Star Odyssey

Chapter 2548: Stone Gate Battle Technique

As Lu Yin set foot on the grounds of the Cyclic School, a jade slip shot towards him.

After reviewing the new information, Lu Yin started moving in a specific direction.

News that Xuan Qi had transferred quickly spread throughout the Siverse Academy, just like when Lu Yin had transferred from the Lost Clan School to the Arboreal School. As soon as he set foot in the Cyclic School, news started swiftly circulated throughout the academy.

However, the Cyclic School was different from the Arboreal School. The Arboreal School required the students to meet or fail the minimum requirements as soon as they entered the school. That was why there was frequently a crowd gathered to observe the new transfers. On the other hand, meeting the Cyclic School’s requirements required a long period of learning and cultivating. If the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate was an easily cultivated battle technique, Mu Mu would have learned far more than just the Third Hand.

For this reason, despite many people in the Cyclic School knowing of Xuan Qi’s arrival, there was no crowd to receive him.

They would only gather once he decided to challenge the school’s examination.

In the Voidforce School, Jiang Xiaodao learned that Xuan Qi had already moved on to the Cyclic School, and he quickly left. "That bastard! He didn't even tell me before he got there! How can I, Jiang Xiaodao, not be present for such an important moment? Just wait patiently! I'm on my way."

He was eagerly anticipating the moment that Xuan Qi would use the Fourth Hand of the Stone Gate, exposing himself as a cheater.

If it came out that the greatest genius the Sixverse Academy had ever seen was actually a cheater, just the thought of the reactions left Jiang Xiaodao growing excited. There was finally an opportunity for him to get his revenge.

The Cyclic School’s requirements were for the students to use the First Hand of the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate to inscribe their name on a smooth stone wall. The wall would then reveal whether the students successfully met the requirements. There was no alternative method other than the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate to meet the school’s requirements, as it was the only way to leave one’s name on the stone wall.

This assessment had been put in place by Sage Stone for his potential replacements.

At the moment, Lu Yin was walking towards that stone wall.

His performance in the Arboreal School had been remarkable, and Lu Yin had forced Mu San to fight with Xu Xiangyin over Xuan Qi. The Wood Spirit Realm had been opened early, and from a tree in that place, Lu Yin had obtained an innate gift of spatial control. Thus, his reasoning was if the Cyclic School also started to compete with Xu Xiangyin for Xuan Qi, it might be possible to see the Voidchaos Territory opened early as well.

The suggestion Shao Qingfeng had made that the other students had all endorsed to delay opening the Voidchaos Territory would not benefit Lu Yin at all. In that case, he might as well force things a bit.

After all, force was what drove people to take action.

Lu Yin had long since forgotten about the matter with Jiang Xiaodao. As for the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate, he had already managed to understand the First Hand after skimming the technique recorded in the jade slip once. There was no need for him to demonstrate the Fourth Hand.

In the center of the Cyclic School stood a stone wall that had many names etched onto it. There were many students surrounding the wall, and whenever envy blossomed in their eyes any time they looked at the wall.

Suddenly, a girl moved to approach the stone wall, at which point she silently stood in place.

"Hey, isn't that someone from the Transcendent Universe? I think I remember her name’s Zuo Yu," someone commented in surprise.

Other people nearby turned to look.

Sure enough, Zuo Yu was standing in front of the stone wall. She entered the Cyclic School half a year before, and it was time for her to challenge the examination.

Over the course of the last six months, Xuan Qi had accomplished numerous remarkable feats. He spent time in the Voidforce School and the Lost Clan School, and then even moved on to the Arboreal School. He had finally transferred to the Cyclic School. During this time, he had become acknowledged as the greatest talent in the academy, surpassing even the likes of He Shu and his peers.

As for Zuo Yu, she had not even met the requirements of a single school.

After learning that Xuan Qi was about to enter the Cyclic School, Zuo Yu had become determined to meet the Cyclic School’s requirements before he arrived, or else she would be too embarrassed to even face him.

A short distance away, Shi Hong, Mu Cheng, and others also arrived.

"Little Yu, there's no need to rush. Concentrate and calm your mind. You’ve already mastered the First Hand, so you’re guaranteed to pass the exam," Shi Hong said reassuringly.

Zuo Yu clenched her jaw, her eyes determined. She took a deep breath and cleared the random thoughts from her mind. The then slowly raised a hand and started to move, demonstrating the First Hand of the Stone Gate.

Everyone standing around the stone wall became focused on Zuo Yu. They, watching her graceful and fluid movements. Sure enough, she was demonstrating the First Hand of the Stone Gate. On top of that, she revealed herself to be quite skilled with the technique.

