Yama Rising

Chapter 99: The Unexpected (1)

All of the Hunter-class experts who were participating in this seemingly unceremonious tournament, whether young or old, were currently moving their bodies and warming themselves up. From time to time, one could even see the appearance of a copper bell or a talisman gleaming with the faint white luster of true energy.

Listen up, slags! Today, I’m going to open your eyes to the prowess of a true expert who has devastated nine hunting zones in just one night!

Qin Ye turned around, only to realize that Su Feng was already standing behind him. Su Feng snapped his fingers.

Su Feng didn’t respond. Instead, he glanced about his surroundings, and then leaned in closer as he whispered, “Do you know why everyone is so enthusiastic about today?”

“Of course it has got to do with the fact that the ranking is related to the eventual distribution of resources.” Qin Ye frowned at Su Feng, “You didn’t come over just to apprise me of something so obvious, did you?”

“For instance, there is the system of tallying up and aggregating all credits and points awarded each and every semester; or the fact that points are given for every single assignment and task completed; or how the management keeps a close watch over each student’s improvement under a specific instructor. And then, there’s also the assessment of an instructor’s performance on a daily basis, including their pedagogy, etc. The academy hasn’t said a single thing about these things, but if you think that life is going to be a breeze in here, you can’t be more off the mark.”

Preferential treatment under these rules?

“For example… there might be further discounts on the redemption of points from the school.”

The academy only disclosed the big picture, conspicuously leaving out the finer details so that instructors would of their own volition dig and probe deeper at it. Those who chose to muddle through would never understand and be able to capitalize on the true rights and authority that came with their appointment as instructors.

Su Feng’s heart was swamped with bitterness.

“This is just a friendly reminder. Do bear in mind that the entire Blaze Squad is in the same faculty as you. Incidentally, we happen to be the only five within this faculty right now.” Su Feng muttered coldly.

Su Feng added, “Mr Qin, we know that you’re strong, but we’re still going to give it our all. And you don’t have to worry about giving us face either.”

Qin Ye shrugged his shoulders.

“Don’t worry. I’ll never resort to more than a single move if I can help it.”

Xu Anguo calmly scanned his surroundings, and then unleashed his Hellguard-class true energy across the entire plaza. Suddenly, the entire atmosphere was silent.

“There are no frills this time. No ceremonies, no salutations, and no audience cheering. Everyone can relax, because it’s just an internal competition. There’s no need to take things too seriously. The only thing you’ll need to do is to adhere to the rules of the competition. It seems like everyone has already warmed themselves up, so… bear with me as I explain the two simple rules of engagement.”

He looked at Xu Anguo and smiled, “Shall we begin?”

Both men headed down the arena together. Then, just as they arrived at the last of the steps leading out of the arena, Xu Anguo suddenly added, “Oh, that’s right.”

Qin Ye looked at the two old men before lowering his head once more.

This was a universal truth he had already known for a long time. But with a life span as long as his, there was simply nothing worth fighting for.

The two cunning old men had set up a competition with completely no frills, be it decor, opening speech or any opening ceremonies.

But…

“The students that are arriving possess differing classes of potential ranging from B to S… If that were the case, would the lowest ranked instructor possibly be assigned S-class students?” He chuckled coldly as he glanced warily at the two cunning old men who were chatting and laughing casually.

Even teachers in ordinary schools knew that students with good grades were always assigned to be nurtured by the core group of teachers in their school. If that were already the case in ordinary school, wouldn’t the situation be even worse in the cultivation world, which prided itself in the laws of the jungle?

Everything began to click in his mind, and he continued contemplating the implications.

Simple. This competition isn’t just about one’s individual prowess. Rather… it also has got to do with the individual instructor’s perceptiveness!

After all, there were millions and millions of ghosts in the world, and one could only expect to meet the most unexpected and unpredictable of circumstances. Therefore, over and above mere individual prowess, perceptiveness was naturally one of the most fundamental traits of a good instructor. Only cultivators who possessed such characteristics could be entrusted with greater responsibilities in the future.

“It seems like this isn’t done with the sole purpose of nurturing freshmen. The leadership has an intention of grooming instructors as well. This… might very well be the Whampoa Military Academy of the Special Investigations Department and the SRC, isn’t it?

Qin Ye smiled faintly.

The Special Investigations Department was his greatest asset and treasure trove in the reestablishment of Hell! He couldn’t remain in the same place for too long. After all, a person who had consumed the fungus of aeons was an undying person. At best, he could only stay for approximately five to eight years before he absolutely had to leave. Since that was the case, he had to make the best of the time to get as much out of them as he could!

Even hamsters had their dignity!

“Without further ado, the first battle shall be between S9527, Instructor Qin Ye, versus S8541, Instructor Lin Han.”

Qin Ye took a breath and made his way to the arena. Lin Han also walked over with a heavy expression on his face.

Him?

“And Instructor Qin Ye is most well known for his amazing feat of breaching nine hunting zones in the span of just one night. His speed and efficacy are unprecedented. That’s why he’s been given the classification of S-class…”

“With that… Begin!”

Whoosh… With a fine rustling sound, hundreds of copper coins suddenly flew out from his sleeves, spinning around in the air as they locked on their target - Qin Ye.

Qin Ye smiled and curled his finger in provocation.

It’s just that everyone here… is trash!

Faced with such an opponent, Lin Han knew that there was no room for conserving his strength.

A muffled sound rang out, followed quickly by the soft sound of grinding against the ground. Qin Ye had lifted his right arm to block the attack.

Dead silence.

“No way…” Su Feng blinked vacantly, “I… did I just see an imposed S9527?”

Nothing had changed about the arena.

But… he had just been sent flying a distance of well over ten meters! A deep crevice that was tens of meters long had appeared on the ground, and his right hand… was burning! The pain was excruciating!

How did… the talents of the mortal realm suddenly become so strong?

Lin Han blinked his eyes, and his face quickly turned red.

“Are you… insulting me?”

Qin Ye’s heart was filled with bitterness. Wait a minute… can’t you read the atmosphere right now?!! I’m already doing my best! Why is this happening?!

1. This is a famous military academy in China that is known to have produced many prestigious commanders who had fought in many of China’s conflicts in the 20th century.