Chapter 4804 — A Rare Opponent
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
"Yes. I heard you have a duel with Leng Rufeng today as well—are you confident?" Chen Xinglan cut straight to the point to cover her embarrassment.
"This..." A faint, bitter smile appeared on Wei Zhao's face. There was no need to put on a brave front at a time like this, so he answered honestly, "To tell the truth, I really don't have much confidence."
Chen Xinglan had guessed as much. However strong Wei Zhao might be, he could not possibly be Leng Rufeng's match—even if they were both top-tier prodigies capable of challenging above their level. Their actual realms were simply on two entirely different planes. If Wei Zhao could still defeat Leng Rufeng under these circumstances, it would be nothing short of defying heaven itself.
"So are you still going to go?" Chen Xinglan looked at Wei Zhao and said, "I doubt I need to spell out the wisdom of bending when one must. Even if it's for Feifei's sake, you must endure this."
"Wei Zhao, why don't you listen to my master?" Ning Xuefei pleaded. Her weakness in cultivation did not mean her judgment was weak; besides, yesterday's situation had made the gap in strength between them plain to anyone. And after yesterday's lesson, Leng Rufeng would certainly not hold back again. There was a very real chance he would start killing on the spot.
Wei Zhao looked at Chen Xinglan, then at the anxious Ning Xuefei, and could not help but smile. "For Feifei's sake, all the more reason I cannot avoid this duel today. Otherwise what gets ruined is not just my own reputation, but the reputation of the entire Western Isle."
"But..." Ning Xuefei wanted to argue further. Though she was the Western Isle's princess, honestly speaking, the Western Isle's reputation was far less important to her than Wei Zhao. So long as Wei Zhao was safe, she did not care if the reputation took a small hit.
"Don't worry. Fighting is one thing, winning is another—no one ever stipulated that a duel must be won, did they? If things look bad, I'll concede. All Leng Rufeng wants is the Beauty Pill and the Thunder Profound Vine. Unless it's necessary, he won't kill me," Wei Zhao reassured them.
Ning Xuefei and Chen Xinglan exchanged a glance. That was indeed the logic of it. So long as Wei Zhao was willing to concede, his life would not be in danger, and that way the Western Isle's reputation would not be dragged down either. A Nascent Soul cultivator bowing to a Profound Ascension cultivator was only natural, after all.
"All right then. But you must be careful, and absolutely do not push yourself too hard. As long as the green mountain remains, there's no fear of running out of firewood—even if you can't do it this time, you'll surely beat him next time!" Ning Xuefei clung to Wei Zhao's arm as she urged him.
"Yes, I know." Wei Zhao nodded to Chen Xinglan, then immediately set off for the arena—not the least bit afraid or daunted, but rather somewhat impatient.
It was rare to encounter an opponent as formidable as Leng Rufeng. After yesterday's crushing defeat, with its outcome never in doubt, his blood was now boiling once more. Some people are born for battle; a powerful enemy does not frighten them—it only excites them!
When the three of them reached the arena, the sight before them startled them. It was an early morning with the sun only just risen, yet the place was already packed with surging crowds. And on the main platform, Leng Rufeng had long since been waiting. Such a huge crowd of spectators below had clearly come to see him—the Cold-Faced Blade God had practically become a calling card for Xiangyun Academy, and there was no one here who did not know of Leng Rufeng.