Spar

By the time the two arrived at the Arena, more than twenty people had already gathered.

They had all come to watch the show. If it weren't for the fact that the semester had just begun and everyone was busy, with many others absent, there would have been even more spectators.

Xue Hang called out to a male student carrying a broadsword on his shoulder, "Zhuang Xuan, he's here. Are you ready?"

Zhuang Xuan was muttering doubts to himself as well. Could he really lose?

But things had reached this point. With so many people watching, there was no turning back.

One could lose the fight, but not one's bearing—besides, he hadn't lost yet!

Without changing expression, he said, "I've been ready for ages!"

Then he looked at Su Yi. He was quite handsome, at least.

Su Yi still looked as calm and unruffled as ever, as though he were out on a spring outing.

Wasn't he nervous at all? Was he really that confident?

Su Yi truly wasn't nervous. What was there to fear about fighting an ordinary Third Grade Mid Stage?

In a gentle, mild voice, he said, "Freshman Year student, Su Yi! Please enlighten me!"

With that, he calmly walked onto the ring.

Yet according to relativity, when one side wasn't nervous, the other side had to panic like crazy.

Zhuang Xuan forcefully suppressed the thoughts in his heart, strode onto the ring with his head held high, and declared loudly, "Third Year, Zhuang Xuan!"

"Zhuang Xuan got completely outclassed, haha."

After comparing Su Yi and Zhuang Xuan's bearing, Xue Hang laughed.

The Martial Arts Club President beside him nodded as well. He had indeed been outclassed.

Compared to Su Yi's composure, Zhuang Xuan seemed somewhat forced.

Seeing that both had stepped onto the ring, the Martial Arts Club President began to ask, "At Magic Martial Academy, sparring is not prohibited, nor are fights to the death! By convention, I'll ask first: are both parties participating willingly this time?"

Magic Martial Academy indeed did not prohibit sparring or fights to the death, but that was only when both sides were willing. If one party was unwilling, then the challenge could not stand!

If someone was being coerced, they could directly file a complaint with the Martial Arts Club. The club would step in and handle it. As for underhanded matters kept private, no complaint meant no investigation.

But as long as a complaint was filed, the Martial Arts Club would definitely deal with it.

Although the Martial Arts Club was a student organization, the school had entrusted it with the responsibility of maintaining order. Not even instructors could violate that.

Su Yi nodded in agreement. He was growing slightly impatient inside, but did not show it in the slightest.

Zhuang Xuan's mouth twitched. Could he say no? He couldn't!

He had been the one to use Su Yi as an excuse to pick a fight with Xue Hang in the first place, and he had looked down on Su Yi's strength as well.

Though Xue Hang had laid a trap to lure him in, at the end of the day, it was still his own doing.

If he won, it would be fine. At most, people would say a few things about him bullying a freshman—nothing that hurt or itched. After all, Su Yi was also Third Grade Mid Stage.

The strong were respected. No one would care about Su Yi's thoughts.

But if he lost, things would truly blow up. Yet now that he was already on the ring, he couldn't bring himself to say that he wasn't participating willingly.

Without changing expression, he said, "Willingly."

"Then the challenge is established!" After speaking, the Martial Arts Club President checked his watch and continued, "You're all classmates, so this is primarily a spar—stop when the point is reached!

Of course, fists and feet have no eyes, and injuries are unavoidable. As a freshman, Su Yi has priority and may raise reasonable conditions within the rules.

Su Yi, do you have any requests?"

Su Yi felt a little bored. Nodding, he said, "Yes. Can we start already? I still need to go back and cultivate after signing my club application."

Arrogant! So arrogant!

That was the Martial Arts Club President's first impression upon hearing Su Yi's words, yet Su Yi had said them in such a mild tone.

The Martial Arts Club members beneath the ring also erupted in an uproar. This was far too arrogant—he simply didn't take Zhuang Xuan seriously at all!

