Chapter 82: Six Down, Four to Go… Or Not
Academy regulations stipulated that top contenders on the Nine Star Rank had to accept at least one challenge per month. If no one challenged them, they were required to challenge someone ranked higher. The top-ranked student was exempt from this rule.
However, the regulations only specified the minimum, not the maximum. This meant Yan Zhen’s request to accept ten challenges in one day was technically within the rules, even though it was completely unheard of.
When he made his announcement, the five girls stared at him in shock, their voices overlapping as they tried to dissuade him.
Yan Zhen waved away their concerns, his confidence unwavering.
“Why are you doing this?” Instructor Yu Xuan asked, baffled. “You’re not just trying to show off, are you?”
Accepting ten challenges in one day was practically an insult to his opponents. They would be furious.
In his previous life, he hadn’t done this. He had accepted one challenge per day, fighting for ten consecutive days, successfully reaching the Seventh Star Mystic One rank. On the eleventh day, he had challenged Xiao Mie, defeating him by a hair’s breadth and claiming the top spot on the Nine Star Rank!
Witnessing his hard-won victory, his body battered but his smile radiant, had sparked a flicker of attraction within her. That feeling had intensified after he saved her from the Demon Realm’s assassins, growing into an uncontrollable blaze.
Reborn into this life, she had secretly hoped to witness his prowess on the dueling arena once more. However, his choices seemed to be diverging from his previous life.
“I want to test my limits,” he explained, reciting his prepared excuse. “I feel like I’m still a ways away from reaching the Seventh Star. If I continue cultivating at my current pace, who knows how long it will take? I need to push myself.”
His reasoning was flawless.
Instructor Yu Xuan sighed. “Alright. But if you can’t handle it, I’ll stop the challenges.”
He smiled at her reassuringly. “Thank you, Instructor~”
…
The news of Yan Zhen’s intention to accept ten challenges in one day spread like wildfire, throwing the entire Mystic Academy into a frenzy.
Since its establishment, the dueling arena had witnessed countless battles, but never a “gauntlet” like this.
Typically, duels were fought between opponents of similar strength. Winning a duel usually required expending all of one’s energy, leaving little room for another fight, let alone ten in a row.
His challengers were all top contenders on the Nine Star Rank. Accepting a gauntlet of such skilled opponents was practically asking for a beating.
One thing was certain: this was going to be entertaining.
Bookmakers, sensing an opportunity, set up betting pools, offering odds on how many matches Yan Zhen would win, from one to ten.
The odds for “winning all ten” were a staggering one to ten thousand!
Clearly, they believed it was impossible for him to emerge victorious.
Apart from the four girls he lived with, no one bet on him winning all ten matches. The most popular bet was three wins, which was already a testament to their high regard for his abilities.
This was the perspective of the spectators.
As for the ten students who had challenged him, they were all furious. As top contenders among their peers, they possessed immense pride. Yan Zhen’s actions were a blatant insult!
However, they had issued the challenges. As long as he accepted, they couldn’t back down. Otherwise, even if they lost, they would forfeit their monthly pill stipend to Yan Zhen.
The sun began to set, but the heat lingered, refusing to dissipate.
The spectator stands surrounding the dueling arena were packed, filled with students from all three classes. The turnout was even greater than for his duel against Lan Ke.
Below, the ten challengers, all ranked high on the Nine Star Rank, glared at Yan Zhen, their expressions murderous.
Yan Zhen, however, was prepared for their hostility.
— System, this doesn’t deviate from the script’s plot, right?
[Please state your reasons for deviating from the script.]
— Don’t you think this is way cooler? If I’m going to show off, I might as well go all out! What’s the essence of a “wish-fulfillment story? It’s all about being awesome! As the protagonist, I should actively correct any plot points that are illogical or lackluster, striving to create a more compelling story, not just blindly follow the script. What do you think, System?
[The Host’s reasoning is sound. The system approves.]
— *Ahem, well, if things go south , could you please reset things? I don’t want to spend a month bedridden.
[Acknowledged.]
Reassured, Yan Zhen steeled himself. His greatest trump card was the ability to reset if he lost.
“Yan Zhen!”
“Instructor Yu Xuan.”
“You… well, I won’t waste your time with unnecessary words. Just go out there and fight. I’ll handle any problems that arise.”
“Thank you, Instructor. I won’t let you down.”
[Ding! Key plot point commencing.]
[Current plot progress – Chapter 123: Ten Consecutive Victories.]
[Acting Requirements: Accept one challenge per day and achieve a breakthrough to the Seventh Star Mystic One rank during the final battle.]
[Requirements updated.]
