Chapter 86: Xia Zheng, a Figure Amidst the Storm

Chapter Eighty-Six: The Legendary Figure, Xia Zheng

The second duel unfolded between two C+ level ability users. By the third round of the qualifiers, participants’ strength was no less than C level, with many even reaching A level. Though these A level contenders weren’t listed as A or B tier seeds, their power was formidable and not to be underestimated.

One was a nature-type ability user, wielding a variant ice power that belonged to the water element. The other was a superhuman-type, capable of transforming into stone with exceptional defensive prowess.

The ice user conjured icicles and frost, slowing and freezing his opponent, making it nearly impossible for the stone user to move. The latter simply withdrew and defended, relying on his tough skin and endurance to outlast his adversary.

After about twenty minutes of this stalemate, the audience grew bored, and boos echoed through the arena. The ice user, embarrassed, recklessly began to cast a freezing spell that required some time to prepare, intending to turn his opponent into a block of ice and win by immobilization.

Unfortunately, he was too young and inexperienced. The stone user’s passive defense was a deliberate strategy to provoke such irrational action. Just as the ice user was about to unleash his spell, the stone user suddenly transformed into a rolling boulder, his movements surprisingly swift and agile. He crashed into the ice user, who was immediately knocked out, coughing blood, and carried away by the medical team. He suffered no life-threatening injuries, though internal wounds and several broken ribs were noted.

With a single counterattack, the stone user delivered a stunning reversal, rekindling the audience’s enthusiasm.

The third bout featured a B level ability user against an A level contender. The B level participant’s expression was grim, as if he knew he stood no chance. Indeed, after ten minutes of defensive play, he was struck in the chest by the A level user and fell, leaving little suspense.

The fourth match was between two A level ability users, though one was A+ level and seemed slightly superior. However, the A level opponent possessed a unique piece of equipment—a high-frequency vibration cutting weapon. When attacking, it emitted sound waves that caused brief dizziness in the opponent, much like a game’s lag effect.

Thus, despite having greater strength, the A+ level user ultimately lost due to this equipment, surprising many spectators and reminding them that differences in raw power aren’t always decisive—gear, strategy, and luck can be even more crucial, so long as the gap isn’t insurmountable.

The subsequent matches maintained a steady level of intensity, ensuring strong ratings for the qualifiers.

After the seventh duel, two hours had passed. The audience was fatigued, so the league announced a thirty-minute break, giving everyone time to eat, drink, or smoke.

The final match was the most important event in the fourth division today. Thousands of faculty and students had come for this very bout, joined by numerous media reporters and professional league observers, all eagerly awaiting the last confrontation.

In the lounge, Xia Zheng had adjusted his energy and spirits to their optimal state. Though not at his absolute peak, he felt confident for today’s contest.

Menghu had gone out to make preparations, leaving only Nalan Sheng in the lounge with Xia Zheng.

“Brother… are you nervous?” Nalan Sheng asked, leaning against Xia Zheng’s chest. It had been some time since they’d been close; though Xia Zheng sometimes struggled to restrain his desires, Nalan Sheng found herself increasingly addicted to that feeling.

Xia Zheng cupped her delicate face, noticing how much she had matured since their first meeting. As she grew older, her beauty became more refined and ethereal. Raised in a distinguished family, her elegance made her seem like a solitary orchid in a secluded valley, intoxicating and ever more desirable.

The thought that such a remarkable and lovely girl belonged to him filled Xia Zheng with pride and happiness. Unable to resist, he leaned in and kissed her passionately.

Ten minutes later, they separated. Nalan Sheng’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling with budding affection. Xia Zheng managed to suppress his emotions, pecked her forehead, and said, “That mediocre opponent will fall before me with a single move!” With a hearty laugh, he strode out, leaving Nalan Sheng to compose herself and straighten her clothes, lest she appear untidy.

As she tidied up, Nalan Sheng touched her lips, savoring the memory of their kiss. Her heart brimmed with sweetness. She had once despaired when Xia Zheng refused to marry into her family, but when he vowed to win her with his own strength, her heart was instantly captivated. Though she sometimes wondered why Xia Zheng resisted the idea of marrying into the Nalan family—since the outcome would be the same—she ultimately chose to support him. Now, with her family tacitly accepting their relationship, that was enough. She trusted her boyfriend’s potential and strength, believing that soon her grandfather and father would have no choice but to agree to Xia Zheng’s proposal.

