The four challengers on the arena all turned their gazes toward Kent, who was standing calmly in the distance. Their fighting spirit was palpable.
This scene caused a stir among all the teachers and students present, while the live-streaming platform exploded with activity, filled with discussions and an avalanche of comments.
Kent glanced toward Zhao Mengxi in the distance, who covered her mouth with a gentle laugh, looking radiant and charming.
Yu Zhengfeng awkwardly remarked, "Kent, you're quite the popular guy. I didn't expect this level of attention."
Kent sighed with mild exasperation. "Looks like it's just meant to be. I've been kind and humble, keeping a low profile, yet somehow I've become the school's public enemy."
Meanwhile, the students who had just returned to the school were curious about the situation.
"Who is this Kent? Why are all four of them challenging him?"
Ye Qiugao furrowed his brow.
A follower standing next to him quickly answered, "Boss Ye, Kent is a freshman at our Inspection Academy. He's an ordinary guy with decent strength, but his girlfriend is Zhao Mengxi, the campus beauty."
Ye Qiugao nodded in understanding, sneaking a glance at Su Qiumei beside him, wondering who was more beautiful between her and Zhao Mengxi.
Fan Qingmei remained aloof, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.
Under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, Kent stood up slowly and walked toward the arena.
The challengers were all freshmen, and he could refuse a challenge, but he only had five chances to decline. If he turned them all down, how would he proceed after this?
"Why don't you all discuss and send out a representative?" Kent said as he reached the base of the arena, speaking softly.
The four challengers exchanged glances and quickly decided on the strongest among them.
"Kent, my name is Zhong Hou, and I'll be the one to challenge you," boomed a burly young man.
Kent nodded, stepping onto the arena and facing his opponent.
The remaining three challengers gave up their chance for the first round, not interested in taking part anymore.
The referee waved his hand, signaling the start of the fight.
Zhong Hou let out a roar. "Kent, let's see if you can match my strength in close combat!"
Kent didn't respond, his eyes flashing briefly with a golden gleam. Without summoning a Beast, he strode forward.
Zhong Hou's Beast was a massive, powerful bear with tough skin and incredible strength, making him confident in his ability to dominate the fight with brute force.
However, Kent, too, possessed these abilities and even surpassed Zhong Hou in some aspects—he was endowed with divine strength and near-invulnerability.
Seeing Kent's calm demeanor, Zhong Hou's rage flared. He banged his chest and transformed, his body expanding, muscles bulging, and his form growing even more imposing. Fortunately, his special clothes could stretch, or they would have ripped apart.
After his transformation, Zhong Hou strode forward with a ferocious presence, heading straight for Kent.
"What's Kent doing? He doesn't seem ready at all."
Under the focused attention of the crowd, Kent simply walked forward, casually throwing a punch that collided with Zhong Hou's.
"How is this possible? Kent hasn't summoned his Beast, yet he managed to block Zhong Hou's punch?" The crowd gasped in disbelief, with many girls turning their heads, unable to watch. Even the leaders on the high platform were stunned.
Yet, when their fists collided, Kent took three steps back, and Zhong Hou stumbled back two steps.
Zhong Hou's expression changed dramatically, and he roared, "How can this be? You didn't use your Beast, yet you stopped my punch?"
Kent casually shook out his arm, feeling some mild soreness. "If I had used my Beast, you wouldn't have been able to block even one of my moves."
"You..." Zhong Hou faltered, his mind racing in disbelief. "You're tricking me, aren't you? Let's do this again!"
The two exchanged a flurry of punches and kicks. Zhong Hou's strikes were powerful and brutal, while Kent, having consumed the Five-Color Stone, had undergone a physical transformation. His blood surged with energy, his breath was steady and long, and his movements were fast and agile. While his strength didn't match Zhong Hou's raw power, his speed, physique, and martial skills far outclassed his opponent.
After about a minute of intense combat, Kent landed a punch that crushed Zhong Hou's nose, causing blood to spurt out and leaving Zhong Hou dizzy and disoriented.
When Kent prepared to strike again, Zhong Hou hurriedly shouted, "I surrender!"
Kent stopped, standing unscathed and calm, as though nothing had happened.
The referee immediately announced Kent's victory in the first match of the Wind and Cloud Tournament.
As they left the arena, Zhong Hou shot Kent a lingering, cautious glance, too stunned to speak. His earlier bravado had completely evaporated.
"Too strong. Kent's hiding his true power," the crowd murmured.
After the match, everyone was shocked by Kent's performance. He had easily defeated one of the top freshmen from the Wild War Academy without using his Beast. If he had summoned it, it was clear that Zhong Hou wouldn't have lasted even a single move.
"If he can fight like this without his Beast, just imagine how powerful he must be with it."
"Didn't you say Kent was just an ordinary guy? He's clearly incredibly strong compared to the other freshmen," Ye Qiugao remarked in disbelief.
"Nobody's seen him fight before. He's been constantly provoked, but he's kept a low profile. That's why everyone thought he was just a weakling, a nobody," his follower sighed. "No one expected him to have such hidden strength. He's so quiet and humble, yet his inner resolve must be incredibly strong."
Ye Qiugao nodded thoughtfully, now wary of underestimating Kent.
Fan Qingmei's gaze turned more interested as she observed him.
Elsewhere, the previous Wind and Cloud Tournament champion, Huang Jin Tian, narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself, a cryptic look crossing his face. "The new generation is rising, surpassing the old. This kid is extraordinary."
...
Kent returned to his seat, acting as if nothing had happened. He casually glanced at Zhao Mengxi, who was smiling brightly at him from afar, and he gave her a faint, helpless smile in return.
Zhao Mengxi sent him a voice message: "Kent, I really like you."
Kent's heart raced at the message. Though they had been focused on training and growing stronger, they rarely exchanged such affectionate words. Hearing it now, it felt surprisingly pleasant.
Kent paused, then sent her a reply: "White Bone Demon, you want to eat my tofu again? Bad girl."
From a distance, Zhao Mengxi's expression changed, and she shot him a resentful, fiery glare. Her voice message came with a playful threat: "Oh really? When we get home, you'd better be clean, or I'll swallow you whole. See if you dare tease me again."