Chapter 251-254
Chapter 251-254
251: The Value of Flowers
You did say it! Feng Wu bit her lip at his refusal to admit it. Her eyes became red and her expression clearly said she was being horribly wronged.
Noel never thought of himself as a good guy, but he was gracious when dealing with the female gender. He immediately coaxed Feng Wu when he saw how aggrieved she was.
Dont cry, dont cry. It was definitely my fault. I was wrong. You can beat me if you want, just dont cry OK?
Im not crying. Master said warriors bled, but they never cried, so she never cried.
Eyes red, tears rolling down if you dont call that crying, then what is?!
Despite his thoughts, Noel was a veteran when it came to these things. Of course he wouldnt speak his thoughts out loud. Experience told him women werent reasonable when they cried. The only thing he could do was offer an ear and listen.
Many pairs of eyes were on them, most of which held condemnation for him, as though he was a bad guy bullying a girl. Noel felt it would be better to find someplace more private and ask her about the situation there.
He was still rather confused. He didnt know what had happened exactly. The only thing he got was that she had given Senior Ming Xi flowers. But what was this about chance encounters? Please dont let it be what he thought it was.
Feng Wu, how about we sit over there? Noel asked her carefully.
Feng Wu shook her head. No, Jier wants me to wait for him here.
Feng Wu had always been obedient. She always did what she promised, and since she promised Jier she would wait for him, she would wait for him.
Noel didnt know who Jier was, but it sounded like the guy was her friend. He lied a little in order to get them away from public eye.
Your friend said not to leave training ground number 5, but were not going to leave, so dont worry. As long as were in the area, your friend will be able to find us. Noel told a little white lie in order to get Feng Wu away from the crowd. At worst it would just take the guy a bit more time to find them.
The academy had ten training grounds that students could use to practice their magic and martial arts. The ground was made of special material, so it wouldnt get damaged no matter how strong an attack was. Students used one of the ten training grounds whenever they wanted to practice.
The grounds were immense and could accommodate 500 people training at once without any trouble. The challenges were always held there.
After thinking for a bit, Feng Wu nodded.
It wouldnt be easy to find someone in such a big place, but Noel led Feng Wu away without feeling any guilt the moment she agreed. He didnt dare waste a single minute. Once they found a more private place, he immediately asked her what she did.
When Noel heard about Feng Wu going to Ming Xis dorm, about her showing up at Ming Xis classroom, and finally at the mens bathroom . . . he needed a moment of silence. Just a moment.
He looked at Feng Wus big innocent eyes. He felt weak-kneed. What was this? It was his fault!
He shouldnt have said those things to her.
Xiao Wu, you didnt do all the things I said, did you? Noel asked hopelessly.
I said the things you taught me, but Senior Ming Xi was still unhappy. Feng Wu didnt understand why Ming Xis reaction was so different from the one Noel got.
What man would be happy to hear hes a pretty as a flower?! Noel felt like hed been shafted. Hed only given her two examples of how he chased girls. Howd it end up like this?
Those kinds of things, you say them to girls. It would be weird to say it to a guy! How could he be happy?! Noel couldnt help but growl out in frustration.
You did not say that! Why didnt he tell her these things were for women and not men? Noel was bad! And now shed said them to Senior Ming Xi. He must be so unhappy. He might never marry her! The more Feng Wu thought about it, the sadder she became, and the redder her eyes got.
Stop, dont cry. I . . . Ill figure something out. Ill think of a way to get him to accept you. Anything to make her tears stop. They could always talk it out.
Really? Her eyes shone with hope. The red tint entirely gone, instead her eyes were full of expectation.
Did she just learn the fake tears skill? Noel couldnt help but wonder if hed been duped by her. But upon thinking about it, he knew it was impossible. If she was so clever, she would have found her own means to chase after Ming Xi; she wouldnt have needed him to help her.
Lets put the flowers down first. Such a big bouquet, it must be heavy. He stepped forward to help her as he finished speaking.
