Skyfire Avenue

by Stayrr

Skyfire Avenue is a street that is 2048 meters long. There are 168 stores here, and each of the store owners is an extremely powerful adept. The Avenue does not permit any vehicles or any robots to pass through it, much less mecha. Even the patrolling police must move about on foot. This is because this is a street for pedestrians, a lane for nobles, hidden away within this high te

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Chapter 155: The Benefit Concert

The Wine Master broke in to laughter. He lifted his right hand and, with a small motion, a shimmering crystal glass appeared on the table before Lan Jue. It looked handmade, of sophisticated and rare craftsmanship.

The Wine Master lifted the bottle set before him. He tipped it over the glass until two fingers of wine sloshed within.

Lan Jue watched the display, his eyes bright. "So is this my reward for capitulating?"

"That's right."

Lan Jue lifted the glass and swirled its contents, watching as the rich red liquid swung around in a clockwise direction. He dropped his hand and took a wiff. "Very fine. I quite like the Leoville Las Cases. Certainly worthy of being called the best of the Bordeaux Super Seconds."

"What year, do you recon," the Wine Master tested quietly.

Lan Jue took a tentative sip, sloshing the fluid around his mouth. The pungent wine rolled around, covering the sides and tip of his tongue, down to the base before slipping down his throat.

Lan Jue hesitated, and frowned. "The Leoville is among the more balanced Bordeaux wines across the years. They're all quite good, so it comes down to which ones are exquisite, and which ones aren't quite as wonderful. But this one seems… boring, bland. Thin aftertaste. I can't place a specific year, but this must absolutely have been produced in the seventies of the former era. The seventies were the worst years for Bordeaux. Only the 1970 and 1975 bottles were acceptable. This wine isn't one of those. So one of the other eight years, then. You really are stingy! This is definitely among the lowest quality Leoville there are. Even compared to a village wine."

The Wine Master clapped his hands in approval. "Good. Your analysis was very good. But you're here drinking my wine, so what is there to loathe? This particular bottle is from 1972. It hadn't been stored well, and as such is on the verge of going bad. I figured if we didn't drink it now, we never would. Older wines have a specific taste all their own, you can take larger mouthfuls."

Lan Jue smiled. "Drinking is certainly better than not drinking. So other than this business with the West's Paragons, where are we on your search for the product of the Three Masters?"

"Wait a few days after the Castle's visit. I'm still gathering information about it. We're waiting for the Clairvoyant to come up with something as well. There likely will be some trouble in whole matter, but success will mean quite the benefit. I really do hope the quality and skill of these masters will have been retained after all these years."

Lan Jue nodded. "I have my doubts, truth be told. They're not masters, but the product of. As for us what problem could we encounter? They're wine makers, aren't they? Not powerful Adepts."

"We've never met them, who's to say what they're like? In the end I trust the Clairvoyant's visions. Like recently with you, his visions claimed the situation would be more threatening than dangerous. But he knows the state of things, and how they can change. A person's destiny can change as time marches inexorably forward. In the end all we can do is face it with energy and positivity."

The Wine Master paused then, and snorted gently. "There isn't very much left in the realm of 'curious' that holds my attention any longer. However this, looking for the Masters and their progeny, has always been a dream of mine. Whenever I think about it, think about chasing after this dream, I get more excited than I've felt for a long time. And the closer we get, the more it seems the masters might even still be with us."

"What?" Lan Jue shot to his feet, nearly overturning the crystal glass in front of him.

"That's impossible. Nearly all of the Three Masters were born in the twentieth century of the Former Era. The nineteen thirties, more or less. It's been over two hundred years, almost three. Our genetic technology now is ages ahead of where they were, and even now a person only lives to about a hundred and fifty. How could there possibly still be a Master among us?"

The Wine Master shrugged. "At the moment it's a guess, but that doesn't mean it's an impossibility. Let me ask, how long does a Paragon live?"

Lan Jue shook his head. "I should ask you. I haven't reached that level. How would I know?"

"In reality it's different for each Paragon, in accordance with their own situations," the Wine Master said, in answer to his own question. "But I can tell you that if a Paragon truly cherished their life, they could employ their own protomorphic powers to delay the problems that come with old age. It's not impossible."

Lan Jue looked at him with a curious glint in his eye. "So you're saying if these masters were Paragons, then…"

"We can't ignore the possibility. However, this is all still in the realm of conjecture. More information is needed to uncover the truth. At least it's got your attention, no?"

Lan Jue chortled. "I was a mercenary. A spirit of adventure comes with the territory. I almost can't wait to get started."

The Wine Master nodded. "If everything from here on out goes smoothly, we could embark in a month and a half. As for this matter with you and the West's Adepts, don't worry. The Avenue will make sure you aren't given the short end of the proverbial stick. If they're truly interested in burying the hatchet, they'll need to show sufficient sincerity."

Lan Jue sniffed a laugh, draining his glass in one gulp. "Then I'll leave the issue to you. Let me have some more wine – two fingers only equates to a few mouthfuls."

The Wine Master's face betrayed a hint of disgruntled resignation. "I don't know why I never make no persona non grata here like I always threaten."

Beep beep beep! Lan Jue's communicator cut the conversation short.

A message.

Come for dinner tonight. Short and simple, but it brought a smile to Lan Jue's face.

The Win Master's voice intruded. "The Gourmet?"

Lan Jue looked up at him. "How'd you know?"

The old man laughed. "Of course because he invited me as well. There's a few hours yet before dark, let's finish this glass and you can head back to your store." As he spoke he poured once again in to Lan Jue's glass, though only a single finger this time.

Lan Jue types in a response while the Wine Master spoke.

Would it be alright if I invite two others?

Certainly.

Lan Jue drained his glass with a sigh. "Older alcohol has a distinct bitterness. It's a shame the 1970's Bordeaux were such bad years."

The Wine Master glowered at him. "Right, off you go."

Lan Jue chortled 1, set his glass down and made his exit.

Lan Jue paused as he exited the Gothic Winery and pondered how he should spend the next hours. Eventually he sauntered from his shop pushing the old antique bicycle given to him by the Keeper. He hadn't been to the school in days, he thought, it might be worth a trip over.

Drinking the Wine Master's Leoville had awakened the glutton in him, though it had given him an idea as to what to teach next time. Alcohol was also a fine item! Wine culture was deep and complicated, be it Western reds, Eastern whites or Scottish whiskey, even brandy. He liked them all, and had a working knowledge of each. It was time, he supposed, to teach the kids what he knew.

When Lan Jue arrived at the school he was taken aback. It looked like an entirely different place. The first thing he spotted from a fair instance away; three-meter tall banners had been plastered to the sides of the main gate. The figure on them was one he knew well.

As he closed in he spied two platforms that had been constructed by the gates. Poseidon's Sounds of Nature Benefit Performance could clearly be seen written on banners nearby.

A benefit concert? Lan Jue snorted a laugh as the words came in to view. Mo Xiao certainly had an uncanny knack for advertising, he thought. It had started like any other performance, but had now become a show to benefit the victims of Taihua's crisis. Now championing such a righteous cause, it certainly made the concert seem more special. Bumped up their profile quite a bit. It was certainly a wonderful thing for Gobi to open up their wallets, but the benefit for Gobi Entertainment was nothing to scoff at. It was supremely good publicity. It was no surprise the enterprise had been seeing growth by leaps and bounds since Mo Xiao took over.

With his mind on Mo Xiao, his thoughts went back to the strange expression Hua Li had on his face, that day when they had their heart to heart. Lan Jue honestly couldn't fathom why Hua Li didn't go for it with Mo Xiao. She was gorgeous, and talented. The only thing he could think of was Hua Li must be intimidated by her aggressiveness.

Though if he were being honest, Lan Jue figured he'd react much the same in a similar situation. Too strong a woman would make a man feel suppressed 2. Hua Li was a guy with a great deal of ability, and his personality reflected that.

Hera was still the best! Her gentle, beautiful face floated up in his memory. Visions of that white world flitted behind his eyes, and her moving voice echoed in his ears.

Things would have been so different had she lived. I'd be with her forever. We'd be right here at the base of the stage watching Hua Li perform. Then we'd eat a fine meal at the Gourmet's before finishing with an exquisite bottle of wine at the Wine Master's.

Poseidon's Sounds of Nature was everywhere, and its influence on the school was even more apparent as he pushed his bicycle inside.

Scores of posters canvased the school's interior. Platforms had been set up intermittently, housing advertisements and publicity broadcasts. There were even pamphlets specially printed for the occasion and souvenir kiosks. He couldn't fathom how Gobi Entertainment got the university to acquiesce to all of this. They'd come in and absolutely taken over.

Lan Jue lifted his head and peered at the banners flapping in the breeze. Hua Li looked down at him, standing casually in a black suit. Those uncanny features were turned in to an easy, captivating smile that seemed full of sunshine. Even though it was just a banner, those large blue eyes seemed to glitter, making hearts flutter. Passers-by couldn't help but stop and stare on their way to classes.

"This guy!" Lan Jue shook his head, unable to completely hide his criticism.

He tapped Hua Li's number in to his communicator.

"A-Jue, what's up?" Hua Li's tired voice answered on the other end.

"Let's have dinner tonight. The Gourmet's invited us. Where's A-Cheng?"

1. Punk

2. Hurray for sexism.

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Chapter 156: To Go, or Not to Go?

"Got something delicious cooking? Any cute girls?" Chu Cheng's voice was clearly heard on the other end.

Lan Jue was nearly speechless. "How about you don't come, on second thought. We're looking for guests with some moral integrity."

Chu Cheng snickered at the insult. "Hey, I have moral integrity in spades. If there aren't any pretty women, I can live with it. Oh, speaking of, damn dude your school's got no shortage of hotties eh? I saw a picture of that one that looks like Hera. Like twins bro! But look, if it's true you don't have any interest in her perhaps you'll let me give it a shot, yeah?"

"Chu Cheng!" Lan Jue's voice became a growl, heavy with the promise of violence.

"Hah, I'm messin' with ya bro." Chu Cheng's stupid chortling echoed through the communicator. After a minute he regained his composure. "But seriously, A-Jue, she's like exactly the same. Well, not as nice, but you – "

Lan Jue hung up.

ζ

Hua Li, dressed in a fine formal suit, kicked at the man at his side. "You got nothing better to do, idiot? Lan Jue's been all broken up about Hera for so long, what the hell are you doing bringing it all back up?"

Chu Cheng stood lazily to one side, a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. "Running away won't solve some things," he said quietly. "In fact I'm surprised you don't see this as a good opportunity. Suddenly we have this woman here who looks strikingly like our lost Hera. Who's to say she isn't the reason for Lan Jue's resurgence?"

Hua Li narrowed his eyes, a curious light in his dazzling blue eyes. "Let's hope that's the case."

ζ

After hanging up, Lan Jue's mind couldn't help but turn to that alluring figure. A strange sense of agitation filled him.

She's not Hera! She's not Hera! She's NOT HERA!"

The mantra did seem to bring him a sense of ease.

But what has she been up to these last few days?

Almost without thought, his consciousness reached out through the Soulcaller gem around his neck.

"I'm back." He projected his thoughts out towards her.

No response.

Hm? Apprehension shuddered through him. The benefit of the gem was that the user's thoughts were instantly transferred to the receiver. She should be able to know right away, unless she took it off.

"I'm back." He tried once more.

"Got it." This time there was a reply. Her response was calm, as though nothing out of turn had occurred.

"I'm ready to continue with the bodyguard duties. Tomorrow. Want me to bring you to school?"

"Fine." The reply was short, to the point.

Lan Jue couldn't pinpoint why exactly, but something didn't feel right. His consciousness reached out again. "Where are you?"

"Home. I haven't been feeling well, I took a few days off."

"Not feeling well? What's the matter?"

Zhou Qianlin was silent for a time. After what felt like half the night she answered. "Since when have you been so concerned with everything I do?"

Lan Jue blinked. She was right, since when did he start having such concern for her?

"Are you going to begin classes tomorrow?" He changed the subject.

"Yup."

"Then I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright."

With their little chat concluded, Lan Jue lapsed in to thought. Uncomfortable? Home sick? She was a very tough girl. What kind of sickness would put her out like this for so long?

His mind tumbled over the issue as he pushed his bike towards the exit.

"Professor Lan?" A surprised voice stopped him.

He lifted his head and spied golden-haired Tang Mi trotting towards him.

He nodded in greeting. "Hello, Tang Mi."

She looked him over a few times. "It's great you're back, Professor. You probably aren't aware, but now there are a whole slew of students who want to join your class. They're saying you teach a whole bunch of things they can't learn anywhere else. Didn't you also go with the others to Taihua? So long as you got back safe that's great. It must have been so scary with those monsters over there.

"I was lucky," Lan Jue said. "I didn't run in to any of the monsters. If I had, I probably wouldn't be standing here talking to you."

Tang Mi patted her plump chest. "Then we're all in luck!"

It was Lan Jue's turn to question her. "Tang Mi, what about that black haired girl I always see you with. I haven't seen you two together for a while."

Tang Mi looked surprised, then a little hurt. "All you men are always fauning over Qianlin. She's home sick."

Lan Jue chuckled at her distemper. "Just a teacher's concern for his students is all. Is it serious?"

"I don't think so," she replied. "I went to visit her. Probably just a cold. She feels weak, so a few days rest at home and she'll be fine."

Lan Jue felt the inexplicable tightness in his chest ease somewhat. "Alright, I won't bother you then. Class will begin again in a few days."

Tang Mi called back. "Professor, do you guys really just like those gentle sorts of women?"

Lan Jue answered with a serious expression. "This is a school, young lady. Your task should be to study well, not busying your head with this sort of thinking. I hear you're already an Emperor-Class mecha pilot, which is an amazing feat for your age. Such being the case, you should focus on studiously exploiting your natural talent. You don't want to squander this chance, during this special time in your life." 1

The young lady replied by sticking out her tongue. "Don't be like that, Professor Lan! We students all find you fun and interesting, you shouldn't act so much like Director Wu."

Lan Jue's expression suddenly changed. "Director Wu is here."

Tang Mi covered her mouth as she tittered. "That's right. Teasing sometimes is good fun. But you really are acting like him."

"Acting like who?" A stately, deep voice boomed from behind Tang Mi.

The young pilot's face suddenly went stiff. "Ah! W-well Professor, I have things to do. Time for training!" She ran off without looking back.

Director Wu watched Tang Mi flee with a shake of his head. "This girl. So fidgety. She needs to adopt a calmer character, then she'd really be making progress. She actually has more talent even than her brother. The two of them are the pride of our school."

Lan Jue nodded his head in agreement. "I'm ready to begin classes whenever you like, Director Wu."

Wu Junyi sauntered to Lan Jue's side. "As long as you're feeling well, all's fine. This last trip got us all frightened, sad. For that I'm deeply sorry. We'll be having another activity at a later date to make it up to the faculty."

Another activity? Lan Jue had to physically restrain himself from flinching. "That's fine, really," he hastily assured. "What happened out there was a tragedy, no one could have seen that coming."

Giving his farewells to Director Wu, Lan Jue then made his way towards the electives offices. However, the two he'd hoped to meet weren't there.

Wang Hongyuan's status as an Emperor-Class mecha pilot had not been revealed. He was off teaching class as though nothing had changed. Jin Yan was also in class.

Lan Jue busied himself with arranging his desk, and organizing his teaching materials. He aimed to wait until they arrived so he could say hello. However, he fell to busy work to combat the unsettling sensation that had grown within him.

Time passed, and though he can't remember leaving the school, he found himself standing at the foot of Skyfire Mountain when his thoughts abated.

She's just sick?

Should I go in and check up on her?

Is that really the right move?

I wouldn't want people to misunderstand.

Just for a quick minute.

A figured appeared at the peak of the mountain, on the edge of the woods surrounding the nearby villa. For Lan Jue, the various security protocols in place were there in name only.

This was the East's equivalent to the White House, and was suitably large for its status. Its security was tighter than normal, more than likely due to the wedding incident.

Lan Jue stood about five hundred meters from the villa. Miniscule bolts of lightning raced across his eyes as he spied the dim, partially visible glint of infrared beams. It was the first, outward-most defense system of the house.

"How many romantic love stories would be denied if all women's houses were like this," Lan Jue muttered. He chuckled at the situation, then was on the move.

Flickering electric blue light arose, with Lan Jue hidden in its midst. He dropped to a squat position, and stuck his arm down in to the dirt. Suddenly, soundlessly, he vanished.

Anywhere lightning could go, so could he. He was a creature of thunder and lightning. This power to enter and escape at will was known by a specific name, Fulmenating.

The hand he'd stuffed in to the ground had grasped a buried cable. With that the whole of the mansion's metal structure and electrical network were at Lan Jue's mercy.

Everything became an extension of himself. He saw all.

He spied Zhou Qianlin lying in bed, demurely covered in a pair of traditional white pajamas. She was covered to the waste in a comforter with her hair splayed out around her. She held a book loosely in her grip, and stirred on occasion.

Her face was somewhat pale, and her eyes weren't a bright as they once were. She turned a few more pages then, as though tired, shut her eyes and put the book to one side.

Flashing electric light spat from a socket in the corner, it's sparks and embers congealing in to a humanoid form.

She looked at peace, resting quietly atop the bed, pure as a lily. She looked so weak he couldn't help but feel pity.

He spied the Soulcaller gem, still attached to her neck. Lan Jue gently pulled the blanket up until it covered her. He reached out a finger and placed it against her jugular, searching for a pulse.

A moment later a curious look overtook his features, speculation, which caused him to shake his head. He moved around until he arrived at the other side of the bed and climbed on. He gently placed the palm of his hand against her back.

A moment later he let out a long, quiet breath. He turned over, and climbed off the bed. He vanished in to the nearby outlet as quickly as he'd arrived.

A minute after his departure, Zhou Qianlin's long eyelashes began to flutter. She slowly opened her eyes to the world around her. He reached a hand out from beneath the comforter to touch her neck. The corner of her lips turned up in a small smile.

1. In China, while it isn't 'illegal' for children in university/high school to date, it is highly frowned upon. Students are expected to focus entirely on their studies. Only after they've graduated are they expected to find a spouse. Of course they are then expected to already have a car, a house, and an excellent paying job (for men).

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Chapter 157: Discipline Awakening?

A flash of electricity, and Lan Jue's hazy form appeared once again at the edge of the mountain forest. His face bore a peculiar expression.

"Discipline Awakening? Her 'illness' is from her Discipline blooming? And how is it her Discipline fells so much like Hera's did in the beginning? Hera never told me what her Discipline was either, but these energy fluctuations can't lie. They're weaker than Hera's was, though, like it has just Awakened. What's going on?"

His confusion gave way to joy, however, since in the end her problems weren't serious. On the contrary, a person's Discipline awakening was a grand occasion.

It had been three years since he'd lost Hera, but he remembered everything about her as though it just happened. In the beginning, like him, she was a talented mecha pilot. However, she was different from all of the higher level pilots, too. Her Talent didn't appear to have any specific combat proficiency. It just made her body better. He responsiveness, flexibility, agility and physical strength all were beyond the levels of an average human. That was how she managed to reach the heights of mecha piloting that she had. By virtue of that strange Discipline, her hand speed had been even faster than his.

He'd asked her more than once about it, her Discipline. With such high energy output, he said, why is it her Discipline was never used in combat? It would certainly make her a sight more powerful. She said nothing more than that her Discipline didn't fuse well with mechas. The result was she was never able to break in to the God-class of pilots, and remained an Emperor.

Every time he asked she was secretive, and would only tell him that there would come a day when he would find out what her Discipline was. But she never expected that day…

To feel that power again brought the memories flooding back, so similar to Hera's own. The difference in power was inescapable, but so too was that familiar feeling.

She was already so similar to her, and then now at his age to have her Discipline awaken, a discipline so similar to Hera's… inconceivable couldn't describe it. Lan Jue knew nothing, not even if she would be able to cultivate her Talent to be stronger. What in the world was this?

With these questions still roiling unanswered in his mind, Lan Jue made his exit from the mountain top. He swung up on to the seat of his bike and began rolling down the path.

By the time he got back to the jewelry store, Hua Li and Chu Cheng were already waiting.

Today's disguise for Hua Li was a hat, and thick black-rimmed glasses. It wasn't a major effort to hide his identity, but then there were never very many people on the Avenue. There wasn't much of a need for his snowman suit.

Chu Cheng was seated on the counter, discussing something with Ke'er in quiet tones. Something unsavory, judging by the small grin on his face.

Ding ding. The door announced Lan Jue's arrival.

"Boss, you're back," Ke'er greeted without hesitation.

Lan Jue nodded in greeting. Chu Cheng's smile was gone, and he stared at the ceiling in the very picture of false innocence.

His friend's very poor cover-up caused him to laugh. "Alright, alright. No need to pretend. We all know what sort of man you are."

Chu Cheng chuckled. "Yeah? And what sort of man am I?"

"A bastard," Lan Jue said without missing a beat. "Xiuxiu, Ke'er. You ladies give this scoundrel a wide berth, you hear me? He's no good for any of us."

Xiuxiu covered her mouth sweetly as she laughed, while Ke'er shot her recent conversation companion a glance. "Well he did just offer to take me out for a meal and a movie, boss. You think he harbors evil intentions?"

"Ah-heh, hm!" Ch Cheng was suddenly overcome by a fit of coughs. It did little to dispel the awkward situation. "Well. I heard you were taking us out there, bro. Hua Li was telling me there's this Gourmet on the Avenue that makes some delicious grub."

Lan Jue made his way over to the small crowd and took the glass of water offered by Xiuxiu. He took a sip before answering. "No idea what he's making, though. We have the time, so how about we head underground. I can see how my two baby apprentices are doing."

"Off we go then." Hua Li arose and stretched. He looked tired.

"What's got you in such a sore mood, A-Li? You've got that huge concert coming up," Lan Jue asked.

Hua Li's pretty face revealed a hint of lamentation. "Mo Xiao, as always! She's paying me back for disappearing like I did. She's got me training twice as hard as I would for any normal concert. I'm sleeping only a few hours a night! You guys have no concept of her cruelty. What's worse is this righteous kick she's on, all about how this is a benefit concert and we need the donations for the search and rescue operations. All of this and I have no means of rebellion, she's got it all locked down tight. Poor me! A-Jue, let's just elope and get outta here."

Lan Jue chuckled at his pitiful companion. "Let's do it. But first you'll have to find a habitable planet Gobi Entertainment hasn't got it's claws in yet."

"Ah…" Hua Li glowered helplessly at the floor. "God damn I wish I wasn't doing this stupid concert."

"Shut your face!"

"Cut it out."

Both Chu Cheng and Lan Jue spoke together, Lan Jue going so far as to clap a hand over Hua Li's mouth.

"Don't you realize what kind of chaos it'd cause if someone heard you say that? The economic ramifications?" Chu Cheng had changed suddenly, from his normally distant and lackadaisical persona to someone a sight frostier.

Hua Li slapped away Lan Jue's hand. "Fine! Go check on your students. That fatty's progress has been pretty good, he's got some serious potential. The other one's still asleep.

Lan Jue turned his attention to Xiuxiu and Ke'er. "You two come along as well. We'll close the topside store for a little bit."

"Yes boss," Xiuxiu said, moving towards the door and locking it tight. It wasn't as though it mattered much, really – the surface store rarely saw any visitors.

The five of them took the shop's elevator to its Underground equivalent.

"Ah boss, you're here." Mika greeted them as the doors opened. Today she was dressed in a black suit and skirt combo, with her fiery red hair sitting atop her head in a bun.

The second he saw her, Chu Cheng's eyes adopted a hungry light. Wordlessly he shot a glance at Lan Jue, though it's meaning was clear. Lan Jue, however, seemed not to have noticed.

Lin Guoguo also trotted over. "Hey boss. I guess you brought Ke'er and Xiuxiu down here to see how our training's been going?"

Lan Jue smirked and shook his head. "Negatory."

"Oh?" Lin Guoguo cantered her head and blurted, "What's the deal then?"

"You'll find out in a bit," he answered cryptically. "First take me to see Jin Tao."

"Yes boss." Mika led the way, bringing the others to the shop's back room warehouse.

As they walked Lan Jue addressed his number two. "Mika, let me see the shop's inventory list when you get a chance."

"You got it," she said. "I'll have it for you tomorrow."

He nodded. "It was by the grace of the Wine Master and the Doctor that I got back alive this time. I owe them a great deal. The Doctor had to expend an s-ranked gem as well. We don't have any in stock, but a show of gratitude and intent to pay back is important. Make sure to take it from my own stock."

"What are you on about boss," Mika said. "We're all in this together, stock included."

Lan Jue smiled, but said nothing further.

Chu Cheng made a motion as though he were swooning from behind Mika. Hua Li kicked him back to normal.

Jin Tao was still asleep in the nourishment pod, quietly floating in the strange gel. From time to time, multi-colored flashes of light arced across the surface of his skin.

Lan Jue took a glance at the pod's computer, reading over the vitals. He nodded, apparently pleased with what he saw.

"This kid's got intense willpower. The effects look good. The second two injections should be a sight easier on him."

Hua Li spoke up. "You got a good eye. When I first saw the kid I didn't think much of him. Now I see you were right. He has no real Talent, but his willpower is damn near supernatural. In that way he's got a ton of potential. We just can't know how much this Fantascia Genetica decoction will improve his Discipline."

Lan Jue turned to look at Mika. "When is Tang Xiao coming today?"

"Should be soon," she replied. "He comes every day. He may be fat but he's damn cunning in a fight. He keeps harassing me in the middle of it, so naturally I have to beat the piss out of him every time."

Lan Jue snorted a laugh. "That's his special combat style. Any indication of his Discipline's second Awakening?"

"Nothing for the time being. Still, with the pressure we've been adding his progress certainly isn't slow. Definitely faster than an average seventh level Adept. As far as I can tell it shouldn't be long."

"That's good then," he replied. "We'll keep waiting."

Hua Li gave him a wondering look. "So what are we all doing down here, anyway?"

"To watch a little spar."

"Spar?" Chu Cheng asked. "Who what and where?"

Lan Jue looked them over. "Have you forgotten why you came here? We've got that challenge we accepted from Piao Hong and the Guardians. If we aren't up to snuff and lose, big brother's gunna let us have it. We need to get to training. We haven't worked together in ages – it's about time we remembered how to."

