BTTH: From Genius to Invincible

Chapter 222: Chapter 222: Miscalculation



Word Count: 3,387 Words

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A smug, somewhat sly smile appeared on Xiao Yan's face as he glanced at the higher-ups of Jia Nan Academy who had risen from their seats in astonishment.

His eyes seemed to silently convey: Didn't expect that, did you?

In an instant, an unusual and violent energy fluctuation rippled through the plaza. The first to sense this wave were the elders on the judges' platform. Their expressions changed dramatically, and their gazes almost simultaneously fixed upon the black-robed youth standing proudly in the arena, wielding the Heavy Xuan Ruler. The source of this violent energy fluctuation was precisely where he stood!

The elders exchanged glances, their throats moving as they swallowed lightly. This energy fluctuation actually stirred fear in their hearts.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"A Di Class Dou Technique!!"

Elder Huo and the other elders were visibly shocked. They understood all too well that only Di Class or higher Dou Techniques could stir the energy of the world.

Even in a chaotic place like the Black-Corner Region, only well-established Dou Emperor factions might possess Di Class Dou Techniques. Otherwise, the auction back then wouldn't have attracted so many Dou Emperors to appear.

Many genius students in the Outer Academy, such as Bai Shan and Wu Hao, who could have entered the Inner Academy the previous year, had deliberately delayed by a year to compete for the top five rewards. This was because they could obtain Di Class Dou Techniques from the Book Collection Hall, and there were even rumors of Di Class Qi Methods!

From the Heavy Xuan Ruler, a dark red blade of energy several meters long shot out with unstoppable momentum!

The moment the ruler energy shot forth, space rippled like a lake struck by a giant stone. In the already devastated arena, a half-meter-wide fissure rapidly spread along the trajectory of the ruler energy, witnessed by countless horrified gazes!

"Quick! Save them!" Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan urgently shouted as he flashed into the plaza. Several elders hurriedly joined forces to cast defensive barriers, preventing the aftermath of Xiao Yan's Di Class Dou Technique from harming other students still battling in the arena.

Undoubtedly, as soon as Xiao Yan unleashed the Flame Splitting Tsunami, even though Bai Shan, Wu Hao, and Hu Jia had used every ounce of their strength, even summoning the strength of their ancestors in their tombs, their Dou Techniques still shattered upon contact. "How... is this possible?" Hu Jia watched as her strongest Dou Technique was instantly evaporated under Xiao Yan's fiery ruler energy, like a droplet of water falling into a volcano. Her body went limp, stunned in place without any will to resist.

Wu Hao still wanted to fight back, attempting to unleash his ultimate technique and even using a Secret Method that consumed his life force to boost his cultivation. But it was like a drop of water in the ocean, unable to stir even the slightest ripple.

It wasn't that they had never defeated a Dou Spirit before. Wu Hao and Bai Shan had even killed Dou Spirits. But those Dou Spirits didn't possess even High Xuan Class Dou Techniques, let alone a Di Class one.

When had they ever faced a Di Class Dou Technique unleashed against them? If they truly encountered one, it would be the day of their death.

Boom!!!

Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan instantly appeared at the front, flipping his palms and pushing forward. A massive wall of Dou Qi appeared before him.

The terrifying fiery waves of the Flame Splitting Tsunami crashed down like a massive mountain. The flames blocked by the Deputy Headmaster didn't dissipate immediately but surged in all directions.

Fortunately, the other elders present had cultivation levels reaching Dou King. They appeared in time to block the residual energy of Xiao Yan's attack.

Xiao Yan put away the Heavy Xuan Ruler with a faint smile. He had anticipated that his attack would be intercepted, so he hadn't infused his Heavenly Flame into the ruler.

"Respected teachers, isn't this against the rules? This student has already exhausted all his Dou Qi with this move. Oh no, I'm about to faint." Xiao Yan pretended to be suffering from overexertion, swaying as if he might collapse at any moment.

Having blocked Xiao Yan's Flame Splitting Tsunami, Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan looked at Xiao Yan with exasperation and said, "Even though she's my granddaughter, I wouldn't show favoritism. I'm just fulfilling my duty as Deputy Headmaster to protect the students' lives."

He glanced at his granddaughter, Hu Jia, shook his head, and said, "Hu Jia, there is always someone stronger. You still need to cultivate diligently."

Hu Jia let out a long sigh, looked deeply at Xiao Yan, and declared fiercely, "Xiao Yan, I will definitely defeat you!"