But Feng Wu stepped back. No, these 99-gold flowers are expensive. They cant be put down. They might break. Feng Wu was serious. The flowers had cost her 99 gold.
Well you cant hold onto them forever. Ming Xi didnt accept them. Here, Ill take them for you.
Feng Wu shook her head. No.
This girl . . . she was too stubborn! OK, how about you sell them to me, so 99 gold, OK?
OK, agreed Feng Wu after a pause.
Noel took out his money bag and fished out 99 gold for her. Feng Wu promptly stuffed the roses into Noels arms.
Xiao Wu, what are you doing here? Ming Xi asked. Hed seen her walk off, but hadnt thought much about it, assuming she was going with a friend. That was until Grace came over to tell him Noel was a playboy who changed girls as often as he changed clothes.
Unable to remain still, Ming Xi had found the teacher and chased after Noel. He witnessed Feng Wu giving the roses to Noel - the same flowers she had bought for him.
Ming Xi was really upset, so even though he walked up to them with a charming smile on his lips, the aura around him was quite black.
Feng Wu assumed he was still upset from earlier.
Oh, if it isnt Senior Ming Xi. Did Senior come to see Xiao Wu for something? Noels playboy senses quickly picked up on the bad mood emanating from Ming Xi. He gave a chuckle. Turned out this dense girl wasnt alone in a one-sided love.
I know you. Youre Noel, fifth-seat, third year. Why arent you on stage for the competition? In other words, why wasnt this playboy gone already?
Thank you for you concern Senior Ming Xi, but the third years dont have their competition until later in the afternoon. Noel smiled then took a deep whiff of the flowers in his arms.
252: A Pro At Selling Out a Teammate
Ming Xis eyes darkened. A touch of regret flitted across his heart, making him uncomfortable. He hadnt accepted Feng Wus flowers, but that didnt mean he wanted her to give them to another guy.
Brother Noel, Xiao Wu is different from the other girlfriends you may have had. Please stay away from her. I dont want you to hurt my friend. Ming Xi thought about what Grace told him about Noel. It made him weary; he didnt want Feng Wu to fall prey to a playboy.
Brother Ming Xi, I also consider Xiao Wu a friend. How could I ever hurt her? Noel shook his head quickly. Simple girls like Feng Wu were not his type. They were too pure to recognize danger. He didnt want to be bound to such purity, so he would never shoot for someone like her.
You think Id believe the words of a playboy? Ming Xi smiled, but his eyes were cold.
Senior Ming Xi, thats too much. I do have a lot of girlfriends, its true, but I am also a righteous person. If I were to chase Xiao Wu, I would do so openly. I would never sneak around.
Noel could feel the ill-will coming from Ming Xi. Hed never forced anyone. All his girlfriends were together with him willingly. Why would Ming Xi suggest he wasnt trustworthy?
Noel is a friend. Feng Wu unexpectedly came to Noels aid; probably because she could feel the tension between the two. She earnestly expressed her thoughts to Ming Xi.
In her heart, Noel wasnt a bad person at all. Quite the opposite, he was a good person, and nice too. After all he had helped her come up with a plan to chase Ming Xi.
What would Ming Xi think if he knew Feng Wus criteria for judging whether a person was good or not? It was a good thing he couldnt read her mind.
Hes a friend. Hes not a bad person, repeated Feng Wu sincerely.
This made Ming Xi unhappy. It was the first time shed argued with him, and it was over another guy! Shed always been a good girl, so it was rare for her to go against other people.
She had to like the playboy more than he thought, if she was willing to defend the guy so strongly.
But didnt she say she wanted to marry him? Yet here she was protecting another guy! Ming Xi didnt know what was wrong with himself. He felt really upset. The more he looked at Noel, the more annoyed he got.
Even if hes not a bad guy, it doesnt mean hes a good person. This guy is the biggest playboy. His hobby is chasing girls. I dont want him to hurt you. Do you understand? Ming Xi knew how to talk to Feng Wu. It was best to be straightforward and to the point. Using subtlety wouldnt work and probably just confuse her.
