Translator: Lordbluefire

  In the crowd, when Jiang Zizhong saw that Li Ziqi was about to lose, he felt no excitement. On the contrary, he felt somewhat disappointed.

  (I won’t have a chance to personally defeat her. What a bummer. But being able to challenge Zhou Wenbin isn’t bad either. This sturdy stepping stone is enough to enable me to shoot to fame after a single battle.)

  Although the Jiang Clan was also an aristocratic clan of great teachers, when compared to a majestic clan like the Zhou Clan, they were like an ant facing off an elephant, completely insufficient.

  In the arena, when the most crucial moment came, everyone suddenly fell silent. Everyone had their eyes wide open as they seriously observed the battle

  Six giants rushed over, wanting to encircle their prey.

  Other than jumping off the stage, Li Ziqi had no way to escape. But at this moment, she tore a spirit rune inscribed on a piece of lambskin.

  Crackle!

  As the spirit rune was activated, vast numbers of lightning arcs exploded in the air. They spiraled rapidly and their range extended unceasingly, resembling a giant tree with withered branches that suddenly revitalized, as lush and flourishing growth appeared.

  Rumble!

  Claps of thunder shook the sky!

  Ah!

  The audience was so frightened that they chose to cover their ears, and their eyes were also almost blinded from the bright flashes of lightning. The streaks of lightning continued to extend and cover a huge circular sector in front of Li Ziqi.

  Those supreme giants that came in contact with the lightning zone were directly obliterated and shattered into motes of spirit qi.

  Crackle! Crackle!

  Some sparks from the lightning arcs left the stage and landed on the audience in the surroundings. Although the destructive might was already greatly reduced, it still caused their bodies to become numb and their skin to feel a burning sensation.

  “This…”

  The judge was shocked.

  Wasn’t the power of this spirit rune a little too great?

  After that, he felt some lingering fear. If he had stood within the range of the sea of lightning, even if he didn’t die, he would surely have to suffer terribly.

  “I must disappoint you. Even if you toss out 12 giants, I can clear them all in one shot too!”

  Li Ziqi calmly smiled.

  Zhou Wenbin’s expression turned ashen. He had miscalculated!

  His move from earlier had indeed consumed plenty of his spirit qi and caused his combat strength to weaken. However, he had no chance to rest because two more wind elementals had just formed and were shooting curved wind blades at him.

  “What spirit rune is this?”

  Below the stage, Wang Song couldn’t help but ask in curiosity.

  He felt that he was quite learned, but he had never seen this spirit rune before.

  “Something created by my teacher. Its name is the Lightning Sea Spirit Rune.”

  Li Ziqi was focused on Zhou Wenbin. But now, there was a chance to boost her teacher’s reputation and she naturally didn’t want to waste it.

  Sun Mo felt a little embarrassed. Honestly speaking, he only provided the concept of this spirit rune, but the thing that truly designed it was the design template provided by the system.

  After knowing that the little sunny egg wanted to participate in the great teacher examination, Sun Mo started to ponder on how to make up for her flaws.

  Although using her spiritual mount could increase her mobility, what would happen if she was surrounded by enemies?

  Hence, it was best to have an AOE-type spirit rune that could deal damage in a vast area.

  When Li Ziqi had unleashed many fireballs in one go earlier, the spirit rune was also something recently ‘designed’ by Sun Mo.

  Sun Mo cast Lingering Sound on himself as he explained in a clear voice.

  “The concept of the spirit rune was thought up by me, but Ziqi has participated in the design. Moreover, all the spirit runes she used are the ones she is capable of drawing. She didn’t break the rules.”

  The judge cast a glance at Sun Mo.

  He silently mused that although she had not broken the rules, if she wanted to draw a spirit rune with such destructive effects, the materials would definitely be very expensive, right? How could ordinary people be able to bear the financial burden?

  Just like the saying, there’s no absolute fairness in the world.

  Some of the ordinary students didn’t understand. They took the initiative to ask and after that, the students who majored in the study of spirit runes explained to them that Sun Mo had invented a new type of spirit rune.

  The ordinary students still had no idea how impressive the matter of inventing a new spirit rune was, but they could see how awesome the sea of lightning was. It was actually capable of annihilating six 2-meter-tall giants in one shot.

  If these giants were human warriors, they would surely die an even more miserable death.

  Hence, for a time, there was only fear and awe in their hearts. After that, Sun Mo gained a boatload of favorable impression points.

  Jiang Zizhong was stunned. This could work too?

  As an expert, a thought appeared in his head. He really felt like learning such an impressive spirit rune!

  Even though he didn’t wish to admit it, his rationale told him that Sun Mo was already an ancestor-level spirit runist. The word ‘near’ in ‘near-ancestor’, could be completely removed.

