Sofia gazed intently at Anos on the screen, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "There are only twenty seconds left. Let's see if you're going to use your real strength!" she muttered to herself. Then, Anos charged forward again, his movements swift and decisive.
He leaped up and landed on the Raging Flame Lion's body, sitting astride it with a fierce determination. As he felt the warmth of the lion's fur beneath him, he declared, "I'm going to smash your head!" With a flurry of punches, he unleashed a barrage of attacks, each one landing with precision and power.
Sofia watched in stunned silence, her eyes wide with disbelief. "…" She couldn't think of anything to say, her mind struggling to comprehend the scene before her. Anos was fighting in a way she had never seen before - who would dare to jump onto a monster's back in real life? Only in a virtual battle could such audacity be possible.
The Raging Flame Lion's HP bar dwindled rapidly under Anos's relentless assault, finally emptying as the beast collapsed defeated.
Sofia's voice rang out, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Teacher Tina, increase the defense to nine stars!" She was determined to push Anos to his limits, to uncover the truth about his abilities.
"Okay!" Teacher Tina responded, her hands moving swiftly across the console. The Raging Flame Lion's defense soared, its HP bar stubbornly refusing to budge.
Anos's eyes widened in frustration as he realized his attacks were no longer effective. "Fuck! Sofia, you..." His heart seethed with anger and resentment, but he knew he couldn't reveal his true strength. He was trapped, unable to deal any significant damage to the Raging Flame Lion.
With only ten seconds left, Anos conceded defeat. "Fine, you've won " He threw up his hands, his face twisted in a mixture of frustration and admiration. He couldn't deal any more damage to the Raging Flame Lion with his current five stars of Qi Building Realm. He had no martial arts techniques to fall back on, and exposing his true abilities was not an option.
However, Anos had already revealed a crucial detail - his cultivation was higher than a Five Star. He had beaten Jayden, a Five Star cultivator, in the past, and Sofia would likely have heard about it. So, Anos had deliberately shown his hand, revealing himself to be a Qi Building Seventh Star cultivator. It was a calculated move, designed to maintain the illusion of his strength without exposing his true limits.
Anos had only one reason for not revealing his full strength: to hide. He believed that concealing his true abilities and trump cards was the key to his safety, a precaution born from past experiences. After all, he had made some powerful enemies, and hiding his strength was his best defense against their potential wrath.
With that in mind, Anos raised his aura and strength to seven stars of Qi Building Realm, continuing his attack on the Raging Flame Lion with renewed ferocity. His fists flew in a blur, each strike landing with precision and power.
"As expected! Seven Star strength!" Sofia exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with excitement and a hint of surprise. She had anticipated Anos's move, but the speed and ferocity of his attack still impressed her.
"Teacher Tina, increase the defense to ten stars," she instructed, her voice firm and commanding. However, before she could finish, Anos had already emptied the Raging Flame Lion's HP bar. The beast dissipated into data and vanished, leaving Sofia impressed despite herself. She had underestimated Anos's speed and agility.
"What a pity," Sofia said, her voice tinged with a hint of annoyance and disappointment. If she had known earlier, she would have increased the defense and prevented Anos from clearing so much of the Raging Flame Lion's HP bar.
Although Anos had revealed the strength of a Seven Star, Sofia had a nagging feeling that he was not just a Seven Star. There was something more to him, something he was hiding. But now, there was no chance to test her theory.
As a teacher, Sofia's greatest hope was for her students to be geniuses, to surpass her own abilities and achieve greatness. And Anos, with his enigmatic strength and hidden potential, had piqued her interest like no other. She was determined to uncover the truth about him, to understand what lay beneath his reserved exterior.
.....
After a few seconds, Anos sat back in his chair, a hint of a triumphant smile spreading across his face. He had passed the test, and he knew it. "Miss Sofia, I've passed the test, right?" he asked, his voice confident and assured, with a hint of a challenge.
Sofia nodded, a small, enigmatic smile playing on her lips. "Yes, Anos. You've passed," she said, her voice measured and deliberate. "I'll take you to the Sky Martial Court now." Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, eager to see how Anos would fare in the esteemed institution, and what secrets he might reveal.
The air was thick with tension and unspoken questions, but Anos just smiled, his eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. He knew that this was just the beginning, and he was ready for whatever lay ahead.
...
Anos's heart raced with excitement as he followed Sofia out of the room. After overcoming countless challenges, he was finally going to enter the prestigious Sky Martial Court! He couldn't wait to see what lay ahead.
As they walked, Anos turned to Sofia with a curious expression. "Miss Sofia, I have a question for you." Sofia's eyes rolled heavenward, and she secretly stroked her forehead, as if preparing herself for another one of Anos's queries. Then, with a tender yet exasperated tone, she said, "Shut up!"
But Anos persisted, his voice serious. "No, it's a serious question." Sofia's expression softened, and she nodded. "Go ahead." Anos asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity, "Will I be able to conduct virtual battles like this frequently in the Sky Martial Court?"
Sofia nodded slightly as she walked, her eyes fixed on the path ahead. "That's right. Virtual battles are the most effective way to train students safely, without risking their lives." Anos grinned, pleased with the prospect. "That's good!" Although he wouldn't gain any EXP, he knew that virtual battles would help him improve his combat skills without putting himself in harm's way.
As they approached the massive door, Anos's excitement grew. The Sky Martial Court was finally within reach. Sofia scanned her identity token on the device, and the door slowly creaked open, revealing a glimpse of the dazzling golden lights within. The air was thick with anticipation, and Anos's heart raced with expectation.
