Capítulo 5: Chapter - 5 Showing him his place
The lecture hall was instantly quietened by the sudden words of the youth in embroidered clothes. All the youths that looked towards the former silently withdrew their gazes, because the status of the one who had spoken was not ordinary at all.
The youth in embroidered clothes name was Xu Lin. His father was a senior official of the Great Zhou Empire's western province. Of course, Xu Lin's status was naturally far lower than the prince of the Great Zhou Empire, Zhou Yuan. However, everyone knew that Xu Lin had the backing of the little prince of Qi Manor, Qi Yue.
Zhou Yuan lightly tapped his fingers on the desk as he looked at Xu Lin, before indifferently withdrawing his gaze, this fellow was not worth much of his attention. When it came to currying favor with Qi Yue, this fellow was truly unscrupulous.
But this fellow not getting scot-free for his crime as today he was going to beat him down like a rag, this would also be the start of his rise.
Xu Lin's mocking smile grew even wider when he saw that Zhou Yuan did not retort. Just as Xu Lin was about to speak again, the lecturer sternly glared at him, causing him to have no choice but to shut his mouth.
After all, it would be a huge loss for him if he was expelled from the Great Zhou Institute.
As the two parties became silent, the atmosphere in the lecture hall was gradually restored. The lecturer continued to elaborate on the three Genesis Runes until two incense sticks of time later when the bell started to ring.
"Alright, I'll have to stop here today. We will continue tomorrow." The lecturer kept his belongings and walked out of the lecture hall.
As the lecturer left, the tense atmosphere in the hall immediately became relaxed. The many youths congregated together as lively laughter and noise erupted.
"Your Highness."
While he was tidying up, he suddenly heard a gentle voice. Zhou Yuan raised his head and saw a girl smiling at him in front of his desk.
Zhou Yuan looked at the pretty girl as a smile emerged on his face. "Oh, it's Weiwei."
The girl's family name was Su, and her name was Youwei.
Su Youwei's pretty face reddened a little as she met Zhou Yuan's gaze.
Suddenly Zhou Yuan caught her wrist and in an instant, she was sitting beside Zhou Yuan.
This action caused nearly everyone's eyes to pop out of their skulls.
As if to distract the red-faced Su Youwei, Zhou Yuan continued their conversation
"Oh, that's right…" Zhou Yuan pointed at the table as he continued, "How many meridian channels have you opened so far Weiwei?"
Su Youwei was slightly taken aback. She glanced at Zhou Yuan, before very cautiously replying, "I've already opened the third meridian channel."
She knew that Zhou Yuan seemed to be unable to open his channels and cultivate for some unknown reason. Thus, she would not voluntarily bring up the topic of opening channels when the two were together, and never flaunted her progress. She was afraid that this sensitive topic would upset Zhou Yuan.
"The third already. At this rate, all eight channels will be fully opened in one or two years." Zhou Yuan sighed in admiration. Su Youwei's talent in cultivation could be ranked the highest in the human race.
"There are only two more months to this year's newcomer exam, so work hard, try to unblock your fourth meridian channel, and aim for the top ten. I spent a great deal of effort to secure a slot for you. As long as you are ranked amongst the top then, you will be able to receive personal guidance from the institute head and the other instructors. This will be extremely beneficial for you." said Zhou Yuan.
Su Youwei's tiny hand suddenly stiffened as she was tidying up the table. She lowered her head and did not dare to look at Zhou Yuan.
Su Youwei was practically burying her head in her chest as she replied in a tiny voice, "I, I no longer have the participation token."
Zhou Yuan knew what had happened but he still asked, "What happened?".
His tone was not stern, but it caused Su Youwei's heart to beat a little faster. Her pearly white teeth bit into her red lips, and she did not speak for a long time. Instead, a girl who was rather close to Su Youwei interjected from the side, "Who else but Xu Lin? A few days ago, he was spreading bad rumors about you in the institute, causing Youwei to argue with him and demand an apology. That fellow said that he would apologize if Youwei beat him in a match, but if she lost, she would have to give him her entry token for the newcomer exam."
"Youwei only opened her third channel recently, while Xu Lin was also extremely shameless. He had the advantage of a Genesis weapon, and eventually managed to beat Youwei by some fluke."
"Silly Girl!!, why did you not tell me of this earlier? do you consider me an outsider?" Zhou Yuan sighed and said while softly patting her hair.
Su Youwei's fair hands were clasped together as she softly said, "It's me who is useless, I don't want to cause more trouble for Your Highness."
"Nonsense How could my little Weiwei cause me any trouble"
"Setting a trap to bully a girl. Your methods are truly great huh?" Zhou Yuan sneered.
Xu Lin lazily replied, "I don't know what Your Highness is talking about. Many people saw me use my strength to win. I will not return it even if Your Highness personally asks."
