"Cough, cough!" Goku gave an awkward cough, gently setting down Alice in his arms. Standing up, he slowly made his way toward the battle stage. "Since you're so eager to get beaten, I'll be happy to oblige!"
The women would be staying in the Inner Academy for quite some time. With their beauty and exceptional talent, it was inevitable that they would attract plenty of unwanted attention. This was a rare opportunity for Goku to establish authority, and he had no intention of letting it slip by. If he fought, he would fight in a way that left them terrified—only then would those pests stop bothering his women. Establishing dominance was necessary.
"This guy's got guts! He actually dares to challenge Senior Goku…"
"How long do you think he'll be stuck in the infirmary afterwards?"
"My guess? At least half a month."
"No, I'd say over a month!"
While the new students whispered among themselves, a strikingly beautiful girl sneered at them, her tone dripping with arrogance. "You freshmen are ridiculously arrogant! My cousin is ranked third on the Heavenly Ranking. His strength has already reached the peak of Dou spirit! Do you think some greenhorns like you can compare? You're nothing but frogs at the bottom of a well!" Her proud gaze turned affectionately toward Liu Qing, her cousin. This girl was none other than Liu Fei.
The freshmen, annoyed by her attitude, didn't bother arguing with her. Instead, they shifted their attention back to the battle stage. Words were meaningless—facts would speak louder.
"I've heard that this year's freshmen are extraordinary, and just now, I saw proof of that. As their leader, I hope you won't disappoint me."
Liu Qing's deep, domineering voice rang out as he stared at Goku, who had already stepped onto the stage. His aura radiated sharpness and authority.
"You won't be disappointed. In fact, you'll remember this for the rest of your life." Goku smiled faintly, utterly unconcerned. An opponent like this didn't even stir his fighting spirit—but if it meant sparing his women from future trouble, then this fight was worth it.
"Is that so?" Liu Qing replied calmly. He didn't immediately reach for the massive Mountain splitting Spear strapped to his back. Instead, his broad hands stretched and curled in strange claw-like arcs, radiating menace.
"Don't say I'm underestimating you. The Mountain splitting Spear is reserved for opponents worthy of it. I hope you'll qualify after this." With a sharp claw strike toward the ground, invisible force gouged small grooves into the stone floor. Casting Goku a cold glance, Liu Qing declared, "Consider that a warning."
"This guy keeps provoking Goku with his words… looks like he's going to suffer miserably," Ya Fei muttered, shaking her head in pity. It wasn't just ignorance of Goku's true strength—it was arrogance layered on top of it. And those were the very kind of people Goku loved teaching a lesson. This man's fate was already sealed.
---
From the audience stands at the edge of the square, many students weren't offended by Liu Qing's words. Instead, they were secretly impressed.
They knew that if Liu Qing didn't have the strength to back up such words, people would've called him an arrogant fool on the spot.
"Senior Liu Qing! Go crush that freshman! Show him the real power of the Inner Academy!"
"Yeah! Teach that arrogant brat a lesson!"
Many older male students shouted themselves hoarse in support. Their eyes burned with jealousy as they glared at Goku. After all, who wouldn't be envious of a man constantly surrounded by beautiful women? To them, Goku was nothing short of public enemy number one.
"Hmph, just watch—my cousin will defeat him easily." Liu Fei lifted her chin proudly and sneered at the freshmen beside her. "This is the strength of a Heavenly Ranking expert. Now you've seen the difference. Freshmen daring to challenge seniors is bad enough, but to challenge someone ranked among the top? How laughable!"
The freshmen ignored her. With her annoying personality, it was best not to bother. In any case, they were certain the results of this battle would silence her soon enough. None of them had forgotten the terrifying scene when Goku single-handedly crushed over a hundred Outer Academy disciples, leaving them sprawled on the ground, unable to rise.
At the referee's seat, an elder casually waved his hand, giving Goku a subtle glance before announcing in a calm voice: "Begin!"
