Walking into the main hall, his parents, Huang Peng and Su Yan, were there. Other than the two of them, in the main hall sat a young woman wearing a long pastel green dress. The young woman has creamy white skin, soft cherry blossom lips, and bright eyes that held a trace of mischief and naughtiness, and she had two lovely dimples on her cheeks, akin to an immortal fairy unstained by the mortal realm.
This was Li Lu.
Four years had passed and Li Lu was now fifteen. Proving what Su Yan had said years ago, Li Lu grew up to be a beautiful woman, and now, every time Li Lu stepped out, it was enough to stun the whole street.
The current Cosmic Star Academy has three big beauties, and Li Lu was one of them.
"Xiaolong!"
Seeing Huang Xiaolong come back, the three people in the main hall bloomed into wide smiles and called out in delight, whereas Li Lu straightforwardly jumped up and ran towards Huang Xiaolong.
However, less than a meter before she reaches Huang Xiaolong and wanted to hug him like she used to do, she stopped abruptly; a pink blush crept up her face and her demeanor turned shy. The long pastel green dress that she wore showed off her tiny waist and two proud peaks, painting a pretty picture that complimented her shy look.
Watching her actions, Huang Xiaolong laughed, "I heard Huang Min said you have been here for five days."
Li Lu nodded her head shyly.
"Okay, don't stand here and talk, let's go back to the main hall." Su Yan teased and laugh, "The two of you still have many opportunities to chat."
Huang Xiaolong was still fine, but when Li Lu heard that, she turned even redder.
In these four years, Huang Peng and Su Yan's strength had grown by a large degree.
Huang Peng was now a peak late-Seventh Order whereas Su Yan had just advanced to the Seventh Order. These years, both of them had been cultivating using the Fire Dragon Pearls Huang Xiaolong gave them, and after undergoing the cleansing of marrows effect due to the Fire Dragon Pearls, both of them looked younger every day.
Their initial forty-something appearance became thirty-something. If Su Yan stood next to Li Lu, people would surely think they were sisters.
Back in the main hall, everyone sat down.
"Xiaolong, this time you came back, don't rush to leave so fast." After taking a seat, Su Yan laughed and said, "This year Li Lu will stay here and celebrate the New Year with us."
"Not going back to Canglan County?" Huang Xiaolong was a little surprised, looked at Li Lu and asked.
Li Lu felt embarrassed with Huang Xiaolong focusing on her, and she nodded, quietly saying, "I already mentioned it to my Father and Grandfather that I'm not going back this year. I will stay here for the New Year."
"Good ah, if Sister Li Lu stays here for the New Year, it would be even livelier!" Huang Min clapped her hands in delight, "Wait another two years, and when Sister Li Lu marries over, then every she will spend every New Year here!"
Marry? The moment these words were spoken out, Li Lu's delicate face went red faster than cooking a lobster.
Huang Xiaolong widened his eyes and directed a stern stare at Huang Min but she acted as if she did not see Huang Xiaolong's reaction and continued to smile complacently.
"Xiaolong, your little sister is right." At this time, Su Yan quickly followed up, "In my opinion, in another two years you should marry Miss Li Lu. I tell you ah, I want Miss Li Lu this daughter-in-law, and a few years later, I want to hold my grandchildren!"
Grandchildren?
Cold sweat appeared on Huang Xiaolong's forehead, what is this and that.
Li Lu's face was basically bright red at this point and there wasn't any temper due to embarrassment. Instead, in her clear bright eyes, there was happiness as she stole glances at Huang Xiaolong.
Instead, it was Huang Xiaolong was felt awkward at this moment, and he directed a pleading look towards his father Huang Peng, but Huang Peng only shrugged his shoulders indicating he had no two ways about it.
In fact, in this Martial Spirit World, marrying in in the teen years was not something out of ordinary; two years later, Huang Xiaolong and Li Li would both be seventeen.
The awkward atmosphere in the main hall did not last long as Huang Xiaohai ran in from outside when he saw Huang Xiaolong present, he cried loudly: "Big Brother! Big Brother!"
Huang Xiaohai's shouts broke the awkward atmosphere.
