Chapter 152 – The Barefooted Youth; Resolved Girl (2/2)

Arriving at the white poplar tree, he sat down, near Tang Thirty-Six, his brows lightly locked together, evidently in some pain.

In the tower, when he broke through the storm of fists, he had suffered 7 blows of Regiment Shattering Fist.

Even if his body was strong, it was still rather painful to bear, the blow to the right side of his chest was especially severe, no ribs were broken, but there should be fractures.

If he had used Discerning Steps, or drew his sword, he could have probably won more easily, without this much pain.

As with the decision he had instantly made at the arena, his aim wasn’t a simple duel, but first position upon the First Banner, therefore, he had to reach the final stage of the duelling and had to reserve some of his methods.

Scholartree Manor did indeed excel at teaching their young disciples, Huo Guang had the strength to place at least within the top 50 on the Proclamation of Azure Clouds, but he was too arrogant and inexperienced, perhaps prone to underestimating his opponent.

Taking some risk for his final goal is worthwhile.

“It’s over, this time I really can’t raise my head when I’m around you anymore.”

Tang Thirty-Six had sustained fairly heavy injuries in his battle against Liang Ban Hu and had been resting on the white poplar. Seeing Chen Chang Sheng that was beside him and thinking that this fellow actually managed to reach the third round, getting slightly further than he had, this inevitably caused him to be slightly annoyed, he stuffed one of the crystals in his hand into Chen Chang Sheng’s and said: “It’s only your luck being slightly better.”

These words had a ring of truth, after all, how could Huo Guang possibly compare to Liang Ban Hu. Chen Chang Sheng laughed, but didn’t answer him, seeing Luo Luo’s small face filled with worry, he said: “I’m fine, you don’t have to worry.”

Luo Luo looked at his dirt covered feet and rushed to take out two new boots from behind her, placed it by the side, then took out a handkerchief from her sleeve.

From the look of things, it seemed she was preparing to help Chen Chang Sheng clean his feet.

Chen Chang Sheng obviously wouldn’t dare to let her do this, they weren’t in the library at Orthodox Academy, this was within His Holiness’ Green Leaf World, tens of examinees and even more venerable Li Palace clergy were currently looking in their direction. He didn’t want their fiery anger to burn him into smouldering ash; he quickly took the handkerchief.

“Your Highness, with the way he’s fighting, you might need to prepare more boots,” said Tang Thirty-Six seriously, with a hint of complaint.

Tang Thirty-Six continued: “There are another four rounds till the end, you will need at least another three pairs of boots.”

His words were intended to tease the master and disciple pair, but he couldn’t have guessed that Luo Luo would instead become happy, cheerfully saying: “May it be as you say.”

Tang Thirty-Six was baffled, before coming to realise that he had subconsciously espoused the opinion that Chen Chang Sheng could reach the end.

“There’s no need to prepare additional boots, in the coming rounds, I’ll take care not to bare my feet,” said Chen Chang Sheng without waiting for Tang Thirty-Six to explain himself, he then turned his gaze to Luo Luo and said: “You should just concede for this round.”

A master commands, a disciple obeys; Luo Luo had always listened to his words, but this time, she didn’t.

“No.”

Her reply was very swift and decisive, carrying with it the hint of a young girl pouting, or perhaps what could be called “tsundere”.

“You can’t defeat him,” Chen Chang Sheng looked towards the far off Tian Hai Sheng Xue, remained silent momentarily, then said: “Not to mention, he’s also giving me a rather dangerous feeling today.”

The three people by the woodlands didn’t notice his use of the word “also”.

Tian Hai Sheng Xue was very quiet today, especially subdued, therefore the feeling he gave others was especially strange.

This was because his family background had already decided, he couldn’t be subdued.

In this year’s Grand Examination, apart from Luo Luo, his background was the grandest and most fearsome.

Not to mention, his temperament had never been associated with being subdued and quiet; a subdued person would never destroy Orthodox Academy’s front gate first thing after arriving back at the Capital from Yung Xue Pass.

Yet, he really was subdued today, from the start of the examination till now, he had remained quiet without saying anything, standing akin to an ordinary examinee within the crowd, even his expressions had remained relatively unmoved throughout.

A lot of people had noticed his silence, Chen Chang Sheng had as well, he felt that this was very dangerous.

If it could be said that the attention that wolf-tribe youth directed towards Luo Luo gave him the greatest feeling of danger, then Tian Hai Sheng Xue would have been second.

This was because both of them had the ability to defeat Luo Luo.

Especially Tian Hai Sheng Xue.

As Her Divine Majesty’s most favoured grandnephew, he didn’t remain within the Capital, passing an affluent lifestyle, but had travelled to the far away Yung Xue Pass to battle against the demon race, because he had always desired to be strong.

Then, he really had broken through the barrier of life and death on the battlefield beyond Yung Xue Pass, completing his Ethereal Opening.

In this year’s examination, he and Gou Han Shi were the two strongest.

Luo Luo knew that she wasn’t Tian Hai Sheng Xue’s equal, but she was still resolved to fight against him in the match.

Chen Chang Sheng stood up, escorting her with his gaze to the tower, his expression sombre, full of concern.

Tang Thirty-Six dug out a hard piece of bark from the white poplar, accurately striking him on the head with it and said: “You really don’t understand why Her Highness wants to participate in the examination?”