  “The situation is deadlocked again.”

  Many people felt that Zhou Wenbin could hole up temporarily and attack again after his spirit qi recovered.

  But Zhou Wenbin actually chose to attack fervently instead.

  “Beautiful!”

  Many great teachers involuntarily praised when they saw this scene.

  Li Ziqi’s usage of spirit runes was too proficient. Ever since the battle started, wind elementals had been forming, and there were two being summoned every time.

  The longer Zhou Wenbin dragged on, the more wind elementals he had to face. Also, he had no idea how many spirit runes Li Ziqi had. Hence, fighting a long and protracted battle would surely be to his disadvantage.

  “Li Ziqi, received my ultimate skill!”

  Zhou Wenbin roared. His speed increased even more, and he was like a cannonball that blasted toward Li Ziqi.

  Godly Illusion Fist!

  Bang! Bang! Bang!

  Several tens of punches manifested together, punching toward Li Ziqi, blocking her path of retreat.

  Szzz!

  The little sunny egg rapidly tore one of her spirit runes to activate it.

  Crackle!

  Golden arcs of lightning crackled around her. They were like sparks that ignited all the spirit qi in her body.

  Boom!

  Li Ziqi’s robes fluttered although there was no wind. Her raven-black hair had now turned golden, and a ball of golden spirit qi enveloped her.

  Dragon Ball Spirit Rune, Berserk Intensification!

  No matter how bad the motor skill of the little sunny egg was, after she was strengthened several times by the Dragon Ball Spirit Rune, her motor skill would be somewhat stronger when compared to ordinary humans.

  Naturally, she activated this not because she wanted to flee faster. Instead, she wanted to exert more pressure on Zhou Wenbin while also increasing her hand speed so she could tear and activate her spirit runes at a quicker pace.

  Swish! Swish! Swish!

  Numerous spirit runes were being activated. Balls of lightning manifested and blasted toward the fist shadows.

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Spirit qi exploded forth.

  “What is this? Why has she transformed?”

  “I feel that this effect is so cool!”

  “It’s over, Zhou Wenbin has to kneel!”

  Let alone the students, even the great teachers who were veterans in combat felt their scalps turning numb now.

  (Damn! How many new spirit runes do you have exactly? Do you and your teacher want to topple the common knowledge of the spirit rune world?)

  (Other people have to use over ten years to invent a new spirit rune, and that deed is enough for them to become a grandmaster-level spirit runist. But you guys are truly excellent. How many new spirit runes have you used in a three-minute battle?)

  (Also, when other people invented a new spirit rune, they would impatiently publicize it so they can win ample rewards from the Saint Gate and a boost to their reputations. But you guys actually kept the new spirit runes hidden. Are the hearts of you two not a little too big? Don’t you all care about fame and rewards?)

  But the effect was truly outstandingly good. Zhou Wenbin was completely stunned.

  “I have to end things as soon as possible!”

  Zhou Wenbin prepared his trump card.

  There was no solution to it. Other than the Dragon Ball Spirit Rune providing the berserk state, there was another effect. It would allow one’s spiritual pressure to be enhanced. Right now, the little sunny egg’s aura truly resembled a minor battle goddess.

  Her melon face was stiff and she exuded a solemn killing intent.

  Zhou Wenbin punched out and his punch slammed into the ground.

  Supreme Tyrant King!

  Bang! Bang! Bang!

  Gigantic fists formed from spirit qi suddenly burst up from the ground like geysers, shooting toward the sky, attacking Li Ziqi.

  As for himself, he leaped and soared into the air.

  Godly Fist Exterminating the World!

  Boom!

  A gigantic fist blasted toward Li Ziqi.

  What was even more troublesome was another six Supreme Giants appearing. This time, Zhou Wenbin was staking it all on a single attack. He was unleashing one of the strongest wave of attacks he could muster.

  As Li Ziqi moved around, she suddenly pointed out a finger at the east corner of the stage.

  Myriad Manifestations Spirit Wave Art, The Immortal Points the Way!

  Sizzle!

  A green beam of light shot out from her finger.

  “Eh?”

  The audience was dumbfounded.

  What was she trying to do?

  Was it a mistake? There was no one there at all!

  But just when this thought appeared in the minds of everyone, a sharp scream of agony rang out. A human silhouette appeared at that corner.

  Zhou Wenbin clutched his abdomen. His countenance was pale, and blood could be seen dripping from the gaps of his fingers.

  “Ah? Why would he be there?”

  Everyone was puzzled.

  As Zhou Wenbin got injured, his momentum collapsed too. Li Ziqi felt joy in her heart. Just when she wanted to take this chance and launch more attacks, due to her running too fast, she lost her balance and twisted her ankle, leading her to fall.

