Chapter 17: You Think You Deserve to Be Mentioned in the Same Breath as Me?

Xiao Yang’s gaze fell upon Ling Duofei.

Ling Duofei was also looking at Xiao Yang, a faint smile on his lips. “What a coincidence. I was just chatting with your girlfriend, and here you are. We had a pleasant conversation. You don’t mind, do you?”

Every student in the cafeteria turned their eyes toward Xiao Yang.

Ling Duofei was blatantly humiliating Xiao Yang. If this wasn’t intolerable, what was? Everyone awaited a fight between the two; it would be a spectacle worth watching.

Xiao Yang’s eyes were icy. “You may be happy, but my girlfriend isn’t. I must ask you for an explanation.”

Ling Duofei smiled, a hint of excitement in his expression. “How do you propose to settle this?”

Xiao Yang replied, “We are both martial artists. Naturally, we should resolve it in the way of martial artists.”

Ling Duofei’s eyes sparkled. “Excellent, that’s the spirit. If I win, I have the freedom to pursue whomever I wish. You must not interfere in my relationship with Xu Ruqing.”

Xiao Yang raised an eyebrow. “Agreed. If I win, you must never approach or coerce my girlfriend, nor her family, by any means.”

Ling Duofei grinned broadly. “Deal.”

He glanced at Xu Ruqing. “Darling, soon nothing will stand between us. I’ll clear away all obstacles, and no one will keep us apart.”

He laughed heartily and strode out of the cafeteria.

To those unaware of the preceding events, his words might have made Xiao Yang seem like the obstacle between him and Xu Ruqing.

Xiao Yang patted Xu Ruqing’s shoulder, giving her a reassuring look. “Trust me.”

Xu Ruqing nodded gently. Now… she could only rely on Xiao Yang. If he couldn’t stop Ling Duofei, she’d have no way to contend with the colossal Ling family from the City of Demons.

Xiao Yang also walked toward the exit, Xu Ruqing following close behind.

As the two left the cafeteria, all the students inside put down their bowls and chopsticks, streaming out to witness the unfolding drama.

One by one, students pulled out their phones, messaging their friends. Some posted directly to the forum for freshmen at Jiangnan Martial Arts University.

The headline was striking—“Battle of the Two Martial Titans Among Freshmen.”

The content was concise: “Ling Duofei and Xiao Yang are about to face off. Hurry to Cafeteria 13 and watch.”

To ensure maximum visibility, the poster paid to pin the thread, bolded and colored the title.

It was dinner time. Most freshmen were eating and not checking their phones. Yet some enjoyed browsing the forum as they ate. There, the post stood at the top, bold, flashing, and so numerous that it was impossible to miss.

Instantly, from Cafeteria 1 to 28, shouts of astonishment resounded:

“Damn! Ling Duofei and Xiao Yang are about to fight! Quick, let’s go watch!”

Those who heard the news dropped their utensils and rushed outside.

Some students were surprised. They knew that two tigers could not share a mountain; Xiao Yang and Ling Duofei, both freshman martial artists, were bound to clash. They hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

Most students bolted outside; only a few stayed to finish their meals.

The cafeterias, from 1 to 28, all clustered around the same central plaza, with Cafeteria 13 at its heart.

Thousands of students surged out of Cafeteria 13, a bustling crowd, voices rising in excitement. Even those from other cafeterias, who hadn’t seen the forum post, grew curious about the commotion outside.

By the time Xiao Yang and Ling Duofei stood at the center of the plaza, students had poured out from every direction, surrounding the square so tightly that not even water could seep through.

In the center, Ling Duofei gazed at Xiao Yang with a half-smile, excitement barely contained in his eyes.

“Xiao Yang, Xiao Yang! I never thought you’d lose your composure so quickly. I expected at least three days before you could no longer endure and challenged me. Yet here you are, on the very first day. Tsk, tsk… you couldn’t hold back.”

Ling Duofei couldn’t help laughing. “Well, the sooner you challenge me, the sooner I can trample you underfoot. Let everyone see clearly that among this year’s freshmen, Ling Duofei alone stands at the peak—unparalleled, unmatched by anyone, including you.”

His eyes brimmed with eagerness.

Truth be told, he felt little genuine interest in Xu Ruqing. His experience had rendered him indifferent to women.

His high-profile pursuit of Xu Ruqing served only one purpose: to provoke Xiao Yang.

Coming to Cafeteria 13 today was for that very reason—to incite Xiao Yang, drive him to the breaking point, and compel him to challenge Ling Duofei so they could settle their rivalry as martial artists.

Ling Duofei hailed from a top-tier martial arts family, with deep roots and excellent talent. Even without the mutated golden pomegranate, he was close to becoming a true martial artist.

The fruit had greatly enhanced his physique—strength, speed, and reflexes far beyond any newly minted first-rank martial artist.

What’s more, Ling Duofei had been a first-rank martial artist for over two months. During that time, he trained with his family before entering Jiangnan Martial Arts University to refine his skills, growing even stronger.

