Everyone called by Xiang Ning was filled with hostility the moment he finished speaking.

“Xiang Ning, don’t tell me you will fight everyone here?!” Feng Yi stood out from the crowd, her arm in a sling. She wanted to see how miserable he would be so she had disregarded her injuries and rushed to see the fight.

“A patient should just lay in bed. If you don’t, you won’t heal very fast and I’ll have to wait even longer to beat you up again.” Xiang Ning didn’t even care about her presence.

Fang Rou was mesmerized by Xiang Ning’s gallant appearance. He usually showed his childish and mischievous side, but against his adversaries, he always showed his confident side. All she knew was that the opponent would have a bad time whenever Xiang Ning’s expression became confident and optimistic. She pitied the other students for making him an enemy.

Feng Yi was furious. She stared at him as she thought back about how he broke her arm and could still act so arrogant. “Xiang Ning! Don’t you dare think that you’re some hotshot just because you bullied a girl like me.”

“Xiang Ning, you barbarian! How dare you lay your hands on a girl!” someone in the crowd shouted.

“That’s right, you—”

The second person didn’t even get to finish his sentence when Xiang Ning interrupted, “Shut up. I was planning on sparing you, since you didn’t go and bully my sister yesterday, but don’t think you’ll be left unscathed if you butt in now.”

That person was so angry that he stomped his foot down in fury. “Xiang Ning, you’re too arrogant! Just because you got first place in the special training doesn’t mean you can do anything you want.”

Xiang Ning didn’t even bother listening to his reply and turned away, further provoking that man.

Instead of being angry, he scoffed instead. He was looking down on Xiang Ning as a part-time student. As a noble, he had never looked highly upon commoners. To think that he’s this arrogant just because his luck is good and he’s slightly stronger. If he was a servant in my household he would’ve been left in the wilderness with broken legs! “Who are you to question me? All part-time students are truly cut from the same mold, crude and mannerless. To think that you’d even raise your hands to a lady. It seems that the rumor is true, you really are a cruel person who doesn’t help those in need!” he declared.

“That’s right! Look at how arrogant you became just because you got first place!”

“Just quit school! You’ve already shamed all of us.”

The insults kept coming. Li Zimo couldn’t bear it any longer and walked to Xiang Ning’s side to shield him. Just as he wanted to say something, Xiang Ning held up his hand to stop him.

“Let me handle it myself. Trust me.” Xiang Ning gazed directly into Zimo’s eyes. His gaze was strong and steady, filled with resolution. Li Zimo could only back away.

Xiang Ning took a step forward and unsheathed his iridium sword replica. “Don’t talk so much, come and fight me, Kuang Yong. You were the loudest yesterday, so come and fight me now. I’ll willingly drop out of school if you beat me.

Li Zimo furrowed his brows upon hearing the declaration from Xiang Ning. “Xiang Ning, there’s no reason to do this.”

But Xiang Ning shook his head. He wanted them to fight him! To do that, he had to act arrogantly. Additionally, he was also getting tired of acting as a villain. He just wanted to quickly get it done but he couldn’t simply let go of his expression now or everyone would find out about his intentions.

“You…! I’ll teach you a lesson today!” Kuang Yong stepped forward and unsheathed his iridium sword replica. The replicas were made from a special rubber substance that granted it the same hardness, but lacked the bladed edge. 

Xiang Ning licked his lips. A tier one, seven-star martial artist…. He was slightly conflicted, because his opponents were a bit weak. He didn’t know if they would be of any help in increasing his strength.

Level: Tier two, one-star martial artist (3400/5000)

I managed to increase my strength a lot yesterday. Let’s hope that I can break through to a two-star today.

Just as Xiang Ning was thinking that, Kuang Yong launched his attack. “Lightning Thrust!” Sparks crackled as the Assimilation rank attack threatened to pierce Xiang Ning.

“Even a tier one, nine-star martial artist will be left with a hole in their body if my attack connects!” Kuang Yong smiled coldly. Naturally, that would be impossible with his replica sword, but at the very least it would inflict serious internal wounds to Xiang Ning.

Xiang Ning activated Keen Observation and saw the attack in slow motion. He was disgusted by how many openings the attack had. In his mind, he had already thought of eleven ways to defeat the incoming attack, but if he did that, wouldn’t the others be afraid of his strength and not fight him?

Just as the attack had almost reached him, he made his decision. He swung his sword to parry the attack, but Kuang Yong changed its trajectory as if he had anticipated that. The sword connected with Xiang Ning’s abdomen.

A brutal thud was heard as Kuang Yong took a few steps back and Xiang Ning curled into a ball, his mouth gaping as he emitted a dry croak.

+80 Experience Points

Level: Tier two, one-star martial artist (3480/5000)

Xiang Ning almost lost his composure when he saw how few experience points were obtained. That guy from yesterday was able to give him triple digit experience points, but Kuang Yong could only give him double digit experience points? Still, he continued his act. It was slightly painful, but he needed those experience points. 

Maybe he was just testing the water and used a weaker attack? But after five more rounds Xiang Ning had had enough and defeated Kuang Yong with a single slash. What the hell. The more I get hit, the fewer experience points I get. Did I act too weak? Is that why his attacks were getting weaker?

Fang Rou sighed. She was initially worried, but it seemed that there would be no need for concern. While everyone saw that Kuang Yong was fighting on even ground with Xiang Ning and was finally defeated because of his mistake, Fang Rou knew that Xiang Ning had only grown better at acting. She had already seen how many times he’d acted arrogantly in the wilderness to provoke the other squads, then acted weak during the fight to let their guard down. It could be said that he was one step away from perfection in that act.

When Kuang Yong collapsed, Xiang Ning acted like he was gasping for breath after a big battle. “Rubbish. Go back and train for a few more years.”

Kuang Yong was still conscious and almost burst a vein after hearing that. He was also puzzled by how he was defeated.

“What’re you looking at? Do you think you’re any different than him?” Xiang Ning continued provoking everyone else.