Chapter 114: The Southern God Is in Serious Trouble This Time!

Though brief, the commotion was immensely impactful.

Especially among the students of Supreme Spirit Martial Academy and Kyoto Spirit Martial University, the lines were quickly drawn.

“Damn it! What a pathetic cultivation level, and he actually dares to compete with us at Supreme Spirit Martial Academy for the championship? In your dreams!”

“Anyone targeted by the Mad King of the Underworld is doomed to a terrible fate. This guy is just courting death! Our Supreme Spirit Martial Academy must send him off properly!”

“Just his audacity to bet against our principal—this is the funniest joke I’ve heard all century!”

The students of Supreme Spirit Martial Academy unanimously bashed Xiang Nan, itching to swarm him and devour him alive.

Meanwhile, the Kyoto Spirit Martial University students were far more diverse in their opinions.

“Holy crap! Our Lord Nan is magnificent! A man who dares to stand against the Mad King—he deserves my admiration. If only conditions were right, I’d give him a triple salute!”

“Oh man! My respect for Lord Nan flows like the endless torrents of the Yangtze, overwhelming like the floods of the Yellow River...”

“Lord Nan is so admirable! This is the very idol worthy of my worship as Du Wenhao! Even if it means becoming cannon fodder, I’ll protect Lord Nan!”

“Taking the championship isn’t just hot air! Lord Nan’s gotten himself into serious trouble this time!”

“Could this drag down the others from Kyoto Spirit Martial? Lord Nan’s actions are reckless, endangering everyone.”

“Waaah... finally meeting such a handsome and heart-stirring man—does this mean his days are numbered? Oh no!”

“Enough of these whining complaints! Can’t we just hope for some good luck for Lord Nan?”

Amid the lively debates, the reporters were even more excited, swarming Xiang Nan and Yan Kaiji, snapping photos nonstop. Even the famed General Yuan Ao, the national guardian, was sidelined as all attention focused on the two.

This upheaval only intensified the already boiling atmosphere.

“Brother Xiang Nan, what now? With all this turmoil, those Supreme Spirit Martial guys will never let us off!” Xu Jiya’s heart was heavy with worry.

“If you look at it that way, then this Spirit Void Expedition is going to be truly thrilling!” Unfazed, Su Yao clenched her small fists over her chest, jumping with excitement.

Meng Qingwan, however, gazed at Xiang Nan with a gentle yet resolute expression, remaining silent.

“I feel suddenly energized. I, Li Xiang, am destined to become the champion of the Spirit Void Expedition!” Li Xiang’s adolescent bravado flared up.

“Ugh!” The other four simultaneously groaned.

---

Before long, all preparations were complete.

Coincidentally, the chief planner of this Spirit Void Expedition was none other than Yan Kaiji, principal of Supreme Spirit Martial Academy.

Standing atop a high platform, he loudly announced the competition rules:

“This Spirit Void Expedition requires all participants to imprint their fingerprint on the death waiver and collect a simple map of the signal zones. You know how it works—the signal zone will gradually shrink until only one final team remains. You heard correctly: this year’s new rule states that only the champion will survive until the end!”

“Additionally, there are no other rules during the expedition except one: the moment anyone triggers the rescue signal, the entire team is automatically eliminated. From that instant, the rescue team will rush to the scene and remove the eliminated members.”

“However, I advise against prematurely eliminating other teams, as the Spirit Void is teeming with countless mutant plants that may devour your powerful beasts. Moreover, the spirit pearls you acquire during this expedition will not be surrendered to the school but will belong to you personally as spoils.”

“Now, once inside the Spirit Void, your fate is in your own hands. No intervention will occur except when the rescue signal is triggered.”

“Everyone, do you understand?” Yan Kaiji’s booming voice echoed over the vast plain.

Many students exchanged uneasy glances, and even several teachers were momentarily stunned.

This year, Supreme Spirit Martial Academy hosted and designed the expedition, but none expected Yan Kaiji’s rules to be so straightforward—and merciless.

Such regulations were no different from encouraging everyone to slaughter each other.

Only one team would survive? Was this serious?

In previous years, the expedition ended when time ran out, regardless of how many teams remained; rankings were then determined by spirit pearl count.

While casualties had happened before, under this new rule, the death toll would surely skyrocket.

Yet the rules were set in stone. Even if other schools objected, they had no choice but to comply.

“Everyone, do you understand?” Yan Kaiji asked once more, his deep, resonant voice stirring the crowd.

“We understand!” they replied in unison, their voices thunderous.

“Good. Then enter! Begin your glorious battle!” Yan Kaiji’s hand sliced through the air, and a sacred light shot skyward, signifying the opening of the Spirit Void.

---

In the nearby forest, the white mist dispersed, revealing three paths leading into the Spirit Void.

By tradition, the central path passed through the perilous Dark Forest, directly to Spirit Void’s central island, teeming with numerous high-level beasts.

The two flanking routes were relatively safer, circumventing the Dark Forest to reach the Six Bluefish Islands.

As the paths laid bare, all hearts surged with passion.

Like every year, nearly everyone chose the two side routes—cautious newcomers always favored safer beginnings.

Of course, some teams like the Lu brothers, confident in their strength, headed straight down the central path.

“Damn, Young Master Ming and Young Master Yu are incredible, skipping the beginner’s zone and going straight for the elite monsters!”

“No surprise—those external mercenaries they hired are insane! With mages backing them, what beast could stand against them?”

Soon, several Supreme Spirit Martial Academy teams sprinted toward the central path.

Seeing this, Su Yao’s blood boiled. “Little Nan, let’s go middle route too—go straight for the high-level monsters!”

Li Xiang and Meng Qingwan were unperturbed, but Xu Jiya’s face went pale.

With only a first-tier cultivation level, would she be instantly killed on the middle path?

Even if she died, she couldn’t afford to drag the team down.

Xiang Nan glanced at Xu Jiya, already made up his mind. “Don’t rush in blindly. It’s still early. Besides burst power, endurance matters most in the end. Let them charge ahead if they want. We’ll check in at the beginner’s zone first, take it easy for a couple of days, then hunt monsters comfortably. Sounds better, right?”

Li Xiang was the first to speak. “Though we’ll definitely be the last champions, I agree with Xiang Nan. You can’t become a giant overnight.”

Meng Qingwan nodded at Xiang Nan. “You’re the captain—I’ll follow your lead.”

Xu Jiya finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was better to take it slow in the beginner’s zone.

“Then it’s decided. Let’s go!” Xiang Nan led the four teammates down the left flank path.