Facing Kyle’s question, Kaunitz said, “It’s nothing much. Fang Xingjian came first in the Prefectural Selection. This is recognized by all the examiners, of course I have no disputes since it shows that he is a talent blessed by heavens. The reason why I’m here is of course to seek guidance in sword arts.
“I’ve yet to master the Grizzly Bear Sword Technique, Eagle Sword Technique and the Tenauer-Style Body Strengthening Sword Technique.”
Kyle frowned. While he knew that Kaunitz would definitely be furious and would adopt a hostile attitude towards Fang Xingjian, when Kaunitz puts it this way and Fang Xingjian was not around at the moment, there was nothing much he could say.
However, Kyle had made up his mind that should the two of them clash, he would definitely protect Fang Xingjian. After all, he was The School of Sword Arts’ student. How could he be allowed to be bullied after snatching the first place in the Prefectural Selection?
Ogden however, had walked up to Kaunitz and said, “Young Master Kaunitz, I wonder what trickery Fang Xingjian used, to think that he snatched your ranking.
“We’re all witnesses to him being beaten up like a dog by you for over ten consecutive days previously.
“How could someone of this calibre clinch the first place in the Prefectural Selection? This Prefectural Selection…”
“Shut your trap.” Kaunitz threw a glare at Ogden and said coldly, “Since when was the authority of the Empire’s selections something that a good-for-nothing like you could challenge?”
Kaunitz’s words made Ogden so infuriated that his face turned red, but he eventually swallowed it down. He could only stay at the side and silently cursed, ‘Fang Xingjian, you’re dead meat. This time around, Kaunitz is really infuriated. You’ve offended someone from the Tresia Clan, so what if you have become a Knight?
‘I’d like to see how you’re going to survive in Kirst in the future.’
After about half an hour, Vivian, who was attending the gathering at the Tresia Clan, also walked into The School of Swords Arts in her gown. She nodded at Kyle in greeting and walked up to Kaunitz.
Seeing how Kaunitz was acting like a childish kid, while she was a bit annoyed, she went up and asked with a concerned look, “Kaunitz, are you alright?”
“Of course, what could be wrong with me? My condition is at its best yet.” Kaunitz said furiously, “The reason I’m here is to just clear up some things.”
The atmosphere in The School of Sword Arts became increasingly gloomy. While some of the students had initially felt agitation and excitement upon knowing that someone from their school had clinched the first place in the Prefectural Selection, they could only stand at the side now, feeling at a loss as they looked at the few people in front of them.
Some students wanted to practice their sword, but were forced to stop as they felt uneasy amidst the gloomy atmosphere.
Seeing this scene, Kyle frowned, clapped his hands and said, “Alright, alright, what are you guys up to today? In the end, the Prefectural Selection is each individual’s problem to handle, what is it to you?
“Are you guys done with today’s assignment? If not, why are you all just standing there?
“All of you better go practice your sword now.”
The many students who were feeling at a loss in the gloomy atmosphere suddenly felt as if they had been granted great amnesty. Each of them walked up to the training ground and started their sword practice.
Kaunitz seemed unaffected by this as he stared hard towards the direction of the main entrance, waiting for Fang Xingjian’s return.
The students who went out to search for Fang Xingjian obviously came back empty-handed. How would they ever think of looking for him in a heap of ruins which had gone through a fire? Therefore, everyone only saw Fang Xingjian walking into The School of Sword Arts nonchalantly at noon.
Seeing Fang Xingjian’s appearance, everyone who was waiting immediately stood up and stared at Fang Xingjian, as if they were looking at some rare animal.
Fang Xingjian threw a glance in their direction and then headed for the canteen directly. His original intention was to come back for lunch.
Kaunitz blocked his way and said, “Do you know that you got the first place in the Prefectural Selection?”
“Oh?” Fang Xingjian knew that with his performance in the third stage, there would be no problems for him to get the first place in the Prefectural Selection. Thus, he was not surprised. He merely nodded and said, “I know now. Thank you for telling me.”
