Chapter 1078: Personal Disciples Battle Starts
"Regardless of Sun Mo can get on the Great Teacher Rankings or not, he has clinched a record that everyone yearns to have but cannot attain. It's the Ancient Sage Halo we're talking about. I really wish I could experience it too!"
Gu Xiuxun felt flustered.
She was just a woman in her twenties. If she was from the modern world, she'd still be a university student, so it was understandable for her character to be more unpredictable.
"It'd be good if Ziqi can get a good ranking."
Mei Ziyu was worried.
Sun Mo was probably not going to be able to get first place this time around.
An Xinhui listened to their discussions, but her heart had drifted over to Sun Mo.
(Isn't he too absurdly strong? Did something happen to him in the ten years we were apart that I don't know of?)
"This position is quite good. It's just that the glances from the surroundings are too annoying."
Murong Mingyue frowned and subconsciously wanted to stand up and lash out.
"Forget it, they'd just say that you think too good of yourself and are just looking for trouble!"
Mei Ziyu persuaded her.
It wasn't as if there was any evidence that others were snooping at them. They could only hold it in.
An Xinhui and the other three beautiful great teachers each had their own charms. When they sat here, they attracted a large number of gazes from men, causing the men to keep sneaking peeks at them.
Some people were even asking to trade seats, willing to pay money for this.
"Whose supporters are they?"
"They are really beautiful. All of them are to my liking. What should I do? It's really hard to choose!"
"How many peanuts did you eat last night to be so drunk? Don't you know how you look? They'd pick a dog over you."
The surrounding men talked amongst themselves, feeling envious of the lucky guy who could have four great beautiful ladies cheering him on.
Clank! Clank! Clank!
Long and clear bell sounds rang out. Tong Yiming got on the arena. As the main judge, he announced that the first round of the personal disciples battle had officially started.
Other than Tong Yiming, seven other judges were seated next to the arena. Not only did they have exemplary battle prowess, but they were also skilled in spiritual control techniques, spirit runes, beast taming, and other subjects. Therefore, the battles were definitely fair and just. If anyone wished to cheat, they'd definitely get caught.
Of course, no one would dare to cheat either. It was because if they were caught cheating, the personal disciple's great teacher would be seized of their rights as a great teacher for three generations. Even if their descendants were to comprehend the Self-Taught Halo and gained enlightenment to three great teacher halos, they wouldn't be allowed to participate in the great teacher examinations.
The two participants for the first round got on the arena. They didn't bow to each other but started fighting fiercely when Tong Yiming called out "start".
Usually, if the cultivation levels between the two opponents were over three levels, then a battle wouldn't be established. However, this rule didn't apply to the 4-stars examination's personal disciples battle.
This time around, there were no restrictions, regardless of life or death.
Everyone's opponent was decided through drawing lots.
If someone was scared, they could choose to step down from the competition.
The first round ended very quickly. A young man had won. However, he had also gotten injured, and this would definitely affect his next round.
At a time like this, differences between the examinees' resources could be seen. The examinees who came from famous schools would have an extremely powerful medical team.
"Thank goodness we have Teacher!"
Lu Zhiruo felt that they had the advantage in this area.
Li Ziqi didn't look up but sat in a corner, quietly reading through the information about the other participants. She had paid to get these.
Even though Sun Mo wasn't going to fight, as their personal teacher, he could stand by the arena to give guidance on the spot. Therefore, he had to pay attention to every battle.
"Stop looking. It's not as if you know who the opponent is. You might as well give your brain a rest."
Tantai Yutang advised.
The Saint Gate's judges had really brought fairness to an extremity. All 906 participants had to draw lots. Half of them drew red lots with numbers on them.
These red wooden lots decided the order of their battles. They'd also have a second chance to draw lots. When it was their turn to go up, they'd draw lots to pick their own opponents.
Ying Baiwu and Li Ziqi were more unlucky and were the ones to be picked. Lu Zhiruo could draw another lot and try out her luck.
She was ninth. After just half an hour, it was her turn.
"I'll be going!"
Lu Zhiruo took in a deep breath.
"Good luck! You'll definitely be able to draw a trashy opponent!"
Qin Yaoguang encouraged.
"Do you have to say such things?"
Tantai Yutang was speechless.
In order to increase the chance of success, all the teachers had used up their three quotas. Therefore, the capabilities of the personal disciples varied.
...
"The ninth round. Sun Mo's disciple Lu Zhiruo versus Li Qian! "
Tong Yiming announced loudly.
"The Saint Gate is really good at buying people over. During registration, they even took down the names of the participants' teachers. With that, if the participant were to win, then their teacher's reputation would also rise."
Helian Beifang felt that the Saint Gate were good at handling interpersonal relationships.
"The Saint Gate does benefit from this. The greater the great teacher's reputation, the greater the Saint Gate's influence."
Qin Yaoguang explained.
There were 906 participants and the duels were conducted in pairs—the loser gets eliminated.
These competitions would all be conducted in the arena. The reason the Saint Gate did this wasn't just to earn money, but also because they wanted to expand their influence, showing others the value of a great teacher.
The moment Lu Zhiruo got on the stage, intense discussions broke out from the spectators.
It was because she was too young.
Although one's age didn't determine one's capabilities, the younger ones would definitely have lower cultivation levels.
"It's just a weakling!"
When the examinees saw Lu Zhiruo, all of them started to feel envious of Zeng Dao.
This was a free win.
"Li Qian, get on the arena!"
This was the first time Tong Yiming called out, but Li Qian was still nowhere to be seen.
Some commotion inevitably broke out.
"Has the person given up?"
Xianyu Wei's eyes lit up.
