The crackling, ozone-heavy pressure radiating from the elevated arena was momentarily entirely eclipsed by the soft, delicate grip on Yoriichi's right forearm.
Yoriichi paused his stride. He turned his head slightly, his crimson eyes meeting the glowing, golden irises of Gu Xun'er.
"What is it?" Yoriichi asked, his voice a calm, resonant rumble that effortlessly cut through the murmuring of the surrounding crowd.
Xun'er tightened her grip marginally, pulling him a fraction of an inch closer so her words wouldn't carry to the eager onlookers.
"Do not let his posturing fool you, Cousin," Xun'er warned, her tone serious and calculated. "Bai Shan is incredibly arrogant, but he has the capital to back it up. He recently broke through to the 9-Star Dou Shi realm. Furthermore, his primary attribute is Lightning—it is a dominant, highly destructive element known for its terrifying kinetic speed and paralyzing properties. It completely counters the standard liquid Dou Qi of lower-realm cultivators."
She looked around. "I know your foundation is solid, but fighting him in a public, restricted arena where you cannot utilize the environment to your advantage is playing directly into his hands."
Yoriichi listened in silence, fully absorbing her tactical assessment. Her logic was flawless. A 2-Star Dou Shi fighting a 9-Star Dou Shi of the lightning attribute in a flat, open ring was a statistical nightmare.
Yet, Yoriichi's expression remained perfectly serene. He looked at the crackling, boastful figure of Bai Shan waiting in the ring, and then back down to Xun'er.
"I understand the disparity, Cousin," Yoriichi replied softly. He gently reached over and patted her hand, signaling her to release his arm. "But some challenges cannot be politely declined without inviting a much larger, more dangerous storm to our doorstep. If I do not step forward to face him today... then who will?"
Up in the arena, Bai Shan was watching their intimate, whispered exchange.
The sight of the aloof, untouchable goddess of the Outer Academy clutching the arm of the red-haired "coward" with such obvious, tender concern was like pouring boiling oil directly onto Bai Shan's heart. The veins on his handsome forehead bulged. The blue lightning dancing across his silver spear flared violently, scorching the stone tiles beneath his boots.
"Are you two done whispering your pathetic goodbyes?!" Bai Shan roared, losing the last shreds of his aristocratic patience to a boiling, jealous rage. "Get up here, Xiao Ning! Or are you going to hide behind a woman's skirts in front of the entire academy?"
Yoriichi took a breath, preparing to step onto the stairs.
"I will fight Bai Shan."
A heavy, grounded voice suddenly rang out from the back of the crowd, halting everyone in their tracks.
The mass of students parted, murmuring in confusion as a tall, broad-shouldered youth marched toward the front. He wasn't wearing the pristine white silk like of elite students; he wore a simple, durable brown training uniform that was heavily stained with dirt and sweat.
Yoriichi's crimson eyes widened by a microscopic fraction in rare surprise.
It was Kuo.
The very same senior student who had attempted to bully a junior months ago, whom Yoriichi had brutally dismantled and humbled in a single strike. But the Kuo standing here today was fundamentally different. The arrogant, posturing bully was gone. In his place stood a hardened, disciplined warrior. His aura was dense, steady, and practically vibrating with the heavy, unyielding kinetic weight of a 7-Star Dou Shi.
He had practically lived in the gravity training rooms, pushing his body to the absolute brink to comprehend the lesson of true strength Yoriichi had carved into his flesh.
"I also want to test my new power," Kuo stated, stopping right in front of the arena stairs, completely blocking Yoriichi's path.
Bai Shan looked down at the newcomer, his handsome face twisting into a mask of pure, unadulterated disgust. He knew Kuo. A few months ago, Kuo was just an average thug.
"You?" Bai Shan sneered, resting his silver spear on his shoulder. He laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. "You are not worthy to be my opponent, Kuo. I heard the rumors. You were publicly beaten half to death by this exact trash standing behind you. Being defeated by trash makes you beneath trash. Don't bother dirtying my spear."
The surrounding crowd of Bai Shan's admirers giggled and whispered, pointing at the brown-clad student. Yoriichi remained silent, observing Kuo's reaction with deep interest.
Kuo did not flinch. He didn't flush with anger or shame. He simply looked up at the 9-Star genius with a gaze as solid as bedrock.
"You think you are a top dog because you stand on a high step, but all you know how to do is bark," Kuo replied, his voice carrying a calm, mocking edge that he had surprisingly learned from observing Yoriichi's demeanor. "Challenging a junior who is five stars beneath your cultivation realm... it is a laughing matter, Bai Shan. Do you only know how to bully the weak and cower from your peers?"
The giggles in the crowd instantly died. A few students exchanged wide-eyed, nervous glances. No one spoke to Bai Shan like that.
Bai Shan's face went completely rigid. The insult struck directly at his immense pride. The blue lightning around his body began to crackle with an erratic, lethal intensity.
"Fine," Bai Shan hissed through gritted teeth, his eyes burning with murderous intent. He pointed the tip of his spear directly at Kuo's chest. "If you want to get beaten so badly that the medical elders can't put you back together, come up here. After I am done taking care of you..." He shifted his hateful glare to Yoriichi. "...I will crush that trash next."
Kuo didn't utter another word. He calmly walked up the stone steps and stepped into the sprawling, circular arena.
As the tension reached a boiling point, an Outer Academy Instructor, drawn by the commotion and the heavy Dou Qi fluctuations, pushed his way to the edge of the ring. He was a middle-aged man with a stern face, radiating the aura of a Da Dou Shi.
"Listen closely, both of you," the Instructor commanded, his voice amplified by his Dou Qi so the entire crowd could hear. "This is an official academy spar. The rules are absolute. Killing is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, if I deem a strike will cause permanent, crippling injury, I will intervene immediately, and the offender will face severe penalty points. Do you understand?"
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