Now it was not only the ordinary students around who felt Su Yu was arrogant. Even those from prominent families wore mocking smiles and sneers.
Su Yu had probably been praised too highly by the Su family and the world these past years. Did he truly think he was some invincible figure?
For the sake of pursuing a woman, he had wasted seven years of cultivation, spending his days confessing to her and trying to move her heart. The time he devoted to cultivation was pitifully little. No matter how high your talent is, if you do not cultivate, how are you any different from others?
Chu Feng was no longer an unknown nobody. He was the legitimate number one on the Heaven Ranking!
In previous years, the annual Heaven Ranking champion at Jingwu would at most be at the late 5th-grade realm or the early 6th-grade realm upon graduation. This generation was far stronger than before. There were already several at the 6th-grade realm, not to mention Chu Feng, who had defeated Ye Qing, a mid-6th-grade martial artist.
And you, Su Yu… were only at the 5th-grade realm!
After hearing Chu Feng’s grievances, many people had already felt Su Yu was bullying others. Now, hearing such an arrogant tone from him, their favor plummeted even faster.
Voices of outrage erupted one after another.
“Damn! So arrogant. If someone can take one move from him, he’ll quit the Su family?”
“Does he even know who he’s talking to? Look at Chu Feng’s strength before boasting!”
“I had some sympathy for Su Yu before. Now it seems he brought this upon himself.”
“Chu Feng, go! Defeat him! Even if you injure him here at school, the Su family won’t dare say a word!”
“Go! Beat him!”
With his hands clasped behind his back, Su Yu slowly rose into the air and descended into the center of the arena. He faced Chu Feng calmly and said with ease, “Care to gamble? Take one move from me.”
Chu Feng wanted to twist public opinion by his own strength, did he not?
Heh.
Since Su Yu knew he was the protagonist, how could he not prepare a countermeasure?
Manipulating public opinion… in the real world, that era of entertainment to the death played such tricks far better than any of you.
If one wanted to strike the protagonist steadily, the first step was to dismantle his reputation. In every novel, the rule remained the same: he who wins the hearts of the people wins the world. Every time the protagonist faced danger, neutral experts would step in to help him. Why? Because his reputation earned their favor.
Very well. Then I will personally put a full stop to your reputation.
Facing Su Yu’s wager, Chu Feng’s eyes narrowed. He said solemnly, “What do you want me to put up as a stake?”
“If you want me to leave Panxi’s side, I’m sorry. I cannot do that.”
Chu Feng did not understand why Su Yu wanted to gamble, but he was certain there was nothing on him that Su Yu would value. The only thing of worth was Lin Panxi.
Did he need Lin Panxi?
What a joke. He had sworn that day. If he broke that oath, the will of the world would shatter his martial heart. He would never advance again, perhaps even perish completely.
Was some brainless female lead worth his grand martial path?
Women only slow down the speed at which I draw my blade.
His eyes suddenly turned domineering and cold, his voice carrying arrogance and disdain as he said, “The wager I propose isn’t about taking something from you.”
“Besides, there is nothing of value on you.”
“This wager is simply because I find you troublesome and want you to shut up.”
Creak!
After Su Yu finished speaking, Chu Feng clenched his fists tightly. Veins bulged at his temples. He gritted his teeth and stared at Su Yu’s calm face.
Damn it!
Su Yu… you’ve gone too far!
Do you think reaching the 6th-grade realm makes you worthy of pride?
I defeated Ye Qing, a mid-6th-grade martial artist, while only at the late 5th-grade realm. How could I lose to you, someone merely at the early 6th-grade realm?
So what if you’re the future heir of the Su family? So what if you’re said to have the potential of a Martial Saint?
Is Ye Qing inferior to you? His father is a Martial Saint!
If I can defeat him, why can’t I defeat you?
“Enough talk. Step onto the stage and fight!” Chu Feng roared as dense spiritual power erupted from him, sweeping across the arena.
His surging battle intent startled many for a moment.
Then waves of shouts rose like a tide.
“Fight! Fight! Fight!”
Watching powerful fighters clash could deepen their understanding of martial arts. Of course, that was only if one was weaker than the combatants. Otherwise, it would feel like watching a monkey show.
He understood the terror of a protagonist. As the Chosen One of the world, his methods could not be judged by common logic. Fighting beyond one’s level was routine. His techniques and trump cards were impossible to predict.
But Su Yu was different.
He knew the entire plotline of this world. He knew exactly what life-saving trump cards Chu Feng possessed at each stage.
Defeating a mid-6th-grade Ye Qing while at the late 5th-grade realm—there was no need to elaborate on how strong that was.
Chu Feng raised his battle intent to its peak. The spiritual power he had consumed was restored completely after swallowing pills. At this moment, he was once again at peak strength.
“Su Yu, today I will wash away my humiliation. Come up and fight!” Chu Feng declared spiritedly, his robe fluttering wildly in the fierce wind.
To catch up to Su Yu and avenge that day’s humiliation, he had risked everything to improve himself. He hunted countless ferocious beasts to hone his combat experience. Even at the late 4th-grade realm, he had challenged a level-six ferocious beast.
That was a beast comparable to a 6th-grade martial artist.
Though he had nearly died, he relied on his wits to counter-kill the beast while gravely injured, successfully advancing to the 5th-grade realm. While recovering, he found a precious spiritual herb and swallowed it, breaking through several minor realms in just a few days.
With such terrifying perseverance, he was confident he would not lose to a pampered heir who had never even seen a ferocious beast.
Su Yu smiled softly.
Under countless gazes, he walked slowly to the center of the arena.
Glancing at the referee on the judging platform, he said calmly, “I apply to challenge the number one on the Heaven Ranking.”
In the original novel, although he had neglected his cultivation for Lin Panxi, he was still ranked on the Heaven Ranking, albeit in the middle to lower positions. Anyone on the ranking had the right to challenge the first place.
Thus, the request was reasonable.
“Alright, alright.” The referee nodded repeatedly in agreement.
After pulling up the records and completing the preparations, he gave Su Yu a look.
“The challenge begins!”
As the referee’s voice echoed through the arena, everyone fell silent at once. Their eyes locked onto Su Yu and Chu Feng on the stage, afraid to miss a single moment.
The two stood dozens of meters apart, facing each other.
After a brief pause—
Boom!
With a sonic boom, Chu Feng vanished from his spot. When he reappeared, he was already in midair, holding a long sword glowing with black light.
“Su Yu, this sword strike is repayment for the palm you gave me that day!”