C9 – Lei Sheng’s Challenge


    The entire seventh ss was buzzing with excitement. They whispered among themselves in a frenzy, “The ss president actually beat Jing Dehai. Does that mean our ss president is now the top expert at Azure Academy?”


    As they watched the young man with his steady stride, a sense of awe washed over them. He was usually so unassuming, yet he had just taken down the toughest guy around. The girls couldn’t contain their excitement, screaming as the whole room erupted in cheers for Jiao Yuanju!


    Fatty scrambled to keep up with Jiao Yuanju, bubbling with enthusiasm, “Big brother, I, Jing Haokuo, am with you all the way! Wherever you go, I go!”


    Jiao Yuanju didn’t respond, a look of pleasant surprise on his face.


    “Master has defeated a valuable and rare Combat Pet, earning one blood point.”


    Jiao Yuanju eximed with delight, “I can earn blood points by defeating others too!”


    The wilderness was fraught with peril, and Eoldrai had already reached the valuable and rare level. But the wilderness teemed with formidable Mutant Beasts. Their levels might not be high, but their sheer numbers were overwhelming. Without military support, the area was nothing short of a diatorial pit for the average person. Jiao Yuanju vividly remembered the moment he found Eoldrai, how the ferocious Mutant Beasts had shredded many people not far from him. In a desperate move, he had snatched up a green snake egg on the verge of hatching from the Green Snake Nest and fled.


    “Could I then umte blood points by challenging others? I should at least try to exchange them for some new enhancing fluid. Eoldrai is still too vulnerable!”


    With a mind heavy with thoughts, Jiao Yuanju returned to ss 7, and the crowd quickly thinned out.


    On the tform, Lei Sheng and Hong Yangqiu helped Jing Dehai to his feet. His white shirt was stained and he remained silent.


    Lei Sheng said, struggling to believe, “I never thought you’d lose!”


    Hong Yangqiu, with a grave look, asked, “What was that ck fog ability? What exactly happened in there?”


    Jing Dehai regained hisposure and spoke coolly, “Better to steer clear of him. His strength and Combat Pet are beyond anything you can imagine.”


    Jing Dehai walked away, a picture of dejection, while the hot-headed Lei Sheng huffed, “I’m not buying it!”


    ss 7 clustered around their hero, Jiao Yuanju, as they made their way back to the ssroom. Fatty bellowed, “Guys, how strong is our ss president, huh?”


    “Yes!”


    The excitement was palpable among the students. Their ss leader, Jiao Yuanju, had just bested Jing Dehai from ss One—didn’t that prove that ss Seven was superior?


    “Are we going to listen to our ss leader from now on?” bellowed the chubby ssmate.


    “Yes!”


    “ss leader, we’ll follow your lead from here on out!”


    ss Seven’s unity surged, inspired by Jiao Yuanju’s presence. Even Zhen Heyi couldn’t help but sh Jiao Yuanju an enchanting smile. The only sour face belonged to Jing Mowen, whose pride took a hit after his cousin’s defeat. How on earth was Jiao Yuanju so formidable?


    Unswayed by the adtion, Jiao Yuanju maintained his humble demeanor. “Let’s all head back to our seats and get ready for ss,” he said with a smile.


    Pei Chang walked in shortly after, immediately bestowing an approving nce upon Jiao Yuanju. Clearly, he was up to speed on the day’s events and his esteem for the ss president had grown. With Jiao Yuanju’s impressive performance even before the schoolpetition had kicked off, ss Seven was on track for outstanding achievements.


    At the end of the school day, Jiao Yuanju slung his backpack over his shoulder, ready to head out.


    But he was stopped in his tracks by two figures at the ssroom door, challenging him: “Jiao Yuanju, beating Jing Dehai doesn’t make you the king of Azure Academy. Do you have the guts to take us on?”


    Whispers rippled through ss Seven. “Lei Sheng, Hong Yangqiu!”


    These two were well-known from the start of the term, notorious for their strength. Lei Sheng was the scion of the influential Lei Group in Krukshire, a leading business empire known for developing military mechaponents. Hong Yangqiu, though shrouded in mystery, clearly had a significant background to be in thepany of the likes of Jing Dehai and Lei Sheng.


    Were they here to stand up for Jing Dehai by challenging Jiao Yuanju?


    Jiao Yuanju remained silent. Despite the opportunity to earn blood points from a victory, he was not fond of their confrontational approach.


    “I refuse.”


    With that, Jiao Yuanju stepped out of the ssroom.


    Lei Sheng’s temper red instantly. “You dare to turn me down?”


    With a smile, Jiao Yuanju replied, “I’ll fight if I want to; I don’t need to ask for your permission.”


    A shadow fell over Lei Sheng’s face, darkening his expression.


    “I’m putting down a bet of 20,000 Alliance Coins. I know you’re in need of cash!”


    His gaze fixed on Jiao Yuanju, Lei Sheng seemed to have an intimate understanding of his opponent.


    The fatty was on the verge of hurling insults when he abruptly stopped, struck dumb.


    A buzz of excitement swept through the ssroom. Lei Sheng’s wealth was legendary!


    Jiao Yuanju met his stare, a grin breaking out on his face. “You’re on!”


    With that, he headed for the arena, leaving Lei Sheng and Hong Yangqiu behind, both sporting knowing smiles.