Heavens' Laughter

The air was electric with excitement, the sound of cheering resonating throughout the colossal coliseum.

At the heart of the arena, a massive platform held students from numerous academies scattered across the Upper Realm.

Their expressions ranged from confidence to awe as they stood before the roaring crowd.

The stands were filled to capacity, spectators on their feet as each academy was introduced, their applause rising like waves.

"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! The academy that stands unrivaled, undefeated, and unstoppable—it's the reigning champions! THE SOARING ACADEMY!"

The cheers quickly turned to a chorus of boos, echoing through the coliseum like a storm.

The crowd's disdain was unmistakable.

After all, this powerhouse academy was notorious for dominating the Grand Opening Tournament year after year, crushing the competition and leaving no room for excitement.

Their overwhelming victories had turned the event into a predictable spectacle, and the crowd craved an upset.

This year, their confidence seemed even bolder—only three students had been sent to participate.

"Ah~ this is too perfect!" Feng Shen exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face as he basked in the hostility radiating from the crowd.

With a flamboyant wave, he taunted them further, blowing exaggerated kisses and even flashing the middle finger with theatrical flair.

The louder their disdain grew, the more Feng Shen's amusement flourished. He thrived on their hatred, savoring the palpable animosity like it was the sweetest nectar:

"I wasn't even planning to lift a finger… but now? Oh-ho-ho, now I want to destroy everything!"

Feng Shen let out a loud laugh.

His audacity was boundless, and he relished every glare sent his way by the other students.

Their anger and disgust only fueled Feng Shen's twisted excitement. Now he had no intention of holding back.

"How dare they boo the Second Young Master!" Yùn Yì hissed through clenched teeth, her expression a mix of fury and indignation.

Her gaze swept over the jeering crowd with disdain, as if their very presence offended her.

"They should be praising the air the Second Young Master breathes!" Yùn Yì added, crossing her arms beneath her chest and scoffing in disgust.

"Calm down… It makes sense why they're not fans…" Cai Xiu muttered, letting out a long sigh. She glanced at the girl, her brow furrowed with concern.

She couldn't understand why she was so fanatically devoted to her Master.

It was becoming an obsession, one that was starting to feel unsettling.

Cai Xiu worried that, if it continued, it would only escalate, perhaps even becoming more obvious—and more dangerous.

At this point, she could only hope this girl would regain some composure before things went too far.

"Little sister Yùn Yì is right!" Lin Ming shouted, his voice booming as he pounded his chest with a fist.

"These people don't know the difference between heaven and earth!" he added, his tone dripping with arrogance:

"They should be kissing our asses!"

Face palming, Cai Xiu could only think:

'I'm surrounded by idiots…'

Up in a private area reserved for all the instructors…

Mei Xue leaned casually against the railing, a soft smile playing at the corners of her lips as her gaze drifted down to student Feng Shen, who was basking in the boos.

She had been warned by the Guardian, and those words echoed in her mind:

'No matter what he does, don't try to stop him.'

And Mei Xue wholeheartedly agreed.

Not only would it be impossible to stop student Feng Shen, but any attempt to do so would only fan the flames of his destruction:

'Ara~ whatever happens~ it can't be that bad~.'

Zhao Rui, calmly sipping his tea, couldn't help but shake his head with a faint, almost amused chuckle. "It seems we're as hated as ever, huh?" he remarked, his tone light but tinged with a hint of resignation.

The animosity from the crowd seemed as familiar as it was inevitable.

"This always happens," Yuan Bo said with a sigh, walking over and clasping his hands behind his back. He took a seat near the railings, his posture casual but resolute.

"Just shut up and sit down. It's almost time…" His voice was calm, but there was an edge of finality to it.

In Yuan Bo's opinion, discussing the crowd's disdain was pointless.

They would always be seen as the villains, no matter what they did—unwilling to let any other academy win, forever the target of resentment.

Trying to win over the crowd was a futile effort.

"Well, well, well~," Situ Nan purred with a sly smile as he approached, his footsteps confident:

"If it isn't the Soaring Academy instructors. Though it seems you're missing someone."

