Master of Science and Technology - Chapter 36

Translator: Darling | Editor: Darling

On the other side, near the Jin Guang Sect, Hu Changsheng had already arrived in front of Luo Miao. He kneeled to the ground and desolately cried: “Your student is useless, having brought shame to his master and his sect. May Master punish him!”

At this point, Luo Miao was a little speechless. A perfect strategy failed at the hands of this failure. He really wanted to beat this useless creature to death! But, in the presence of others, it was not good for him to act too strict and unforgiving. That would make him seem too graceless, and he could not freely allow for an opportunity for the Yu Qing Sect and its master to shame him.

“Get up, and go stand where you belong.” Luo Miao forcefully suppressed his anger, coldly ordering Hu Changsheng.

Hu Changsheng uneasily straightened himself. If he could choose, he’d rather Luo Miao beat him up. If he didn’t punish him now, then, once they returned to their sect, who knew what his punishment would be?

In the arena, Hu Changsheng had thought that he could defeat his opponent, and return like a hero, basking in the praise and respect of his fellow classmates. But now, he lowered his head, afraid to look them in the eyes, and quickly backed to the end of the group.

“Hm, losing to a girl. Although it was a little disgraceful, Junior Hu should not care much for it. The dignity you have lost for our Sect, when we enter the Closed Realm, your brother, I, shall earn it back for you.” The one speaking was named Xiao Huairen. He was an acknowledged genius among the students of the Jin Guang Sect, named the first among those of the Refining State, and, furthermore, Luo Miao’s recognized direct disciple.

Hu Changsheng had little confidence now. After all, he had fallen at the hands of a girl from Yu Qing. He could only act as if he had not heard and lowered his head as he hid to the rear of the group.

“Tch, before, when he was trying to gain this opportunity, he almost tried fighting us first. Now, it seems like he’s gone mute.”

“Hm, true. He couldn’t even beat a girl. He’s a disgrace to our Jin Guang Sect.”

“Hey, maybe he’s just trying to be a “gentleman”; taking our Sect’s honor and using it to kiss up to pretty girls.”

“Haha! Who would’ve thought that Junior Hu would be a simp! A hopeless romantic!”

The students at Xiao Huairen’s side, seeing the desolate state of Hu Changsheng, left no mercy. Though they couldn’t stick a knife in his back, they could still be merciless with their words.

In the eyes of the Jin Guang Sect students, this scrimmage with the Yu Qing students was not only a chance to give themselves a name but almost a freely given opportunity to earn merit. As a result, when Luo Miao was choosing a candidate, the competition among the students was fierce. In the end, Hu Changsheng had been chosen. Of course, the student that was chosen would be subject to the envy and hatred of others.

“Enough, don’t speak further on this subject. I’ll say it one last time, when we enter the Closed Realm, there will be plenty of time to show the Yu Qing Sect their place.” Xiao Huairen did not say this out of mercy, but rather, having noticed Luo Miao’s expression, was left with no choice but to stop the students from furthering this subject. Saying these things now, was not only awkward for Hu Changsheng but also Luo Miao. Luo Miao being the one who had chosen Hu Changsheng, how should he feel when hearing this gossip?

“Senior Xiao is right. Do we not know the true skill of those at Yu Qing? When it comes to it, even if it is just Senior Xiao on his own, it is enough to let them prostrate and beg for mercy.” There was immediate agreement from another student; speaking as if the students at Yu Qing were really like ants.

Everyone likes to listen to pretty talk. It is not a question of if it is or is not arrogant. The fact that someone is willing to compliment you is enough to say that you are worthy of this praise. Xiao Huairen listened to the praise surrounding him from his left and right, and could not help but to slightly raise his chin with pride. However, he still humbly stated: ”What are you talking about? There is no such thing. Everyone is learning in the same path. I shall only teach them a lesson; from where comes this talk of prostrating? I think that is a little much.”

