novelraw Chapter 315: Time Waits for No One; Now is the Best Opportunity
Chapter 315: Time Waits for No One; Now is the Best Opportunity
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation.
The martial arena.
Li Da tilted his head to gaze at the sky, involuntarily drawing in a sharp breath.
Even though he knew the vines were conjured by an illusion technique, the sheer intensity of their presence was no less impactful. Looking around, he couldn’t spot Yu Zhao anywhere.
Suppressing the fear in his heart, he clenched his right hand into a fist and pounded it against his chest with force.
“Pfft!”
A mouthful of blood spurted out, quickly absorbed by the Qingyin Seal hovering above his head.
The intricate patterns at the base of the seal began writhing like living creatures.
Li Da’s face contorted as he roared, “Wind and Thunder Movement!”
The once-clear sky erupted into chaos. Fierce winds howled, and dark clouds rolled in.At that moment, a bolt of lightning split the heavens, striking the Qingyin Seal with precision.
A silver glow enveloped the seal, accompanied by crackling sounds of electricity.
“Descend!”
At his command, the electrified Qingyin Seal hurtled toward the vines like a comet descending from the heavens.
Yu Zhao acted without hesitation, her hands swiftly forming seals.
The main body of the Vine King silently split into four slender offshoots, each barely a fifth of its original thickness. The four offshoots intertwined to form a massive grid-like net.
The Qingyin Seal crashed squarely into the net.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
The offshoots exploded under the electric charge, fragments scattering everywhere.
However, Li Da’s face showed no trace of joy. Instead, fear flickered in his eyes.
In the next moment, the Vine King’s main body, hidden behind the offshoots, surged forward. Its thick trunk lashed out with a force that seemed to tear through space itself.
Bang!
The Qingyin Seal, its energy depleted, was flung aside. It spun through the air, gradually shrinking until it returned to its palm-sized original form, floating in front of Li Da.
Looking at the now-dim Qingyin Seal and the still-dominating presence of the Vine King, Li Da struggled to speak. “I’ve lost.”
Boom!
The Vine King’s massive form rapidly contracted, vanishing in a single breath, leaving behind only a round, smooth seed.
Yu Zhao picked up the seed with a slight smile.
“Well fought.”
“Ahhhh!!!”
For a moment, the crowd fell silent before erupting into thunderous cheers.
Ji Hanzhou stood among them, his heart surging with emotion and his eyes alight with determination.
Senior Sister Yu had grown stronger. He must work even harder to keep up and not be left behind!
Li Da, on the other hand, trudged off the martial arena, his head hanging low. Alongside the frustration of defeat, doubt and fear for the future gnawed at him.
He felt utterly inadequate.
Did he even deserve to be a disciple of the Tai Bai Academy?
“Uncle Li!”
Li Da looked up belatedly, spotting Wei Ying and Junior Sister Ning among a small group, their faces full of admiration as if he were the victor.
“You…”
The warmth of his fellow disciples moved him slightly. Wiping his face bitterly, he began, “You don’t have to—”
Before he could finish saying “comfort me,” Junior Brother Sha gave him a thumbs-up and exclaimed, “Uncle Li, I didn’t expect you to last so long against Yu Zhao. Incredible!”
Li Da: “?”
“We were just betting on how long you’d hold out. None of us guessed right.”
“Uncle Li exceeded all our expectations.”
“Yes, indeed!”
Li Da: “Haha…”
Somehow, he felt even worse. What should he do now?
“Senior Sister Yu, where are you going?”
Someone noticed Yu Zhao leaving alone and hurriedly asked.
“The Dean of Mo Xin Academy has summoned me.”
Yu Zhao answered casually, quickening her pace.
The Tai Bai Academy disciples exchanged looks.
“The Dean wouldn’t cause trouble for Senior Sister Yu… Ow! Senior Sister Wei, why did you hit me?!”
A disciple clutched his head, wailing in grievance.
Wei Ying looked ready to hit him again. “Do you even know the kind of person the Dean is? How could he possibly blame Senior Sister Yu? He’ll probably reward her instead.”
The group nodded in agreement. Lately, the Dean had been scowling at everyone except Yu Zhao and the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, to whom he showed rare smiles.
Reassured, they turned to discussing the recent match in small groups.
Meanwhile, Yu Zhao arrived at the bamboo lodge, where the Dean of Mo Xin Academy immediately invited her inside.
The other elders had departed, leaving only the Dean in the lodge.
“Dean Mo Xin.”
“Yu Zhao, come, have a seat.”
Before meeting him, Yu Zhao had felt a trace of unease. But seeing him in person erased her worries, leaving only calm confidence.
She sat upright, her posture exuding a sharp and unyielding presence.
The Dean nodded slightly, inwardly lamenting that such a promising talent hadn’t come from the Tai Bai Academy. Their academy would never suppress talented disciples.
Sect Master Ji Yuan was truly fortunate.
As for Master Qing Yan…
Tch, best not to mention him. Such bad luck.
“Yu Zhao.” The Dean’s voice was as gentle as could be, as if even a slight sternness might frighten her. “You handled things well. Li Da isn’t a bad person, just a bit narrow-minded. In a way, you’ve helped him grow.”
“You flatter me.”
“Haha, no need for excessive humility. You understand what I mean.” The Dean smiled warmly. “Li Da’s earlier remarks were inappropriate. To even the scales, I’ll gift you something. What do you think?”
“Dean Mo Xin.”
Yu Zhao rose and gave a formal bow.
The Dean paused, confused. “What’s this about?”
He only intended to give her a small token of appreciation. Even if she declined, there was no need for such a grand gesture.
“Junior humbly seeks your guidance on one matter. I hope you won’t withhold your wisdom.”
Sensing the weight of her words, the Dean straightened in his seat.
Yu Zhao abruptly lifted her gaze, her eyes locking with his. Her tone was deliberate and firm. “Dean, are you aware of the changes in the Heavenly Ladder?”
Before her words fully landed, Yu Zhao felt an overwhelming pressure engulf her. She staggered back, stifling a groan.
The Dean, realizing his reaction, quickly withdrew his aura, his expression dark and grave.
Yu Zhao steadied herself without urging him, standing quietly in place.
After an indeterminate time, the Dean’s piercing gaze fell on her, making her skin tingle painfully.
“Do you understand the implications of your question?”
“I do.”
“And you still dare to ask?”
“Why not?”
Their exchange left the bamboo lodge in heavy silence.
“Yu Zhao, this is not a question for you to pursue,” the Dean said, his tone layered with meaning. “At least not yet.”
“Dean, you’re mistaken.”
“Oh?”
“Time waits for no one. Now is the best opportunity.”
Having learned of the shocking changes in the Heavenly Ladder, ignoring them until the last moment would be the worst strategy. Yu Zhao preferred to prepare thoroughly in advance. Even if she failed, there would be time to start anew.
Her expression was resolute, her determination unshakable.
The Dean suddenly asked, “What if I refuse to tell you?”
“If you won’t, I can seek out Sect Master Bai Lian, Sect Master Chong Yang, Abbot Jie Tan, or Valley Master Fei Ye.”
Surely, someone would be willing to reveal the truth.
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