Senior Ming Xi, thats too much! Noel yelled in defense. Untrue! When did he ever chase after girls for fun? The ladies chased after him OK?!
I know. Feng Wu nodded as she looked at Ming Xi. She knew this when she first saw Noel that day.
You know?! Ming Xi was surprised. He thought Feng Wu was nave and didnt understand these things, so he had been genuinely worried she would be deceived.
Feng Wu blinked in puzzled confusion at Ming Xi, as if to ask what was so strange about it.
He was on a date with a girl on the beach when I met him. He said he chased girls too. The implication of course was that she had always known Noel was a playboy.
In fact, Feng Wu only understood what a playboy was after all the romance stories she read over the recent break. They were all titles her mother recommended. Noel resembled a protagonist in one of the stories. He also changed girlfriends as often as he changed clothes. Noel reminded Feng Wu of the same character, so she felt he was also a playboy, like that character from the story.
And you still want to be friends with him?
Why cant I be friends with him? Noel taught me a lot. Like pursuing Senior Ming Xi, but she wasnt sure how to say it. Noel was so amazing. Feng Wus eyes were as big as grapes as she thought this.
He taught you stuff? What did he teach you? Ming Xi looked from Feng Wu to Noel. He couldnt phantom what Noel could have taught her.
He taught me how to pursue you.
Oph! Noel blurted out unconsciously. Girl, are you trying to sell out your teammate?! Some things we can keep between us! You dont have to share it!
Pursuing . . .pardon? Ming Xi asked in a long stretched out tone. His smile became increasingly bright.
Xiao Wu, come tell me. The flowers, did Noel teach you this? Ming Xis eyes glittered dangerously. Noels heart nearly stopped from fright. He was just a small third year. Fifth seat at best. How could he handle Ming Xi, who was first in the fifth years?
Xiao Wu, why are you all the way over here? Ive been looking all over for you. Look, heres the breakfast I got you. Hurry and eat it while its still hot. Jier had returned earlier after buying her breakfast, but she wasnt where he left her. Knowing her, he immediately got worried.
She always did what she promised, so when she promised she would wait there, he expected her to be there. All kinds of thoughts flashed through his mind when he couldnt find her.
Fortunately he kept his head and asked a few of the older senior sisters. It took him a while, but he was finally able to locate her thanks to her big bundle of roses. It was eye catching and memorable so it was easy to track her from eye witness accounts.
He knew she hadnt left the 5th training ground, but he wasnt sure what corner she hid in. He had to search all the corners and nooks until he finally found her. It wasnt just Feng Wu, even Ming Xi was there. The guy suspected of kidnapping her was there too.
Feng Wu listened to Jier more than anyone else, but suddenly this guy appeared and convinced her to forget about him and run off? Jier was extremely resentful of the suspicious guy. This feeling . . . Jier felt like the daughter hed so carefully raised was being stolen by some punk.
While Feng Wu grabbed the breakfast from Jier and happily ate it, Jier shifted his gaze to Noel and noticed the dazzling bouquet of 99 crystal roses.
253: Elena VS Shante
She refused to give him the flowers, but she was OK with giving it to this jerk? Had his place really dropped in Xiao Wus heart? Was this guy better than him? Jier was so angry.
Xiao Wu, this is really interesting. You refused to give me the flowers, but youre OK with giving it to this guy? Are we even friends?
Feng Wu was busy eating. She didnt reply until she finished swallowing her food. I didnt give them to him. I sold them.
Not given?! Both Ming Xi and Jier were satisfied with her answer.
Xiao Wu, lets go watch the tournament. Senior Sister Elena is up next and we should cheer her on. He needed to hurry and get Xiao Wu away from this jerk. Cant let the innocent Xiao Wu be contaminated by someone like him.
Noel: What the hell kind of rascal is this guy?!
Feng Wu nodded. She wanted to go cheer Elena on.
Jier promptly pulled Feng Wu away, leaving Ming Xi and Noel alone.
Noel felt a strong chill at his back as he held the flowers. He put the flowers into his storage ring before turning around with a smile. He said, Senior Ming Xi, Im going to prepare for my challenge. Ill be taking my leave now. Bye!
