Xiang Ning didn’t have much of a choice. He didn’t know how many knives a tier three, nine-star spiritual cultivator could control, but based on his abilities at tier three, four-star, he should be able to do approximately forty, compared to the thirty he could control as a tier two, nine-star spiritual cultivator. He wasn’t sure, though, as he hadn’t tested his limits. 

Nathan could perhaps control almost the same number of objects as him, but as a tier three, nine-star, Nathan’s stamina would be higher. 

Xiang Ning was only conserving his Mental Power, there was no need to waste energy with a fight. 

The crowd watched as Xiang Ning played defense, his knives tightly guarding his sides. No matter how Nathan attacked, Xiang Ning’s knives would perfectly block them. 

Although the Qiling Academy students were uncomfortable watching the way he could only defend without attacking, they hoped Xiang Ning could last a little longer. This was Nathan’s strength after all, and even if Xiang Ning lost, he must lose with dignity. Most of them felt it was only a matter of time before he admitted defeat. 

The dull frustration in the arena was nowhere to be found in the headmaster’s office. 

“These students are too young, all they know is to hit and hit, they don’t know how precious the skill of defense is.” Qi Jiuming wasn’t nervous at all, and smiled as he took a sip of tea. 

“Xiang Ning is now approximately tier three, four-star as a spiritual cultivator. His limit should probably be twelve knives, while Nathan can definitely control more. All he needs to do is hold his ground and spend Nathan’s energy before Nathan realizes what he’s doing. Even if Nathan can control twenty later, he won’t be able to do it for long,” analyzed Lei Zhongyuan. 

“I agree. Xiang Ning is proficient in battle strategy. He’s sharp and keeps his cool. It’s no wonder why the higher-ups see potential in him... Qiling is lucky to have him,” Qi Jiuming said with a chuckle. He was delighted to see such a talent in Qiling Academy because, as a headmaster, he greatly benefited from Xiang Ning’s presence as well. 

“Look, he’s slowly increasing the number,” Lei Zhongyuan remarked with a smirk. If only he had unleashed his full power from the beginning, Xiang Ning would likely have lost, but Nathan was too arrogant and wasn’t taking Xiang Ning seriously, therefore taking the wrong strategy.

At the arena, Natalia was watching Nathan’s fight with furrowed brows. She wanted to remind him but after some thought, shut her mouth. 

Fang Rou was worried, but when Lu Shiyu saw her expression, she smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Xiang Ning will win.” 

“Mm!” Fang Rou didn’t hear what Lu Shiyu implied. Or rather, not many people watching knew that Xiang Ning was slowly gaining control over the fight while Nathan was still drunk on the feeling of overpowering a helpless, defenseless opponent. 

Many, like Fang Rou, were worried for him. 

Three minutes passed and the combatants were up to ten knives. The crowd’s chests tightened whenever they heard the clanging of knives. But another three minutes passed and they were up to twelve. The students started praying because they thought this was Xiang Ning’s limit. 

But from there on, all jaws dropped. 

Even the two men in the headmaster’s office watched with widened eyes as both sides were controlling fifteen knives. 

Nathan had begun panicking. This was completely out of his expectations! 

Xiang Ning said, “See? It’s useless to keep adding knives. Why don’t we end this fight as martial artists, you won’t beat me if we keep doing this.” 

Nathan clenched his teeth and added another knife. Xiang Ning did the same. 

How is that possible! You’re only a tier three, four-star spiritual cultivator, how can you control so many knives! Nathan screamed internally, but his face remained ice cold. He had started calming down, and when he recalled the start of the fight, he finally realized he had fallen into a trap. Xiang Ning wasn’t as simple as he looked! What he’d said before had made everyone think he was weak in spiritual cultivation… or that he wasn’t confident in it. 

Fear grew in Nathan’s heart as he pondered. No, this made no sense at all. Something was wrong with Xiang Ning. How could a tier three, four-star spiritual cultivator have such strong Mental Power? Even if he was only playing defense, his abilities were too accurate! Playing defense was almost as energy consuming as offense, too. There was a problem there, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. 

Nathan clenched his teeth, thinking of unleashing his maximum power. No matter who won, he wanted to ask how Xiang Ning did it. But before he could, Xiang Ning made his move, displaying a twisted expression that meant he was at his limit. Activating Disguise, he thoroughly convinced the audience that he had reached his maximum! 

Nathan had suspected that something was wrong when Xiang Ning controlled his thirteenth knife, and that feeling only grew as the numbers rose. 

Xiang Ning knew that he was on the brink of exposing himself, especially from Nathan’s expression. 

No, I must hide! I must keep a low profile. Time to strike back and end the fight! 

Coincidentally, Nathan seemed to be thinking about something and had lost focus for a moment. 

“This is my chance!” Xiang Ning turned up his Disguise skill. 

“No, Teacher Xiang Ning can’t hold on any longer, he’s going to collapse!” 

“He’s initiating attacks, too, that means he’s going to risk it all!” 

“That’s too dangerous! What if he fails? He’ll be injured!” 

Some of the girls covered their eyes, because Xiang Ning’s acting was too real. 

“Dammit! Just for the pride of our school, Teacher Xiang Ning’s forcing himself despite the danger!” 

In that moment, they recalled the boy who had challenged a school alone, the boy who had fought Wu Rui to the end despite his injuries, and the way he had collapsed on the ground afterward! 

Blood boiled across the hall, uniting every student of Qiling Academy. Xiang Ning was the pillar, the future of the youth! 

“I understand now! I understand now! This is what Teacher Xiang Ning wants to teach us. We must always continue improving ourselves as cultivators, and never cower before our enemies. There’ll always be someone stronger than us, and if we encounter those people, should we just give up? 

“No! On the real battlefield, there’s only life and death. The enemy won’t let you go because you’re weak. The only way to live is to struggle!” 

The crowd nodded, touched by the revelation. 

“That’s right, he must’ve seen the cowardice displayed by the special trainees.... That’s why he’s personally demonstrating things for everyone!” 

“It’s tough for him!” 

What the hell? Feng Yi almost exploded with rage. What has any of that got to do with them now? 

What happened next was too shocking.

Every pair of eyes widened. Even Natalia, who had maintained an icy, emotionless expression, widened her eyes, her mouth agape while other girls covered their eyes!

Xiang Ning be built different