TRWSB – Chapter 59 Shen Yuan’s Lesson

The day of the Hundred School Battle had finally arrived.

Outside Phoenix Valley, contestants and mentors from various academies gathered in excitement and nervous anticipation.

Among the murmuring groups of participants, voices rose discussing a surprising revelation.

“I can’t believe Qi Shaorong is actually representing Tianlan Academy,” Shen Yuan muttered, rubbing his chin as he glanced in Qi Shaorong’s direction. “I thought it was just a rumor.”

“The headmaster of Tianlan Academy must’ve lost his mind!” Yi Bing exclaimed in disbelief.

“I heard a lot of people in the academy protested, but Headmaster Hu Feng insisted. That guy’s always been called crazy, but now it seems like he’s lost it completely,” Yi Huo added with a smirk.

Yi Bing turned to Qi Shaokang, teasingly saying, “Shaokang, your younger brother is really something, huh?”

With a dark expression, Qi Shaokang growled, “Listen up, everyone. If you run into my useless brother inside, do me a favor and kick him out as quickly as possible. I’d be eternally grateful.”

Shen Yuan rubbed his nose. “Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

Zhuang Hao frowned and said, “Kicking him out would be for his own good.”

Shen Yuan nodded. “That’s true. Honestly, I can’t understand Qi Shaorong’s thinking. I heard he spent tens of thousands of gold coins to secure his spot. With that kind of money, there are so many better things he could’ve done.”

Meanwhile, on Tianlan Academy’s side, Qi Shaorong stood alone beside Hu Feng, while the other nine contestants maintained a noticeable distance from him. The mentors of Tianlan Academy, their faces filled with dissatisfaction, glared at Hu Feng and Qi Shaorong. However, Hu Feng stood tall and proud, ignoring their disapproving looks as if he had just won a grand prize.

Hu Feng turned to Qi Shaorong and advised, “If you run into Zhuang Hao, just do your best. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Qi Shaorong, growing impatient, replied, “I know, Headmaster. You’ve mentioned this many times already.”

To everyone else, Hu Feng’s advice sounded like a warning for Qi Shaorong to stay low-key and prioritize his safety. Only Qi Shaorong understood that Hu Feng was specifically cautioning him about Zhuang Hao.

Looking toward the Saint Emperor Academy group, Qi Shaorong remarked, “Headmaster, the people from Saint Emperor Academy are all staring at me.”

Hu Feng nodded. “They are.”

“I’m heading over there,” Qi Shaorong said.

Although puzzled, Hu Feng nodded. “Alright.”

Qi Shaorong’s approach to the Saint Emperor Academy’s contestants caused a stir.

Shen Yuan greeted him with a wide grin. “Fourth Young Master Qi, what brings you here?”

“I’m not here for you,” Qi Shaorong replied curtly.

He took out a bracelet and handed it to Zhuang Hao. “Zhuang Hao, this is a gift from the Evil Doctor. He asked me to deliver it to you.”

Frowning slightly, Zhuang Hao asked, “From the Evil Doctor?”

Qi Shaorong nodded. “Yes. Knowing you’re participating, he sent it to help you claim victory.”

“Thank him for his kindness,” Zhuang Hao said.

Qi Shaorong flashed a bright smile. “I’ll be sure to pass on your words.”

As Qi Shaorong returned to Tianlan Academy, Shen Yuan moved closer to Zhuang Hao and remarked, “The Evil Doctor seems pretty generous.”

Yi Huo frowned. “I wouldn’t be so sure. Of all times, why send this now? Qi Shaorong might be up to something.”

“It’s just a bracelet. Nothing to worry about,” Zhuang Hao said indifferently.

Yi Bing scoffed. “That’s true. With Tianlan Academy’s chaotic lot, they can’t cause much trouble.”

Watching Zhuang Hao carefully put on the bracelet, Qi Shaokang frowned but said nothing.

Shen Yuan teased Qi Shaokang, “Shaokang, Qi Shaorong actually acknowledged you.”

Narrowing his eyes, Qi Shaokang replied, “He was expelled from the Qi family. He doesn’t need to acknowledge me.”

Shen Yuan: “…”

Back in Tianlan Academy’s area, Hu Feng asked Qi Shaorong, “What did you give Zhuang Hao?”

“Nothing much, just a lucky bracelet for protection,” Qi Shaorong replied.

“Helping the enemy right before the competition? That bracelet looked pretty valuable.”

Ignoring Hu Feng, Qi Shaorong didn’t respond further, leaving Hu Feng suspicious but unwilling to press the matter.