  “Haha, the heavens are helping me!”

  Zhou Wenbin bore with the intense pain and wanted to grab this chance to unleash a powerful attack. But Ma Qianzu had charged over and headbutted his body.

  Bang!

  Zhou Wenbin was currently standing at the edge of the stage. In the end, this headbutt knocked him down, causing him to fall on his back with his limbs facing the skies.

  Li Ziqi climbed up. When she saw this scene, her lips twitched as a lingering fear filled her heart.

  She almost screwed up!

  “Young master!”

  The old butler immediately ran over and helped Zhou Wenbin.

  “Scram!”

  Zhou Wenbin pushed the old butler away and glared ruthlessly at Li Ziqi. “How did you know I will appear there?”

  The most magical aspect about the Supreme Illusion Fist was that the user would vanish into thin air. Never in his wildest dreams would he expect that he would be seen through!

  The judge was very curious as well.

  “Earlier when I released the sea of lightning, there was a giant that made excessive movements as it blocked that corner you just appeared in.”

  Li Ziqi explained.

  “Just this?”

  Zhou Wenbin was astonished.

  “Yup!”

  Li Ziqi blinked her eyes. “This is such a huge flaw, isn’t it enough?”

  Actually, there was another point. After the little sunny egg discovered this detail, she realized that every flame bullet she shot in that direction would be blocked by a giant.

  Actually, it could have dodged.

  But it did not. So, it was clearly protecting something hiding there.

  “It’s naturally not enough!”

  Zhou Wenbin felt that he had just lost stupidly.

  In a deathmatch where emotions were running high, who would bother with the movements of a giant?

  (Aren’t your observation skills a little too terrifying?)

  “How dangerous. If I was the one fighting, I would have lost.”

  Lu Zhiruo patted her large papayas and felt a lingering fear.

  “Mn!”

  The expressions of Jiang Leng and the others weren’t good either because they didn’t discover this detail. So, if they were the ones fighting, there was an 80 to 90% chance that they would lose.

  Pak! Pak! Pak!

  Applause gradually rang out and entered its climax.

  This battle was really fascinating. Everyone had witnessed the power of peerless saint-tier cultivation arts and even seen many magical spirit runes.

  Some cultivators were preparing to ask the Central Province Academy in private to see if the latter would be willing to sell those spirit runes.

  They were really very useful!

  “Judge, can you announce the result now?”

  Li Ziqi asked.

  The judge regained his senses and revealed a smile.

  (Your cultivation base is low, but your usage of battle strategy, observation skill, calmness, and overall view of the entire situation are very impressive. It’s really a pity.)

  The judge silently mused. After that, he straightened his expression and announced in a loud voice.

  “For this fight of the martial exam, Li Ziqi is the victor!”


  Chapter 1005: Secondary Saint Zhou? I’ll Eat Him Up for Sure. Even if Buddha Came, It Wouldn’t Be Able To Save Him!

  “Oh yay! Eldest Martial Sister has won. She can become a 1-star great teacher now.”

  Lu Zhiruo leaped happily and hugged Sun Mo. She was like a koala hugging a tree.

  Sun Mo’s other students were applauding too.

  “How is it? You can approve of her now, right?”

  Jiang Leng spoke in a soft voice as he teased Tantai Yutang.

  He knew that this junior martial brother of his might have a ‘damaged’ body with sickness plaguing him, but he was a youth with an extreme sense of superiority.

  If Li Ziqi couldn’t get his approval, even if he had to die, he wouldn’t address her as ‘eldest martial sister’.

  There was no problem with Li Ziqi’s intelligence, but her motor abilities were simply too bad. This flaw was essentially so huge that it was unfixable.

  Lu Zhiruo’s heart was pure and kind, but these qualities weren’t enough for others to admire her. Her lousy aptitude and slow cultivation progress made Tantai Yutang have no way to regard this second senior martial sister highly either.

  As for Xuanyuan Po, other than his terrifying talent, he didn’t have a single good point.

  Tantai Yutang actually felt the most annoyed and vexed about this brainless combat addict.

  As for Ying Baiwu, her intelligence was passable and her talent wasn’t bad. She was also willing to work hard. Her only problem was that she was too much of a brainless fan.

  As long as something involved Sun Mo, she would lose her calmness and enter a fanatical state.

  The only person Tantai Yutang could approve of was half of Jiang Leng.

  Yup!

  Only half!

  As for Qin Yaoguang, Tantai Yutang couldn’t see through her. He probed a few times but still couldn’t see her depths. And lastly, Helian Beifang and Xianyu Wei.

  …

  The sickly invalid didn’t wish to speak with the barbarians.

  “Still passable!”

