Ding!
"You have completed a standard battle. Your understanding of Shave, Iron Body, Storm Kick, and Armament Haki has deepened. Proficiency +4 in each ability!"
A rush of exhilaration surged through Zhao Xuan's veins.
He couldn't stop the grin spreading across his face—this was pure joy.
After all…
the fight with Li Jiangchang hadn't even lasted long.
From the moment Li issued his challenge to the moment Zhao Xuan kicked him into the dirt—twice—the entire encounter hadn't taken more than ten minutes.
And truthfully, Zhao Xuan hadn't even broken a sweat.
Yet…
Four separate abilities had each gained 4 points of proficiency—a total of 16 points in under ten minutes.
That was huge.
Under normal circumstances, ten minutes of cultivation would barely earn him 2 points of proficiency at best.
"If just one casual fight with Li Jiangchang can give me that much progress…" Zhao Xuan murmured, his eyes gleaming with inspiration,
"…then how much more could I gain from fighting someone on my own level?"
A new fire ignited in his chest.
"If I'm not mistaken," he thought, "Class 2's Li Zhiwei is also a Devil Fruit user. He's had his powers for a while, too—he should be stronger than Li Jiangchang. If I can fight him…"
His fists tightened slightly. His excitement was difficult to contain.
When Zhao Xuan returned to his classroom, his earlier battle had already become the talk of the school.
News of him defeating a Logia user, coupled with the revelation that he had awakened Armament Haki, spread like wildfire.
Students' gazes toward him were filled with a mix of admiration, envy, and awe.
Once again, Zhao Xuan found himself the center of attention—
the sun around which everyone else revolved.
Between classes, students crowded around him, eager to ask questions or praise him.
Meanwhile, Li Jiangchang sat silently nearby, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
He swallowed his resentment and turned it into fuel, training harder than ever before.
Time slipped by quietly.
The next day, right after lunch—
Zhao Xuan could no longer resist the urge.
He walked straight to Class 2, where Li Zhiwei, the Paramecia-type Sluggish Fruit user, was sitting.
Both Zhao Xuan and Li Zhiwei were well-known figures in Tongcheng First High.
So, the moment Zhao Xuan appeared at the door, the room fell silent.
"What?" Li Zhiwei looked up, genuinely surprised.
"You want to duel me?"
"Yes."
Zhao Xuan nodded.
"Li Zhiwei, you know that the college entrance exam includes combat assessments, right? I want to get in as much real battle experience as possible before then—
to sharpen my instincts and maybe score a few more points."
Li Zhiwei rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Makes sense… makes perfect sense," he agreed, nodding.
"So you'll accept?" Zhao Xuan asked, eyes brightening.
Instead of answering directly, Li Zhiwei smiled faintly.
"Tell me, Zhao Xuan… is it true that you actually defeated Li Jiangchang—the Logia user from your class?"
"Yes," Zhao Xuan replied without hesitation.
"Then that means…"
A glint flickered in Li Zhiwei's eyes. His tone dropped low.
"If I defeat you, that would mean Li Jiangchang is beneath me as well."
Zhao Xuan's gaze narrowed.
For just a moment, he caught something—
a faint sense of danger emanating from Li Zhiwei.
This so-called "school slacker" was clearly not as simple as he appeared.
"Of course," Zhao Xuan said evenly, "but that's if you're capable of defeating me."
"Then there's no point in waiting," Li Zhiwei said with a grin. "Let's go—straight to the dueling ground."
"Fine by me."
Within minutes, the rumor spread across the entire school:
"Zhao Xuan from Class 13 is challenging Li Zhiwei from Class 2!"
By the time the two arrived at the dueling arena, the stands were packed.
Even several teachers had shown up to watch.
Zhao Xuan and Li Zhiwei stood face to face in the center of the arena.
A supervising teacher raised his hand, then dropped it.
"Begin!"
Li Zhiwei moved first.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
With the aid of Shave, he vanished and reappeared in front of Zhao Xuan almost instantly.
His fingers snapped forward like bullets.
Finger Gun—Rapid Strike!
A flurry of piercing jabs closed off every angle, leaving Zhao Xuan no room to dodge.
"Iron Body!"
Zhao Xuan's muscles tensed like steel as he absorbed the blows.
Then, countering immediately, he launched a Storm Kick aimed at Li Zhiwei's side.
But—
Li Zhiwei anticipated it.
He twisted gracefully out of range, sidestepping with practiced ease.
Then, with lightning speed, his fingers turned to spears once again—
and struck twice.
Thud! Thud!
Zhao Xuan took the hits head-on. His body barely flinched.
Thanks to his superhuman physique, the attacks had little to no effect.
Just as Zhao Xuan prepared to retaliate, Li Zhiwei's movement blurred again—
like a slick eel slipping through water—
and his leg swept low in a counterattack.
Zhao Xuan reacted in time, bracing with Iron Body once more.
Up in the observation seats, the teachers were already discussing in low voices.
"This Li Zhiwei kid's no joke. His combat sense is sharp. Compared to him, Zhao Xuan's actual battle experience looks pretty thin."
"Well, of course. His family's loaded. Word is his father's the richest man in Tongcheng. Apparently, he hired an entire private sparring team just for Li Zhiwei's training."
"No wonder his technique looks so polished."
"But Zhao Xuan's no pushover either," another teacher said. "With a physique over a hundred and a proficient-level Iron Body, Li Zhiwei can't even break through his defense."
"True, but if this keeps up, Zhao Xuan will eventually get worn down. He's taking all those hits head-on."
"Not necessarily," a third teacher interjected.
"Remember—Zhao Xuan's fruit is Zoan-type, and his Azure Dragon form boosted his physique by eighty points right off the bat. His recovery rate must be monstrous. If anyone's getting exhausted first… it'll be Li Zhiwei."
The teachers fell silent for a moment—then one of them whispered with awe,
"…We might actually be watching another miracle in the making."
--------------------------------------------------
Patreon Advance Chapters: [email protected] / KaiOynx