The First Academy.

The graduating students finally arrived.

Initially expecting loud cheers from the crowd, they were shocked at the uncanny scene which appeared before their eyes.

There was dead silence in the field.

Simultaneously, the teachers, students and even the rest of the people at the display booths were looking in a certain direction.

Well… what was happening?

They looked in that direction quizzically and then saw that shocking slogan.

Shus.h.!.+

They fell silent as well.

Oh, the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation. Isn't that the a.s.sociation that Zhao Yunshan belongs to?

They had promised Zhao Yunshan to give it some consideration. However, this was merely a small a.s.sociation with two to three members. Could these guys stop engaging in self-amus.e.m.e.nt? It was really very embarra.s.sing…

Theoretically, he academy had already made arrangements for the in-campus job fair. After the graduating students arrived, they could choose the a.s.sociation that they favored. The in-campus job fair could commence!

However, that moment…

Everyone was looking at the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation quietly.

Yes.

What else could they do?

They had promised Zhao Yunshan to give the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation a chance. Therefore, they could not possibly pretend as if nothing had happened. That would be too shameless.

However, if they were to approach them directly…

That would be even more embarra.s.sing!

Clearly, this was an extremely complacent a.s.sociation that only knew how to boast about itself!

However, fortunately, not everyone was saved by Zhao Yunshan. The group eliminated at the earlier phase did not need to consider this. For example, Ye Liangfei.

He was also a cultivator who had a top-notch talent!

Shush.

He took a step forward.

He wanted to choose the Swordsman a.s.sociation!

Yes.

A Swordsman!

He felt indignant to be subdued by Lu Yan!

He wanted to defeat Lu Yan in her area of expertise and take revenge for himself!

Shus.h.!.+

Step by step, he strode toward the Swordsman a.s.sociation.

"Someone is coming."

The people from the Swordsman a.s.sociation felt gratified.

Although Ye Liangfei was eliminated at the beginning and did not benefit from the World of Darkness and Shadows in his advancement, he had a very high starting point. As such, the a.s.sessment did not widen his gap with the rest of the group that much!

Well…

He still met the mark in various aspects.

They could consider him.

However…

At this moment.

Not too far away and opposite them, they saw that guy called Lu Ming standing up and quietly wiping the words 'strongest in the cohort' on the slogan in front of everyone.

"Master, should we fight for him?" Xiaobai asked.

"No need."

Lu Ming had a calm expression. "Some people willingly choose to be in the second place. This kind of person is not worth fighting for. Let them be."

Ye Liangfei was speechless.

He paused in his tracks towards the Swordsman a.s.sociation.

The Swordsman a.s.sociation exploded in anger on the spot.

This is too much!

What did he mean by second place?

Although the Swordsman a.s.sociation was restrained by a few rare vocations because of their monotonous attacks, they were still the strongest vocation from all perspectives!

They were actually mocked by a small a.s.sociation!

"You…"

A Swordsman got up furiously.

"Ah, sorry."

Lu Ming came to his senses and apologized profusely. "We're just chatting amongst ourselves and didn't mean to target you guys."

"Really?"

That Swordsman's expression calmed down slightly.

"Of course."

Lu Ming was all smiles. "We are really not targeting the Swordsman a.s.sociation. I just wanted to say that all the various a.s.sociations over here are… in second place!"

Wow—

This caused a huge uproar.

"Too arrogant!"

"I've never seen such a shameless person!"

"You're the number two! Your whole family is number two!"

"This is too much!"

"If I don't destroy this a.s.sociation today, my surname is not Cai!"

The various a.s.sociations were enraged and the students were extremely shocked.

Nevertheless, some students would inevitably think that, since Lu Ming was that arrogant, it might be true that the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation really had some capability?

If that was the case…

Some students' eyes shone.

The various a.s.sociations glanced at one another and realized that they could not avoid a clash with the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation.

Yes.

They could not avoid it at all!

When they hung a 'strongest in the cohort' sign, one could pretend not to see it or take it seriously.

However, they were openly declaring a war on all the a.s.sociations now. They were just short of pointing at their nose and calling them trash. Who could tolerate that?!

They had no choice!

The only way was to fight!