  Tantai Yutang’s lips twitched. All along, he had always felt that if he didn’t have this sickness plaguing his body, he would definitely be the most outstanding disciple of their teacher.

  “She has already broken the record, but your evaluation of her is only ‘passable’?”

  Jiang Leng ridiculed him. “Your judgment is really high. Honestly speaking, I loathe your attitude of pitying yourself very much. It is like you are the only one suffering in the whole world. If you truly look down on us, just leave!”

  After Li Ziqi returned, Jiang Leng immediately went over to congratulate her.

  Seeing all of their fellow martial siblings surrounding Li Ziqi, Tantai Yutang had an unsightly expression because of what Jiang Leng had said.

  “Our teacher is truly too impressive. Teacher’s ‘most-time consecutive champion’ record has been maintained and our eldest martial sister also obtained the ‘youngest person to become a great teacher record’.”

  Lu Zhiruo spoke excitedly, “We have to celebrate this by eating a delicious meal.”

  “What you achieved is 100 times more than what I had anticipated.” Sun Mo sighed ruefully. “Being able to accept you as my student is truly due to my accumulated fortune of three lifetimes.”

  This student was beautiful, obedient, smart, noble, had outstanding talent, and was a qualified assistant…

  Sun Mo felt that compared to the system, the little sunny egg was his greatest harvest after he came to the Nine Provinces.

  Naturally, Lu Zhiruo was counted as one as well.

  After all, she was his lucky mascot for opening treasure chests.

  “Teacher, by saying this, you would cause my karma to worsen.”

  Li Ziqi covered her mouth as her voice cracked. Tears also flowed unceasingly from her eyes.

  (If it wasn’t for you saving me, I would have died.)

  (If it wasn’t for your meticulous guidance, I wouldn’t be standing here and have the opportunity to challenge Zhou Wenbin.)

  (If there is no you, this world won’t have a place for me!)

  “Teacher…”

  Li Ziqi wanted to thank Sun Mo loudly and say all these words that had been hidden for a long time in her heart. However, she wasn’t able to do so.

  Because she was crying due to happiness, her emotional fluctuations were too intense.

  “I understand your intention!”

  Sun Mo smiled lightly and stretched out his hand to tousle Li Ziqi’s hair. “Today is just the first great achievement on the long path of your life. I believe that you will be able to obtain greater and more glorious achievements in the future. Ziqi, I’m proud of you! I hope that there will be a day where you can stand on the world-class stage and challenge Secondary Saint Zhou himself, not merely one of his great grandsons.”

  Bzz!

  Priceless Advice activated.

  The golden light illuminated the entire field.

  The people who were in the range of it could sense his admiration, trust, and hopes for Li Ziqi’s future in his words.

  An impulse to strive harder also appeared in the hearts of many people because of this halo’s effect.

  Yet, the great teachers here felt their scalps turning numb when they heard this.

  (Isn’t your target too lofty? Challenging Secondary Saint Zhou? Leaving aside your disciple, even you currently aren’t qualified.)

  Secondary Saint…those who could receive this glorious title had already proven themselves. As for Sun Mo, although his current fame was great and was a new rising superstar, he was ultimately just a 3-star great teacher. He might even die several decades from now.

  Naturally, the most important thing was that his words were basically courting a rebuff and forming enemies for himself.

  Secondary Saint Zhou might have a vast and magnanimous heart and wouldn’t mind this. But the Zhou Clan and their old friends wouldn’t have such good tempers.

  “He is still too young and impulsive. He has no idea what he should say and what he shouldn’t.”

  Wang Song sighed.

  (Everyone knows how wronged Li Ziqi felt when she was rejected, but you could have encouraged her privately instead.)

  “If the young are not impulsive, how can they be called youngsters?”

  Qian Hao rebutted. On the contrary, he admired Sun Mo even more and felt that there were no problems with his words.

  If a young man in his twenties thought too much and started to worry about all the ‘what ifs’, what future would he still possibly have?

  At such an age, one shouldn’t think too much. They should just do their best and run.

  Hence, Qian Hao contributed another wave of favorable impression points.

  “Teacher…”

  Li Ziqi jumped in fright. Although she was extremely happy now, she still understood that these words shouldn’t be said openly.

  Moreover, Priceless Advice had been activated, which indicated that her teacher truly had such hopes for her. But if people from the Zhou Clan were to hear this…

  “Can’t you achieve it?”

  Sun Mo interrupted the little sunny egg and counter-asked.

  Even if Li Ziqi was the reincarnation of a saint, she wouldn’t dare to be so confident. After all, life was a long journey and who would dare to guarantee that they wouldn’t screw up?

  But after seeing Sun Mo’s gaze, which was filled with admiration, trust, and anticipation, Li Ziqi’s original words of rejection turned to words of certainty.