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose with an awkward expression. Why did those words sound so familiar?

Wu Hao sheathed his heavy sword, looked at Xiao Yan, then glanced at Xun Er. Like a true man, he said earnestly, "You are a better match for her than I am. I, Wu Hao, was blind before. I admit defeat."

After saying that, the two didn't linger and directly leaped off the stage.

"No! I won't admit defeat! I still have a Rank 4 armor! Even without your intervention, I wouldn't lose!" Bai Shan panicked upon seeing Wu Hao and Hu Jia leave the stage.

Because if he lost now, based on the remaining number of people on the stage, he would definitely not make it into the top five.

If he failed in the Inner Academy Qualifying Competition, he could participate again next year. But now that he had already secured a spot in the Inner Academy, there was no next year! He, Bai Shan, had stayed in the Outer Academy for three years precisely for the top five rewards-to enter the Book Collection Hall and choose a reward, to obtain the Di Class Dou Techniques inside.

He couldn't accept this outcome.

Elder Huo and several teachers frowned. Bai Shan hadn't acted like this during his three years in the Outer Academy. He had been a model student-respectful to teachers, strong, and talented. How had he become so unseemly now?

"Sigh, Student Bai Shan, I, Hu Gan, can say with certainty as a Dou Emperor that you absolutely cannot withstand Student Xiao Yan's Dou Technique. Even with armor, the only outcome is death." Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan had no choice but to step in and smooth

things over.

The initial rules indeed didn't state that teachers could enter the arena to block attacks. But anyone with eyes could see that Xiao Yan's Dou Technique just now could definitely instantly kill any student. A Rank 4 armor would be utterly useless; even one's head would be blasted

apart.

"I don't believe it! If Xiao Yan can unleash it again and I truly can't defend against it, then I'll accept this result!" Bai Shan was betting that Xiao Yan couldn't use such a powerful Dou

Technique twice in one day.

"Very well."

Buzz!!

Suddenly, an incomparably scorching aura erupted from Xiao Yan's body. He gripped the Heavy Xuan Ruler with one hand and raised it high above his head. In an instant, the ruler turned fiery red, and an aura identical to before burst forth from him.

"This is the most bizarre request I've ever heard."

"Respected teachers, you heard him. He insisted on experiencing it again. Life and death are up to fate now. In your next life, remember not to be so stubborn."

Xiao Yan thought that even if Bai Shan were burned to ashes by the Flame Splitting Tsunami, his mouth would remain, just as stubborn as ever.

The elders exchanged glances and actually stepped aside. There was no need to mention the

other students. They had already retreated far away, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire because of that idiot Bai Shan.

Off the stage, Hu Jia mocked mercilessly, "Hmph, this Bai Shan is truly stupid to the

extreme."

Wu Hao shook his head coldly. "He is a weakling."

Bai Shan's eyes became dull as he felt that incomparable pressure and scorching heat. He stumbled back a few steps in a daze, accidentally stepping on some rubble and falling on his butt. His entire body trembled as he looked at Xiao Yan.

The crimson glow from the fiery Heavy Xuan Ruler reflected off Xiao Yan's gleaming white teeth. His grinning face looked like that of a demon.

"I surrender! Don't kill me!" Bai Shan shouted when he saw Xiao Yan about to strike down. The life-threatening pressure nearly made him piss himself.

With a whoosh, Xiao Yan canceled the Flame Splitting Tsunami, planted the Heavy Xuan Ruler into the ground, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He said, "Phew, good thing this idiot didn't insist. I really couldn't manage a second strike."

Xun Er covered her mouth and giggled beside him, looking helplessly at Xiao Yan's theatrical performance. She naturally knew his true strength. Let alone unleashing another Di Class Dou Technique, he could do it several more times if he wished.

Xiao Yan's main purpose in feigning weakness was to gain some benefits. Just like this time, if he had told Instructor Ruo Ling from the start that he was a 2-star Dou Spirit, he might not

have even needed to participate in the qualifying competition at all.

And if that happened, how could he have led his clan members to occupy all the top five spots?

One reward from the Book Collection Hall wasn't enough. He wanted them all!

The Deputy Headmaster shook his head and sent the dumbfounded Bai Shan, who had been played by Xiao Yan, off the stage.

"You five, deal with the rest. Xun Er and I won't make a move. If you get knocked off the stage,

your training will be doubled when we get back." Xiao Yan sat down on the ground, not bothering with the remaining twenty or so participants.

