Chapter 230: Hidden Talent!
Chapter 230: Hidden Talent!
Chapter 230: Hidden Talent!
"Instructor Leng, please hold on!"
The middle-aged man in black robes swiftly approached with the young man and halted ten meters to the left of the platform. "Instructor Leng, have you received the documents sent by the Academic Affairs Office a few days ago?"
"Oh, it's Academician Xia!" Leng Jianfeng exclaimed, a grin stretching across his face as he lightly stroked his full beard. "Hehe, I believe I have received them..."
The middle-aged man, Xia Zhengtao, frowned and shot Leng Jianfeng a glance, his brows furrowing. "Instructor Leng, forgive me for saying this, but..."
Observing the gathered students, Xia Zhengtao sighed softly. "Let's just forget it. After all, I've already brought the person to you. This is Li Bufan, the ninth young master of Grand Commandant Li's family. Due to some prior engagements, he missed the selection for the beginner's assessment, and those ten 'hidden talents' have already been assigned elsewhere. So, for now, he's being temporarily placed in your East Court. It shouldn't be a problem right?"
"Li Bufan..." The Devil Instructor squinted, assessing the young man beside Xia Zhengtao, a subtle smirk gracing his lips. "Looks like the number of peculiar talents among this year's yellow-tier students is increasing."
"Nephew Bufan, this is Instructor Leng Jianfeng from the East Court. In the future, you'll train alongside the students of the East Court," Xia Zhengtao explained, turning to Li Bufan with a hint of solicitation in his tone.
Despite Xia Zhengtao's esteemed position as an academician at Tianwei Academy, his need for the young man's opinion hinted at the individual's exceptional background.
Indeed, as Xia Zhengtao just stated, Li Bufan was the ninth young master of Grand Commandant Li's family.
In the Tianbai Empire, the government operated under the Three Lords and Nine Ministers system. Among the three lords were the Chancellor, Grand commandant, and the Imperial Secretary.
And Grand Commandant Li's position among the three lords underscored the esteemed status of the Li family.
With a calm demeanor, Li Bufan glanced at Leng Jianfeng and asserted, "The weak have no right to instruct me! Only by defeating me will I stay!"
"Hiss!"
The words barely left his lips before the students below collectively drew in a sharp breath.
This student is too arrogant, daring to disregard even Leng Jianfeng!
Upon hearing this, Leng Jianfeng didn't react with anger but erupted into hearty laughter instead. "Kid, you've got some nerve. I like it!"
"So, are you accepting my challenge?" Li Bufan's voice remained cold and indifferent, devoid of any emotional inflection. It was akin to eternal permafrost, chilling to the bone.
"Kid, you're too inexperienced to challenge me." Leng Jianfeng pointed at Ling Feng, grinning widely. "You need to defeat him at least to qualify for a duel with me!"
In a split second, numerous pairs of eyes simultaneously fixed on Ling Feng.
"Is Instructor Leng really using me as a shield?"
Ling Feng rubbed his nose bridge, a blazing determination kindling in his eyes!
He had a gut feeling that Li Bufan was no ordinary individual but a prodigy worthy of him revealing his true strength!
Xia Zhengtao, the academician who escorted Li Bufan, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. He thought to himself, “What's this? Li Bufan is a bona fide hidden talent, you know!
The term "hidden talents" referred to extraordinary geniuses who, during the annual enrollment of new students, ranked among the top ten in various comprehensive tests, distinguishing them fundamentally from ordinary students.
If it weren't for Li Bufan facing a sudden turn of events during the enrollment assessment, where he slept for a whole month, he would have long been listed among the top ten hidden talents and sent to the secret location of Tianwei Academy for special training.
But Leng Jianfeng was actually pitting an ordinary genius against a hidden talent?
Xia Zhengtao shook his head, pondering if Leng Jianfeng was completely unaware of just how formidable hidden talents truly were!
Li Bufan's gaze followed Leng Jianfeng's pointing finger and settled on Ling Feng.
Moments later, a curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. "You, indeed, have the qualifications to spar with me!"
Under the watchful gaze of the crowd, Li Bufan ascended the platform step by step, coming to a halt a hundred paces away from Ling Feng.
Two young geniuses stood facing each other, their powerful auras clashing intensely!
"They're about to face off! That kid is going head-to-head with Chief Ling!"
"Their auras are so intense! I feel like I can barely keep my balance!"
Under the overwhelming pressure sweeping over them, the students below the platform turned pale, their hearts trembling.
Even the elites chosen by Leng Jianfeng on the platform couldn't help but retreat several steps, unwilling to approach the area where the two auras clashed.
"Grand Commandant Li, the ninth young master..." Liu Yunfei mused for a moment, then his eyes brightened. He turned to his cousin Qin Wanwan and spoke in a low voice, "I see now. This Li Bufan is none other than the one known as the Little Sword God! The Little Sword God from the Li family!"
Qin Wanwan blinked her beautiful eyes, suddenly realizing, "Ah? It's him..."
Li Bufan!
He began practicing the sword at six, grasped its principles at nine, and understood its will at twelve!
This person was none other than the young genius who had made a name for himself in the imperial capital, known as the "Little Sword God."
While his fame may not be as widespread as that of Yan Jinghong, the "Empire Legend," within the imperial capital at least, everyone was familiar with the name Little Sword God. Li Bufan was a source of pride for the Grand Commandant's family and was considered a candidate for the next head of the household!
A blush spread across Qin Wanwan's face inexplicably.
She suddenly remembered her preteen years, when a frosty, aloof youth had made a name for himself in Jiangdu with a single battle.
That youth was none other than Li Bufan, the object of her adolescent infatuation and secret admiration...
"Cousin, this guy really is the Little Sword God, isn't he...?"
Before Liu Yunfei could finish speaking, Qin Wanwan reached out and covered his mouth. "Liu Yunfei, if you're not afraid of death, then go ahead and continue!"
Liu Yunfei quickly shook his head, pulling Qin Wanwan's hand away and gasping for breath. "Cousin, you're too harsh!"
"Hmph!" Qin Wanwan crossed her arms and pouted. "Anyway, you're not allowed to speak nonsense!"
"Fine, I won't say anything," Liu Yunfei replied, his gaze returning to the center of the platform.
While they were speaking, Ling Feng and Li Bufan slowly drew their swords, positioning themselves at opposite corners of the platform.
Moments passed... and then a few more...
Finally, Li Bufan took action. A slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. "You are indeed a worthy adversary, deserving of my blade."
"You're not too shabby yourself. Bring it on!"
Ling Feng felt the battle spirit within him ignite like a roaring flame, unstoppable.
Clang!
A piercing cold light suddenly illuminated the platform.
The sword strike descended like a sword god, its glint of cold light reminiscent of the swift movement of a deer's horn, elusive and unpredictable!
Fast!
Too fast!
All the students, and even Leng Jianfeng, silently marveled at the prowess of this teenager, who displayed such extraordinary talent at such a young age!
Li Bufan, known as The Little Sword God, moved with ghostly speed as well, his footwork matching Ling Feng's Boundless Sword Steps!
In the blink of an eye!
Clang!
With a resounding clash, their swords met. The two young geniuses stepped past each other, abruptly turning around to lock eyes.
This sword strike ended with neither gaining the upper hand!