Now everyone was even more fired up. Bets were opened beneath the ring on who would win!

Zhuang Xuan's face on the ring had gone completely dark. He looked down on him that much?

Who won and who lost was still up in the air, junior!

He clenched his C-grade broadsword tightly. It seemed he would have to go all out today. A scholar could be killed, but not humiliated!

The Martial Arts Club President could also see that Zhuang Xuan was truly getting serious. He looked toward Su Yi. So arrogant—then let's see whether you had the strength to back it up.

Arrogance backed by strength was called confidence; it would not make people resent you. Without strength, it was the pitiful conceit of a self-important fool, utterly repulsive.

"Then... begin!"

The instant his words fell, Su Yi launched a Spiritual Power attack at Zhuang Xuan. He did not dare use his full strength, or Zhuang Xuan would definitely suffer grave injuries—perhaps even irreversible ones.

Even before his Spiritual Power had broken through 500, he could stun a Third Grade Mid Stage opponent for a while, let alone now.

He carefully controlled his Spiritual Power. Knocking him unconscious would do; anything else would be too troublesome.

The moment Zhuang Xuan heard the signal to begin, he suddenly stepped forward and began gathering Blood Qi into his blade.

Su Yi had been keeping an eye on the sword at Zhuang Xuan's waist the whole time, but Zhuang Xuan had not drawn it even after the match began.

Underestimating him? Looking down on him?

He thought he could beat him without a weapon, did he?

Junior, sorry! This time, I'm definitely going to win!!!

Zhuang Xuan slipped and fell to the ground.

Su Yi stood before Zhuang Xuan, motionless, his smile unchanged.

His Spiritual Power control was perfect—enough to keep him unconscious for several minutes.

Su Yi gave a Martial Salute, then calmly walked over to Zhuang Xuan. He casually grabbed the back of Zhuang Xuan's collar and lightly tossed him off the platform. Mm! His control over the force was perfect. Zhuang Xuan hit the ground, yet remained completely unharmed.

Having finished everything, Su Yi lightly dusted off his hands and looked toward the Martial Arts Club President.

Silence!

Utter silence!

From everyone's perspective, the president had called for the match to begin, Zhuang Xuan had taken one step forward, then slipped and fainted in front of Su Yi. Finally, Su Yi threw Zhuang Xuan off the arena.

"Fake, right?"

A Club Member in the crowd could not help but say.

"A fixed match?"

That made no sense. What did Zhuang Xuan gain from losing? He would lose another 200 Credit Points and be mocked by everyone.

Besides, even if it were fixed, it should not have been this blatantly fake!

Did they think they were blind?!

Meanwhile, the Club Members who had bet on Zhuang Xuan were utterly dumbfounded. Both were Third Grade Mid Stage; compared with a freshman, of course they had believed Zhuang Xuan would win.

Of the dozen or so people who had placed bets, aside from Xue Hang, only two upperclassmen had bet on Su Yi to win.

But now, the match had started after they bet on Zhuang Xuan! Zhuang Xuan stepped forward!

Zhuang Xuan fell!???

Damn it, refund us.

If this wasn't a fixed match, what was?

The Martial Arts Club President, however, had sensed it. What terrifying Spiritual Power—stronger even than his own.

Zhuang Xuan had been completely stunned unconscious by Spiritual Power. The control over its force had been equally impressive: intimidating without causing harm.

"Su Yi wins!"

The president first announced Su Yi's victory, then said to the Club Members below, "It was Spiritual Power intimidation!"

After saying that, he smiled, nodded at Su Yi, and left.

Strong people did not inspire dislike. Unfortunately, he had far too many things to handle. Otherwise, he definitely would have had a proper chat with Su Yi.

As for the bet between Zhuang Xuan and Xue Hang, they could sort that out themselves. He did not have the spare time to meddle.

