Chapter 120: Academy Admissions

"This Lord Zhu Hua is an expert among the Imperial City's Forbidden Guards, with astonishing combat prowess."

"I heard that back when he was in the Foundation Establishment stage, he could already fight against those at higher levels."

"If this kid goes up against Lord Zhu Hua, he probably won't even be able to withstand a single strike."

After seeing Zhu Hua make his move, the onlookers stared at Li Jiansan as if they were looking at a dead man.

Unable to withstand a single strike?

Hearing the voices of the crowd, Zhang Dabao standing nearby couldn't help but sneer. While others were unaware of Li Jiansan's true strength, he knew it all too well. A simple display of spirit seals from Li Jiansan had been enough to make a master of spirit arrays bow down in submission. How could such a genius possibly be outmatched by a mere centurion?

Zhang Dabao laughed, "It is indeed true that he won't withstand a single strike."

"Your companion has already lost, so why are you still so happy?"

Zhang Dabao asked strangely, "Lost? How could my Brother Li lose?"

The man was also confused. "Didn't you just say he wouldn't be able to withstand a single strike?"

"Yes, but I meant that he wouldn't be able to withstand a single strike at the hands of my Brother Li."

Upon hearing Zhang Dabao's words, the crowd's eyes widened in shock, and the entire scene fell into an eerie silence. What kind of joke was this? This was an expert from the Imperial Forbidden Guard; how could he be unable to withstand a single strike from that boy? If anything, it should be the other way around.

"Heh, they all say you'll die at my hands in one strike. If you crawl before me now and kowtow in apology, I might consider sparing your pathetic life." Hearing the murmurs around him, Zhu Hua sneered at Li Jiansan.

"Noisy!"

At Li Jiansan's words, Zhu Hua's expression darkened, and he poured sudden, violent force into his attack. "Then go to hell!"

"Boom!"

Just as Zhu Hua’s voice trailed off, Li Jiansan’s figure suddenly blurred. He swung his palm, and a surge of overwhelming, domineering power erupted in the void, instantly sending the attacking Zhu Hua flying.

"Pfft..."

Facing the power of Li Jiansan’s palm, Zhu Hua had absolutely no means of defense. In an instant, he was slammed to the ground like a dead dog. His face turned deathly pale, his internal energy was shattered, and he was left without the slightest strength to resist. The power still rampaged within his body, causing his blood to churn violently until he spat out a mouthful of foul, dark blood.

Long after, his internal organs were still throbbing with pain. The destructive power of Li Jiansan’s palm was truly terrifying!

Upon witnessing this, the once noisy crowd fell into stunned silence. Everyone turned their gazes toward Li Jiansan, their faces filled with disbelief.

"This... how is this possible?"

"He actually... defeated Zhu Hua in a single strike, and it was a total rout!"

"Who exactly is this kid to have such terrifying strength? Is he some hidden genius from somewhere?"

Zhu Hua looked at Li Jiansan with dread, terrified that he might make another move.

"If there is a next time, I will not hesitate to kill you!"

Li Jiansan simply dropped this cold threat and walked away.

Inside the Imperial City, Li Jiansan walked along a main street paved with marble. The road was dozens of meters wide, enough for three or four carriages to travel abreast. As far as the eye could see, there were countless tea houses, restaurants, shops, and street vendors. It was so prosperous that it was no wonder the city held a population of over one hundred million.

"Make way, move aside!"

"Don't block the path, kid."

"Everyone in front, move out of the way..."

As soon as Li Jiansan entered the Imperial City, he saw carriages pulled by exotic beasts rushing past. The streets were packed with a constant stream of people; even though it was already evening, it remained a sea of humanity. This was because the city's four great academies were holding their annual recruitment drive, selecting talented disciples to join their ranks. It was the only opportunity for many martial artists to enter these prestigious institutions. This grand event had attracted factions from all over the Jiang Kingdom, some of whom had arrived a month early just to secure a spot.

Li Jiansan could hear the chatter about the four great academies all around him.

"Hey, brother, you look like you've got some strength. Which academy are you planning to join?"

"If only I had a choice. I can only try my luck everywhere now. Whichever one accepts me is where I'll go. If I'm rejected by all of them, I'll have to head back home."

"No way, brother. With your skills, you can't pass their assessment?"

"You don't know the half of it. The academy admissions today are incredibly fierce. Even out of a hundred, one might not even make the cut."

"That seems true. I saw several matches today where people were beaten into serious injuries..."

"Exactly. Look at Ouyang Feng from the Azure Dragon Academy today; he crippled someone's cultivation in a single strike. He's practically a devil."

These comments reached Li Jiansan’s ears, but he didn't care in the slightest. *Heh, is that all it takes to be called a devil? That's only because they haven't met me yet.*

At this moment, Zhang Dabao asked, "Brother Li, out of these four academies, which one do you want to join?"

Li Jiansan replied directly, "The Azure Dragon Academy."

"Since Brother Li is going to the Azure Dragon Academy, then I'm going too."

Li Jiansan smiled, "Good, let's go."

With that, he headed in the direction of the Azure Dragon Academy.

"You two, what are you doing here? Is this a place you can just stroll into?"

As soon as Li Jiansan and Zhang Dabao reached the entrance of the Azure Dragon Academy, they were blocked by a burly guard.

Li Jiansan said, "We are here to participate in the Azure Dragon Academy's recruitment assessment."

The weather in the Imperial City was still biting cold, yet the guard wore only a tiger-skin mantle, showing that he possessed considerable strength. His face was fierce, and his eyes, which radiated a cold, chilling aura, made him appear even more imposing. Li Jiansan couldn't help but sigh inwardly; he hadn't expected even a guard at the Azure Dragon Academy to have such strength. He wondered just how deep the academy's foundations really were.

"Do you not understand the rules? Go over there and join the queue," the guard pointed to a long line outside the gate, speaking impatiently.

"Then... how come that guy was able to just walk right in?"

The guard retorted coldly, "Can you compare yourself to Young Master Xu Lin?"

"Don't tell me you don't even know who Young Master Xu Lin is?" The guard glanced at them dismissively. "He is the son of the Imperial City's wealthy merchant, Xu Fu. The pocket change his father donates to the Azure Dragon Academy every year is more than you could spend in ten lifetimes. Tell me, can you compare to him?"

Having said that, the guard barked coldly, "If you want to participate, go join the line! If not, get lost!"