Stroke by stroke, she carged her name into the wall by using the First Hand. Each stroke left a deep gouge.

Shi Hong felt satisfied. "The truth is that Little Yu could have met the requirements for the school a month ago. She’s been spending this past month learning Dragon Flash."

Mu Cheng praised, "Her talent is impressive."

He then looked at Shi Hong and asked, "What about you? Have you decided which school you’ll move on to next? You could have gone to the Central School a long time ago."

Shi Hong sighed. She sounded quite frustrated. "I want to visit the Lost Clan School."

Mu Cheng was not surprised. "It’s true that the Lost Clan's power is definitely worth learning. I’ll go with you."

Shi Hong took a long look at Mu Cheng before nodding. "Thank you."

In front of the stone wall, Zuo Yu finally withdrew her hand. Her name had been left deeply engraved on the wall, signifying that she had met the school’s requirements.

She released a sigh of relief. As she turned back to look at Shi Hong, she saw the admiration on her senior sister's face. However, just as Zuo Yu was opening her mouth to say something, a stunned expression covered her face. "Xuan Qi?"

Shi Hong was bewildered and turned around to look. "Xuan Qi?"

Mu Cheng and the others also turned to follow the two women’s gazes. This was everyone else’s first time seeing Lu Yin.

"So he’s Xuan Qi? He actually transferred to the Cyclic School."

"It's not unexpected. Who wouldn't want to try for that opportunity? Xuan Qi is already regarded as the most talented person here in the Sixverse Academy. He has been praised to the heavens, so it’s only natural that he would want to come here."

"He only got an innate gift of speed in the Arboreal Sanctuary, so the Arboreal Realm doesn't want him anymore."

...

Lu Yin slowly walked over and looked at Zuo Yu. He smiled at her. "Congratulations on passing the school’s exam."

Zuo Yu answered in a bitter tone, "It doesn’t come close to comparing with you. You can already move on to the Central School."

Lu Yin smiled, but said nothing.

Mu Cheng stepped forward and politely introduced himself to Lu Yin, "I’ve heard as your name has become famous. I am Mu Cheng."

Lu Yin nodded. "Xuan Qi."

"I heard that you instantly saw through Dragon Flash the first time you saw it. We should spar sometime," Mu Cheng suggested.

Before Lu Yin could respond, Shi Hong stepped forward. "Xuan Qi, why are you here?"

Lu Yin replied, "For the requirement exam."

Shi Hong was taken aback, and assumed she must have heard wrong. "What did you say?"

Mu Cheng stared at Lu Yin. "You want to take the requirement exam? For the Cyclic School?"

The crowd erupted.

Zuo Yu's mouth fell open in disbelief.

Lu Yin nodded. "Yep."

"Have you learned the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate?" Shi Hong exclaimed.

Lu Yin replied, "I just went through the technique now. It doesn't seem very difficult."

Shi Hong was startled. Not very difficult?

Zuo Yu spent only a few months studying the battle technique before attempting the school’s exam, and that had been because she had received Shi Hong's guidance. It was impossible for a normal cultivator meet the requirements of learning the technique’s First Hand in less than half a year. Even a genius would need at least a month or two. For example, from Mu Mu, He Shu, and their peers, the person who had succeeded the fastest had taken one month. How could anyone challenge the examination as soon as they had arrived?

Mu Cheng was surprised. "Xuan Qi, are you sure you want to challenge the test? Have you even tried to use the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate?"

"I’ll try it right now," Lu Yin said with a smile. He walked past the two people and moved closer to the stone wall.

If this had taken place as soon as Lu Yin had entered the Sixverse Academy, or if the name Xuan Qi were still unknown, everyone would be mocking him at this moment. Moreover, if he were to fail, he would likely end up suffering rather harshly. The other students had already invested a considerable amount of time into mastering the battle technique, so seeing someone claim to have effortlessly comprehended it with a single glance would unquestionably create resentment.

However, Xuan Qi had already established a reputation of being the most talented person in the academy. His rate of progress had been absurd, and so no one tried to stop him from moving for the stone wall. Instead, they all quietly watched him. Since he wanted to challenge the exam, it would not cause any damage to let him do so.

Lu Yin stood in front of the stone wall. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, but there was also a thin layer of nearly invisible stellular energy spread across the stone in a unique pattern. A person could only leave a mark on the stone by utilizing a special method, which was also why anyone who could carve their name on the stone successfully met the school’s requirements.

