Chapter 80: I Challenge Ning Xuan

The entire stadium erupted in a wave of frenzied cheers—this was the climax! At last, the much-anticipated battle of the five prodigies was about to unfold before the students’ eager eyes.

But before Instructor Moon Fox could even announce the challenge, Chen Mo stood up. He had remained seated in the stands, waiting for this very moment—whoever challenged Ning Xuan, he would challenge them in turn.

With a voice that boomed like a heavy bell echoing through the mountains, he declared, “Wait! According to the rules, I have priority in challenging you! Instructor, I challenge Wu Chen!”

The excitement was palpable—students jumped to their feet in a frenzy.

“Fight! Fight!”
“I’ve had enough of those siblings, knock them both down! Wu Chen, go for it!”

Instructor Moon Fox cleared her throat and announced solemnly, “According to the rules, the lower-ranked student has priority. I declare: Chen Mo of Class B challenges Wu Chen, ranked fourth in Class A! Both of you, step forward!”

Worried, Ning Xuan rushed after him from the stands. “Brother! Let me handle this myself, I don’t need you!”

Chen Mo smiled gently, tapping her nose. “Silly girl, remember: no matter what happens, no matter how you change in the future, your brother will always stand in front of you.”

Ning Xuan fought back her tears, pouting. “You selfish jerk, do you really think I’ll be moved by this? Hmph, as if! I’m not crying… I’m not…”

Chen Mo laughed heartily at his sister’s adorable struggle not to cry. “Alright, alright, you’re the school’s top student—don’t let them see us make a scene. Don’t worry, your brother won’t lose. Even if I do, I’ll still be in Class B, won’t I?”

Ning Xuan’s nose tingled as she nodded. “Mhm, you won’t lose! Oh, and brother, just so you know—Wu Chen may be a close-combat fighter, but his sword aura covers a wide range. Be careful!”

Chen Mo pressed his lips together in a smile. “Don’t worry. Now go back to the stands and watch closely as your handsome, dashing, and mighty brother defeats him!”

A choked laugh escaped Ning Xuan, who still had tears in her eyes. “Shameless!”

Stepping into the center of the arena, Chen Mo locked eyes with Wu Chen.

When rivals meet, their enmity intensifies.

Wu Chen grinned savagely. “Chen Mo! You haven’t disappointed me. I knew the moment I challenged your sister, you’d jump in first!”

Chen Mo replied coolly, “Oh?”

Wu Chen seemed taken aback for a moment. “You’re not the least bit surprised! Looks like you’ve already resigned yourself to defeat. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure you lose in agony. I’ll grind down your armor to the last shred and then… hahaha… just wait and see. Whatever you did to Lin’er, I’ll do the same to you!”

Instructor Moon Fox couldn’t bear to listen any longer. “Wu Chen! I warn you, this is a friendly match. If you intentionally injure someone, you’ll be punished by the school!”

Wu Chen sneered, “Intentional? Who said anything about intentional? I was just joking. What’s wrong, Instructor Moon Fox? Are you trying to protect your Class F student? If Instructor Wei Zheng were here, he definitely wouldn’t be as biased as you!”

“You…” Moon Fox was so incensed she nearly acted out, but remembering her promise to Wei Zheng to act responsibly, she restrained herself.

Chen Mo reassured her, “Instructor, don’t worry about me. Please announce the start of the match.”

Seeing the determination in his eyes, Moon Fox’s lingering concern faded.

“Very well! I hereby declare: the promotion match between Chen Mo of Class B and Wu Chen, ranked fifth in Class A, officially begins!”

Die!

Before Moon Fox had even finished speaking, Wu Chen gave Chen Mo no time to prepare. With a swift transformation, he donned pitch-black armor and wielded a dark longsword—an ominous sight. What was even more remarkable was that his armor and sword seemed liquid, with energy visibly flowing across their surfaces!

Chen Mo initiated a data scan:

[Wu Chen, Lv. 29]
[Arcane Swordsman]
[HP: 5000]
[MP: 3000]
[Physical Attack: 300]
[Magic Power: 300]
[Equipment: D-rank Oblivion Armor, Constitution +15; D-rank Oblivion Sword, Strength +15; D-rank Oblivion Helmet, Constitution +15; D-rank Oblivion Greaves, Agility +15; D-rank Oblivion Wings, ????; Oblivion Set Bonus: ???]
[Battle Skills: ???? (Hidden Class—data unavailable, update required)]

Impressive! Wu Chen was truly formidable—even his combat skills were hidden from view. A hidden class, the Arcane Swordsman—celebrated as godlike on the Evolution Forum, with experts hailing it as the most versatile and powerful class of all. Awakening as an Arcane Swordsman required owning both Mage and Warrior class packs, but the chance of awakening was a mere one in ten thousand. Even then, without powerful equipment and skills, the class struggled early on compared to pure Mages or Warriors.

Suddenly, black metallic wings sprouted from the back of Wu Chen’s Oblivion Armor. Although he couldn’t yet fully control these wings and thus could not fly, he could certainly use them to accelerate and attack!

Oblivion Leap!

Wu Chen vaulted high into the air, merging with his Oblivion Sword as black energy coursed over him.

Whoosh—

In the blink of an eye, Wu Chen shot down like a cannonball!

Chen Mo’s current character was the Little Prince—not the Demon King. Even though he anticipated Wu Chen’s attack, the Little Prince’s stats were too weak. Chen Mo managed to lean back and slide away half a second early!

Boom!

The arena floor shattered in layers—this was the most devastating attack yet!

Though Chen Mo dodged the center of the blow, he was still grazed by the sword aura, losing a third of his armor in an instant.

“Hmph!” Wu Chen sneered, “So weak! What a disappointment!”

Power Surge!

Chen Mo discreetly activated Power Surge—one second, two seconds—magic power poured rapidly into his enchanted gauntlets.

He knew this was the Little Prince’s ultimate move. If he seized the right moment, he could end the match in a single strike!

Chen Mo retorted coolly, “Oh? So this is the best of the five prodigies? Decked out in D-rank gear, a hidden Arcane Swordsman, and your most powerful blow only shaved a third off my armor? I expected more!”

“Utter fool!” Wu Chen threw his head back in laughter. “If I wanted to defeat you, that last strike would have ended it. My goal isn’t victory, but to toy with your shield and make you pay the price!”

Chen Mo silently counted the seconds—five, six, seven—while outwardly stalling for time. “Hahaha! If anyone in this school has no right to call others fools, it’s you. Everyone knows Zhong Lin’er is the school’s queen bee, no one can say how many men she’s been with, and you’re still willing to be her doormat. I swear, your head is practically glowing green!”

Zhong Lin’er was Wu Chen’s greatest sore spot—mentioning her was tantamount to courting death.

“Chen Mo! I’ll kill you!” Wu Chen’s Oblivion Sword, originally two meters long, suddenly morphed into a five-meter, half-meter-wide colossus.

Dragging this massive blade, Wu Chen charged at Chen Mo, sparks flying as it scraped the floor.

Perfect! Chen Mo’s smile flashed—this was the moment!

Eight seconds, nine seconds—now!

Power Surge!