Without Bai Shan and the others, Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu, both 4-Star Dou Grandmasters, had

the highest cultivation among those remaining. Moreover, the Qi Methods and Dou Techniques they practiced were not low-grade. While they couldn't dominate completely,

they had no real opponents.

"Yes, Little Clan Leader!"

Xiao Ning had indeed lived up to receiving the Qi Gathering Pill from Xiao Yan back then. He had cultivated diligently over the years and possessed impressive combat strength. Xiao Yu, who had a flying-type Dou Technique, dominated the skies. Once she unleashed the Lightning Bat Sky Wings and flew above, it was difficult for others to even attack her.

Xun Er didn't move when she saw the number of people on the stage dwindling. She sat beside

Xiao Yan, and the two of them even started chatting at the edge of the stage, not taking the other students seriously at all.

Xiao Yan looked at the girl beside him and said softly, "You are mine. No matter how powerful the faction behind you is, I will never give up!"

His hand holding that delicate little one tightened slightly as he spoke in a voice only the two

of them could hear. Although his tone was calm, an unmistakable determination and dominance could be felt.

Xun Er was momentarily stunned. Then, a blush like rosy clouds spread across her fair and

exquisite face. She hadn't expected that at this moment, Xiao Yan would say something akin

to a lifelong commitment.

Even with her usual composure, she couldn't help but blush like an apple under his sudden declaration. Uncontrollable ripples stirred in her heart.

"Mm." Xun Er nodded slightly, her face flushed, and murmured softly.

Several higher-ups watched as victory was basically secured by Xiao Yan's group, each feeling

a headache coming on.

"What should we do... This doesn't seem to follow the rules."

"What do you mean 'what should we do'? The rules allowed for alliances in the first place."

"But... this isn't quite the outcome we had in mind."

The elders were at their wits' end. Throughout the entire competition, Xiao Yan's performance could be summed up in two words: complete domination!

A 2-star Dou Spirit who had mastered a Di Class Dou Technique competing among a group of young people in their twenties, most of whom were intermediate-star Dou Grandmasters, and some even Dou Masters-the result was a merciless crushing defeat. He alone dominated

the entire competition.

Looking at the entire competition, including the usual strength tests and performances in the

qualifying matches, as well as overall prowess, the top five should have been Xiao Yan, Xun Er, Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and Bai Shan.

Although Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning were only one star lower in strength, their mastery of Dou

Techniques was not yet as proficient, and their talent was far inferior to that of Wu Hao and the other two.

However, they had an incredibly formidable Little Clan Leader who, right from the start,

instantly took out the three most troublesome obstacles, paving a smooth path for them to advance unhindered.

Xiao Yan had noticed the strength of Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and Bai Shan. Knowing that Xiao Ning

and Xiao Yu definitely couldn't defeat them, and calculating that they wouldn't make it into the top five, he targeted those three from the very beginning.

This made several elders and the Deputy Headmaster have to admit they had misjudged-

they had miscalculated!

When only the seven members of the Xiao Clan remained on the stage, Xiao Yan held Xun Er's

hand, walked to the center of the arena, and performed a bow of gratitude as if ending a performance.

"Thank you all for watching. Today's show has concluded. Please return to your respective

places."

Xiao Yan and Xun Er, like the leading couple in a drama, had put on a great show for all the spectators. The other fifty participants were mere cannon fodder, while Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and Bai Shan were like the antagonists defeated by the protagonists.

"Hehe, this Xiao Yan is indeed very strong. He's not just an ordinary alchemist." Elder Huo's gaze fixed on the black-robed youth on the battle stage. He paid no heed to the Deputy Headmaster's helpless expression as he nodded his head, and a rare smile appeared on his

usually stiff face.

"Deputy Headmaster, does this... count as Xiao Yan violating the rules?" On the judges' platform, a middle-aged referee asked cautiously, a wry smile on his face as he looked at those on the main platform. He wouldn't have had any scruples if Hu Jia hadn't been involved.

But unfortunately, that Little Witch was among them and had been utterly crushed without any chance to fight back, ultimately losing the opportunity to enter the top five.

In all his years at Jia Nan Academy, this was truly the first time he had seen someone of the

same age group overwhelm Hu Jia.

"This competition was not meant to be completely fair in the first place, so Xiao Yan cannot

be considered to have violated any rules. After all, we've seen his strength clearly." Deputy

Headmaster Hu Gan waved his hand and sighed.