Chu Cheng's face lit up, exchanging a look with Hua Li. "So you're really looking to make some improvement, eh? Good, so we're here to compare notes as adepts or mecha pilots?"

Lan Jue's grin split his face from ear to ear. "I came to a recent realization. Today we start with our Discipline. After a while, when Tang Xiao shows up, we'll get to it in a big way. We'll show them what a real team working together looks like. Tomorrow it'll be mecha combat."

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Chapter 158: Comparing Notes

Hua Li's face looked pitiful. "Can I not participate? I've been doing nothing but training these last two days. At this pace I'm gunna die, I can feel it."

Lan Jue's countenance grew hard. "Stop whining. At your level you think I believe a little singing and dancing makes you that tired?"

Hua Li's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Shit A-Jue. Have you ever actually watched one of my concerts?"

Lan Jue waved a hand dismissively. "Looking at you is enough. What's the point of seeing one of these prancing shows of yours?"

Chu Cheng, standing next to him, laughed at their exchange. "There's a connection between his physical prowess and his fame, you know. He puts his Discipline to good use during his concerts, too. It's not just singing and shaking his ass. Some crazy special effects. When he says he's tired I believe him. And in the end, who knows how hard Mo Xiao pushes him."

"Lan Jue!" Hua Li nearly gnashed his teeth at his friend, grabbing his nose between his fingers. "I hate your face! You've really never seen one of my concerts!? You don't know people say I'm the most handsome of my whole familial dynasty? No wonder you haven't shown the least bit of interest. I am the greatest celebrity ever known, and when I'm dancing on that stage you have no idea how handsome, charming and awesome I really am!"

Lan Jue simply rolled his eyes. "Why should I be interested? Isn't it mostly young girls that are infatuated with you?"

Hua Li's white-knuckle grip relaxed as he fell in to a combat pose. "We're settling this, right now!"

Lan Jue rubbed his nose. "Fine, soon. You pinch my nose like that and you're asking to be put in the ground."

"No doubt," Chu Cheng interrupted. "What kind of man are you anyway? A-Jue's only just recovered from his injuries and here you are being so rough. If I were you, A-Jue, I wouldn't put up with any of this nonsense. You should beat the crap out of him on principle. I'll be the ref."

Both Lan Jue and Hua Li turned the force of their glare onto Chu Cheng. He instantly shrunk away. "I'm just trying to seek out justice here, right, looking out! What's all this hostility alluva sudden?"

Hua Li's cantankerous voice growled at him. "People who stir up shit are the worst kind. A-Jue, you and I will beat on this piece of trash, then we'll see what's up."

Lan Jue's fists tightened. "I like it. It's far past time we shut this guy up. Always sitting here profiting at other people's expense."

Chu Cheng's response was angry, indignant. "The hell is wrong with you two, treating me like this? You really take me for that sort of person?"

"Yes!" Hua Li and Lan Jue shouted in unison.

"Ah, Professor!" Their heated exchange was interrupted by the surprised cry from behind them. Lan Jue turned his head to spy the large silhouette bounding towards him.

Lan Jue lifting his hands to protect himself from the jiggly onrush of his student. "Use your words there, kid, save all this gesticulating for the ring. Don't you know how heavy you are?"

Tang Xiao hobbled excitedly towards his teacher, his moon-shaped face jiggling. "It's good to see you back, Professor. Miss Mika's been great with me the last few days, studiously teaching me. Miss Lin Guoguo as well. Under their guidance my power has increased by leaps and bounds!"

Lan Jue couldn't help himself in the face of the kid's sincerity, and actually ruffled his disciple's hair. "Good, keep it up, reign in that sensitivity. Later I'll see for myself how far you've come. Right now it's time for us to head to the Reaper's Arena."

"Huh? There's no need, Professor, here should be fine. I was told only Adepts with high levels of power need to go to the Arena. Miss Mika's teachings are enough for me, there's really no need for you to bother yourself with me."

The kid was really scared! He was working fine with the two women. It was harsh, but his improvement was obvious to anyone who saw – only, with them sometimes he was beaten so badly he hardly wished to live. How much worse would it be with his Professor doing the beating? From what he was hearing, it sounded like Professor wanted to take matter in to his own hands, literally. Though he'd never actually witnessed Lan Jue's true power, he could guess considering how powerful Mika and Lin Guoguo were. Would he even live to see home?

Lan Jue smiled mirthfully. "Don't be scared. Today you get to rest, just watch and learn."

"Oh." Tang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief and said nothing more. He respectfully took a step to the side, out of their way. With so much power around him, he didn't dare resort to his more wily tendencies. He turned his head and looked at Jin Tao, sleeping fitfully in the nourishment pod. This guy! He was the lucky one, asleep and unaware.

Reaper's Arena.

Lan Jue busied himself with setting up their special combat arena, employing the special control apparatus the Wine Master had given him.

Zeus' Amazons and Jin Tao sat in a separate area, with a panoramic view of the layout. Only Lan Jue, Hua Li and Chu Cheng remained inside.

"It looks like second brother 1 was right when he said you're doing much better. Are you feeling alright?" Hua Li asked.

Lan Jue nodded. "I've already checked things out for myself, and I can honestly say I can't be any better. I can't figure out how I ended up recovering so well. In fact, did you guys see anything out of the ordinary when you arrived that day?"

Hua Li spoke up. "When we got there we found you asleep in a hollowed out hole, in something that looked like white rock. I went over to check on you myself and you were fine; calm, breathing. It was like you'd never gotten injured at all."

"A white rock?" Lan Jue felt a flash of… something, but he couldn't pinpoint precisely what was striking about Hua Li's statement. Nor could he recall any of the methods the Doctor used to treat him at the time.

"Alright, well we'll leave that discussion for another time. So bring it, which one of you two is first?" Lan Jue swept his eyes between his fellow Monarchs.

Chu Cheng gave him a surprised look. "What? You're thinking two on one?"

Lan Jue smirked. "Just taking advantage of an opportunity, what's wrong with two on one? Didn't you say earlier you were planning on uniting with A-Li against me? A-Cheng, you're getting more cunning every time I see you."

Chu Cheng snorted, puffing his chest out with pride. "What kind of person do you take me for? A-li, let me deal with this punk first. Three years with his thumb up his keister, I'm positive he's lost all his edge."

Hua Li shrugged. "Alright, he's all yours then." He lunged back a few steps to give them adequate room. He didn't exit to the observation platform, though, but remained at the edge of the ring.

Lan Jue and Chu Cheng stared at each other from across the arena. Little by little their respective expressions became calm and impassive. The two knew each other exceedingly well. Lan Jue had indeed been languishing in sorrow the last three years, but in reality Chu Cheng didn't in the least underestimate or look down upon his friend and mercenary companion. He knew as well as any that of the Divine Monarchs, it was Lan Jue's Discipline that was the most destructive.

Lan Jue looked back at his friend, still and unchanged. He was calm, like the surface of a lake. They stood in silence, staring, until a change overcame them.

A crimson hue slowly began to overtake Chu Cheng's eyes until they looked like burning charcoal. A powerful, stifling aura arose in tandem, and the air around him shimmered as though viewed through extreme heat.

Mika muttered to herself within the observation platform. "Heat-based Discipline."

Lan Jue, meanwhile, was undergoing his own changes. Coiling arcs of electricity flashed across his vision, until his eyes were a startling electric violet. Flashes of power sparked from behind his lids. The unsettling crackle of lightning filled their ears, making skin crawl.

Suddenly, both of them were on the move. There seemed to be some tacit agreement not to employ their Disciplines just yet. Lightning arced from Lan Jue off to the sides.

Chu Cheng's lithe figure launched in to the air, spreading out like some terrible bird. With a twist he was tumbling towards Lan Jue delivering a flurry of kicks.

Lan Jue made no move to retreat, but instead kept up the advance. He did not leave the ground to meet his assailant. His hands shot up, however, and pressed at the air towards Chu Cheng.

Bang bang, bang bang! The sounds of impact filled the arena. With each one the air filled with sparks of lightning and fire.

Chu Cheng fell back to earth with a graceful backflip. He glared across the field and growled while hungry flames exuded from him. Everything around him was illuminated by the angry blaze. If one were to look carefully, they would see drops of golden-red fluid dripping from him.

Lan Jue chuckled. "Who are you trying to scare?" As he spoke lightning began to coil up his form. With a flash he became covered in a crystalline blue light.

Strangely, it wasn't just the color of him that changed. He almost looked as though he were composed of crystal himself. There were no sparks, no thunder – it was as though his Discipline simply manifested.

"Eh?" Chu Cheng couldn't help but vocalize his surprise. This was different, and until this moment he was sure he was totally familiar with Lan Jue's abilities.

Electromorphosis! This was among Lan Jue's most powerful of abilities. It helped to amplify his thunderbolt Discipline. But despite what he knew, this wasn't the same. Usually when he employed this power, he would be a mess of lightning bolts and electric light – but not this time. When did he learn to control his Discipline so well, Chu Cheng thought, to keep it in check? Not a single iota of his power was escaping his grasp. But hadn't he been in hiding for three years, without any training? Not judging by what he was seeing!

He was surprised, but Chu Cheng was too good – too much a professional to let that deter him. Without stopping, he lashed out with a chopping motion towards Lan Jue.

A roaring, frightening wall of flame came racing towards the Jewelry Master. The heat it released was so great that the area it passed warped nauseatingly.

But Lan Jue didn't move, made no effort to sidestep. It was almost as though he hadn't noticed the fiery wall that was crashing down towards him. With his hands pressed against his chest, his powers seemed even more restrained.

Boooooommm! The fiery attack landed a direct hit, and Lan Jue was lost amongst the roiling flames. Flame and smoke rose to the heavens like a volcanic eruption. Odd crimson orbs were interlaced in the fiery column, rising from the point of impact. The heat was so intense Zeus' amazons and Tang Xiao could feel it from the observation platform.

The overweight disciple looked on, silent as a mouse. He thought Mika's fiery discipline was frightening to behold, but the difference in power was clear as he watched this young master at work. Whether power, prestige or intimidation factor, he was on a whole other level.

Mika herself looked on with a manic flash in her eyes. The power and purity of his Discipline was astonishing. She felt the explosive power of it when the attack landed. He was at least ninth level fifth rank, by her estimation, if not stronger. This was definitely her chance to learn and improve, she thought.

1. Here I believe he's referring to Chu Cheng

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Chapter 159: Spirit of Hades

Lan Jue emerged from the roaring flames unscathed. The roiling inferno burned furiously around him, reflecting of his crystalline body but leaving no mark. The electric blue of his presence flashed in the eye of every onlooker.

"Huh?" Hua Li, expecting the battle from the sidelines, was as struck with questions as his lazy counterpart. Even as distant as he was, Hua Li had to protect himself from the baptism of fire by virtue of a radiating blue light. It served to isolate him from the heat.

His observations were keen, and he knew Chu Cheng was taking it easy on his opponent. Still, for A-Jue to sustain this level of heat without blinking was impressive – even by his standards.

Things were different between Chu Cheng and Lan Jue. For starters, they hadn't really kept in contact for the last three years, and Chu Cheng wasn't aware of much of what had happened to the Jewelry Master. Hua Li, though, remembered their battle from not long ago. Lan Jue hadn't been able to employ his Discipline much at all, but Hua Li could still feel Lan Jue's fluctuating power levels. Comparing them to what he saw now, the lancing bolts of electricity, they were different. It was as though his friend's thunderbolt discipline had become 'gentler.' What could that mean?

Chu Cheng's figure appeared from the bowels of the flames, his dark figure stark and ominous against the fire light. He was at Lan Jue's back, and without hesitation reached a hand out for him. His grasping palm grew red, then gold, like a little sun seeking to devour his enemy.

Lan Jue didn't move.

Poof! The gathered Amazons gasped as Chu Cheng's hand disappeared in to Lan Jue's body.

Chu Cheng was likewise surprise, whereupon he suddenly felt the explosive power of thunder gathering above his hand. Quickly and without warning, his entire body was wracked by tremors. The golden-red light around him faltered and dissipated.

A trick!

Chu Cheng's agonist response arose automatically in his defense. The young man's eyes flashed gold with energy, after which an unsettling gray shadow appeared at his back. It yanked his trapped hand free.

In a flash Lan Jue's figure raced backwards, colliding with Chu Cheng's chest. He became the center of a blinding corona as crackling bolts of electricity exploded outward in all directions.

Of course Chu Cheng didn't simply allow this to happen – he was a Monarch for a reason. He curled in to himself and erupted, the flames swallowing him in to an angry ball of fire. The nightmarish shadow behind him rushed in, joining with the fires and turning them a deep crimson. With a sizzling hiss, Chu Cheng extricated himself from the collapsing field of lightning.

Lan Jue was gone in a flash. Moments later he reappeared with his hand raised. He beckoned in the air, and with a peal of thunder a lightning bolt was in his grip. He reeled back, and threw!

The writhing spear of lightning chased after Chu Cheng, who was still surrounded by dark hungry flames. By the time the bolt caught up, the flames had turned to grey. Once the attack collided – nothing. No blast, no force. The bolt vanished as though it had never existed.

The fireball fell to the ground and melted away, once more revealing Chu Cheng. His hair stood on end, and his right hand still shook ever so slightly.

Lan Jue watched his friend dispassionately. Blue light still emanated from his crystal form.

"Your electromorphism's certainly improved," Chu Cheng noted.

Lan Jue nodded. "Just recently. In fact, you're my guinea pig. From where I'm standing it looks pretty effective."

Chu Cheng's expression was irate. "When did you become so insidious. You've been learning from A-Li."

Hua Li chimed in from across the ring. "Want me to throw down?"

"Hold it," Chu Cheng replied with a humph. "Watch me wail on him a bit, then we'll see. Take care now, A-Jue, time to get a little more serious!" He took a menacing stride forward as he spoke.

Chu Cheng was already a tall youth, and as they looked on he began to grow taller still. In the blink of an eye he stretched three meters.

His squirly head of red hair changed as well, turning gray like ash. The nasty smirk on his face melted in to an icy-cold mask, with a long smear of blood tracing a line along his forehead. The aura he exuded was tremendously stifling.

He was covered then in a lengthy black robe, shimmering with embroidered lines of silver. His ordinarily tanned skin faded until it was a ghastly pale. As the slowly boiling flames around him died, those terrifying grey eyes fixed upon Lan Jue.

The Jewelry Master watched the change, unmoving, though his eyes narrowed as the forbidden art unfolded. Of the other observers, it was Mika's reaction which was the most pronounced – she even cried out in surprise.

"Hades… Monarch of the Underworld, he's… he's actually Hades!"

Ke'er shot her companion an uncertain look. "What's up with you, Mika? You mean you didn't know? The boss and his three companions were known as the Four Divine Monarchs. The God of Wisdom, Prometheus; Lord of the Afterlife, Hades; Zeus, King of the Gods; and Poseidon Lord of the Seas. Chu Cheng is that second one, Lord of the Afterlife. Of course he's Hades!"

Ke'er sought to educate her friend, but Mika seemed lost in her own thoughts. "No… I always just thought it was a title, some sort of designation. But he – he's the real deal. Like my father, possessing a pure malevolent Discipline. He just hasn't cultivated his powers to their peak, yet. Such powerful abyssal energies… if my father were to ever discover his true power, there's no question he'd have someone sent to murder him. He'd have him killed, and his powers absorbed. If he were to succeed in that, he'd be more powerful than any of the Paragons. He'd truly become master of the universe!"

Mika knew much about the darker side of the galaxy, and the powers of the abyss. It was a part of her, ever since she was small, to the point where she couldn't be sure there weren't actual ghosts and demons to be found in the universe. What she was sure of, however, was that although ghosts and devils were a part of the world she lived in, they were the enemy.

The Prince of Devils, Satan, and the Lord of the Afterlife, Hades. Each sought to devour the other.

It was often said that, in ancient times, Hades was stronger than Satan. However, for various reason, as the new age dawned Hades was incapable of finding his true self. Satan persevered, slowly growing stronger until they were of equal power.

The story was rarely heared now since the stellar migration. Perhaps those mythical beings didn't exist, never existed. However, in a way they did, through these powerful Adepts. The Prince and Lord, masters of their dark Disciplines, inherited through blood or other means.

Satan, one of the world's Ten Paragons, and his Dark Tower were ever searching the stars for those who possessed the power of Hades. Mika never really thought she'd ever come across the real deal. But here he was – Lord of the Afterlife, Hades, in the flesh.

Lan Jue wasn't still during the process. He, too, took a step forward. Immediately the familiar changes overcame him; his eyes changed to gold, the crackling sound of thunder split the air, and an imperial aura of command surrounded him.

A golden cloak appeared, affixed to his shoulders. Countless bolts of lightning flashed around him, real for just the space of an instant and leaving a charged halo of energy around him. His hair changed to gold, matching his flashing regal eyes.

"Ascension. A-Jue, don't overtax yourself." Chu Cheng's voice snakes from between the worm-like, pallid lips of Hades.

Lan Jue's response sounded irritated. "What would you expect? You're channeling the Spirit of Hades, my next move is Ascension. What is this anyway, are you saying you've mastered your forbidden art already?"

"More or less. Come on then – see if you can stand my abyssal flame!" Hades lifted a hand towards Zeus as he spoke. A lake of grey fire sprang up beneath Zeus' feet.

Zeus was gone in a flash, appearing ten meters away. His golden clothes smoldered ever so slightly.

The Lord of the Afterlife made another motion with his left hand. Suddenly it was clutching the handle of a blade, black as pitch. It's shimmering opaque blade was grey, and with the flick of his wrist the steel stretched outwards.

"Too long and neither of us will be able to sustain it. Too much damage to our vital qi. Let's let a blow determine the winner; a single strike, and whoever's left standing is the victor. What do you think?"

Zeus nodded. He moved his hand out in much the same manner as his darker counterpart. In a flash, a writhing bolt of lightning shaped in to the form of a spear writhed in his grip.

However, before their deciding clash could commence, a staggering tremble swept through the arena. As they looked around to find what had occurred, both spied strange trembling veins snaking up the walls.

"You're really incapable of making life easier for the ones around you." The Wine Master's defeated voice surrounded them. A blink, and they found themselves in an undulating world of silver light.

Zeus and Hades regarded each other, In wordless, tacit agreement both disposed of their weapons. Their imposing auras diminished, and their fluctuating Disciplines lessened until they were back to their normal selves.

The world warped, and the wine Master appeared between them.

"It looks like you're planning to level my training arena. Do you somehow expect this interspacial arena to endure your protomorphic powers? If you insist on practicing these abilities, you're going to have me to contend with as well. Otherwise, find another place to ruin with your horse play."

Chu Cheng looked sheepish. "I forgot, forgot. So sorry, Cosmagus."

Another flash, and the Wine Master vanished without a trace. His voice remained. "I see this again and we'll revoke your sparring privileges!"

"It's all your fault," Chu Cheng muttered, "with your Ascension nonsense." He glared at Lan Jue for getting him in to trouble.

"You don't care about losing face, do you," Lan Jue retorted. "You think I'd have used it if you hadn't invoked the Spirit of Hades?"

"I only used that because you forced me to!"

"Forced you how?"

"Yeah! Forced me, like slavery!"

"Stop with the garbage back and forth." Hua Li shouted at them from across the arena. "Are you fighting or what?"

"Yeah we're fighting!" Both Lan Jue and Chu Cheng shouted back in unison.

Hua Li's solemn response wafted towards them. "Get to it then. And remember, no protomorphism."

Lan Jue clasped his hands, then, at the space of his back and grinned at the two. "Both of you."

Hua Li blinked at him. "A-Jue, I must have heard wrong. Even people looking to be abused aren't that direct."

Lan Jue smirked. "I never said I'd be fighting alone. Ladies, it's time to see how your cultivation's been progressing."

Mika, Lin Guoguo, Xiuxiu and Ke'er shouted back: "Yes, boss!"

Chu Cheng regarded them with hesitation. "This… this isn't right. I can't lift my hand against a woman, much less four. Far too much a fan of the female species, you understand."

Hua Li's words were thick with disdain. "Give it a rest. I don't think you've ever refused to put a hand on a woman."

Chu Cheng chortled. "That's different. Those are gentle hands," he assured.

"Enough, keep it in your pants. Zeus and his ladies are going to be tough to deal with. Don't hold me back."

Chu Cheng snarled at him. "Who's holding who back?"

"You!"

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Chapter 160: Unspoken Cooperation

Lan Jue simply stood, bolts of lightning coiling around his eyes. Behind him were his amazons, arrayed for battle; Mika, Xiuxiu, Lin Guoguo and Ke'er.

Across from them were the other two monarchs, Hua Li and Chu Cheng. A faint red aura surrounded one, a gentle blue the other; fire and water, opposing elements that flickered in close proximity. Neither directly impeded the other, but clear and striking fluctuations in their energy occurred where they touched.

"Don't let them fool you," Lan Jue said then. "Their Disciplines work well together."

"A-Jue, what happens next, you asked for. I may not be pleased with raising my hand to a woman, but I won't hesitate to put you in your place," Chu Cheng challenged.

Lan Jue's tepid response followed. "Bring it on. Tang Xiao, make sure you watch yourself."

The final words were directed at the pudgy boy, a distance behind the two groups. He was in there with the others, as opposed to on the observation platform. In Lan Jue's own words, he needed to experience what combat was like between top-level Adepts. In this way he'd be prepared when he was ready to join them. But that wasn't now – now, all he had to do was make sure he didn't get hurt.

And so, the overweight young man stood practically plastered to a wall, very nearly trembling.

An eight level talent, and the worst of the bunch. Not just ninth level talents, but several surpassed ninth level fifth rank. This was the sort of power that would dominate a battle field – much like they could have in the Shattered Starfields.

"Yes, Professor!" Tang Xiao's timid voice whimpered towards Lan Jue.

"Commence!" The Jewelry Master's voice rang through the arena. Instantly he was on the move. His hands raised, and two crackling bolts of lightning launched out towards Hua Li and Chu Cheng.

Hua Li reacted by lifting his own hands, and a gentle blue shield of energy bloomed to life before him. The purity of his water Discipline meant it was nonconductive, neutralizing Lan Jue's powers.

Chu Cheng was possessed of a much higher strata of arrogance. His left hand traced a line through the air, which summoned a fiery serpent that coiled around him. It hissed malevolently, flaming drops of saliva splattering in all directions.

The two bolts found their mark, and subsequently vanished.

Lan Jue continued his assault. As he did, his Amazons were half a step behind.

Xiuxiu took a step forward until she was positioned directly behind Lan Jue. From where Hua Li and Chu Cheng stood, they couldn't see her. Mika moved, too, huffing dismissively as her body became encased in fire. Her hands began tracing a circle, within which a swirling vortex of flame appeared.

At the slightest motion, countless balls of fire launched towards her targets.

Ke'er stretched her arms out in front of her. As she did, a dozen morphing gun barrels extricated themselves from her body and hovered nearby. A volley of white energy was spat forth, hurtling towards Hua Li. A blue light also began to coalesce around her chest, releasing wave upon wave of undulating energy.

Lin Guoguo's pretty eyes had closed in the interim. She was as though in the midst of a deep meditation, with the whole of the arena lost to her consciousness.

But the moment she closed her eyes, both Hua Li and Chu Cheng were suddenly assailed by a sense of unease. It was a palpable sensation of fear and discomfort, a sense that made them both secretly anxious to employ the full might of their abilities.

Lan Jue rushed at Chu Cheng as his earlier bolts of lightning vanished. His body was again a living streak of electricity. In a flash he was in front of the red-haired young man.

Chu Cheng's own reactions were quick, almost inhuman. His whole body flared like a match, releasing a golden red light. The molten balls of fire from Mika weakened and melted as they reached him. They vanished with a dismissive wave of his hand. With Lan Jue suddenly so close, he launched himself backward in retreat. But as he did, the coiling dragon of flame surrounding him chose that moment to strike. It's flaming jaw distended as the beast shot out. First up, then directly down towards Lan Jue as it attempted to swallow him whole.

Lan Jue stepped to the side. His body congealed in to a golden bolt of lightning and arced away just in time to avoid the jagged fiery teeth. He appeared again in front of Chu Cheng, and pressed his palm against the man's chest.

This was his power, the speed of light!

It was already too late for Chu Cheng to react. By the time he knew what was happening, his entire body was encased in electricity.

However, despite the success of the attack Lan Jue revealed no pleasure, took no joy. On the contrary, he balled himself up and made to retreat.

Just as the lightning raced from his fingers, the fiery dragon was racing onward at increased speed. In no time, it was before Mika. There was a flash of golden red light, when suddenly a figure reached out it's hand towards her. It was Chu Cheng, and as he appeared the copy assailed by Lan Jue dissolved in to smoke and ash.

A false trail, trickery!

It took Lan Jue by surprise. This guy really was a bastard! All of that noise about refusing to hit women, and yet it was a woman he struck at first. Clearly his plan was to take care of them one by one.

All in all, the four women were not that far removed in power from Chu Cheng and Hua Li. With Lan Jue among them, there was no way they could win. The two Monarchs' only available tactic was simple; as much as possible, weaken Zeus' Amazons – then focus on Zeus.

As Chu Cheng moved to attack, Hua Li joined him. As he raced forward, he lifted his arms to the sky. Instantaneously a blue aura surrounded him and short outward in all directions like a powerful ocean wave. It served not only to temporarily obstruct Lan Jue, but also to knock back Lin Guoguo and Ke'er. The waves naturally parted when they reached Chu Cheng.

The two had been veritable brothers for years, fighting side by side. This sort of cooperation wasn't verbally expressed – they just knew what had to be done, and when.

Mika did not appear phased by Chu Cheng's advance. Her fiery red hair had fought free of its bonds and flared around her head like an inferno, changing to an angry crimson red color. Behind her appeared the monstrous figure of a demon. The beast was at least six meters in height, and indistinct. A stifling, corrupted aura poured from it, and the only thing that could be clearly seen were its two fiery, blood-red eyes.

"What? The Prince of Demons?" Chu Cheng's eyes narrowed at the revelation. The new information made him slower to react.

He also missed it when, suddenly, a large piece of artillery appeared at Mika's shoulder. It launched a beam of staggering blue energy half a meter thick. A beam that raced right towards Chu Cheng's chest.

Chu Cheng was no slouch when it came to his Discipline, but nonetheless the surprise change in battlefield circumstances took its toll. His own attacks landed, striking Mika, but he took the blast directly as a result.

