"I look forward to our match" He did a respectable salute and then left, contrary to what they were expecting.
Zhao Lao Hu was a steadfast, straightforward and honest person who wouldn't look down on a opponent even if they were 'blind' and fight them seriously which was rare in such a world full of scheming people trying to toot their own horns and make themselves seem superior.
Usually, any other opponent would come to make fun of Zi Hua and show off their power at the same time.
The two's impression of Zhao Lao Hu skyrocketed.
When it was Zi Hua's turn, many expected it to be boring so they didn't pay much attention since a genius versus a blind girl would wield rather obvious results, that is, if it isn't the aberrant Zi Hua.
The academy had only overlooked her disadvantages and allowed Zi Hua's entry due to her potential and the possibility of her being cured.
Since with her talents she should've been stronger if it wasn't for her 'humble background'.
They were unaware that they were being tricked by Zi Hua.
"Let's have a fair fight" The two did a respectful bow to each other and took on a fighting stance.
The two stood in stalemate waiting for the other to move, Zhao Lao Hu became impatient and charged towards her.
He threw a punch at her head which she dodged by ducking and then aimed a punch at his jaw to counterattack which he missed by a hair's breath by speedily doing a spin.
Zi Hua had restricted herself to High Stage Martial Practitioner which greatly confined her powers but it was still enough to overwhelm Zhao Lao Hu due to her fighting experience however that would cause too many problems so she had to hold herself back even further.
Fights between Martial Practitioners mainly consisted of close combat most of the time due to their inability to use spiritual power efficiently so it wasn't much different from a brawl.
They exchanged a few more punches and kicks until Zi Hua gave the finishing blow by kicking him in the solar plexus.
She didn't finish the fight quickly but dragged it on so that Teacher Peng wouldn't pay too much attention and expectation on her.
However, she still defeated Zhao Lao Hu despite the fact that it would draw attention and dislike to herself, it was the respect she was giving him in return for his, by actually putting up a fight, since he had taken her seriously as an opponent.
Though that was all she could do, she would've preferred to fight with her full power like he did to her but it just wasn't possible.
If she had let him win by not even trying it would've been her insulting him since it was basically saying that 'You can't beat me unless I go easy on you' and belittling and looking down on him.
"That's all, next pair" After the finishing blow was thrown, Teacher Peng announced the end of the match.
The other students were surprised by the outcome and many felt a blow to their arrogance since Zhao Lao Hu was one of the strongest in their class yet was defeated by some no name girl, which meant that they would receive the same or an even worse outcome if they fought against her, they couldn't accept that a no name commoner was better than them.
Since it was only an friendly exchange without any hostility, Zi Hua went up to him and gave a hand to help him up.
"Good match"
"Likewise"
Zi Hua was lucky to be paired up with someone that had good sportsmanship, most other young masters and misses would've held a grudge against Zi Hua for damaging their self inflated ego.
Zi Hua then returned to Anqi Feng's side.