  “I can do it!”

  Li Ziqi nodded heavily.

  (I don’t care if you are a powerful secondary saint or a hegemon. I want to follow my teacher and overthrow your dynasty, establishing an empire that belongs to both of us.)

  (Secondary Saint Zhou? I will eat him up for sure! Even if Buddha came, it wouldn’t be able to save him!)

  After seeing the expression on Li Ziqi’s face changing from hesitation to trepidation to determination and finally to fearlessness… Sun Mo nodded with gratification in his heart.

  Honestly speaking, he knew such words would offend people, but he had no choice but to say this.

  That matter was the greatest humiliation in the little sunny egg’s life. It was also the largest knot in her heart.

  No matter how many times he had privately encouraged her, it wouldn’t be worth as much as the words he spoke now after she had defeated Zhou Wenbin and obtained the title of 1-star great teacher on this vast stage.

  Humans needed a breath of air to live!

  The word ‘air’ didn’t represent the air we breathed to live. Rather, it was a type of spirit, a type of pursuit, a type of persistence, and a type of will.

  Some of the high-ranking great teachers here understood that Sun Mo was aiding Li Ziqi to establish her resolve, helping her to gain ambition.

  They couldn’t help but admire him more after this.

  One must know that doing so could offend Secondary Saint Zhou.

  Who would dare to do such a thing in the great teacher world?

  Sun Mo could be considered one of the very few.

  “Let’s return to our hotel and celebrate.”

  Sun Mo patted Li Ziqi on her shoulders.

  “Mn!”

  Li Ziqi naturally hugged Sun Mo’s arms and leaned her head against his body.

  Lu Zhiruo felt extremely envious when she saw this.

  She also wanted to move closer, but she endured the urge. She knew that this moment belonged to her eldest martial sister.

  “I have to work harder too!”

  Lu Zhiruo clenched her fists.

  The spectating crowd automatically opened up a path as they sent Sun Mo’s group away with applause.

  The applause only died down after they exited the school gate.

  “Teacher, tell us honestly. Did you panic then?”

  Qin Yaoguang was curious.

  Her personality had always been like this, direct and candid with no reservations.

  “Nope!”

  Sun Mo’s lips curled.

  Truthfully speaking, Sun Mo had felt a little trepidation. After all, the Zhou Clan was a majestic entity.

  “Yup, why is there a need to panic? In the Battle God Canyon, our teacher has helped Secondary Saint Shi to succeed on his path.”

  When Xianyu Wei knew about this matter, her worship for Sun Mo increased to another tier.

  Tantai Yutang rolled his eyes at this girl.

  He silently mused. (Can these two people be compared?)

  Shi Sheng had meditated in that canyon for a hundred years, and his social connections had all been broken. At most, his title as a secondary saint could be used to intimidate others. On the other hand, Secondary Saint Zhou had always been active and had students everywhere.

  “Oh ya, if the old headmaster could wake up, our school would have two secondary saints. Who would be scared of Secondary Saint Zhou then?”

  Qin Yaoguang felt great anticipation.

  Everyone was very excited as well. However, they could only depend on their teacher now to think of a solution for this matter.

  Li Ziqi’s emotions gradually calmed.

  She had gained the qualification to become a great teacher. Next, she should do her best to prepare for the personal student battle for Sun Mo’s 4-star great teacher examination.

  At that time, her weakest opponent would be at the Longevity Realm. If she really wanted to help her teacher become the champion, she would have to get into the finals at the very least. And the opponents in the finals would surely be experts at the Divine Force Realm.

  She had to think of an idea to quickly subdue that Wind King!

  …

  “Young master, let us leave.”

  Seeing the downcasted Zhou Wenbin, the old butler sighed and stretched out his hand to support him.

  “Scram!”

  Zhou Wenbin smacked the butler’s hand before he stood up in a shaky manner and left the field.

  “Don’t follow me!” Zhou Wenbin roared.

  (I need some peace and quiet!)

  …

  Seeing the miserable appearance of Zhou Wenbin, Jiang Zizhong suddenly felt that he was lucky.

  Luckily, he hadn’t faced Li Ziqi or he might have screwed up too. The moment he thought of those Flame Explosion Runes and Sea of Lightning Runes, he would panic.

  (Damn, this way of battling is only something the rich can do, I truly cannot afford to antagonize people like her!)

  Speaking of which, how much money had Li Ziqi ‘spent’ for the sake of this battle?

  Those spirit runes she had used probably cost over several millions of silver, right?

  All of a sudden, Jiang Zizhong didn’t feel like working hard anymore.

  …

  “By using this battle strategy, Li Ziqi might actually have the chance to become the champion.”