Hence…

Student Ye Liangfei found that he had been neglected…

Yes.

No one cared about him at this point in time.

Everyone's gaze was on the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation and the Swordsman a.s.sociation!

…

At the office.

The dean's expression was still sullen.

d.a.m.n!

He knew that nothing good was bound to happen with Lu Ming around!

This was an on-campus job fair and the students were given the freedom to choose their a.s.sociation. The various a.s.sociations would conduct screenings during the fair. Unknowingly, it had turned into the situation of the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation challenging all the partic.i.p.ating a.s.sociations…

What did this mean?!

"It's okay.

"It will end very soon."

The a.s.sistant consoled, "Look, this is the on-campus job fair. Which of the disciples sent by the various a.s.sociations are not peak six-stars? On the other hand, Lu Ming and his group…"

The dean glanced over.

That was true.

Lu Ming and the group were still the familiar combination of four-stars and five-stars. There was not a single six-star! Such a lineup… What gave them the courage to challenge these a.s.sociations?!

"If they are defeated in the first fight, there's nothing else left for them afterward," the a.s.sistant reported.

Yes.

If Lu Ming and the group were to fail their first combat, no one would give a s.h.i.+t about their Sword Card Master a.s.sociation anymore!

"I know."

The dean wore a grave expression.

Indeed, the abilities of those a.s.sociations far surpa.s.sed that of the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation!

However…

Would Lu Ming do something that he was not sure about?!

Or perhaps…

The dean pondered deeply for a moment. "Get those bull trainers to be on standby."

"Huh?"

The a.s.sistant looked dumbstruck.

Standby?

Why the h.e.l.l do they need to be on standby now?!

…

"Let me fight with you."

Someone from the Swordsman a.s.sociation took a step forward.

Zhang Feitian, a graduate from the last graduating cohort of The First Academy, joined the Swordsman a.s.sociation last year. His ability had improved tremendously and he was already a peak six-star now!

"The strongest in the cohort?"

"Very good."

"I like being the strongest in the cohort!"

Zhang Feitian wore a cold and aloof expression. "I'll restrain my level to be the same as yours. I want to see how powerful a vocation derived from cards can be?!

"Who are you sending?"

Zhang Feitian had a proud expression.

"Master, let me do it," Zhao Yunshan volunteered.

He still had an obsession with Swordsmen.

"Sure."

Lu Ming nodded slightly.

"You?"

Zhang Feitian swept his gaze across Zhao Yunshan and suddenly laughed. "Do you know something? The Swordsman a.s.sociation has also reviewed your information but they gave up on you in the end.

"Because your talent is too poor!

"You don't possess the talents required of a Swordsman!

"Someone who relies on money to progress…

"Hehe."

Zhang Feitian sneered.

Zhao Yunshan was too famous.

The core of the Swordsman vocation was talent and this was the pride of every Swordsman! On the other hand, Zhao Yunshan depended on resources and money to advance…

Even though he had limited talent, he reached five-star!

However, this was considered an insult to many Swordsmen!

This kind of Swordsman… was too inferior!

Later on, they heard that this person had given up on being a Swordsman and left the school. Unexpectedly, they met him there again after a long time. Furthermore, he had joined a new a.s.sociation!

Zhao Yunshan was silent.

He gently released the fists that he had been clenching tightly.

He was the only one who knew what he had been through over these years!

Contempt…

Humiliation…

Thankfully…

All of this was a thing of the past.

The appearance of Lu Ming and the Sword Card Master had taken him on a brand new path! He had long surpa.s.sed his old self!

Even though he was still a five-star!

"Come on."

Zhao Yunshan looked at Zhang Feitian calmly.

"Very good," Zhang Feitian sneered.

Buzz—

He took the initiative to maintain his level at five-star.

"You're five-star, so am I!"

Zhang Feitian said proudly, "I want to let you know what being called the strongest in the cohort means! Besides some special restraining vocations, we, Swordsmen… are unrivaled!"

Bang!

Zhang Feitian stepped forward and released his sword gleam!

Buzz—

There was an outburst of terrifying aura.

"This aura…"

Everyone's heart trembled.

He was very powerful!

Although Zhang Feitian had already subdued his level to five-star, he was still very powerful!