"The countdown will be starting. I'll count to ten. If you still don't appear, I'll take it as you've forfeited."
After Tong Yiming said this, he started counting down.
"Coming! Coming!"
A middle-aged man shouted loudly toward the stage.
Everyone saw a young lady stumbling as she ran in.
"Can you do it?"
The middle-aged man, Zeng Dao, asked anxiously.
"En!"
Li Qian nodded and jumped up the arena.
Sun Mo activated his Divine Sight and scanned this woman. He was then a little stunned.
The lucky mascot's luck was really amazing.
This Li Qian was feeling unwell from being unaccustomed to the climate and had been having the runs. She hadn't recovered yet.
"Start!"
As there were too many rounds to hold, time was very tight. The moment Tong Yiming saw the participant had arrived, he quickly announced for the competition to start.
Lu Zhiruo immediately fought seriously, putting on a defensive stance.
Li Qian took a deep breath. As this matter concerned her teacher, in addition to this opponent being Three-time Champion Sun's personal disciple, she was very wary. She stared at the personal disciple and didn't attack recklessly.
"This person clearly wants to use a defense and retaliation battle tactic. It seems that she excels in defense. I have to be careful."
Li Qian analyzed the situation when she suddenly felt a pain in her stomach. It was as if there was a propeller stirring in her stomach, and it felt as if her intestines were being wrung into a ball.
Pffft!
She let out a fierce and quick fart.
Swoosh!
Li Qian's face immediately flushed up.
"What are you still waiting for? Fight and end the battle quickly!"
Zeng Dao urged.
When one was having the runs, they mustn't believe in any fart. She should hurry to end things and then head to the toilet.
"En!"
Li Qian nodded, drawing her longsword and charging toward Lu Zhiruo.
When Sun Mo saw that Lu Zhiruo wanted to take her opponent head-on, he quickly reminded, "Use the Spirit Wave Art!"
"Oh!"
The papaya girl would always carry out Sun Mo's orders unconditionally and immediately raised her hand.
Ssss!
A beam of light shot out.
As it was done in a hurry, she didn't hit the target. However, Li Qian was given a fright.
"A heaven-tier cultivation art?"
She hadn't seen this cultivation art before, but its grade was definitely very high. It was because the way the attack was carried out looked too sophisticated.
"It's saint-tier!"
Lu Zhiruo reminded. She didn't wish to kill. "You should watch out!"
"You're the one who should be careful."
Li Qian let out an explosive bellow.
Since the other party was one to engage in long-distance fights, then she must draw in her distance in an instant, attacking fiercely at close distance. She should try not to give her opponent any chance to attack.
At the thought of this, Li Qian let out a furious bellow to raise her disposition. She then exerted force in both legs and darted out toward Lu Zhiruo. However, as she had exerted too much force, she let out a fart.
Even feces came out.
Psssh!
This sound rang clearly throughout the entire martial dojo via the spirit sound collection devices that were set up around the arena.
Pa!
Li Qian stiffened up on the spot, not daring to move anymore.
"Zhiruo, now's your chance! Hurry up and attack!"
Qin Yaoguang urged.
"Huh?"
Lu Zhiruo was stunned but then shook her head. She looked at Li Qian and said, "Go and change your pants. I'll wait for you!"
Swoosh!
Li Qian's face flushed up from embarrassment, looking like a cooked shrimp.
"No! There's no need!"
Li Qian didn't need any pity. However, she stopped again after taking two steps.
This feeling, my god!
It was indescribable.
"Forget it! We'll forfeit this match!"
Zeng Dao forfeited.
"Teacher, you mustn't!"
Li Qian felt very anxious.
"There are two more rounds. There's no hurry."
Zeng Dao jumped up the area, took off his great teacher attire, and clocked it over Li Qian, covering her head.
"You still have to get married in the future!"
Zeng Dao's words caused Li Qian's eyes to turn red.
"It's all my fault for being a glutton, getting a stomach upset, and holding you back."
Li Qian buried her head into Zeng Dao's arms, crying bitterly.
"It's just that you're unaccustomed to the climate! It's not your fault!"
Zeng Dao consoled Li Qian and brought her off the arena.
The martial dojo that was filled with over 10,000 people had been very lively, with people mocking Li Qian. But after hearing Zeng Dao's words, they fell quiet. Loud applause then rang out.
This was how a great teacher's demeanor should be like.
Prioritizing the reputation of one's student and not forcing the student to continue the battle for the sake of their own result.
The examinees also gave their applause.
"Isn't Zhiruo too lucky?"
Gu Xiuxun was speechless.
To think that she had won without doing anything?
The competition was conducted in an elimination format amongst the 906 participants, with 100 victors determined at the very end. Theoretically, if a student were to win three rounds, they'd be able to get their teacher a pass.
"The further down the competition, the stronger the opponent. Such a round that is won through luck is useless."
Murong Mingyue shook her head. "This is unless all her opponents forfeit."
"This round, Lu Zhiruo wins!"
Tong Yiming announced. The student's name should have their teacher's name added to it, but Tong Yiming didn't announce Sun Mo's name.
He reckoned that Sun Mo would be too embarrassed to get such a reputation.
"Senior Martial Sister Lu, congratulations!"
Everyone immediately went up to Lu Zhiruo to offer their congratulations after she came back.
Lu Zhiruo scratched her head, looking upset. She was prepared to fight to the death, but things turned out this way.
"Everyone has to answer the calls of nature. It's really beyond one's control."
Jiang Leng spoke up. He thought of how when he had the runs in the past, he had to run from the bedroom to the toilet. It was just a distance of over ten meters, but it felt like a path leading to the heavens. It was never-ending.