Zhou Yuan stood up slapping his hands on the table, " You and me now". Zhou Yuan icily smiled as his eyes swept toward Xu Lin.
As he spoke, he fished out a glowing jade pendant and placed it on the study desk. "If you win, this Genesis Gathering Jade will be yours."
A series of gasps immediately erupted in the hall as numerous gazes looked at the jade pendant with longing. This Genesis Gathering Jade was very advantageous for cultivation. If worn long enough, it would be able to increase the rate of opening one's eight great meridians. A rather pricey and precious item indeed.
"Your Highness!" Su Youwei was greatly alarmed.
It was not due to the Genesis Gathering Jade, but because Zhou Yuan wanted to personally deal with Xu Lin. Zhou Yuan had not opened even a single meridian channel, how could he possibly be a match for Xu Lin who had opened two?
Zhou Yuan waved his hand at Su Youwei to stop. He toyed with the jade pendant as he mockingly smiled at Xu Lin.
"Do you have the courage to fight now?"
Xu Lin's eyes were burning with desire as he stared at the Genesis Gathering Jade and licked his lips. He then coldly chuckled at Zhou Yuan and said, "Since your highness insists on gifting this Genesis Gathering Jade to me, it will be rude to refuse."
"However, as the saying goes, fists and feet have no eyes. Please do not blame me if Your Highness is injured."
Although Zhou Yuan's actions baffled Xu Lin, he did not believe that a person like him, who had opened two meridian channels, would be unable to defeat someone who had not even opened a single channel!
"I want to say the same to you"
Xu Lin laughed loudly, believing that Zhou Yuan was merely being sharp-tongued. With a swing of Xu Lin's sleeves, he walked out of the hall as laughter tinged with amusement and ridicule continued to resound from outside.
"Alright, I will wait for your highness at the practice grounds. I want to see how Your Highness will win back the newcomer exam participation token!"
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Practice grounds of the Great Zhou Institute.
Many practice platforms stood in the practice grounds, while the numerous youths atop them yelled out as they exchanged blows.
Below the platforms was a crowd of spectators who would burst into cheers from time to time. There was no lack of young and pretty girls amongst the crowds, and their pretty watching eyes made the boys on the platforms fight with even more enthusiasm, hoping to show off their moves and thus bask in the limelight.
When Xu Lin lazily walked onto a platform, news of his fight with Zhou Yuan had already been secretly spread by the former to the entire practice grounds.
"What? His Highness Zhou Yuan is going to fight with Xu Lin?!"
"How is that possible? His Highness Zhou Yuan has yet to open even his first meridian channel, on the other hand, Xu Lin had already opened two!"
"This Xu Lin is truly a bully, he surely used some despicable means to force Zhou Yuan."
"..."
When many students heard this news, cries of disbelief and surprise immediately erupted. Some of the commoner students felt that such a fight was a little too unfair for Zhou Yuan.
For any meridian Opening stage practitioner, the opening of every meridian channel would raise the innate quality of one's body. Strength, speed, reflexes, etc. far surpassed those who had yet to open their channels. To put it bluntly, a meridian Opening stage practitioner was able to effortlessly defeat dozens of cultivators who had yet to open their channels.
Atop the stage, Xu Lin merely chuckled when he heard these voices. No matter what they said, after today, his vicious beating of Zhou Yuan would spread to the entire Great Zhou Institute. Such news would undoubtedly be a blow to Zhou Yuan's reputation, thus making him a laughing stock.
While these malicious thoughts swirled in Xu Lin's head, the black mass of a crowd around the practice platform suddenly split apart. One could only watch as a youth slowly walked forward.
Naturally, this was Zhou Yuan.
Under the many varied gazes, Zhou Yuan headed straight for the practice platform where Xu Lin was.
"Your Highness.", Su Youwei's little face was somewhat anxious as she followed closely behind him. It was clear that she still wanted Zhou Yuan to give up on fighting Xu Lin.
Zhou Yuan gently smiled at Su Youwei and said, "I can no longer back off at this point. Or else, I don't know how many people will want to bully my Weiwei"
Su Youwei lifted her pretty face and looked at Xu Lin, who was atop the practice platform. At this very moment, her eyes slightly narrowed, and seemed to become a little ferocious.
"Your Highness, it is my fault for not handling matters properly this time and causing trouble for Your Highness. In the future, I will no longer be careless nor merciful," said Su Youwei in a soft voice.
Truth be told, she had lost to Xu Lin previously mainly because she was lacking in ruthlessness. Otherwise, Xu Lin would not even have the chance to use his Genesis weapon. This lesson allowed her to understand that if one does not give the snake a fatal blow, one will surely be bitten.
Zhou Yuan smiled softly and then patted her head and tousled her hair a bit, "It's good that Weiwei learned this lesson earlier in her life".
