Chapter 83: Challenging the Top Five!
In the cafeteria, Xiao Ze's words left the three opposite him momentarily stunned. Other students around, who had been paying attention to Xiao Ze, also looked at him in shock.
After all, Xiao Ze had been quite the talk of the town lately. Even some of the top-ranking students couldn't match the level of discussion surrounding him.
Some of the top-ranking students were currently immersed in seclusion, preparing for the upcoming inner courtyard competition. During their absence, Xiao Ze's popularity had overshadowed theirs.
The leader, Lin Hao, couldn't help but carefully observe Xiao Ze. However, Xiao Ze's aura was restrained, and even he couldn't gauge its depth.
Knowing that Xiao Ze was a Seven-Star Fighting Spirit, it was surprising that he couldn't even see through a newly admitted student to the inner courtyard.
This inevitably raised Lin Hao's estimation of Xiao Ze a few notches.
"Haha, I was just about to recruit you on behalf of the Blazing Sun Gang, but I didn't expect you to take the initiative to challenge our leader," Lin Hao chuckled, finding the situation quite amusing.
"Why not?" Xiao Ze asked simply.
"Sure, of course you can, but our leader is one of the Top Five on the strength rankings. Not just anyone can challenge him," Lin Hao nodded repeatedly, admiring Xiao Ze's courage.
Even with a little understanding of the inner courtyard, even the most fearless newcomer wouldn't dare to arrogantly challenge the Top Five.
After all, these were the top-notch experts in the entire inner courtyard.
As a senior Fighting Spirit, Lin Hao was considered a high-ranking member within the Blazing Sun Gang. Otherwise, Lin Lieyang wouldn't have entrusted him with the task of recruitment.
After a moment of thought, Lin Hao proposed a condition.
"How about this: if our leader wins, you join the Blazing Sun Gang. Deal?"
"No problem," Xiao Ze replied decisively, leaving Lin Hao momentarily stunned.
Was it because he was confident in his own strength, or because Xiao Ze had already wanted to join the Blazing Sun Gang?
Regardless of the outcome, would it be a loss for him?
With doubts in mind, Lin Hao gestured for Xiao Ze to follow him.
"Let's go, our leader has been obsessed with the arena recently. He should be challenging the winning streak record there right now."
Xiao Xun'er and Little Doctor Immortal quickly followed, closely behind Xiao Ze, while nearby, there was a large group of students watching the commotion.
Although there were only about a thousand students in the inner courtyard, it was currently mealtime, and the cafeteria was bustling with students.
As the large group headed towards the arena, other students along the way realized that there must be something exciting happening.
They forgot about their own affairs and followed the crowd, asking for details.
When they learned that Xiao Ze, a new student, wanted to challenge the Top Five, they were shocked.
Although Xiao Ze was rumored to be a monstrous newcomer in the inner courtyard, he was still just a newcomer! He dared to challenge the Top Five after only a short time in the inner courtyard?
The Top Five were veterans who had been practicing in the inner courtyard for several years!
They possessed terrifying strength at the peak of Fighting Spirits!
As the large group flooded into the arena, the already heated atmosphere inside the arena came to a halt.
Although it was already nighttime, the arena was still brightly lit.
Everyone in the arena couldn't help but size up the large group of newcomers who had just arrived.
Some familiar faces quickly asked what was happening.
Lin Hao quickly approached a burly young man who frequented the arena and explained the situation concisely.
"Oh? You want to challenge me?"
Lin Lieyang turned his head to look at Xiao Ze, his majestic voice silencing the whispers in the arena.
Xiao Ze nodded.
At the same time, he couldn't help but size up this excessively burly young man.
This burly physique was unmatched even by some bear-like magical beasts.
Xiao Ze felt that this guy might be more suitable for natural body cultivation talent.
After carefully observing Xiao Ze's expression, Lin Lieyang confirmed that he wasn't joking and nodded.
"Since this is your decision, you must take responsibility for it. I hope you sincerely join the Blazing Sun Gang when the time comes."
After Lin Lieyang finished speaking, he turned and walked onto the arena.
Xiao Ze turned back and gestured to Xiao Xun'er and Little Doctor Immortal not to worry.
Although Lin Lieyang was confident and his words seemed to imply that Xiao Ze was bound to lose, things often didn't go as planned.
With a light leap, Xiao Ze ascended the arena.
An elder appeared out of nowhere. In the arena, there were elders responsible for management. After all, the arena was where life-and-death battles were most likely to occur.
The students admitted to the inner courtyard either had influential backgrounds or outstanding talents. Losing one's life, regardless of the student, was something the academy didn't want to see.
"I will preside over this battle. Do both sides agree?" Lin Lieyang said domineeringly. "I agree," Xiao Ze replied politely.
"The decision rests with the elder," Xiao Ze added.
The elder smiled slightly at Xiao Ze and then waved his hand, announcing the start of the battle.
Boom!
Before the elder's words had even finished echoing, Lin Lieyang's figure charged toward Xiao Ze like a raging beast.
Whoosh!
A fist, larger than a sandbag, directly struck toward Xiao Ze's face.
Facing this fierce punch, Xiao Ze simply raised his hand, and a smooth water mirror appeared out of nowhere.
"Force Dissipation Water Mirror!"
The water mirror successfully blocked the fist. However, Lin Lieyang reacted swiftly, and a dark red aura emerged, directly breaking through the water mirror.
By this time, Xiao Ze had already distanced himself from Lin Lieyang. Lin Lieyang's expression remained calm as he charged toward Xiao Ze once again, and the two began to chase each other on the stage.
Meanwhile, when Xiao Ze used the water mirror combat technique, a student who frequented the arena all year round exclaimed in amazement.
"Xiao Ze is a water attribute practitioner? Wouldn't that mean he's severely disadvantaged against Lin Lieyang?"
He intentionally shouted loudly to attract the attention of the surrounding people, especially the two beauties beside Xiao Ze.
However, to his disappointment, the two beauties remained unfazed by his words, their eyes focused solely on Xiao Ze.
Their expressions were calm, as if they had absolute confidence in Xiao Ze.
Some of the surrounding onlookers, who were unaware of the situation, began to urge him to explain.
"Cough, Lin Lieyang's attribute is actually a mutant attribute, a flame attribute!"
"He combines the heaviness of the earth attribute with the ferocity of the fire attribute! He has an unparalleled advantage against water attribute practitioners!"
After hearing his explanation, the surrounding people suddenly realized.
Looking at the stage, they couldn't help but feel sorry for Xiao Ze.
Not only was his strength inferior to Lin Lieyang's, but his attribute was also severely countered.
If he had faced a different opponent, the situation might have been a bit better.
"Let's see how much Qi you have left to keep forming water mirrors!"
Lin Lieyang felt somewhat annoyed by the constant chasing.
"Hehe, don't worry, I'm quite confident in my Qi endurance," Xiao Ze stopped and finally changed his movements.
"Azure Sea Whirlpool!"
With the remaining water left behind by the water mirror, Xiao Ze immediately condensed a whirlpool, trapping Lin Lieyang within.
Sensing the hidden water blades within the whirlpool, Lin Lieyang didn't dare to be careless and immediately condensed his Qi armor.
With both the heaviness of the earth attribute and the ferocity of the flame attribute, his defense was also strong!
However, to Lin Lieyang's slight surprise, he had underestimated the power of the water blades!
After several rounds of water blade attacks, they actually broke through his armor!
The situation took a sudden turn!
(End of Chapter)