"Did you hear? Sun Sheng is going to challenge Liu Long at the graduation ceremony!"
"How could I not? That idiot still hasn't learned his lesson. Does he not realize what kind of genius Senior Liu Long is?"
"Yeah, I heard Senior Liu Long absorbed his second Spirit Ring a few days ago and advanced to Soul Grandmaster."
"Sun Sheng is really something. Pulling a stunt like this right before graduation—he's really not afraid of embarrassing himself completely."
"Hahaha, now this will be interesting. Getting to watch a good show at the graduation ceremony isn't bad at all."
After returning to his dormitory, Sun Sheng challenged Liu Long once more, setting the date for the graduation ceremony.
Once the news spread, it caused a complete uproar. The entire academy began discussing it fervently.
Among them were Tang San and Xiao Wu, who were waiting quietly to graduate from the academy.
They were both greatly shocked when they heard the news and did not think highly of Sun Sheng's chances.
But whatever he chose to do was not their place to interfere with. They simply regarded it as a farce.
"Liu Long, did you know Sun Sheng intends to challenge you at the graduation ceremony?"
At the small woods behind Notting City Junior Academy, a rather burly youth found Liu Long, who was practicing with his staff.
"Boss Xiao, what brings you here?"
"That trash Sun Sheng is just itching for a beating."
"I gave him a brutal beating yesterday. He's nothing to worry about."
Upon seeing his visitor, Liu Long immediately greeted him with a smile.
He had not expected Boss Xiao, who had graduated years ago, to return because of this matter.
"Hahaha, my brother is about to graduate. How could I not come?"
Boss Xiao walked over, threw an arm around his shoulder, and laughed.
"Hehe, Big Brother really treats me well."
Liu Long said this, somewhat flattered.
"Liu Long, Sun Sheng may be nothing to worry about, but you still need to be careful. I'm afraid that brat might resort to underhanded tricks."
"If possible, cripple that guy Sun Sheng at the graduation ceremony."
"I couldn't stand the sight of him back then."
"Once you graduate, I'll find you a good position."
Boss Xiao gave him a brief reminder not to lower his guard before revealing the true reason for his return.
Clearly, he wanted Liu Long to come work for him after graduation.
"Boss Xiao, don't worry. I'll definitely cripple Sun Sheng and won't disappoint your expectations."
Liu Long patted his chest and promised.
How could he fail to understand Boss Xiao's true intentions? He quickly made his stance clear.
Boss Xiao was the son of the Lord of Notting City and had connections within Spirit Hall. Being valued and employed by him was a blessing Liu Long could only dream of.
"Good. That's more like it."
Satisfied with his attitude, Boss Xiao turned and left.
Several days later, the graduation ceremony of Notting City Junior Academy began. Tang San, the graduate representative, went onstage and delivered an impassioned graduation speech.
Finally, the Dean spoke on behalf of the academy and presented graduation mementos to Tang San and Xiao Wu, the most outstanding students, as well as to the exceptional students who had received admission notices from Soto Intermediate Soul Master Academy.
Liu Long was among them.
After all the procedures had concluded, the Dean announced a piece of news that many students had long been anticipating.
Sun Sheng would challenge Liu Long on the graduation ceremony stage.
Clearly, the matter had received the approval of Notting City Junior Academy.
After all, Liu Long was an outstanding student personally invited by Soto Intermediate Soul Master Academy. His future achievements would be limitless.
As the Dean of a junior academy, he naturally would not deliberately offend such exceptional students.
Once the Dean announced the news, the graduation stage was transformed into an arena in an extremely short time.
At that moment, the students throughout the venue erupted, shouting one after another.
"Liu Long! Liu Long! Liu Long..."
In an instant, cries of support for Liu Long echoed throughout Notting City Junior Academy.
Amid everyone's cheers, Liu Long made his glorious entrance. Wearing an extremely smug smile, he enthusiastically greeted the students, junior boys, and junior girls below the stage.
"That brat Liu Long is getting more glory than even me, the big sister. How infuriating!"
"Once this challenge is over, I'll teach him a proper lesson."
Watching the radiant and arrogant Liu Long from below the stage, Xiao Wu felt somewhat displeased.
"Xiao Wu, here you go again. Let's just watch properly. Sun Sheng is about to go onstage."
Tang San shook his head helplessly, a wry smile on his face.
Six years had passed, yet Xiao Wu was still the same Xiao Wu from back then—still so mischievous and a little willful.
"Look, everyone! It's Sun Sheng!"
At that moment, an astonished cry came from the crowd.
Sun Sheng approached with an expressionless face and stepped onto the arena amid everyone's mockery.
"Look at that idiot. He thinks acting tough makes him impressive."
"Exactly, exactly. How does he think he can beat my Senior Liu Long?"
"Sun Sheng, surrender already. Stop making a fool of yourself here."
"That's right, Sun Sheng, get lost! You're not worthy of fighting Senior Liu Long."
Hearing everyone's support, Liu Long grew even smugger. He raised a hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
Then he looked at Sun Sheng and sneered. "Sun Sheng, you heard them too. Get lost. For the sake of our years as classmates, I can still leave you a little dignity."
"Get lost? You think you're worthy?"
"Why don't you piss in a puddle and take a good look at whether you're qualified?"
Sun Sheng shot him a glance and sneered coldly, his eyes filled with contempt.
Whoosh!
The previously quiet audience suddenly erupted into an uproar, all criticizing Sun Sheng for his ignorant provocation.
"Good, what arrogant words."
"Sun Sheng, if I don't cripple you today, I swear I'm not human."
Liu Long burned with rage. Holding his martial spirit, the Golden Rod, he unleashed an aggressive aura.
One white and one yellow Spirit Ring appeared around the Golden Rod, slowly descending from above.
"Level twenty-two!"
Whether it was Sun Sheng, Tang San and Xiao Wu below the stage, or the others and the instructors, all of their expressions changed slightly upon sensing Liu Long's Soul Power Level.
Everyone knew that Liu Long had only absorbed his second Spirit Ring not long ago. His Soul Power Level should have been level twenty-one.
How had he achieved another breakthrough in just a few days?
Such an abnormal occurrence was truly shocking.
"Wow, Senior Liu Long, you're so handsome! I love you!"
"Senior Liu Long, you're amazing! Smash him to pieces and make him stop pretending!"
"Senior Liu Long, you're too outstanding!"
The many students below the stage cheered and praised him again.
Most of them were fangirls, their eyes practically filled with hearts.
"Hehe, just level twenty-two Soul Power!"
Although Sun Sheng was also startled, he had the Ruyi Jingu Bang in hand and the support of a Million-Year Spirit Ring. Why would he fear a mere level twenty-two Soul Grandmaster?
A pitch-black Iron Staff suddenly appeared in his hand, while a deep white Spirit Ring gradually emerged, gleaming with an intensely dazzling white light.
"Hm?"
"This ten-year Spirit Ring is strange!"
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