Xiao Yang, by contrast, had only recently become a martial artist after consuming the mutated Firecloud Fruit. Ling Duofei dismissed him entirely.

Ling Duofei had no intention of waiting until one of them mastered a martial arts technique to decide who was the top freshman.

He respected his status and did not initiate the challenge. Instead, he provoked Xiao Yang through Xu Ruqing, fanning his anger until Xiao Yang made the first move.

Then—he would defeat Xiao Yang in front of everyone, proving that among the freshmen, there was no rivalry, no contest of equals.

Only one truly stood at the summit: Ling Duofei.

“Let’s begin,” Xiao Yang said coldly, staring at Ling Duofei.

Ling Duofei kept his hands behind his back, not making a move. “No rush, let’s wait a bit longer. This fight needs more witnesses. Not just the students, but the university mentors as well.”

Xiao Yang’s cold smile was met with Ling Duofei’s air of certainty. Ling Duofei was confident, but so was Xiao Yang.

If Ling Duofei saw Xiao Yang as a mere first-rank martial artist who had lucked into a breakthrough with a mutated fruit, he was destined for disappointment.

Xiao Yang had defeated even seasoned first-rank martial artists like Liu Manxiong; he had no fear of Ling Duofei, who had only held his rank for two months.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Xiao Yang replied, also folding his hands behind his back.

More witnesses would only make the victory sweeter.

Students poured in from all directions, more than half of the twenty thousand freshmen crowding the plaza, their eyes alight with anticipation for the duel.

Conversations buzzed among the students, debating who had the greater chance of victory.

Some idolized Ling Duofei, others sympathized with Xiao Yang. Each freshman had their favorite, some rooting for Ling Duofei, some for Xiao Yang.

“Ling Duofei is too domineering. Though Xiao Yang initiated the challenge, it was Ling Duofei who stirred things up. He wants to prove himself by defeating Xiao Yang, but has he considered what happens if he loses? In front of everyone, he’d be utterly humiliated.”

“Exactly. His family is far superior to Xiao Yang’s, with resources Xiao Yang can only dream of. If Xiao Yang loses, it’s understandable. If Ling Duofei loses, it’ll be shocking—he’ll have only himself to blame.”

Hearing some students side with Xiao Yang, a few others scoffed.

They were top students from the City of Demons.

Like Ling Duofei, they were heirs to martial arts families, their backgrounds illustrious.

One student sneered, “Ling Duofei can only win. He won’t lose!”

Another chimed in, “There’s no such thing as absolute certainty.”

The first laughed. “You sons of common families, or worse, ordinary households, don’t understand the depth of martial arts families like ours. The Ling family is the pinnacle in the City of Demons, with many martial arts legacies. Ling Duofei has trained since childhood—not just in martial arts, but martial techniques. After becoming a first-rank martial artist, he could cultivate advanced techniques. With his prior experience, he quickly mastered ‘Iron Sand Palm.’

Do you know what Iron Sand Palm is? It’s a martial technique that greatly boosts explosive power. Normally, a martial artist might wield three hundred kilograms of force. With Iron Sand Palm, that jumps to five or six hundred. Xiao Yang only just became a first-rank martial artist. How many strikes can he withstand from Ling Duofei?”

The other heirs nodded in agreement.

Nearby freshmen who supported Ling Duofei smiled with glee, while those rooting for Xiao Yang grew grim.

As aspiring martial artists themselves, they understood well: the difference between those who had mastered martial techniques and those who hadn’t was immense.

Ling Duofei had trained in martial techniques, while Xiao Yang, coming from an ordinary family in a third-tier city, had only just become a martial artist thanks to a rare fruit. He had no time to learn techniques, if he had access at all.

A new first-rank martial artist, untrained in martial techniques, could never compare to one who had mastered them.

“Ling Duofei has mastered Iron Sand Palm!”

“Xiao Yang is no match, he only just became a martial artist!”

The news spread swiftly among the freshmen.

Those who supported Xiao Yang shook their heads in despair, while others grinned with excitement.

Everyone agreed: Xiao Yang was doomed. Challenging Ling Duofei had played right into his hands.

As time passed, the crowd grew ever larger.

Not only freshmen, but university mentors had arrived as well.

Finally, Ling Duofei took his hands from behind his back, raising them slightly. “Ling Duofei, first-rank martial artist—please.”

Xiao Yang raised his hand as well. “Xiao Yang, first-rank martial artist—please.”

With these words, the two stepped forward, closing the distance.

Ling Duofei grinned, unable to hide his excitement. “With so many eyes watching, if I knock you to the ground and plant my foot on your face, what will your classmates think of you?

Your talent is mediocre, you failed the martial exam, but became a martial artist overnight thanks to the mutated Firecloud Fruit. Your peers envy you, but they also resent you. Once you lose, they’ll tear you down.

Believe me, they’ll call you useless, say you’re garbage relying on a rare fruit, and without it, you’d be nothing. How could someone like you be compared to me, Ling Duofei?”

