Chapter 133: The Challenge!

Chapter 133: The Challenge!

“Wait!” A deep, resonant male voice suddenly rang out in the distance. Many students turned to see the calm-faced Teacher Wei walking over.

“Wow, it’s Teacher Wei! What’s he here for?”

“Hey, didn’t you see his expression? He’s pretending to be calm, I promise! He must be jealous of Teacher Qin!”

“That’s right! Hey, this should be interesting!”

“Do you think Teacher Qin might not be his match? Teacher Wei has the strength of the Eighth Tier of Earth Rank!”

“No, he wouldn’t be. If Teacher Qin was average, how could His Majesty the Emperor be so supportive?”

“Teacher Wei is rather shameless. He’s over thirty already. If Teacher Qin reaches thirty, he’ll definitely be Heavenly Rank!”

Wei Qiang listened to the hushed whispers of these talented students, his expression growing increasingly ugly. But he didn’t care. He simply couldn’t stand this Marquis – supposedly the youngest in the Azure Dragon Kingdom. Just looking at his face made Wei Qiang furious! He wished he could stomp on it!

Qin Li was just about to get into the carriage when he heard the voice. He paused. Even Zhao Qianqian, already inside the carriage, opened the door. She watched Wei Qiang, a teacher of some small renown in the Advanced Academy who held a rank of Count, wondering what he was up to.

“Who are you?” Qin Li looked at the man in his thirties standing before him, examining him with a critical eye. He didn’t remember ever meeting this man or offending him. But he could sense this person was likely an academy instructor. Is he here to cause trouble?

“I am Count Kuanglei, Wei Qiang! Also a senior lecturer in this academy. I’ve heard you have some strength. I challenge you! Teacher Qin Li, do you dare accept?” Wei Qiang declared loudly.

As soon as he spoke, the area fell silent. Many students stared at Wei Qiang with disbelief. While this teacher was known for his unpleasant personality and sharp tongue within the campus, no one expected him to publicly challenge someone almost half his age and one tier lower in cultivation!

Plus, was he crazy? The Princess had clearly just shown goodwill towards Teacher Qin Li. Who did he think he was? Wasn’t he embarrassed just issuing this challenge?

Qin Li felt momentarily speechless. Honestly, he had already anticipated some trouble when he decided to teach at this academy, given his youth.

He initially thought the pushback might come from the students. Instead, he found them surprisingly admiring. Yet, it made sense. True talents were often lonely and proud. Few people earned their genuine respect. Qin Li’s age, his strength level, and his actions perfectly resonated with these young minds. His power vastly outstripped that of their supposedly genius peers!

So, jealousy had instantly transformed into admiration.

Ironically, the one who was jealous and here to pick a fight was a fellow teacher sharing a similar status. Qin Li found it rather absurd. He gave Wei Qiang a cool look and said, “Why should I accept your challenge? I don’t know you. I have no grudge against you. Do you not find your behavior inappropriate?”

A wave of laughter spread through the crowd. Many students looked at Wei Qiang mockingly. That guy with the nasty mouth had finally met his match.

Wei Qiang’s face flushed and paled alternately. He glared at Qin Li. “There’s an unwritten rule in the Advanced Academy: challenges issued between warriors must be accepted! Only cowards refuse! I don’t want to argue, Marquis Qin Li. I just ask: do you accept my challenge or not?”

Qin Li’s expression turned frosty. He replied indifferently, “An ‘unwritten rule’ means it isn’t a rule at all! Whether I’m a coward or not isn’t for some narrow-minded frog like you to judge. As for a challenge? You… aren’t worthy!”

“Good!”

Someone in the crowd, a girl’s voice clear as a bell, suddenly exclaimed. Ripples of laughter broke out again.

Wei Qiang could no longer contain his fury. He sneered coldly at Qin Li. “I had thought the Empire had gained another formidable genius. Hah! Turns out you’re just a useless flower pillow! I’m not worthy? I earned my strength through sheer hard work! My title of Count was personally bestowed by The Emperor! I’m narrow-minded? I’ve hunted countless Mysterious Rank Spirit Beasts! What right do you… do you have to talk big in front of me? Qin Li! I’ll be blunt: I simply dislike you!”

This couldn’t even be called provocation anymore; it was a direct personal attack. Students looked at the agitated Wei Qiang with renewed disbelief. Just then, someone noticed Lady Yi Ning standing quietly nearby. Many students abruptly understood. Though focused on cultivation, they mostly came from noble families and were far from naive; everyone knew Wei Qiang pursued Teacher Yi Ning. Ah! He was trying to play the hero in front of the woman he liked!

“Finished?” Qin Li gazed at Wei Qiang as if looking at a fool.