Huang Xiaohai came back and started saying that there was a martial stage competition on the south side of the city and that it was very lively and he wanted to pull Huang Xiaolong along to go with him.
Thus, Huang Xiaolong used it as an excuse and fled from the main hall.
Deep into the night, silence was all around.
The moonlight stretched Huang Xiaolong's shadow on the ground.
Standing in the middle of his yard, Huang Xiaolong's left leg stepped out to the left, and he lowered his body into a squat while his upper body was straight up; both hands at his waist and his lower arms were balanced as if they were holding heavy objects. Adjusting his breathing as the spiritual energy gathered around him.
Four years and Huang Xiaolong's Body Metamorphosis Scripture had broken through to the Sixth Stage – Claw Slashing Out like Wings; the Seventh Stage –Nine Ghosts Pulling Sabers; and he had finally reached the Eighth Stage, the Three Diagrams on the Terrain. Now, he was aiming to break through the Ninth Stage soon: the Azure Dragon Stretching Out Claws.
White mists came out from Huang Xiaolong's nostrils while at the same time, a white mist cloud swirled above his head, looking surreal.
On Earth, they said an internal force expert when adjusting their breaths would have three flowers that would bloom above their heads, just like Huang Xiaolong now.
Night gradually gave way to daybreak.
When the morning sun came out, Huang Xiaolong finally stopped.
After he stopped, Huang Xiaolong leaped up into the air and called out the Blades of Asura. With a swing, countless blades lights streaked out like a sea of lightning. At the same time, Huang Xiaolong's body was somersaulting in midair as the lightning streaked, akin to a dragon swimming in the vast sea, and the oppressive aura covered all four corners.
Four years... not only Huang Xiaolong had practiced Wrath of the Nether King until major completion, the fourth move, State of Abundant Lightning, had achieved a minor completion.
The move Huang Xiaolong had displayed just now was the State of Abundant Lightning.
In regards to the Asura Sword Skill, the moves Huang Xiaolong had practiced so far were Tempest of Hell, Tears of Asura, Wrath of the Nether King, and the fourth being State of Abundant Lightning. Each attack skill was deeply profound and had unfathomable power, and every attack more powerful than the previous.
This fourth move at major completion looked as if the attack transformed into countless lightning streaks, possessing the power to destroy heaven and earth.
Huang Xiaolong turned in the sky and after a dozen breaths' time or so, he landed lightly on the ground.
When Huang Xiaolong started to learn this move, he could only stay up in the air for four breaths' time.
With this attack of State of Abundant Lightning, the turning he made in the air was not some simple somersaults as it followed a certain rule which made it much harder.
Landing on the ground, Huang Xiaolong did not display the same move again, but he ran Asura's Tactics and his entire body was enveloped in a dark light, and a black murderous aura spread out as his hair slowly turned white and defied gravity. At this time, Huang Xiaolong's back actually grew a pair of dark black wings!
After four years, Huang Xiaolong's Asura Tactics had reached the fourth level and could transform into an Asura's physique. The pair of black wings behind him was the Wings of Demon that grew after transformation.
Spreading out, the wings could expand a width of six meters out on each side; with a flap, Huang Xiaolong flew up, reaching the average speed of a mid-Ninth Order.
Huang Xiaolong's speed had always been on the faster side, and with the Wings of Demon, he could achieve a speed no less than a mid-Ninth Order.
Huang Xiaolong turned a few laps around the small yard: one second he was at a corner and the next moment he was up high in the air. The Wings of Demon coupled with his Phantom Shadow ability allowed Huang Xiaolong to reach a terrifying speed.
Moments later, Huang Xiaolong ended his practice and came out from his Asura physique.
"Tomorrow is the annual competition." Huang Xiaolong said to himself.
After he had advanced into the Second Year Class, even though he was the winner in the class competition, he had never won the year category. But, from this day onwards, he would rule the Second Years.
The next day's weather was bright and sunny.
Huang Xiaolong and Fei Hou left Tianxuan Mansion and headed in the direction of the Cosmic Star Academy.
In the past four years, Fei Hou had worked hard practicing the 'Liquid Thunder Arts' that Huang Xiaolong taught him, and not too long ago, it finally paid off when he stepped into the Xiantian realm.