  “I betted on Zhou Wenbin becoming the champion, and I didn’t expect that he would actually fail. What trash, he caused me to lose a lot of money.”

  “Why doesn’t he just die?”

  The gamblers who had lost didn’t care what identity Zhou Wenbin had. They directly started to grumble and curse him.

  …

  Zhou Wenbin was as though he had lost his soul. He lowered his head as he walked in the streets. No one in the surroundings was looking at him, yet he felt like countless pairs of piercing eyes were shooting his way, filled with ridicule and mockery…

  He entered a small alley to hide.

  He really felt like crying.

  Bang!

  Zhou Wenbin knocked into a white-robed young man. He didn’t care about it and wanted to walk away, but his shoulders were grabbed.

  “Do you want to chat for a while?”


  Chapter 1006: Serve the Tea and Send the Guest Away. Impudently Bold!

  Sun Mo and his students returned to the hotel and after freshening up, they gathered once more in the great hall. They were preparing to head to the most extravagant place in the Song An Preferecture, Swallow Phoenix Inn, to have a feast.

  But before they could leave, they were stopped by the hotel owner.

  “Great Teacher Sun, please wait!”

  The boss who had just had his fortieth birthday smiled amicably and even rubbed his hands as he said, “Congratulations for your brilliant disciple on passing the 1-star great teacher examination. I specially hired the main chef from the Wind Dance Inn over to prepare a banquet for Great Teacher Sun and his genius disciples. I hope that Great Teacher Sun can give me some face.”

  After the boss spoke, he bowed and waited for Sun Mo’s decision.

  Honestly speaking, he felt trepidation in his heart.

  What should he do if Sun Mo didn’t agree?

  Sun Mo was a three-time champion after all, and the number of hotel bosses who wanted to treat him to a meal could queue from the south gate to the north gate of the city. Moreover, his beloved disciple had just defeated Secondary Saint Zhou’s beloved great grandson and obtained the 1-star great teacher title, breaking the record.

  This was a living advertisement!

  The people of the Nine Provinces were all willing to seek a good omen before they made any big decisions. In the future, if the Song An Prefecture wanted to organize any large-scale events again, those teachers and students would definitely choose a ‘lucky’ hotel to stay.

  After all, Li Ziqi who had broken the record had stayed here before. Maybe, some of her good luck would rub off them if they stayed here too?

  If he could get Sun Mo and Li Ziqi to write something for him to hang up, things would be even better.

  For this, the boss was already prepared to pay an astronomical price.

  “No need!” Sun Mo smiled. “I’ve reserved a banquet place.”

  The boss sighed at his unluckiness, but he didn’t wish to give up and thus continued to try by placing his attitude even lower.

  “Today is a great day for your brilliant disciple, and everyone will definitely toast a few cups to her. If she gets drunk, it will be inconvenient for her to return to the hotel. Why don’t you guys eat here instead?”

  The boss persuaded, “Also, the main chef of the Wind Dance Inn is famous throughout the Song An prefecture. His Steamed Perch is his specialty.”

  “Is it better than the Swallow Phoenix Inn?” Qin Yaoguang asked with a smile.

  “Eh!”

  The boss was silent for a moment. This chef’s skill was definitely inferior. Someone like him who had money but no status would surely not be able to hire the head chef of the Swallow Phoenix Inn.

  “We booked a room in the Swallow Phoenix Inn and are preparing to admire the scenery there while we celebrate.”

  After Qin Yaoguang said this, the boss had an ashamed look on his face as he retreated unwillingly.

  A room in the Swallow Phoenix Inn that could allow one to admire the scenery was incomparably expensive, and it was fully packed every time. It was so popular to the extent that people had to queue to reserve it. The fact that Sun Mo could reserve it was already a sign of his status.

  Ai!

  He was really unworthy to associate with Sun Mo.

  The boss gave up. But then again when he thought about it, it was only normal for him to fail. Sun Mo’s eldest disciple was a princess of Great Tang, but he actually dreamt of wanting to use the main chef of the Wind Dance Inn to make her stay here?

  Wasn’t this a foolish fantasy?

  If he really wanted her to have a good meal, he probably needed to hire 12 imperial chefs.

  Actually to Sun Mo, it didn’t matter where they ate. He didn’t care about these things, but he definitely wouldn’t take advantage of the boss.

  Everyone then went there with high spirits and returned with high spirits. All of them had a good time.

  Looking at the bright moon in the sky, Lu Zhiruo suddenly clapped her forehead and called out.

  “Aiya, did we play until it’s too late? Eldest Martial Sister still has to compete tomorrow!”

  Those qualified students could continue and stay to participate in the competition if they were willing to do so.

  After one more round, 32 people would be decided, and they would undergo the final battles to see who would become the champion.