The blue light flashed and moved away, revealing Ke'er at Mika's shoulder. The other Ke'er, a short distance away, vanished in a puff of smoke.

An illusion?

Hua Li was similarly surprised. To make matters worse, the sudden shifts were precipitated by a stifling sense of dread that he couldn't shake.

Lan Jue had made no effort to rescue Mika, in part because Chu Cheng's attack was covered by Hua Li's waves. As the waves raced towards Lan Jue, though, they parted before a flash of infinitely sharp white light. Lan Jue vanished and, in a flash, appeared in front of Hua Li.

His body flickered a few times and disappeared, before a tight net of dazzling blue light fell in place around the celebrity.

For Hua Li's part, his body adopted a spectral quality. Countless rays of golden-blue light shot out from within him, paired with a roar like crashing waves.

By the time Lan Jue reappeared, Hua Li retreated through the crushing trap. The golden light he emanated were a sight less powerful than they were a moment before.

Lan Jue flicked his wrist, sending an orb of pale golden light outwards. Hua Li's features changed drastically as he juked to one side, followed immediately by a blast that made the whole arena shake.

It was the power of Lan Jue's Discipline, his speed of light and lightning, that they faced. All one could see was Hua Li and Chu Cheng being unceremoniously cast away.

"Hey, honored teachers, I thought I'd share something with you – something awful that happened to me. I was eating at school when, while digging in to my braised pork I noticed it had started to grow some mold. So I plucked that piece out…"

Chu Cheng and Hua Li were busy with Zeus and his Amazons, when suddenly the strange voice arose clearly through the arena. It bore a distinctly sordid tone.

"What the -" Hua Li reacted first, surprised and irritated by the verbal harassment. He was also fairly sure he recognized the voice. Tang Xiao?

The same saying was different coming from the kids mouth, rather than Lan Jue's. His compatriot couldn't speak like the young man, didn't have the same oomph. Hua Li, luckily, had already experienced this trickery once so was not so taken aback. Chu Cheng, however, was surprised at the sudden conversation, and the respect with which it was delivered.

Still, the half-second hesitation was all Lan Jue needed to wrap Hua Li up in a net of electricity. He was crouched, his hand slapped firmly against the ground. The cage that kept he and the entertainer in place was narrow and confining.

Chu Cheng shook himself awake and, ignoring temporarily the threat of Mika and Ke'er at his heels, raced to Hua Li's aid. He knew quite well that if Hua Li was taken out of the equation it would be one against five. Those were, frankly, impossible odds.

"… I painstakingly removed the mold from the piece. I wasn't going to throw out such sumptuous food so I popped it right in my mouth. And shit, wouldn't ya know it – it was a piece of ginger!" Tang Xiao's punchline was delivered just as Chu Cheng was making his attack.

The words cut a searing path through Chu Cheng's brain. He couldn't help but snort in a fit of laughter, and the loss of control caused his Discipline to slip.

A self-satisfied, dismissive huff was heard from behind.

The overwhelming force of a psychic blast hit him straight on like a sledge hammer. Suddenly, he felt his mind devolve in to disarray as his thoughts all crashed together. While the effects weren't physically damaging, he was suddenly too dizzy and distracted to pay proper attention. It was enough of a lapse for Mika and Ke'er to catch up. Chu Cheng went flying as their attack caught him.

The cage shimmered. For most, especially those whose powers were focused on speed, confining oneself in a cage seems like a bad idea. But Lan Jue felt differently.

Hua Li's inherent self-defense capabilities were among the strongest in their group, and so the arcing bolts of lightning that assailed him in the cage were easily dealt with. However, the steady bursts of sharp light emanating from Lan Jue caused Hua Li to expend much more thought and energy to evade.

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Chapter 161: Fusion of the Amazons

Zrrggt! There was a flash of lightning, and suddenly Hua Li felt his body go numb. In the length of time it took for the light to flash, Lan Jue had moved behind him, and was slamming his fists in to the entertainer's back.

Hua Li's defensive capabilities warded the first six strikes, but the seventh and final snuck through. With his water Discipline nearly exhausted, the strike sent arcs of lightning coiling up his body.

He suddenly felt the ice-cold kiss of a blade at his throat, which lead him to quickly declare surrender. "You got me," he said matter-of-factly.

Lan Jue was on the move instantly. The electric cage that surrounded them parted just as the Jewelry Master dissolved in to a stream of light. The glimmering pillar raced through the cage's small opening, stopping before Chu Cheng who stood alone in the distance.

Mika was close behind. With a grunt, she was off again racing towards Chu Cheng and Lan Jue. Her speed made her look like nothing more than a streak of crimson.

Then gold, then blue as Lin Guoguo and Ke'er took their cue from the Stygian Succubus. The three were vicious streams of violent energy, racing to their boss' side.

Chu Cheng shot his hands forward, whipping through the air. In response, the air shimmered as a vortex of raging flame appeared in front of him. It's swirling depths brought with it a powerful suctioning force, which brought Lan Jue to a stop.

Chu Cheng took advantage of the slight reprieve to grope out his right hand. Empty space parted, and plumes of smoke preceded the arrival of a flaming sword which fit perfectly in his palm. It was a similar blade to the one he'd revealed while channeling the Spirit of Hades, with the only difference being the color.

He feinted towards Lan Jue and the three streaks of energy rapidly approaching his direction. In response, the trembling weapon belched a curtain of fire at his enemies.

Hua Li may have lost, but he'd set up Chu Cheng with a chance. That was good enough.

Lan Jue was tumbling through the air to avoid Chu Cheng's strike. Sufficiently free from danger, he stopped mid-air, just long enough to swipe his own strange shimmering blade of light.

The weapon he gripped was a little over a meter long, the blade and pommel making a cross shape. It's long and narrow blade was white as snow, indented down the middle with a blood funnel.

He hung in the air, hovering above the field of battle with blade in hand. A strange, dark figure was indistinctly visible near the sword. It was black, and writhing like it was composed of black lightning.

But it wasn't. In fact, closer inspection would reveal they were fissures, where the blades stupendous sharpness had cloven reality around it. If Lan Jue released it, one feared the blade might slice through space and simply vanish as it fell.

Hua Li's quick and no-nonsense surrender was largely due to the presence of that sword in Lan Jue's hand, for that was no ordinary weapon – it was Xiuxiu, become the Asura Godblade!

Xiuxiu was not new to Zeus' Amazons, not even close. Her work for him had spanned years, ever since she first entered the mercenary world. From the onset she was at his side, which earned her the name Blade-maiden.

Both Hua Li and Chu Cheng were both well aware; with Xiuxiu at his side, Zeus was at least three times as powerful.

Lan Jue flicked his wrist. The godblade flashed, and released a torrent of energy all its own. The power raced outward as Chu Cheng's own energies were converging on his position. Two different, opposing energies, and as they clashed in mid-air both the energy and Chu Cheng's sword were knocked aside.

In the same instant Mika, Lin Guoguo and Ke'er appeared at their boss' back.

Mika was the first to arrive. She had transformed in to a ball of molten fire during transit, and landed unto Lan Jue's back. As she did, a glorious flaming cloak wiped out behind her boss. It flowed where there was no wind, and anything that came near was instantly assailed by a suffocating demonic aura.

Next was Ke'er. The blue light that was her raced to Lan Jue's side and settled on his left arm. When the shimmer light abated, a gun barrel with a caliber the size of a chicken egg glinted against the tan skin of his arm. A heavy sapphire aura surrounded the weapon, and it seemed ready to launch its attack with the slightest provocation.

The golden beam of light was the final one to show up, and settled itself atop Lan Jue's head. It shone brilliantly like a crown or halo.

It was gorgeous beyond compare, more than any normal crown certainly. Resplendent beams of light shone forth from it in all directions. Still the most striking aspect was the oval stone set in the center. It was almost like a single golden eye that watched all with its unblinking stare.

"This is somehow acceptable?" Chu Cheng glowered at the sight before him. The burning flames that covered him like a coat dimmed visibly, with a hint of gray light swirling through them. The atmosphere of the entire arena chilled.

A single plume of fire launched outward from him. In a few short seconds is was hanging over Lan Jue, its temperatures so hot that the floor below started to melt in to magma. With the fire above and the lava below, Lan Jue was in clear danger of being swallowed in to one or the other.

The golden eye set within Lan Jue's crown flashed. Suddenly Chu Cheng felt a dizziness rise up within him. It was enough of a distraction that the power of his attacks were diminished.

In the same instant the burning cloak at Lan Jue's back released a wave of fire. It was a strange flame, with black and red racing through it like veins. As it spread forth, it kept the encroaching flows of magma at bay.

The Jewelry Master then hoisted the godblade, and his body fractured in to a host of lightning bolts. His figure reconstituted inches before Chu Cheng, with the godblade tracing a deadly arc towards him.

The ear-splitting sound of reality being rent asunder filled the air. Where the godblade passed, a thin vacuous line of darkness followed.

Chu Cheng's body dimmed, just as the deadly sword cut him in two. But as they began to crumple to the floor, both disintegrated in to pillars of flame that shot high above. Once they towered out of reach, they joined once again to form the red haired youth.

Chu Cheng's flaming blade was once more in hand. He stared chillingly down at Lan Jue, with all his fancy toys. With an intimidating yell, he became a claw of flames that reached inexorably for his golden crown.

Lan Jue's godblade hung in the air, in the middle of its follow-through. Only his left hand was available, and so it was with that that he reached towards the sky. The action spawned a massive hand composed of lightning. The two elemental appendages clashed.

The subsequent blast of errant energy whipped madly in all directions.

Lan Jue's crown flashed once again. Chu Cheng was valiantly pressing the attack, his fiery power in contest below with Lan Jue's electricity. However, he was visibly weakening.

"Erupt!" Chu Cheng's voice rang through the arena. The column of energy he commanded exploded at his command, destroying Lan Jue's summoned claw with it. The air cleared, the dust settled, with neither of the powerhouses' Disciplines in evidence.

However, even though he'd managed to halt Lan Jue's riposte, it wasn't over. Chu Cheng's pupils contracted as he saw the dark barrel of the gun flash, and a dazzling blue orb hurtle his way.

His impressive display in fending off Lan Jue had drained him. He was in a weakened position, and as such did not possess the ability to dodge the oncoming assault. All he could do was bolster his defenses, and hold. He grit his teeth as Ke'er's attack hit him smack in the chest.

Booommmm!

Chu Cheng went sailing in to the distance. He tumbled head over heels, caught in a tempest of energy.

This was the true might of Ke'er's attacks. She was an eight level Talent, but with her power fully stored before use she was as frightening as any average ninth level. Chu Cheng hadn't taken that in to account – and he was feeling the results of his mistake.

Lan Jue – mercenary and Skyfire Avenue – knew an opportunity when he saw one. He also knew how to exploit it.

As Chu Cheng went barreling through the sky, Lan Jue was on the move. In a flash he was above the unfortunate mercenary, with the godblade in his hand. Only now, the blade's body was a shimmering violet. An infinitely sharp bolt of lightning, cutting a bloodthirsty arc towards its target.

Chu Cheng's energies had only just managed to deflect the main force of Ke'er's blast, and so when the godblade came tumbling his only recourse was to raise his hands in defense. Xiuxiu's impossibly sharp attack landed directly in the palm of his hand.

CRACK! The deafening peal of a thunderstrike accompanied the blow. Paralyzing bolts of lightning raced along Chu Cheng's body. As they did, reality split before the red haired young man's chest, spreading open in to a void.

But before Chu Cheng could react or employ the opportunity, Lan Jue was there. The godblade had reverted to its normal white hue, with it arriving a beam of pure light. That beam struck Chu Cheng, pinning him viciously to the ground.

"I give…" Chu Cheng hissed, and those words stopped any further abuse from Lan Jue.

Five minutes later.

"Godamnit, A-Cheng. When'd you become such a dunce?" Hua Li shook his head at his companion, whose face was slowly swelling. "That was an embarrassing display."

"A-Jue, you and I will never recover from this." Chu Cheng's angry voice was somewhat obscured by his unnaturally puffy face.

Lan Jue looked down on him, arms crossed over his chest and a smirk on his face. "Interested in another go?"

"Only a damn moron'd agree to that. No class – so many people against just me! You all should be ashamed. A-Li, help me out here man, otherwise how am I supposed to eat later?"

Hua Li summoned a gentle ball of blue light, whereupon he then unceremoniously smashed it in to Chu Cheng's face. The water splashed in all directions, and when it dripped away Chu Cheng's features were already markedly better.

Lan Jue turned then, looking down at the four ladies who had reverted to their natural states. "Is this what you girls have been practicing?"

Lin Guoguo tittered. "Like you said boss, we've been focusing in our cooperation. We were listening to Xiuxiu, talking about how she can turn in to your weapon. That got us thinking. See, we're all the boss' bodyguards, right? And if Xiuxiu can do it, so can we. Mika and I are already ninth level, so we have the ability to become our Discipline, like your Fulmination. A token aspect of being a ninth level, unless you have a Discipline like fatty Tang who can change at will. So Mika and I got to talking; what can we change in to that would most benefit the boss? I chose the crown. Mika chose the cloak. Cool right?!"

Ke'er blew a raspberry. "Although I can't change in to my Discipline yet, it already possesses the ability to change shape. Any sort of energy weapon, I can do. I figured I could give the boss another long-ranged attack at his disposal! The three of us, with Xiuxiu as your sword, and we become your super suit!" 1

Lan Jue smiled at them. "I was definitely pleasantly surprised. I can see all the hard work you put in to this. Keep it up. Once we get your cooperation up to snuff, mecha combat will be next. For that you should all study from Xiuxiu. Her piloting skills are already excellent."

"Got it," Mika replied.

Tang Xiao had lumbered over to Lan Jue's side by this point, though he was careful to choose a spot out of Chu Cheng's direct line of sight.

"And what are you cowering for," Lan Jue said, narrowing his eyes at his pupil.

The young man replied in a whisper. "Professor… do you think he's mad at me?"

Lan Jue shook his head. "Don't worry about it. With me here he won't be doing anything. But if you see him when I'm not around… hide further away."

1. Power rangers!

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Chapter 162: Girly Music

The swelling of Chu Cheng's face had gone down, and was back to normal. He followed Hua Li, rubbing his face as though it still hurt.

"Too rough, A-Jue, jeez. You've been planning this for a while, I'll bet."

Lan Jue shot him a glance. "Premeditated, no, but that doesn't mean I haven't wanted to stomp your face for at least a few days."

Chu Cheng flipped him the bird, then tried to glare a hole in to the fat young man to one side. "Hey fat-ass, I'll remember this. Did your good-for-nothing teacher train you with that loud mouth?"

Tang Xiao's reply was quiet, timid. "Professor Lan didn't teach me that, I came up with it myself after some research. I believe we should stop at nothing when in the heat of battle, anything it takes to win. The process isn't important, just the result. Please don't be upset, teacher! I'm just trying to be self-directed."

Chu Cheng snorted, hard. Hua Li took up the conversation, his own voice betraying displeasure. "So have you shared this little story of yours with your Professor?"

Tang Xiao blushed at the accusation. "The first time we fought I did. He beat me pretty badly. I haven't since."

Hua Li's white-knuckle fist raised as he glared daggers at the fat kid.

Tang Xiao coughed uncomfortably. "So, Professor, if there's nothing else maybe I should just head out. Oh, and I'm sorry but I'm not sure I'll have the opportunity to come over the next few days."

"Oh?" Lan Jue gave him an inquisitive look. "Look kid you don't need to be scared. These guys wouldn't dare run around bullying the younger generations."

Tang Xiao quickly shook his head. "That's not it. There's a school training assembly I can't get out of. People from our rival school, Lir, are coming. They've chosen me as a contestant in a little sparring match. I'm supposed to be drilling mecha combat over the next few days to bone up."

"Lir University?" Lan Jue looked at him questioningly. "What are they doing coming all the way over here?"

Tang Xiao enlightened him. "They're a mecha piloting university, it's their primary major. Planet Lir isn't too far from Skyfire, I heard somewhere that the deans were rivals, after the same girl years ago. Later, it was our dean who came out on top. They've hated each other ever since. So, every year they send their crack students our way, supposedly for 'educational exchange.' Really it's a chance for them to show us up."

Chu Cheng was in higher spirits, then, forgetting his previous indignation. "Sounds like fun, what sort of exchanges are we talking?"

"Mostly mecha combat," Tang Xiao replied. "And truth be told I don't know what the dean is thinking, agreeing to it. They specialize in mecha combat! Our university's focus is research. We're miles behind them in regards to mecha piloting. Every year it's the same – a cruel beating. They aren't concerned about face either. Students compete, sure, but the teachers do also. If it weren't for the Savage Goddess, we'd have precisely zero showing at the exchange. Professor Tan is the only one to ever really have a chance at winning the thing."

"Originally we were to have some time before the competition, but then Lir University heard about the NEU opening up their doors for some Poseidon guy's concert. So they pushed the schedule up. What's there to hear in this damn concert anyway, retards."

Hua Li shoved his large-framed glasses higher on his nose. "You've never heard one of Poseidon's songs, have you?"

Tang Xiao stuck out his prominent belly. "Uncle," he started proudly, "I'm a real man. Who listens to that girly stuff anyway – just deviants and young girls."

Chu Cheng's features were a strange blend of surprise and mirth as he looked at Lan Jue. "Taunting is just in this kid's blood, isn't it? A skill he was born with."

Hua Li's expression was cool and dangerously indifferent as he, too, addressed Lan Jue. "Don't say I never give you face, got it?"

Lan Jue gently patted his forehead before speaking earnestly to his apprentice. "In fact I originally had waned to give you the day off but it looks like we'll need to continue your special training. By my estimate we're looking at double time. A-Li, take it easy on the kid right? Don't break him."

Hua Li nodded as he made his way to stand before the slack-jawed Tang Xiao. The entertainer plucked off his hat and glasses, revealing his sinister grin and dark eyes. "Tell me though, fatty. Do I look familiar to you at all?"

"Huh? O-oh…."

"I'll make YOU a deviant! How about we make YOU girly?!"

"Ah! Ow! Ahhh!"

ζ

The Gourmet's tiny boutique was clean, tidy, and quiet, with a classical beauty that stayed with a person.

Hua Li, Chu Cheng and Lan Jue had all changed by this point, and where making their way there.

Someone else had beat them there, a beautiful young woman.

"Seamstress,"1 Lan Jue greeted amicably with a smile.

The woman rose to her feet and welcomed the three young gentlemen with a smile. "Hello. Ey? Isn't this…" The Tailor's pretty eyes swept over Hua Li.

It was becoming abundantly clear that Hua Li attracted a great deal of attention without his disguises in place.

Hua Li only chuckled, his response gentlemanly. "Salutations, beautiful madam. I'm Hua Li."

Chu Cheng also nodded a greeting to the tailor. "Hello," he said, "I'm Chu Cheng."

Lan Jue cast an inquisitive eye unto his friend. "A very tepid greeting, A-Cheng. I expected different from you."

Chu Cheng glowered at his companion. "Going out anywhere with A-Li is the worst. You think we get any attention with this guy around?"

The Seamstress covered her mouth with a dainty hand and laughed. "Not so! Poseidon is even more striking than his holograms, true, but you two aren't slouches either. You and our Jewelry Master are a special kind of man. Plus, I like men with a good build – suitable as a mannequin."

That devious light shined in the depths of Chu Cheng's eyes. "You're a madam with exceptional taste, that much is clear. Some people are born fine to look at, but it takes a smart person to realize their treasures run only skin deep."

"It's been a few years since we were in High School," Hua Li cut in with a cool voice. "How about we act like it?"

Chu Cheng sneered, looking for a place to sit.

"And what do you mean by that," the Seamstress replied, grinning broadly.

Lan Jue chortled. "High School, the first awakenings of love. They are used to feeling inadequate, and resort to protecting their fragile egos in front of their lady friends by tearing others down."

A laugh bubbled up from the Seamstress, true and uninhibited. "You all are quite the interesting trio. The Gourmet is still in the back preparing, why don't you all take a seat."

Hua Li picked the seat beside Chu Cheng. Lan Jue, meanwhile, made his way towards the back. "Is there anything I can help with, Gourmet?"

"No need," the man's voice responded, wafting towards them from within the kitchen. "I'll be finished shortly."

"You called the Wine Master?"

"You just contacted me actually. He said he had something that needed doing, and wouldn't be able to make it. Looks like it's just us tonight."

"Ah man," Lan Jue lamented. "That means no good alcohol!"

"Let's try something different today. His liquor isn't suitable for our meal today anyhow."

Lan Jue chuckled. "So what were you doing even inviting the man if his alcohol isn't suitable?"

The Gourmet didn't care to continue the exchange, and the only sounds that came from the kitchen then were the sounds of cooking. His nostrils flared as the pungent aromas of the meal wafted towards him.

"I'm still waiting for that young woman you introduced to me the last time, Jewelry Master." The Seamstress regarded Lan Jue from her position across the table. "We were supposed to make some fine clothes for her, but not a peep."

Lan Jue slapped his forehead. "I forgot, forgive me. After the last meal there were a few things that needed handling. It must have been forgotten in the aftermath. Next time, I'll bring her around to your shop."

This brought a smile to the Seamstress' lips. "She has an incredible figure, one I'd love to work with. You make sure you do."

Not long after, the gourmet appeared from the kitchen, supporting a large dish with his arm. The succulent scent of cooked meat accompanied him.

Six dishes, each with their own magical allure. Six were meat, and one vegetable. The gourmet indicated each as he introduced the meal.

"Braised pork with preserved vegetables in a soy sauce. Wine-soaked crab over glass noodles. Sichuan style roasted duck. Spring chicken in jams and butter. Sweet and sour mandarin fish. And pan-seared crowndaisy chrysanthemum. All home cooked, but with a complex and pleasing taste."

Lan Jue's mouth had already begun watering. "Each one a dish I love. What did we deserve for such a meal, eh Gourmet? If you need something from us, just come out with it – no need for bribes."

The Gourmet chuckled. "And what need have I of you? I guess we can call it a celebration, of the fact you're not dead yet. There's also a soup, but that one is for you alone. I apologize to the rest of you."

"Uncle!" The startled and strange-sounding voice interrupted him. Every eye in the room turned towards the source.

At the onset the Gourmet had had his full attention on the food, however as the voice greeted him he lifted his head to look with no small measure of surprise.

Chu Cheng was already standing, a shocked expression on his face as he stared at the Gourmet.

The older gentleman's eyes narrowed, his pupils shrunk. "I don't know you. Either sit and eat, or get out."

With that said, the Gourmet retreated back in to the boutique's back rooms.

Chu Cheng's expression was dark, and unsure. However, after a few moments he sat back down.

The Gourmet reappeared with a bowl of stew in hand. This time the easy smile that had been on his face was gone, replaced with a gloomy haze.

This didn't stop the Seamstress' smiles, though. "I seem to recall, once, you telling me that a cook must be in a good mood to work properly, Gourmet. Only in that way can one create true delicacies, you assured me. Cooking in a bad mood infuses the food with your glum aura."

The Gourmet looked at her, and grudgingly nodded his head. His expression softened, but he never once looked Chu Cheng's way.

Chu Cheng uttered not a sound. Contrary to his traditionally loud-mouthed behavior, he kept still land silent.

"Gourmet, the drinks? I'm assuming since these are very traditional, Former Era Chinese dishes, the drinks of our ancestors would pair nicely. White rice wine, perhaps, or millet wine?"

"Mn. You've only just gotten better, so nothing too strong. Let me heat up some millet wine for you," the Gourmet said as he rose to procure some. He returned a moment later with another tray.

Atop the tray was a small coal-burning stove, which on top of that sat a finely crafted copper tea kettle. The vestiges of its crafting were still evident along the copper body, dents and divots skillfully beat in to a pleasing pattern. The lid was shaped in the form of a coiled dragon – simple and exquisite.

Five black cups were arrayed around the small stove. The Gourmet flicked his wrist, and the cups flew gracefully from the tray to his diner's sides.

Finally, there was the last delicate china bowl on the stove's other side, filled with rich dark plums.

1. She was introduced as Tailor before in chapter 65, but Seamstress is a much more fitting title, I feel.

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Chapter 163: The Gourmet's Story

Lan Jue beamed in admiration. "Copper kettle, charcoal fire, black pottery… the perfect combination for millet wine! Add a few slices of ginger while boiling the alcohol, and that'd be especially beneficial." As he spoke, he took the initiative and plucked up the kettle. He poured out a glass of wine for the Gourmet first before filling the others' cups.

He followed this by taking a smoked plum from the tray, and dropping one in to each glass.

"Drink the stew while it's hot," the Gourmet instructed.

"Alright," Lan Jue said. He pulled the lid off of the bowl and was immediately met with a blast of steam and a pleasant scent. He peered inside, but despite his love of food was unable to determine what the clear stew was made of.

The stew was a pale yellow, and boiling hot. A single spoonful, and Lan Jue felt it like a flood through him, a clean rejuvenating sensation. It warmed him to his core.

He even felt as though his internal energies were revitalized by the tasty soup. A small amount of steam was even lifting off from his forehead.

"What is this?" Lan Jue asked inquisitively.

"Wild grown dendrobium officinale, left untouched for a hundred years, is the main ingredient.," he replied. "In addition we have phoenix chicken from Taihua, and a dozen sorts of medicinal herbs. It serves to nourish the five primary organs, as well as the qi and blood. 1 Make sure you drink it all."

Lan Jue blinked. "Pheonix chicken? You actually found some? And where'd you get the mature dendrobium officinale? It was one of the Nine Immortal Herbs used in Former Era traditional medicine. Didn't they die out a long time ago?"

The Gourmet shook his head. "All of this good food, and here you are occupying your mouth with nonsense. Just eat!" He punctuated the order by taking a sip of his wine, picking up his chopsticks, and getting to work on the meal.

Lan Jue took another sip of the soup, whose warmth filled him up. He then took a sip of the pleasant wine. Its own warmth, the ginger slices and the smoked plum all served to raise his temperature.

The various dishes arrayed around the table looked simple, but each were specially crafted delicacies. The stifling atmosphere from moments ago was entirely dispelled as they tucked in to the amazing food. Hua Li and Chu Cheng were happily munching away with the rest of them.

