"One move... is all I need."
A glacial voice cut through the air.
Instructor Xu's expression changed drastically as he whipped around—only to find Wei Yi had somehow appeared right behind him.
A cold sweat broke out across his back. Had this been a real battle, he might already be dead.
"When... When did you get behind me?"
"What kind of movement technique did you use?"
Suppressing his rising shame and rage, Instructor Xu demanded in a low, cold voice.
"Heh, fool... You think I'd actually tell you?"
Wei Yi sneered, the derision on his face wholly unconcealed.
Just moments ago, the viciousness of Xu's attacks had completely enraged him.
"You—"
Instructor Xu was struck speechless, so furious he could hardly breathe.
He had never imagined that one day, he would be so thoroughly humiliated by a mere student—yet now, he could do nothing in retaliation.
Only now did he understand how Wei Yi had been able to defeat two other instructors. His strength was clearly beyond that of any ordinary disciple.
What he didn't know, however, was that Wei Yi had grown even more powerful since then.
"One move."
Wei Yi held up a single finger, repeating his declaration as if afraid Instructor Xu hadn't heard it clearly the first time.
"Don't be so arrogant, Wei Yi!"
Instructor Xu growled through clenched teeth.
"Arrogant?"
"You'll soon see whether it's arrogance or simply truth."
A cold gleam flickered in Wei Yi's eyes.
It wasn't that he lacked respect for teachers—but in his view, someone like Xu was unworthy of any reverence.
Buzz…
A strange, ancient hum reverberated through the air.
A primordial aura slowly unfurled around Wei Yi.
Suddenly, an overwhelming energy surged forth from his body.
"Is that... bloodline power?"
The old dean's eyes narrowed as he gazed at Wei Yi, for the first time showing true interest.
Boom!
The power of his bloodline erupted in full.
Wei Yi's robes fluttered though no wind stirred.
This was no ordinary bronze bloodline—it had already evolved into a silver-tier bloodline.
A terrifying energy burst outward, and all around the platform, even the instructors turned visibly pale—save for the old dean, who remained composed.
Though Wei Yi was still technically a tenth-rank Martial Master, unable to break through due to the system's limits, the addition of his silver bloodline elevated his true power above even a Tier-4 Grand Martial Master like Instructor Xu.
And even that was not the full extent of his strength.
He slowly raised his right hand.
A wisp of crimson flame flickered to life at his fingertips.
It seemed fragile, as if it might extinguish at any moment.
Yet upon closer inspection, it became apparent that the very air around them was being consumed by the flame.
As it burned, the frigid aura that once permeated the training hall was wholly swept away. A suffocating heat filled the space—so intense that even the powerful old dean couldn't entirely ignore it.
This wasn't ordinary internal energy.
It was the power of an 异火—a Heavenly Flame.
異火: strange in nature, divine in essence.
Even the old dean's expression shifted slightly.
"Is that the Crimson Crystal Trueflame… the one causing all the uproar in Jinling not long ago?"
The dean asked quietly.
"I believe so."
A middle-aged instructor beside him replied, stunned. "Rumor had it that Wei Yi obtained the flame—and it appears he has now mastered it completely."
"What talent. Had we known earlier, we should've prioritized cultivating him."
"It's not too late. The opportunity lies before us."
Another instructor chimed in quickly.
Their eyes met and, with a shared realization, they each nodded slightly.
Recommending him to the Tyrant Sect wasn't just a reward—it was a chance to draw Wei Yi into their fold.
Though True Martial Academy was among the top ten academies, its strength still rested upon its disciples. Only by nurturing those with true talent could it grow in renown and stature.
And Wei Yi—clearly—was such a student.
…
"Are you ready?"
Wei Yi asked, his gaze fixed on Instructor Xu.
"Die!"
Before Wei Yi could make a move, Xu roared and launched his attack.
Fury-fueled, he poured his full strength into the blow.
His right arm surged with energy, swelling in size as true energy coiled tightly around it.
He struck with a full-force punch, charging straight at Wei Yi.
He had staked everything on this attack.
Victory—or defeat.
No retreat.
But Wei Yi stood without fear.
"Sevenfold Kill Fist."
A low-grade Profound martial technique—one Wei Yi had recently acquired from the Wei clan.
As the clan's young master, accessing such skills was a simple matter.
Though he had only reached level 3 in its cultivation, and the technique's full potential had yet to be unleashed, the boost from the Crimson Crystal Flame elevated its power far beyond the ordinary.
As Wei Yi's fist shot forward, encased in crimson flame and bloodline power, veins bulged beneath his skin. The fierce, violent aura carried by the blow was savage, oppressive.
Power of the Sevenfold Kill!
Boom!
Their fists collided.
But contrary to expectations—it was not evenly matched.
Wei Yi didn't move an inch.
Instructor Xu, however, was blasted backward.
Six steps. Seven. Eight…
He couldn't stop.
He staggered until he crashed near the edge of the platform, clutching his right arm, which trembled uncontrollably. Then he collapsed to the floor, eyes wide with disbelief.
Pfft—
A mouthful of blood burst from his lips.
He struggled to lift his head.
Never had he imagined he would lose.
And not just lose—be utterly defeated by a single move.
"I held back."
"Otherwise, that arm of yours would be crippled."
Wei Yi's voice was calm, without pride or malice—just a quiet statement of fact.
Indeed, he had held back. Had he unleashed the full force of the Crimson Crystal Flame, Xu's arm would have been utterly destroyed.
Hearing this only enraged Xu further.
His face turned paper white as fury overtook him.
Several instructors hurried onto the platform to tend to him.
The others looked at Wei Yi with complex expressions.
They admired him—but each of his victories over an instructor was also, in a way, a blow to their collective pride.
It was difficult not to feel conflicted.
"He really won."
Zhu Ling'er, however, was overjoyed.
She didn't care about any of that—Wei Yi was safe, and he had won.
With a bright smile, she rushed toward him.
"Now do you believe me?"
Wei Yi reached out to pat her head with a smile.
"Don't touch my head!"
Her smile froze, cheeks flushing as a mix of embarrassment and annoyance surfaced.
After all, being patted like a child wasn't flattering.
She stood on tiptoe and bumped his hand with her forehead.
"Then where can I touch?"
Wei Yi exaggerated his reaction, eyes wide in mock astonishment. "Any other options?"
"You—!"
Zhu Ling'er puffed out her cheeks in protest.
But seeing his playful grin, she could only sigh in resignation.
"As long as you won, that's all that matters."
"Heh~"
Wei Yi chuckled and turned to the old dean.
"Of the ten spots, one is yours."
Before he could speak, the dean made the announcement.
"Thank you, Dean."
Wei Yi bowed sincerely.
Though he had earned it, it was still an opportunity granted by the academy.
Without this spot, entering the Tyrant Sect would've been far more difficult.
"Regardless of anything else, you are a disciple of True Martial Academy. Since you have the strength, awarding you a place is only fair."
The old dean spoke with meaning.
Wei Yi paused, then nodded with understanding. "I'll remember that. No matter where I go in the future, I will always be a student of True Martial Academy."
The dean smiled and nodded.
That was all he needed.