But as the door swung open, Anos's expression changed from wonder to disappointment. He had expected a grand, awe-inspiring entrance, but instead, he was met with a rather...underwhelming sight. Sofia noticed his sudden pause and asked, "What's wrong?" Anos touched the tip of his nose, his voice laced with sarcasm. "So this is the Sky Martial Court? It's too low-class!" He had envisioned a place of majesty and power, but the reality fell short of his expectations.
As Sofia walked into the Sky Martial Court, she turned to Anos with a hint of curiosity. "What do you think? This is a place where students can learn various kinds of knowledge, engage in practical battles, and master martial skills. What else do you want?" Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, but Anos's face fell, his disappointment evident.
The interior of the Sky Martial Court was spacious, with students conducting PK training in designated areas. Several large buildings stood tall, housing classrooms and training facilities. A few small arenas were scattered about, where students could practice their combat skills. But despite the impressive layout, Anos felt a pang of disillusionment. He had expected something more, something extraordinary.
As he pondered his reaction, Anos realized that his high expectations had been fueled by his perception of the Sky Martial Court as a holy land, a place of unparalleled excellence. He had envisioned a realm of wonder, where martial arts masters roamed and ancient secrets awaited discovery. But now, he saw it for what it was - a place of learning, not a wonderland.
On second thought, Anos decided that it was fine. As long as the Sky Martial Court could teach students effectively, what was the point of having high standards? He shrugged off his disappointment, ready to focus on his training and make the most of his time here.
Sofia led Anos to a building, her eyes gleaming with a hint of excitement. "This building and the surrounding area are designated for beginner classes at the Sky Martial Court," she explained. "Head to the classroom at the front of the building. I'll join you shortly." Anos nodded, his voice laced with sarcasm as he replied, "Okay, bye for now, my dear."
Sofia's slender figure paused for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she turned and walked away, her voice carrying a hint of warning. "Remember, you're my student now. If you keep using that glib tongue of yours, you'll be waiting for your own demise." Anos's eyes widened in surprise, his mind racing with the implications.
He had hoped to tease Sofia, to test the boundaries of their student-teacher relationship. But now, he realized that wouldn't be an easy task. Sofia's words hung in the air, a subtle reminder of her authority and expertise. With a sigh, Anos made his way to the classroom at the end of the hall, ready to begin his training under Sofia's guidance.
As he walked, the sound of his footsteps echoed through the hallway, punctuating the silence. Anos's heart beat with anticipation, his mind focused on the challenges ahead. Little did he know, his journey at the Sky Martial Court was only just beginning.
The Sky Martial Court was divided into three distinct grades, each catering to students at different levels of martial prowess. The Beginner class was comprised of newly enrolled students, including those with relatively low cultivation bases. This was the starting point for most students, where they would lay the foundation for their future growth.
The Intermediate class, on the other hand, was reserved for students who had achieved a minimum of Qi Building Six Stars. This grade was a significant milestone, marking a student's transition from novice to skilled practitioner.
The Advanced class was the pinnacle of achievement at the Sky Martial Court, comprising students who had attained a minimum of Qi Building Ten Stars. Some exceptional students had even reached the esteemed Spirit Condensation Realm, a testament to their dedication and natural talent.
.....
As Anos entered the classroom, he was immediately struck by the cacophony of noise and chaos that filled the air. Students were scattered about, engaged in their own activities, and the room was alive with the sound of laughter and chatter. There were around 40 students in total, and Anos couldn't help but wonder if this class was going to be a blessing or a curse.
As he scanned the room, his eyes landed on two familiar faces - Sasha and Mia. Mia's eyes widened in surprise, and She exclaimed, "Ah! Why is he in the same class as us?" Sasha's expression was equally shocked, her face flushing with embarrassment. As a lady from a respectable family, she had always tried to maintain a dignified image, but Anos's antics had repeatedly forced her to lose her composure.
Just then, a student in the first row with bleached blonde hair and a nonchalant attitude caught Anos's attention. He was leaning back in his chair, his legs draped over the table, and a look of boredom etched on his face. With a flick of his little finger, he skillfully picked his nose and sent the offending particle flying. His gaze locked onto Anos, and he drawled, "Yo, looks like we've got a newcomer." His tone was laced with sarcasm, and Anos could tell that this student was going to be trouble.
.....
A stout student sitting next to the blonde-haired boy shouted at Anos, "Hey, newcomer! Same old rules apply. Pay Brother Leo the protection fee, pronto!" Anos raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden demand. "Rules? Who set these rules?" He glanced around the room, his eyes scanning the faces of his new classmates, searching for answers.
The blonde-haired boy chuckled, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Hahaha, Brother Leo is the boss of our class, of course! He sets the rules. Now, hurry up and pay up - 5,000 yuan is the price of admission." Anos smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, so newcomers have to pay 5,000 yuan to stay in this class?" He repeated the demand, his voice laced with skepticism.
The blonde-haired boy nodded, his expression unyielding. "Of course! Otherwise, why would they be rules?"Anos's gaze swept the room, his eyes landing on Sasha, who seemed oblivious to the commotion. "Then, did Sasha pay the protection fee?" Suddenly, the room fell silent, as if the students were holding their collective breath.
The stout student shifted uncomfortably in his seat, avoiding eye contact. "Sasha is Brother John's woman," the blonde-haired boy muttered finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why would she need to pay?" Anos laughed, a hint of mockery in his voice. "So, if you can't afford to offend her, you don't have to pay? Then, I don't have to pay either." The room erupted into chaos, with students shouting and arguing over Anos's bold statement....
....