"Anyone else?!" Yin Shizhi's voice cut through the noisy grounds, instantly freezing the surrounding students into silence.
Yin Shizhi looked around, feeling helpless himself.
Heaven Dou Academy's challenge had come without warning. Even most of the students in their own party had been gathered at the last minute.
As for Chang'an Academy, although there were few strong opponents present, he knew it was summer break and many of their best students were away.
From the outset, there had been something unfair about winning this challenge.
Yet, although he was one of the stronger students in Heaven Dou Academy's Lower Division delegation, he recalled his instructor's instructions before he took the stage and steeled himself. No other choice. If I die, I die.
He spoke again, his voice like a blade of ice in deepest winter. "Anyone else? Surely you aren't going to let me single-handedly sweep through Chang'an Academy's entire Lower Division?"
Those words landed like a heavy bomb, stirring towering waves among Chang'an Academy's students. They rose to their feet, some looking furious, others disdainful.
"Arrogant bastard!" A boy wearing Chang'an Academy's uniform stood up and pointed at Yin Shizhi, shouting, "Who do you think you are? How dare you act so arrogantly on our turf!"
"Arrogant?" Yin Shizhi sneered. "I'm merely stating the facts. If no one from Chang'an Academy dares accept my challenge, I'll just have to sweep through your Lower Division all by myself."
"Is there really no one left?"
"Impossible!"
"Let's try finding someone else!"
"Old Li, is there really no one left? Have the students been notified?" a teacher asked Li Jinghua, the Lower Division's dean, with a hint of anxiety.
"That's right, Old Li. Losing every match would look terrible. Where would that leave Chang'an Academy's reputation?" Another teacher could not help sighing.