Xiantian realm!
In the entire the Luo Tong Kingdom, the number of Xiantian experts probably could be counted on one hand.
Needless to say, this had something to do with Fei Hou swallowing the Fire Dragon Pearls that Huang Xiaolong gave him throughout these past four years, helping Fei Hou to temper and strengthen his physique as well as enhancing the quality of his battle qi. Thus in comparison, Fei Hou was much stronger than the average same level Xiantian experts.
By the time Fei Hou and Huang Xiaolong arrived at the Academy's Holy Hall, there were already many people crowding the area.
Huang Xiaolong's arrival turned him into one of the centers of attention.
These past few years, although Huang Xiaolong practically never attended any of the classes and rarely appeared in the Academy, thereby keeping a low-profile, he still can't escape being a popular topic of discussion in the Academy.
Also, ever since he was promoted to the Second Year, he held the winner title for the Second Year Class Six for four consecutive years by using only one move to defeat his opponent in every match.
Quite a huge commotion swept through the crowd when they spotted Huang Xiaolong. Some die-heart fangirls shrieked excitedly, unable to control their emotions.
"Huang Xiaolong, you're so handsome!"
"Huang Xiaolong, I love you!"
Huang Xiaolong was known for his talent and strength, but his looks weren't bad either, so it wasn't strange that many female students considered him as their knight in shining armor. In fact, this was not limited to the boundaries of the Academy-- Huang Xiaolong's fame had reached the daughters of nobles in the Royal City and other counties too, as well as the commoners.
Hearing the high-pitched shrieks of confessions Huang Xiaolong smiled helplessly in his heart while he walked towards the Second Years' seating area.
Lu Kai had arrived earlier could not resist teasing,"Xiaolong, now your influence in the Academy has surpassed even Principal Sun Zhang!"
Although Lu Kai lost to Huang Xiaolong every time he challenged him, it helped build their sense of camaraderie and they had become good friends.
Huang Xiaolong shook his head and laughed, "Don't laugh at me, I think your influence is even bigger than mine!"
Lu Kai being the Luo Tong Kingdom's Prince and the successor to the throne meant that his influence truly was not weak. After all, he was an actual Prince in many young girls' hearts.
Hearing this, Lu Kai smiled and said, "Are you aiming for the Second Year's champion? I heard that Chen Caixiu has broken through to the Ninth Order-- she is not an easy opponent!
Chen Caixiu was the Second Year champion for two consecutive years back to back.
"Ninth Order already?" Although a little surprised, Huang Xiaolong was not perturbed by the news.
Noticing Huang Xiaolong's calm expression, Lu Kai continued to add, "I advise you not to provoke that chick; her moves has always been ruthless, especially towards men. I'm not sure how, but I heard how several foolish guys provoked her and in the end, their lower parts were nearly crippled!" When Lu Kai said this, his legs involuntarily tightened in the middle.
Huang Xiaolong smiled faintly, "Don't worry."
A short while later, Sun Zhang and Xiong Chu arrived at the Holy Hall, said some encouraging words, and proceeded to announce the starting of the competition.
Like every year, the competition was divided into three large areas.
Every class has a student nominated by the class teacher, and those who disagreed could issue a challenge on the stage.
In the Second Year Class Six, Huang Xiaolong was the strongest and this was something recognized by the whole class while the second was Lu Kai instead of Ye Yong. In the past four years, Lu Kai also trained hard and his strength has surpassed the original number one, Ye Yong.
Huang Xiaolong and Lu Kai stood on the stage.
"I don't believe that this time, I still can't take one move from you!" Lu Kai looked at Huang Xiaolong and said.
Ever since the two of them were promoted into the Second Year, he was defeated with just one move every year.
Huang Xiaolong smiled, keeping silent.
At this time, a dazzling light shrouded Lu Kai's body and his Sky Peng martial spirit was called out. Strong, violent battle qi towered to the sky as Lu Kai instantly soul transformed, not wasting a second; a layer of feather-like armored covered Lu Kai, and four powerful wings could be seen emerging from his back, spreading out, causing the surrounding air flow to become turbulent.
"Colossal Decimation Fist!"