The moment the word fell, the atmosphere of the square erupted in excitement. Every gaze locked firmly on the two figures in the arena, eager to see how this battle would unfold.
At the center, Liu Qing's oppressive aura exploded outward like a storm. It was so overwhelming that even distant spectators felt short of breath beneath the crushing pressure.
Yet while the crowd shivered under the weight of it, Goku stood calmly, completely unfazed, his expression indifferent.
Liu Qing frowned. "What's the matter? Not going to make a move? Or do you look down on me?"
"Hurry it up. I'll let you make ten moves. After that, I'll send you flying off this stage." Goku's voice was calm and unhurried.
The audience erupted in shock.
"Arrogant bastard! Don't blame me for being ruthless!" Liu Qing snarled. His body blurred into motion, surging forward like a black shadow. Dou Qi flared violently as his fist came crashing down toward Goku's chest like a meteor.
"Smack!"
The fist was caught—just like that. Goku had lazily raised one hand and seized Liu Qing's punch mid-strike. Energy rippled outward violently, whipping at his hair and clothes, but his feet never shifted an inch.
The entire arena fell silent, eyes wide in disbelief.
Liu Qing's pupils shrank. That single exchange told him everything—his opponent was terrifying. Yet his movements didn't falter. With a swift kick that split the air, he swung at Goku's head, force so great it boomed like a muffled explosion.
Once again, Goku casually raised his other hand and blocked it. Stone tiles cracked beneath their feet, but Goku remained rooted, unmoved.
"That's two," Goku said with a faint smile, releasing him.
Liu Qing leapt back, his expression tightening with newfound seriousness—but his eyes burned with excitement. "You're strong! The strongest opponent I've ever met! This is going to be fun!" His hands curved into claw shapes, golden Dou Qi gathering at his fingertips with a cold gleam.
"Great Rift Coffin Claw!"
His strike tore through the air, fierce and dazzling—only for Goku to stop it with a simple, effortless motion once more. The crowd gasped, stunned into silence.
"Too strong… he's on a completely different level."
Liu Fei, once so smug, now stared in disbelief. Her cousin—whom she had always considered unbeatable—was utterly powerless before Goku.
Attack after attack rained down, Liu Qing's claws gleaming gold, yet every strike was brushed aside as though Goku were swatting at the wind. To the spectators, it was clear: Goku's strength utterly dwarfed Liu Qing's.
"That's nine moves," Goku remarked casually. "One more left."
---
"…Your strength… it must be above Dou King, isn't it?" Liu Qing said grimly, taking a deep breath. Slowly, he reached for the Mountain splitting Spear strapped to his back. "I have to admit—you're far stronger than me. In that case, take this final move!"
With both hands gripping the massive spear, Liu Qing lowered his stance, locking onto Goku with a killing intent so sharp it was palpable.
"Originally, this was my trump card against Lin Xiuya," Liu Qing admitted, his voice heavy with tension. "But right now, you're the one most deserving of it!"
From his body erupted a dazzling golden light, twisting the very air around him. His laughter boomed across the arena—wild, thrilled at finally meeting such a worthy opponent.
The ground trembled. A stone beneath his foot shattered to dust from the sheer energy leaking from his body.
"If you can withstand this strike, the third seat on the Heavenly Ranking is yours!" Liu Qing roared, golden spear shadow extending outward like a dragon, locking firmly onto Goku.
"That so-called ranking means nothing to me,"
Goku replied calmly. "The only reason I accepted your challenge was to warn off some pests buzzing around my wives. I don't want them swarming like flies."
"…Wives? Don't tell me… all those women… they're yours?" Liu Qing's expression faltered, his aura faltering for just a moment in disbelief.
"Of course."
Hearing the affirmation, Liu Qing couldn't help but glance at the stunning women watching from the sidelines. For a moment, envy flickered in his eyes before he gave a bitter smile. "Such fortune… I see. So I've become the stepping stone for you to make your point."
___
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