The final qualifier was about to begin. Xia Zheng stepped out of the lounge, following the curved hallway to the exit, where thousands of students and faculty awaited him, alongside numerous media outlets. As soon as he appeared, the cameras flashed, capturing his every move.

The live broadcast cameras quickly found Xia Zheng, focusing on him as thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.

“Xia Zheng… Xia Zheng… Xia Zheng…” Voices calling his name echoed, a true home-field welcome. This was his alma mater, and he was its highest honor and symbol.

Xia Zheng had become one of the most outstanding graduates, inducted into the school’s hall of fame. Even without his abilities, his exceptional results in the professional exams were enough to set him apart. Now, with his ability-user status, his role as vice chairman of the foundation, and the challenge from the old noble Hoffman family and the Delansol financial group, his reputation soared. He was a leader among the Federation’s younger generation.

Sensing an unsettling gaze amid the sea of well-wishes, Xia Zheng soon spotted it. At the other exit, a man with short white curly hair and a beard watched him with envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Albert was indeed envious and resentful of Xia Zheng. Now, he was trapped—he had to fight to the end, or face the Delansol Group’s vengeance. They had said as much: while they wouldn’t dare to strike Xia Zheng from the shadows (having tried and paid dearly for it), they would confront him openly. But against Albert, a mere B level ability user, they needn’t exert much effort.

“Watching such a genius being celebrated is truly infuriating…” Albert slowly approached the spot designated for contestants by the professional league, lest he break the rules.

Albert stood on the left side of the barrier, Xia Zheng on the right.

With only a few minutes left in the break, the audience hurried back to their seats, knowing this was the decisive match.

Normally, these duels had no live host, but today the league sent two commentators, a man and a woman.

The main commentator was a retired ability user—a handsome middle-aged man in a white suit, a red tie emblazoned with the league’s black lettering and logo.

“Good afternoon, everyone. I’m your commentator, He Xubin, and this is my partner, Major Felina—a beautiful officer from the military.” As he spoke, the big screen zoomed in on Major Felina, today’s guest commentator.

Felina wasn’t in uniform today; instead, she wore an extremely seductive qipao in blue-and-white porcelain style, paired with black stockings and long legs. Many male spectators could barely breathe, and even some young women were drawn to her mature aura, wishing to become like her. Of course, some older women cursed her shamelessness under their breath.

Nalan Sheng had just emerged, taking a seat in the front row. Menghu pointed to the commentator’s table and shouted at her, but the crowd’s cheers drowned out his words.

Seeing Felina’s close-up on the big screen, Nalan Sheng felt a surge of pressure. She knew Felina was just an ordinary friend to her boyfriend, but feared Xia Zheng might fall for her charms—a mature woman could be irresistible to a young man.

“Hmph, just flaunting herself. Fox, your figure isn’t any worse—next time you should wear a qipao too.” Nalan Sheng now called Menghu “Fox,” and though Menghu had resisted, she finally accepted the nickname after failing to win their skirmishes.

Menghu wasn’t offended; she laughed, “That’s true, but if I steal the master away, don’t regret it.”

“Go ahead if you can. I trust my brother.” Nalan Sheng appeared confident, though inwardly she felt uncertain. Both Felina and Menghu outshone her in looks, and, being older, even surpassed her in maturity. Still, Nalan Sheng believed she wouldn’t lose to them in the future.

But when it came to figure and allure, she worried, for her own curves were barely developed.

“I’ll have to drink more milk, eat more papaya, and practice yoga, hoping to become more voluptuous soon.” Knowing Xia Zheng favored curvy beauties, she was making efforts in that direction.

Inside the barrier, Xia Zheng also saw Felina’s close-up on the big screen. Whether by coincidence or not, as he looked up, Felina cast him a flirtatious glance, causing many men and boys in the arena to swoon, cheering for the beautiful guest commentator, though it was unclear exactly what they were cheering for.

“Alright, the final qualifier of the day begins now: the rising star Xia Zheng faces Albert, known as the Flashing Silver Fox. Will Xia Zheng’s momentum be unstoppable, or will Albert’s skill prevail? Let’s wait and see!” With He Xubin’s announcement, the eighth match officially commenced.