Lan Jue's favorite was certainly the crab and noodles in wine sauce. It was thick with juice, an amalgamation of high-grade Shaoxing wine and crab juices. Spread over the smooth, pleasantly textured noodles it's taste defied explanation.

It ended up Chu Cheng and Hua Li both squabbled over the final piece of the braised pork and soy sauce. Eventually they settled on splitting the final piece in half. In no time at all, all six dishes were empty. Even the sauces and juices weren't safe, for the three young visitors sopped that up with rolls of steamed bread.

The Gourmet chuckled at the display. "Be a little careful, next time. I'd hate to lose such a foodie and drinking buddy. Once you're full you guys can head out at your leisure. The next time try to avoid bringing outsiders…"

"Alright," Lan Jue said with a small chuckle. "We'll head out first, then. How about you, Seamstress?"

The pretty women looked up from her plate to reply. "I'll help the Gourmet tidy up some before heading out. Something we ladies are quite adept at." 2

Chu Cheng shot an inconspicuous glance towards the Gourmet before wordlessly jabbing Hua Li in the side with an elbow. His friend knew the indication, and both wandered out from the Gourmet's boutique together.

By this time the Seamstress was already standing, and gathered several plates with her slender arms. The Gourmet remained seated, chewing on a cigarette that had somehow appeared in the interim. It hung unlit from the corner of his mouth.

"Go on and smoke, it doesn't bother me," the Seamstress said.

The Gourmet snapped a finger and, with the motion a flame sprang to life on his fingertip. He lit the stick and almost immediately the room filled with the scent of burning tobacco.

The Seamstress continued to work in silence, with no statements or questions offered. She just grabbed up the soiled plates, and moved them to the kitchen.

"All arranged and where they're meant to be," the Seamstress said once everything had been put away. Make sure to get to bed early, and don't smoke too much. I'm on my way out."

The Gourmet nodded, following her with his eyes as she left.

He sat alone in the boutique, coiled plumes of tobacco smoke swirling around his narrowed eyes. The light living in them was complicated, but a clear pang of discomfort was easily discerned.

ζ

Hua Li, Lan Jue and Chu Cheng slowly ambled down the Avenue towards Zeus' Jewelry Shop.

"Nightcap?" Chu Cheng looked at his two dinner companions.

"Alright." Lan Jue pushed his way past the store in to apartments. He returned a moment later with a bottle of brandy and three glasses.

Chu Cheng helped himself by snatching the bottle from an Jue's hands. He poured himself a glass and downed it right away. "Ah, brandy really is something special! Millet wine's too weak, not suitable for me."

"What the hell was that about," Hua Li piped up, cutting through the garbage. "Your uncle? Your real uncle?"

Chu Cheng nodded his head. "I never would have thought to look here. No wonder we haven't been able to find him. He disappeared two years ago."

Lan Jue looked over his way. "If it involves some secret of your family, you don't need to share it."

Chu Cheng smiled indifferently. "Something I can't share with outsider, but you two? You're family. As a matter of fact, my uncle's story is now almost more a legend. Are you aware of his strength, A-Jue?"

Lan Jue shook his head. "Only that it's fire based. I've never actually seen him use it seriously. Still, he's one of the Avenue's eighteen councilmen so that has to mean something, even if he is lower on the tier list. Really all we know is that he's an amazing cook. It's strange, though, that he only ever cooks on occasion. He'll go for weeks without cooking anything nice. I've probably been his most common guest these last few years."

"That's because he feels the two of you are similar," Chu Cheng revealed.

"Oh?"

The red haired man continued. "My uncle's story is almost like something out of a book. His generation only had him and my father. You know about my family and the inheritance that comes with it – this is also true for the power of our blood. Only for their generation there was something… different. My father only inherited a small bit of Hades' power, to which my grandfather was very disappointed. He started with my dad right away, to cultivate his powers to a useful point and train him to look after the family business. Then my uncle was born, and my grandfather discovered he was stronger than any Adept in their family in the last hundred years."

"What about compared to you?" Hua Li asked curiously.

Chu Cheng's voice dropped. "According to grandpa, uncle's powers are even purer than mine."

Both Lan Jue and Hua Li couldn't help it, and sucked in a breath in surprise. Both of them were quite familiar with Chu Cheng's level of power. Today, with the help of the amazons, Lan Jue may have soundly defeated Hua Li and Chu Cheng. But this was a game, a test. If it had been a real life-or-death battle, one where their full abilities were employed, Lan Jue's situation would have been much more dire.

During those early years, when they first met, Lan Jue was only just unlocking the secrets of his Ascension. Chu Cheng was only in his early twenties then, but was already able to command the Spirit of Hades.

Now he's saying the Gourmet's powers are even purer than his? What did it mean? The Gourmet was also at peak age for an Adept, and had years of cultivation over Chu Cheng.

"He isn't a Paragon, is he?" Hua Li asked.

Chu Cheng shook his head. "I don't know. What I do know is that when he left twelve years ago, he was already a ninth level eighth rank adept. Much stronger than I am even now. I'm only seventh rank currently, and he's got fourteen years on me. Judging by this information, I'd say it totally possible that he's a Paragon."

"So what happened back then," Lan Jue encouraged.

"Uncle'd become pretty renowned when he was younger," Chu Cheng said. "The family had placed all their hopes in him. As you're well aware, my family and Satan's line are mortal enemies, always have been. His power forced us to flee to the North. Otherwise without their bastard lineage, our family would be the greatest Force of Darkness in the West. The Dark Tower really should be Hades' Tower. It was grandpa's hope to train my uncle, to make him in to his generation's greatest Paragon. Satan was already old then, and it was his hope that with a new Hades, we could recapture our old glory."

"Until he was twenty, uncle never left the family. He had all the resources of the family at his disposal, but he also had to bear tremendous hardships in his training. He grew hard and cold from it. After he was twenty, grandpa finally allowed him to leave the compound. He wanted to toughen his son up out in the real world. He wanted him ready for the shock his body would go through once he became a Paragon. In truth, age plays only a small role in an Adept's power. However, it is common knowledge that breaking through to Paragon before forty is best. That is when an Adept is at their most potent. Such was grandpa's plan."

"At first everything was fine. Uncle would leave, travel for a year, then return home for a few months. Almost every time he'd come back significantly stronger than when he'd left. He grew stronger, and the family's hopes and dreams grew brighter. And then, fourteen years ago, when uncle was twenty-eight, they encountered a problem."

"Grandpa had lost sight of what was important. After all, my uncle was a man, not a machine. The stress and expectations were too much. He had no freedom, no way to channel or release that pressure. Grandpa never even considered finding uncle a partner or wife. To him and the family, their only concern was that they'd finally have a new Hades."

"But he was a thinking, feeling man! And by that time he was already very strong, handsome. Naturally he'd attract some female attention. Of course for the first twenty years, he'd never even been out of the house. He was a stiff, and it was difficult for him to get his head around things from the outside world. But as time went on he grew up, became accustomed to the sensations real life had to offer. When he left at the age of twenty-seven, he'd found a girl he liked."

The fiery glint of gossip sparked behind Hua Li's eyes. "So your grandpa finds out about this woman, and forbids them to be together. It's like the plot of a movie."

Chu Cheng laughed wryly. "Even more melodramatic, in fact. When he was twenty-eight, he brought the woman back home to the family. At that point their relationship had had no negative impact on his cultivation, so even though grandpa was unhappy he still allowed it. He knew uncle was getting older and needed a family of his own. But in true tragic fashion, eventually grandpa discovered the truth; the girl uncle had chosen, had Satan's blood pumping through her veins."

1. Medicinal culinary arts are a popular thing in china. Chinese Traditional Medicine differentiates a food or herbs' efficacy based on its taste and reaction. For instance, chrysanthemum tea is often drunk in summer because of its cooling and heat-draining abilities – drink some chrysanthemum tea and you can almost taste it's clearing and soothing ability. Some restaurants, even 'fast food' chains, will put a dishes' medicinal effect next to it on the menus. The primary organs are what they call the five Zang organs; the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys and spleen. They are paired with the six 'fu' organs with which they exchange qi energies and consolidate healing effects. Those are the pericardium (the 'bag' that surrounds the heart), the stomach, small intestines, large intestine, the gallbladder, and the Triple Burner/San Jiao (the three empty cavities in the trunk of a person, i.e. the plueral, thoracic and abdominal cavities.). If anyone is interested in Chinese medicinal theory let me know, I love this stuff.

2. Sexism! A discussion for another time, but you'd be shocked at how institutionalized male dominance is in China.

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Chapter 164: I am Just the Gourmet!

"Ah?" Hua Li and Lan Jue cried out in unison.

Chu Cheng nodded his head, indicating he understood their shock. "You heard right. She was related to the Prince of Demons. What's more, her power was as pure as his. She was Satan's daughter."

Lan Jue looked at him, slack-jawed. "Then it must have been exceptionally dangerous for your uncle's lover, once grandpa found out."

Chu Cheng sighed. "You bet! Grandpa was furious. He thought she must have been there to spy on us, sent by Satan. He wanted to kill her on the spot – to him, it was absolutely unthinkable to let her leave there alive. By then uncle was in love with her, head over heels. He would risk his life for her, and so he did… by raising his hand against his father. If uncle had chosen to go all out, not even grandpa would have been able to stand against him. But uncle focused on defense alone, protecting the girl as they made their escape. In the end they made it out, but not without suffering grievous injuries."

"Grandpa sunk in to depression. The entire family was thrown in to panic. They had to rely on protection from the North's army. After that day, uncle returned home just once. With red eyes he asked grandpa why he had tried to kill the girl. I was there with my father and grandpa when he asked, and we all just stood looking at him in surprise. Without any explanation or discussion, grandpa threw him out. Since then uncle has never come back home. I never would have thought, twelve years later, I'd find him here on Skyfire Avenue."

"And that's all I know. I never heard of what happened afterward. Though once when I went back to visit grandpa, he told me he never did send someone out to kill the girl. He only sent out people to find them, but none came back with any actionable intelligence. He got sick after that, and handed the reigns of the family to my father. He lived in seclusion since then."

Hua Li looked on with a strange expression. "That'd explain your playboy nature. If you treat women like garbage your pops won't be afraid you'll go the way of your uncle, am I right?"

Chu Cheng shrugged his shoulders. "As possible an explanation as anything else, I guess. In this regard the family has never made any attempts to control me. Nor has anyone ever given me too much pressure. Their only stipulation is I don't leave the North too often. Since we're under protection, the Dark Tower wouldn't dare come to the North and start trouble. They probably know where I am anyway, but taking me on directly is no picnic. Plus, Satan's been pretty absent these last few years. We don't know if he's training, or it's something else."

Lan Jue's brows furrowed as he took in the information. "I had no idea the Gourmet would have such a history. So sad!" After listening to Chu Cheng recount the tale, Lan Jue couldn't help but commiserate with the Avenue's cook. Perhaps the Gourmet felt the same way.

Chu Cheng went on. "This is information I have to report to the family, A-Jue. Will this influence you in any way?"

Lan Jue let a few moments of silence go by. "Give me some time. I should ask him."

After a moment of thought Chu Cheng replied. "Give me an answer before tomorrow. This has to do with our lineage. I know my dad only wants him to come home, so…"

Ding ding ding! The familiar chime of the jewelry store's doorbell interrupted their discussion. A decidedly upset looking Gourmet entered.

All three of the young men straightened, rising to their feet when they saw who it was.

The Gourmet paid no attention to the others. He fixed Chu Cheng with a cold glare while speaking. "Tell them I won't be going back. I have no relationship with the Chu family. I have no interest in ever seeing you, or any other member of the Chu family ever again. If I do, you can't blame me for my actions. From this moment on, all I am to you is the Gourmet of Skyfire Avenue."

With that said, the older man turned on his heels and left. Ding ding ding!

As the tintinnabular sounds hung in the air of the shop's interior, both Hua Li and Lan Jue silently turned their eyes to Chu Cheng.

The young Chu family member didn't appear much changed from the exchange. In truth he'd expected just this result. "I figured this would happen. Oh well, at least we have an explanation for where he went. At the least he's still alive."

"Do you plan to give him an explanation, on behalf of your family," Lan Jue asked.

Hu Cheng's laugh was bitter. "You saw how he is. Do you think he's ready to listen to any sort of explanation from me?"

ζ

Early morning, and Lan Jue was pedaling his bicycle to the foot of Skyfire mountain. He sent a small message through the Soulcaller gem, then waited quietly in the shade of the trees.

Chu Cheng had gone to find Hua Li, reputedly to watch his rehearsal.

Before long Lan Jue spied Zhou Qianlin descending the mountain in her school uniform. Her pretty face was still pale, but contrary to when he had left for Taihua her smooth features bore a smile. She looked like she was in a good mood.

"What's got you in such high spirits?" Lan Jue called to her, a smile of his own on his face.

"Guess," she said through a grin.

"Eh…, how am I supposed to guess? Fine, is it because that guy isn't around bugging you?" He was of course referring to Richard.

"I've been home sick for a few days," she said. "He doesn't know when I'll be returning to school. A few days of giving him the cold shoulder, and he was gone."

Lan Jue shrugged his shoulders. "That's good then. No more pointless trips in to the bush."

"What?"

Lan Jue chuckled. "Nothing. Just something between guys. My concern as your body guard. Don't worry about it little miss."

Zhou Qianlin glowered at him. "You know my name."

Lan Jue jerked his head towards the back. "Let's get going. I wouldn't want you to be late."

"Ok." She plopped on to the back of the bike. Her right hand naturally slipped around his waist.

Lan Jue was surprised at her, this change in behavior, but pedaled forward without bringing attention to it.

"Qianlin."

"Hm?"

"These last few days you've been uncomfortable, has there been anything that feels… different?"

"Actually yes," she said. "It actually feels like there's something more within me now. I don't know."

Lan Jue nodded. "How about I help check it out later?"

Zhou Qianlin remained silent.

"What is it?" he asked.

Her response was quiet. "I saw in a movie somewhere that men who speak like this to women are no good. They harbor bad intentions."

The bike wobbled precariously, and Zhou Qianlin quickly clutched tighter to him. "What are you doing?!"

Lan Jue chortled. "You think I'm that kind of person? You think I regard you so cheaply?"

He regretted the words the moment they left his mouth. Flashes of the first time they met raced through his mind.

The awkward silence stretched for half a minute. "Alright," Qianlin finally replied.

"Huh?" Lan Jue twisted his head to look back at her.

She looked back at him. "Didn't you say you'd help me check? So I said alright."

Lan Jue broke in to a smile. "After your studies we'll head back to mine. I bumped in to the Seamstress yesterday, and he asked me when I would be bringing you around to have some clothes made. She said she was excited to work with you."

Zhou Qianlin looked as though she wanted to speak further, but chose not to. Instead, she only nodded her head.

Since he'd started regularly picking up Zhou Qianlin, Lan Jue's skill with a bike had improved markedly. In no time at all the familiar gates of the university pulled in to view.

They were approaching their standard corner when suddenly a huge dark figure roared passed overhead. Its speed was so great that a fierce gust of wind followed in its passage. The gust nearly pushed Lan Jue of the road.

He fought valiantly to keep the bike under control. There was no danger of throwing Qianlin from the bike, but she yelped in surprise nonetheless.

The two of them scowled at the passing shadow, a sort of blimp. As they watched it pulled up to the universities' gates and stopped. It was a white ship, whose underside undulated strangely like sea waves. It gave the illusion the ship was floating gently in the water.

"Lir University?" Zhou Qianlin muttered unconsciously.

Lan Jue brought the bike to a halt. "Think they're arrogant enough? Driving so fast in the city, not the best representation for this school."

Zhou Qianlin nodded her head in agreement. "Lir University is ranked among the top five mecha piloting schools. So of course they have a lot of great pilots. Not to mention their military ties. As a result, they are rather unscrupulous."

Lan Jue interjected. "I've heard people say they were coming for a competition, is that right? They major in mecha piloting, and us on research. What grounds could we possibly be competing on?"

"Mecha piloting of course," Qianlin said. "Clearly to show they're only here to bully."

Lan Jue snorted. "I guess it's a good thing you aren't a mecha pilot. Go on then, anything you need call me through the soulcaller gem."

"Alright." Qianlin made her way towards the university's gate.

Lan Jue pushed his bicycle behind her as she left, following at an inconspicuous distance.

The ship that had brought Lir University's 'diplomats' hadn't been allowed to enter the school grounds. Just outside the gates, its doors opened and scores of students in light blue uniforms disembarked. Interspersed were older passengers – teachers, surely.

The NEU had already arrayed a welcome party for their guests. Chief among them was, of course, teaching Director Wu Junyi. Another twenty-some were with him, university big-wigs.

With their flashy arrival, the only entrance to the school was clogged up tight. Qianlin approached as near as she could, but had to eventually come to a stop.

Lan Jue watched them as well, though he retained a natural and easy posture as he approached. To him, it was paramount that no one knew he was escorting Zhou Qianlin.

"Ah, Director Shi! Welcome, it's been ages!" Wu Junyi's greetings were pleasant and polite, but the look on his face was a serious one.

The man with whom he spoke was similar to him in age, but he was a fair amount taller. He was covered in a well-fitted turquoise suit that accented his sleek power haircut. He reached out a hand to grip Wu Junyi's in greeting, flashing a wily smile. "It really has! A whole year. We were starting to worry we weren't welcome here anymore."

Director Wu chuckled good-naturedly. "Of course you're welcome."

Director Shi continued. "That's excellent then. This year we've come fully prepared, and I'm eager for you to appreciate the skill of our teachers and students.

Wu Junyi's expression began to slip. He cleared a path, and welcomed them in with a sweep of his arm.

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Chapter 165: Goddess, Friend

Director Shi did not shirk his duties as guest, nodding pleasantly as he entered the university campus. The array of students and teachers who also arrived from Lir followed at his heels.

"Eh?" A lanky student's eyes twinkling lustily as they fell upon Zhou Qianlin.

It was always a surprise that, even though everyone was wearing the same school uniform, Qianlin was invariably picked from the crowd. She was ever the center of attention.

"Oh man look, that girl's smokin' fine!" The skinny student stopped dead in his tracks and whispered to a tall friend nearby.

The second student stretched over two meters tall with a head of sandy brown hair. He had a solid, strong face and copper-colored skin. Overall he was the very picture of health. He followed the skinny one's eyes, immediately finding what the fuss was about.

His eyes were penetrating, to the point where Qianlin was instantly aware of his attention. She unconsciously looked his way.

He wasn't the most handsome man, this tall student, but his looks were almost heroic; strong jaw, hard lines, stoic, with a pair of piercing black eyes that seemed capable of looking right through her.

Those eyes were bright with interest as they snaked over Qianlin's alluring figure. He made no effort to conceal his intent, either, instead breaking rank to walk her way.

Qianlin froze, trying to decide whether to flee or stay. She eased perceptibly when the familiar voice rang through her mind.

"It's alright. I'm here."

As ever Qianlin had more than one pair of eyes cast her way, No small number of male students from her own university tried to block the tall outsider's approach in various ways. This was their Goddess, and they aimed to 'defend' her even though only the older students knew much of the rivalry between the two schools.

"Get out of my way!" The man growled coldly at the wall of young men who'd suddenly appeared. The aura of his discipline flared, pulsing outward to intimidate the others. It was a strange sensation, almost more like a presence. The students of the NEU were forcibly pushed to either side. The power receded before it encountered Qianlin. To the others looking on it simply appeared as though the young men were doing as commanded, moving out of his way.

However, with the path before him opened the tall student made no further advance. He stood back a ways, staring at Qianlin. When he spoke, his voice was boisterous. "Hey there cutie, my name's Xiao Han. You sure look good enough to be my girl."

The surrounding students exploded in a chorus of indignation. No small number of young men approached threateningly.

Xiao Han's voice was loud, loud enough for both Wu Junyi and Director Shi to hear despite the fact they were already on campus.

Both of them stopped the instant they heard it.

Qianlin, however, seemed unaffected. She was still, calm, and beautiful as ever.

"I'm not interested in little boys." Her smooth, melodious voice was biting. Her rejection clear, she made for the gates.

"Heh, you heard her guys. All you little boys go run home to momma, now."

"Sod off back to Lir University!"

"Our goddess is a person of character! Long live our school goddess!"

Xiao Han's face grew dark. Once more his aura reached out, even more oppressive than before.

At this moment, Director Shi's voice stopped the inevitable escalation. "Alright, Xiao Han. Save your energy for the competition."

Xiao Han froze in reaction to the voice behind him. His expanding Discipline suddenly vanished. He turned on his heels without a word and returned to the dwindling group of outsiders. His exit was cheered on by a chorus of sniffs and curses from the NEU students left behind.

"The young have no sense of social responsibility, Director Wu." Director Shi shook his head, laughing easily at the situation. "Young-uns, am I right? So full of piss and vinegar, all raging hormones. But we weren't much different when we were young, eh? Heh heh."

Director Wu's response was measured and calm. "Mm, hormones. More like a group of beasts. Isn't your university supposed to be for mecha pilots?"

"You-!" Director Shi suddenly let his good-old-boy facade slip, but as quickly as he'd lost his temper he was back to normal. "It looks like teaching the young is definitely a passion of yours! I'm eager to see how they perform during our competition."

"Oh you'll see it, alright,"Director Wu replied.

Lan Jue followed the bulk of students as they pushed passed the crowd to enter the campus. He worked valiantly to keep Zhou Qianlin in sight.

He was unpleasantly surprised to see her in this sort of situation. Every man that looked upon her was like a fiend, with a strange madness in his eyes. And yet none dared come within two meters of her. It was like they were a group of would-be white knights protecting their queen as they moved as one disjointed unit further in to the school.

What a place, this Lir University! They were so uncouth and aggressive. The relationship between the two large educational facilities was interesting, at the very least.

Lan Jue made sure Qianlin was safe before making his way to the electives building. As ever, all eyes turned to him as he entered.

He stopped amid a round of applause, nearly frightened out of his skin.

"W-what is all this…?"

Jin Yan rose to her feet and approached, a small smile lighting up her cute features. "We're happy to have you back safely, Professor Lan. This time it was really frightening for all of us."

Lan Jue laughed it off. "Wasn't it? Making it back alive was a miracle! And you're doing alright, too, Professor Jin?"

She shook her head, and it was then he noticed the red tinge to her eyes. She was fighting the urge to wrap him in an embrace. "Fine, only going through this, surviving, certainly makes it clear how much of a treasure life really is."

"Exactly! And we're family here, friends and colleagues in hardship. Isn't that right, Professor Lan?" Wang Hongyuan spoke up emphatically as he approached from behind Jin Yan. He clapped a hand on to Lan Jue's shoulder. Though it looked like a gentle greeting, the expression was more forceful than it appeared.

Lan Jue retained his composure, shooting the dance instructor a glance. "It's good to see you also made it back alive, Professor Wang."

The two gentlemen's eyes met. Each saw the caution and admonition within the glance of the other.

Jin Yan tittered at him. "Alright, Professor Wang. Professor Lan just got back, let's let him rest up a bit before we start beating on him."

"There's actually something Professor Lan and I have something to discuss, right Professor?" Wang Hongyuan smiled disarmingly. "Would you might speaking with me for a minute in the hall?"

"Absolutely!" Lan Jue knew what this was about, and if he hadn't had been approached by the dance instructor, Lan Jue would have eventually sought him out himself.

The two men exited the office under the suspicious gaze of Jin Yan. They smiled pleasantly until they walked a ways down the hall to a secluded window. Then Wang Hongyuan threw a punch at Lan Jue.

The etiquete teacher didn't move, effortlessly knocking the hand aside.

"You moron," the skinny man spat. "What the hell were you thinking? I'm honestly flabbergasted you made it out in one piece." Wang Hongyuan hissed at him in a whisper.

Lan Jue's response was equally as agitated. "No wonder you wanted me to make it back. You don't know what happened after you left."

Wang Hongyuan continued, his voice quiet. "How the hell did you get so strong so suddenly? What did you take?"

Lan Jue give him a bitter smirk. "Not even worth it to keep asking. All you need to know is I very nearly died from that fiasco. It really was a miracle I was able to make it back. I do need you, though, to keep the fact that I am an Adept and a mecha pilot a secret."

Wang Hongyuan nodded. "No need to even say it. Just make sure you keep my own secret under wraps!"

Lan Jue's answer displayed his uncertainly. "I'm curious myself. After all, you revealed your secret to us on Taihua. No one checked up on you or said anything when you got back?"

It was Wang Hongyuan's turn to smirk. "Of course they checked up on me, but for better or worse I stayed behind to save people. Nor do they know I'm a mecha pilot. So in the end we came to an agreement. So long as I keep my Discipline under wraps, I can continue teaching dance. There were some provisions, but basically it boils down to this; so long as I stick to the university's rules, I'm fine. Otherwise I'm out."

Lan Jue smiled at him. "The humanity! If the school knew you were that great hero from the news they wouldn't dare punish you for anything."

Wang Hongyuan shot back with a sarcastic rebuttal. "Enough. You know I'm still single – I'll need to get engaged soon, and that anchorwoman looked pretty good. You should think about it, actually. I can't, since it'd kill my girl."

Lan Jue's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean Jin Yan? Since when were you two a thing?"

Wang Hongyuan's posture straightened with pride. "You didn't know about that, eh? A friend in need is a friend indeed is what they say, right? I actually took her out for a meal yesterday. As a result our relationship is better than ever. All I need is for you to be scarce for a little while, and there'll be no problems. Oh, that's right – you can leave now."

"Leave?" Lan Jue looked at him in confusion and irritation. "I have classes to prepare! There's a class tomorrow."

"We just got the news," Wang Hongyuan continued. "Due to this concert, all electives courses for the next three days have been canceled. The concert is the day after tomorrow. You think anyone will actually be interested in coming to your class under these conditions?"

Inwardly, Lan Jue cursed Hua Li for his interference. "I won't complain about a day off. Who doesn't like a little relaxation. Fine, I'll head out. Good luck!"

With that said, Lan Jue starting walking down the hall to leave. Lately he had a wealth of things to handle, a mountain of things to prepare. Not the least of his worries was the competition approaching in DreamNet. Aside from the implications for humanity, the more immediate concern for him was the honor of the Four Divine Monarchs – a reputation on the line. He had to make sure to get back and practice his mecha combat skill set.

"Professor Lan!" Wang Hongyuan called after him.