Swoos.h.!.+

Cold lights flashed.

Zhang Feitian raised his hand and shot out a terrifying strike.

Right then…

Amid the crowd's screams, Zhao Yunshan merely took out a card calmly. Well… it did not look any different from the card of a Card Creator.

Small and thin.

"Card?!"

"The core of a Sword Card Master is actually a card?"

The students were instantly stunned.

They had thought that the core of this so-called Sword Card Master with the word 'sword' in its name was a Sword Embryo! But, the outcome? It was actually a card?!

This…

"He is a goner!"

"c.r.a.p! Their core is a card. Why the h.e.l.l are they that arrogant?!"

Everyone was speechless.

Afterward…

They saw that fierce and swift sword landing on the card which was gently suspended in the air.

Bang!

There was a deafening sound.

That terrifying sword suddenly stopped in the air in front of Zhao Yunshan.

"It has been blocked?!"

The students' hearts trembled.

This seemingly small and exquisite card managed to block the Sword Embryo's attack?

"Humph!

Zhang Feitian only sneered at the sight of this.

Afterward…

Bang!

Bang!

Sword gleams flashed.

The dazzling radiance released by the Sword Embryo smashed rampantly.

Block?

I'll let you block as you please!

He wanted to see how many of his attacks this small card could block?!

Hence…

He attacked furiously.

Once!

Twice!

Bang!

Bang!

The Sword Embryo launched violent and abusive attacks repeatedly, fully displaying the terrifying attack tactics which uniquely belonged to a Swordsman. Zhao Yunshan could not even lift up his head under the pressure of resisting them!

Defense?

No way!

Attacking was the best defense!

To a Swordsman…

Endless attacks were the most powerful performance!

Bang!

Bang!

The Sword Embryo continued releasing its powers, its aura bursting.

Zhang Feitian was akin to a raging storm and devastating downpour. He released his most powerful swordplay. In the end, Zhao Yunshan's card was blasted away!

Pfft!

Zhao Yunshan spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and retreated a few steps.

Everyone was stunned.

"What kind of swordplay is this?"

"It's terrifying. It attacked consecutively without a moment of rest!"

"Zhao Yunshan did not even have the chance to strike…"

"That was too terrifying!"

Everyone was shocked and terrified.

"Is this your so-called strongest in the cohort?"

Zhang Feitian laughed with relish.

Why do you have to peac.o.c.k?!

It was fine that you do that in front of other vocations, but in front of us, Swordsmen?

Hehe.

It was ridiculous!

Opposite him.

Zhao Yunshan was silent.

True enough…

Was this the prowess of a five-and-half star Swordsman?

Yes.

Five-and-half star!

Zhang Feitian was seemingly pretending to be a five-star but he had a six-star Sword Embryo. The tempered aura of the Sword Embryo could not be covered up!

Did he really think that he was a five-star after lowering his level?

Of course not!

In fact, this was very easy to understand. He was a secondary school student attempting to do primary school mathematics questions…

Did he really think that it was fair because he did not use the formulas of secondary school?

No.

Zhang Feitian's Sword Embryo, physique, aura, level, his degree of swordplay comprehension and everything were of the six-star level. All of this could not be lowered!

The pure reduction of his energy was only fair on the surface!

He wanted to bully Zhao Yunshan in that way!

"Can you take another round of attacks?"

Zhang Feitian lifted his hand coldly.

Zhao Yunshan merely watched him. He suddenly said, "Remember to use your true ability."

"What?"

Zhang Feitian was stunned.

"Because…

"I don't want to kill you."

Zhao Yunshan had a calm and composed expression.

In his hands… a card was s.h.i.+ning slightly.

Buzz—

A surge of strange energy was spreading suddenly. Time seemed to have stopped at this moment. The card seemingly came alive and then traversed the air!

It was akin to a moving dragon!

Shus.h.!.+

Shus.h.!.+

Cold beams of light streaked across the place.

Shocked and terrified, Zhang Feitian looked on as that card dashed toward him rapidly. He instinctively retracted his Sword Embryo.

However…

It was too late!

Swoos.h.!.+

Horror was etched in the eyes of Zhang Feitian as the card, which was as thin as a cicada's wing, streaked a perfect arc, dodged the Sword Embryo with ease and struck his neck.