Ordinary cultivators would not be able to see what was happening, as only those who possessed a level of strength equal to a peak Envoy, or possibly even the strength of a Semi-Progenitor, could see what was protecting the stone.

There were already many names written on the stone wall. All of the students who qualified to even enter the Sixverse Academy were elites from their own universes. They either possessed impressive talent, or a powerful background. Reaching the Cyclic School’s requirements was not particularly difficult for the students, but simply something that took time.

Lu Yin suddenly looked back at Zuo Yu. "Who met this school’s requirements the fastest?"

Zuo Yu froze, unable to even formulate a response.

Next to her, Mu Cheng spoke up, "The Transcendent Universe’s He Shu. He took only a month and three days."

Lu Yin nodded and looked back at the stone wall. He slowly raised a hand and started using the First Hand of the Stone Gate.

As Lu Yin performed the First Hand of the Stone Gate, everyone stared, watching his smooth and elegant movements. His use of the First Hand gave off a feeling of stability like a mountain, and seemed even more refined that Zuo Yu's First Hand. Everyone was stunned to see that Xuan Qi had truly learned the technique.

Zuo Yu could not believe what she was seeing. Despite spending several months diligently studying, and the praise her talent for cultivating the Cyclic Civilization's power had received, she was unable to compare to Xuan Qi in even the slightest bit. He had learned the technique from just a glance; a single glance! This was true talent.

Mu Cheng's scalp went numb. Was it really possible for anyone to comprehend the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate after by reading it just once?

Shi Hong's hands tightened into clenched fists as she once again experienced the same frustration she had felt when her Dragon Flash had been deciphered in an instance. Xuan Qi had consistently managed to leave her feeling confused, helpless, and astonished, while utterly shattering her understanding of reality.

It did not take Lu Yin long to leave his name on the wall. Xuan Qi could be seen written clearly, marking his success.

The people in the surroundings were lost in awe of his achievement.

Lu Yin's instant success had invalidated the efforts of everyone who had painstakingly studied for so long within the Cyclic School to master the technique. Their tremendous hard work was not enough to compare to Xuan Qi’s talent.

This was an accomplishment that could not be explained by mere talent.

He had established a record that was completely unprecedented. It stood apart from all others.

"This is impossible! He must have learned the technique before," someone murmured.

Someone standing next to the first person reacted. "Xuan Qi, have you learned the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate before?"

"That’s right, he must have learned it before! How could he master it with but a glance?"

Lu Yin’s gaze swept the crowd. He could not be bothered to explain anything to these people. While it was true that he had learned the Fourth Hand before, what of it? Given his current strength, even if the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate was a Progenitor’s battle technique, it would still not be any struggle for him to learn it. In truth, he was simply bullying these students a bit.

They could only blame their bad luck!

Lu Yin continued to raise his hand, "Stone Gate, Second Hand."

His move startled the crowd even worse. Had he really already learned the Second Hand?

Mu Cheng stepped forward and stared as Lu Yin demonstrated the technique. Sure enough, it was the Second Hand. There was no doubt about it. On top off that, Xuan Qi demonstrated a level of skill and proficiency that surpassed anything Mu Cheng was capable of. It appeared to be a flawless and effortless demonstration of the battle technique. How could such a person exist? Compared to Xuan Qi, even Mu Mu, He Shu, and the other geniuses of the Central School could not compare.

Many of the people watching felt had the bitter taste of ashes fill their mouths. They finally understood what the students in the Voidforce School, the Lost Clan School, and the Arboreal School had all experienced. The Cyclic School’s students understood why Xuan Qi was acknowledged as the academy’s greatest genius. There was simply no question about it.

Of course, there was also an increasing number of people who were starting to believe that Xuan Qi had to have already learned the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate before arriving at the Cyclic School. They refused to believe that such a level of genius was possible.

"This is the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate, not some common battle technique! How could anyone learn it from just a glance? Not only does this invalidate all of our efforts, it also diminishes the glory of the Stone Gate and Sage Stone!" someone shouted.

Lu Yin suddenly spun around, instantly moving past the Second Hand. The Third Hand of the Stone Gate appeared along with Lu Yin, right in front of the person who had spoken. The student was not even able to react before he had been slapped ten times in quick succession, each impact ringing crisp and loud. Only after the beating ended did the young man regain his senses. "Xuan Qi, you..."

Lu Yin coldly shouted, "How dare you try to sow discord! I learned the Eight Hands of the Stone Gate because this battle technique suits me, not to diminish the greatness of Sage Stone! If you dare speak another word, I will cripple you."

The student cradled his cheek, not daring to speak another word. Even so, resentment filled his eyes.