Lan Jue stopped and look back. "What's up?"

The dance teacher's mouth curled in to a grin. His voice was clear, but sounded as though it were being whispered directly in to his ear. "You're part of Skyfire Avenue, aren't you. Are you still looking for members?"

Lan Jue shrugged a shoulder lazily. "Whether or not they do, I have no idea. I can make some introductions, though. Ah, right, and later just call me by name. You forget what I told you on Taihua? If we made it back alive, we'd be friends."

Wang Hongyuan laughed amicably. "Get out of here. Keep away from my lady, you hear me?"

Lan Jue waved and made his exit.

Wang Hongyuan remained where he was, watching Lan Jue leave.

I got a friend, huh, he thought.

Not a bad feeling.

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Chapter 166: Still Worse Than Trash?

Lan Jue exited from the teaching affairs building, and made his way quickly back towards Skyfire Avenue. He was curious to learn more about Zhou Qianlin through their check-up. However, that wasn't until later tonight. He had time enough to practice mecha piloting in DreamNet.

The entire campus of the NEU was a mess of chattering students and busy workers, all abuzz over the upcoming concert. It was, after all, the first time something like this had happened at the university. Hua Li was called the First Man of the Alliances – and that was hardly an exaggeration. Be it personal ability, looks, or his family's spending power, he was far and beyond the ken of your average person.

"Professor Lan." As he moved towards the university's gates, a cold greeting stopped him in his tracks.

"Hm?" Lan Jue turned his head to find the source of the voice. His eyes fell upon Tan Lingyun, walking towards him in a black dress suit and black-rimmed glasses.

Was his fortune really so bad? Just a few more steps and he'd have been free! His expression was stiff as he addressed her.

"Ah, Professor Tan. Hello, hello." He was clearly loathe to engage in conversation with this 'Savage Goddess,' but he had to at least say hello.

"Where'd you go that day? Weren't you aware we'd stayed behind to find you? Do you have any idea of the cost?" She hissed at him in fierce and angry tones, the light of anger slowly growing brighter in the depths of her eyes.

Lan Jue glowered sheepishly as he spoke. "I was only thinking about helping who I could."

"Dumbass!" She screamed at him.

Her voice rang against the sides of the buildings, and invariably drew the eyes of passing teachers. Lan Jue's own sights were desperately searching for a place to hide or escape.

"Professor, we're intended to be role models. Surely cursing at someone in public isn't –"

"Cursing? I ought to beat you! About the only thing saving you from it is the fact that you're normal, and wouldn't be able to protect yourself from my power. Not to mention taking out the trash myself will only bring my status down. You know, its people like you I hate the most. Worse than trash, a pure coward. Make sure you keep yourself out of my sight, I don't want you poisoning my eyes!" She unceremoniously kicked him in the shin before turning, and stomping off.

"Hssss!" Lan Jue hissed in pain and grabbed his lower leg protectively. He hopped up and down on his good leg like a cartoon character.

DAMNIT! Why?! Why is it I end up suffering every time I run in to the Savage Goddess?

Lan Jue slinked out from the campus. Under the curious eyes of the teachers and students he passed, he quickly clambered up on top of his bike and raced away.

After a few kilometers he settled down, and slowed. He was no longer the center of everyone's attention. But it still stung – this was the second time that awful woman left him the battered victim in front of everyone. The first time, of course, being that day in the hall with Richard.

If that's what she wants, then so be it. She doesn't want to see me, and I sure as hell have no interest in running in to her again.

Still, he had to respect how frank and straight-forward she was. There was also a reason for her anger. She'd almost died that day, running through the forests to find him and Wang Hongyuan. In the end it came down to him, and he was the reason for everything that happened to her.

Little by little, the depression and anger within him subsided, replaced by a sense of hopelessness. There was nothing he could do about Professor Tan, but she had her heart in the right place. She was at least a person with a strong sense of responsibility.

Thinking on it made him sad.

Lan Jue made it home, entered his private DreamNet cabin, and proceeded to clean house. The results were heard later throughout DreamNet.

ζ

Nightly DreamNet News. Zeus – powerful mercenary and legend of DreamNet has appeared suddenly after an extended absence. From ten in the morning to three in the afternoon, for five continuous hours, Zeus defeated one hundred and three challengers without a single defeat. No one was able to stand against his explosive power – and in fact, none even landed a blow.

ζ

"Why do you look so tired?" This was the first thing Qianlin said to him, when she met Lan Jue at their corner after school.

"It's nothing," he replied. "I did some exercise, maybe a little excessive."

Zhou Qianlin nodded, as though coming to a sudden realization. "I see. Well remember to consider your age, and not overdo it."

Lan Jue's face darkened, but when he looked towards her he immediately spied her impish grin. "Fine," he spat good-naturedly, "go ahead and call me old."

"Cousin, it looks like you have a short memory." For the second time today, Lan Jue was interrupted by a rude voice from behind.

Only this time, he didn't have to turn his head to know who it was. Without a moment's hesitation, he spun around and took several long strides towards the source.

Richard's face was a mask of displeasure. Zhou Qianlin had been out of school for some time, and it was his hope to reconnect with her once she returned. He hadn't expected to stumble across her and Lan Jue bantering flirtatiously.

"Richard," Lan Jue growled, "this is the last time I'm telling you: leave my family be. If you don't, I'll beat you so badly your father won't even recognize you." He shook a fist under the young man's nose, then turned away with a practiced and dismissive grace. He climbed up on to his bike and beckoned for Qianlin to follow.

Richard was truly stunned. Lan Jue's viciousness, his ferocity was a complete paradigm shift from the gentle and learned professor he was accustomed to. For a second he didn't know how to respond.

But by the time he recovered and had a fair comeback on hand, Lan Jue had already ridden off in to the distance with Zhou Qianlin.

"Bastard!" Richard angrily stomped a foot. Suddenly, a dark and mysterious figure appeared at his side.

"Master," the shadow hissed, "would you like me to take care of him?"

Richard cut him off with a wave of his hand. "That won't do. He's with Qianlin. If we want to deal with him, it'll have to be at a time when there's no one around to see. We have to be especially careful Qianlin doesn't trace it back to me. I'm not only interested in her body. I want her heart, too."

ζ

Lan Jue pedaled evenly along the bumpy road, a smile on his face. "Pretty intimidating, huh?"

"Oh yes," Qianlin said. "Like a hoodlum, the kind that might kidnap girls1. And when did I become your family, anyway? My family name is Zhou, yours is Lan. Have some dignity."

Lan Jue replied, ignoring the jabs. "I'm your bodyguard. Of course we're family. At least so long as I'm on the clock. It's my job to protect you, and he wanted me to stay away from you. I have to force him to leave if I'm to effectively do my job."

Zhou Qianlin's response was muted. "The Austin family is the most influential family in the West. You should be careful."

Lan Jue's grin widened. "Take it easy, don't you worry. I'm a competent bodyguard, I promise."

Zhou Qianlin suddenly changed subjects. "I'm planning on going to Grace hospital tomorrow. Are you coming with me?"

"Yup! I quite like it there actually. It feels like a good, wholesome cleanse of body and soul."

Zhou Qianlin's sweet laughter hung in the air as they trundled along the mountain path.

1. HAH!

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Chapter 167: The Driver

As the two arrived at the entrance of Skyfire Avenue, Lan Jue didn't take Qianlin directly back to his place. Instead they made a quick stop at a nearby store.

The façade was a sight more modern than the shops on Skyfire Avenue. The black wall sported a semicircle pattern, with a series of line below it drawn in to a sharp corner.

Below those, were a series of letters: Wendy Wong.

"Where are we," Qianlin asked. She looked quizzically at Lan Jue.

"The Seamstresses shop! I told you she was urging me to bring you by yesterday. I called ahead and told her you were coming." Lan Jue punctuated the sentence by sauntering towards the shop.

Zhou Qianlin followed behind. "This is a clothing shop?"

Lan Jue replied. "In the interest of truth, this is specifically a custom tailor's shop. The Seamstress' earnings are very good indeed, and the clothes she makes earn universal praise. I get most of my suits from her."

"Great!" Qianlin said delightedly.

The door was closed, prompting Lan Jue to press a button discretely placed to one side. After a few moments, the Seamstress appeared from within.

She was clad in a fine white shirt with a lacey neckline, tucked stylishly in to black pants. The clothes outlined her slender figure. With her sleeves rolled up, she looked ready to work.

As she opened the door, the Seamstress beamed a pleasant smile at Zhou Qianlin. "Hello, Qianlin. We meet again!"

"Hello Seamstress," the young girl responded in equally pleasant tones.

The Seamstress chuckled. "You aren't one of these stuffy Avenue types. Call me by my name, Wendy."

"Alright."

The Seamstress stepped aside, allowing her two guests to enter the shop. It was a small place, by comparison, with only a few mannequins with finished suits dotting the interior.

The interior wasn't as modern in appearance as the outside suggested. In fact, the decor had a much more classical feel. High-quality planks of wood covered the floors and walls, specialty-made cabinets occupied the corners, a dais with three full-length mirrors dominated the center and an Italian office desk was pushed to one side. It wasn't large, but it screamed refinement. Cozy, would be a fine way to describe it.

There was another in the shop, other than the Seamstress as the two made their way in. A man, in gray pants and a vest covering a white shirt, sporting a fine tie. He looked resolute and dignified, but with the slightest hint of a wild side.

He nodded ever so slightly upon seeing Lan Jue. "Jewelry Master. It's been a long time."

Lan Jue was surprised to see the man. "Driver, when did you get back? I heard you were out participating in a competition."

The one they called the Driver smiled. "That's right! Once the competition had concluded, I heard the Avenue has a few things on its plate to deal with soon. I rushed back to offer my help."

Lan Jue nodded in understanding. He turned to Zhou Qianlin, who was standing quietly nearby. "This is Skyfire Avenue's resident racecar driver. We call him the Driver. And this is Zhou Qianlin, my friend. She's here to get some clothes done from Wendy."

"I've actually been waiting here for you," the Driver revealed. "Would you like a glass?"

Lan Jue smirked. "Sure! And why haven't I ever seen you around the Wine Master's place?"

The Driver shook his head. "I'm not overly fond of sharing a drink with that old fuddy-duddy. I much prefer drinking with people my own age." He skillfully plucked a few bottles from the nearby cabinet as he spoke, as though he already knew well where everything in the shop was. He placed a couple whisky glasses and the bottles on the Italian table between them.

"And you, Miss Zhou?" The Driver raised a questioning brow towards the young woman.

She smiled back at him. "Water is fine for me, thank you."

"Very well." He answered by producing a bottle of water and putting it before her. Lan Jue took a seat opposite him.

The Seamstress snatched up Zhou Qianlin's hand and pulled her toward the back before she had a chance to sit. She pulled shut a curtain to give them some privacy. "Let me take your measurements. Don't pay any attention to the boys."

The Driver indicated the bottles he extricated from the cabinet. "Which would you like?"

Lan Jue shot his companion a big thumbs-up. "You are certainly more fun to drink with. At the very least you aren't as stingy as the Wine Master."

The Driver's bright laughter filled the store. "Make sure you tell him that the next time you see him."

Lan Jue snickered as he took up a previously opened bottle. He pulled the cork free and poured himself and the Driver a small bit. "We'll try this one first, an eighteen-year Glenfiddich. It's got a smoother taste. Only malt whisky of the highlands."

The Driver smiled at his drinking buddy's expertise. "Starting easy, it looks like your plan is to finish everything in front of you!"

Lan Jue tapped his glass against the Driver's, the crystalline chime hanging between them. "You took them all out right? If I don't drink them, you'll lose face!"

Both of them lapsed in to silence as they partook of the rich golden liquid. Its warmth filled their bellies, spreading out to cover their whole bodies in a comfortable heat. The rich malt scent opened up their pores.

Lan Jue sighed contentedly. "A little while ago I'd asked the Wine Master to drink his 1985 Talisker with me. He got so upset he almost kicked me out, so we settled on a Talisker 18."

The Driver laughed. "That certainly sounds like the crotchety old man. With all the liquor he has, you could drink yourself blind every night and still have enough to last a lifetime. He doesn't get it; you spend all your time trying to get more great alcohol, you'll never be satisfied with actually drinking it."

"He isn't entirely wrong though," Lan Jue said in the old man's defense. "After all, most of the great alcohol from the former era can't be reproduced. Drink it, and it's gone forever."

"I hear your recent visit to Taihua was a dangerous one," the Driver said, changing the subject.

Lan Jue nodded. "Yup. I was still recovering from an earlier injury, and was lucky I got back. Fortunately, the Doctor and Wine Master rushed over and saved me. If they hadn't we wouldn't be sharing this fine bottle."

The Driver shook his head. "More specifically, no one with an even temper to share this bottle with. Come, another glass."

They finished off their small glass before the Driver reached out to snatch up the second bottle. He didn't bother to change the glass before pouring out another round for the two of them."

"For our second bottle, we have a very traditional McCarran 25. Rare and excellent," the Driver explained.

Lan Jue nodded. "Indeed! The McCarran label has a long heritage stretching back it to the Former Era. It was called the King of Whiskies. In fact, not everyone enjoyed it's fair and placid taste. But at this age it has a beautiful rich flavor, and a lingering after-taste that comes in layers. Complicated. I myself am a very big fan. And when drinking spirits, we're doing it properly – one doesn't need to finish the entire bottle in one sitting, and in fact can try a breadth of whiskies by spreading them out. Different beverages give the drinker a different sensation, yes? It doesn't have as many rules and requirements as red wine to properly enjoy."

Within the back room.

The Seamstress continuously praised her younger counterpart as she busily measured Qianlin's figure. "Oh, your figure really is perfect. Perfectly proportional, it's uncanny. And all the charms of a proper woman to boot."

Zhou Qianlin's pretty face adopted a blush. "You're too kind, Miss Wendy."

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Chapter 168: Body Check

The Seamstress tittered. "Making clothes is my hobby, and for people like me we don't simply like to make clothes for anyone. No, we prefer doing so for people with the proper physique. Those are our most appreciated clients. For a good tailor, a set of clothing is only as beautiful as the person wearing it. So for you, I've got a formal dress and a summer dress in mind. What color do you prefer?"

Zhou Qianlin thought for a moment. "Um… white?"

The Seamstress beamed. "Excellent. White suits you. It goes well with your pale skin, and sets off your blue eyes and black hair. I don't believe it will need any ostentatious decorations or primping, either – just a few adjustments to really accentuate your body type. You're already really very beautiful, you know. And nothing too fancy, that'd take away from your natural looks. Steal the show, darling. Redundant, no? Simple is best I think, yes."

"I trust your judgment," Qianlin offered.

The Seamstress continued speaking as she measured and recorded Qianlin's measurements. Her voice dropped a few notches in volume. "Don't you find it odd that the Driver would be here waiting for the Jewelry Master?"

Zhou Qianlin nodded her head.

The Seamstress continued her work while speaking. "Actually this store isn't entirely mine. Part of it is owned by the Driver. That makes him part owner and manager, darling. He loves suits you know – obsessed – to the point where our store's profits aren't enough to keep up with his demand. He also likes to smoke his cigars and drink his booze here. He and the Jewelry Master are old drinking buddies. He heard two days ago that our young Jewelry Master would be stopping by, and stayed specifically to speak with him. Men, darling – nothing but smoke smoke smoke, drink drink drink. I've even developed an affinity for the damn stench."

Lan Jue's voice wafted towards them from beyond the curtain. "… 1985 Talisker original cask for the third bottle. It's an old one, and I like the smoky taste…"

ζ

"Alright, so let's pour you out a little more of this one." They heard the Driver laugh as the third bottle's cork popped away. "Then what do you think, hm? What order should we follow."

"Stronger and stronger, naturally," Lan Jue instructed. "The Bowmore would be good, and the last I think. A nice, strong taste without that disinfectant fluid finish. There are other things for me to do today, so this will be enough."

"Got it!"

Half an hour later, the Driver and Seamstress stood at the front of their store, wishing Lan Jue and his guest farewell.

"Take it easy, we'll be back another time for more," Lan Jue said, waving happily to the two behind him.

The Driver chuckled. "We'll be here waiting. Next time no restrictions, I'll have ten bottles of whisky waiting."

Lan Jue responded with a hearty laugh of his own. "A few bottles over forty years old are enough. The Dalmore from a while ago was quite fine, if I remember. The one with antlers on the label. Find us that one."

The Driver's expression warped as he twitched. "No wonder the Wine Master hates calling you over. You're a real bastard! Always the most expensive bottle!"

Lan Jue snickered sinfully. "Be glad I'm not asking for the 60th Coronation whisky. You could race for years and not have the money for one. So good."

"Go, get out of here! I'm scared of you already." The Driver grabbed the Seamstress and pulled her inside. He certainly looked like he had changed his mind about inviting him for another round.

"Ahaha!" Lan Jue's carefree laughter rang along the street as he took Qianlin back to his shop.

He went directly to the back, Qianlin in tow, under the watchful and curious gaze of Xiuxiu and Ke'er.

After the door closed, Qianlin turned a skeptical eye unto her host. "You brought me back here for a body check?" 1

Lan Jue shrugged. "Yup, I'll just do a quick check myself. Is there somewhere else you'd prefer?"

Qianlin was almost speechless, but replied all the same. "Fine, let's get started then. Afterwards it'll be time for me to go home."

"Alright, then why don't you sit cross-legged on the bed," Lan Jue instructed.

"The bed?" Her eyes drifted to the furniture as a blush crept across her face.

Lan Jue finally caught the implication and spoke up hastily to his defense. "Sorry, no that's not my meaning. Don't misunderstand!"

Zhou Qianlin rolled her eyes at him, then plopped on to the sofa. "Here."

She sat cross-legged on the sofa, her back perfectly straight. Lan Jue stood at her side, and from here he could spy her perfect neck, drawing a fine line down to her back. His eyes traced further, down her spine to the pleasant curve of her backside.

His depression and sadness had served to quell any interest in women, any emotion at all. But since meeting Qianlin, he found he couldn't entirely suppress those feelings as he once could. In fact, every time they met, he had to make sure he didn't look at her too much. He feared he'd forget himself, and imagine she was Hera again.

Zhou Qianlin waited for what seemed like ages with no sound or motion coming from her side. She turned her head eventually, and caught him gawking.

As Lan Jue met those sky-blue eyes, he shook himself from his stupor. He sat cross-legged behind her, reaching his hands towards her back.

He paused for a moment, and took a long deep breath. He took the time to stabilize the chaos in his heart before finally pressing his palms against her.

Even through her clothes, he could feel how soft and smooth her skin was. He stopped again to take a breath and ease his heart then slowly, gently reached out with his Discipline in to her.

The Soulcaller gem against his chest warmed.

"Relax."

"Mm."

In reality, Lan Jue had already checked her once when he'd stolen in to her house. This time was mostly so he could reconfirm, and remember.

After a moment Lan Jue retracted his hands. "I'm sure of it, you weren't actually sick before. It was a symptom of your Discipline awakening."

"Discipline awakening?" Zhou Qianlin rose to her feet. "I'm not very familiar with Adepts, but aren't I too old for a Discipline to be awakening?"

"It's not unheard of," Lan Jue assured, "just rare. Strangely, though, I can't pin down what your Discipline actually is. But whatever the case, this is a good thing. It means your Discipline won't be terribly strong, but it'll certainly make your body better. Would you like me to help you with your Discipline cultivation?"

She shot him a sidelong glance. "So long as it doesn't take away from your bodyguard duties, sure."

It was Lan Jue's turn to roll his eyes at her. "You really take me for that kind of person?"

Zhou Qianlin's face split in an impish grin. "Who knows?"

Lan Jue could feel it. There was something inexplicable, some feeling that sprang up instantly within him whenever they were together. There was a world of difference from now, in this time of peace between them, and when they were upset.

"Alright, I'll teach you. We'll start with some meditation techniques. Practice every day when you get home, and you'll slowly start to feel the changes in your body. Later, if you feel as though there are some significant changes, tell me and we'll adjust your cultivation schedule."

They spent the next few moments going over the fundamentals of message. She was a smart girl – Lan Jue only needed to explain twice before she had it down. They practiced together a few times before she found her center, then he let her slip in to meditation for an hour before bringing her back.

"Time to send me back," she said as she blinked her eyes.

Lan Jue hesitated. "Would you like to get something to eat?"

Qianlin looked at him. "If it's as good as the last time, absolutely." Of course, she referred to the Bluefin tuna she'd enjoyed at the Gourmet's house all those days ago.

Lan Jue shrugged helplessly. "Unfortunately no. Compared to the Gourmet I'm not even worthy of being called an amature. Simply things are fine though. It's already dark, aren't you hungry?"

"What's for dinner then?"

"Whatever you like."

"You're making it?"

"What," Lan Jue contested, "do I not look like I know how to cook?"

Qianlin nodded her head without a moment's hesitation. "Exactly right, you don't. I won't get poisoned?"

Lan Jue's face twitched. "I won't need to. I sorta feel more like strangling you, so what can we do?"

"Take your best shot!" Qianlin smirked at him, getting up in his face.

Lan Jue lifted his arms and made as though for her throat, but stopped an inch away and let them drop in bitter defeat. He stomped towards the kitchen.

"Wait a little while, should only be a minute. It may not be delicious but it won't kill you."

Qianlin covered her mouth as she giggled, ignoring him and trotting in to the kitchen.

"What do you have here?" She leaned against the door frame, peering in to the small room.

Lan Jue simply pointed towards the refrigerator.

She slinked over and pulled the door open. She gave its contents the once over before speaking. "Well, at least we're sure you don't have any rats."

"Why." Lan Jue grunted as he pulled a pot from a cabinet.

"It'd probably starve," she muttered.

Lan Jue made his way over and, sure enough, less than eighty percent of his fridge was barren. A few eggs, some drinks, and a tomato. That was about it.

"Ehm… how about we go out for some food, hm? Of nothing comes nothing, am I right!" He spread his arms and shrugged sheepishly. He didn't often go out for groceries, as that was usually Xiuxiu's responsibility. He hadn't been home lately, so naturally there'd be little in the house.

"Do you have noodles? Enough spices?"

Lan Jue winced. "I… actually have no idea. But! When I went to Taihua I thought we'd be munching on wild stuff, so I actually bought a fair amount of spices. Take a look."

He swept his arm, and with a bright silver flash there appeared a bevy of items on the table. The light and items had come from Thor's Promise.

He was pleased to find that he not only had all manner of ordinary spices, but also cloves and other more exotic fare. All were fresh and ready, kept so by virtue of their interdimensional storage.

"I think we may also have noodles," he offered before pulling a bag of noodles from a nearby cabinet.

"We won't need to go out to eat. You go out and wait." Zhou Qianlin rolled up her sleeves, then shoved Lan Jue out of the kitchen.

1. She's on to you!

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Chapter 169: Hand-Rolled Noodles

"Do you need any help?" Lan Jue popped his head in to the kitchen and called the question to Zhou Qianlin's back.

"No need, if you help it'll just take longer." She waved him away, then began to rummage through his cabinets. She began pulling out the things she'd be needing.

She began by washing all of the utensils – after all, she had no idea how long it'd been since they'd been used. When she was finished, she poured some flour in to one of the cleaned pans. A little water, and there she had some dough which she immediately began to knead.

"What are you making?" Once again Lan Jue poked his head in to the kitchen, curiosity getting the better of him. He recalled the earlier days; when he and Hera had only been together a short time; when he'd only just started his road to fame in the mercenary world; when he took on any and every job they threw his way. During that time, he wasn't so picky and was simply pleased to have enough of something tasty to fill his belly.

His more discerning tastes didn't develop until after he'd made the move to Skyfire Avenue. Over the last three years the bulk of his time was spent in decadence, learning about the finer things, and with the exception of lovemaking had all he needed to forget his sorrows.

As such it was strange to him to watch Zhou Qianlin, busily pacing around the kitchen as she worked. It filled him with an odd sensation he couldn't quite describe.

As far as he could remember, he and Hera had never cooked or eaten together. It had always been up to the individual as to when and what to eat.

Zhou Qianlin spoke to him without turning her head. "Get out. The kitchen is no place for a man. I have everything I need." With that, she shut the door in his face.

Lan Jue wandered back to the living room, where he settled himself down on his sofa. He was surprised to find a sense of excitement and expectation welling up inside of him. It wasn't alltogether different from the excitement he felt when going to the Gourmet's for a meal.

Of course that peculiar sensation persisted through the excitement. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long, long time.

If only she were Hera, he thought, then all would be perfect. A thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

Ten minutes later

A hiss rose from the kitchen. Lan Jue, almost without thinking, immediately made his way to the door to discover what happened. He pulled it open and peered inside.

He was immediately struck with a gentle but alluring scent, of raw onion in peanut oil. That was the source of the noise.

Zhou Qianlin was in an apron, carefully placing the chopped onions in to the frying pan. She slowly stirred the sizzling veggies with a wooden spoon before repeating the process with a plate of diced and peeled tomatoes.

That hiss again, louder, as a plume of steam arose from the pan. The humming ventilator over the stone sucked it all away. The astringent scent of the onions and the fresh tomato mixed and mingled in the air around him.

Lan Jue took a deep breath through his nose. "Mm, smells good!"

Qianlin didn't attempt to expel him this time, busily stirring the pan's contents. After a moment she threw in another handful of raw onion and continued.

"That's an awful lot of onion." Lan Jue looked at the pot skeptically.

She nodded. "It's no good without enough onion. More is better."

She stirred a little while longer, then stepped away just long enough to pick up a small pot half-full of water. She put it on the stove, and set the fire underneath.

Lan Jue's culinary studies kicked in, then, and he immediately knew what was happening in his kitchen. He spied the noodles laying across his cutting board, too. "Hand-rolled noodles! I'm impressed, I didn't know you could make noodles."

Zhou Qianlin rolled her eyes in faux exasperation. "There's a whole lot you don't know, huh?"

The tomatoes boiled until they became a paste, then water was added. It was brought to a boil to thicken, then salt was added. Next, the fire was turned down and eggs were added. When all was done, the contents were poured together in to the fried onions.

Red, yellow, and green suspended in a light pink broth. A fine gravy of tomato, egg and onion.

With the slightest dab of sesame oil, the dish was complete. Qianlin sighed pitifully. "A shame there's no shrimp. If we did this would be much better."

