Chapter 132: In Literature There Is No First, In Martial Arts There Is No Second | Ten Chapters Released, Please Subscribe

As Li Shaoyun finished speaking, a hearty laugh echoed from outside the barracks.

Li Yuanchen strode in, smiling before he even spoke. He cupped his hands and said, "Chief Inspector Wang, thank you for looking after my son while he has been at the training camp. I hope his performance hasn't embarrassed me. My Li family in Yuanjiang is fine in other respects, but these two children of mine are not exactly overachievers."

So, this man was a smooth operator as well. During the vitality trial, he had been stern and unsmiling, leading Xiao Nan to assume he was simply cold-natured; it turned out he just hadn't felt like talking to others.

"I didn't expect the head of the Li family to come in person," Wang Yuanzhi remarked, chuckling. "If these two are considered 'not overachievers,' then I don't think anyone else deserves the title at all." He glanced at Li Shaoyun and Li Shaohua, then shook his head. "The people outside must be Miss Su and the others. Come on in."

"I'm already at such an age, yet you still call me 'Miss Su.' Wang Yuanzhi, you are as amusing as ever." Su Yuqing walked in, giggling with a sound remarkably like a hen.

The great demoness had arrived. The moment Xiao Nan heard her signature laugh, his brow furrowed. However, he felt a bit more at ease. It wasn't just Su Yuqing; Zhang Yi had come as well, along with an elderly man with a missing arm whose face was weathered by time. Following them was a middle-aged man with a round face, beaming with joy. Xiao Nan remembered him—he had appeared at the vitality trial; it was Huang Liang, a major merchant from Yuanjiang City.

Once everyone was seated, Wang Yuanzhi didn't delay. "The blood-bath trial has never been as lively as it is this year. It's clear that you are all here for the top spot. Discuss it among yourselves; I won't offer an opinion, as this is, after all, a matter for your school." After saying this, he cast an apologetic look at Xiao Nan. He had originally supported Xiao Nan for first place because he truly felt that the quality of fighting one's way out of a desperate situation, dealing heavy damage to opponents, and turning the impossible into reality was exceptionally rare. While Li Shaohua’s combat record was not inferior—and perhaps even superior in terms of raw power—how could one put it? Whether in dealing with people or handling matters, character mattered. It was commendable to face strength with strength, but it was rare to overcome the strong when one was weak.

"That works," Li Yuanchen interjected. "I don't know what wind blew today, but all the board members are here. Why don't we all vote to decide who takes first place? The matter of the quota for the Void Crystal Chamber has dragged on for too long. If we delay any further, it might hinder Li Shaohua’s cultivation progress, which would be a pity."

Li Yuanchen was truly cunning, seizing the initiative. The implication behind his words was clear: he already considered the Void Crystal Chamber to be his family's property.

"Hmph, I just arrived and don't know the specifics of the trial yet, and I assume everyone else is the same. Why don't we take a look first..."

"Very well."

Wang Yuanzhi ordered the surveillance footage to be replayed, this time focusing solely on Xiao Nan and Li Shaohua. Seeing Xiao Nan trapped in the Yin Wind Valley, rising up in the face of adversity, fiercely breaking through the encirclement, slaying powerful enemies, and shaking off his pursuers, the group couldn't help but click their tongues in praise. Su Yuqing, in particular, kept glancing back at Xiao Nan with an unreadable expression, her face mirroring a mother-in-law eyeing a prospective son-in-law with growing satisfaction.

Well, even Xiao Nan felt a bit uncomfortable under that gaze. The others were even more affected; the students who had participated in the trial couldn't help but gasp. They were so engrossed that they had projected themselves into the scenario, wondering how they would have escaped if they had been in such a position. After thinking it over, not one of them felt confident they could have. Only then did they truly feel convinced.

