The Martial Arts Arena at First Middle School was magnificent and enormous. As far as the eye could see, it was filled with one combat stage after another.

The arena was filled with students moving about freely.

Many of the martial arts stages were occupied by sparring students, surrounded by crowds of onlookers.

This was a common sight at Xianmen High School. After all, the practical combat exams were just tests and often didn’t reflect one’s true strength. So, among the Cultivator Dominators, it was common to have public matches in the Martial Arts Arena to prove who was the strongest.

However, there were also some ’special’ students.

Their Realms were generally not high. They were usually a boy and a girl, and their matches weren’t as intense as those on other stages. Instead, they would practice some gentler Swordsmanship or Palm Techniques, exchanging flirtatious glances throughout the bout.

"Pah!"

Huang Zhongfei, who had come specifically to watch the spectacle, spat harshly on the ground and offered his most sincere evaluation of these students: "Sluts and whores!"

’If I’m not dating anyone, what right does anyone else have to be in a relationship?’

"Holy shit, it just hit me why Xu Zhixi invited you to the Martial Arts Arena!"

Lin Yi suddenly realized upon seeing this scene.

After all, in a fight, accidents happen, and there’s bound to be some physical contact.

Moreover, since girls seem more delicate and might cry for a long time after taking a single punch, many boys would rush over to comfort them.

One thing would lead to another, and feelings might start to develop.

"I asked around just now. Xu Zhixi has gone through boyfriends one after another, and she has several guys on the side she’s stringing along. This girl’s game is on another level. Don’t fall into her honey trap!"

"Of course I know!"

Chen Che shook his head, indicating he wouldn’t.

He glanced back and saw Xu Zhixi following behind with a few other girls, laughing and joking about something.

When she noticed him looking, she even gave him a polite nod. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Old Chen, we won’t hold up your little rendezvous with Xu Zhixi. Qi Fengzhu and I will go up first, and you can give us some pointers."

Qi Fengzhu, still oblivious to the situation, picked a steel spear from the weapon rack, vaulted onto a combat stage, and crooked a finger at Lin Yi.

Lin Yi got on the stage as well.

SWOOSH!

After they both took their stances, they attacked immediately.

With a shake of his hands, Qi Fengzhu’s steel spear seemed to transform into a surging serpent, striking toward Lin Yi several times in a flash.

Lin Yi held his breath, shifted his footwork, and quickly closed in on his opponent’s flank.

The two were close in strength, but Qi Fengzhu was still defeated in under twenty moves, even with the advantage of his weapon.

"To attack a spear with a shorter weapon is to court death."

Chen Che gave his assessment. "When facing a long weapon, you must close the distance quickly. If you can’t get in close, you must disengage immediately..."

After speaking, he demonstrated a few moves from off-stage.

Then, a few more classmates went up onto the stage, and Chen Che gave them all pointers one by one.

Giving this advice had its benefits; it was a good way to review the old and learn the new.

During this time, some students, adhering to the principle of ’ladies first,’ offered to let Xu Zhixi go next, but she just smiled, waved her hand dismissively, and maintained a very tranquil demeanor.

This sensible gesture won her great appreciation from many of the boys.

After all, who doesn’t like a girl who’s both beautiful and considerate?

Chen Che watched her quietly for a few moments.

’You might think a scheming girl is someone who talks behind your back and slanders others.’

’But a truly scheming girl is an expert at disguising herself to win everyone’s favor.’

’And that kind of woman often means trouble. The smartest thing to do is stay far away from her.’

Only at the very end, after practically every other student had taken a turn on the stage, did Xu Zhixi finally step up.

At some point, she had tied her long hair into a ponytail and taken off her school uniform jacket. Looking up, one could see the design on her T-shirt stretched and distorted over her ample chest, and her rolled-up sleeves revealed arms as fair and tender as lotus roots.

Clearly, she knew her greatest assets.

Cupping one fist in the other hand in a salute to Chen Che, Xu Zhixi said softly,

"Student Chen Che, please give me your guidance!"

