Chapter 1150: Ancient Academy Records, Lots of Fun 37

Competition day.

Feng Zi'an appeared beside the arena, his face full of exasperation. Behind him followed the imposing North Wind Kingdom competition team; each member was proud and intimidating, making their ten-person squad feel like a hundred.

Upon seeing the Heavenly Mystery Kingdom already waiting on the other side, Feng Zi'an was utterly speechless, and he simply rolled his eyes.

Last night I deliberately went to the Heavenly Mystery Kingdom competitors' courtyard to scout; I checked two rooms in a row, and both were engaged in shameless acts, not bothering to hide any sound at all!

The other rooms were even more outrageous—everyone was snoring loudly asleep.

Not to mention failing to find out whether the Divine Pavilion's Young Master was inside, it left me half-dead with anger.

Though angry, on the other hand Feng Zi'an felt contemptuous; given Heavenly Mystery Kingdom's lackadaisical attitude, today their North Wind Kingdom would surely win a complete victory!

After all, their warriors were still training as late as last night!

Jin Chen also saw their condition, lowered his eyes and sneered, "These people didn't sleep last night—are they planning to sleep on the arena today?"

The two factions despised each other; soon the monarch arrived, and the area below the arena was packed with spectators—either warriors from the Cloudy Azure Kingdom or people who had paid dearly for seats.

After all, it concerned the lives and deaths of a city's populace; the Cloudy Azure Kingdom took great care in preparing the competition facilities, embezzling none of the funds granted by the two major states, using all of it to build today's venue.

The general standing behind the monarch loudly recited the competition rules.

"The competition rules are as follows: this competition lasts three days; the first two days use one-on-one matches, ten pairs in total. One incense stick's burning time is the standard; the winner gets one point, up to ten points, and a tie awards no points to either side."

"On the third day, a melee will be fought on the arena; with two incense sticks' burning time as the standard, the team with more survivors on the arena wins and gains an additional ten points directly."

The general closed the scroll, gestured to the team leaders of both sides, and said, "Now please each draw a pair of wooden tokens; matching symbols indicate the match‑up."

Ling Xiao and Feng Zi'an from the opposite side came over to collect the token tube, took it back, and had their respective teams draw lots.

After the draws, the general announced again: "Today there will be five matches, corresponding to the red, blue, green, yellow, and purple symbols on the wooden tokens. Please get ready and proceed in order."

After he spoke, the teammates each matched their colors.

In order, they were Jin Chen, Ling Xiuyu, Jiang Yao, Lan Wuyang, and Ting Yang.

Xie Yuancheng laughed out loud, saying, "Let's go up and give them a taste of their own medicine!"

He straightened up from Jin Chen's embrace, patted Jin Chen's shoulder with a solemn air, his tone affectionate: "I have high hopes for you; you will surely bring glory to our nation!"

Jin Chen curled his lips into a smile, unabashedly taking his fingers and kissing them, saying, "Your Highness, shouldn't you give me some pre‑match encouragement so I can be more motivated?"

"What are you doing? So many people are watching!"

Xie Yuancheng, feeling a bit shy, pulled Jin Chen behind the curtain, held his neck, tilted his head, and planted a quick kiss on the corner of his lips.

"You must not get hurt—you're so strong, you can definitely protect yourself, right!"

Jin Chen slipped one arm around him, gazing warmly, his voice soft: "Since it's Your Highness's command, I dare not disobey."

"Brother Jin," Ting Yang whispered from deep behind the curtain with his eyes tightly shut, "I didn't mean to look! Master Ling sent you over to discuss tactics."

"Coming."

Jin Chen responded, taking Xie Yuancheng's hand and walking outside.

Ling Xiao first asked Jin Chen, "How do you plan to arrange today's fighting style?"

After thinking it through, Jin Chen waved his hand to gather today's participating teammates, speaking with their heads together.

"The troublemaker tactic—today Lan Wuyang will use it first; it can secure a surprise victory, and even if they figure it out tonight, Lan Wuyang isn't a master of it, so we can still use it tomorrow."

Lan Wuyang nodded, "Understood!"

A bronze bell rang, and the first match began.

"Come on!" the ten teammates clenched their fists; Jin Chen ruffled Xie Yuancheng's hair and leapt onto the arena.

Opposite him was a burly, thick‑built muscular man, the standard look of the North Wind Kingdom's so‑called warriors; Jin Chen, who cares about looks, glanced away at once, and they clasped fists.

"North Wind Kingdom's Hidden Gate Hall Junior Master, please instruct me."

Feng Jia stepped forward, first announcing his name; the Hidden Gate Hall is famed for its strength, and indeed it gave the spectators below a considerable shock.

