I'll take care of this.  

Le Jiangping cast a fleeting glance at Liu Ziyu, barely acknowledging him as he strode past, heading toward the badger roasting over the fire. 

Bai Zihou and two students from the Imperial Medicine Department were as pale as ghosts. Had this been a battlefield, they would have rushed to Liu Ziyu's side after his fall. However, given that this was a confrontation between two academies, the strength and arrogance of their opponents made it clear to them that they were no match for this student from Thunder Academy, which would only bring further disgrace to Qingluan Academy. 

... 

Le Jiangping observed Bai Zihou and the others, whose bodies trembled slightly from humiliation and frustration, and a deeper mockery glinted in his eyes. 

To him and the rest of the Thunder Academy students, although the Qingluan Academy students were passionate, they were undeniably too inexperienced. Moreover, the fact that their opponents were from Qingluan Academy intensified the thrill of victory; Le Jiangping even felt his blood racing faster than usual, reaching a peak state. 

"I'll take it from here." 

As Le Jiangping drew nearer to the fire, Hua Jiyue and Qin Xiyue spoke almost in unison. 

Neither of them possessed a level of cultivation or combat prowess superior to Liu Ziyu's; Hua Jiyue had realized from the outset that this was likely a trap set by their opponent. Yet, under the current circumstances, neither was willing to let him easily claim the badger from before them. 

Le Jiangping halted, turning to face Hua Jiyue and Qin Xiyue. 

Both girls bore the character for "moon" in their names, yet they differed significantly in appearance and temperament. Surprised to find themselves speaking simultaneously, they exchanged a glance and instinctively gritted their teeth, repeating, "I'll take it." 

"No, let me handle it." Just then, a voice interrupted, leaving both girls momentarily stunned as they turned to see Lin Xi. 

"You?" Hua Jiyue was the first to react, frowning. Before she could voice her thoughts, Qin Xiyue resolutely shook her head, coldly stating, "No way." 

Lin Xi understood Qin Xiyue's intent; Bai Zihou had already been defeated, and Liu Ziyu lay on the ground, unresponsive. This was a matter of the academy's honor, and it was not the time to show off. Yet, he merely regarded Qin Xiyue, extending a hand to pat her shoulder gently, and softly said, "Did you not ask me to prove myself? Allow me to do so now." 

In Yunjin, it was considered quite abrupt to pat a girl's shoulder, yet Qin Xiyue felt no anger; instead, she was filled with an inexplicable shock, her beautiful eyes widening in disbelief. 

Although Lin Xi's touch was gentle, it felt as though an immense weight pressed down upon her, and though she could not discern the exact force, she was certain that Lin Xi's strength far exceeded ninety pounds! 

What astonished her even more was not only Lin Xi's calm confidence but also Jiang Xiaoyi's demeanor. This student from the Artisan Department seemed entirely unfazed by any sense of humiliation, and upon hearing Lin Xi's intention to fight, he even expressed his approval with a hint of eagerness, saying, "Let him go." 

Hua Jiyue's brow furrowed even tighter, but seeing the expressions of Lin Xi and Jiang Xiaoyi, she refrained from voicing further opposition. 

Lin Xi nodded at her, said nothing, and began to stride toward Le Jiangping. 

His calm and confident demeanor made both Le Jiangping and the broad-foreheaded student from Thunder Academy raise their brows slightly. 

"No! How can you allow such a worthless waste to fight?" 

At that moment, to everyone's astonishment, Liu Ziyu, who had just managed to rise from the ground, let out a hoarse roar: "Even if all of us from Qingluan Academy perish, we absolutely cannot allow such a disgraceful waste to fight!" 

A silence fell, leaving all the students from Thunder Academy in shock. 

Driven by humiliation and rage, Liu Ziyu's usually handsome features twisted into a snarl, his eyes bloodshot like a wounded beast. 

Glancing at Lin Xi, who frowned slightly, he once again let out a strange, hoarse shout: "Do you want our academy to be further humiliated by this waste?" 

Jiang Xiaoyi's expression darkened. If anyone was to be humiliated, it was Liu Ziyu himself, who had been defeated and knelt before his opponent. Yet, Liu Ziyu was now projecting his humiliation and anger onto Lin Xi. 

Unable to endure it, Jiang Xiaoyi stepped forward, ready to unleash a tirade, but as he opened his mouth, no sound emerged. 

At that moment, Lin Xi simply made a remarkably simple gesture. 

He expertly removed the rudimentary bow and arrows slung across his body and effortlessly shot an arrow at Liu Ziyu. 

The arrow flew through the gap between Liu Ziyu's legs, embedding itself in the wild grass behind him. 

The desolate hillside fell into a profound silence; Liu Ziyu's roar abruptly ceased as he looked down in disbelief, unable to fathom that Lin Xi had dared to shoot an arrow directly at him. He could hardly believe that Lin Xi's shot had passed accurately between his legs. 

Though the wooden arrow was rudimentary, its tip was sharp and hard; if it had struck a person, it would have surely created a deep wound. 

Le Jiangping and the broad-foreheaded student from Thunder Academy exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing slightly. 

Lin Xi's shot, while skillful, was not the most shocking aspect; it was his calmness and steadiness that left everyone astounded. 

Even without knowing Lin Xi well, all the Thunder Academy students could sense the difference between him and Liu Ziyu. 