The second, smaller pot had begun to boil, and the noodles steamed within. She poured cold water within and waited for it to boil anew. She repeated the process two more times, then shut the fire off.

Two bowls; one big, one small, both filled with cooling noodles. Their surface dripped with the aromatic red sauce. A simple but fine dinner.

Lan Jue watched Qianlin as she worked. Like floating clouds over flowing water she moved from one action to another with a natural grace. But there was no wasted movement, no redundancy. Beautiful and efficient. By the time the dishes were on the dining table, the kitchen had been tidied.

She handed a pair of chopsticks to Lan Jue, and noticed his stupefied expression. "What are you looking at? Eat your food."

"Oh." His head dropped to look at his bowl. He swallowed, then tucked in.

Hand-rolled noodles had a special texture that machine products didn't possess. Paired with the thick tomato, egg and onion gravy, and it was quite the treat1. Qianlin was only a few noodles in to her plate before Lan Jue finished. Not even the vestiges of gravy remained.

She furrowed her brows at him. "Eat slower. Noodles are easy to digest but you'll still get the hiccoughs."

Lan Jue wiped his mouth with a nearby napkin. "Mph, delicious. I didn't know you were so skilled. You should come stay in the Avenue, steal the Gourmet's job."

Qianlin poured half the contents of her bowl in to his. "You still look hungry, have some more. If it's still not enough I don't know what to tell you. There aren't any more tomatoes or eggs."

Lan Jue was surprised by her generosity. He looked down at his bowl, then to her, then to his bowl again. She was too busy eating her noodles to notice.

Lan Jue ate without any further words of thanks or praise. He took his time with this helping, and by the time he'd finished so had Qianlin.

She gathered the bowls and walked back in to the kitchen.

Lan Jue leaned comfortably against his chair, never moving from his spot next to the dinner table. His eyes were alive with contentment.

After the bowls had been washed and returned, Qianlin exited the kitchen. "Alright, time to get going."

"Alright!" Lan Jue pushed himself to his feet.

They exited in to the store to find it still open, with Xiuxiu and Ke'er in attendance. Xiuxiu spoke up as she saw them leave the apartments. "Ah, boss. Are you two heading out?"

Lan Jue nodded. "I'm sending her home. I'll be back later."

"Be careful on the road," Xiuxiu entreated.

Ding ding ding! Lan Jue and Zhou Qianlin disappeared from sight. As they did, Xiuxiu's pleasant expression slipped, and her eyes adopted a far-away look.

Ke'er spoke, her voice a whisper. "I'm sure there's nothing going on, sis."

Xiuxiu's features snapped back to normal. She shook her head. "I'm fine. Whether or not they do is no business of ours! Anyway, it's closing time."

ζ

Lan Jue stood by his bicycle, watching Qianlin's figure disappear up the mountain path. The whole way home neither had spoken, choosing to respect the comfortable silence. There was no pressure to speak, only that strange, yet familiar, sensation.

ζ

National Eastern University.

Today was the beginning of Poseidon's benefit performance for his Sounds of Nature album. Students arriving early for class were surprised to find their school transformed in to a sea of sapphire blue.

Hundreds of thousands of bright blue forget-me-nots poured from every corner of the university. With the exception of the roads needed to make it to class, every available space was covered in flowers.

The gentle scent of flowers, and that soothing blanket of blue, brought peace and contentment to everyone who entered the university.

Even this early in the morning the university gates were congested with people. Dozens of representatives from media outlets based in all three alliances were on hand, their vehicles narrowing passage to the school and bringing traffic to a halt. Of course members of the East's police services were also on hand to maintain order.

In fact, both the police and Gobi's own security detail were in attendance. They spend the majority of their time keeping the reporters at bay. The concert was slated for two in the afternoon, and none but students were permitted to enter before one.

Some journalists tried to sneak in under the guise of being a student, but none were able to fool the keen eyes of the security personnel.

Clearly the level of excitement here was palpable, but beyond that there was also something else in the air. As far as the media knew, the concert was to be held in the school's expansive auditorium. Other than that, however, they had no idea what to expect. Gobi Entertainment's media division definitely knew what they were doing.

"Look at this siege. It's certainly busy enough." Lan Jue stopped his bike at the corner and watched the hodge-podge as Qianlin scrambled off the back. A strange and happy finding was that Richard was nowhere to be found since their last confrontation two days ago.

"Yeah!" Qianlin said, eyeing the crowd. "I've never seen it so busy. Gobi really is a major business. Of course a lot of this is because it's a benefit performance, but it's a good thing."

Lan Jue smirked. "It looks like you aren't a fan of Poseidon."

She shook her head. "I've never really been one for idols."

Lan Jue gave her a thumbs up. "You have good taste."

"What does this have to do with taste," she asked. "Anyway, I'll go in first." She didn't wait for an answer, just slung her book bag over her shoulders and made for the school.

Lan Jue waited until there was a hundred or so meters between them before pushing his bike towards the campus entrance.

Zhou Qianlin was inexorably caught by a group of reporters, who surrounded her and peppered her with questions before she could escape in to the confines of the school.

Lan Jue could only look on helplessly and pat his forehead. It really was a chore to look so good. No matter where or what, you attracted eyes. Lan Jue thought it might be best to suggest she, like Hua Li, wear a mask whenever she left the house.

He pushed his bike past the crowds with no troubles. He used his bike like a weapon to cut a path until he was free.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the media. Please do not harass our students as they attempt to make it to classes. If you continue to bring trouble, I will submit a request to the school and they will refuse you entry in to this afternoon's concert." His righteous voice cut through the din, infused with his discipline just enough to capture people's attention.

Lan Jue took the opportunity to shepherd Zhou Qianlin safely in to the campus.

1. My wife makes this sometimes. One of only two noodle dishes I'll ever eat. Delicious.

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Chapter 170: Big Boobs. No Brain.

"Qianlin!" The shout startled her, and she turned to see Tang Mi racing towards her. But her escape was cut off by a particularly pushy journalist.

Lan Jue frowned in agitation. "This isn't acceptable. This concert shouldn't be affecting our students' ability to study. I'm going to find Director Wu."

"No need, I'm already here." Wu Junyi's bassitone voice interrupted him. Lan Jue then saw the serious looking older Director approach. He arrived with an entourage of security guards.

With a flourish of his hand, they rushed out the gates and forced the numerous congregated reporters to either side. This opened up a path for the students to enter unmolested.

"I apologize Professor Lan. I hadn't expected this level of trouble for hosting the concert. Just this morning we had over five hundred reporters at our gates. And I hear there are twice as many on the way. From the school's perspective, we already regret opening our doors to Gobi Entertainment." Wu Junyi himself appeared helpless to do much against the onslaught of the media. The higher-ups of the university all underestimated the people's response, and Wu Junyi as one of their number felt equally responsible. It had been a long time since any of them had been chasing their idol's coattails, so they hadn't imagined Poseidon's following would be so massive.

Lan Jue smiled disarmingly. "It is what it is. It's too late to turn them down now. We'll make the best out of it, and try to keep order. I think if we requested further police from the authorities, things would be better.

Wu Junyi nodded his agreement. "Just so. Go on in, Professor. I'll handle this."

Lan Jue continued into the campus. Tang Mi and Zhou Qianlin where nowhere to be found.

ζ

"Qianlin, what were you doing with Professor Lan?" Tang Mi chattered ceaselessly besides Qianlin as they walked through the sea of forget-me-nots.

"We just ran in to each other on the road."

Tang Mi stuck out her tongue impetuously. "Who believes that! It isn't the first time I've seen you two together. Go on! There's something between you two, isn't there?"

Qianlin shot her a look. "Yup."

"Really?!" Tang Mi's eyes looked as though they were ready to pop out of her head. "Prfoessor Lan really isn't bad looking. Still, I've been thinking, and I still prefer Zeus. The Professor has class, but he's no good in a fight. I heard he got yelled at again by your Savage Goddess. They say he was lagging behind in Taihua, and nearly got Professor Tan and another instructor killed. Hummm. Men must at least have the strength to protect a woman, otherwise how are they supposed to feel safe! So, I decided to give up my fantasy with Professor Lan."

Zhou Qianlin could only cast her helpless gaze towards her friend. "Alright, we get it. Don't turn in to some bimbo."

Tang Mi's voice dropped to a whisper. "So is there really something going on between you two? I'll tell you, Richard is pretty offended. If there isn't anything going on, you should really stay away from the Professor for a little while. One look at Richard and you can tell he's a jealous sort, you don't want to bring any trouble on Professor Lan."

Qianlin stopped in her tracks. "Tang Mi, I'm honestly surprised at how smart you're becoming." 1

Tang Mi glared at her. "Huh? You're saying I wasn't smart?"

Qianlin snickered, her face bright with malicious intent. "You know what they say. Big boobs, no brain."

"Ahh! You're begging for a beating! Qianlin!"

ζ

Lan Jue lazily pushed his bike along the campus paths towards the electives building. The trek struck him speechless. He couldn't imagine where Gobi Entertainment even got all of these flowers. They likely picked them because their blue color, which matched Poseidon just fine. The amount of money to pull this off…

Lan Jue's eyes fell to his communicator as it buzzed.

"You here A-Jue?" Hua Li's voice crackled out towards him.

Lan Jue's response was less than friendly. "Don't you think all of this is a little excessive? You're poisoning this university's scholastic atmosphere. The school's already dissatisfied with all this nonsense."

Hua Li laughed. "Take it easy. There's no one in the known galaxy with more experience in this sort of thing than us. Mo Xiao has already sent over five hundred additional security personnel as backup. They'll be there in half an hour. They'll keep the peace. We've also been in contact with the local police authorities, so they'll be helping too."

"I heard the concert's free for students," Lan Jue said. "I thought this was a benefit performance. Where are you going to get donations?"

It was Hua Li's turn to get annoyed. "You're an idiot when it comes to this stuff, guy. You think those reporters aren't paying to come in and broadcast the show? Are you at all aware of how many sponsors have already committed to this? On top of that, twenty percent of the total profits from Sounds of Nature are going directly to Taihua for help and recovery. It's a pretty astronomical figure."

Lan Jue's response was inquisitive. "Astronomical seems a bit dramatic. How much can you really expect from twenty percent?"

"Not much, only about enough to buy an Expedition Warship," Hua Li stated tepidly.

Lan Jue was silent for a time. "Hua Li, be my sugar daddy. You got the money for it."

Hua Li chuckled. "Alright! Your wish is my command."

"Ugh, forget I said anything." Lan Jue laughed softly as he cut the connection. He shook his head with a mirthful sigh. Poseidon and his people were definitely worthy of their title as the richest business group in all the alliances. Discussing money with them wasn't annoying, it was downright nerve-wracking.

When Lan Jue arrived at the electives offices, no one was to be found, evidently because they were given the day off. He was happy to have the opportunity to prepare his next few lessons in peace.

However, plans changed when, after only a few minutes of work, his mind started to wander and an uncomfortable sensation overcame him. He leaned back in his chair, fingers netted behind his head, and he stared out the window to the gardens beyond.

Yesterday he and Qianlin had visited the old folks home once again. They worked well together, organized and efficient without much need for talk. The entire ordeal left him feeling replenished.

Their grateful smiles, inquiries over his health, and familial actions were all very warming to the spirit.

He still had two years of service as Qianlin's bodyguard, and now more than ever it was clear he wouldn't be able to completely extricate himself from her. But so long as things were like this, peaceful and easy, then he could live with it.

National Eastern University Reception Hall.

The building was well decorated, like a hotel. It was expansive, and was used primarily to welcome guests to the university. Currently the teachers and students of Lir University called it home.

The Assembly Room.

Lir University's Director Shi was seated before a long table, in the place of honor. The various students and teachers taking place in the competition were sat on either side.

"All of our mechas have arrived safely?" Director Shi turned his head just enough to address the elderly professor at his elbow.

"They're all here. In this area at least, the NEU does a passable job. There haven't been any problems, deliberate or otherwise."

Director Shi nodded his head sagely. "Today is Poseidon's concert. Tomorrow, the competition. This year's games have been separated in to two sections; academic, and martial. We are always criticized for picking on them, since they aren't a mecha university. So we must trounce them, in both categories. There must be no doubt who the superior school is. The dean will also be in attendance tomorrow, for the entire thing. I don't imagine I have to spell out for you what this means. Not to mention rewards for students and staff who distinguish themselves."

"Xiao Han!" Director Shi's eyes swept towards the far end of the table. There stood the young man who had harassed Zhou Qianlin earlier, pale as a sheet.

"Director Shi." He stood straight as a statue, his face a mask.

The Director growled at him. "You are our school's trump card, so act like it. I want you to save that energy for the games, and then destroy them – especially in simulations. Let them know what an absolute defeat tastes like."

A cold light flickered through his eyes. "That's what I'm good at."

Director Shi smirked, and nodded his head. He waved for the youth to sit. His attention then turned to another, a man in his thirties who looked as normal as any other. He spoke warmly to him. "Professor Su, we'll be relying on you in the instructor's matches."

"Mnh." Professor Su said nothing further, only nodding his head. He made no motion to rise.

Strangely, Director Shi didn't seem to mind the disrespect, though there was a shine to his eyes.

As the Lir University faculty were having their clandestine collectives, members of the NEU were also eloping to secret meetings.

"Tang Xiao. Tang Mi. You two better put on a good show this time. Our investigations show that Lir has brought no less than three Emperor-Class pilots with them this time. Tang Xiao, you're already close to first rank. And Tang Mi, you've got the strength for a second rank. You two, constitute our main force. Along with Geng Yang, you are our wild cards. It's your first time entering in to the games, so make sure you work to earn it!"

Geng Yang was a young man not far removed in skill from Tang Xiao. He looked experienced, but young and handsome. He had a head of fiery red hair, which complemented his smoldering crimson eyes. He nodded in agreement.

Wu Junyi swung his head from side to side, regarding his fellow instructors. "Professor Tan, we'll be relying on you for the instructor's matches. We'll simply have to make the best of our situation in the combat arena. Just make sure you don't get hurt. Luckily we're a shoe-in for the academics portion. Ziqian, you were in charge of this. What have you got?"

Le Ziqian was the deputy director of Mecha Construction and Maintenance studies, and the director of the R and D Department. He was thirty-five this year, and being honored as the youngest accomplished researcher at the university. He was the famed name behind their school.

He once represented the whole of the Eastern Alliance at a scientific exchange between the other two groups. Thanks to his vision and innovation he was widely lauded by the community.

He was a citizen of Skyfire, actually. This was fortunate, for of course there was no end to the universities that wanted him, or their promises. However, in the end he went with his home, and decided to stay on Skyfire as part of the NEU. It wasn't excessive to call him the school's greatest treasure.

1. Best. Friend. Ever.

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Chapter 171: Le Zi Qian

This Professor Le was an average man man, not strikingly handsome. He exuded an erudite and scholarly air that was enhanced by the pair of gold-rimmed glasses pressed up on his nose. He had the sort of face that made him look as though he were always absorbed in thought, no matter the time. It looked like it would be a chore for anyone to intrude upon his own little world.

Upon hearing Wu Junyi's words he nodded ever so slightly, but said nothing.

"Look, Professor Le, what do you think? Which students should participate in the competition? Lir University suddenly changed the competition date on us, and now we have no time to prepare." Wu Junyi complained.

Le Ziqian shook his head. "There's no need to be worried about this educational exchange. Cold feet solve nothing. Besides, our National Scholars are exceptional students. As far as I'm aware, that Zhou Qianlin from Professor Tan's class is a fair choice. Then we have Yang Zi Mo and Jie Guangsheng from my own class. Those three should be sufficient."

"Alright." Wu Junyi wasn't interested in discussing the matter, and settled it quickly. And regardless of his own opinions, Le Ziqian was definitely the authority when it came to this.

Tan Lingyun was seated next to the brooding intellectual. As he spoke her eyes were glued to him, her face calm. But there was a look in her eye – a lingering flash that was hard to pinpoint.

ζ

Were one to look down upon the NEU campus from on high, they would see it as a shifting sea of blue. What's more, it looked shut up so tight not even a drop of water could escape from it.

Scores of police and security personnel were on hand to lock down the exits. If you weren't a student or teacher, you weren't getting in – period.

Eventually one o'clock arrived. The various members of the media were permitted to enter, but only after a rigorous security check. It was a process that everyone had to endure, students included.

The NEU's auditorium was the largest in the Alliance, capable of housing over ten thousand people. If necessary, however, it could fit three times as many.

At this moment the auditorium was empty. This area was still blocked off by the security guards for the Poseidon concert, who kept it free of media and students. There was, however, a single exception.

A red-haired young man was sat comfortably on a chair in the middle of the first row. Despite all the chaos outside, he was seated cross-legged like he had not a care in the world. His eyes were on the stage in front of him.

"A-Jue, why aren't you here yet? Didn't A-Li tell you to arrive early? We've already set aside a seat for you. Later there'll be a mess of people pushing in here, you're gunna get trampled." Chu Cheng lazily drawled in to his communicator, grinning with pleasure at the prospect of his friend's forthcoming difficulties.

"At the door," Lan Jue's voice replied.

And he was indeed, handing a golden card to the guards blocking passage beyond. Once they saw it, they let him pass with bows and scrapes and a great deal of respect.

The moment he stepped in, Lan Jue's eyes lit up. He'd never actually entered the auditorium before – more like an arena, in truth – but he absolutely hadn't expected it to be like this.

In a glance he could confirm that indeed the arena could hold a downright frightening number of people. It was beautiful and large, with three fifty-meter tall walls hemming it in. Each were covered top to bottom in fresh forget-me-nots. The ceiling above them dripped with shimmering crystal lights. They were in the shape of various sea fauna; fish, crustaceans, clams, starfish and sea urchins. Anything one could think of when considering the ocean, was present in some fashion or other. This was underlined by the largest piece – a thirty-meter long crystal whale. Never mind how the damn things were made, how were they even safely suspended like that?

The lighting of the auditorium interior was still dim, but the gentle light was working from several angles. It's reflection off of the towering walls covered in flowers gave everything a soothing blue hue. As the lights shone through the shimmering crystals, too, their reflections filled the arena. It looked like they were underwater, with reflections of sunlight dancing on the ocean floor.

The crystalline figures hung a few dozen meters from the ceiling, and as Lan Jue cast his eyes around he was convinced there must have been ten thousand or more of the exquisite decorations hanging here and there. It was of course the stupendously large whale that especially gave Lan Jue pause. Were that thing to fall 1 the death toll would be staggering.

A thick curtain hung heavy over the stage, hiding the contents of the stage from view. Every seat he passed on the way forward sported a single blue flower, and a copy of Poseidon's Sounds of Nature.

Each album was a treasure, as far as the common man was concerned. Poseidon's releases always came with a steep price, the last release running around four hundred NED. This album would be more expensive, undoubtedly. More than ten thousand seats, which meant ten thousand albums. It was an enormous profit to be giving away for free.

Lan Jue shook his head in wonderment as he walked. It wasn't long before he arrived at the front and took a seat beside Chu Cheng.

"I'm a teacher here," Lan Jue complained. "If I'm seen up here sitting so close to you it could bode poorly. I'll stay a while then move to the back."

Chu Cheng chortled at his friend's concerns. "You think there'll be space in the back? Stay here, trust me. I've seen one of Hua Li's concerts before, and the second it kicks off no one will be able to keep their head. No one will be paying attention to you, I promise. Besides Hua Li's already thought about your potential troubles, so he set your school luminaries off to one side. We'll have international big-wigs and Poseidon staff on either side of us, so no one will recognize you.

"So be it," Lan Jue answered grudgingly. "I have to say, Poseidon Media 2 certainly knows how to do these sorts of things. But the amount of money they threw in to this must have been insane. And that's not counting the whole rest of the school they decorated!"

Chu Cheng chimed in. "Just the surface, bro. The amount of money they give the school just to do the performance here would cross your eyes. You think all these stuffy suits would let some star take over their school for a concert otherwise, much less attend themselves? But in the end you know this is a good thing for the university – not just because of Hua Li and Poseidon Media's name, but also the fact that it's a benefit concert."

Lan Jue shook his head. "This guy! It seems like being a superstar is anything but worth the effort and hardships. And having to hide every time you want to go out… it looks like even Hua Li is tired of it."

Chu Cheng laughed. "What can he do about it? It's in his blood, a product of heritage. If he wants to be rid of it, he's gunna have to find a woman to birth the next victim. A son, and then he'll have to wait for him to come of age. Only then will he have the ghost of a chance at a normal life. The reputation of the Poseidon line is the product of generations. when you think about it, it's like it has a life of its own, an amazing thing."

Lan Jue looked off across the auditorium as he changed the subject. "When the concert's done, how about you two come stay over mine tonight. We have some training of our own to get to."

Chu Cheng nodded his fiery red head. "That DreamNet thing. The news is already all over. Go to any search engine and you'll see the first result is the God-team battles. Second is the Divine Monarchs and this 'mysterious challenger' that we're up against. Then the next ten down the list are about various aspects of this whole thing. There is absolutely no way we're allowed to lose this."

"Ngh." Lan Jue nodded his head resolutely.

Beep, beep, beep! Lan Jue's communicator beeped to get his attention.

Lan Jue answered, and Jin Yan's voice chirped at him from the other end. "Hello Professor Lan. Where are you? The Poseidon concert will be starting soon, we're out here in line. You should get here soon! We'll keep a seat for you."

Lan Jue waggled a finger at Chu Cheng as though to say 'I told you so'. "I'll be there soon, thank you guys."

The young etiquette instructor cut the connection, and rose to his feet. "What was that about no seat in the back? It's safer back there anyway. I like to keep things low key."

Chu Cheng shook his head helplessly. "What about your seat here then? We can't just have an empty spot right here in the middle."

Lan Jue snorted. "You were just telling me about how busy this'll get. Give me a moment and I'll find someone outside to fill the spot, alright?"

He didn't wait for Chu Cheng's response, making his way towards the exit. He had become accustomed to the university life since being here. He was learning to enjoy it. It wouldn't be at all worth it for his cover to be blown over some concert. Indeed, it would be best for him to be back with the other teachers.

Lan Jue avoided the main entrance of the auditorium, deigning instead to exit from a side door. However, despite his attempted subterfuge, he was met outside by a crowd so large he nearly yelped when he saw them. It was a veritable sea of humans, but luckily the guards were doing a fine job of keeping order.

Lan Jue called Jin Yan once more to determine their location, and went off to meet them.

He turned a corner on his trek, only to be caught in a deluge of students making their way to the arena. He quickly jumped to one side, but as he did he stepped directly in to the path of another rushing figure. His attempts at being covert caused him to collide right in to them.

He felt like he was hit by a truck. He very nearly let his unconscious take control and employ his Discipline to keep him upright. Fortunately, he remembered who and where he was. Unfortunately, this meant he had to allow himself to stagger to the side, and fall.

A hand grabbed him by the collar and yanked him straight.

"Be careful." The voice was chillingly familiar.

Lan Jue nearly crumbled to the ground by virtue of the realization alone. There's no way, he inwardly lamented.

He slowly, slowly turned around. There in front of him was the single last person he ever wanted to see again.

"You?" Tang Lingyun's eyes were hard and cold as they fixed on Lan Jue. The disdain was so thick in her glare that he felt as though it might actually cut him.

Lan Jue smiled, but it came out more pained than anything. "When is it not me. Hello, Professor Tan. I'm very sorry to have run in to you. Are you alright?"

Tan Lingyun dropped her head to look at her feet. Lan Jue followed her gaze and saw the invitation envelope for the concert on the ground. He quickly stooped to pick it up, fumbling with it.

Each admission ticket came in a large envelope. He laughed sheepishly as he handed it to her, then hastily made his retreat.

"Who was he?" Le Ziqian asked curiously from Tan Lingyun's side. They'd arrived together after their meeting. He was just about the only teacher who didn't stay as far away from Professor Tan as they could.

"A teacher. Electives, I think. A damn waste of space. He almost got us all killed on Taihua.

Le Ziqian chuckled. "Little Yun, you shouldn't always be so cold. From what I can tell he doesn't seem all that bad! Polite and courteous. You know this will only get you in to more trouble the older you get. It's time a phase that has passed its time."

Tan Lingyun responded with displeasure. "Ziqian, if you're getting ready to lecture me I can just go home. If I decide never to marry then that's my decision to make. Men have nothing good to offer."

Le Ziqian rubbed his nose in exasperation and annoyance. He pushed his gold rimmed glasses higher on his nose, grinning sourly. "You shouldn't always burn bridges. Already you can see it in the school – be it student or teachers, they all hide when you pass by."

Tan Longyun laughed. "That's good then, saves me the trouble of having to deal with morons. Women should always be out to protect themselves. Now let's go and get in line."

1. Foreshadowing?!

2. It looks like the author decided to make some changes to the terminology, or I'm an idiot. Either way, I'm going to make an adjustment here: Gobi Entertainment is the name of the entire company of which Hua Li's family is the primary owner. Poseidon Media will be their PR and activity arm.

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Chapter 172: Switching Seats

It wasn't long before Lan Jue found Jin Yan and Wang Hongyuan. By the time he did, he discovered they'd already set aside a seat for him. The dance instructor greeted him by pushing an invitation ticket in to his hand. "I figured you wouldn't have one."

Lan Jue chuckled. "I actually wasn't going to come. This sort of thing is more suitable for younger generations. I'm honestly not all that interested!"

Jin Yan huffed at him. "Talking like you're an old man. Could you be any more anti-social? You know any normal Poseidon concert anywhere else in the galaxy, you'd have to sell a kidney to get one. This one is a big benefit concert and album release – we're only here because we're lucky enough to have our school hosting. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a shadow of a chance any of us could get tickets."

"Alright," Lan Jue said in defeat. "I'm here, so I might as well give it a listen." He made a mental note to have A-Li sing for him just one on one sometime.

People began to file in to the auditorium. Members of the media entered first to set up positions. Afterwards, faculty and students were allowed in to find their seats. There weren't any outsiders or foreigners – like Jin Yan said, tickets were impossible for them to come across.

ζ

The line moved until Tan Lingyun and Le Ziqian were before the doors.

"Tickets." The gate guard regarded the two of them indifferently.

Tan Lingyun handed the man her crumpled envelope without a second thought. He responded by taking it from her. As he did, a single dark golden card slipped free and tumbled to the ground.