Su Yi returned a smile at the goodwill shown by the Martial Arts Club President. He deeply understood that, in life and in dealing with others, one had to make more friends and fewer enemies.

One had to unite every force that could be united. Where interests were involved, even enemies might not be unable to become friends; an enemy's enemy could all the more be a friend.

As for enemies too stubborn to be won over, those who truly could not be brought to his side, then there was only...

Once Su Yi stepped down from the arena, Xue Hang immediately came over and said, "Impressive, Junior. You actually managed to intimidate Zhuang Xuan using Spiritual Power alone."

Xue Hang truly could not hide his astonishment. He had thought that, no matter what, Zhuang Xuan would at least be able to exchange a few moves with Su Yi.

He had not expected... this?

His joy was beyond words, though mixed with some melancholy. His strength was evenly matched with Zhuang Xuan's; if they fought, it would be a close and grueling battle.

Su Yi defeating Zhuang Xuan so easily also meant he could defeat him just as easily. Xue Hang had no confidence that he could withstand that kind of Spiritual Power.

Faced with Xue Hang's praise, Su Yi politely returned a smile. "Senior, let me fill out the application to join the club."

Xue Hang: ???

No, why were you so hung up on some application form?

Were you really that busy?

Helplessly, he nodded. "Come with me."

With that, he led the way toward his office.

After both of them had left, Zhuang Xuan, who had been carried onto a chair by several Club Members, finally woke up groggily.

The awakened Zhuang Xuan was still dazed, his mind awash with countless thoughts!

Wasn't I fighting Su Yi on the arena?

Why am I sitting beneath it?

All he remembered was the Club President shouting "Begin." He had been about to attack, still mocking Su Yi for being careless, when he took one step forward and everything went black. He had no memory of anything after that.

I lost? How did I lose?

Seeing Zhuang Xuan wake up, the Club Members beside him began explaining with teasing smiles, each chiming in over the next.

Zhuang Xuan roughly pieced together the meaning from their words.

After it started, I rushed in. Su Yi used Spiritual Power. I collapsed. Couldn't get back up?

Zhuang Xuan's face instantly darkened.

Spiritual Power?

Su Yi actually possessed such powerful Spiritual Power?

Then he heard people blaming him for losing and causing all of them who had bet on his victory to lose as well.

Zhuang Xuan's mouth twitched. I'm so sorry for losing, okay? You think I wanted to lose that badly?!

I charged in!

I fell down!!

So it's my fault now?!

He asked a Club Member beside him where Su Yi and Xue Hang had gone.

After receiving the answer, he immediately left, only leaving behind a message for them to pass on to Xue Hang.

"Transfer the 200 Credit Points to Xue Hang later. He's going down. Don't contact him if there's nothing wrong; if something is wrong, contact him even less."

What did "going down" mean? Some Second Rank Club Members did not understand, but the Third Rank Club Members immediately got it.

He was going down to the Underground Cave.

Thinking about it, if they were Zhuang Xuan, they would have been too ashamed to stay as well.

At the very least, he would have to disappear for a long time and only return once the incident had faded from people's minds.

Avoidance might not work in the long run, but for the time being, it would feel pretty good.

And if he died, that would be even simpler.

When a person died, all matters came to rest!

At Xue Hang's desk, Xue Hang took out an application form for joining the Martial Arts Club and handed it to Su Yi.

Su Yi casually accepted it, glanced it over, and started filling it out without much thought. It was just going through the motions according to the rules anyway.

Xue Hang began explaining the Martial Arts Club's benefits. Ordinary Club Members received 3 Credit Points per month, while senior Club Members—or rather, Third Rank and Fourth Grade Club Members—received 10 Credit Points per month...

However, the Martial Arts Club offered even more hidden benefits, such as connections after graduation and a sense of belonging.

By the time Xue Hang finished speaking, Su Yi had also put down his pen.

After putting away the Martial Arts Club application, the two began to leave the Office.