He planned on escaping with those words, but Ming Xi had other plans.
Fellow student Noel, can you explain to me why you wanted Xiao Wu to give me flowers? Ming Xis smile was bright, but anyone who knew him knew the brighter the smile the scarier he was.
Senior Ming Xi, it was all a misunderstanding. A genuine misunderstanding. I told her about my own experiences chasing girls to give her some ideas. I didnt think she would duplicate them exactly!
Was there anyone more misunderstood than him in the world? If hed known, he would have stayed in the dorms instead of coming out to watch the fourth and fifth years. The whole disaster could have been avoided if hed just stayed in.
Really . . . come my brother, lets have a chat. Ming Xi neatly dragged Noel away. Then to make sure no sounds would escape, he soundproofed the area completely.
Feng Wu and Jier walked to where the fifth years were competing. Elena stood in the ring looking quite heroic with a long sword and fiery red outfit. Her and her opponent stood facing each other.
Shante, its up to you to defeat Elena.
Shante you can do it! Shante you can do it!
Come on Senior Elena, you cant lose to that scummy guy!
Sister Elena, we support you!
Goddess Elena, please strike down that toad, Shante!
The enthusiasm in the audience was palpable. As a famous school beauty, Elena naturally had groupies who supported her. Men and women, they all supported her.
Of course there were some who disliked her, like Shante for example. He was a well-known pervert in the fifth year. Who knew how many girls hed taken advantage of. He had never been successful the few times he tried to take advantage of Elena. This time he was lucky enough to survive the melee and challenge her.
He felt he could defeat her.
Elena looked at Shanta disdainfully, but she was careful. She never underestimated an opponent, even if the opponents abilities werent as good as hers.
Elena, Im not the same as I was before. Just obediently be my girlfriend and Ill forget all your past rudeness.
Though Shante was nowhere near as pleasing to the eye as Ming Xi, Jier or any of the other peerless men, he was definitely good looking. He and Noel were similar in many ways. Both loved women, but there the similarities ended. Noel never used force or coerced anyone to be with him. On the other hand, Shante used intimidation, force, and whatever means on hand to force girls he liked to be with him. Elena had saved several girls from Shantes clutches in fact.
Please, its still daylight and youre already dreaming. Elena sneered. Though she looked down on him, she wouldnt underestimate him.
Shante was greedy and often did whatever it took to get what he wanted, but he was smart enough not to cross the schools bottom line. In this way, he was able to keep from getting kicked out.
But villains like him didnt scare Elena, even the ones who were smart. She didnt give them a second thought.
Shante didnt lose his cool, but his face did turn ugly upon hearing her words. Im not going to play around. Dont think I can beat you? I will you know.
Even if he never beat her before, Elena never underestimated him precisely because of his calm demeanor.
You can do it Senior Sister Elena! yelled Feng Wu.
Jier also called out his encouragement. He had used it as an excuse to whisk Feng Wu away from Noel earlier, but now that he was there, he wasnt going to be lazy.
Elena looked over at Feng Wus voice and saw the two of them cheering her on. She smiled as though to say thank you.
Challenger Shante vs Elena. Time: unlimited until knock out. The challenge starts now. The teacher immediately left after ringing the bell to signal the start of the fight.
Elena and Shante simultaneously raised their swords to attack because they were sword users. Both of them were really strong, but Elena was more dexterous, so after a dozen strikes Shante was on the losing end.
Despite being at a disadvantage, Shante didnt panic. Elena expected him to use some kind of trick, so she remained on guard.
Sure enough, Shante made a move. He switched to a sword technique, a new one he must have just obtained, that was one level higher than the one he just used.
254: Feng Yanrans Story
Red light streaked with the sword as Shante attacked. Fire elemental force rushed at Elena. Her faced hardened and she raised her sword to block the blow. Though the fire elemental was split, there was still the physical attack from Shante to deal with. And now he was twice as fast as before.
