C7 – The Public Competition


    Zhen Heyi surveyed the raucous ssmates and rapped the table authoritatively. Her voice was cool but stern, “This concerns Jiao Yuanju. Stop themotion. If things go south, who among you will step up to take responsibility?”


    The room fell silent at once. Azure Academy encouraged the development ofbat skills and character by allowing students topete in the arena, but only under the condition that they fought fairly, without the influence of powerful backers or underhanded tactics. The school turned a blind eye as long as no serious injuries urred.


    Yet,bat was inherently ruthless, especially when it involved pets from Mutant Beasts, known for their ferocity in battle. idental injuries or even deaths weremon. With teachers present, incidents were rare, but in unsanctioned duels, the rate of serious injury soared to sixty percent. Consequently, open challenges in the arena were rare, as the heat of battle could lead to idental killings.


    Jiao Yuanju remained quiet. He wasn’t naturally aggressive, but Jing Mowen bore a grudge against him, and now his cousin had joined in the antagonism.


    Far from being timid, Jiao Yuanju’s courage was evident from his willingness to risk hunting in the wilderness, a resolve that only strengthened with his enhancing system.


    “Fine.”


    Jiao Yuanju’s response was calm and sinct, and he fell silent again.


    The crowd erupted in excitement at his eptance of the challenge.


    “The ss president has guts, taking on Jing Dehai from ss One. Jing Dehai is notorious, a formidable fighter who’s already a legend on our school’s leaderboard. Do you think our ss president stands a chance?”


    “Keep it down. He’s our ss president, after all! If he gets thrashed, it’s on him.”


    The ssmates whispered among themselves, their expressions mocking.


    Jiao Yuanju’s expression chilled, yet he held his tongue. He had quickly discerned theck of unity and disregard for rules among his peers—both the people and the ss were a mess.


    Zhen Heyi was the sole ally Jiao Yuanju had in that moment. Watching him, resolute and unafraid, she seemed to harbor a newfound emotion. In the face of adversity, he remainedposed. Was this the true Jiao Yuanju?


    Eoldrai abruptly rose to stand on Jiao Yuanju’s shoulder, hissing with a forked tongue at the onlookers. Her purple pupils, seemingly from the depths of the cosmos, were void-like, profound, and icy!


    Instinctively, everyone mped their mouths shut and stumbled backward in terror, fearing Jiao Yuanju mightmand his pet to attack them. A wave of cold dread swept over them.


    Yet, Jing Mowen alone kept his mouth wide open.


    With a mocking sneer, he challenged, “You think you can take us on? There’s so many of us. Do you have the guts?”


    Jiao Yuanju simply turned away, giving them no heed.


    Before Jing Mowen’sughter could burst forth, he felt a chill on his leg as a green snake swiftly slithered onto his shoulder, its cold gaze fixed on his face. The brush of its tongue against his cheek plunged him into a pit of icy despair.


    The others, witnessing Jing Mowen’s ashen face, abruptly ceased their mockery.


    Eoldrai swiftly returned to Jiao Yuanju’s shoulder. Jing Mowen, gripped by fear, retreated to his seat, silent.


    Jiao Yuanju’s authority was well and truly cemented.


    Somehow, word of Jiao Yuanju’s uing contest with Jing Dehai had spread like wildfire across Azure Academy. Many were eager to discover who Jiao Yuanju was, bold enough to confront a formidable figure like Jing Dehai.


    When Jing Dehai learned of Jiao Yuanju’s eptance, he merely smirked with indifference. For him, it was merely aiding his cousin in squashing an ant.


    Conversely, the rest were astounded. Lei Sheng and Hong Yangqiu of ss Nine were particrly intrigued. Could the man challenging Jing Dehai be another undiscovered prodigy?


    “We’ll check out the match this afternoon. Even though we’ve already aligned ourselves, we can’t discount the chance of an underdog breaking into the top five. The schoolpetition’s oue will tell,” they mused.


    The only one unphased was Xie Ziyu from ss Three, seemingly indifferent to the whole affair.


    Regardless, Jiao Yuanju’s reputation had soared. A post titled “Jing Dehai’s Battle” had emerged in the school’s group chat, garnering immense attention. Everyone was eagerly anticipating the afternoon’s showdown.


    Before the afternoon sses began, thergest public arena at Azure Academy was nearly encircled by students from every ss, all eagerly anticipating the uing match.


    Every member of ss Seven had made it. Truthfully, it seemed as though the entire school had turned out for the event!


    A figure emerged slowly from the throng and took his ce in the arena. Dressed in a simple white shirt and trousers, he exuded an air of gentlemanliness. This was Jing Dehai.


    Surveying the empty stage, Jing Dehai felt a twinge of displeasure. It appeared that the ss 7 monitor hadn’t given him a second thought. Clearly, Jiao Yuanju was in need of a lesson.


    Just then, Jiao Yuanju strolled in through the main entrance,posed and unruffled. A plump figure in the crowd perked up, dashed forward, and bellowed, “Boss!”


    Jiao Yuanju cast a surprised nce at Jing Haokuo but remained silent.


    Jing Haokuo trailed behind Jiao Yuanju, watching him make his entrance. With a booming voice and unabashed enthusiasm, he cheered, “Boss, you’ve got this!”


    All eyes turned to the bold, self-assured fat man.


    Facing Jing Dehai, Jiao Yuanju spoke with a serene tone, “So, you’re challenging me?”


    With a smug grin, Jing Dehai responded, “Shouldn’t you be ttered? I’m here on behalf of my cousin. Don’t worry, I won’t go too hard on you.”


    As if a public challenge from Jing Dehai was, in itself, an honor for Jiao Yuanju.