As Ling Duofei finished, the two were close enough. Suddenly, Ling Duofei accelerated like a tiger unleashed, appearing right before Xiao Yang.

Iron Sand Palm!

Ling Duofei channeled his chi into his palm, turning it iron-gray, exploding with tremendous force as he struck at Xiao Yang.

This strike, though not as powerful as Liu Manxiong’s years-honed Stone-Breaking Palm, far exceeded three hundred kilograms—at least six hundred or more.

When Ling Duofei attacked, the freshman who had explained Iron Sand Palm commented, “Ling Duofei’s opening move is Iron Sand Palm. Let’s see how many blows Xiao Yang can withstand.”

As he spoke, Xiao Yang sidestepped, reacting swiftly, causing Ling Duofei’s blow to miss.

“Xiao Yang got lucky, dodging the first strike. Three at most, and he’ll have nowhere left to escape. He’ll surely fall under Ling Duofei’s palm.”

The freshman continued his commentary.

Ling Duofei’s second palm followed, again evaded by Xiao Yang, so the commentator skipped to the third.

Ling Duofei frowned. Xiao Yang’s speed of reaction was unexpected.

Still, with Iron Sand Palm, each strike was faster than the last. He doubted Xiao Yang could keep dodging forever.

Ling Duofei shouted, amplifying his momentum. His third palm struck, shaking the air with a sharp shockwave.

Phantom Step!

Xiao Yang’s figure blurred, leaving a streak behind as he easily dodged the third blow.

With Phantom Step, Xiao Yang’s speed far surpassed Ling Duofei’s. In an instant, he curved around to appear behind Ling Duofei.

Although Iron Sand Palm was powerful, it lacked speed. Ling Duofei’s mastery was only elementary, far inferior to Liu Manxiong’s Stone-Breaking Palm, and slower to react.

As Xiao Yang appeared behind him, Ling Duofei’s palm, thrown with excessive force, was not yet recovered.

Xiao Yang kicked forward, landing squarely on Ling Duofei’s lower back.

Uniting waist and leg, Xiao Yang unleashed tremendous force. The leg was stronger than the fist, and with coordinated strength, the kick exceeded five hundred kilograms.

Over a thousand pounds of force struck Ling Duofei, who, though a first-rank martial artist, couldn’t withstand it. His body flew forward, crashing heavily to the ground.

“How is this possible?” the commentator exclaimed.

He had claimed Xiao Yang could dodge two blows at most, and would fall on the third. Yet Xiao Yang not only dodged the third, but counterattacked, sending Ling Duofei sprawling—a result he hadn’t foreseen.

Nor had any of the freshmen or mentors present. A chorus of shock rippled across the plaza.

“So much for being formidable—you’re not up to much after all,” Xiao Yang said calmly, watching Ling Duofei’s prone figure.

Ling Duofei reacted swiftly, pushing himself off the ground with both hands and feet, springing upright.

Now his face was twisted in fury, his eyes wild.

He had humiliated and provoked Xiao Yang to force this challenge, aiming to trample him underfoot and build his own reputation—not for this outcome.

With so many witnesses, being knocked down by Xiao Yang was mortifying for someone so proud.

Facing Ling Duofei’s savage glare, Xiao Yang said, “You’re no match for me. As a martial artist, honor your promise upon defeat.”

“Who says I’ve lost? I haven’t! Just a moment’s carelessness. Let’s go again… I’ll definitely beat you.”

“Take my Iron Sand Palm!”

Ling Duofei roared thrice, charging at Xiao Yang once more.

This time, rage fueled his strike. The palm wind was fierce, the shockwave audible, inspiring awe among the freshmen.

But to Xiao Yang, the anger only made Ling Duofei’s technique sloppier, exposing more flaws.

Phantom Step!

Xiao Yang’s figure flickered, effortlessly dodging the punch, appearing behind Ling Duofei.

Though the punch was heavy, it meant nothing if it missed. Expending all his strength, Ling Duofei couldn’t recover in time; Xiao Yang kicked again, hitting his lower back.

Thud!

Ling Duofei was sent flying once more, crashing to the ground.

This time, before Ling Duofei could counter, Xiao Yang stepped forward. As Ling Duofei tried to rise, Xiao Yang kicked him.

Bang—

Ling Duofei was sent flying, tumbling a yard away, coughing up blood.

The kick had disrupted his internal energy, causing unbearable pain and rendering him temporarily unable to fight. His body curled up like a shrimp, trembling.

“Ling Duofei, you dare claim to be my equal?” Xiao Yang stood a yard away, watching Ling Duofei writhe in pain, his voice calm.

The entire plaza fell silent. Every freshman stared at Xiao Yang, stunned.

Even the mentors exchanged bewildered glances, their minds reeling. None had expected Xiao Yang, from an ordinary background, to surpass Ling Duofei, the scion of a top martial arts family.

PS: Monday—asking for recommendation votes to climb the rankings, thank you...