[New Acting Requirements: Accept all ten challenges simultaneously, achieve victory, and reach the Seventh Star Mystic One rank.]
[Completion rate: 0%.]
Yan Zhen clenched his fists, his eyes hardening with resolve. He strode towards the arena, his every step drawing the gazes of the countless spectators.
As all eyes converged upon him, a fiery aura, like a shimmering veil, enveloped his body. A faint, translucent glow flickered above his brow. Despite being a mere Mystic One, he exuded an air of power that made even the instructors tense.
He seemed to have transformed. His usual gentle demeanor had vanished, replaced by a sharp, almost aggressive aura.
He met the gazes of his challengers, his voice cold and clear. “Which one of you wants to go first?”
“Hmph! Allow me, Liu Liang, sixteenth on the Nine Star Rank, to test your strength!”
A figure shot into the air, performing a somersault before landing gracefully on the arena.
“Yan Zhen, it doesn’t matter how many challenges you accept at once. In the end, I will defeat you.”
The referee instructor retreated to the edge of the arena, announcing the start of the duel.
“Come on then.”
“I don’t believe a mere Sixth Star Mystic One can be that strong! Take this!”
The battle erupted.
As his opponent charged towards him, the Spiritual Flame above Yan Zhen’s brow flickered, his perception expanding to encompass a one-meter radius around him.
He slowly clenched his fist, Mystic Power gathering, a faint fiery glow igniting.
The moment Liu Liang entered his perception range, his opponent’s weaknesses were laid bare before him. He swiftly lowered his stance, his fist shooting out like a bolt of lightning, striking the largest opening.
Single Burst “Eight Extremes Explosion”!
Liu Liang coughed up blood, his body flying backward, crashing off the edge of the arena.
The battle was over.
The noisy arena fell silent, the spectators staring in disbelief, wondering if they had imagined what they had just witnessed.
One move? That was it? That was a top contender on the Nine Star Rank! Ranked sixteenth out of nearly a hundred students, he should have lasted at least ten rounds!
Xiao Mie’s expression turned grim. That brat… he’s gotten so much stronger in less than a month…
Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er erupted in cheers, while Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan clenched their fists, their eyes shining with excitement.
Instructor Yu Xuan and the other instructors, however, had noticed something peculiar.
“Could that be… Spiritual Power?”
“That kid… not only has he reached such a high level of Mystic Power cultivation, but he’s also awakened his Spiritual Power!”
“Instructor Yu Xuan, your student is a true monster!”
Instructor Yu Xuan smiled politely, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Yan Zhen.
“Next.” He turned back to his challengers. Only nine remained. “Who’s next?”
Clearly shaken by his display of power, they exchanged hesitant glances. Finally, a portly figure leaped onto the arena.
“Allow me, Ren Ge, fourteenth on the Nine Star Rank, to teach you a lesson!”
Bang!
“Argh!”
“I, Lao Hu, thirteenth on the Nine Star Rank–”
Bang, bang!
“Oof!”
“I, ranked–”
Bang, bang, bang!
“Ugh!”
As the battles progressed, Yan Zhen began to feel a sense of unease.
What was he doing here? His goal was to complete this plot point while enduring some beatings to strengthen his body, preparing for his future duel against Xiao Mie, where he would need to unleash the Triple Burst “Eight Extremes Explosion” repeatedly.
But these guys… they were surprisingly weak. He had already defeated four, and the strongest one had only managed to withstand three of his punches.
This is ridiculous! Are they throwing the matches?
The spectators were equally bewildered. Yan Zhen might be strong, but he shouldn’t be dominating the top contenders of the Nine Star Rank like this! He was only a Sixth Star!
Some even began to suspect the bookmakers were rigging the matches.
But who would be bold enough to do such a thing?
Even though the Dean wasn’t present, he was undoubtedly watching.
Only the instructors understood. Spiritual Power, for those below the Mystic Scholar realm, was practically a cheat code!
Moreover, Yan Zhen’s control over his Spiritual Power was remarkable. He had even managed to create a miniature combat domain by shrinking his perception range. The moment his opponents entered his domain, their weaknesses were exposed, leaving them vulnerable to his attacks. How could they possibly win?
Yan Zhen frowned, urging the challengers to step up. Finally, a student ranked tenth managed to last ten rounds before collapsing.
Yan Zhen’s attacks were too precise, targeting the weak points in his opponent’s Mystic Power flow, disrupting his techniques and causing immense pain. Unable to fight at his full potential, he was swiftly defeated, leaving him feeling frustrated and humiliated.
But that was the nature of combat.
“Anyone else? Hurry up!” Yan Zhen’s patience was wearing thin.