When the footage of Li Shaohua’s trial played, silence fell over the room; no one knew what to say. From his weapons and armor to his techniques and moves, it was a complete steamroll. There were no twists and turns for him; he simply plowed through. Utilizing the Void-Stepping Footwork, attacking with the Dragon-Slaying Sword, and protected by the Golden Body Jade Form technique, he even wore an inner layer of gold-silk armor—undoubtedly a treasure. In the footage, the arrows guided by the Tree Barbarians struck his back, only to send sparks flying. They didn't even breach his armor, let alone wound him.

"Now that we’ve seen everything, let’s vote. Given both of their performances, either could take first place, but since this involves the five-year quota for the Void Crystal Chamber, we must be cautious. First, when recommending talent, one should not avoid favoring family. I believe Shaohua should be first. He captured a third-rank Tree Barbarian with ease; his strength is second to none among these students, and the top spot belongs to him," Li Yuanchen declared, determined to use his influence to pressure the room. He spoke as if he were the one chairing the meeting, leaving Principal Sun Zhongli aside with a sour expression.

"I second that," Li Shaoyun said, raising his hand immediately. The merchant Huang Liang also chimed in with a smile, "I second that as well."

Well, that was half the room. Sun Zhongli’s heart sank; he was terrified that someone else would speak up. Fortunately, no one else did, and he breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Being a principal was a thankless job; if not for that, why would he have spent the last few years ignoring school affairs to focus on closed-door cultivation? He hadn't realized that ignoring his duties would lead to his management power slipping away and causing such a mess, nearly allowing Lin Anguo to succeed.

Su Yuqing smiled and said, "Li Yuanchen, do you have no shame? Blowing your son up like he’s a flower? Isn't it obvious? Li Shaohua is just relying on his equipment and special moves to bully those barbarians who lack a proper heritage. If he’s so capable, let him face a priest and an elite barbarian who has grasped battle aura like my little Nan, and see if he can still kill them so easily." This "Auntie Su" scanned the room with a haughty gaze and declared firmly, "Whoever dares to say Xiao Nan isn't first, I won't stand for it." She pointed a finger. "Zhang Yi, what do you think?"

"Of course Xiao Nan should be first. His battle was blood-pumping and awe-inspiring, greatly boosting the prestige of our human race. Conversely, Li Shaohua took advantage of his superior gear, simply tanking attacks and winning through the benefit of his armor and blade—nothing remarkable about that." Even if Zhang Yi didn't want to side with Su Yuqing, he had to consider his daughter's feelings. If he didn't support Xiao Nan at this critical moment, his precious daughter would pluck his beard clean when he got home. What? Hide it from her? Well, Zhang Yi never seemed able to keep a secret; he was a blabbermouth.

Finally, the remaining board member was an elderly man with a peaceful face and a missing arm. The man’s face was marked with dark age spots, but his spirit was still decent. His eyes narrowed, revealing a faint glint of light. As he smiled, his toothless mouth moved, and he said vaguely, "I also think the Su girl is right. When selecting talent, look at their character, not their wealth. Xiao Nan should be first."

"Uncle De, you are so old, why bother coming out? Wouldn't it be better to enjoy your twilight years at home?" Li Yuanchen seemed to know that this old man never said anything pleasant, but he couldn't easily argue back. The old man had helped build the school alongside the late Principal Sun Yuanfang; every brick and tile had been bought with food the old man had skimped on to save. Even if Li Yuanchen had risen to power later, he didn't have the audacity to disrespect the old man. One could argue, but one couldn't be abusive.

"It’s three to three. It seems you cannot reach a conclusion. I suggest this: literature has no first place, and martial arts has no second. Why not let the two young men have a match at Yuanjiang No. 1 High School, in front of all the students and parents? Whoever wins will settle the debate, and no one will have any grievances."

Wang Yuanzhi, who had been silent throughout, finally couldn't hold back and spoke up. A secret glimmer of amusement flashed in his eyes as he looked at Xiao Nan, as if he knew something the others did not.