Feng Xiaotian's Challenge

Huo Wu's stunning performance had made Zhang Bufan completely lock onto his "ultimate goal" in this world. Sitting in the Audience Seats, he stared intently toward Blazing Fire Academy's resting area, already plotting classic flirtation scenarios in his head—"chance encounters," "saving the beauty," and "showing off his strength."

Confess to her directly? Too low. It doesn't fit my lofty image.

Help her deal with trouble from the shadows? Hmm, that could work, but I'd need the right timing. It has to seem natural, not forced.

Or... defeat her in the field she's best at? Make her curious and admire me? Hmm, that doesn't sound bad either...

Just as Zhang Bufan was immersed in his "grand plan to win a wife," the teams for the next match entered the arena.

"Next match: Godwind Academy versus Hurricane Academy!"

The moment the host finished speaking, another wave of commotion rose from the Audience Seats. The female spectators in particular erupted into shrieks.

Zhang Bufan frowned and looked up irritably. Among Godwind Academy's team was a tall, rather handsome young man with short teal hair, smiling as he waved to the Audience Seats. He carried himself with carefree grace, his movements calm and composed, and a confident smile on his face. He perfectly fit this era's young girls' fantasy of a "genius youth."

"Who's this pretty boy? Why's he so popular?" Zhang Bufan curled his lip, feeling inexplicably annoyed. Maybe because the other guy had stolen the attention that should have belonged to him—at least in his own mind?

The match began. Godwind Academy seemed to be centered around that teal-haired young man. His Martial Soul was the Gale Twin-Headed Wolf, a Beast Martial Soul of exceptionally high quality, and his Soul Rings were optimally configured: two yellow, one purple.

His opponent was a defense-type Soul Ancestor whose Martial Soul was a heavy shield. He assumed a stance of absolute defense.

A faintly disdainful smile rested on the teal-haired youth's lips. Rather than launching a direct assault, he flashed forward, circling his opponent at high speed like a ghostly apparition and leaving trails of afterimages behind him.

"Self-Created Soul Skill—Gale Wolf Thirty-Six Consecutive Slashes!"

He gave a low shout. A pair of teal wind wings seemed to emerge behind him, and his speed abruptly soared! Rather than attacking the shield head-on, he used his extreme speed and agility to unleash sharp, wind-blade-like slashes from every tricky angle!

"First slash! Second slash! Third slash!..."

His attacks came like a violent storm, each slash faster and stronger than the last! The accumulated power and speed caused the force of his attacks to grow geometrically!

Though the defense-type Soul Ancestor's shield was incredibly sturdy, he could only passively endure the unending barrage of ever-strengthening attacks. His palms split open, his Soul Power drained at a rapid pace, and deep marks were carved into the arena beneath his feet.

"Fifteenth slash! Sixteenth slash!..."

The teal-haired youth was now moving too fast for the naked eye to follow. All anyone could see were teal wind blades enveloping his opponent like a meat grinder.

"Thirty-sixth slash!"

At last, accompanied by a thunderous roar, an enormous teal wind blade condensed to the utmost extreme cleaved down like Death's scythe!

Boom—!!

That heavy shield Martial Soul finally could not withstand the terrifying force of the final blow and shattered with a crash! The defense-type Soul Ancestor was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, coughing up blood and losing consciousness before he even hit the ground.

The entire arena erupted in thunderous cheers once more!

"Feng Xiaotian! Feng Xiaotian! Feng Xiaotian!"

Now Zhang Bufan knew it. This show-off was called Feng Xiaotian.

"So he's Feng Xiaotian..." Zhang Bufan stroked his chin, a playful gleam appearing in his eyes. He remembered now. In the original story, this guy seemed to be one of Huo Wu's rabid pursuers, a so-called "simp"? He had even joined Blazing Fire Academy for her? Tsk, tsk. What a lovesick fool.

But now...

Zhang Bufan looked at Feng Xiaotian in the center of the arena, basking in victory and cheers, and his gaze gradually turned unfriendly.

After defeating his opponent, Feng Xiaotian did not immediately leave the arena. Instead, he tidied up his appearance, wore what he clearly thought was a charming smile, and turned his gaze... straight across most of the arena, precisely toward Blazing Fire Academy's resting area, in Huo Wu's direction!

He gave her a confident smile tinged with a hint of ingratiation, even nodding slightly in greeting. The meaning could not have been clearer: Look, Huo Wu, aren't I amazing? Was that move cool or what? Am I worthy of you?

The spectators followed his gaze and broke into good-natured laughter and teasing cheers. Clearly, Feng Xiaotian's pursuit of Huo Wu was no secret among the major advanced Soul Master Academies.

Yet in the face of Feng Xiaotian's almost public display of affection and self-promotion, Huo Wu merely glanced indifferently toward the arena. Her face showed no expression at all. She immediately withdrew her gaze and continued talking to her teammates, as though the dazzling thirty-six consecutive slashes and Feng Xiaotian's overture had been nothing more than air.

Her cold attitude formed a stark contrast with Feng Xiaotian's enthusiastic smile.

The smile on Feng Xiaotian's face stiffened for an instant. A trace of imperceptible disappointment and embarrassment flashed through his eyes, but he quickly regained that carefree demeanor and turned to leave the arena.

Zhang Bufan saw all of it clearly.

"Heh."

Zhang Bufan could not help but chuckle, shaking his head.

His inner monologue began firing on all cylinders:

This guy... he really is a veteran simp! His feelings are practically written all over his face! Is he afraid people won't know he likes Huo Wu?

And "Gale Wolf Thirty-Six Consecutive Slashes"? The name's long enough, and it sounds intimidating. Too bad it's flashy but impractical, full of openings!

To look cool and stack power, his early attacks are pathetically weak. Any Agile Attack Department Soul Master of the same rank could interrupt him before he built up his momentum. And it burns through Soul Power like crazy—after one full combo, he's half crippled himself. It's a textbook skill for bullying weaklings. Against a real expert, he wouldn't even know how he died.

With that level of skill, he dares strut like a peacock before the female lead I've picked out? Who gave you that courage? Liang Jingru?

Just look at Huo Wu's reaction. She obviously has no interest in him! Why press a warm face against a cold butt?

But... this brat actually dares set his sights on the woman I like? Huo Wu doesn't even know me yet, but rounding it up, that's basically putting a green hat on me! (Forced logic.)

No, I can't take this! I need to find a chance to let Feng Xiaotian learn what it means that there's always someone stronger, that there's always a higher sky! What a gap truly looks like! I need to make him face reality and stay far away from my Huo Wu!

Zhang Bufan rubbed his chin, a glint of malicious amusement flashing in his eyes.

"Hmm... should I crush him publicly when he's at his proudest? Or make him embarrass himself without anyone noticing? Or perhaps find a chance to 'give him some pointers' and let him understand just how laughable his little bit of strength is?"

The more he thought about it, the more entertaining it seemed. Crushing a love rival—self-proclaimed, of course—especially in front of the woman he liked, was a classic wish-fulfillment novel scene! It had to happen!

He looked toward the direction in which Godwind Academy was leaving, a dangerous curve rising at the corner of his mouth.

Feng Xiaotian, was it? Your good days were about to come to an end.