Eloquent Ascent

A minute later, the match that they were watching ended with Zhang Han's win, proving himself the strongest among the outer court disciples just below Ling Lian who surpassed them because of her unexpected breakthrough.

Seeing Zhang Han's performance that drew claps even from the other elders and inner disciples, it was clear that he had proven himself up there.

Xu Qi knew he had to be careful with that guy. He was cunning and now had this massive hate bone against him.

The crowd cheered as Zhang Han started walking off the stage, already forgetting how he got turned into a laughingstock along with Zhou Feng earlier. Also, they started hearing about that incident in the Training Hall where Zhang Han was humiliated when he tried to rough up Xu Qi. While no one claimed that it was done by the young man himself, exaggerations quickly happened and it turned into a different story.

"Oh. Did you hear? You see. That Zhang Han is a huge bully among the outer court disciples. He often mocked Xu Qi and those with weaker cultivation than him. Sometimes he's even taking their resources, hogging them all like a fat pig!"

"T-that's right! They said he attacked Xu Qi while he was training! He got humiliated instead when he couldn't even touch him! He was also exposed as someone who has a micropenis!"

"Eh? From what I heard, he likes Ling Lian but Xu Qi swooped in and claimed her first! They fought this duel in the training hall and Xu Qi exposed his micropenis!"

"So, he has a micropenis?"

"Yeah! You can ask any disciples present at that time! But Xu Qi didn't defeat him. Ling Lian did! She can't let her man be bullied. Look at how close they are."

The discussion among the crowd didn't stop there as it gradually turned for the worse.

Zhang Han's face darkened but he didn't say anything to the crowd, understanding it would only make it worse for him if he got triggered with those slanderous remarks.

Instead, as if he wanted to formally announce his grudge against the young man, Zhang Han stopped momentarily and pointed at Xu Qi, his eyes burning with malice, "Pray you do not draw me, Xu Qi. Or I'll crush you on this stage!" He roared with his voice amplified with his qi to make sure everyone would hear that before jumping out of it.

The crowd quietened down as they all focused on that declaration. But only for a brief moment as they realized that they might just really be right with those exaggerations and they're in for a great treat when the two truly matched up later on.

Xu Qi just nodded with a knowing smile, not letting the annoying hostility touch him. He mocked him earlier because their conflict was already far from reconciliation. There wasn't any point getting bothered by a monkey's jeer anymore.

Of course, it would've been better without conflict but who told Zhang Han to pick on him just because he thought he'd just fold?

"Looks like I've got to watch my back," Xu Qi said casually, stroking Ling Lian's hair gently, who returned to nestle in his arms, further frustrating the guy.

Zhang Han walked away with a huff, fueling the narrative of the spectators as they saw Xu Qi following him with his gaze with a smirk playing on his lips.

"You don't sound like you're scared at all. Is it because he's not a woman you have to be careful about?" Ling Lian joked, peering up at him with a glint in her eyes. "I get that Zhou Feng and Zhang Han earned your ire but it makes me wonder. Will you also act the same with the other male disciple as opposed to how you deal with the women?"

Xu Qi chuckled as he mischievously and shamelessly claimed, "Dear Ling Lian. I don't hate all men but let's just say it's different with them. I just have to beat them in a duel and they'll usually back down. Sometimes a brotherly bond can form with those who exchanged fists. With women, it's the heart I have to conquer, and that's a whole different battlefield. Of course, if it doesn't work, combat it is."

"You shameless flirt!" Ling Lian burst into laughter, lightly tapping his chest. "But get serious. You still have three chances. If you're lucky you won't meet him in the next two and pass the test by winning those."

Xu Qi nodded. That was the best scenario to have. No hassle. No headache. But he shouldn't also underestimate those who would be matched against him no matter how confident he became to fight even against Zhang Han.

After a few more minutes as the matches cycled through everyone's second matches, his third match arrived.

His assumption about how strong his next opponent would be turned out to be correct.

Looking up at the projection that flashed his name along with his opponent, he once again matched with someone at the fourth stage of Elemental Awakener Realm.

It was another female disciple and it brought a smile to his face. He'd rather face a woman who he could charm with his words alone than an irritable male disciple who he had to expend a greater effort fighting.

Although sounded exploitative, he was just playing to his advantage. Everyone would be thinking the same except those who preach about fairness. Those guys would easily die in this world. Especially those activists back on Earth.

"Xu Qi. Remember, do not underestimate your opponent." As he stood up, Ling Lian reminded him again.

He patted her head and fixed the slightly disheveled hair from the way she had just completely lost herself in his embrace before nodding, "Mhm. I won't forget. I can't afford to be kicked out now."

Upon seeing Xu Qi confidently taking his spot in front of her, the female disciple blushed at his elegant gait, making her heart race uncontrollably. She had watched his first two matches and she became one of his fans. He was just so cool and humorous that she couldn't help but admire him.

"Xu Qi." She started as her gaze followed the gentle say of his fluttering robes. "I have no loss yet. I can... if you want, concede defeat to you."