The academy tacitly condoned such incidents, viewing these private settling of scores, while perhaps improper, as a peculiar form of specialized training, provided no one ended up dead or permanently maimed.

Qian Jin’s lips twitched several times as he glanced at the nearby knoll, then cautiously scanned his surroundings. He had heard whispers that the school instructors were quite interested in these unsanctioned student duels, often hiding nearby to observe and determine which students needed remedial tutoring and which deserved focused cultivation.

Qian Jin certainly didn't want his duel to become mere entertainment for some observing teachers. After confirming no one was around, he quickly quickened his pace toward the woods, constantly rotating his neck and shoulders to warm up and enter his optimal fighting state.

"Hmm? What is the name of this overly cautious student?" A gaunt old man dropped down from a large tree by the roadside, looking up towards the canopy. "Rodriguez, why aren't you coming down?"

"Oh, oh, Principal, I'm coming down immediately." Rodriguez leaped from a branch to the ground, his gaze fixed with surprise on Qian Jin’s retreating figure. "Qian... Qian Jin actually came here?"

"Qian Jin? The student you’ve praised to me several times?" The thin old Principal stroked the white goatee on his chin. "The fighter student currently ranked tenth in the first year?"

Rodriguez nodded, following the gaunt Principal quietly as they slipped into the small grove of trees.

The modest hill was surrounded by lush green trees. Qian Jin selected a direction and soon arrived at the only clearing on the hill—a special ground reserved by the academy. It was a circular area approximately ten meters in radius, featuring only vibrant green grass and scattered stones, devoid of dense foliage. During class, this was where students rested and discussed strategies; normally, it served as the venue for students to resolve their personal disputes.

Qian Jin stopped at the edge of the clearing and immediately saw the few figures in the center. Fatty Luolin’s right eye socket was already bruised black, and the corners of his mouth were tinged dark blue; his entire demeanor was utterly defeated, his arms held tightly by two of Karsus's lackeys.

Karsus today was dressed in a sharp, all-black martial uniform. His brown long hair fluttered in the gentle breeze, giving him the air of a true master from a distance.

Around the clearing, a dozen students gathered, clad in martial attire and mage robes. Judging by the insignia on their chests, most were second-year students, with a few third-years mixed in, all clearly there just to watch the spectacle.

The small woods often hosted private student confrontations, and bored upperclassmen frequently appeared to watch these cost-free duels. They never intervened to help anyone, merely observing.

Qian Jin swept his gaze over everyone in the area, finally resting it on a first-year student with long, pale-blue hair: Zuo Luntianren, the fighter student ranked eighth in the first year. He wore an emerald-green martial uniform, cinched at the waist with a dark black sash. His lean body stood against the wind, subtly emanating a sharp aura. His arms, slightly longer than average, drew the attention of many other fighter students.

"Qian Jin, you’re late," Karsus said triumphantly, forcefully slapping Luolin’s chubby face with a loud smack. "If you’d been any later, you could have been visiting him in the hospital."

Qian Jin spared Zuo Luntianren one more glance before returning his focus to the smug Karsus. He finally understood why this student, whom Qian Jin had beaten so severely before that his own mother wouldn't recognize him, dared to act so brazenly now—he had brought backup: the notorious Zuo Luntianren, ranked eighth among first-year fighters and second in terms of combativeness.

"Luolin," Qian Jin raised his voice slightly. "Keep count. Exactly how many times did he hit you? We'll double it when it's my turn."

Luolin lifted his listless eyes to look at Qian Jin, then shot a deeply wary glance toward Zuo Luntianren. His fat body heaved with several harsh breaths, the listlessness slowly receding. He struggled violently against the control of Karsus’s men and shouted, "Don't worry, I'm counting! The bastard hit me three times and slapped me six!"

Zuo Luntianren slightly tilted his chin up, looking at Qian Jin, who was slightly taller than him. A smile, excited by the prospect of combat, played on his lips.

"Oh my! Today, we have a fight between the eighth and tenth ranked first-year fighters. This is getting interesting."

A few older students’ eyes also lit up with anticipation. Even though they were first-year fighters, ranking in the top ten guaranteed an exciting match.

Qian Jin stepped slowly across the green grass and entered the fighting circle, looking at Karsus. "I wondered why you were so bold; turns out you found a helper this time."

Karsus’s lips and eyes were alight with smug satisfaction. He had paid a hefty price—two gold coins—to secure Zuo Luntianren’s assistance. This time, he was determined to beat Qian Jin until he, too, ended up hospitalized!

Qian Jin shifted his gaze back to Zuo Luntianren. His tall, well-proportioned figure suggested years of grueling, daily practice; it was otherwise impossible for someone only fifteen to possess such a physique. Even concealed by his clothing, the explosive power latent in those slightly longer arms was undeniable, and the size of his relaxed hands far surpassed those of his peers.

"You’re willing to sell your life for him?" Qian Jin looked at Zuo Luntianren with slight puzzlement. "How many gold coins did he offer?"

Zuo Luntianren met Qian Jin’s gaze, and the smile on his lips instantly spread across his entire face. "Gold coins aren't the issue. The real reason is that I want a match with you and to take the points you carry. Perhaps you don't know yet? This time, only the top five ranked fighter students have observer rights. Hand over that token representing the tenth rank."

Qian Jin reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a small, round plaque inscribed with the character ‘’ (Ten). He had three such tokens issued by the school, and he remembered being told their value: each 'Ten' token was worth ten points. If he lost all three, he would completely forfeit his chance to observe.

Over the past few days, the other top-ten ranked students had engaged in fierce battles, and the ownership of these tokens constantly shifted. Only Qian Jin, who steadfastly refused to engage in combat, had managed to keep all three of his tokens.

Watching Zuo Luntianren’s excitement, Qian Jin rubbed his temples repeatedly. If he fought now, the following days would likely offer no peace. He had always used his refusal to fight as a way to signal to all ranked competitors: 'You fight for those observation rights; I’m not interested.'

:Tonight is the hour of midnight, the new book ranking push... I ask all friends online to please log in with your ID, click the new chapter, and help boost our weekly member points. Also, feel free to leave your recommendation votes. I will also update an extra new chapter then. Begging, begging E