Volume One, Chapter 20: If This Place Won't Keep Me, Another Will

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Xu Que was rejected by all the major sects in the Eastern Wilderness. Before he could even feel down about it, another servant came in.

“Young master, Duanmu Ao from the Xuanti Holy Land is here to see you.”

“Duanmu Ao, that old geezer, coming to see me? I bet he’s here to mock me.”

Although Xu Que knew his intentions were far from kind, he still let him in. After all, with the Life and Death Arena battle behind them, the two families were ostensibly at peace. Besides, since the other party had come openly, it wouldn’t do to appear petty.

This time, Duanmu Ao represented the Holy Land and dumped a box of miscellaneous items on the floor. These were Xu Que’s belongings from his time living there.

“These are your daily items, you and your brothers. Our Holy Land has always been fair—we don’t embezzle even your trash.”

“Duanmu Ao, you made a special trip just for this?”

“Hahaha, of course not.”

Duanmu Ao proudly stroked his graying beard.

“I came to watch you make a fool of yourself, hahaha. So, Xu Que, have you received rejection letters from the other Holy Lands and sects? The Four Holy Lands and Six Great Sects, all related by blood—since you’ve been expelled from Xuanti Holy Land, don’t even dream of joining the others.”

Xu Que’s face darkened.

That old devil truly had ill intentions.

Duanmu Ao continued, “Look at you—no profound cultivation techniques, no top-tier martial skills. No powerful sect would take you in. And you actually dream of entering the Eastern Wilderness Secret Realm in half a month? What a joke.”

“Done talking?”

“Yes, no need to hurry me. I’ll leave myself.” Duanmu Ao stood up and walked away. “Hahaha, in another year, you’ll be forgotten by everyone. The Xu family is just a minor house; reaching Martial King realm this lifetime is your limit.”

Just then, a servant entered.

“Young master, the mentor from the Great Martial Academy is here to see you.”

Duanmu Ao’s triumphant smile froze, and he stopped in his tracks.

Xu Que asked, “Great Martial Academy? What’s that?”

The servant replied, “It was only established last year, belongs exclusively to our Great Martial dynasty. Since you’ve been training in the Holy Land for years, it’s normal you don’t know.”

Xu Que found this intriguing—was the Great Martial royal family extending an olive branch?

They were brought to the main hall.

Not only was the mentor from the Great Martial Academy present, but also the national teacher of the Great Martial dynasty.

After introductions, it was revealed the national teacher also served as the academy’s dean—essentially the principal personally recruiting students.

The national teacher said, “Young Master Xu, this year’s Eastern Wilderness Secret Realm slots are contested not only by the Four Holy Lands and Six Great Sects, but also by eight imperial academies. Last time, someone obtained a treasure map rumored to hold Martial Emperor’s legacy. All nations are eager, thus so many slots were secured. Our Great Martial Academy hopes you will serve the nation.”

During the previous attack on the Xu family by the Liu, Wen, and Hong clans, the royal family had strongly supported Xu.

Now, with the major sects rejecting Xu Que, the Divine Martial Academy promised the richest resources—earth-tier heart techniques and martial skills—for Xu Que to choose freely.

Hearing this, Duanmu Ao, still present, twisted his face in anger.

He sneered sarcastically, “Is the Great Martial Academy trying to go against my Xuanti Holy Land?”

The national teacher turned to him and said, “Duanmu Ao? How my Great Martial Academy conducts its affairs doesn’t need your explanation.”

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Duanmu Ao said, “I’m just warning National Teacher Zhao that choosing Xu Que is a mistake. I mean well.”

National Teacher Zhao sneered, “Thanks, but I don’t need advice from someone weaker than me in cultivation and ability, less capable than I am. People like you controlling the Holy Land only mislead disciples. Fang Qianren is regressing more and more.”

Duanmu Ao was so furious he nearly ground his teeth to bits.

In the end, he could only storm off.

After Duanmu Ao left, the national teacher dismissed the others and spoke privately with Xu Que.

“This concerns the royal family’s century-long plan. If you lead the Divine Martial Academy’s team into the Eastern Wilderness Secret Realm, His Majesty is even willing to marry his favorite princess to you.”

Xu Que’s mouth twitched.

For any noble family in Shengjing, this would be a magnificent opportunity.

But Xu Que’s ambitions lay elsewhere.