He had mentally prepared himself for a tough fight, even for a reset, but these guys were turning out to be paper tigers, crumbling at the slightest touch.
Are they truly this weak, or are they throwing the matches?
“Come on! You all challenged me! Why are you scared now?!”
“I… I forfeit!”
“Who said you could forfeit?! Get up here!”
“I forfeit too! I’m not fighting anymore! Mommy!”
“Hey, where are you going? Get back here!”
“Only an idiot would stay and be his punching bag! I’m out of here!”
“I’m… I’m just a Sixth Star Mystic One!”
“Like hell you are! You’re definitely hiding your true cultivation! You sneaky bastard! You’ll get struck by lightning one day!”
“…”
The remaining four challengers, hurling insults and curses, fled the arena.
The previous challengers, whose strength was comparable to theirs, had been utterly crushed. What chance did they have?
Fighting was one thing, but getting beaten down within a few rounds was pointless.
Yan Zhen was exasperated. “Don’t run away! I’ll let all four of you fight me at once! Come back here! Instructor, stop them! Don’t let them escape! Damn it!”
They were all gone, leaving him standing alone on the arena, his hair ruffled by the wind, his expression bewildered.
The plot isn’t finished yet! What am I supposed to do now?
The spectators were equally stunned. What just happened? Was this some kind of scam? They ran away without even fighting! Do they have no shame?! Give us our money back!
Only Xiao Mie, Yu Yue, and a few others ranked in the top ten understood. This wasn’t a scam. Yan Zhen was simply terrifying.
The instructors of the fleeing students were mortified. Losing was acceptable, but running away without even trying? What kind of cultivators were they? They would be receiving a harsh lesson when they got back!
The referee instructor could only smile wryly. He had overseen countless student duels, but this was the first time he had witnessed someone demanding a gauntlet, and then scaring off their challengers mid-way through.
“As the remaining challengers have forfeited, Yan Zhen is declared the victor of this ten-match duel. He will receive the monthly pill stipends of all ten challengers.”
Yan Zhen, however, wasn’t happy. Not only had he failed to complete his system mission, but he hadn’t even taken a single hit. This was a complete waste of time.
Who needs those crappy pills? The Small Origin Pills I refine are the best cultivation aids for Mystic Ones.
The highly anticipated ten-match duel ended anticlimactically, leaving both the spectators and the participants dissatisfied. They dispersed, grumbling and cursing.
The five girls gathered around him, stifling giggles at his sulky expression.
“Don’t be upset, Cousin. At least you won,” Yan Meng’er consoled him.
“Winning is all that matters. Did you want to lose? You’re such a silly goose,” Yan Ruyu added.
“That’s right, Little Brother Yan Zhen! You scared them all away! How cool is that?” Mi Xue’er chimed in. “Don’t be discouraged. You’ll have other chances to test your limits!”
“…”
Xiao Xinyan wanted to say something but hesitated. Their words seemed strange.
Why were they comforting him when he had won? Anyone listening would think he had suffered a crushing defeat.
“Alright, if there’s nothing else, let’s go home,” Instructor Yu Xuan declared.
They left the academy and returned to the house.
…
Back in his room, Yan Zhen bolted the door and entered the Crystal Stone Space.
His plan to get beaten up had failed. It seemed he had no choice but to seek guidance from his Beautiful Sect Master.
— I’m such an idiot.
Even if she hadn’t offered to help him strengthen his body, he could have simply asked! With their current relationship, would she refuse him? Of course not!
He mentally patted himself on the back for his brilliance, but his outward demeanor remained innocent and earnest. “Master,” he said, “I want to be able to use the Triple Burst ‘Eight Extremes Explosion’ without any problems. Can you help me strengthen my body?”
Chen Xi shook her head gently. “I’m sorry, Zhen’er. I can’t do that.”
— She refused.
Huh? He stared at her, dumbfounded.
“But why, Master?”
“I’ve told you before, Zhen’er. ‘Eight Extremes Explosion’ has a cultivation requirement. Using it prematurely will damage your body.”
“But if I strengthen my body, wouldn’t it be fine?”
“No, it wouldn’t. You might be able to withstand the strain, but the damage will still accumulate. It will build up over time, leading to serious consequences in the future. Just like your grandfather. One day, it all caught up to him, and he collapsed.”
“…You’re right.”
But he had to do this! He would eventually learn a body tempering technique to counteract the damage caused by “Eight Extremes Explosion.”
Why was his Beautiful Sect Master refusing to help him when the script clearly stated she would? Perhaps she was simply too worried about him, unwilling to risk any harm to his body.
He had no choice but to abandon his hopes of relying on her. His only other option was Instructor Yu Xuan.
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