Chapter 30: The Furious Wind, and Codename Nine-Nine-Nine

As the vice principal of the Asura Academy, he certainly had ample reason to boast.

Thousand Hands was a talent they had both discovered and nurtured—a prodigy destined for a brilliant future. With enough opportunities, it was not impossible for him to break through to nobility, gain high office, or even reign supreme.

He had found his own path.

Thousand Hands.

A path that matched his name exactly. Such a path was formidable and full of potential, which is why he was so highly regarded.

The red-faced vice principal of Asura Academy was more than satisfied, brimming with pride. It was he who had deliberately invited the Headmaster and Shadowless, and seeing the two of them arrive, especially with Butterfly Academy ranking at the bottom, he couldn’t help but approach and mock them, “Why don’t I see any of your Butterfly Academy students? Are they all so busy cultivating that they have no time to enter the Storm Arena and participate in the Storm Rankings?”

“Haha, of course, that must be it,” chuckled another elder as he walked over. He was the Headmaster of Thunder Academy. In the previous round, Thunder Academy had come in last, while Butterfly Academy was second. Now, with their positions reversed, his mood was much improved. “Butterfly Academy is ever so noble, always letting others take the lead. Their geniuses must be hidden away, not to be revealed until they’re at the level of a lord or a marquis…”

“Hmph!” Shadowless snorted in anger, his beard bristling.

The Headmaster remained impassive, his expression wooden as ever. He had long anticipated this awkward situation upon entering the Storm Arena and had prepared himself mentally. If he couldn’t even withstand such minor jabs without losing his composure, what right would he have to be chosen by the Butterfly Queen and promoted to Headmaster?

Seeing his calm, unruffled demeanor, Shadowless secretly nodded, letting go of his own anger. In truth, he was never truly upset; he was merely trying to share the burden. He turned to the Headmaster, his gaze drifting as if no one else was there, and said, “Look, Gale is doing well. He’s advanced again.”

The Headmaster glanced over. Gale had already surpassed nine hundred, now ranked at eight hundred and eighty. Pleased, he remarked, “The elder brother is fierce, and the younger is no less impressive—a promising prospect. Judging by his momentum, he’s not satisfied yet; he wants to go further.”

Shadowless squinted down at the arena, watching as a brawny, bald man was teleported onto the stage to battle. He pondered aloud, “He must have received guidance from Berserker, and now understands the benefits of ranking—tremendous advantages for future cultivation. If I recall, his family’s technique is called the Fist of Chaos? It’s a decent method, and a rather unique path as well. For his family to select him and send him to Butterfly Academy, his aptitude must truly be noteworthy.”

“We’ll see. Whether he’s worth investing in depends on his future performance,” the Headmaster replied coolly. On the Storm Rankings, only those who made it into the top five hundred were worth focused cultivation. Besides, Gale came from a clan—no matter his achievements, how many years could he serve the academy? In the end, he’d return to his family.

“We’ll watch and see.”

Shadowless and the Headmaster thus conversed, their interest piqued as they watched the challenges unfold. The other elders, seeing this, felt there was little amusement to be had and drifted away, occasionally commenting and praising their own students. Before long, several more elders arrived—the heads of various families. Hearing that the six academies’ principals had entered the Storm Arena, they expected something significant and came to observe.

Just then, a voice rang out from the arena: “I am invincible!”

Everyone was startled, then shook their heads and chuckled. Who had not been young and brash once? Shadowless grinned, catching the slight furrow on the Headmaster’s brow.

The one shouting was none other than Gale.

Once again victorious, he now ranked eight hundred and fifty. His spirits soared; the thrill of battle surged through his veins. With blood pounding, he hammered his fists against his chest, roaring like a wild beast in mating season, caged yet pacing and leaping about the stage. After drawing enough attention, he raised his arm high, pointed to the rankings, and declared with boldness, “The battle flag is mine!”

The crowd below erupted at these words—or rather, at the meaning behind them—like a boiling cauldron, waves of excitement surging upward.

Not only the spectators, but also the principals and vice principals hidden in the sky above, along with several family heads, were stunned, as if they’d heard something unbelievable.

What was the battle flag?

The battle flag was crafted by the Six Kings together. Anyone who won its reward could request enlightenment at any time, even personal guidance from a King for a period. It was a special privilege reserved only for the first place on the Storm Rankings—a champion who withstood endless challenges yet held their ground. Should they lose, the flag and its privileges would pass to the new victor.

Gale’s words were wildly arrogant, living up to his family name.

“Heh…” After a long moment, the vice principal of Asura Academy let out a cold laugh. “This youngster is amusing—playing up the crowd with a joke, huh…”

“It may not be a joke,” said another elder dryly. “His strength is considerable. I’ve noticed his rapid ascent—jumping up the ranks. He might break into the top five hundred in an hour or two. And look at his surname—he’s from the Gale family.”

“Gale family?” The vice principal of Asura Academy, his face red as blood, was taken aback. “The family behind Berserker?”

Berserker was a well-known figure in these academies. After joining Butterfly Academy, he’d stormed into the Storm Arena through the Storm Token—like a dragon returning to the sea, a tiger released to the mountains—dominating the rankings, holding the battle flag unchallenged.

That year, Butterfly Academy was in the spotlight. The other academies, families, and factions were all suppressed, unable to produce a peer to match him.

At the time, Berserker even requested, using the battle flag, that the Six Kings change the arena rules to allow him alone to face two challengers of equal rank at once.

The five other academies and all the families, driven to fury, sent their best in pairs to challenge him.

Yet the result was bitterly disappointing. Berserker remained atop the rankings, wielding the battle flag.

That year became a lasting pain for everyone outside Butterfly Academy—a wound never to be forgotten. Only when Berserker ascended to a higher level did the battle flag finally change hands, sparking fierce and suspenseful competition.

Now, another youth from the Gale family had publicly declared his intention to seize the battle flag!

None could tolerate this. The old men, their old wounds reopened, were all enraged. Especially the red-faced vice principal of Asura Academy, whose face turned purple, as if all his blood had rushed to his head. Even his white hair stood on end like needles.

The current first on the rankings, the one holding the battle flag, was Thousand Hands—a prodigy from Asura Academy. Gale’s declaration was a slap in his face.

“Arrogant brat! You’ll soon discover there’s always someone mightier,” he spat out, grinding his teeth. “I truly hope you’ll go challenge Thousand Hands!”

Shadowless burst out laughing, glancing at the Headmaster, who glared back, so he quickly stifled his laughter and sat up straight, lowering his gaze.

“Hm?” As his eyes wandered, Shadowless suddenly spotted a code—999—and whispered with intrigue, “He’s here too. Interesting. Things are starting to get interesting…”

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