"Get lost!"

Zhang Feitian suddenly panicked. He could sense the chilling coldness from the card.

Bang!

The energy which he had been suppressing earlier on erupted in that moment!

Beginner six-star!

Advanced six-star!

He was a peak six-star!

Swoos.h.!.+

Cold lights flashed.

The card swept across and nothing happened.

It had ended?

Zhang Feitian heaved a sigh of relief.

Afterward…

His neck felt slightly cold. He reached out his hand to wipe it but was instantly shocked and terrified to discover a streak of blood… on his hand.

Fresh, red blood.

Yes. Even though he had reverted to peak six-star, his neck had still been slit!

Thankfully…

There was only a streak of blood.

"You…"

Completely baffled, Zhang Feitian stared at the blood on his hands.

He could feel the b.l.o.o.d.y marking on his neck and was sure that if it had been slightly more central or deeper, he could have died on the spot!!!

How did…

How did this happen?!

He could not figure out how Zhao Yunshan could be that powerful?!

"What is this move called?"

Zhang Feitian had a bitter expression.

"Lightning Slash."

Zhao Yunshan said calmly, "This is an ability invented by our Sword Card Master a.s.sociation!"

"Invented…"

Zhang Feitian was stunned.

This a.s.sociation can invent this kind of ability?

At this very moment…

There was dead silence in the entire field.

All the students watched this scene in disbelief…

He was wounded?!

Zhang Feitian was wounded?!

No.

He was not only wounded. They had clearly seen Zhang Feitian's aura erupting and returning to peak six-star and then he was almost killed…

When they recalled Zhao Yunshan's earlier words, they could not help but shudder.

Therefore…

This was the reason that Zhao Yunshan did not strike? Because the impact of the attack was too strong?!

Unknowingly, the students' gaze became scorching.

Yes.

Zhao Yunshan was only a five-star!

However, this was precisely the reason why this move was terrifying! With his five-star ability, he almost killed Zhang Feitian instantly. What could have happened if he was a six-star?!

They believed that their talent and ability far surpa.s.sed Zhao Yunshan's. What if they were to learn it?!

Would they also become stronger?!

At the thought of this, those graduates felt tempted.

If…

If they were to join the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation, would they be able to learn all that?!

Right then…

Their gazes landed on the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation and began to take it into consideration.

…

At this very moment…

"Things are not looking good."

A senior from the Swordsman a.s.sociation frowned.

Hence…

He hinted at his disciple with a gaze and that disciple understood right away. They could not let these people harbor thoughts of choosing the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation!

They had to eliminate those thoughts!

And it was very easy to do that.

"You actually tried to kill someone in the school!"

The Swordsman exploded with rage instantly.

Bang!

There was an outburst of a terrifying aura.

The terrifying thought of a peak six-star shot out toward Zhao Yunshan!!!

What was the Sword Card Master a.s.sociation lacking the most?

A foundation!

This was the only a.s.sociation without a seven-star!

Furthermore…

Their strongest cultivator was merely a five-star!

In that case, it was very simple to expose their shortcomings.

Look, your disciples have been bullied and no one can help!

There is no future!

No senior!

No foundation!

Perhaps this a.s.sociation will be annihilated some day. What's the point of joining it?

The Swordsman sneered.

Bang!

There was an eruption of pure mental strength.

He was also a peak six-star but he had already joined the a.s.sociation for three years. He was only a step away from seven-star. Zhang Feitian was not even comparable to him!

It would be too late even if the school wanted to stop him.

And the other a.s.sociations…

They were merely in for a good show.

Yes.

So what if you are the strongest in your cohort?

You're a dignified a.s.sociation but you can't even block a core disciple of our Swordsman a.s.sociation! How are you going to face opponents in the future?!

Swoos.h.!.+

That terrifying mental strength landed!

The students watched in fear and shock.

However…

At this moment.

A beam of cold light flashed.

Before that Swordsman could react, he seemingly felt something slas.h.i.+ng his mental strength which had been condensed to its limit!

He focused his gaze and saw a disc-shaped mental state!

It was as thin as a cicada's wing!

It was round and big!

…