By the time his words faded, he had already stopped on the practice platform.
Su Youwei smiled a little as she gazed at his back. A warm feeling flowed within her heart. Soon after, her eyes slightly lowered; she had already made a decision. If Xu Lin dared to hurt Zhou Yuan, she would let the former know the meaning of a little girl's grudge and vengeance.
"Oh? Your Highness dared to come. I had believed that you would secretly run away to the palace." Xu Lin mocked with a smile as he watched Zhou Yuan, who had walked to his front.
"Stop with this bullshit and come", Zhou yuan stated while slipping into his Aikido stance.
"I never imagined that even someone like Your Highness would act so rashly for a pretty girl. This seems to be rather unwise." Xu Lin shrugged his shoulders. It was clear that he believed Zhou Yuan's rash behavior was to gain Su Youwei's favor.
"You idiot why would I need to win my little Weiwei's favor" Zhou Yuan stated and then said, "I will allow you to attack first".
The moment these words were said, the numerous youths surrounding the platform looked at each other. They did not understand what Zhou Yuan was thinking. He was the weaker party, yet he still acted so wantonly.
"Since Your Highness cannot wait to be humiliated, I'll have to oblige." Being looked down upon by Zhou Yuan in this manner caused rage to rise in Xu Lin's heart. With a sneer, his foot powerfully stamped on the ground, and his body shot out like an arrow. Five fingers were tightly clenched into a fist as a punch flew toward Zhou Yuan.
This punch of Xu Lin brought with it a stream of air and was full of power. If it hits a rock, it might get cracked.
Zhou Yuan seeing him merely smirked.
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A Beating Later...
As one would guess, Xu Lin was beaten down pretty badly, after ducking under his punch Zhou Yuan performed a Single-hand grab and then a Shoulder grab followed by a Face thrust and a final Side-of-the-head strike.
A miserable cry erupted.
While this would not harm a Meridian opener till their opponent is of the same strength as them, Zhou Yuan's punches were infused with his spirit which caused the poor boy to face much pain, but his torture was still not over as when he was in a state of pain and daze Zhou yuan straddled him and then started raining down repeated punches on his face.
Bam
Bam
Bam
Bam
This continued for quite some time, Zhou Yuan beat Xu Lin till he was unconscious.
The Surroundings were completely silent. Still not out of their shock at seeing Zhou Yuan beating Xu Lin unconscious.
By the end of the beating, one side of Xu Lin's face had sunk and blood was all over the floor, even Zhou Yuan's knuckles were completely busted.
But he kept beating him till he was unconscious.
The originally noisy surroundings of the platform turned deathly silent at this moment. Numerous youths stared at Zhou Yuan in disbelief.
No one could have imagined that the fight would end in such a way.
Atop the platform, Zhou Yuan slowly withdrew his fist.
He massaged his wrist, jumped off the platform, and fished out a piece of jade from Xu Lin's clothes. It was the participation token for the newcomer exam.
"Can't even beat a person who has yet to open a single meridian channel. You should miss this year's newcomer exam to avoid losing face." Zhou Yuan mockingly said to the unconscious Xu Lin.
"Alright, the show is over, everyone can scatter now." Zhou Yuan tossed and caught the jade piece in his hand before smiling at the numerous spectators.
Upon hearing his words, some of the people shivered, while some smiled and left, while the people felt mixed emotions, everyone had a trace of amazement, and fear in their gazes when they took one final look at Zhou Yuan before they left. This was because the fact that Zhou Yuan was unable to open his channels was long known by everyone in the Great Zhou Institute. Thus, many people believed although this prince of theirs had a high status, he did not have any power.
However, the scene today made them completely drop this belief.
Scratch That, they swore that they wouldn't ever mess with Zhou Yuan, Otherwise they might be the next Xu Lin.
"Hey, don't lose it again alright little Weiwei." Zhou Yuan tossed the jade piece at Su Youwei who had walked over. A breeze blew past, causing her uniform to hug her body, accentuating the fine and exquisite curves of a young lady that could cause one to have rather wild thoughts.
Su Youwei hurriedly walked over took a handkerchief and wiped Zhou Yuan's knuckle, "Are you all right Your Highness", she said while her voice was trembling.
"Hehe, Little Weiwei need not worry so much, It is not my blood", Zhou Yuan Replied with some confidence.
This look of Confidence coupled with Zhou Yuan's handsome look stunned Su Youwei as her heart went 'Doki Doki'.
"Only my Knuckles were a little injured, and even that was a self-inflicted wound, trashes like they only deserve this".
Hearing this Su Youwei got out of her daze and asked with a red face.
"Then, Your Highness, shall I help you apply some ointment?"
"Ah Of course, If little Weiwei could do this, I would be eternally grateful to her".
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END
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