“Your Excellency the Pope, to what level has this little fellow’s spirit power cultivation reached?”
“Given his talent, he should be nearing level twenty by now, shouldn’t he?”
Watching Wang Zhong slowly descend, Yue Guan asked curiously.
Bi Dong leaned back in her chair, resting her chin on one hand, and casually replied, “I haven’t probed his strength.”
“Sometimes, knowing too much can cause you to miss out on many exciting moments.”
“I also want to see how much of a surprise this child can bring me.”
Yue Guan nodded, indicating he understood, and slightly retreated, asking no more questions.
Logically speaking, once Wang Zhong handed over the flag to Pope Bi Dong, the first-year grand competition should have begun. However, strangely, even after Wang Zhong had been off the high platform for a long time, the entire arena remained empty.
“First years, what’s going on?”
“Why isn’t anyone coming up? Are they not competing anymore?”
“Or are all the first-year students this year cowards, none daring to step onto the stage?”
“If the first years don’t show up, why not let the second years go up directly? Why wait like this?”
This strange scene naturally sparked dissatisfaction among many. Some were bored and wanted to see exciting duels quickly, while others were eager to compete but were constrained by the rules and could only wait with discontent.
Below the arena, Wang Zhong smiled and shook his head. Looking at the empty stage, he fearlessly glanced at Lu Xiaoshuang, who was in the third-year section, and tilted his chin up.
“Since you are the one challenging me, then come up! I’ll give you this chance!”
Although Wang Zhong did not speak, Lu Xiaoshuang understood the meaning behind Wang Zhong’s gesture.
His fists clenched, and a surge of anger rose in Lu Xiaoshuang’s heart.
“Give me a chance!”
A mere spirit master not even at level twenty dared to look down on him like this.
“Xiao Shuang, you need to think carefully.”
“Judging by Your Excellency the Pope’s attitude just now, she holds a different kind of affection for this Wang Zhong than she does for us.”
Rou Yuzhu stood beside him, patted Lu Xiaoshuang’s shoulder, and cautioned him.
“The challenge has been issued, and he has accepted it. This match cannot be stopped unless a victor is decided.”
“He is favored by the Pope, but am I not?”
Lu Xiaoshuang’s voice was low, suppressing his anger, but his tone was extremely firm.
Indeed, he, Lu Xiaoshuang, was also a student highly valued by the previous Pope, no less than Wang Zhong.
He shot a sideways glance at the smiling Wang Zhong and was about to step onto the stage when, at that very moment, something unexpected happened.
A figure leaped from the edge of the arena and landed directly on the stage.
“Wang Zhong, get up here! Today, I will return all the humiliation I’ve suffered over the past half-year to you!”
A fierce and malevolent voice echoed in everyone’s ears.
“Zhang Shuai, isn’t he in the second year? How did he get on stage?”
“Who is that Wang Zhong? What does he mean by returning humiliation?”
“Can anyone with inside information tell us? I’ve been in seclusion for cultivation and can’t keep up with current events!”
Zhang Shuai’s appearance naturally caused a commotion in the square, with countless conversations erupting. Amidst them were occasional exclamations, clearly indicating that they already knew about Wang Zhong’s victory in an escalated match.
This sudden turn of events thoroughly disrupted Lu Xiaoshuang’s plan, and his gaze turned sharp and furious as he looked at Zhang Shuai.
“Hahaha, I didn’t expect to be quite so busy in the latter half of this year.”
“Two seniors inviting me to a fight together, what an honor!”
Wang Zhong clasped his hands behind his head, smiling carefree.
Behind him, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan wore serious expressions but were not overly worried.
This was because on the day Wang Zhong woke up, on their way to class, they had also worriedly asked him how he planned to handle this high-pressure, low-level challenge from Lu Xiaoshuang.
Wang Zhong’s reply was only three words: “I can win!”
Although they didn’t know where Wang Zhong’s confidence came from, the three knew Wang Zhong was never one to boast. Since he dared to say it, he must have a way to win.
Even though this was an unfair duel that spanned nearly thirty levels of spirit power, they still unconditionally trusted their companion.
He could win!
“Zhong, what do we do now? Zhang Shuai going up first means you’ll be at a disadvantage if you fight Lu Xiaoshuang later!”
Hu Liena leaned beside Wang Zhong, a hint of anxiety in her voice.
Fighting a Soul Elder like Lu Xiaoshuang required every detail of their spirit and energy to be at its peak to have a chance. If Wang Zhong had to fight a Great Soul Master before facing him, it would undoubtedly exhaust Wang Zhong’s spirit and energy significantly.
Wang Zhong lightly tapped Hu Liena’s forehead with his finger, then patted the worried Xie Yue and Yan on their shoulders. He tilted his head, winked one eye, and made a playful face.
“Watch closely, this match will end very quickly!”
“It’ll be over in the blink of an eye!”
Before the three could even react in astonishment, Wang Zhong jogged onto the stage. He looked at Zhang Shuai, who was seething with anger and his hair standing on end, and said in an extremely disdainful tone.
“Hey, you called me up here, but you don’t intend to fight me in this state, do you!”
“Martial Soul Fusion!”
Zhang Shuai roared in fury, the Iron Arm Power Ape appearing behind him. It roared defiantly, and a violent surge of spirit power swept across the arena.
His body swelled as if inflated, his bulging muscles almost tearing his school uniform.
“Second Spirit Skill, Strength Rampage!”
Having learned from his previous encounter with Wang Zhong, Zhang Shuai would not, and dared not, be careless. Before Wang Zhong had even finished speaking, he had already activated his martial soul fusion and used his second spirit skill on himself.
Wang Zhong’s speed and strength were not something a plant-type spirit master could possess. Even compared to Zhang Shuai himself, they were significantly more formidable.
“Hmm, it seems your spirit power has increased by about two levels. Not bad, Zhang Shuai. To achieve this in half a year, you truly are the little overlord of Class A, second year. Your talent is quite good.”
Seeing Zhang Shuai fully prepared, Wang Zhong made no move but instead praised him with an extremely relaxed expression.
“Wang Zhong, take off your weighted spirit-powered equipment. I, Zhang Shuai, don’t want to be accused of winning unfairly!” Zhang Shuai’s chest heaved, his breathing becoming rapid.
This was a temporary effect of the immense power brought by simultaneously activating his martial soul fusion and his second spirit skill.
Wang Zhong sighed helplessly at this, pulling up his sleeves and pant legs to reveal no so-called weighted spirit-powered equipment.
It wasn't that Wang Zhong hadn’t brought them out of laziness, but rather that he had taken them for reinforcement. The original weight was insignificant after mastering the Eight Extremities Heavenly technique, making them pointless to wear.
With his fists clenched and hanging loosely at his sides, Wang Zhong looked at Zhang Shuai and asked, “Are you ready?”
“Wang Zhong, enough nonsense, bring it on!” Zhang Shuai stomped his feet heavily to the left and right, his body crouching low, anchoring himself firmly to the stage, and roared.
“Then, be careful. I am stronger now than I was before!”