After eating his fill and washing up, Yan Zhen returned to his room. He activated the Star Shifting Fire Seal and went to pay his respects to his beautiful master.
It had been two days since he’d seen his beautiful master, and it felt like years had passed. He missed her terribly, and all that jazz.
Chen Xi rolled her eyes at her oily-mouthed precious disciple and said coolly, “Since you’re dueling tomorrow, Zhen’er, you should get some proper rest. We can pick up the Technique Refining lessons after the duel.”
Yan Zhen gave a salute that wasn’t quite up to standard and acknowledged her words. “Then I’ll be off, Master. Good night~”
“Wait.”
Chen Xi grabbed Yan Zhen’s arm and gently pulled him into her embrace. She then lowered her head slightly and planted a soft kiss on his forehead.
“This is your master’s blessing to you. Remember to win.”
Yan Zhen shyly touched the spot where she’d kissed him and murmured a quiet, “Thank you, Master.”
“Go on.”
The night passed without incident.
The next day, Yan Zhen woke to sunlight streaming through the window and shining brightly on the table in his room, filling the space with light.
After washing up, he headed to the dining hall and found Mi Xue’er there—she’d been missing for a few days.
At this hour, she must have been called home by her family for a blind date, and she looked quite distressed about it.
Once he finished his duel with Lan Ke, Mi Xue’er would ask him to pretend to be her boyfriend to fend off the arranged match.
“Good morning, everyone.”
Yan Zhen took his seat and greeted them cheerfully before digging into breakfast.
Today’s breakfast was spring pancakes, and Yan Meng’er had specially added meat to his. They were delicious.
Sated, he headed to school.
Along the way, plenty of classmates shot him strange looks—some pitying him for the impending defeat, others mocking him for biting off more than he could chew.
Clearly, the news that Yan Zhen, the top of the Intermediate Class Monthly Assessment, had challenged Lan Ke, ranked third on the Nine Stars Ranking, had spread throughout the academy after days of fermenting.
Things weren’t much better once he reached class. Everyone thought he had no chance of winning.
A Six-Star Mystic Practitioner challenging a Nine-Star Mystic Practitioner was tough enough, but Lan Ke was one of the top among the Nine-Stars. Yan Zhen’s odds of victory were practically zero; Lan Ke was sure to give him a thorough thrashing.
Heck, the bookies had even opened bets on the fight: one-to-one on Lan Ke, one-to-ten on Yan Zhen.
Classic protagonist treatment.
Yan Zhen chuckled coldly to himself and asked Mi Xue’er to place a heavy bet on him for himself.
Mi Xue’er bet on Yan Zhen too. It was free money, after all.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, I believe in you. Go get ’em!”
Just as the script dictated, Mi Xue’er cheered him on, and Yan Zhen appreciated it. He assured her he’d win for sure. Yan Ruyu didn’t say anything discouraging like in the script, but worry still creased her brow, and she kept glancing his way.
At lunchtime in the cafeteria, even more gazes of pity and mockery fell on Yan Zhen. Xiao Shi even came over to taunt him, but Yan Zhen was too busy letting his cousin feed him tidbits to pay attention, so Xiao Shi slunk away in defeat.
Finally, classes ended for the day. A huge crowd of students surged toward the Duel Platform, eager for a good show. The powerhouses from the Nine Stars Ranking naturally wouldn’t miss it, and several mentors showed up too—including Mentor Yu Xuan, Mentor Niu, Mentor Ma, Mentor Tony, and others.
The spectacle was even bigger than clashes between Nine Stars Ranking elites, leaving the top-ranked Xiao Mie and second-place Yu Yue green with envy.
Standard protagonist treatment.
Yan Zhen was quite pleased. Not going off-script was a good thing, whether for the plot or the gacha pulls.
【Ding! Key Plot Activation】
【Current Plot Progress – Chapter 98: Duel with Lan Ke】
【Role-Playing Requirement: Duel Lan Ke. Start suppressed, then counterattack, and finally defeat him with one punch to shock the crowd.】
【Completion: 0%】
With the three women watching him go, Yan Zhen ascended the Duel Platform step by step. He took his position, facing off against Lan Ke—who had been waiting awhile—across the referee mentor in the center.
Lan Ke wore a crisp uniform, his hair neatly styled and fixed with gel so not even the wind could tousle it.
On his right hand gleamed the Ice Silkworm Gloves, surrounded by a hazy white mist that gave them a special-effects glow, making them look incredibly powerful.
“You actually had the guts to show up. I’ll grudgingly acknowledge your courage, Yan Zhen.” Lan Ke clasped his hands behind his back and declared arrogantly, “But it’s not too late to regret it. I can give you a chance to apologize—just kneel, kowtow, admit you were wrong, and I’ll let you off this once.”
“Heh, tough luck. I don’t plan on giving you any chances.” Yan Zhen curved his lips into a confident, spirited smile. “Villains should get blown up right away. Wouldn’t want to gross out the dear readers.”
Whoosh.
Mystic Power erupted around Yan Zhen’s body like flames, resembling the Mystic Power body shields of Mystic Scholars. The crowd below gasped in surprise.
Lan Ke knew Yan Zhen’s cultivation art was something special—he had no idea where the kid had gotten it—and it only fueled his jealousy further.
“You cocky fool. Time to show you the weight behind third place on the Nine Stars Ranking.”
As he spoke, Lan Ke circulated his Ice Mystic Force, which resonated with the Ice Silkworm Gloves on his right hand, releasing waves of chilling mist.
“What weight? I know Han Jinlun.” Yan Zhen slowly clenched his fist, Mystic Power gathering in his palm. “You’re only seeing the second floor, thinking I’m on the first. Truth is, I’m on the fifth.”
“Hmph, sharp tongue and empty posturing! Today, I’ll discipline you on Ruyu’s behalf.”
“Idiot. Beating you won’t take 1000 words!”
With those words, both men raised their hands, pointing their index fingers at each other from their palms.
Lan Ke struck first. The crystal embedded in the back of his Ice Silkworm Glove absorbed Mystic Power, and another crystal in the palm spat out an ice spike that rocketed toward Yan Zhen at high speed.
Yan Zhen’s hand formed a gun shape, his outstretched index finger like a barrel. Compressed air fueled by Mystic Power fired off a potent flame bullet.
The two projectiles met in midair.
Crack!
Ice and fire clashed and exploded, sending shards of ice and sparks flying everywhere.
The two kept their poses as they slowly advanced, firing more ice spikes and flame bullets that collided repeatedly. Soon, a veil of steam shrouded the platform, their figures faintly visible within.
It was clear the flame bullets were growing weaker while the ice spikes gained strength—the tide had turned.
Another ice spike came, and Yan Zhen’s flame bullet couldn’t hold it back. He dodged aside hastily.
The spike burst into a spray of ice flowers where he’d stood a moment before.
From here, Lan Ke’s ranged attacks began suppressing Yan Zhen.
Yan Zhen dodged the ice spikes while pretending to be helpless, looking quite wretched—which had the three women clenching their jaws.
The mentors and Nine Stars Ranking elites started analyzing and commenting.
“At this rate, Yan Zhen will lose soon.”
“A Six-Star Mystic Practitioner challenging a Nine-Star is just too hard.”
“He’s so desperate for fame he’s using Lan Ke as a stepping stone. Of course it’ll hurt his foot.”
Blah blah blah.
Hearing the jeers and pessimism from the crowd, Yan Zhen knew it was time for his counterattack.
What could he do? It was a power fantasy novel—playing the trope of initial setback followed by explosive reversal.
One moment derided by all, the next erupting in glory. Slap those onlookers’ faces till they rang.
