For other grades, the names Hu Lienna and Zhao Shi might be very unfamiliar, but for the first and second grades, these two names are highly recognizable.
In the grade competition last semester, Zhao Shi, a member of class C, wanted to advance to class A. Knowing he was no match for Wang Zhong and not daring to challenge him, he instead challenged Hu Lienna, whose spirit was suppressed by his own.
As expected, without preparation, Hu Lienna was caught off guard and at a disadvantage. She was then brutally beaten by Zhao Shi, spitting up blood.
Although he defeated Hu Lienna, Zhao Shi only won this single challenge match and did not meet the conditions for promotion. Therefore, Zhao Shi had to remain in class C.
Below the arena, in class C of the first grade, Zhao Shi stared at Hu Lienna on the stage, a hint of resentment in his eyes.
Last time, he had won by taking her by surprise, sneak-attacking when Hu Lienna was insufficiently aware of his spirit. Now, she had directly challenged him, so she must be prepared.
"Could it be that Hu Lienna has also reached level twenty?"
Zhao Shi couldn't help but wonder. It wasn't unreasonable for him to suspect this, given Wang Zhong's precedent.
In class C, everyone's gaze was filled with contempt as they looked at Zhao Shi.
A wretch of his character, despicable and shameless, would only be regarded highly by teachers due to their cultivation progress. It would be a miracle if any of his classmates felt favorably towards him.
"Zhao Shi, aren't you going up?"
Li Ge, the homeroom teacher of class C, stood by, his gaze on Zhao Shi showing slight displeasure.
Being directly challenged and not taking the stage was a great humiliation for him as a homeroom teacher.
"Teacher, you say Hu Lienna dared to call me out by name like this. Could it be that she has obtained her second spirit ring and found a way to counter my spirit?"
Zhao Shi's face showed hesitation, and his gaze towards Li Ge was filled with intense fear. He had been beaten by this teacher more than once and was terrified of Li Ge.
"What are you thinking!"
"Class A already has a freak like Wang Zhong, which is bizarre enough. Where would a second one come from!"
"You'd better go up now. If you make me lose face, I'll make sure you regret it."
Li Ge's eyes widened, revealing a ferocious glint.
You can lose on the stage; that's because your strength is inferior. But if you don't even dare to step onto the stage, people will say, 'Look, class C's homeroom teacher Li Ge has raised a spineless coward!'
At that time, it would be his reputation that was at stake.
Seeing the ferocity in Li Ge's eyes, Zhao Shi swallowed hard and, steeling himself, walked out, dragging his feet onto the stage step by step.
At this scene, the older students and even his peers watching from the edge of the arena burst into laughter.
"Why is such a coward targeted by a young lady from class A?"
"Look at him shuffling along with every step. If you didn't know better, you'd think he was a woman!"
"Look at how cowardly he is; it's hilarious!"
"Does he think a challenge match is a trip to the executioner? He's so scared. It's just a beating; they won't eat him, so why is he acting like this!"
"As a spirit master, how can he have so little courage? How did he end up in class C? He belongs in class E!"
"Hey, don't look down on us. Although class E has poor talent, we don't have any cowards!"
The taunts from the arena's spectator stands were like sharp blades piercing Li Ge's heart.
Those who become homeroom teachers of student classes in the academy naturally have no shortage of loyalty to the Spirit Hall. Although their strength might not match that of Ying Yan Yang and others, the spirit of daring to fight and kill within them is certainly not lacking.
As a spirit master, if you lack talent, you must fight fiercely!
This is also why Li Ge and others became homeroom teachers for students with low talent. They had to set an example and tell all students that being a spirit master is cruel. If you lack innate talent and still want to become a spirit master, you must fight with your life!
This is why they became homeroom teachers for students with mediocre talent. They had to lead by example, showing that the path of a spirit master is arduous, and if innate talent is lacking, one must fight for it with their life!
"You damn scoundrel, I'll deal with you after this match."
Li Ge clasped his hands behind his back, clenching them tightly into fists, his voice filled with ferocity. He glanced at the other students beside him and asked,
"If Hu Lienna were to challenge you, what would you do!"
"Face the challenge head-on, and fight to the death!"
The neat and resounding response greatly pleased Li Ge. Yes, this was his teaching method for class C.
Face the challenge head-on, fight to the death. These eight characters perfectly encapsulate the only way for a spirit master with insufficient talent to become powerful. If these eight characters are not etched in your heart and ingrained in your bones,
Then your life can be summarized in two words: trash!
Not only is your talent trash, your spirit is trash, but you yourself are also a complete waste!
Hu Lienna's beautiful eyes swept across the neat response from class C below the arena. She then looked at Zhao Shi, who was cowering in front of her, and this stark contrast made her feel increasingly disgusted with the man before her.
"Zhao Shi, what are you afraid of! Look behind you. These are your classmates, even people with less spirit power than you. See their attitude and fighting spirit."
"And you! You're laughable, like a stray dog, shrinking your neck, looking so pathetic that even I feel disgusted challenging you."
Hu Lienna's contemptuous words were not polite at all, her disgust completely undisguised.
Being publicly shamed like this, even Zhao Shi, no matter how timid he was, felt his anger rise.
"Hu Lienna, stop acting so high and mighty. Don't forget, who was it that beat you so miserably last semester."
The moment Zhao Shi spoke, Hu Lienna's originally bright and captivating eyes, which could be described as full of charm, turned fierce in an instant.
"Hu Lienna, Level 15 Control System Spirit Master, I request your guidance."
Zhao Shi visibly relaxed at this. As long as Hu Lienna hadn't broken through level twenty, he was confident he could defeat her.
Spirit restraint was no joke.
Moreover, he was now level sixteen!
That's right, Zhao Shi's cultivation progress, to a certain extent, was as rapid as Wang Zhong's, even surpassing Hu Lienna and Xie Yue.
But this was not due to talent, but a flaw!
If spirit power is compared to water, and the spirit master's body is the container for that water, then Hu Lienna and Xie Yue are like large water tanks, capable of holding a lot of spirit power.
Zhao Shi, on the other hand, is like a small water bottle!
Once the water bottle is full, it naturally moves to the next stage, getting another water bottle.
But how much water can a water bottle hold, and how much can a water tank hold! The gap between them is a chasm in quantity!
Zhao Shi's first spirit skill, though a hundred-year spirit skill, was so weak. The root cause of this was that his talent prevented him from acquiring a powerful spirit skill, and his spirit power was insufficient to support the full power of this skill.
"Zhao Shi, Level 16 Attack System Spirit Master, I request your guidance!"