Once he mastered his cultivation, he planned to seek out the Two Realms Mountain to rescue his parents.

Now with this chance, he naturally agreed immediately.

He also secured extra slots for his fellow clansmen.

After the national teacher and his party left,

Xu Beixuan summoned the younger generation of the Xu family.

Xu Wuji and Xu Ziling accompanied Xu Que to the Divine Martial Academy.

Xu Qian’ge remained behind at the family estate to cultivate.

...

Soon, the three Xu brothers carried their admission letters and headed to the Shengjing Divine Martial Academy.

But just as they reached the academy gate,

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A disciple wearing the academy’s uniform was beaten out and fell right in front of Xu Que.

“Hah, is this all your Great Martial elite can do?”

“Pathetic, can’t even take a hit.”

“Is there no one left at Great Martial Academy?”

“Who dares fight me?”

“Anyone else?”

Ahead, a young nobleman in red shouted arrogantly.

But the academy disciples all cowered like turtles.

Not because they lacked courage, but even the academy’s top disciple couldn’t win; if they went up, they’d only humiliate themselves.

Xu Que wanted to ask what had happened, but Xu Wuji moved aside to inquire.

It turned out the imperial capital’s academy from the Great Zhou dynasty had sent people for exchange and cooperation, and the Great Martial Academy’s top disciple had just lost a duel.

Xu Que looked at the defeated man—only at Martial Sect rank three.

Not terrible, but in these Eastern Wilderness lands, he was no prodigy.

Xu Que thought, “Such a prestigious academy backed by the dynasty, and this is their best?”

He seemed to understand the court’s plan.

The Holy Lands and great sects had taken too many talents, and most prodigies never returned after leaving, sometimes going abroad.

Obviously, Great Martial Academy couldn’t retain prodigious martial artists, so they had to establish their own academy as a counterbalance.

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Xu Que leapt forward, entering the fighting circle.

“Who are you?” the Great Zhou warrior asked arrogantly. “Your academy’s top disciple already lost. What realm are you to dare challenge me?”

Xu Que said, “Xu Que of the Xu family. I just arrived to register.”

“Xu Que?”

“The one expelled from Xuanti Holy Land?”

“Yeah, the one who barely escaped the Deadly Immortal Extinction Ground.”

“I heard he’s only Martial Sect rank three.”

“That’s the same as the top disciple.”

“But that one is Martial Sect rank four.”

“Eh, even if he goes up, he’ll just get beaten.”

Those around whispered.

The Great Zhou warrior, hearing this, realized Xu Que’s identity and mocked, “So you’re the lecherous demon. You couldn’t marry the Zhu family’s daughter and ended up destroying the Zhu family.”

Xu Que was speechless. Damn Xuanti Holy Land—they expelled him, fine, but then spread lies about him?

“As the saying goes, rumors end with the wise. Looks like you’re just a dumb donkey.”

“Your tongue’s sharp, but I’ll defeat you in three moves!”

The Great Zhou warrior strode forward, claws pushing rapidly toward Xu Que’s chest.

But Xu Que seized his moment, suddenly spinning with a back kick.

Bang!

With a one-legged split kick, he struck the man’s face.

The Great Zhou warrior collapsed face-first, unconscious on the spot.

“Wow!”

Gasps of astonishment erupted around.

They had just watched the academy’s experts fall one by one, feeling hopeless about the Great Zhou warriors’ strength.

Suddenly, Xu Que, the newcomer, defeated an opponent in one move, stunning everyone.

Xu Que said calmly, “Not so impressive. Since I’m here, I’m the new top disciple of Great Martial Academy. Who else from Great Zhou wants to fight? I’ll take on ten.”

Hiss.

Everyone inhaled sharply.

Xu Que was confident enough to fight ten? How many Martial Sect warriors could handle that?

Clap, clap, clap.

Suddenly, a man in the crowd began to applaud and slowly stepped forward.

“Not bad for a discarded disciple from Xuanti Holy Land. Former ninth seat—this level of skill is expected.”

“Who are you? Want to step up or just chatter here?”

“I’m Lin Fan, fifth seat of the Former Luo Holy Land, Martial Sect rank nine. Your move was quick, but I saw it. Our realms are comparable.”

“Heh, some skill.”

Lin Fan leapt into the fighting circle, adopting a boxing stance.

“Of course. Otherwise, how could I sweep through your Great Martial Academy? Within ten moves, you’ll lose to me.”