Clap, clap, clap!

Countless students from the Outer Academy were convinced by Xiao Yan's strength, and

bursts of applause echoed throughout the arena.

'This matter isn't over! The humiliation I suffered today, I, Bai Shan, will make you repay a hundredfold! Xiao Yan, just you wait! Sooner or later, I'll have you kneeling at my feet!' Seeing Xiao Yan on stage, the focus of everyone's attention and admiration, even holding the hand of the goddess in his heart, a flash of resentment passed through Bai Shan's lowered eyes as he clenched his fists tightly.

Compared to physical pain, the psychological blow was what Bai Shan found most difficult to

endure. Over the past two years, countless flattering voices had elevated him to become the most prominent figure in the Outer Academy. But today, he had been crushed and shattered by Xiao Yan. In the future, when people at Jia Nan Academy mentioned his name, Bai Shan, they would no longer be filled with the same reverent awe as before. Because above him, there would forever stand someone, a person who truly commanded

people's awe and reverence. For the exceedingly proud Bai Shan, such a situation was undoubtedly more painful than death.

Once someone ascended the altar of genius and was worshipped by others, the fall would

bring an immense sense of loss. Many couldn't bear such a fall and would either become despondent or develop a distorted mentality.

With his keen Spiritual Strength, Xiao Yan naturally sensed Bai Shan's resentful gaze, but he

merely responded with a cold smile.

...

Although the competition had ended, Xiao Yan's overwhelming strength compelled the academy's higher-ups to urgently convene a meeting because of him. They even invited Xiao Yan to their office to discuss matters.

"Increase the quota for entering the Book Collection Hall by three and let the remaining forty-five people compete again? Sure. Anyway, in yesterday's competition, when the final seven remained, Xun Er and I were the first to step down from the stage, so we're sixth and

seventh. We have no objections." Xiao Yan grinned as he looked at the various higher-ups in the meeting room.

"You... you..." An elder was rendered speechless. Their goal was to allow Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and

Bai Shan the three who truly had the strength to enter the top five-to obtain the rewards from the Book Collection Hall.

After all, the academy was different from sects and other factions; their purpose was to cultivate students. Wu Hao and the others indeed deserved to receive the academy's resources.

They hadn't expected Xiao Yan to be so unyielding, even wanting to get two more spots.

You're too greedy!

"Then, Student Xiao Yan, what are your thoughts?" Deputy Headmaster Hu Gan said calmly.

Xiao Yan looked directly at Hu Gan, naturally understanding that he made this suggestion

because he was concerned about his granddaughter.

"Since the academy is willing to provide three spots, why not add two more? Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu's strength is not inferior to Bai Shan and the others. What does the Deputy

Headmaster think?"

The higher-ups present began to discuss among themselves. It seemed that Xiao Yan was

determined to protect those three weaker members of his Xiao Clan. "Although those three are not as strong as Bai Shan and the others, Xiao Meng and Xiao Yue Liang have only been in the Outer Academy for a year and have already reached the 7-star Dou Master stage. And although Xiao Mei has been here for two years, she's also reached the 9-

star Dou Master stage. Their strength is not weak, and they could enter the top five next year anyway." "Indeed, these three have high potential as well. I think it aligns with the Headmaster's original motto of 'Taking the cultivation of students as our duty.""

If Xiao Yan hadn't felt that his time at Jia Nan Academy wouldn't be long, he would have let

Xiao Mei and the others wait until next year to enter the Inner Academy.

He believed that having them enter the Inner Academy together with him would be more

beneficial for their cultivation. That was why he had been so eager for them to pass the

qualifying competition with him.

In the end, the academy actually agreed to his proposal. In their eyes, the person most worthy

of cultivation was indeed him.

A day later, news that the academy had temporarily increased the quota for entering the Book Collection Hall spread throughout the entire academy, even reaching the Inner Academy. Everyone guessed that this was because of Xiao Yan, and thus, his reputation even spread into the Inner Academy.

The final additional competition ended without any surprises. The top five were Wu Hao, Hu

Jia, Xiao Yu, Xiao Ning, and Bai Shan.

The grandest competition held once a year finally concluded amidst a buzz of discussion.

...

At this moment, in the center of the North-Western Region, within the Sky Serpent Mansion

-the largest sect in the Sky Serpent Empire.

"Xiao Yan of the Yan Alliance? Hmph, I don't care who he is. Anyone who dares to snatch

something from my Sky Serpent Mansion must be tired of living!"