  “I won’t participate!”

  Li Ziqi shook her head. She had discussed things with Sun Mo.

  “Why? You might be able to get first place.”

  Lu Zhiruo didn’t understand.

  “You mean…spamming money all the way until I get into the finals?”

  Li Ziqi had a self-mocking smile. “Although these spirit runes were drawn by me, ‘spamming money’ so crazily would only ruin my reputation.”

  “I’ve never felt this way.” Lu Zhiruo shook her head.

  “Because you are too pure!”

  Tantai Yutang explained, “For the majority of people, they view the wealthy with hatred. After everyone regains their senses from the shock, they will start to envy her. Once the sour feelings kick in, various vicious-sounding evaluations would form. At that time, her reputation would turn bad.”

  “Also, getting first in the martial segment doesn’t hold much meaning.”

  Li Ziqi continued and explained. “After obtaining the great teacher title, it means that I’ve broken the record. Zhou Wenbin has also been defeated. I don’t wish to expose my trump card in the following martial segment. It is already meaningless.”

  “Ah? You still have a trump card? What is it?” Xianyu Wei asked.

  Li Ziqi smiled but didn’t answer.

  She didn’t wish to expose her strength because she wanted to wait until the personal student battle in the 4-star great teacher examination to use it. If she used it now, prudent people would surely take note and be on their guard against it in the future.

  After all, Sun Mo’s fame was so great. Since she had just broken the record, if she participated in the personal student battle in the 4-star exam, she would definitely be the focus of all attention.

  “Don’t worry, your scores in the first three rounds are so good. Even if you skip the rest of the martial exam, you might very well still be the champion.”

  Jiang Leng consoled her.

  …

  On the second day, even more people heard about the fight between Li Ziqi and Zhou Wenbin. They then hurried to the Golden Cherry Academy and when they were waiting to see her compete, they discovered that she wasn’t participating in the other matches to vye for the first place, causing them to feel greatly disappointed.

  The people in the gambling dens were panicking. Those who betted on Li Ziqi becoming the first place also panicked. Hence, these people with the same-minded intentions started to rally and persuade everyone to leave.

  They wanted to use their absence to threaten the Saint Gate to intervene, persuading Li Ziqi to continue competing.

  Liang Hongda arrived at the hotel and after pushing the door to their rooms open, he saw Sun Mo explaining the concept behind a difficult question to Li Ziqi.

  “Sect Lord’s grand arrival brings glory to my humble room. Please excuse and forgive me for not going out to meet you!”

  Sun Mo exchanged polite words before leading Liang Hongda into the room.

  Li Ziqi stood up and bowed.

  Liang Hongda cast a glance at the books on the tables and discovered that they were actually about botany. He couldn’t help but feel astonished. (Isn’t your involvement in different knowledge domains a little too broad?)

  (Also, today is just the second day after you became a great teacher. Shouldn’t you be taking a break to celebrate instead?)

  (Why are you still studying at such a moment? Do you have to be so hardworking?)

  Seeing the obedient, adorable little sunny egg who was neither impatient nor arrogant, Liang Hongda’s lips twitched. If it wasn’t for the fact he knew he couldn’t poach Li Ziqi, he really felt like offering a skyhigh price to headhunt her to join his tutelage.

  Ai!

  Why didn’t Secondary Saint Zhou want such an industrious student?

  He must truly be blind!

  “Sect lord, is there something I can do for you?”

  When Sun Mo spoke, Li Ziqi served a cup of tea to Liang Hongda.

  “Everyone is hoping for Ziqi to continue competing…”

  Liang Hongda persuaded.

  Sun Mo bitterly smiled and said that Li Ziqi didn’t wish to ‘spam money’ to obtain victory.

  Liang Hongda was very shrewd and immediately understood their concerns. Hence, he feigned anger.

  “What do they mean by ‘spamming money’ to win? This is skill, alright? Moreover, don’t spirit runists fight like this? Those who feel indignant about this method of combat can also spam their money! But can they draw such top-quality spirit runes? Ziqi, you should ignore these people with ignorant world views. You should continue to compete and vye for the number one position!”

  “For yourself and for your teacher!”

  One couldn’t help but say that Liang Hongda’s words were truly very provocative.

  Sadly, Li Ziqi was already determined.

  Seeing that the other party was unamendable to persuasion, Liang Hongda could only leave.

  After walking out of the hotel, his expression sank.

  This Sun Mo didn’t even give him a little face. (By asking Li Ziqi to continue competing, she doesn’t really have to fight. It was fine as long as she showed her face. You are so inflexible, just like that old headmaster.)

  Liang Hongda spat out a mouthful of phlegm and started to loathe Sun Mo more and more.

  (I will teach him a lesson and let him know why the flowers are red!)

