Challenging a Simp to Battle: The Freshman Grand Tournament Three Months Later

Xu Sanshi lowered his head without saying a word.

After Jiang Nannan had scolded him to his face like that, he had a bellyful of grievances he wanted to explain. He wanted to talk things through with her, but she simply refused to give him the chance.

He really had acted impulsively today.

Several of his underlings had also fanned the flames, driving him into such a frenzy that he feared Gu Ming would trick Jiang Nannan into getting a room at the Rose Hotel and sleeping with him.

That brat looked like bad news at first glance. What if something really happened?

Just then, Gu Ming stepped forward and said, "Nannan, I think certain upperclassmen really have no self-awareness. Unlike me—all I care about is how you feel."

A touch of warmth rose in Jiang Nannan's heart.

Gu Ming really was a good junior.

By contrast, Xu Sanshi certainly lived up to his reputation as the most notorious person in the outer court. He even had a serious fetish for objects and a penchant for stalking.

People like that were truly disgusting.

At that moment.

Hearing those words from Gu Ming, Xu Sanshi nearly burst a lung with rage, yet he could not come up with a single insult.

Gu Ming, you bastard! You absolute bastard!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew. His composure shattered in an instant, and he roared, "Brat, do you dare fight me?!"

"Xu Sanshi!!"

Before Gu Ming could answer, Jiang Nannan shielded her junior behind her. Her brows rose, and her fury was every bit as fierce as Xu Sanshi's.

Xu Sanshi's eyes instantly turned bloodshot, and he panted like an ox.

Just then, Gu Ming said calmly, "Sure, but not now. You're too weak right now. You don't deserve to be my opponent at all. Go back and train some more. Once my freshman Grand Tournament is over, we'll see whether you still have the guts to challenge me."

"It's a deal!" Xu Sanshi snapped.

Gu Ming clasped his hands behind his back and said, "I'm giving you time, not buying time for myself. After all, you're far too weak as you are."

With that, Gu Ming turned and left, not forgetting to send Jiang Nannan a wink.

A little flustered, Jiang Nannan's pretty face flushed faintly. She lowered her head and hurried away from the scene of this public humiliation as well.

More and more spectators were gathering to watch the drama. That was hardly a good thing.

Xu Sanshi stood where he was, both furious and helpless. He even began to feel the urge to kill Gu Ming.

If this had been the Heaven Dou Empire, he would have wanted to use the Mysterious Nether Sect's power to kill this unfamiliar brat.

Jiang Nannan was his woman. No one else could touch her.

As for their agreed battle, Xu Sanshi did not take it seriously at all. What waves could some brat with three rings possibly stir up? At most, he's a little stronger than average.

All I need to do is lift a finger to squash this ant.

At that thought, Xu Sanshi snorted coldly. "I'll be waiting..."

In the blink of an eye, three months flew by.

Training in the freshman classes progressed rapidly, and quite a few talented students emerged.

Under this schedule, Gu Ming also grew at a tremendous pace.

After taking the pills he had won from Dai Huabin, he trained day after day and went to the Beast Arena to fight. His soul power level rose to 36, bringing a massive surge in his strength.

As a result, Gu Ming and Gong Changlong also got along very well.

That day, in the classroom.

Standing at the lectern, Mu Jin addressed all the students of Freshman Class Five. "The freshman Grand Tournament is also known as the freshman assessment. You'll be reassigned to classes afterward. I hope we'll have the chance to meet again."

"Next, I'll read out the rules for the freshman assessment."

"Everyone must fight, even those of the support system and food system. Soul tools are also permitted, and ideally, you should incorporate them into your fighting."

"This year's freshman Grand Tournament will consist of team battles, with three people per team. You may form your own teams. I'll assign teams to anyone who hasn't managed to form one."

"Matchups will be decided by drawing lots. Each team will fight ten battles, after which the final rankings will be determined."

"Oh, and the reward for the freshman Grand Tournament is a soul bone."

The moment they heard the words "soul bone," every student in Freshman Class Five perked up.

That was the finest reward a soul master could receive. Even money could not necessarily buy one.

Once Mu Jin finished explaining everything, he left the classroom.

In the classroom's back row, Gu Ming sat in his seat, his mind wandering far beyond the heavens.

Treasures in other people's eyes were all within easy reach for him, the Holy Son of the Holy Spirit Cult. Even a soul bone did little to tempt him.

Strictly speaking, this competition only mattered to him because he wanted to trample all of Shrek's geniuses underfoot and become the strongest of them all.

Only then might he be able to complete the Holy Church's mission.

And he had always considered himself a member of the Holy Spirit Cult. That had never changed.

At that moment, the entire class was forming teams, and the atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious.

Dai Huabin walked up to Gu Ming and said, "Boss, how about we team up? With your strength, you could win even with any old dog on a leash, but I'd rather team up with you."

"With Zhu Lu and me there, we can join forces to sweep the freshman Grand Tournament and win the soul bone."

This time, Dai Huabin's tone had changed considerably.

After three months of brutal beatings, Dai Huabin had discovered that no matter how much he improved, Gu Ming remained above him and could completely suppress him.

As time passed, he resigned himself to his fate. He also began calling himself Little Tiger and treating himself as Gu Ming's little brother.

Gu Ming raised his head, glanced at Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, and said, "Sure, but I have one condition. Unless you're facing someone you can't beat, I won't step in lightly. It'll depend on my mood."

The corner of Dai Huabin's mouth twitched. "Fine. Whatever you say."

Zhu Lu chimed in, "Same here."

Meanwhile, the other freshman classes were also preparing for this year's freshman Grand Tournament.

Team formation continued into the evening, and every roster was submitted.

The next morning, the freshman Grand Tournament officially began.

Gu Ming led Freshman Class Five to the open space in the assessment area.

At the same time, Freshman Class One arrived as well.

Huo Yuhao's trio once again locked eyes with Gu Ming, sparks flying between them.

Gu Ming also spotted Zhou Yi again and said, "Teacher Zhou, how confident is your Freshman Class One about this freshman Grand Tournament?"

Zhou Yi glared fiercely at Gu Ming. She felt an instinctive loathing for this student.

It was the same loathing she felt toward evil soul masters, an anger she could not put into words.

For this freshman Grand Tournament, Freshman Class One seemingly had no student capable of facing Gu Ming.

But even if she could not win the bread, she had to fight for her pride. Zhou Yi intended to have Huo Yuhao teach this fellow, who knew nothing of respecting his elders or caring for his juniors, a proper lesson.

Just then, Mu Jin, the homeroom teacher of Freshman Class Five, looked at Zhou Yi and said, "Teacher Zhou, this year's freshmen under you aren't up to much. Why do they seem so weak? There isn't anyone who can clash with our Class Five class monitor."

"If you ask me, you should just stick to being a junior teacher!"

At those words, Zhou Yi snorted coldly and turned her head away.

She had long since grown accustomed to that bastard's mockery. No wonder Gu Ming was so detestable—it was Mu Jin's fault.

Like teacher, like student, indeed.

Just then, Wang Yan, who was responsible for overseeing the tournament, entered the arena. After reading out some of the competition rules, he called, "Round one, first assessment match: Gu Ming, Dai Huabin, and Zhu Lu of Freshman Class Five versus Zhou Sichen, Long Xiangyue, and Cao Jinxuan of Freshman Class Ten."