Situ Nan glanced around, his eyes gleaming with a mix of mockery and amusement.

Behind him, the other instructors from the Leaf Academy followed suit, their expressions all mirroring the same self-assured arrogance.

"And what do we owe the pleasure of?" Mei Xue asked smoothly, pushing off the railings as she turned to face these other men and women.

Her own smile was one of quiet arrogance:

"Don't tell you're here to beg for my hand in marriage? Again, like I've told you! I don't want a man who is impotent!"

Mei Xue pointed toward his crotch, letting out a giggle.

"Yo—you… bitch!" Situ Nan shouted, his teeth grinding in frustration. He was just face slapped.

Instinctively, he covered his crotch with both hands, his face flushed with a mix of anger and humiliation.

Situ Nan glanced around, noticing all eyes now fixed on him.

He spat angrily toward the ground, trying to salvage his pride.

"Whatever!" Situ Nan sneered, trying to regain some composure:

"Just know this—this year, we have a secret weapon! A Realm-Shattering genius! He's going to carry our Leaf Academy to the top!"

Hearing this, the other instructors behind nodded in agreement.

Even the instructors from different academies couldn't hide their curiosity.

Whispers began to ripple through as they wondered if this truly was the year the Soaring Academy would finally be dethroned.

Zhao Rui burst into laughter, setting his tea down with a dismissive gesture as he looked back at all the instructors:

"You all don't know anything! This year will be our easiest year! We have our own—"

Before Zhao Rui could finish…

Yuan Bo's sword materialized in his hand with lightning speed, its cold edge suddenly pressing firmly against his peer Zhao Rui's neck.

Silence…

"Not another word," Yuan Bo's voice cut through the air, icily calm but deadly serious.

He was hell-bent on keeping student Feng Shen a secret at the start of The Grand Opening Tournament.

A small bead of sweat trickled down Zhao Rui's forehead, landing on the cold blade of the sword, which had drawn a faint line of blood from his neck.

"My fault, my fault," he muttered. "Won't happen again…"

Zhao Rui let out a small, awkward laugh, attempting to brush off the tension.

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Without a word, Yuan Bo smoothly recalled his sword, which dissipated into a burst of Qi, vanishing into the air like a wisp of smoke.@@novelbin@@

His demeanor returned to its usual calm, as if nothing had happened.

Yuan Bo turned his attention back to the platform below, his gaze fixed on the ongoing spectacle, completely uninterested in the reactions of the other instructors or any further conversation.

"It seems we're done with chit-chatting…" Mei Xue clapped her hands together with a sharp sound, then began waving the instructors away with an almost dismissive motion of her hands:

"Now, go somewhere else! It's almost time for The Grand Opening Tournament to start."

Though Mei Xue couldn't see her peer Yuan Bo's expression, she could easily guess he was growing increasingly annoyed.

So, she decided to step in and put out that fire before it escalated further.

"Tsk, whatever," Situ Nan muttered, his frustration still clear as he frowned, his pride feeling damaged.

"Just know this year is our year!" He sneered, his voice dripping with defiance as he turned on his heel.

With a final, haughty glance toward the Soaring Academy instructors, Situ Nan walked off.

Mei Xue rolled her eyes as she sat down. "I swear, men are too prideful!"

Suddenly…

A giant hologram suddenly flickered to life in the sky, growing larger by the second.

The crowd fell silent as the image of the Phoenix Emperor appeared.

Beside him stood his wife, with their children at their sides.

The Phoenix Emperor raised his hand. His voice then rang out:

"People of the Phoenix Empire! This year, we stand united as the proud hosts of the Grand Opening Tournament! A time-honored tradition that binds us all!"

The Phoenix Emperor paused for a moment:

"To the students… This tournament, like every year, will push you to your limits. It is your chance to prove your strength, to rise above and show the entire Upper Realm what you are truly capable of!"

The Phoenix Emperor put his arms out to the side:

"I won't keep you all with a lengthy speech—let's get straight to the action! May the strongest academy emerge victorious!"