He directed all his attacks at Elenas womanly parts; she flushed; she hated people like Shante. He was purposefully being lewd.
But Elena wasnt in the eighth seat for nothing. She also increased her speed. He was dreaming if he thought he could defeat her in sword skills. She made up her mind to teach Shante a lesson so her movements became ruthless, without a hint of hesitation.
Those watching felt suffocating pressure as strong aura filled the ring. The crowd suddenly understood the strength of the two who were battling it out.
Sure enough only the strong could stay in the ring. No one weak could have remained.
Shantes eyes changed as Elenas offensive became fiercer. His aura became intense, running to extremes. He was about to do something big.
Elena didnt dare slow down, her sword became a blur as her speed also increased. She was also readying to release something big.
Everyone watching knew the fight would end soon.
Shantes fire energy formed into a fire dragon ten meters long. It rushed at Elena thunderously.
Elena had also completed her move. A giant bird rose up. From a glance you could tell it wasnt an ordinary bird, but was a sacred phoenix beast. It was a water-based qi formation, thus was full of water and qi.
They werent real, just coalesced qi, but they still clashed fiercely - dragon against bird.
But the conflict between the two elementals caused an explosion. Super strong attack power between the two rushed at each other mercilessly in the sky.
When the two forces collided a loud Bang! erupted and the two forces exploded. Both fighters wrapped themselves in a protective shield, but the shields were not strong enough to withstand the explosion, and ended up cracking before finally shattering altogether. Shante and Elena were knocked back by the explosion.
A burst of violent energy rushed out from the ring, surprising the audience. Although they instinctively wanted to hide, they knew there was no need. The fighting ring was designed in such a way that the audience would never be harmed from energy overflow.
The situation on stage was revealed once the smoke cleared. Both Elena and Shante were knocked off their feet by the explosion. Shante was seriously injured and had to cough out blood several times. He was completely knocked out of the boundary. Elena withstood the force in order to remain in the ring, so her injuries were much worse than Shante. Fortunately her clothes absorbed much of the impact, so her injuries werent fatal.
She stood up shakily after spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Elena wins, declared the referee emotionlessly.
Elena and Shante were immediately helped down from the ring and given two healing potions. A senior sister also used healing spells to help with their injuries. Their injuries werent fatal, so they would only need a few days rest to recuperate.
Two more challenges happened after that, both of which ended in failures. One was unfortunate. Had the boy been of higher birth and had better equipment, he would have been able to win, but his equipment was ordinary and he couldnt defeat the tenth seat. Those watching felt sorry for the boy.
Ai Lin[notes] stood nearby watching the challengers fight. Elena being alive changed the outcome of the challenge.[notes]Shantes fight, for example, was quite different.
Originally, he should have victoriously challenged the ninth seat, thus forcing the loser in to the tenth seat position. The former ninth seat suffered a drop in popularity and he became a joke in school.
The heroine[notes] became friendly with him, encouraging him along the way. This naturally added one more die-hard knight to her fan club.
The tenth seat was none other than Yifus brother, who would later die for Zi Cheng.
But now the plot was different. Shante was obsessed with defeating Elena, so he challenged her instead of the ninth seat, Yifus brother. So now Yifus brother remained seated in the ninth seat. Would this change the outcome of the story?
This reminded Ai Lin of something important; Yanran, should have arrived at the academy already.
Speaking of Yanran, she was the most important side character. This side character was magical. None of the female side characters would have a good ending, regardless if they were on good terms with Zi Cheng or not.
But Yanran was an exception. She became the ruler of the blood race, and even married a human man, managing to live well all the way to the end of the story.
Yanran had such a good ending because Zi Cheng didnt interfere. Even after Zi Cheng discovered the Yanrans identity, she didnt reveal it to the school, even going so far as to help conceal it.
Ultimately though, Yanrans identity came out. This brought a huge amount of public criticism against Feng house. Eventually Grandfather Feng went crazy and died while practicing. Hang,[notes] left alone and unsupported, eventually died as well. The only one who would manage to survive would be Feng Tian.[notes]