But when they saw Jin Chen's appearance, that shock turned into admiration.

Leaving aside other things, the youths of the Heavenly Mystery Kingdom are extremely handsome—just look at that white‑clad, graceful figure; to the unaware, they'd think it was a deity descending, surpassing even immortal power.

Jin Chen raised his brows, his eyes calm, his tone nonchalant, "Divine Pavilion's Young Master, Jin Chen."

The arena fell silent for a moment, and then everyone was astonished.

"What…? Who did he say he is?"

The spectators below burst into heated discussion: "Is the Divine Pavilion… the one I know? And it's still the Young Master?"

"…Surely no sect in the world would dare share a name with the Divine Pavilion… Is the Divine Pavilion really standing in for the Heavenly Mystery Kingdom in this match?"

"Exactly, the Divine Pavilion never gets involved in national conflicts—what's going on this time?"

"Hey, you didn't know? It's said the Divine Pavilion's Young Master was originally this person's elder brother; he died a few years ago in the North Wind Royal Family… oh right! He was tortured to death by the North Wind Kingdom's Eldest Prince."

"Good heavens, the North Wind Kingdom's gall is too big… but it looks like Jin Chen is here for revenge… what a show to watch."

The spectators' clamor rose and fell without cease; Feng Zi'an's face darkened beyond belief—who would have thought that this youthful, baby‑faced boy was none other than the current Young Master of the Divine Pavilion, the one said to possess even greater heavenly talent and cleverness than his elder brother?

Jin Chen glanced down at Feng Zi'an in the crowd, slightly raising his eyebrows, his gaze lingering on him, a silent signal of killing intent.

Feng Zi'an stared at the visibly intimidated Feng Jia, his threatening expression saying everything without words.

Feng Jia was afraid, but there was no choice—having drawn the bow, he had to grit his teeth and go ahead!

"Take this!"

Feng Jia rushed over, his movement extremely swift, trying to win by trickery.

The sword in his hand flashed faster and faster, its shadows flying, aiming straight at Jin Chen's chest.

Jin Chen remained immovable as a mountain as Feng Jia charged; only when the blade was less than an inch from his heart did he lightly sidestep, drifting away gracefully.

In an instant, killing intent flared; Jin Chen channeled power into his arm, pushed off the ground, and violently knocked the long sword from Feng Jia's hand, a vicious move—he grabbed Feng Jia and slammed him toward the arena's edge, his superb, shadow‑like footwork leaving onlookers dazzled.

"Ah!!"

Accompanied by a miserable scream, the entire audience suddenly fell into utter silence; even the spectators dared not breathe loudly.

"He's… dead. He actually died!"

Fresh blood dripped onto the ground, one drop, two drops.

Feng Jia was stuck at the edge of the platform, the broken blade pierced through his chest, straight into the platform pillar, his knees on the ground, his head drooping weakly.

Jin Chen stood before him, patted his cuffs, wiped his blood-stained fingers with a handkerchief, then casually tossed it onto the already dead Feng Jia's face.

Afterwards he lazily looked down at the gloomy-faced Feng Zian in the audience, his eyes showing light arrogance as he slowly curled his lips.

Feng Zian slammed a fist on the table, muttering a curse.

In an instant, the audience erupted in excited exclamations, watching the guards lift Feng Jia's corpse down; the whole atmosphere was ignited.

Who could have imagined Jin Chen killed someone directly!

"Not even one-fifth of an incense stick has burned out! The Divine Pavilion is still the Divine Pavilion, the number one sect under heaven!"

"Jin Chen came this time for the North Wind Kingdom, right? He's here to avenge his older brother."

"Look at the Eldest Prince's face—are you afraid the next one to be killed will be you? Hahaha, good thing he didn't participate, otherwise he'd surely meet his end in the Yellow Springs."

Jin Chen leapt down from the platform, and his friends immediately rushed up to cheer.

"Brother Jin, awesome! One move and the enemy is defeated!" Ting Yang got excited.

After accepting their praise, Jin Chen precisely caught the little Crown Prince who had flung himself into his embrace; the earlier chill dissipated, and his gaze softened as he held the person.

"Did you give Your Highness face?"

"You're amazing!" Xie Yuancheng planted a kiss on his face, then asked, "Any discomfort? None, right?"

Jin Chen sat beside him, bonelessly limp and leaning on Xie Yuancheng, righteously letting out a soft hum, "Oh, my waist is sore and my back hurts."

"Then rest." Xie Yuancheng didn't resist, obediently serving as a pillow, and even helped Jin Chen knead his arm.