Zhi Xin seemed to sense Zhang Zheng's thoughts, grabbing him by the arm and huffing, "You're not allowed to hurt my teacher."
She was the only one who had seen Zhang Zheng unleash his full power, which had destroyed an entire starfield. If he did something like that during his battle with her teacher, there would be no place for her to cry.
"Okay… okay…" At this moment, Zhang Zheng really didn't dare to defy Zhi Xin's wishes. They were about to get married, and it would be too embarrassing if he upset his fiancée.
The two of them arrived outside a castle at the edge of Angel City. The castle was surrounded by a large expanse of green grass and some unknown green trees, symbolizing life. A small stream ran through the area, with fish swimming and playing happily.
Zhang Zheng was mesmerized by the picturesque scenery. After the war is over, living in a place like this with Zhi Xin wouldn't be so bad.
While Zhang Zheng was lost in thought, they had already reached the castle door.
"Teacher, I'm here to see you," Zhi Xin called out and, without waiting for a reply, dragged Zhang Zheng through the door.
Her eager demeanor was like a child returning home after a long time away.
Upon entering the living room, Zhang Zheng immediately saw He Xi sitting on the sofa, reading a book. With silver hair cascading down to her waist and an aura of intellectual beauty, this was Zhang Zheng's first impression of He Xi.
What Zhang Zheng didn't know was that the quiet He Xi had an unknown side. The Sacred Queen Keisha had once commented, "The Celestial King He Xi is a pure warrior."
As soon as Zhi Xin saw He Xi, she let go of Zhang Zheng's hand and quickly ran forward, throwing herself into He Xi's arms, just like a little girl meeting her long-lost mother.
"Teacher, I missed you so much," Zhi Xin cooed, snuggling into He Xi's embrace.
He Xi gently patted Zhi Xin's back and said, "Stop being so clingy. There are guests here."
Oh... such a scary Celestial King. It was no wonder she was a 30,000-year-old veteran. With just one sentence, she had completely pushed Zhang Zheng out of the scene.
The term "guest" felt so heavy. Despite harboring some complaints about He Xi in his heart, Zhang Zheng still respectfully said, "Teacher, hello. I am Zhang Zheng from Earth, Zhi Xin's future husband."
He Xi looked at Zhang Zheng's shamelessness with some exasperation. "I haven't even agreed yet, and you're already calling yourself her future husband."
He Xi then turned to Zhang Zheng and said, "Even though you helped Zhi Xin advance to the divine body, if you want to be her husband, you must pass my test."
Zhang Zheng looked at He Xi and said seriously, "For Zhi Xin, I'm willing to accept any challenge."
Although he said this, Zhang Zheng wasn't very confident. Unlike the imposing "Celestial Blade King Keisha," He Xi gave an impression of someone very intellectual, not like a warrior but more like a scholar. If Zhang Zheng didn't know she was the Celestial King, he would think she was an older, artistic graduate student (don't blame the protagonist; he's just seen the image).
He Xi, seeing Zhang Zheng's eagerness, slightly improved her opinion of him and said, "I won't make things too difficult for you. Zhi Xin has always wanted to find the bravest man in the universe. Since she chose you, it proves your courage. Now, let me see if you have strength to match that courage. You don't need to defeat me, just prove your strength to my satisfaction."
Zhi Xin, relieved that her teacher was only going to test Zhang Zheng's strength, felt reassured. Although they had a mental link, due to the Soul Gem, Zhi Xin's understanding of Zhang Zheng was limited to what he wanted her to know. Thus, she only saw Zhang Zheng's courage and strength as noteworthy.
In reality, Zhang Zheng was an ordinary person.
Hearing that He Xi was going to test his strength, Zhang Zheng's enthusiasm was piqued. "Teacher, when does it start? I'm ready."
He Xi, irritated by Zhang Zheng's constant calling her teacher, said unkindly, "Then let's start now. We'll go to the depths of the universe to avoid affecting Angel City."
He Xi had decided to give Zhang Zheng a good lesson for his lack of insight. After saying this, she ignored Zhang Zheng and walked towards the door. During the walk, she donned her silver and gold-patterned celestial armor and a blue cape, making her look strikingly heroic.
This was the Celestial King's exclusive battle armor. The long sword in her hand was different from the Flame Sword; its silver blade was adorned with beautiful patterns, and the cold gleam from the blade revealed its exceptional quality.
Seeing He Xi transform, Zhang Zheng felt that his perspective on life was completely reshaped. One set of clothes could indeed change a person's aura, turning her from an older, artistic woman into a commanding female general.
Zhi Xin, seeing He Xi leave, quickly pulled the somewhat stunned Zhang Zheng to follow, and they chased after He Xi to the depths of the universe.
Now, Zhang Zheng was no longer in casual clothes. He wore sleeveless armor on top and tightly wrapped armor below, shining brightly when exposed to light.
This was a set of vanadium alloy armor made temporarily with the Reality Stone, a lesson learned from his previous battle with Zhi Xin. It wasn't very stylish, but it was durable and wouldn't fall apart under attack.
He Xi wasn't interested in Zhang Zheng's aesthetic sense. Seeing Zhang Zheng's awkward armor, she said, "As an elder, I'll let you make the first move. Fight with all your might. If I'm not satisfied, you won't be able to marry Zhi Xin."
Hearing He Xi's words, Zhang Zheng didn't hold back. He took out his Storm Battle Axe and charged at He Xi, aiming to seize the initiative.
The ideal was grand, but reality was harsh.
As Zhang Zheng charged, He Xi merely sidestepped and avoided his downward swing. Without giving Zhang Zheng time to react, she lifted her long leg and swept him away. Zhang Zheng was sent flying.
Then, without allowing Zhang Zheng any time to recover, He Xi flapped her wings and pursued him, bringing down her long sword in a powerful downward strike.
Zhang Zheng saw He Xi coming and couldn't adjust in time, so he barely raised the Storm Battle Axe to block the sword, but was once again sent flying.
What followed was a one-sided beating.
Zhi Xin watched as her teacher tossed Zhang Zheng around and covered her face in embarrassment. It was so humiliating—having immense power but not knowing how to use it.
As for Zhang Zheng, after being chased and struck repeatedly by He Xi, he had a preliminary understanding of her strength, but he wasn't one to give up easily.
His strength, speed, and reaction were not inferior to He Xi's; the reason he was being overpowered was that he was losing in the pace of the battle.
Realizing this, Zhang Zheng began to channel blue lightning into the Storm Battle Axe while being thrown again.
Once more, with weapons clashing, Zhang Zheng was sent flying. But this time, as he flew, the Storm Battle Axe released streaks of blue lightning, obstructing He Xi's pursuit.
Taking advantage of the brief pause, Zhang Zheng quickly adjusted his body.
He couldn't keep fighting in close combat. Thirty thousand years of battle experience wasn't something he, with just a year of power, could match. Zhang Zheng reflected on this.
His advantages were the vast energy within him and the Storm Battle Axe, which could be used for both ranged and close combat. Unlike the Flame Sword, which needed solar energy to charge for ranged attacks, the Storm Battle Axe could release massive lightning instantly as long as there was enough energy provided, and energy was something Zhang Zheng had in abundance.
Thinking of this, Zhang Zheng decided to act. He looked at He Xi and said, "Teacher, let's start the second round."