  Not long after Liang Hongda left, an old lady arrived.

  “This humble-self is Luo Tianping.”

  Sun Mo didn’t dare to slight her. She was the female headmaster of the Golden Cherry Academy, an 8-star great teacher who was an expert in alchemy.

  “Teacher Sun, although Ziqi has broken the record, don’t you feel that this record has some flaws? She isn’t the champion yet.”

  Luo Tianping sincerely spoke.

  “A record with the glory from becoming the champion is something even more difficult for others to break.”

  Luo Tianping and Li Ziqi didn’t know each other, so she naturally wouldn’t think on Li Ziqi’s behalf. Right now, she was persuading Sun Mo because of her own selfish motives.

  The more fantastic the battles held at the Golden Cherry Academy were, the higher the focus would be. This would lead to their fame being greater and their income increasing.

  Right now, Li Ziqi was in the limelight. Many people came here because they wanted to take a look at this princess of the Great Tang Empire who had empire-toppling beauty.

  In the end, she refused to continue competing in the martial segment, and this decision naturally caused everyone to be greatly disappointed. There were many complaints and grumbles insinuating that the school authorities were useless and couldn’t even hold a competition properly. This caused Luo Tianping to feel very uncomfortable.

  “As humans, we ought to know when to stop before going too far. Ziqi is already too deep in the limelight. We should leave the stage free for others.”

  Sun Mo laughed confidently. “Ziqi is still young. In the future, she still has many chances to break more records!”

  “…”

  Luo Tianping choked and almost coughed up blood.

  This reason was truly supreme and it made her unable to find an excuse to rebut against it for a time.

  Because this concerned the school’s financial situation, Luo Tianping could only grit her teeth and came here to try and persuade Sun Mo. In fact, she even offered several benefits but she wasn’t able to move his heart.

  There was no solution to it and she could only use her ‘ultimate’.

  “Teacher Sun, we are willing to start a guidance exchange with your esteemed school.”

  Li Ziqi, who had been obediently sitting there, knew that Luo Tianping was finished after she heard this.

  (Teacher has always been someone amenable to coaxing but not coercion. He is the least afraid of people trying to use their authority to lord over him, yet you are actually using such a lofty and stuck-up attitude to talk to him?)

  “Sorry, our Central Province Academy has just risen to the ‘B’ grade. Regardless of financial ability or teacher and student resources, we are lacking and have no way to participate in the guidance exchange program with your school.”

  Sun Mo rejected.

  “Ah?”

  Luo Tianping, who was originally very confident, was stunned when she heard this. She almost cursed out. (Do you have a hole in your brain? Do you know how many ‘A’ grade famous schools there are in the Nine Provinces? Only 18! It is unknown how many famous schools want to participate in a guidance exchange with us, but they are unqualified. As for you, I gave you face but you don’t want it?)

  Truthfully speaking, Sun Mo also knew that such opportunities were very rare. However, Luo Tianping’s attitude was too infuriating. It was like she was giving alms to beggars.

  He could predict that even if a group of students of their school was sent over here, they would probably be met with arrogance and basically wouldn’t be able to learn anything.

  Only when the strength of both parties was equal would they be qualified to have an exchange. From Luo Tianping’s point of view, the Central Province Academy was completely insufficient. She was simply giving their students a chance to come over to learn.

  The Golden Cherry Academy wouldn’t get any benefits from the exchange at all.

  If not, if the relationship between both parties was equal, why would she use ‘guidance exchange’ as her ultimate move?

  Sun Mo lifted his cup and drank a mouthful of tea.

  Luo Tianping, who originally still wanted to continue persuading, almost exploded in anger when she saw this scene.

  (Actually drinking the tea as a sign of sending me away? How impudently bold!)

  (Do you know that if it wasn’t for the sake of the Golden Cherry Academy, given my identity as an 8-star great teacher and the headmaster of an ‘A’ grade school, there’s basically no need for me to give a damn about you. A puny 3-stars like you dares to have the qualifications to be arrogant?)

  “Teacher Sun. Good! You are really ruthless!”

  Luo Tianping laughed coldly and left with the flick of her sleeves.

  “Teacher, will there be trouble?”

  Li Ziqi was worried. ‘A’ grade schools were definitely majestic entities. It would be very troublesome if one offended them.

  “Is an ‘A’ grade school impressive? I won’t be bothered even if she’s from the Nine Greats.”

  Sun Mo spoke unyieldingly but in his heart, he was thinking of how to rapidly improve the Central Province Academy’s strength.

  He wanted to be able to lead the Central Province Academy into the ranks of ‘A’ grade within three years.

  …

  Huang Meibo stood under the shadow of a roof and stared at the hotel facing her with a cold expression.