The guard hastened to pick it up with a change coming over his dismissive expression. He jerkily invited Tan Lingyun to proceed with a sweeping motion of his hand. "This way if you would, ma'am. There are already many people inside, allow me to help you find your seat."

The Savage Goddess was struck by his change in demeanor. After all, everyone else in front of her had simply taken their own tickets and pushed through the crowds. What was different about her?

She craned her neck to look back at Le Ziqian, who laughed as she did. "It looks like beautiful women always get special treatment. Go on in, I'll be right behind you.

She had no choice but to follow the guard. He pushed through the throng of young, rambunctious students to the front few rows. The closer to the stage they walked, the more she felt like she didn't belong. She was just a teacher, she thought, it was wrong for her to be up here with the more important folk.

The school had reputedly given out the same normal tickets to students and teachers in an effort to keep things fair. Only the school's luminaries were different, and sat closer to the stage. She also clearly recalled her own seat, which should have been somewhere in the middle of the auditorium.

"I'm sorry, but can you look again? I'm sure my seat isn't this close…"

The security guard turned back to her with an amicable smile. "There's no mistake. Your VIP card is very special – your seat is in the very front. Please, let's get you seated."

And so it was, because she had no idea how this came about or how to get out of it. Still stunned at the circumstances, she followed the large man until they reached the very front. They stopped before the seat Lan Jue had occupied earlier.

Chu Cheng was seated next to the empty seat, looking impossibly bored. However, the second he spotted the firestorm that was Tan Lingyun he sat straight in his seat.

His eyes shone, as they were wont to do when in the presence of a pretty girl. He swept those hungry eyes up and down her svelte figure like a scanner.

This girl, certainly the envy of all her friends! And her temperament.. black clothing… she has to be a teacher.

Tan Lingyun, her heart still full of confusion and surprise, confirmed once more with the guard that this was her seat. He assured her it was, so she sat.

She had no idea the danger she was in.

She decided to let things lie, and take matters as they come. Besides, she was incredibly close to the stage. How could this be a bad thing?

"Hello there."

Her thoughts were interrupted by a magnetic voice from the next seat over.

Tan Lingyun turned her face to the sound, laying her eyes on Chu Cheng.

Although he was seated, she could still tell that he was tall. He was positively bursting with testosterone, as well. He was covered in wine red pants and a vest, covering a snow-white shirt. A black tie finished off the ensemble. He looked… neat.

She nodded her head. "Hello."

"You're a friend of Lan Jue's?" He asked.

Instantly her face curdled. "Lan Jue? You mean that pustule?"

"Pustule?" Chu Cheng tilted his head and looked at her. He'd known Lan Jue for years, and this was the first time he'd heard anyone address his brother like that.

Tan Lingyun's voice was soft, but biting. "You don't mean that cowardly waste of air? Useless as a coin purse."

"A-hehm!" Chu Cheng covered with mouth, feigning a cough to find his expression. His stomach undulated as he fought to keep the fit of laughter he desperately wanted from exploding to the surface. He didn't want to spoil his image in front of this lady.

He really couldn't imagine what A-Jue must have done in front of this girl for her to be reacting like this. And yet he gave up his card to her. Interesting, he thought, very interesting. At the very least he knew there wasn't anything between she and Lan Jue he had to worry about.

"Maybe we're talking about two different people. Ehm, let me introduce myself. I'm Chu Cheng." He hurriedly changed the subject, and brought his face under control. As he spoke, he extended his hand towards her politely.

She nodded once again, but made no move to grasp his waiting hand. "You aren't from our school, obviously," she replied in that same quiet voice.

Chu Cheng nodded. 1 "Yeah. I guess you can say I'm part of the Poseidon Media group."

Her voice suddenly grew icy cold. "Shut your eyes, and keep your thoughts to yourself. Be careful and you'll stay out of trouble." She sat back against the chair and crossed her arms, eyes fixed on the stage ahead. It was pretty clear to her that this was orchestrated.

Chu Cheng's hand stiffened, hanging in mid-air. Quite the character, this one.

However, in no time at all Chu Cheng was making adjustments to his approach. He let his hand drop and sat properly in his chair. He had spent years perfecting his skirt chasing, his experience was copious. If one method wasn't working, well, he had no shortage of other tricks to try. This Tan Lingyun had piqued his interest.

ζ

Various sounds took turned dominating the interior of the auditorium, from sighs of admiration to gasps of alarm as the students gaped over the decorations. Everything was in a state of chaos.

Lan Jue entered the auditorium once again, though this time as a teacher. He followed close behind Jin Yan and Wang Hongyuan as they waded in to the fray. Their seats were situated nearer to the back.

"Are you in the arena?" Zhou Qianlin's voice whispered in to Lan Jue's mind.

"Yup, just walked in," he said.

"That Lir university student from yesterday morning just sat next to me."

"Coincidence?" Lan Jue's face darkened.

"Probably," she answered. "He just started speaking with me."

Lan Jue thought for a minute. "Then I'll switch seats with him."

"Alright."

He rose to his feet and began to move. There was no need for him to ask where Qianlin was, for by virtue of the Soulcaller gem he knew her general whereabouts in this confined space.

A cursory search revealed several tall students, but no Zhou Qianlin beside any of them.

Lan Jue spoke gently to Jin Yan, who was seated beside him. "Professor Yan, I spotted a friend. I'm going to go over and say hello. After a minute someone may come to take my seat because that friend and I have something to discuss."

Jin Yan looked somewhat disappointed. "Not much point, is there? It looks like the concert will be starting soon, you won't have much time to talk."

Lan Jue only chuckled, then left.

Zhou Qianlin was seated diagonally behind Lan Jue's seat. He had to walk a big circle to get to her location, eventually approaching from the opposite side.

When he got there he saw a noticeably irritated Xiao Han.

ζ

Xiao Han's actions that morning were largely to cause trouble at the NEU, but he couldn't ignore the attraction he had for the girl.

In his estimation, this one was something special. She had a different sort of air to her. She was pure, spotless, quiet and perfect. He had always been the chosen one of Lir University, and as a result there had been no shortage of girls at his side. Who knows how many pretty female students have been his study partner. But none of them were like Zhou Qianlin. This was a first.

In fact, he'd spent the last couple days asking around about her, eventually discovering that she was the greatest beauty the school possessed.

"Hey gorgeous, looks like it's destiny that binds us. Zhou Qianlin, right?" He addressed her with a small smirk on his face.

Qianlin kept her eyes fixed forward, deigning not to address his advances.

Xiao Han was not deterred, and in fact continued like a man well at ease. He knew where he was, and keenly understood that making trouble with someone who was always the center of attention wasn't a good call.

"Well Qianlin, I'm Xiao Han. How about we meet properly this time. I'm from Lir University. In fact, you'll see me in the arena when our schools start the competition. If you have time you should come and watch. Here, this is my communicator number." He plucked a strip of paper from his breast pocket as he spoke. He stretched it out to her.

Qianlin, meanwhile, sat unmoving.

A stern look flashed across Xiao Han's eyes. He'd never encountered such stiff resistance at his university 2. Even newly weds didn't treat him so coldly. It was like he was empty space.

"Did you hear me? Take it." His voice was quiet, hard.

Not a sound from Zhou Qianlin.

His face grew cold. He fought with himself against the desire to just cram the piece of paper in to her hand.

Suddenly a hand clamped down on his shoulder. "Hello there, student," a warm voice entreated. "May I have a word with you?"

Unfortunately, Xiao Han couldn't really hear the greeting. He was too focused on the fact that his entire body had gone numb. And then everything went black.

To anyone looking on, it looked like Xiao Han heard the Professor, nodded, then rose to follow. Lan Jue brought him forward a few rows to his own seat.

"Hey guy, why don't you hang out here for a little while. Me and my friend have something to discuss. Thanks man."

Xiao Han simply sat there as though he were made of wood. Soon, however, his eyes shut and he began to snore.

Lan Jue shook his head helplessly and addressed Jin Yan. "These young people, am I right? Always burning the midnight oil, so bad for you. Now here he is sleeping with such an incredible concert about to start. Well I gotta go talk to my friend."

Wang Hongyuan gave him a strange look. With a gentle push of his Discipline he warped the air so only he and Lan Jue could hear. "The hell are you up to?"

Lan Jue responded in the same fashion. "Giving you a chance! Didn't you say you wanted me to avoid Professor Jin at all costs? Look how good I am to you. You owe me, got it?"

He didn't wait for the dance instructor's response. Instead he just walked back a few rows and took the vacant seat beside Zhou Qianlin.

1. Now I think it's HE who doesn't realize what kind of trouble he's headed for.

2. Here, the Chinese reads 'He'd never banged against such a hard nail.' Just thought I'd share.

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Chapter 173: Poseidon's Sounds of Nature

Zhou Qianlin didn't know when that small smile had first appeared on her face.

Lan Jue took the seat beside her, very serious of expression and mannerism. He looked straight ahead, looking neither right or left as though he didn't know the people beside him, and didn't care to. He was succeeding spectacularly at not attracting attention.

The Soulcaller Gem warmed.

Lan Jue: I put him a few rows ahead. He'll be sleeping for a little while. Sleep's important for those kinds of guys, with surplus hormones.

Zhou Qianlin: Mm. A qualified bodyguard.

Lan Jue: Of course!

Qianlin: So you seem rather comfortable with this position.

Lan Jue: Doesn't matter if I'm comfortable. If you're going to guard someone you take it seriously.

Zhou Qianlin said nothing further. By now all the teachers and students had filed in to the auditorium and found their seats. The twinkling lights began to dim.

Sweeping one's eyes around the area you would find not an empty seat in the house. There were even people in the aisles, settled on stools.

Ever since the place had begun to fill up, the riotous din of people had grown louder. Now, though, as the lights darkened, a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned to the stage.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to a world of endless ocean." A warm, pleasant female voice washed across the occupants. It came from all directions at once, bringing with it the gentle sounds of crashing waves.

From all around appeared shimmering halos. They undulated and expanded outwards like ripples in a vast sea. The ears were full of the sounds of water as the rippling lights spread all around. The whole arena was awash in sapphire, as though they were indeed far beneath the waves.

The air was thick with moisture, and even the slightest hint of sea salt tickled the nostrils. As ten thousand eyes watched, the ripples crashed against the crystalline figures hanging from the rafters. They shone brilliantly, for all the world appearing alive with an inner light. The crashing waves grew gradually louder from small lapping waves to great crashing ones. As the raucous crescendo of a tsunami tore all around, every onlooker's heart skipped a beat.

Lan Jue looked on with rapt attention. Silently he came to the realization the power of water element was thick in the air. This was by no means a product of special effects; clearly this was the power of a water Adept. What's more, the power appeared evenly distributed even throughout the enormous auditorium. This wasn't just the work of one person.

The audience collectively held their breath, all of their attention trying desperately to take it all in. They were, one and all, completely consumed by the spectacle.

"Myriad creatures exist within the deep blue depths. Here, there is only silence… and yet it is full of vibrance. This world is ruled by a handsome Monarch, who guards his people. At his command the waves recede, and in this way he protects us, too."

Once more the moving female voice arose, and as though at her own command, the terrifying crash of tidal waves quieted.

A peaceful silence fell over the arena. Only the gentle slaps of water on sand remained, amid the lingering charm of that voice.

The ocean sounds were almost imperceptible, but there. As though they were under the water themselves. It lent a genuine air to the atmosphere.

From within and among the ambient sounds there came a singing. It was sweet, and melodious, and only just loud enough for you to know it was there.

It was soft, and pleasing to the ear. Mellow, like an undersea scene. In addition, there was a powerful gravity to it, a magnetism that put listeners on the edge of their seats. There was a sense of omniscience, as though it were narrating a tale. In fact, none could make out the words, but it was a sound that was soothing as it was mysterious. For all the world, they were there among the beasts of the sea, one of them, giving ear to the songs of the ocean.

An opera aria! That was precisely what this was. His voice was perfectly accompanied by the musical sounds of the sea and waves as though they were instruments. And that was it, a perfect trio.

A gentle blue light shone from on high, illuminating the stage. It was just enough light to see the curtain being pulled away. The stage was a staggering blue, that reflected and refracted the floodlights above in a dazzling crystalline display. This was because it was crystal, an aquarium fifty meters high and a hundred meters across. It was filled to the brim with sea water.

However, shocking as that was, ultimately the greatest surprise was what was in the aquarium.

The frothy water danced with a hundred thousand prisms borne from the crystal walls that confined it. They flashed and hung in the water, shimmering against the walls of an enormous palace of blue and gold. The building's colors complemented each other, perfect like a dream. It was surrounded by walls of coral and a moat of swaying kelp. Fish of all sorts swam lazily among the eddies. In the space of an instant the audience went from among the ocean tides to the heart of this undersea world.

This was no holographic projection, no trick of light or shadows. This was a real scene, built in the middle of the arena. So much clearer than a hologram could ever be, and so lifelike.

That faintly singing voice swirled among the ways from within the golden palace. Fish did as they were wont to do, darting about aimlessly – and yet, as the voice strengthened the fish within the tank slowed, stopped, and faced the palace. As though they were listening.

Under the watchful gaze of its subjects, the palace doors slowly began to open. A figure was revealed, slowly coming in to focus as it floated out in to the light.

His movement was slow, deliberate. It matched his melodious voice. The first thing the audience could make out was his garb. Armor, a deep cerulean blue that shone. He was the very heart of the ocean.

Silken threads of powder blue hair hung free, displaced by the ornate golden crown upon his head. A single drop-shaped gemstone was inlayed in the center.

His eyes were a sea blue that bore the spirit of the ocean, with fair skin and a high nose bridge 1. It all coalesced in to a face that stopped the breath in your lungs. Unblemished. Perfect. He was precisely what a king of the ocean should be.

As dazzling as he was, it didn't go unnoticed that he was immersed in the sea. How, then, was he singing? It was a trick, they thought, and none suspected it was actually him singing.

Under the weight of the performance the auditorium had lapsed in to a stillness, a silence. No one made a sound. All there was, was that vivid and vivacious voice among the ambient noises of the sea. It grew stronger, louder amid the silence. Even the hardened media, far in the back, were struck agape at the display.

Poseidon's face bore a small smile. He moved inexorably forward, until he crossed the coral walls. Strangely, the schools of fish at his gates did not flee at his approach. Instead, they flocked closer in his wake.

He stretched out a slender hand, long fingers opening one by one. A tiny orange fish drew close and settled there. His alluring voice continued as his eyes fixed upon the fish. And the fish appeared to look back. Louder still his singing became until, just as the crowd was ready to burst, the volume dropped. Poseidon looked on in surprise as a blue light filled his hand.

It wasn't long until that dazzling light consumed the entire interior of the aquarium. The light burst out with the power of a tsunami, eliciting a startled gasp from the audience.

The crystalline blue shards of light twinkled and disappeared, revealing again the underwater paradise. The palace was as it had been, and there stood the king as before. But his palm no longer bore the small orange fish. In its place there stood at his side an adorable mermaid.

She looked perhaps seven, or eight. Young and smiling prettily from the reefs at him. Much like his audience Poseidon, too, was startled by this. Slowly his surprise gave way to a small smile, and he waved her forth with a gentle motion.

The little mermaid giggled. In her joy she swept her bright orange tail through the swirling waters. All the other fish hung around her now, and danced with her as they surrounded Poseidon. Even the most incredible dancers couldn't compete.

Once again the singing increased in volume. Though this voice did not belong to Poseidon. It was hers, crystal clear and beautiful. Compared to Poseidon's throaty vocalizing, her voice may be immature. But it was so sweet, full of naivety. It brought a smile to every face in attendance. It was cozy, sentimental.

She was almost like a spirit, a guardian of love. Her voice was bright and full of hope.

Poseidon extended his hand with a smile, whereupon the young mermaid crept closer. She allowed him to pat her hair.

It was his turn again, and as Poseidon's voice rang out it bore notes of the little mermaid's own hope and vitality. There was a fondness as well, like a brother instructing his little sister. And all throughout the gentle sounds of nature continued.

So beautiful! This was the thought flashing through everyone's mind as they watched. Be it the sounds or the sights, all were so perfect so as to be impossible. A dream or illusion, perhaps.

The media scowled for they knew, no matter how fine their equipment or large the TV, nothing could capture what they were witnessing. But they rejoiced at their luck, at the honor of being here. To see the Sounds of Nature concert with their own eyes.

Lan Jue looked up to see Hua Li singing radiantly upon the stage. But he couldn't help but be a little absent-minded. Could this really be his close friend from years ago? A-Li, really? He really did look like the King of the Oceans, Lan Jue thought. And too damn handsome for his own good.

Zhou Qianlin was also enchanted. She watched everything on the stage with a sharp, keen interest.

The undulating sounds of his voice echoed through every corner of the auditorium. It hovered, reverberated until it filled every inch of space.

Chu Cheng watched from the first row. At one point he learned sideways towards Tan Lingyun at his elbow. "Handsome right? You like how it sounds?"

Tan Lingyun's eyes hadn't once left the stage or the scene upon it since the show had begun. She nodded her head, and her voice was full of sincerity. "Oh, handsome. Probably the most gorgeous man I've ever seen. And his voice is amazing."

Chu Cheng's chest tightened, curses coming unbidden under his breath. Anyone hoping to score chicks with A-Li around was doomed to failure!

"That's the sort you like eh?" He might as well go for broke.

Lingyun shook her head. "Nope."

Chu Cheng was surprised at her reaction. "Why not?"

She turned her face to look at him. "You talk a lot of shit. Watch the show. And of course I don't like him cuz he's a queer."

A queer?! At last Chu Cheng could hold it no longer and burst in to laughter.

Scores of eyes along the first row turned to scowl, but their interest was short lived. They didn't want to miss a moment of the show.

"Well gorgeous, how about I show you a real man? Time to get on stage." He smirked at her.

1. Considered very important in China when determining someone's attractiveness.

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Chapter 174: Chu Cheng Goes On Stage

"Well gorgeous," Chu Cheng said through a grin. "How about I show you what a real man looks like. Time to get on stage."

Tan Lingyun was considering how to respond when suddenly she felt a scorching heat at her shoulder. Before she could say anything, a burst of thunderous laughter filled the arena.

"Ah ha ha ha ha!" The sonorous laughter was so loud it even drowned out Poseidon's pleasant melodies. All eyes turned to the smoldering red light that appeared at the fore of the auditorium.

The sudden and un-telegraphed change was shocking. Even the school leaders were unable to resist the draw of the show, and nearly jumped from their seats when the sinister laughter began.

The swirling light looked infinitely hot, and flared angrily. As it did so, the crystalline figures suspended on high twinkled crimson. The peaceful underwater world was gone, now a sea of magma.

Poseidon's face betrayed shock. The myriad fish that surrounded him fled in trepidation to his rear, desperate for shelter. The little mermaid followed suit.

"The king's subjects were many, beautiful, and easily submitted to his rule." The laughing subsided and the background music swelled as the voice narrated. It seemed constrained, devoid of it's former carefree warmth.

Slowly the audience came to the realization that this flaming pillar was part of the act.

Tan Lingyun was perhaps more surprised than most. She turned her head to look for the man who had been at her side, only to find him now standing before the stage. She couldn't see him clearly in the light, but she knew it was him. He was awash in red, like the god of fire given flesh.

Almost unnoticed, Poseidon's voice started again. It strengthened until it filled every ear, demanding attention. It bore a distinctly regal tone, his voice. Majestic and commanding, and yet there was a note of condemnation as his voice roared with the power of the seas. The gentleness in his voice when he'd sung with the mermaid was gone, replaced with indignation. He gesticulated and cried, entreating the entire ocean to rise in protest against this invading evil. Ripples of light appeared throughout the auditorium in response to Poseidon's calls. Compared to their lazy appearance before, this time they moved and rippled with vigor.

The living flame would not be cowed. As the scene rose against it, the fiery figure raged. It swelled from the human size it once was to a dozen meters or more. Even the temperature in the arena changed, heating up as the fires rose to almost uncomfortable levels. However, a keen observer might note that the fires weren't causing any damage to the auditorium.

The fiery behemoth did not sing, like it's underwater nemesis. There was only a deep and persistant growl that called out. It met and mixed with the powerful notes of Poseidon's call, a cacophonous battle of sound. The crystal figures and glass walls of the aquarium flashed with the opposing fiery and the blue of the ocean. Everything was drawn in to the epic struggle for the soul of the ocean.

They lights clashed, crashed in to one another. They flashed and flooded the arena from floor to ceiling. A sorrowful note invaded the heated musical exchange as the battle raged.

In the midst of their exchange, the fiery giant rose from it's feet. With a terrible roar it lurched forward, becoming a raging lance of fire that raced murderously towards the ocean king.

"Boooommm…!" The deep shuddering impact tore through the arena, shaking the entire structure and filling the audience's ears with the unsettling sound. Those in the back assumed the shuddering was from the speakers, but those in front knew better. To their shock and amazement, the giant antagonist had actually rammed directly in to the crystal wall of the aquarium!

Poseidon's cries were righteous, piercing. A sapphire blue light had begun to exude from him, prosperous and powerful as it filled the under water realm he inhabited. The intensity in his voice, and the dissonance of the blasts against the background music was harsh and nerve-wracking.

"Boom!" Once more the giant rushed against the crystal wall. This time even those in the back saw clearly what was occurring before them. To their trepidation they saw the cracks appearing along the wall's surface. Under the audience's frightened gaze, the cracks spread quickly in all directions. They crackled threateningly until it spread across the whole of the aquarium wall.

Cries of alarm ripped through the crowd, but Poseidon's alluring voice called out to them. "Do not fear, my subjects! This evil shall never know victory. I am your protector, and I shall defend you in the face of this threat!"

"Bang!" he giant of fire struck the glass a third time, in defiance of Poseidon's claims. The crystal fractured under the stress, and shattered in to a hundred million pieces. The water once contained within rushed out like a terrifying tsunami. The water's roar was not enough to drown out the startled screams of the audience.

"Ahhh—!" Before anyone could move, every seat flared as a golden hoop fixed them in place. There was no escape as the wave barreled toward them.

Zhou Qianlin's gasp of fear and surprise joined the rest of the crowd. She unconsciously scotched closer to Lan Jue, and wrapped her arms around his.

"Eh?" Tan Lingyun, seated in the front row was similarly surprised at what she was witnessing. A flash of power flared in her eyes. The leather of her seat cracked as he pressed her hands against it. Under the force of her pressure, the golden harness that kept her still broke free. Her hands shot skyward, inciting dual beams of green light to spring to life. It surrounded and enveloped her like a shield as she prepared to parry the force of the encroaching wave.

"Sit down, cut it out!" A voice light with humor captured her attention. That sizzling red light fell over her. Tan Lingyun felt no heat, but the oppressive force of the light pressed her back in to her seat.

She was not the only rebel. In fact there were many adepts in the audience, and several of them were strong enough to break the harness as she did. But like the Savage Goddess, the moment they succeeded in breaking free that fiery red light pushed them back down.

The fiery power that filled the auditorium grew stronger still, flaring with rage. It roared as the flaming power collided with the wave. Red and blue, fire and water. The colors became the arena's dominant hue as they broke against one another.

Much to the relief of frightened onlookers, none of the resulting wave managed to reach the audience. The only thing that washed against their bodies was the conflicting red and blue lights.

"Unreal," Lan Jue muttered. "No wonder A-Cheng's been hanging around with A-Li for so long. He's also in the show. And this fairyland they've created, that must be Mo Xiao. Flawlessly executed, perfect cooperation."

The resonating sound of singing broke through the din. It was a warcry, filled with the promise of battle. This was Poseidon's promise of protection, bringing the ocean to bear for his people. A will as strong as a fortress, calling the united powers of an entire world!

Red and blue, flashing incessantly, shining harsh and quick as they battled. The crystal statues swayed and shook. The lights filled them as well, flashing against their edges. Some twinkled a pale red, and others bore the soothing blue of their king.

Gradually the sounds eased, and the lights dimmed. Poseidon's voice hung in the air, adopting a sorrowful air. Only the angry red pillar of fire remained vibrant.

Without warning, the entire arean was suddenly plunged in to darkness.

A moment later the world was revealed once again. The crystal wall had reappeared to protect the audience from danger. Where it had, moments before, been nothing but a multitude of fractured glass, now it looked as though nothing had happened. But the scene within had changed. Now in place of Poseidon's awe-inspiring palace there was only rubble. The pained singing continued, howled from the mouth of Poseidon as he lay upon the floor.

A dark figured approached, black as though it had been burned. The water around it boiled furiously. It's charred hand was wrapped around the little mermaid's throat.

The audience had a chance to get their bearings. It had been an illusion, all part of the show. But it had been so real that many in the audience were still trying to recover from the fright.

Poseidon's mournful voice was hoarse, thick with sorrow. The mermaid struggled against her assailer, her own voice a mixture of pain and fear. No small number of audience members reflected the tears in the little mermaid's eyes.

Tan Lingyun was well aware that this was all a show, but she couldn't help but clench her fists at the visions before her. She ground her teeth at the child's suffering.

The enormous man of fire hoisted the mermaid in to the air. His hand squeezed tight.

Poseidon's singing stopped. His eyes were wide and moist as he called out to the giant. "Nooooo….!"

But his cried fell on deaf ears as the mermaid was consumed by fire. Tears hazed the scene for many in the audience, but the mermaid's death was clear – an icy dagger to the heart.

At his cried, Poseidon's crown shimmered with power. The teardrop-shaped gemstone set at it's center bloomed in to a halo of golden light that fell over him like a blanket.

His blue armor shone with the additional light, making the king of the sea appear more severe and dangerous than before. The golden light became a pillar, as with it there slowly dropped a jagged trident in to Poseidon's hand.

Blinding beams of errant golden light shone in all directions. Poseidon rose brazenly to his feet to the rising crescendo of a battle march. His voice belted forth, strong and challenging, to mingle with the battaglia. There was a distinctly murderous sensation to it, now.

The two figured met in battle among the ocean waves. Vortexes of sapphire light fired out from the trident, forcing the fiery beast back.

At last the fiery monster's defenses failed against Poseidon's onslaught, and his great trident found it's mark. It cast the giant backward, slamming it in to the aquarium wall. Once again the thunderous crash of an impact filled the auditorium, and once again the wall cracked and fell away. The antagonist flailed wildly as it flew across the arena and collapsed in the far reaches.

Poof! As they looked on, the audience witnessed the giant's body burst in to flame. A blue light appeared moments later unexpectedly, the king of the ocean hunting his prey.

