The atmosphere inside the tent was tense. The students from Jia Nan Academy watched the scene unfold.
Outside the tent, the new students watched with anticipation.
Standing opposite the new student was a fair-faced young man.
The three gold stars on the chest of his Jia Nan Academy uniform showed his strength.
But now, his fair face was dark with anger, his expression terribly ugly.
Seeing his fellow students watching the show, Luo De immediately felt humiliated.
He had been bossing the new students around, harshly crushing the pride of those talented youngsters from small places.
It had felt great!
He hadn't expected to run into another troublemaker, one who had even contradicted him in front of so many people!
For someone as concerned with appearances as Luo De, it was a deep humiliation!
"Heh, I've met a few troublemakers like you."
"But in the end, they all shouted loudest at first, then screamed loudest when it was over!"
"It's an unwritten rule at Jia Nan Academy to take the edge off you talented youngsters from small places."
"That way, when you get to the academy, you won't start throwing punches at the slightest disagreement!"
The burly youth rolled his eyes and spoke disdainfully.
"You're just a Three-Star Dou Zhe. You think you can take the edge off me? Heh."
Luo De had thought that his earlier speech would save face.
He hadn't expected the guy to completely ignore what he said!
And to say something so infuriating, too!
Especially those two meaningless chuckles at the end.
They completely ignited the fury inside him.
"In that case, let me, your Three-Star Dou Zhe senior, teach you the academy's rules!"
"Come on, then. I want to see how strong the academy's seniors are—or whether Jia Nan Academy is all reputation and no substance."
The youth's pride made him accept the challenge without hesitation.
The onlookers cleared a space, even more delighted to watch the show.
The new students being left to bake outside the tent watched with anticipation, hoping the burly youth would stand up for them!
Xiao Ze watched the two face off, raising an eyebrow slightly.
He could tell, of course, that they were at the same level. Both were Three-Star Dou Zhe.
The burly youth's build made it obvious that he trained hard!
Among low-level cultivators, a strong physique was a major advantage!
Sure enough, after a Jia Nan Academy student acting as referee announced, "Begin,"
the burly youth charged forward at once and threw a heavy punch!
Caught off guard, Luo De was sent stumbling back three steps by the blow. His face immediately darkened!
Clouds gathered over his once-confident expression.
From that brief exchange, he realized that this troublemaker seemed to be every bit his equal!
Watching from the sidelines, Xiao Ze thought to himself, This troublemaker's got some bite.
He was actually glad to see it.
Taking the edge off the pride of talented youngsters from small places, so they would be less likely to start fights, was a good intention.
But there was no need to go about it like this!
Once they arrived at Jia Nan Academy and saw that everyone around them was at their level—or even more talented—they would naturally lose some of that edge.
If they still thought they were above everyone else, Xiao Ze felt that wasn't pride. It was stupidity!
Leaving people outside to bake for half an hour like this was truly inappropriate!
While Xiao Ze's thoughts raced, Luo De had already been knocked to the ground by the burly youth's relentless assault!
Luo De's face burned as if he'd been slapped a dozen times.
The astonished looks from the people around him made him feel he had nowhere to hide!
The new students watching were visibly excited. At last, someone had avenged them!
Seeing Luo De on the ground, the burly youth looked a little disappointed, but didn't kick him while he was down.
Just then, Xiao Ze noticed that Luo De, lying on the ground, seemed to toss something into his mouth!
Xiao Ze narrowed his eyes slightly. Was the guy going to cheat because he couldn't win?
Sure enough, Luo De rolled over. His aura changed, and he charged at the burly youth with bloodshot eyes.
The burly youth sensed something was wrong, but Luo De had already charged in. Dou Qi blazed around his fist—he had clearly used some kind of Dou Technique!
Bang!
Spurt!
Caught off guard, the burly youth was sent flying.
After landing, he staggered back several steps before dropping to one knee and spitting out a mouthful of blood!
Luo De stamped down hard, leaving a shallow footprint in the ground!
He lunged toward the burly youth, a hint of killing intent in his eyes!
The girls watching nearby cried out in alarm.
The other students from Jia Nan Academy furrowed their brows, wanting to step in and stop him. It would be bad if someone got killed!
The new students baking outside watched with worry in their eyes.
The burly youth looked up at Luo De's fist, blazing with Dou Qi. His heart began to race.
But his injuries left him unable to move. He could only watch as the fist drew closer!
At the very last moment!
The burly youth saw a hand wreathed in pale blue Dou Qi reach out from the side and seize Luo De by the wrist!
"Spare someone when you can. That attack was meant to kill. What's the point?"
Xiao Ze's calm voice rang out, making both Luo De and the burly youth turn to look.
Everyone turned their astonished gazes toward Xiao Ze.
They hadn't even noticed when he'd approached!
"You little brat! You want to stick up for him?"
Luo De's eyes were bloodshot. He was clearly not in his right mind.
"Tsk! What kind of drug did you take? Your strength barely improved, but the stuff's really gone to your head. Did it scramble your brain, too?"
As he spoke, Xiao Ze suddenly tightened his grip.
With a crack, Luo De's arm was broken cleanly!
"Ah!"
Luo De doubled over, his body twisted in pain.
Xiao Ze lifted his foot and kicked Luo De in the chest!
He sent him flying out of the tent, rolling more than a dozen times!
"Hiss!"
Who was this young man?
Was he really that fierce?
He'd sent Luo De flying even after Luo De had taken a pill to temporarily boost his strength.
This young man's power was surely extraordinary!
The atmosphere inside the tent froze completely. Countless gazes fell on Xiao Ze.
The Jia Nan Academy students looked solemn.
The girls who knew Xiao Ze's identity, meanwhile, were stunned!
Some of the new girls gazed at Xiao Ze, admiration shining in their eyes!
In that silence, an exceptionally gentle voice rang out.
"Oh dear, I was only gone for a little while, and you've already made such a commotion!"
As the voice sounded, a figure in green appeared quietly.
A gentle smile rested on her face. Looking at her felt like a clear spring flowing through the heart.
She carried the unique warmth and liveliness of a woman.
It was none other than Instructor Ruolin, the instructor in charge of this recruitment!
Worried that something might happen to Xiao Ze, Xiao Yu hurried over with a bright smile and wrapped both arms around Ruolin's full waist.
"Hehe, Instructor Ruolin, I've missed you so much! The one who stepped in just now was my cousin, Xiao Ze. He can be a little impulsive. I hope you won't hold it against him."
"Oh? He's your cousin, and he's here to take part in this recruitment?"
"Yes!"
A hint of surprise and delight flashed in Ruolin's eyes.
She might really have struck gold this time!
Xiao Ze was helping the burly youth to his feet.
The youth nodded gratefully to Xiao Ze.
"Thanks for saving me. My name is Lei Luo!"
"Xiao Ze!"
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