Chapter Eleven: Oh Ho

Jiang He leaned in, lowering his voice. “I don’t know what stroke of luck led you to meet her. Years ago, before she even came of age, Shiyu had already risen to the rank of ‘Elite’—a record unprecedented in the Association. She’s a one-in-a-million prodigy, a supernova with limitless potential and stories beyond your reach. I know she’s beautiful, but let me give you some advice: don’t have any ideas about her.”

It seemed he was worried this newcomer might steal Liu Shiyu away, and so he wanted to nip any possibility in the bud.

“Is that so?”

Cheng Feng hadn’t been interested in this cool, aloof woman at first, but after hearing Jiang He’s words, his curiosity was piqued. He wasn’t a particularly competitive person, but the statement irked him, and he decided to provoke Jiang He a little.

Before everyone’s eyes, he reached out and took Liu Shiyu’s hand.

Feeling her wrist suddenly grasped, Liu Shiyu, who was in the middle of responding to a few friends, was momentarily stunned. She shot Cheng Feng a look that clearly asked: What are you doing?

Cheng Feng ignored her gaze and nudged her forward. “Stop dawdling here. Weren’t you looking for your instructor?”

Jiang He’s eyes widened. He had previously had the good fortune to cooperate with Liu Shiyu on a few demon-hunting missions. This frosty young woman had always kept her distance from him, and he had responded with equal courtesy. All his efforts had been for the hope of someday winning her over, step by step…

He hadn’t even touched the hem of Liu Shiyu’s clothes, yet this newcomer—this upstart—dared to be so bold?

I was here first!

Suppressing the urge to cough up blood, Jiang He glared at Cheng Feng, his tone brimming with hostility. “Cheng Feng, didn’t you come here to train? How about getting in the ring? I’ll personally teach you some swordsmanship.”

He hadn’t expected Jiang He to lose his composure so quickly. Cheng Feng looked at him with disdain. “I have no interest in crossing swords with a man.”

Jiang He pressed on relentlessly. “What, are you scared? If you can’t handle my training, how will you handle the instructor’s?”

Liu Shiyu shook off Cheng Feng’s hand and turned to Jiang He. “Enough! Why are you getting agitated over nothing? He’s just a newcomer.”

Seeing her speak up for the new guy only made Jiang He’s already unsettled heart burn hotter with jealousy. But if Cheng Feng refused to get in the ring, there was nothing he could do—no chance to put this upstart in his place.

No matter what, Jiang He couldn’t just let this guy walk away after daring to disrespect his goddess. At that moment, a crisp, challenging voice rang out.

“Hey, rookie! Why don’t you come up here and spar a bit?”

It was Junior Sister Qiuling, already standing on the ring not far away, tossing a challenge Cheng Feng’s way.

Cheng Feng was baffled. He could understand the man’s hostility, but why was this girl jealous too?

Seizing the opportunity, Jiang He fanned the flames. “Junior Sister Qiuling is the youngest here, and her fundamentals are pretty weak. Don’t tell me you’re even afraid of her?”

If this rookie dared to accept, Junior Sister Qiuling would beat him on the spot, humiliating him in front of Liu Shiyu.

“Come on, rookie, let’s have a match!”

“Yeah, if it were me, I couldn’t stand a girl’s provocation!”

“Don’t listen to them, rookie. They just want to see you make a fool of yourself.”

“Don’t go up there. Junior Sister hits hard. You just got here today—you’re no match for her.”

Around them, some trainees jeered, some tried to dissuade him, but most were just curious. They wanted to see what sort of skills this newcomer, favored by Senior Sister Liu, actually possessed.

If he turned out to be nothing more than a small fry, it would be a blow to Senior Sister Liu’s reputation.

“Cheng Feng.” Seeing the situation, Liu Shiyu tried to intervene.

But Cheng Feng waved her off. “It’s fine. I can’t really refuse in front of everyone, or I’ll never fit in here. This girl’s what, fifteen? Let me give it a try.”

“Junior Sister Qiuling may be young and the weakest among us, but that’s only in comparison to the rest. You’re no match for her right now.”

Liu Shiyu didn’t realize that the more she tried to dissuade him, the less likely Cheng Feng was to back down. At this proud and high-spirited age, nothing mattered more than saving face.

Ignoring her, Cheng Feng leapt onto the ring.

Junior Sister Qiuling huffed, her tone petulant. “Rookie, just admit it—what’s your relationship with Sister Shiyu? I’ve never seen her bring a newcomer before. You’re the first!”

“Why do you care so much? Let’s just spar. If you’re not ready, I’ll make the first move.”

Just as he was about to act, Cheng Feng’s sharp eyes caught something odd.

Qiuling’s white training uniform was a bit loose, the black sash at her waist not tied properly and about to come undone.

Oblivious, Qiuling suddenly reined in her aura, bowed slightly, and performed the customary salute before a match in the training hall. “Please take care of me.”

They weren’t very far apart. That simple bow caused her collar to dip, and Cheng Feng couldn’t help but catch a glimpse of snowy white skin just below her collarbone.

His eyes widened. He couldn’t resist.

He was about to remind her that her sash was coming loose and her uniform was about to bare her completely.

But before he could speak, the girl suddenly charged at him without warning.

Cheng Feng had no time to voice his warning. His mind raced—so the bow was a ruse, meant to lull him into dropping his guard before launching a sneak attack. How devious!

Qiuling leapt into the air, executing a difficult spinning crescent kick, her bare foot arcing through the air straight toward Cheng Feng’s upper body.

What a fierce move!

Was she really the weakest student here?

As he wondered, Cheng Feng raised his arm to block. With the boost of ‘Super Strength,’ he managed to withstand the blow.

“This rookie’s not bad.”

Amid the onlookers, Liu Shiyu watched the fight from below. A clear, commanding female voice sounded at her side.

Turning her head, Liu Shiyu’s face lit up with rare surprise. “Instructor, when did you get here?”

Cheng Feng had taken the kick, but his wrist was numb and aching.

Qiuling hadn’t expected her attack to be blocked. She immediately retracted her leg in midair, landed lightly, crouched low, and swept a kick at Cheng Feng’s right calf.

He was too careless. His right foot was caught off guard, and his balance was lost in an instant. He only had time to blurt out a startled curse before he toppled uncontrollably toward Qiuling.

“Ah!”

Before everyone’s eyes, Qiuling was knocked down by Cheng Feng in a clumsy tumble, letting out a cry that was both annoyed and endearing.