"My practical combat skills aren’t very good, so please go easy on me."

"I’ll try!"

Chen Che nodded and walked onto the stage.

Just then, a cry of surprise came from a distance. A girl lost her footing and suddenly fell off the stage. The boy opposite her seized the opportunity to sweep her into his arms, using his own body as a cushion.

"Be careful!" he said.

"Mm!" She nodded, a visible sunset-like blush appearing on her cheeks.

This scene...

...left the crowd dumbfounded.

"You think Old Chen and Xu Zhixi will end up like that? I feel like in this kind of situation, it’s too easy for sparks to fly. Old Chen might not be able to control himself," Qi Fengzhu whispered, looking away.

"Old Chen has said that women only slow down the speed of his sword draw!" Lin Yi said with a frown.

"Maybe this time, his sword will find a scabbard..."

Qi Fengzhu winked.

"Tch!"

Hearing this, Huang Zhongfei felt a pang in his heart.

It wasn’t that he liked Xu Zhixi; he was just plain envious. It was a shame she hadn’t sent him a love letter this time, or else he could have shown off again.

"Chen Che, I’m making my move. Please be careful!"

Xu Zhixi’s eyes curved into a smile. After speaking, her body moved like a swift and agile cheetah, pouncing in front of Chen Che and striking with her palm.

The palm strike was soft and light, completely devoid of force. She hadn’t used any strength at all, making it look more like playful roughhousing between friends.

Chen Che simply flicked out his right hand and caught her slender, lotus-root-like wrist.

Feeling Chen Che’s strong hand on her wrist, a shy blush appeared on Xu Zhixi’s face. "Student Chen Che, you’re so powe—"

"An opening!"

Before her words could fade, Chen Che seized the opportunity, sweeping her feet out from under her with his right leg and knocking her airborne.

Having lost her balance, Xu Zhixi fell directly toward Chen Che.

Down below the stage, a wave of cheers erupted. Many of the spectating students whistled up a storm.

Qi Fengzhu even pulled out a calculator and started mashing the keys while exclaiming, "Old Chen learned how to create an opportunity for intimate contact with just one look! Old Li always said his comprehension is off the charts and he learns crazy fast. Today, I’m finally convinced."

Just as everyone—including Xu Zhixi herself—thought she would fall right into Chen Che’s arms, an unexpected scene unfolded.

The moment Xu Zhixi lost her balance, Chen Che pivoted on his left foot, spinning a full 180 degrees. To everyone’s disbelief, he swung her through the air like a giant pinwheel. The gale-force wind generated by the spin was so strong it blew her gums bare.

"And away you go!"

With a shout, before everyone’s shocked eyes, Xu Zhixi shot through the air like a cannonball and slammed heavily into the wall.

The entire Martial Arts Arena seemed to shudder from the impact.

Chen Che emotionlessly relaxed his stance and cupped his fists in a salute.

"You let me win."

"..."

"..."

The entire Martial Arts Arena fell into an eerie, dead silence.

Lin Yi watched as Xu Zhixi—legs up, head down—slid down the wall. He turned his head mechanically and mumbled a question:

"Holy shit, Old Chen, you were too rough! Don’t tell me you’re some kind of misogynist?"

"How could I be?"

Chen Che said very seriously, "I’ve always respected women."

"This is what you call respect?" Lin Yi pointed at Xu Zhixi.

"When I fight a woman, I give it my absolute full attention. I ask you, is that not a form of respect?" Chen Che said coolly.

’Xu Zhixi should be thankful she’s not in Yunzhou. Otherwise, she’d have died eight hundred times over by now. No matter the reason, no one there would dare to so openly plot against and approach a Cultivator stronger than themselves.’

’Because the Cultivators there... they actually kill people.’

"..."

Lin Yi was stunned for a moment. He felt like something was off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

He spun around and slapped Qi Fengzhu. "Where’s your calculator? Why aren’t you using it? Is it broken?"