The next day in Florin Valley Academy was bustling as usual; there was a lively atmosphere, as lots of disciples were engaged in different forms of activities in preparation for the ranking test.

All training rooms were currently occupied; a long queue of sweaty individuals, bearing the wrath of the scorching sun could be seen waiting their turn. If one decided to have a go at the profound skill depository by this time, they would only blame themselves for being too late; as all that was left in the hall were basic skill manuals. The vital ones had been wiped clean by groups of enthusiasts.

The disciples of Florin Valley Academy naturally had a strong competitive spirit. No one wanted to be left to the dust by their fellow disciples. They always strived to be better than those who they considered as rivals, pushing themselves beyond their limits. This was quite understandable, since Florin Valley Academy was a low-class Academy, and paled in comparison to other distinctive places, like the Crimson Immortal Academy; With regards to this, the disciples of Florin Valley Academy were left with no choice but to put in more effort into training, to meet up with the standard requirement.

Upon arriving at the arena, Doran was a bit surprised by the sight of the huge crowd of disciples present. It wasn't strange for many disciples to be at the arena, but the number today was simply jaw-dropping. The duel between disciples, apart from being a means to record their combat efficiency, was also beneficial to others who watched; they could take lessons or even gain insight from these fights.

Doran found a spot and sat among the crowd of spectators. There were two disciples currently on the stage; making fierce exchanges like their fate was tied to the outcome of the Battle. From the intensity of their moves, it was obvious that both were in the essence gathering stage.

*Peng!*

Their weapons vibrated with faint traces of essence energy, pushing both individuals a few steps backward with every clash.

"Hahaha!" A tall disciple among the two fightings on stage suddenly bellowed, causing the noisy arena to quiet down, to hear the details of what he was about to say. "Brother Dong, I must commend you for being able to withstand my casual move head-on. I wonder how you improved this much ever since our last battle, but if that's all you've got… hehe, I advice you to give up now because I'm about to get serious.

The words of the tall disciple, incurred heavy boos from the crowd. It was obvious from their fight so far that both had given in their all; still, none could take the upper hand, yet he actually called that a casual move. Could anyone be more shameless than this?

The second disciple on the stage wore an ugly expression, seeming to be extremely irritated by the words of the former,

"You shameless dog! Must you be hypocritical to the very end? You thought I was going to be an easy opponent like last time, but I'm sorry to disappoint you"

The tall disciple clicked his tongue angrily:

"How dare you act arrogant in my presence? Now you have forced me to use my ultimate move, you can only blame yourself for whatever injuries you will incur" After saying this, he twisted his arms diagonally with his knee bent, and his back facing the opposite side.

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"Myriad Slash! one hundred swords"

His figure shot forward, swiftly towards his opponent; sending series of sword slashes that were accompanied by a heavy gush of wind, which was hard to read with the naked eyes.

The entire crowd went into a frenzy.

"The Myriad Slash! Brother Lou has managed to cultivate it to this stage?"

"Wow! as expected of a top-ranked disciple"

…

…

…

"That damn brat, so he was the one who took that technique from the profound skill depository, I went through hell looking for it" In one corner of the arena, a disciple muttered to himself with a bitter expression.

Dong Ren who witnessed the approaching danger couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. He felt chills run down his spine, he could feel the power contained within this sword slashes. He immediately recollected his thoughts:

"Deflective Mountain!"

He pegged down his sword, and propped himself, with one knee touching the ground, the phantom of a small mountain appeared in front of him.

*Hong…"

With a reverberating sound, the dust settled in the air, as the Lou Gaoxiong's sword slashes struck the mountain phantom. Everyone present, narrowed their eyes in anticipation, waiting to see the outcome of the attack.

As the dust gradually settled, Dong Ren's figure could be seen, still holding his sword in the defensive position. Against the expectation of most people, apart from the few cuts that appeared on his body, he was still fine, without any major injuries.

Lou Gaoxiong was extremely shocked by this scene. The Myriad Slash was a skill manual he had obtained from the upper floor of the profound skill depository. Although it appeared to contain only the first part of the technique; it was a medium grade skill manual, with the complete part rumored to be a high grade. He had anticipated the attack to cause severe injuries to Dong Ren, which will have him bedridden for a few months; but yet, his attack barely managed to leave a few scratches on him.

Dong Ren managed to lift his body from the ground, and wiped the blood which leaked from the corners of his mouth, he felt his blood tumble within. He had suffered some internal injuries; and if he continued with the fight, his condition might worsen.

"I… I admit defeat"

Everyone present was surprised by how he suddenly surrendered. They were shocked earlier by how he withstood the attack; if he could repel such an attack without a severe injury, then doesn't that mean he still had enough power left to fight? After much pondering, they came to a silent conclusion that he must be suffering from a shock, due to the intensity of the attack.

Doran who had been watching the fight from a corner, had his pupils contracted, with a surprised look; this was because his chilveric eyes were immediately activated at the time Lou Gaoxiong launched the Myriad Slash. He could see an infinite potential contained within the technique, which made him realize that it wasn't like any ordinary technique.

[Ignore all defense]

It was like his chilveric eye was trying to tell him that the Myriad Slash had the potential to ignore all defense if it were to be remodeled.

'The hell! ignore all defense? Won't that be a transcendent manual instead?' If such a skill were to exist, it means the legendary deific Saints would cower at the sight of whosoever could practice it. Doran couldn't help but scoff at the thought of it. He hurriedly dismissed the sentiment of such a skill ever existing. If he were to say this to the hearing of other disciples, he was likely to suffer a collective beating from them.

After the fight was concluded, the match official came forth to announce Lou Gaoxiong as the winner. This announcement was proceeded with loud shouts and screams of the spectating disciples; As they chanted his name.

With his chin up to the skies, Lou Gaoxiong stretched his arms wide open to the crowd, soaking in the pleasure of his name being chanted. He felt like a God that had descended to the earth and deserved the worship of men.

*

After Lou Gaoxiong's battle, a few more disciples, who were prearranged for a duel, came on stage; heating the atmosphere of the arena once more.

It was quite fun watching these battles, different skills, and secret techniques were unveiled, which warranted cheers from the crowd. The usual pitiful screams that would resound from time to time, were followed by the roars of victory from every winner.

Right then, Nehru Bai's chubby figure found its way to the stage. Although Nehru Bai wasn't in the top rankings, he was considered as one of the favorites to make it to the top 200, and gain an official number in the coming ranking test.

A lot of disciples became curious as to who his opponent would turn out to be. Just then, the slender figure of a young boy; who looked no more than 15- 16 appeared on the stage.

Everyone present stared with wide eyes and slacked jaw.