Wei Qiang was stunned into silence. He hadn’t expected such harsh words to get zero reaction, let alone Qin Li snapping and accepting his challenge as he’d envisioned.

“If you’re done, you may leave.” Qin Li paused. “Oh, wait. I assume I may leave?” He turned to step into the carriage. In comparison, the little princess inside seemed far more agreeable, quietly waiting for him.

“You… You coward! You don’t deserve the title of Marquis! You don’t deserve to be a lecturer in this Advanced Academy! What qualifications do you—”

Wei Qiang’s tirade was abruptly cut off. Qin Li, previously with his back turned about seven or eight meters away, vanished from the spot. Wei Qiang instinctively sensed danger. Before he could even react defensively, a scorching pain exploded on his cheek.

Snap!

With lightning speed, Qin Li had slapped Wei Qiang hard!

Then he threw down a sentence: “Shame yourself!” and turned to walk away.

It took a stunned moment for the surrounding students to register what happened. A collective gasp rose. They finally witnessed the real skill of the young Marquis, thanks to Wei Qiang!

“So fast! Truly incredible speed! Heavens, is Teacher Qin really only Earth Rank Seventh Tier?!”

“Teacher Wei didn’t even have time to react! Unbelievable!”

“Hmph! Teacher Qin ambushed him!” A different voice, a male student’s, finally piped up.

“Ambush my foot! You try ambushing him! See if Teacher Wei doesn’t kick you flying! His strength isn’t weak; he’s like Teacher Liang Luo, Eighth Tier of Earth Rank! And Teacher Wei is barely over thirty! Hmph!”

“Exactly! Teacher Wei simply couldn’t defend in time!”

“Teacher Qin, I must attend your class!” a girl shrieked loudly.

Without turning, Qin Li waved a dismissive hand and continued towards the carriage.

A blazing fury ignited in Wei Qiang’s eyes. His chest heaved violently. He suddenly roared, “Qin Li! You dare ambush me?! I’ll kill you!”

Clang! Wei Qiang drew the sword at his waist. A terrifying aura burst from him. The crowd, largely composed of Mysterious Rank students, buckled under the pressure, scrambling backwards.

Bu Tong watched from the window on the third floor. A cold smile touched his lips. Things are progressing even more smoothly than expected, he thought. Qin Li causes such a commotion on his very first day? That Wei Qiang, perpetually proud and rigid, had finally done something right. He deserved a suitable ‘reward’ later…

“Teacher Wei, stop this!” Liang Luo, also Earth Rank Eighth Tier, called out from a distance, his voice dripping with fake concern. He made no move to intervene. Instead, he added fuel to the fire: “He’s a Marquis favored by the Emperor! If you hurt him, there will be serious consequences!”

Yi Ning, standing nearby, gave Liang Luo a cold glance and silently cursed: Rat!

Inside the carriage, the Little Princess Zhao Qianqian spoke coldly, her voice carrying clearly: “Teacher Wei Qiang. I will faithfully report everything that transpired here today to my emperor father. I trust he will render a just decision. However, personally, I believe you are no longer fit to serve as a lecturer in this Advanced Academy.”

Wei Qiang froze, startled by the Little Princess’s open defense of Qin Li. His fury surged higher. He shouted defiantly, “I am nobility too! And I issued a formal challenge! He dared insult me! As a noble, I have the right to counter him! Furthermore, esteemed Princess Highness, within these walls, your status is merely that of a student! You… you have no authority to reprimand me!” His voice rose to a roar of absolute rage. “Qin Li! Time to die!”

With that, Wei Qiang launched himself into the air, diving decisively down towards Qin Li. He had burned his bridges. For a man of exceeding pride, allowing his dignity to be trampled – especially by the Princess’s words – was intolerable. As a Martial Artist reaching Eighth Tier Earth Rank in his thirties, a recognized genius, he doubted his words alone would provoke fatal wrath or open retaliation from the Emperor. That sort of response would deter future talent from serving the Azure Dragon Kingdom!

Wei Qiang’s descending slash showed no mercy, aimed directly at Qin Li, who had turned and now watched him with a cold sneer. The sword qi radiating from the blade was icy cold! Clearly, the Combat Technique Wei Qiang cultivated was an elemental one – and a rare ice attribute at that! Qin Li’s mocking smirk sent Wei Qiang over the edge.

“Perish!” Wei Qiang bellowed. The air around them seemed to freeze solid. The power of an Eighth Tier Earth Rank Martial Artist was truly formidable.

At the same time, several ghost-like figures flitted to the carriage, forming a protective shield around it – the Princess’s Protectors, normally unseen.

Thud!

A heavy, blunt impact sounded. Then Wei Qiang’s body shot backwards violently, like a kite with a severed string…