A Duel with Xie Xie
"Not bad, two Level 18 students sent to the worst class, Class 5. This will definitely light a fire under the students in the other classes, keep them from getting lazy!"
"And although Wu Zhangkong is a bit aloof and rather annoying, I have to admit, he did come from that place after all. His teaching ability is still top-notch. Let's see if some magical chemistry can happen between them!"
Watching Yao Xuan and the other two leave the discipline office, the stern expression on Long Hengxu's face melted away, replaced by a look of quiet satisfaction.
"Brother Xuan, I'm so sorry! I dragged you down!" On the way back to the dormitory, Tang Wulin hung his head, his voice thick with guilt. "You could have been in Class 1, with the best resources, but because you stood up for me, you're stuck in the worst class."
"Wulin, what's done is done. We can only accept it and work to change our situation. Regret won't help anyone." Yao Xuan patted his shoulder reassuringly. "With my strength, being in Class 5 won't hinder me much. Besides, I heard Donghai Academy holds a 'Promotion Tournament' at midterms. If we defeat the other classes, our class gets better resources. Let's train hard and support each other."
"You're right! We can't dwell on the past. I will definitely work hard, Brother Xuan!" Tang Wulin clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. Brother Xuan had sacrificed so much for him; he had to give it his all. How else could he ever repay such a debt?
Five Minutes Later, Dormitory 205.
"Yao Xuan." Xie Xie approached, his eyes glinting coldly. "Come with me to the academy's combat room. I want to fight you."
"Fight you?" Yao Xuan didn't even look up, his tone indifferent. "Why should I?"
"Why?!" Xie Xie's voice rose with anger and resentment. "Because of your personal grudge with Zhou Changxi, I got kicked out of Class 1 and have to rot in the worst class with you lot! I'm going to beat the frustration out of you!"
"Is that so? Then I definitely won't go. If I go, I'll just get beaten up. Why would I agree to that?" Yao Xuan shook his head, a picture of reason.
"..." Xie Xie was momentarily speechless. The logic was sound. "...Fine. Name your terms. What do you want in exchange for fighting me?"
Yao Xuan pretended to think for a moment. "How about this? You give me 50,000 Federal Credits as a... participation fee. And you promise to cover any medical expenses. Then I'll fight you."
'Damn, Brother Xuan is shrewd!' Tang Wulin, watching from the side, secretly gave a thumbs-up. 'If Xie Xie agrees, he'll lose both his money and his pride!'
Having trained under Mang Tian with Yao Xuan for three years, Tang Wulin knew exactly how terrifying Yao Xuan's strength was—well over a thousand kilograms. The idea of Xie Xie beating him was laughable. He'd only be throwing away 50,000 Federal Credits.
50,000! For Tang Wulin, that was almost a year and a half of forging income. If Xie Xie actually agreed, Brother Xuan would be rolling in it!
"50,000 Federal Credits? Fine. No problem. Let's go. I'll transfer the money after the fight." Xie Xie agreed almost without hesitation.
For an ordinary person, 50,000 was a fortune. But for Xie Xie, young master of the prominent Donghai Xie Family, it was pocket change. If it allowed him to vent his spleen, it was worth every credit.
"Alright. Lead the way." Yao Xuan gave a slight nod and followed Xie Xie out toward the central battle hall of Donghai Academy.
Twenty Minutes Later, Donghai Academy, Battle Hall.
After paying a 5,000 Federal Credit usage fee, Yao Xuan and Xie Xie stood in a vast hall, fifty meters on each side. The floor was made of stamped steel, its hardness comparable to hundred-refined metal. Intricate soul guide arrays were inscribed across its surface, reinforcing it to a durability not inferior to ordinary thousand-refined metal, lacking only the sublimation properties.
It was more than sufficient to withstand the attacks of ordinary Soul Masters, perfect for battles between intermediate students. For higher-level combat, there were more advanced halls.
"Xie Xie. Level 18 Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Light Dragon Dagger." Xie Xie's voice was crisp and formal. "I am an Agility System Soul Master. To be fair, I will maintain a distance of thirty meters from you at the start. You may begin your preparations."
As he spoke, Xie Xie walked backward, putting distance between them. Despite his burning desire to teach Yao Xuan a lesson, his aristocratic upbringing and inherent pride wouldn't allow him to take an unfair advantage.
"Yao Xuan. Level 18 Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Lizard Dragon." Yao Xuan's reply was calm, his dislike for Xie Xie lessening slightly. 'Although this guy has a terrible temper, looks down on everyone, and has all the arrogance of a young master, he's not without principles. He's actually quite upright.'
Of course, earning the friendship of someone as aloof as Xie Xie wouldn't be easy. But once you gained his recognition, he was the kind of loyal friend you could count on with your life.
Right now, however, not only did Xie Xie not recognize Yao Xuan, he held a significant grudge against him and wanted to pummel him. Yao Xuan wasn't worried. There was an old saying from his past world: "No discord, no concord." If Xie Xie didn't want to be friends, then he'd just have to beat him into submission first.