Badass Celestial Emperor Returns!

(68) Mountain Flowers

On the next day, a new student was welcomed in Zi Clan's academy. Shi Zhao was introduced for a temporary learning granted by the clan leader. No one can question it aside from the head teacher but Zi Lao Shui didn't mind and let Shi Zhao. After all, he is a first-rate talent and already in the seventh level of Body Tempering. Shi Zhao was polite in speaking and he gave off a charming warm aura. Unlike Zi Yingjun. He chose the only empty seat left which is behind Zi Yingjun. Once he passed through Zi Yingjun, both of them gave a brief smile.

"Heh. Keep that smile for now." Zi Yingjun thought and leaned on the chair. He can tell Shi Zhao will be his rival here. From the first time Shi Zhao appeared, he already acknowledged his existence as his nemesis.

Like most students expected, Shi Zhao is an active learner. His performances in literature and strength even surpassed Zi Gu Bo. Shi Zhao became the new star of the academy after few weeks of stay.

"Go Shi Zhao!"

"Master Shi, kyaah!"

"He's really great!"

A lot of girls cheered for Shi Zhao as he sparred with another student. Zi Yingjun watched them in boredom while Zi Yan Yue sat next to him underneath the same tree. An autumn leaf fell and she came to notice the tree is about to wither.

"Yingjun, you'll be like this old tree if you don't go out there and spar even for a bit." she helplessly said to persuade him. Zi Yingjun already defeated everyone in the classroom, except for women since he wont even bother with them. But after the competition, he no longer sparred. Furthermore, her group of friends have been comparing Zi Yingjun and Shi Zhao. Most of them choosing Shi Zhao and saying Zi Yingjun chickened out.

Zi Yingjun just sat there in silence. He leaned on the tree and crossed his hands behind his head. "Let him tire himself." his eyes closed when something flew towards his face. Zi Yingjun's eyelids opened. A sharp icicle emerged very quick from the tree and struck the shoe that almost hit his face.

"Oops." Shi Zhao exclaimed after the long silence. He went down and took the shoe but a hole destroyed it. Zi Yingjun's gaze was icy. Everyone knew except for Shi Zhao that he doesn't like his face becoming a target. "Sorry, I wasn't able to tie it well so it slipped."

Zi Yingjun didn't give a reply immediately. His eyes assessed Shi Zhao with a raised brow. "Well, you apologized." he stood up and his calmness was unpredicted. Their peers doesn't know whether to be relieved or not. "Since it came to this, why don't we have a spar tomorrow? Save your energy so they wont blame your tiredness if you lose."

"Accepted." Shi Zhao kept his amiable appearance though he knew Zi Yingjun is up to something.

The spar was set on tomorrow. It caused an uproar and a lot of students watched. Even from the commoner level. After all, the two mountain flowers of Da Long Mountain are going to prove which is far superior than the other. One mountain flower is pretty clean and warm that keeps a lot of people attracted to it while the other is pure black yet quite interesting.

"Had a good rest?" Zi Yingjun asked as they stepped on the stage. Shi Zhao nodded in return.

"What about you?" he casually said. Zi Yingjun stretched his arms and made his neck click.

"Very much."

"It's pretty obvious." Shi Zhao scoffed in his heart. With the gong struck, the spar began but none of them moved. Instead, they walked calmly to meet each other in the middle.

Bam!

It was so sudden when they raised their fists that hit each other. They stood on their place with their knuckles pressed but in one punch, it caused a strong gale of wind. The students cant believe their normal strength surpassed their expectation. What will happen if they will use their qi?

With the quick exchange, punches and kicks rained in every second. Their speed was terrifying even the teachers stopped by to watch in fascination. The two took a step back and returned to their original places. Shi Zhao have a light bruise on his cheek while Zi Yingjun looked fine. Suddenly, he turned to the edge of the stage and spat out blood.

The students on that side were terrified and immediately scrambled to avoid the blood. They casted a glare to Zi Yingjun who doesn't care at all. He and Shi Zhao met again with fast strikes. Shi Zhao let an opening and flipped over to kick him upwards but Zi Yingjun saw through it and moved to the side. He swiped his foot on the stage to hit Shi Zhao's hands that are keeping him on balance.

Shi Zhao hurriedly took another flip. Zi Yingjun stood on his place with a bright smile that made the onlookers shiver. That smile is certainly full of evilness! Their hairs even stood on its end, ah.

"Teacher." Zi Yingjun faced their teacher. The atmosphere froze as they got confused why he suddenly stopped. Is he going to forfeit? "Shi Zhao and I are not going to have a progress if we keep sparring like this. It will be better if we were to use weapons, right?"

Lightning struck everyone in place. The teachers around shook their heads but the students cheered and persuaded him to agree. Shi Zhao frowned. Is Zi Yingjun planning to kill him?

"Just agree." Head Teacher Zi Lao Shui spoke up without anyone noticing his presence. "We've been training these past generations through physical fights but we should consider their other skills too in handling weapons."

With the head teacher speaking, the teacher in charge agreed. Zi Lao Shui gave a meaningful look to Shi Zhao. The young boy realized Zi Lao Shui wants him to teach Zi Yingjun a lesson. He nodded slightly and took out an intermediate-level sword from his space ring. Zi Yingjun was not bothered with the weapon's stronger aura and casually picked the Bleak Night Sword. The real fight has began.