current Jiang Jiang Qinge has not yet truly stepped into the Da Tian Xiang Jing.

However, it seems she is only one step away.

This still caused many in the great hall to feel a slight tremor in their hearts; after all, they all knew that Jiang Jiang Qinge had only advanced to the Xiao Tian Xiang Jing half a year ago, yet in this mere half-year span, there were already signs of a breakthrough to the Da Tian Xiang Jing.

Such speed, even within this Saint Light Ancient Academy where dragons hide and tigers lie, could be considered somewhat astonishing.

However, seeing this scene, Lu Jin Guang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, smiling as he said, "Junior Sister Jiang, it seems your challenge this time was a bit hasty. If you could wait a bit longer, given your progress, you would surely break through to the Da Tian Xiang Jing; challenging then would mean victory in your grasp."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiang Qinge replied calmly, "If I wait until I break through to the Da Tian Xiang Jing to come, then Senior Lu Jin Guang won't have anything to do with it."

Lu Jin Guang paused, unable to help but give a helpless smile; this junior sister not only possessed peerless beauty, but this air of pride was also the first he had ever seen.

"Then I shall come to learn of Junior Sister Jiang's skills."

Lu Jin Guang spoke no more; his eyes suddenly became sharp. Being able to sit on the seat of the Upper Court of the Tian Xing Court, he naturally counted as a top-tier genius; outside the academy, he would be the type of person capable of defeating enemies across levels, inspiring dread, but now, he was about to be defeated across levels by someone...

Lu Jin Guang did not want to become someone else's stepping stone.

So, he changed his hand seal; the sharp Xiang force washed over the void in all directions, penetrating every crevice; the next moment, a cold voice rang out.

"Sealing Marquis Technique, Golden Palace Sword Light."

On the high platforms in all four directions of the great hall, the various top figures of this ancient academy also cast their gazes downward at this moment.