Chapter 4804 — A Rare Opponent

"I doubt he stands a chance. With the little strength Wei Zhao has, he can't pose the slightest threat to Leng Rufeng. He was already overwhelmed in every exchange today at full power—and tomorrow he'll have to go out there carrying a body full of injuries. If he doesn't die, I'd say he'll lose half his life at least," Yi Xiaotian analyzed.

"Die, die, die—the sooner he dies the better," Ren Zhongyuan cursed with venom dripping from every word.

"How are you feeling? Should I go find my master for help?" Ning Xuefei asked, her eyes full of anxious worry as she propped Wei Zhao up inside the new disciples' quarters and took in his somewhat pale face. She was filled with regret now—if only she had let that woman have the Beauty Pill in the first place, there would not have been all this trouble afterward, much less Wei Zhao getting hurt.

"No need. It's just a small wound, it doesn't matter. Have you forgotten about my healing ability?" Wei Zhao's expression was strained, but he still managed to force out a smile to reassure Ning Xuefei.

"Oh, right, right." Ning Xuefei nodded repeatedly. If Wei Zhao could even survive injuries as fatal as the ones from the Western Isle Trial, then these injuries were indeed nothing serious.

Little did she know that Wei Zhao was putting up a tough front. It was true this injury was far less severe than the one from the Western Isle Trial, and no wounds were visible on the surface, but in truth he had been injured quite badly—otherwise he would not have vomited mouthful after mouthful of fresh blood just now. Leng Rufeng's blade force was not so easy to withstand, after all.

"You go out first. I need to go into seclusion to heal, and tomorrow I still have to spar with that fellow properly," Wei Zhao said with a strained smile at Ning Xuefei.

"This..." Ning Xuefei wanted to persuade Wei Zhao to give up the duel, but now was not the time to talk. She could only nod and say, "All right then. You focus on healing. If anything comes up, just call me—I'll be waiting right outside the room."

Ning Xuefei kept watch in the outer room the whole night through. She lay sprawled over the table in a drowsy haze, so oblivious that she did not even notice being lifted into someone's arms, until she was set down on the bed and suddenly jolted awake. She blinked hazily, stared blankly for a moment, then exclaimed in delight, "Wei Zhao, are your injuries healed?"

"All healed," Wei Zhao said with a faint smile. Though yesterday's blade force had shaken him badly, the wound had not been fatal; once he had gotten his breathing back under control, the remaining minor injuries healed with ease.

"Wonderful!" Ning Xuefei practically leaped off the bed in her excitement. She flung her arms around Wei Zhao like an octopus, and the girl's soft, springy body sent Wei Zhao's mind reeling. Especially since the little minx's clothes were all disarrayed—if he happened to glance downward right now, he would see things he ought not to see. At this early morning hour, it was simply enough to set one's blood racing.

"Ahem, ahem." Just then a few awkward coughs came from the doorway. Wei Zhao and Ning Xuefei parted in alarm and turned to look—only to find that Chen Xinglan had at some point come in. On the face of this elegant, refined vice-director, there was distinctly a trace of a shy flush.

She had gone out yesterday on business and only just returned to the academy. Hearing people talk about the duel between Wei Zhao and Leng Rufeng, she had hurried over at once, only to catch sight of the two of them wrapped tightly in each other's arms—as if she had stumbled onto a young couple's private moment. Although she was a woman of experience herself, she could not help but blush a little.

"Master. You're back." Ning Xuefei hastily straightened her clothes, then ran over flushed to pay her respects.

"Vice-Director Chen," Wei Zhao likewise cupped his hands in greeting.

"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.