After firing the arrow without further ado, Lin Xi did not glance back at Liu Ziyu but placed his bow and arrows on the ground, picked up a wooden spear nearby, and approached Le Jiangping. He forcefully broke the spear in two, testing its length, which resembled that of a longsword, appearing satisfied with its weight. 

"You..." Liu Ziyu attempted to speak, but he was interrupted by Le Jiangping, who regarded Lin Xi with narrowed eyes and said, "Your archery is impressive." 

"Not particularly remarkable, but if I were to ambush you, you would find it quite difficult to evade. However, you would certainly not accept that, so bow and arrow are not the way to go," Lin Xi replied, nodding at the stern-faced student from Thunder Academy. 

"Please." 

Le Jiangping said no more, gripping his wooden sword and gesturing for Lin Xi to proceed. 

Lin Xi merely nodded, and then, in an instant, he surged forward, racing up the gently sloping hill with astonishing momentum. 

Clumps of grass and dirt flew up behind him. 

Le Jiangping stepped back half a pace, leaning forward slightly, his expression cold, as if bracing himself for a collision with Lin Xi. 

In the blink of an eye, Lin Xi was upon him. 

"Boom!" 

Lin Xi's right foot slammed into the ground, unleashing a gust of air, and a depression formed in the solid earthen slope. 

Le Jiangping's body tensed instantly, like a bow drawn to its limit, yet he faltered when Lin Xi's next move did not immediately follow. 

It was as if a wave had reached its peak but had yet to crash down. 

In that brief moment of hesitation, Lin Xi finally unleashed his power, a spiraling force emanating from his feet, coursing through his body and arm, all the way to the wooden spear in his hand, which had transformed into a sword. 

Lin Xi drew his weapon and struck! 

The motion, practiced countless times, appeared even more flawless and fierce in Lin Xi's current state, filled with soul power and vigor. 

"Kill!" 

As Le Jiangping's pupils constricted, he swung his wooden sword. 

However, his strike lost momentum halfway through... Lin Xi's spear had already plunged forcefully into his right shoulder. 

With a muffled groan of pain, Le Jiangping rolled backward, tumbling several meters away, while Lin Xi remained where he stood, not pursuing, merely watching as Le Jiangping sprang back to his feet, excitement bubbling within him as he calmly declared, "You have lost." 

Le Jiangping's expression darkened considerably; after a moment of silence, he nodded, "I concede." 

The point of Lin Xi's spear had merely struck with its blunt end, meaning he had shown restraint. Nevertheless, the force behind that strike had rendered Le Jiangping's entire right shoulder nearly shattered with pain. He could barely hold his wooden sword, let alone continue fighting. 

A victory is a victory, and a defeat is a defeat. 

Even if only Lin Xi himself knew that he had utilized the techniques learned from the "Spirit Eagle" in the Trial Valley and the training from the Constellation Star, making his victory perilous, to everyone else, it appeared as though Lin Xi had simply thrust once and defeated Le Jiangping. 

Lin Xi's strike was ferocious and sharp, piercing not only Le Jiangping but also striking deep into the hearts of Qin Xiyue and Liu Ziyu. 

Qin Xiyue covered her mouth; when Lin Xi delivered that thrust, her eyes sparkled with brightness, but as the thrust struck Le Jiangping, disbelief filled her as she covered her mouth, overwhelmed by a sense of shame and guilt. 

She realized she had been utterly mistaken. 

Everyone had thought his calmness in the face of the chosen one weighing ninety pounds was due to shamelessness, yet in truth, he simply held disdain for any need to justify himself. 

"This kid is surprisingly formidable?" Hua Jiyue muttered, a hint of irritation in her tone. Meanwhile, Liu Ziyu's complexion had turned even paler, trembling uncontrollably, unable to utter a sound. 

"How could this be..." Bai Zihou and the other two students from the Imperial Medicine Department were left in a daze. They had ridiculed Lin Xi countless times in private, yet now they realized that they, along with Liu Ziyu, were the true subjects of ridicule. 

"This is impossible." Mu Shanzi, who had remained silent, was now completely stunned. From the cold sweat trickling down Le Jiangping's forehead and his trembling arm, it was clear just how heavy Lin Xi's strike had been. 

"You... if you possess such cultivation, why did you not defend yourself earlier?" Liu Ziyu suddenly shouted at Lin Xi. 

Lin Xi turned to him, regarding him with a quizzical expression, and replied, "I believe you should recall what you agreed upon with me... Since you've made me detest you to the point of indifference, what do you mean to me? Why should I expend energy to justify myself to you?" 

Liu Ziyu's body jolted violently; Lin Xi's words felt like a slap across his face, yet it was a slap he had brought upon himself. He and Lin Xi had made a pact a month ago, but that agreement now held no meaning... for he was no match for Le Jiangping, while Le Jiangping had been defeated by Lin Xi with a single strike... And in light of their previous mockery and accusations, Lin Xi's temperament had proven remarkably restrained. 

Two more students from the Imperial Medicine Department appeared on a nearby hill: Gao Yanan and Jiang Yuer. 

"What is your name?" At that moment, the broad-foreheaded student from Thunder Academy stepped forward, looking at Lin Xi with a serious expression. 

Lin Xi did not answer but instead regarded the student, countering with, "What is your name?" 

The broad-foreheaded student frowned slightly in annoyance but replied, "I am Wanyan Muye, a freshman from Thunder Academy."