Chapter 88: I’m No Longer Pure
In other words, the key to successfully acting out this duel lay in Yan Zhen’s ability to achieve a breakthrough to the initial stage of Body Tempering and launch a counterattack at the opportune moment.
However, in reality, he had already reached the initial stage. If not for the script’s requirements, he could have easily defeated Xiao Mie before he even had a chance to achieve a breakthrough.
So… he won.
It wasn’t easy, but he emerged victorious.
During the fourth stage, their strength was nearly equal, but Yan Zhen’s endurance and resilience proved superior. As Xiao Mie collapsed, exhausted, Yan Zhen remained standing, securing his victory.
The outcome stunned both the students and the instructors.
Yan Zhen, a mere Seventh Star Mystic One, had defeated Xiao Mie, who had achieved a breakthrough to the Mystic Scholar realm, claiming the top spot on the Nine Star Rank. If they hadn’t witnessed it with their own eyes, they wouldn’t have believed it.
Admiration, awe, respect, resentment, envy… The reactions were varied, but they all agreed on one thing:
It had been an incredible battle.
Perhaps it wouldn’t have been considered particularly “fierce” in a real life-or-death struggle, but within the sheltered walls of the academy, it had pushed the students’ perceptions of combat to their limits.
Both Yan Zhen and Xiao Mie had pushed themselves to their absolute limits, one achieving a breakthrough, the other matching his strength blow for blow, their ferocity escalating until they were both utterly spent. They had shown their seniors and juniors what true combat entailed.
It wasn’t just a clash of Mystic Power and Mystic Techniques, but a battle of wills and unwavering determination.
After declaring Yan Zhen the victor, the Dean announced that this duel would be recorded in the academy’s textbooks, serving as a valuable lesson for future generations of students.
As the words “victory is yours” echoed in his ears, Yan Zhen’s vision blurred, and he collapsed, losing consciousness. He landed in a soft, fragrant embrace.
His last thought before succumbing to darkness was, *Damn you, script!*
…
He woke to the familiar sight of his bedframe.
He blinked, trying to sit up, but his limbs felt heavy, his body aching, as if he had been thoroughly… *trained* by Instructor Yu Xuan.
As if summoned by his thoughts, her voice, filled with relief, reached him. “Yan Zhen! How are you feeling?”
It took him a moment to respond. “Instructor Yu Xuan… when did I get back?”
“You’ve been asleep for a day and a night.” She chuckled, her eyes filled with concern. She brushed a stray strand of hair from his forehead. “Fortunately, your injuries weren’t too serious. I treated you with my Water Mystic Power. You’re practically good as new. Don’t worry.”
“I see…” He licked his dry lips, forcing a smile. “Thank you, Instructor.”
“Are you thirsty? I’ll get you some water.”
She rose from her seat beside his bed, poured him a glass of water, and returned to his side. She helped him sit up, supporting him against her chest as she held the glass to his lips. “I told you not to push yourself so hard! You never listen! You nearly scared me to death!”
Knowing the outcome only made her worry more.
In his previous life, he had been severely injured, bedridden for three days. Who knew how much worse it could have been this time?
Thankfully, the worst-case scenario hadn’t come to pass.
He sighed contentedly as the cool water soothed his parched throat. “I’m sorry for worrying you. I didn’t expect the duel to be so intense. We both got a little carried away.”
“Don’t do that again. You have a long journey ahead of you. Don’t jeopardize your future.”
Despite her words, she knew she couldn’t stop him.
He would continue to be reckless, even risking his life to save her.
The thought filled her with a tender warmth. She gently wiped a stray drop of water from his lips.
“Do you want more?”
“I want to sleep.”
“Alright. Your body still needs to recover. Get some more rest, and you’ll be fine.”
“You don’t have to stay here, Instructor. You should rest too.”
“I’ll leave after you fall asleep.”
“…”
He drifted back to sleep.
…
When he woke again, he wasn’t greeted by the familiar sight of his bedframe. Instead, two majestic peaks filled his vision, blocking his view of his Beautiful Sect Master’s face.
His mind was still hazy, but the memory of the healing “medicine” he had received last time resurfaced, stirring a deep longing within him.
“Awake, Zhen’er?”
“Master.”
His voice sounded weak and childlike, a hint of a whine clinging to his words, as if pleading with her to fulfill his unspoken request.
Chen Xi instantly understood. A blush warmed her cheeks, but her heart fluttered with a secret delight. Her eyes, usually cool and distant, softened with a maternal warmth.
“Don’t speak. Close your eyes. Master will feed you your medicine.”
He obediently closed his eyes. A soft, plump object, like a peeled grape, was placed between his lips. He instinctively sucked on it, drawing out the potent liquid that would speed up his recovery.
The sweet liquid flowed down his throat, a pleasant warmth spreading through his stomach before radiating outwards, revitalizing his aching muscles.
His body responding instinctively, he grasped the soft pouch containing the precious liquid, his tongue lapping eagerly at the opening, greedily consuming its contents.
…
He woke again, this time back in his own bed, surrounded by the five girls. As he sat up, five pairs of eyes stared at him intently.
“Cousin, are you alright?”
“Are you feeling any discomfort, Little Brother Yan Zhen?”
“You’ve been asleep for two days! Tell us if you’re still feeling unwell.”
The three girls peppered him with concerned questions.
He shook his head, assuring them he was fine. He stretched, his joints popping satisfyingly.
“Good to hear.”
The words came from Xiao Xinyan. He turned to her. “Senior Sister Xinyan, how’s your brother doing?”
She was surprised he would ask about Xiao Mie. Her surprise quickly morphed into a secret delight. “I just visited him. He’s still asleep. Instructor Mo said he’ll probably sleep for another half day or so.”
“Is he alright?”
“Yes, he’s fine.”
He nodded, gesturing for them to move aside so he could get out of bed.
However, as he pulled back the covers, he realized something was wrong.
His body was… bare!
— *Oh, shit!*
He quickly pulled the covers back up, hiding his “dragon” from view. He glanced at the four girls, his expression carefully neutral. “Did you… see anything?”
Their cheeks were flushed, their eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan even covered their eyes, though their fingers were spread wide apart.
They all shook their heads in unison, feigning innocence.
“N-no.”
Yan Zhen’s face darkened. *I’m no longer pure!*
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