Hearing Fang Xingjian’s thanks, Kaunitz’s fury flared up even more. Once again, he blocked the path of Fang Xingjian who was moving forward and said, “Fight me.”
“Not interested.”
Kyle also advised from the distance, “Kaunitz, Fang Xingjian didn’t start sword training long ago, why are you trying to bully someone weaker than yourself? It’ll be better if you guys have a showdown after learning in the academy together.”
Kaunitz of course could not wait until then. Seeing how Fang Xingjian wanted to continue towards the canteen, he said furiously, “Are you scared?”
Fang Xingjian did not stop in his tracks. He only had four and a half years to live, why would he waste his time on a sixteen year old immature kid like Kaunitz?
Ogden shouted, “Fang Xingjian, are you a man? Do you only know how to hide? You’ve already been hiding for three months. Are you planning to avoid Kaunitz every time you see him in the future?
“Let me tell you, if you’re still thinking of running away today, in the future, whenever you see Kaunitz, you’ll need to keep out of his way and never appear before Kaunitz again, nor appear in Kirst Royal Academy.
“Let me tell you…”
Before Ogden could finish his words, his eyes bulged, his mouth opened so big that one could stuff a duck’s egg into it, and he stared in Fang Xingjian’s direction, frightened.
Before him, Kaunitz had already dashed up and thrusted his sword towards Fang Xingjian’s shoulder, unable to wait any longer. This thrust was like a dragon, displaying the full strength of his Chaotic Strike. Kaunitz’s muscles, bones and organs were all activated as power channeled through them, bursting out the full powers of his strength of 30 points. Under the activation of his full agility of 30 points, his muscles contracted and expanded fiercely, channeling all the strength to the tip of the sword.
It was like a comet had flown across the sky, releasing an air explosion with a loud rumble, smashing towards Fang Xingjian’s shoulder.
Facing this attack, Fang Xingjian turned, twisted his waist and drew his sword. His actions were all very clean as his longsword was like a comet smashing into the moon, sending Kaunitz’s sword flying. He then smashed the blade on Kaunitz’s chest.
With a bang, the sword sent Kaunitz flying five to six meters back. Kaunitz had wanted to stand up, but felt numbness in his chest as he stared coldly at Fang Xingjian. Two seconds later, he turned limp and fell unconscious.
With Fang Xingjian’s single attack knocking out Kaunitz, everyone in the courtyard turned hysterical.
Ogden was still pointing at Fang Xingjian in a daze, maintaining the posture he had before his words were cut off. This was until Fang Xingjian knocked out Kaunitz with one blow, after which he glared at him harshly, sending off the aura he had cultivated from the training in Hegemonic Qi Slash of Heavens and Earth which was like a towering mountain charging towards Ogden’s direction.
Ogden was so frightened that he retreated two steps. Fang Xingjian said coldly, “Trash.”
Ogden immediately turned red with fury, panting heavily as if he would draw his sword at any time. But all the way until Fang Xingjian had entered the canteen, he was unable to even take one step forward.
Fang Xingjian’s strike earlier was like a flash of lightning, constantly replaying in his mind.
Kyle and Lambert also received a shock as they looked at Fang Xingjian as if they were looking at a stranger.
The move the other party had used was obviously one from the Grizzly Bear Sword Technique, but compared to how it was during their usual training, it was more than ten times faster and harsher.
Kyle seemed to have straightened out his thoughts and he suddenly laughed out loud, “Excellent… Excellent, hahahaha.” After saying this, he ignored the crowd of people who were in a frenzy and followed Fang Xingjian to the canteen.
On the other side, Vivian stood on the spot blankly. She took a look at Kaunitz who was surrounded by the crowd, and then looked towards Fang Xingjian, who was heading towards the canteen, her mouth slightly agape and her mind completely blank. At the next moment, her face twisted as if she was a female ghost who was filled with resentment.
“Instant knockout?”
“It’s an instant knockout?”
“How could it be an instant knockout?”