At Mingya Academy, the glamorous Headmaster Yi Ya, surrounded by a row of beautiful students, scoffed, “Tianlan Academy has truly fallen. What was that lunatic Hu Feng thinking?”

“Who cares? Whoever gets in my way will be kicked out,” Huang Feixue, Mingya Academy’s ace, said coldly.

Yi Ya placed her hands on her hips. “Exactly. Kick anyone who dares block your path.”

Glancing toward Saint Emperor Academy, Yi Ya added, “Lu Ming is lucky to have Zhuang Hao on his side. With him, first place is practically guaranteed.”

Huang Feixue stared at Zhuang Hao with a trace of apprehension in her eyes.

Holding his arms, Qi Shaorong remarked, “Headmaster, so many people are looking at me!”

Hu Feng nodded. “Indeed. Be careful inside. Everyone’s waiting to cause you trouble.”

“Why? I’m so innocent and adorable,” Qi Shaorong said with mock confusion.

“Because you’re a fat lamb waiting to be slaughtered. Everyone knows you’re loaded and can’t wait to rob you,” Hu Feng said, enviously.

“Does that include you, Headmaster?”

Just as Hu Feng was about to respond, a voice rang out: “The competition is about to begin. Contestants, please prepare to enter.”

“It’s time, Headmaster. I’m heading in,” Qi Shaorong said.

Hu Feng nodded. “Go.”

As the thousand contestants stepped into the teleportation array, a burst of light enveloped them, transporting the gathered prodigies into the secret realm.

Outside, onlookers grew excited as a screen lit up, broadcasting scenes from the secret realm. Strategically placed surveillance orbs provided a clear view of most areas.

Lu Ming approached Hu Feng and slapped him on the shoulder. “Old Hu, how much did Qi Shaorong bribe you to let him in?”

Hu Feng smirked. “You wouldn’t understand. Qi is a genius, something someone like you can’t appreciate.”

Lu Ming: “…”

Pointing at the screen, Lu Ming commented, “Your so-called genius seems to have run into one of our people.”

Hu Feng glanced over and said, “It’s not Qi who’s unlucky—it’s Shen Yuan. If he loses to Qi Shaorong, his title as one of the Capital’s Seven Talents is as good as gone.”

Lu Ming looked at Hu Feng incredulously. “Are you insane?”

Hu Feng snorted but didn’t reply.

Inside the secret realm, Qi Shaorong and Shen Yuan crossed paths.

“Well, well, I didn’t expect to run into you so soon, Shen Yuan. What a coincidence!” Qi Shaorong said, smirking.

Shen Yuan frowned. “Before I came, your second brother told me to kick you out if I saw you. The secret realm is too dangerous for someone like you. It’s best if you leave.”

“Shen Yuan, do you remember what I said when you came to break off the engagement?” Qi Shaorong’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“I don’t recall,” Shen Yuan replied stiffly. That unpleasant memory was something he had deliberately buried.

Qi Shaorong chuckled. “Let me remind you: ‘Do you know why, among the Capital’s Seven Talents, you’re ranked last? You should learn from the top-ranking one and focus more on cultivation. With your current laziness, you won’t even be last for long.’”

Shen Yuan: “…”

“That’s enough reminiscing,” Qi Shaorong declared.

With a flick of his wrist, a staff appeared in his hand. In rapid succession, he unleashed a Dark Gravity Spell, a Dark Swamp, and a Dark Curtain. Caught off guard, Shen Yuan was blasted away, coughing up blood.

“You…you…” Shen Yuan stammered, stunned.

Qi Shaorong twirled his staff. “You should’ve listened to my advice. Look at you—completely pathetic. After being crushed by the Headmaster for half a month, I’ve finally learned what it feels like to crush someone else.

Outside, chaos erupted.

“That’s really Qi Shaorong? He just cast three sixth-level dark spells in an instant?” Lu Ming exclaimed.

Hu Feng grinned. “That’s right. My student is now a sixth-level dark mage with heavenly spiritual power.”

Lu Ming turned to the stunned Qi family members. “They didn’t know?”

“Nope. My student hid it well,” Hu Feng said smugly.

“But he was supposed to be a magical cripple,” Lu Ming protested.

Hu Feng shrugged. “I guess they didn’t test for dark attributes properly.”

Back in the secret realm, Qi Shaorong cast another spell to stun Shen Yuan before crouching in front of him.

“Don’t worry, Shen Yuan. You’re not my type. I won’t force myself on you,” Qi Shaorong said with a smirk.

Shen Yuan: “…”