Chapter 5: A Duel with Huo Wushuang

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Convincing Tianshui Academy would be challenging, but not impossible. Tianshui was the only one of the five elemental academies open to commoners. Without the backing of powerful noble families, there might be a chance to sway them.

Feng Xiaotian decided to start with Blazing Academy. The two academies were close, located in neighboring cities.

When Feng Xiaotian arrived at the gates of Blazing Academy, he was ready to meet Huo Wushuang, the captain of the Blazing team. It had been six months since they last met, and he wondered how much Huo Wushuang had improved.

Wearing a mask, Feng Xiaotian approached the gate, but the guards, noticing his unusual appearance, blocked his path.

"Who are you? You don't seem to be from our academy."

"I'm Feng Xiaotian from Godwind Academy. I'm here to see Huo Wushuang."

"What do you want with him?"

"It's personal. Do I need to explain it to you?"

The guard, irritated by Feng Xiaotian's attitude, was about to say something when a few students nearby recognized him.

They sneered, "Isn't that Feng Xiaotian from Godwind Academy?"

"What, is he here to see Sister Huo Wu again?"

"He's been here a few times before, but Sister Huo Wu never paid him any attention."

"He's got some nerve, coming back again!"

"Did you know? I heard he's one of Captain Huo Wushuang's defeated rivals!"

"Really?"

"Of course! Last time they sparred, plenty of people at school saw it."

"So that's it! What's the use of being handsome? If you're not strong, no wonder Sister Huo Wu isn't interested."

They spoke loudly, clearly intending for Feng Xiaotian to hear.

Feng Xiaotian did have a memory of that incident. He had indeed lost to Huo Wushuang, but that wasn't his true strength. He had intentionally held back to save face for Huo Wu, letting her brother win.

He wasn't bothered by their comments, merely shaking his head in frustration at how foolish the old Feng Xiaotian had been—sacrificing his pride for a girl who hardly acknowledged him.

"Pathetic! Being a simp really is unforgivable," he thought.

After the students' taunts, the guards became even more unfriendly.

"Get lost! Stop bothering Sister Huo Wu!"

Feng Xiaotian shot them a disdainful glance.

"Are you deaf? Who said anything about Huo Wu? I'm here to see Huo Wushuang!"

"Are you looking for trouble? Take a good look, this is Blazing Academy, not your Godwind Academy!"

"And you two think you can stop me?"

Just as Feng Xiaotian was about to spread his wings and fly over, a group of people approached.

"Who's looking for me?"

The person leading them was none other than Huo Wushuang. He had a medium build and wore a headscarf. His eyes burned with intensity, and although he wasn't particularly handsome, his presence was imposing.

Behind Huo Wushuang were several of his teammates, but Huo Wu was not among them.

As they reached the gate, Huo Wushuang immediately recognized Feng Xiaotian. He grinned crookedly.

"Feng Xiaotian, so it's you. I almost didn't recognize you with that new hairstyle."

Over the past few months, Feng Xiaotian had deliberately grown his hair out, and it now reached his shoulders.

He responded without hesitation, "Watch your tone! Who are you calling 'kid'? I'm three years older than you. Show some respect and call me 'brother'."

Huo Wushuang paused, studying Feng Xiaotian closely. Something felt off about him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

Since Feng Xiaotian had known Huo Wushuang, he had never spoken to him in such a tone. In front of Huo Wushuang and his sister, Feng Xiaotian had always been polite, even somewhat humble. But this time, something seemed different. In front of so many students, he was showing no regard for Huo Wushuang's feelings.

Huo Wushuang couldn't stand it and decided to retaliate, saying, "Only those with real strength deserve to be called 'big brother.' If you're weaker, then you should naturally be the little brother. Weren't you defeated by me last time? Have you forgotten so soon?"

His words drew laughter from the crowd.

Feng Xiaotian remained unfazed. "I was holding back last time, letting you win on purpose, but it seems you took it seriously. How about we have another match? If I win, you'll have to call me 'big brother.' If I lose, I'll acknowledge you as the boss. What do you say?"

The crowd fell silent, realizing this was a direct challenge with a hint of provocation.

Huo Wushuang, feeling irritated, had no choice but to accept in front of everyone.

"Fine! I've beaten you once; what's there to fear? Let's see how much you've improved over these six months!"

Feng Xiaotian smiled without saying a word.

The onlookers quickly cleared a space for the duel.

Huo Wushuang, full of confidence, said, "Since you're the guest, you can go first."

"You're younger, so why don't you start?"

"Then let's attack at the same time!"

As Huo Wushuang finished speaking, the two simultaneously revealed their spirit rings.

The spectators, who had just been mocking Feng Xiaotian, were suddenly stunned.

"Is that... a ten-thousand-year spirit ring?!"

"He's actually a Soul Ancestor at over level 40!"

"How is this possible? For most Spirit Masters, the optimal configuration for the first four rings is two yellow and two purple, yet he has two yellow, one purple, and one black."

"His fourth spirit ring is a ten-thousand-year black ring, far beyond the limit most bodies can handle!"

"Our captain's spirit power has just reached level 39, still a Soul Elder with only three rings—two yellow and one purple. The gap in power is huge. How can he possibly win?"

Even Huo Wushuang felt the pressure from the overwhelming aura of Feng Xiaotian's ten-thousand-year black spirit ring.

"Damn it! Could it be that he really lost to me on purpose last time, just to save Huo Wu's face?"

"My spirit power just reached level 39. One more level, and I could go to the Spirit Beast Forest to hunt for my fourth spirit ring."

"Why did this have to happen now?!"

"No! I can't give up!"

"If I'm intimidated by his aura before the fight even starts, how can I possibly win?"

Gritting his teeth, Huo Wushuang entered his battle stance and released his martial spirit, the One Horned Fire Dragon.

"First spirit ability, Dragon Strike!"

A dark red light surged from his palm, forming a small fireball that shot towards Feng Xiaotian.

Almost simultaneously, Feng Xiaotian unleashed his martial spirit and counterattacked.

"Third spirit ability, Stromwind Twin Wings!"

A pair of green wings emerged from Feng Xiaotian's back.

The fireballs shot toward Feng Xiaotian one after another, but none of them hit their target. Feng Xiaotian's speed was simply too fast.

"He's flying so fast!"

"Yeah, the captain's fireballs can't even touch him."

Huo Wushuang continued his assault.

"Second spirit ability, Blazing Bones!"

This ability could restore his spirit power and enhance his attack strength, but it had a time limit.

Meanwhile, Feng Xiaotian had already gathered his strength in mid-air. He wanted to end the battle quickly, with a single decisive move.

"Let me show you my self-created spirit ability, Stromwind Wolf Thirty-Six Slashes!"

(End of Chapter)