The moment after Lu Kai soul transformed, he already moved and appeared inches away from Huang Xiaolong with his fist punched out, whistling across the air. The huge fist print swooped down on Huang Xiaolong, drowning the stage area in an eerie silence of decimation.
This Colossal Decimation Fist was a battle skill Lu Kai had spent these past few years practicing, and he had finally succeeded two months ago. Although he knew even with the Colossal Decimation Fist that he would not be able to defeat Huang Xiaolong, Lu Kai believed he could block one attack of Huang Xiaolong's.
Watching an enormous fist print blanketing him, Huang Xiaolong remained standing on the same spot looking like he had no intention to dodge. Instead, Huang Xiaolong attacked. His fist struck out, meeting Lu Kai's head on.
The two fists collided, and a thunderous 'boom' resounded.
The Colossal Decimation Fist shattered in the blink of an eye, and Lu Kai was seen wobbling back, falling out of the stage before steadying himself.
When Lu Kai steadied himself, he was dazed for a moment, and then he shook his head and smiled wryly as he looked at Huang Xiaolong, "It seems I would need a miracle to win against you in my lifetime!"
He still remembered the first time the two of them fought in the First Year competition. At that time, Huang Xiaolong needed to exert his full effort to defeat him, but when they advanced to the Second Year Class, he lost to Huang Xiaolong in just one move. Now, he barely had the courage to challenge Huang Xiaolong anymore.
After Lu Kai was defeated, no one from the same class dared to challenge Huang Xiaolong. Thus, without any suspense, Huang Xiaolong was the Second Year Class Six winner once again.
Next was the year competition.
The Second Year had a total of six classes-- to determine the final winner, there were three stages of competition.
Among the six students, three came from the following classes − Class One, Five, and Six and they were chosen to draw sticks. However, when everyone saw Huang Xiaolong drew the number one stick, a soft commotion rippled through the crowd.
Number one!
It was actually the number one stick!
Looking at the number stated on the stick, Huang Xiaolong could not resist shaking his head with a wry smile.
Number one stick represented Chen Caixiu, the same person Lu Kai had mentioned earlier. The woman that was merciless towards men.
Gazes followed Huang Xiaolong and Chen Caixiu as the both of them went up to the stage.
Chen Caixiu wore a soft lavender dress, pretty yet she had the bearings of a noble. Not only was Chen Caixiu recognized as the Second Year's number one person, like Li Lu, she was one of the three famous beauties of the Cosmic Star Academy. Be warned, she was a rose full of deadly thorns; her decisiveness was just as well-known as her beauty.
"Huang Xiaolong, for Li Lu's sake, I will be gentler later." Chen Caixiu's eyes scrutinized Huang Xiaolong from top to bottom and said.
Gentler?
A woman saying such words to a man would definitely cause a misunderstanding. Subsequently, weird looks were directed towards the stage with the two of them from the crowd.
Huang Xiaolong cast a glance at Li Lu; he knew Li Lu and Chen Caixiu were good friends. When Li Lu noticed Huang Xiaolong's sight on her, she grinned playfully at Huang Xiaolong, revealing two cute dimples.
Huang Xiaolong relaxed his shoulders and returned his attention on Chen Caixiu, saying "If you want it this way, then start!" Battle qi rushed out from Huang Xiaolong's body, and the strong momentum vibrated in the air.
"Peak late-Eighth Order!"
All around, shock eyes fixed their stares at Huang Xiaolong.
After experiencing a moment of blankness due to shock from Huang Xiaolong's revelation, Lu Kai smiled wryly inside – at the moment, he was only at peak late-Seventh Order whereas Huang Xiaolong had reached the peak of late-Eighth Order! At this moment, he truly understood the gap between them.
Chen Caixiu was also staring at Huang Xiaolong with a surprised expression – peak late-Eighth Order! Huang Xiaolong will be fifteen after the coming New Year, right….?
A fifteen-year-old peak late-Eighth Order?!
Although she herself was an early Ninth Order, she was already twenty!
According to Huang Xiaolong's cultivation speed, what level would he reach by the time he is twenty years old? Peak late-Tenth Order? It was truly possible!
"This freak of a man!" Chen Caixiu could not help muttering to herself.
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