However, at this time, an ordinary-looking male student walked out from the Yu Qing Sect, moving to stand at the center of the arena.

After showing courtesy (bowing) to all surrounding the arena, this Yu Qing student turned toward the Jin Guang sect and said loudly: ”Yu Qing Sect’s Chang Siyuan, challenges Jin Guang Sect’s senior Xiao Huairen to a duel. May Senior Xiao enlighten me!”

According to the promise made by Yu Qing Sect and the Four Sects, the Four Sects could challenge the Yu Qing Sect for a place in the realm, but Yu Qing Sect could also challenge other Sects for a place in the realm.  Quite obviously, Yu Qing Sect had set Jing Guang Sect as its first target.

At this time, the Jin Guang Sect was silenced. It took them all some time to process the information.  Every sect knew information about the students from other sects. And, with Xiao Huairen’s notoriety, it was unlikely that Yu Qing Sect was unaware of his name as the first of the Refining State.

“Did I mishear that? Who did he say that he wanted to challenge?”

“Seems like he said he wanted to challenge Senior Xiao?” 

“Don’t joke with me.  Does he not know how powerful Senior Xiao is?”

 The whispers from the Jin Guang Sect were all questioning. They assumed that Yu Qing Sect would choose a weak opponent. Challenging Xiao Huairen, wasn’t that a death edict for themselves? 

 But, Chang Siyuan stood in the arena. Although he did not repeat himself and just calmly stood there, his eyes still noticeably lay on Xia Huairen’s figure. 

“Master?” Xiao Huairen whispered in inquiry to Luo Miao.

 Even Luo Miao could not understand what the Yu Qing Sect wanted to do, but their opponent was still standing in the arena waiting for them. He could only say to Xiao Huairen: “Go on. Be careful, but show no mercy.”

“Do not worry, Master!” Xiao Huairen coldly smiled and strode out of his group. 

After that, Xiao Huairen lightly tapped the ground beneath his feet. “Zeng!” He flew up into the air. His body was like a swallow over the water, gliding out the remainder of the distance, steadily dropping to land at the center of the arena.

Flamboyant!

But, as the Jin Guang Sect students saw it, Xiao Huairen’s entrance was classy. It looked as cool as flying.

This trick was truly not a simple one. In ordinary flying techniques, one would either lift to heights, or move to lengths, or work to a vast and long-distance, as in a parabola. But, Xiao Huairen’s was different. He first lifted to a height, then glided over space, truly using the weight of the air. This was not a feat that could be achieved by any ordinary person of the Refining State. 

“Challenging me? I really do not know what your Seniors are trying to get at!” Landing on the arena, Xiao Huairen looked at his opponent with distaste. He could not see any extraordinary aspect that might make his opponent “different”. One could say, the only extraordinary characteristic this student had, was that he had the courage to challenge himself.

Chang Siyuan did not reveal a sliver of emotion. He calmly glanced at his opponent, raised his hands, and showed a ritual sword courtesy, before announcing: ”Senior Xiao, please enlighten me!”

Chang Siyuan did not take any of Xiao Huairen’s words or attitude to heart, thus, there was obviously nothing to be angered from. His training in this void realm had taught him that anger was not a tool that helped him take care of his opponent. On the contrary, anger would allow the enemy to better find his weakness.

In this world, some opponents were skilled in the way of the tongue. They could speak any sort of disgusting language. And once one was moved to anger by such, was when one truly fell into their traps. As such, some Yu Qing Sect students even purposefully found some of these opponents and tried learning some of these techniques. But some things such as this, are really based on talent. Not everyone can learn and perfect these skills.

For example, Chang Siyuan could not learn. Those enemies and their words, just hearing them was disgusting and felt dirty to his ear. How could he learn to say them with no regard? However, through his training, his patience in regards to this did increase, to the point where he could achieve the state of being emotionless despite their words.

And, compared to what he had once heard, Xiao Huairen’s words seemed a little weak.