Factional Dispute

The student council member frowned and walked out of the training hall.

He saw several teachers approaching.

One of them, with a small mustache, was Luo Beichen's instructor.

Huang Yong.

The student council member coughed dryly, a smile plastered on his face. "Good morning, teachers."

The teachers nodded, all smiles.

One of them asked, "Has it opened yet?"

"If it's open, we'll go in and grab a spot."

The student council member stepped aside. "It's open. Please, teachers."

Several instructors entered the hall one after another.

As Huang Yong stepped forward, the student council member raised his arm.

Huang Yong's face immediately fell. "What?"

"Teacher Huang, for Death Matches, the instructors of both sides are not allowed to spectate."

"It's inconvenient for you to go in," the student council member said tactfully.

Huang Yong snorted. "What's inconvenient about it?"

"With so many instructors present, are you afraid I'll break the rules?"

"Besides, you're a student, and I'm a teacher."

"Are students going to boss teachers around?"

With a casual push, he shoved the student council member aside.

He was about to enter.

Suddenly, a fierce wind rushed towards him.

Huang Yong was startled. He hadn't expected someone to dare attack a teacher within the academy!

Though shocked, he remained calm and struck out.

He batted away a fist that was hurtling towards the side of his face.

Then he turned, his eyes blazing with anger.

He looked at a student who was taller than him, with sharp, rugged features.

He Hao!

Huang Yong roared, "This is outrageous! As a student, throwing a punch at a teacher, how improper!"

He Hao spat roughly to the side.

"For those who don't follow the rules, never mind instructors."

"Even if the King of Hell himself showed up, I'd still fight him."

Huang Yong pointed at He Hao. "You scoundrel, disrespecting your elders! What class are you in, and who is your instructor?"

"See if I don't teach you a lesson today!"

"Teach me a lesson?" He Hao laughed heartily. "Fine, if you dare to set your Essence Energy realm to 'Intermediate', I'll see it through to the end!"

"You!" Huang Yong's chest heaved, unable to speak.

At his level, teaching a student in the 'Intermediate' realm was no problem.

But if the Essence Energy was set to 'Intermediate', it would be a different story.

Moreover, he was an instructor. Whether he won or lost, it wouldn't look good.

Just then, a female voice spoke up. "He Hao, I advise you to show Teacher Huang some respect."

"Teacher Huang, recently, he's received some kind of sponsorship."

"His Essence Energy realm has advanced by leaps and bounds, already entering the 'Profound Comprehension' realm."

"If you miss this chance, even with one arm, beating you would be a piece of cake."

This was Su Jiu.

He Hao's partner.

She walked over with a smile. "Oh, right, Teacher Huang."

"The one sponsoring you, is it the Luo family?"

"No wonder you're shamelessly trying to get in, knowing full well the rules of Death Match."

"Sucking up to your benefactor, there's no shame in it."

"If I had such a benefactor, I'd suck up to them too. Don't you think so, He Hao?"

Huang Yong's face immediately turned green and then purple.

Especially when the instructors beside him looked over at him.

Huang Yong felt his face lose all color.

He snorted.

And said, "I can't be bothered to waste words with you."

With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

Su Jiu grinned and winked at He Hao.

Just as they were about to enter the arena, They heard someone chuckle, "I've long heard that the students of Hundred Battles Academy have extraordinary courage. Seeing it today, it's truly well-deserved."

"To actually drive away your own academy's instructors, you really are a fearless newborn calf."

He Hao looked up.

He saw a group of people arriving together. The one who spoke was a refined middle-aged man.

The people beside him all looked wealthy and influential.

He Hao frowned and was about to retort.

Su Jiu quickly grabbed him and said, "That's Minister of Education Lu Cheng. The people beside him are all entrepreneurs and officials from the city."

"They're not people we can afford to offend, so don't speak carelessly."

At this moment, someone next to Lu Cheng said with a smile, "Minister Lu, it seems your educational policies need to be revised."

"At the very least, we need to teach future children to respect their teachers."

Before Lu Cheng could answer, another voice rang out.

"Respecting teachers is indeed important."

"But it depends on the person."

"If someone lacks moral character, and you still emphasize respect, isn't that foolish?"

Everyone looked over.

Another group of people was walking over from not far away.

These people were all wearing military uniforms.

It turned out they were members of the Surface Exploration Legion.

The person who spoke was quite young.

He had thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a square face.

He carried himself with the air of a great general.

Lu Cheng smiled and said, "So it's Commander Di's capable aide, Colonel Liang Jian."

He Hao's eyes narrowed slightly, and he whispered, "I didn't expect Colonel Liang to be here too."

"He's the Mech Master of 'Blazing Flame,' and also my idol!"

Su Jiu looked at him with surprise, "You actually have someone you admire?"

Then, she observed the people on both sides.

She whispered, "Lu Cheng has ties with the Luo family. I heard that Luo Tianyi was the one who helped him become Minister of Education from behind the scenes."

"His presence here to watch the matches is likely on behalf of the Luo family."

"He and Luo Tianyi are both from the 'Conservative Faction'."

"The Surface Exploration Legion is, as everyone knows, the 'Radical Faction.' It seems that today, on the surface, it's a duel between two freshmen."

"But in reality, it's a clash between the 'Conservative Faction' and the 'Radical Faction'."

He Hao nodded slightly.

"After the Giant Beast Calamity, the 'Conservative Faction' has always opposed surface exploration."

"They believe that overly frequent exploration activities will attract the attention of Giant Beasts, bringing about the doom of the underground cities."

"These good-for-nothings are only concerned with enjoying themselves and don't want to step out of their comfort zones."

"They don't consider that if they don't explore the surface and regularly clear out nearby Giant Beasts."

"Even if, as they say, they don't engage in surface activities, the Giant Beasts will find them sooner or later."

Su Jiu's lips parted slightly, "They were already at the top before the disaster broke out."

"Life is only a hundred years or so."

"Since they can enjoy themselves now, why would they want to take risks?"

"You want them to volunteer for surface expeditions like Commander Di? That's asking too much of him."

He Hao glanced at her. "Su Jiu, you've fallen."

"You're talking nonsense," Su Jiu retorted.

At this moment, the Colonel from the Surface Exploration Legion raised his hand and said with a broad smile, "Minister Lu, everyone, please."

Lu Cheng chuckled. "It's just a small arena match, and it's actually managed to draw Colonel Liang. Quite surprising."

Liang Jian stated directly, "Student Luo Yan is a prospect our Commander has his eye on. Our Commander has a mission today and couldn't make it."

"I just returned from a mission and am on vacation, so I invited a few old brothers to come and liven things up."

"To cheer on student Luo."

"And at the same time, help the academy maintain order."

"We must ensure today's arena match is just and fair."

"To prevent anyone from meddling or interfering from the shadows."

After speaking, the Colonel looked at the group Lu Cheng brought, intentionally or unintentionally.

Lu Cheng hadn't expected Liang Jian to speak so directly and was displeased. "Colonel Liang, are you implying that we would interfere from the shadows?"

Liang Jian laughed heartily. "Minister Lu, I am a rough man. I speak directly, please don't take it to heart."

"Let's go, the match is about to begin."

"Shouldn't we find a good spot to sit down and enjoy the show?"

He then made a gesture.

The members of the Exploration Corps, their steps in unison.

They strode into the venue!