A deluge of water crashed against the flaming giant. Instantly the attack was met with screams of pain from the beast. Plumes of steam and smoke black as pitch towered towards the ceiling like a mushroom cloud.

The lights cut out. All that could be heard was that shrill, ear-piercing scream. The fight was over.

Poseidon had emerged victorious, and yet still his voice was thick with sadness. The depression from witnessing the death of the mermaid still weighed heavy on the hearts of all those present.

All were awash in sadness, so that at first none noticed the sound of gurgling water. It was like a bubbling stream, undercutting Poseidon's laments.

A pale blue light, soft and dim, began to illuminate the arena. It gradually strengthened until, as though with a live of it's own, the light congealed atop the stage.

The lights revealed the scene, with the crystal wall once more in tact and in place. The golden palace had somehow returned to it's former glory. The once tumultuous sea waters surround it had calmed. Lights glistened off the water's surface like a fine spring day. The light refracted prisms of sea blue throughout the arena.

Still Poseidon's eyes were full of sadness.

The audience watched, fighting with themselves to squelch the dread and depression that Poseidon's heavy expression inspired. Their desire to rise and comfort was almost palpable.

As the silence stretched on, the tiniest little fish appeared, wandering lazily towards Poseidon. It swum circles around the dejected monarch, growing closer with each circuit.

Poseidon's doleful expression revealed a small smile, though the hurt remained clear in his eyes. His voice whispered forth through the silence, warm and beautiful once again. He sang longingly, as though calling out to the little mermaid who;d fallen at the hands of the monster. His song bade her farewell, giving voice to the pain in his heart but sending her to eternal peace with an assuring smile.

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Chapter 175: Shocks and Curtain Calls

Nearly every eye in the auditorium was wet with tears after the display. The need to speak with and comfort Poseidon was only just kept in check.

The king of ocean sang his laments as the fish swirled around him. Then, as the audience watched, a single small orange fish separated itself from the others.

Poseidon stared at it, stunned. A few moments passed, and that paralyzing shock wore off, replaced with an expression of pleasant surprise. The thick and pained quality of his songs changed with the fish's arrival, more joyous.

He reached out a finger, and the area around it light up with a pale blue hue, like he'd turned on a light. It spread, expanded, until the orb of light surrounded the tiny orange fish.

What followed was strange. Within the nutritive cover of the orb, as the concert-goers watched, the little orange fish within began to change. In no time the orb was filled; not with fish, but a small mermaid which looked as though she were just waking up.

She blinked sleepily at the audience, then turned her attention to Poseidon. She called out in surprise and excitement before draping her tiny arms around his neck. Her excited singing was bursting with joy.

No one knew who started it, but waves of uproarious applause spontaneously erupted through the auditorium. It was like thunder, or the crashing of waves against the shore.

Everyone was clapping furiously. Tan Lingyun, Zhou Qianlin. Even Lan Jue was fervently applauding his friend's performance.

At some point Chu Cheng had returned to his seat. He, too, was busily clapping. A wide, excited smile was plastered on his handsome face. Then the curtain dropped.

'Successful' was an understatement: Poseidon's performance was remarkable, like a bolt of lightning directly to the heart of every audience member. They watched as though they were there, a part of this magical undersea world.

Two hours passed in the space of a blink, with Poseidon never once breaking character to address the crowds. He didn't need to. The show and its remarkable execution said everything that was needed.

The Sounds of Nature. Everyone knew the name, but now they felt it. It lived within them, after witnessing Poseidon bring it to life. The applause continued for a full ten minutes without pause.

By this point the harnesses that had kept them in place had released. Pockets of the audience stood, and before long the entire arena roared from the standing ovation. Their hands were red from the clapping, but no one seemed to mind. What they witnessed had touched them deeply – watching Poseidon's range of emotions and the magic of the story, it was all burned in to their memory forever.

The curtain spread wide. The crystal wall and sea water were gone. The palace, however, remained, along with the other decorations of his undersea realm.

Poseidon appeared on stage, walking slowly to the center. He held the little mermaid in his arms.

As the lights brightened, it revealed a host of guards who'd quietly entered the arena at some point during the show and positioned themselves at the bottom of the stage for protection.

Hua Li bowed slightly to the crowd, a smile soft and warm on his face. His magnetic, moving voice was heard once more. "Thank you," he called to them.

The crowd reacted with calls of their own, all blending together so that the only thing that could be heard was the deafening roar of his fans. Both Hua Li and the mermaid lifted their arms and waved. Bathed in light, surrounded by adoring fans, in glittering sapphire armor… he really did look like a king.

He lifted his hand, entreating silence. After a moment the excited throng quieted down. By now he could rely on his own requests to keep the audience's emotions in check.

"I'd like to thank every one of you for coming today. This is also my first time performing in an institution of higher learning. It has been my great honor to meet all of you, and to share my latest music with such amazing fans. On each of your seats should be a copy of Sounds of Nature, inscribed in holographic form for your enjoyment. Give it a watch when you head back to your rooms. It's got a different feel than the concert. You'll see."

"Recently I was made aware of the terrible tragedy that occurred on Taihua. I was filled with a terrible sadness, for the comrades we have lost, the lives cut short. And so we decided to donate all of the proceeds earned today to Taihua. We're also giving twenty percent of the sales for every copy of Sounds of Nature to the families of the victims. Our hope is that this might, in some small way, help alleviate their pain."

Once more, a round of applause met his words. This time it was the luminaries and school department heads that lead the expression.

Among them was Wu Junyi. At his elbow was an elderly gentleman who looked to be in his sixties or seventies. He was a congenial looking man, with grey hair and a warm smile. The old man's other side was occupied by Director Shi from Lir University.

The competing director looked exceedingly jealous as he stared at the stage. As a school director himself, he clearly understood what this concert would do for the NEU's reputation. Beyond all question, this school would have the advantage when it came to enrolling desirable students for next semester.

After a long while, the applause subsided. Hua Li smiled and continued. "In reality, the fact that I'm in Skyfire – here with you – was all up to coincidence. I actually came to spend time with a good friend of mine. He brought me here. Obviously he doesn't want me to embarrass him or influence his standing here, so I can't say who it is. But I do have something to say to him, and that is: It's been many long years since I've stepped foot on a school campus, and coming here to the NEU has brought back all of those relaxed and excited dreams and hopes of my youth. Countless cherished memories bubbling back up to the surface. Now, I do like to think I'm not quite that old yet, but looking out over this sea of bright young faces fills me with a profound envy. Make sure you take time to appreciate this magical time in your lives. College life is a beautiful and important chapter in your story. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank another friend of mine who came today for a cameo appearance. It's my sincerest hope that, if you should run in to him around campus, that you try your best to look past his scandalous exterior."

Immediately following his words, a loud guffaw burst from the front row. Chu Cheng brazenly displayed his middle finger to the stage.

Tan Lingyun turned to look at her neighbor. "You were that fire Adept?"

Chu Cheng shook his head, his face a mask of apathy. "No no, miss. I'm the mighty fire Adept."

"Pfft!" Tan Lingyun snorted disdainfully at his response. "Is it acceptable to call oneself mighty?"

Chu Cheng looked at her then, his eyes a roiling crimson as the fires burned within him. "Well miss, you can find out for yourself if you don't believe me."

Immediately Tan Lingyun's eyes lit up with the promise of violence. "Fine. When?"

"A guest must yield to the convenience of the host," Chu Cheng said with a gentlemanly air.

Tan Lingyun opened her mouth to continue the banter, but stopped as though a thought had occurred to her. When she spoke again, her voice was only just loud enough for him to hear. "Give me your com number. When I've finished with my business over the next couple of days, I'll call you." 1

Chu Cheng's lips curled in to a wolfish grin. And remained that way as he gave her his number. He was secretly pleased with the result; as he anticipated, this was a special woman – special tactics were required. Certainly a good start.

With Hua Li's thanks and farewells concluded, the curtain closed once again. He vanished behind them with his entourage of security personnel. He still had a series of media events to get through before his job was complete tonight. He certainly still had his work cut out for him.

Under the direction of the Poseidon group's staff, the teachers and students made a well-organized exit. It was then that Xiao Han stirred from his forced nap.

He shook his head forcefully, like a man who'd been struck. His vision, still blurry from sleep, swept the auditorium as everyone was filing out – much to his surprise. What the hell, he thought. How could I sleep through this?

The people on either side of him had gone already. He didn't even know how he got to this seat, all there was the faintest memory of someone putting their hand on his shoulder. There was half a moment when he felt numb, then… nothing.

Was it that girl, Zhou Qianlin? No, that couldn't it. She'd been sitting next to him when it happened. So who the hell was it? How did they even do it?

He abruptly shot to his feet, glaring in every which direction in the desperate hope he could discover the culprit. At last his eyes fell upon Zhou Qianlin near the auditorium entrance, together with a tall and thin man. He lurched ahead to give chase, but the crowds were too thick. A moment later and he'd lost them again.

ζ

As they left the arena, it wasn't just Lan Jue who felt like he was returning from a fantasy world. Zhou Qianlin heaved a heavy sigh. "It really was an amazing concert."

"Qianlin! Qianlin!" No sooner had the words escaped her lips than she heard her name called. She turned to see Tang Mi trotting toward her. She was practically hopping with excitement by the time she caught up. "That was amazing! Really incredible. Poseidon's so handsome! I think I might be obsessed with him. His voice is just so beautiful. Here feel, my heart's racing! I think I'm dying."

She took Qianlin's hand and pressed it to her plump chest.

Qianlin allowed herself to be man-handled. Helplessly she addressed her friend. "Tang Mi, relax. Aren't you always telling me Zeus is your idol? Suddenly now it's Poseidon?" She shot a covert glance at Lan Jue, standing at her side.

"It's not the same!" Tang Mi whined. "Zeus is my idol, but I've never actually met him. But Poseidon we've seen with our own eyes! They said Poseidon's a powerful adept himself, and a God-ranked mecha pilot to boot. Good friends of Zeus' too. Have you heard of the Four Divine Monarchs? Poseidon and Zeus are both members. If I get in with Poseidon, he'll introduce me to Zeus. Ahh, if only they had some sort of harem I could join 2 that would be incredible."

"Ka, ah, hack! Mm!" Lan Jue nearly choked on his own saliva. This girl had no shame! Where all girls like this these days?

"Professor." A tiny voice entreated Lan Jue's attention from behind him. He turned to look for the source, and discovered Tang Xiao's pudgy face looking back at him excitedly from a distance. He walked over.

He shuffled his expansive girth closer, and whispered in to Lan Jue's ear. "Uncle was pretty great. I didn't expect such a sissy voice to be so nice. He beat me so bad I'm still hurting, but I think I can forgive him."

Lan Jue looked down at him with an admonishing frown. "Guess you never know till you try. Aren't you afraid he'll show up right behind you, while talking this nonsense?"

Tang Xiao chuckled flippantly. "How could he? He's got to be very busy right now. By the way I don't have any classes this afternoon, Professor, but I still have the tactical training they're requiring for the competition. But anyway, I'll see you later!"

With that said, Tang Xiao turned and wobbled away.

1. Go Chu Cheng! BAM!

2. Lol

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Chapter 176: Overburdened Bicycles

Lan Jue watched the young man trot off. It was then he spied Chu Cheng sauntering over towards him with a lazy, unhurried gait. In his fine suit and vest, he was having no trouble attracting looks from the young girls around campus. From time to time he'd shoot a charming smile at them as they passed.

Lan Jue turned his back and made to leave, like he had no interest in dealing with the guy.

Of course Chu Cheng wouldn't be denied, and his reaction time was nearly inhuman. Immediately his voice rose in a shout. "A-Jue, wait a minute!"

Zhou Qianlin and Tang Mi both turned to the source of the greeting.

Chu Cheng made his approach with big steps. By the time he arrived, he was already puffed up and beaming with pride. "What didja thing? Nice, right?"

"Him or you," Lan Jue asked.

"Me!"

"You said two words," Lan Jue muttered. "What's good about it? Tell you what though, I had no idea how talented he was."

A ghost of agitation flashed across Chu Cheng's pained face. "Are you even capable of being a pleasant human being?"

"You're free to keep your distance," Lan Jue replied. "And when you're all steeped in your machismo bullshit don't tell people you know me."

But Chu Cheng had already tuned Lan Jue out, the moment his eyes found the two young women standing nearby. His eyes lasciviously traced paths up and down their bodies.

"Eh? Little sister, you're here as well."

The second the words left his mouth, Lan Jue winced. The damage was done, there was nothing he could do.

"Little sister?" Tang Mi looked at Qianlin and Chu Cheng, back and forth. "Qianlin, what's going on?"

Zhou Qianlin's own appraisal and reaction skills were impressive. "I don't know you,"she said instantly. "Xiao Mi, let's get out of here. This one reminds me of Richard." She grabbed her friend's hand and pulled her away.

Lan Jue watched the exchange in conflicted praise. She was quite the sneak, but he wasn't sure this was a good thing.

Chu Cheng watched her leave. "She really does look just like her," he muttered, mostly to himself. "Cut from the same mold. I'm telling you A-Jue, you better know what you're doing."

"Will you shut the hell up, or am I going to have to make you a mute," Lan Jue said in hushed tones. "Let's go. I've got no classes, so let's head back and get to practicing. I guess we'll find out later when A-Li will show up."

Chu Cheng laughed suspiciously. "Such a troublesome business, these concerts eh? If we wait around for a bit we'll run in to him, I'm sure."

Lan Jue raised a brow. "He spoke to you?"

Chu Cheng rolled his eyes. "You need to ask? You really have been hidden away from the modern world for much too long. Let's go!"

The Soulcaller gemstone warmed as his will flowed through it.

Lan Jue: When are you going home? There shouldn't be any classes this afternoon if I recall.

Qianlin: Original I'd planned to head out after the concert. But I just ran in to the RD Director who says I'm expected to participate in the competition again Lir University. The RD section, obviously. He said he wanted to have a word with me. I'll probably be heading home later.

Lan Jue: Let me know when you're finished and I'll go find you.

Qianlin: Alright.

The two young men left the campus. As they did, it was like Chu Cheng predicted; a furtive figure sneak up up to them trying desperately to remain inconspicuous. Hat, mask, glasses, and a school uniform. A-Li.

Lan Jue pushed his bicycle over to the bundle of mis-matched clothing. "Absolutely wretched. If only your fans could see you now."

"Hush!" What little bit of Hua Li's face could be seen was scrunched in admonishment. "Keep it down. You'll know wretched if anyone finds me here." He practically growled the words, trying to look every direction at once.

Lan Jue only chuckled. "Your concert today was really something, truth be told. It was just my first time seeing one but I gotta say, you don't hold back with the Discipline do you."

Hua Li chortled. "Indeed. Got a pretty moving voice if I do say so myself. First Star of the Alliances, I think it's fair to say."

Lan Jue smirked. "That's enough. Let's head back to mine, it's time we finally got back to training our mecha combat coop."

"Yup, let's do it. Only you just have the one bicycle, what's the plan?" Hua Li asked inquisitively.

Lan Jue paused. "This is a problem," he said, glowering at the bike. "So who's running?"

Hua Li's indignation flared. "You'd make the First Star of the Alliances run home?! Do you have any humanity?"

Chu Cheng's response was equally as wrathful. "You'd make the First Heart-throb of the Alliances run home? Do you have any humanity?!"

Lan Jue looked from one to other for a minute before answering.

"Do either of you have any shame?"

Five minutes later.

A bicycle wobbled precariously down the street in the direction of Skyfire Avenue. Lan Jue was peddling valiantly, Chu Cheng sat on the back, and Hua Li was perched on the cross girder just behind the handlebars.

The bike had long since started protesting with a series of painful squeals.

Lan Jue rode the bike a sight less gracefully than he'd have liked. The three of them with their long legs – none of them were shorter than a meter eighty-five – where too large even for this bike. In it's time the antique was among the larger sized bicycles, but despite this it was a struggle to fit the three of them.

"No shame!" Lan Jue breathlessly rebuked his friends as he strenuously peddled forth.

Hua Li spat back at him. "It's not your ass being split by this damn bar, what are you complaining about?"

Chu Cheng's rumbling voice interjected. "Quite the experience though. If elder brother was here he'd probably have to stand on the handle bars."

Lan Jue's voice was cold and biting. "My brother has more self-respect than the two of you. If he were here the two of you'd both be desperate to hide from a beating."

Hua Li snickered. "Well he ain't here is he. Hm? What's this person doing blocking the road."

Lan Jue craned his head around the clothing mannequin perched in front of him. It was as his friend said; four people were blocking the small road, leaving no way around.

Lan Jue rolled to a stop and steadied himself on one leg. "The two of you get off!"

Chu Cheng only needed to let his legs relax and drop to the floor to be free of the bike. Hua Li had to wait for Lan Jue to release the handled before he could get down.

"Hey, you guys are blocking the road!" Chu cheng called out to the four figures before them.

"We're looking for Lan Jue. If you aren't him, you're free to pass." A cold and threatening voice replied.

The young men where clad entirely in black, and bore a sinister air. They stared with open hostility at Lan Jue.

Hua Li and Chu Cheng looked at their friend in tandem, but it was Hua Li who spoke first. "The hell is this? Looking for trouble?"

Chu Cheng was next. "These guys don't know who you are, huh."

Lan Jue regarded them both. "Time to earn your bike ride."

Chu Cheng was literally hopping with excitement. "Oh! Oh let me! Me!" He was off at a trot towards the four young men before getting an answer.

One minute later.

The bicycle groaned pathetically as it struggled along the path.

"So who'd you piss off, A-Jue? Got these noobs hassling ya. Not a one higher than sixth rank. I didn't even get myself going. What a let down." Chu Cheng grumbled dejectedly from the back.

Hua Li huffed. "You didn't leave any for me, either."

Of course Lan Jue knew where those four hoodlums had come from. He could see the moment they used their Disciplines that they had Acquired talents. Clearly they were from the Western Alliance. Hua Li and Chu Cheng knew this as well, but that didn't answer their question.

If they were from the Western Alliance then their master was obvious. Richard finally grew the balls to go for him? Lan Jue figured it was time the young guy was dealt with. He was becoming a problem.

"Hey A-Li, let's get a song," Lan Jue said, changing the subject.

Hua Li was easily swayed. "Any requests?"

"One of the ones from the concert," he said. "Let's hear 'em again."

While Lan Jue and his two companions were slowly making their way home, the NEU was still awash in the afterglow of the concert. The excitement was still evident in the passing students and teachers wandering around campus. After all, this was probably a once in a lifetime event.

"What? Run away?" Mo Xiao had to employ all her will power not to smash the tea table in front of her in to pieces.

Outside, members of the media had already filled up the sizable reception room for Poseidon's scheduled address. Hua Li had said he was going to change his clothes – and then, he'd just vanished.

"This bastard! I'll KILL HIM!" Mo Xiao shot to her her feet in a rage, fists clenched and knuckles white. She paced back and forth in the dressing room. "Could he be any more unreliable?"

The assistant at her elbow spoke up in quiet tones. "Well he is a Pisces."1

"I know!" She roared. "Alright… help me with some make-up. I'll deal with the journalists. Such a goddamn waste of time."

Ten minutes later.

Mo Xiao stepped out to the junket, and appologized to the media that Poseidon would be unable to participate. Tearfully she explained that the whole experience had been an emotional one. Poseidon was still composing himself, and so was currently unable to hold a fair interview.

The craze that had grabbed a hold of the students had also infected the journalists, and the vast majority understood and sympathized with Hua Li's fictional plight. The vocal minority who were still upset with his absence were cajoled by Mo Xiao's persistent apologies. She assured them that Poseidon would give interviews as soon as he was able. She followed by formally announcing the release of Poseidon's Sounds of Nature special throughout the whole of the three Alliances.

Ξ

By the time Lan Jue returned to the NEU campus, the land was covered in the encroaching darkness of night.

Zhou Qianlin was standing on her own, tiredly pinching the skin between her eyebrows. All afternoon had been talks and considerations, to the point where she was too tired to go on.

"By the looks of you, you haven't eaten yet." Lan Jue was standing beside his bicycle, calling towards her.

Qianlin lifted her eyes to look at him, and she couldn't help a small smile from flashing across her face. She shook her head. "It's fine, I'm not hungry. Just a little tired."

Lan Jue produced a lunchbox from the bike and handed it to her. "Here."

Qianlin took it with surprise. She opened it to see, and discovered a handful of dumplings steaming within.

"Chives and egg," he said with a grin. He handed her a pair of chopsticks. "We'll go when you've finished, otherwise you'll get sick if we eat and move." 2

"Mm." Qianlin hummed her agreement. She found a nearby rock big enough to sit on, then tucked in.

1.Hey, me too! First Translator of the Alliances right here!

2. The Chinese believe that doing anything while eating is bad. Here specifically, it is said that if you eat and move you'll 'eat wind' – wind is the basis for pain and exogenous illnesses in Chinese medicine.

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Chapter 177: Competition Arrangements

Zhou Qianlin ate at her own pace. She dropped her head, and slowly placed the dumplings in her mouth one by one.

Lan Jue took the time to find a spot beside her. He watched the sky grow darker over the horizon. He enjoyed the sense of stillness and quiet.

"How is it? Good?" Lan Jue looked back towards her with a smile.

"Mm." Qianlin nodded her head.

Lan Jue continued. "You know the drawback to eating chives?"

Qianlin looked at him with curiosity in her eyes. "What's that?"

"Chives have a great deal of nutrients," he explained sagely. "Unfortunately It does have a detriment. You see the smell is so strong you can't kiss anyone for a while after eating some." 1

"Who in their right mind would want to-" She trailed off, her face red with embarrassment.

Her abashment caused her lily-white skin to become pink as a flush crept across her face. Her glance was admonishing and shy. In the dim light of the streetlamp overhead, she looked like a dream.

The two sat close upon the rock as the darkness closed in around them. The smell of the dumplings filled Lan Jue's nose on occasion. He spoke up, almost without thinking. "Actually, I quite enjoy eating chives." He was surprised to find himself struggling with the nearly overpowering urge to kiss her.

Qianlin's face grew redder still.

Lan Jue haltingly produced a travel cup and handed it to her. "What I mean is, when you finish up, drinking some tea will help. It'll get rid of the smell."

She tentatively took the bottle from him and loosened the lid. The full-bodied aroma of the tea greeted her.

"Ngh. Smells good. Jasmine!" She took another long wiff.

"Yup." Lan Jue nodded. "The best for reducing the smell of chives."

She took a few small sips. Lan Jue sat quietly beside he as she finished her meal.

She did, eventually, finish. Once she had, they got on to the bike and made their way towards Qianlin's Skyfire Mountain residence.

"Thank god you're so light," Lan Jue said in relief.

"Who else have you been driving around," she inquired.

"A couple shameless bastards."

She wrapped her arms around his waist for support, and said nothing.

"Why so quiet," he asked.

"I'm just tired," she replied. 2

Lan Jue went on. "Right, what's going on with this educational exchange thing? Why are they forcing you to participate?"

Qianlin shrugged. "Our two schools have always had a rivalry, though what exactly happened to make it this way I don't know. All I know is, they do this every year. The previous competitions were all mecha combat, an excuse to beat us under the guise of educational exchange. It's unfortunately not something our school excels at. So we lose, sometimes very badly. Only this year they decided to add RD, I don't know why. That's why they called me in and want me to participate. That is something our school can do well."

"What's the competition arrangements?"

"Tomorrow will be mecha combat," she said. "Each side will dispatch three of their best students and three teachers to compete in the arena. The combat portion itself is separated in to two parts; the first is in a simulator and the second is actual combat. The simulation will be done in rounds of three. The real fights are 'sudden death'. After all, mechs are expensive. There's also of course the risk of injury, so they make the real fights one and out."

Lan Jue nodded in understanding. "So that's the way it is. Sounds simple enough."

Zhou Qianlin sputtered an acrimonious laugh. "It is simple, but who can stand losing again and again year after year? Last year only Professor Tan was able to pull out a victory against another instructor. She helped us redeem a little bit of face. We lost every other competition, from every other year, but that one."

"How do they intend to compete for RD?"?"

Zhou Qianlin explained. "One teacher comes with three students, one team for each side. Each team comes up with three problems that they present to the other side for them to solve. The winner is the team that can adequately answer the most questions. We're expecting Lir to be well prepared, since they've finally agreed to the competition. This afternoon Professor Le spend a good deal of time going over the plan. I feel like we have a pretty firm standing. Which is no surprise, since this is Professor Le's forte."

Once more, Lan Jue nodded. "Good then. Just don't overdo it. If there's something you can't quite get you can always ask me as well."

"Ask you," Qianlin said incredulously.

Lan Jue shot her a glance. "What. You don't think I'm smart enough? When it comes to mechs there's very little I don't know. At the very least I can offer a different point of view."

Qianlin chuckled at him. "Alright."

ζ

It had been a full day since the conclusion of Poseidon's Sounds of Nature benefit performance. However, the school was still a fairy dreamland and slowly dying indigo forget-me-nots.

The Poseidon entertainment group had yet to clear things away, instead considering it a 'gift' of a fine view to the students and faculty of the NEU. Of course this didn't hold true for the auditorium. The harnesses, decorations and myriad crystal sea creatures had all been safely stowed away. This was to be expected, of course, since this certainly wouldn't be the one and only Sounds of Nature performance. There were bound to be other shows on other planets.

Even though the show was long over, the excitement remained. Every teacher and student who watched the show left a loyal fan.

Excitement was in the air, but truth be told it wasn't entirely from the concert. The NEU still had one important event to consider – the educational exchange competition.

A single black high-alt verti-car was parked quietly outside of the campus gates.

An elderly man who had been present for the performance stood inconspicuously nearby. Director Shi and Director Wu were behind him, engaged in conversation.

Upon seeing the car, Director Shi's eyes lit up. He immediately walked to the car and pulled open a door.

An aged man, tall with a head of silvery hair, stepped out.

He was strikingly tall – very nearly two meters – with his hair slicked back and a fine grey suit to match. An overcoat hung on his shoulders. He was advanced in age, but that didn't seem to detract from the manly charm of his face, which looked like it had been chiseled from stone. Were he a decade or two younger, he'd be quite the sight.

"Ruchao, it's been ages!" The stocky, elderly man from the NEU stepped forward to greet the newcomer and vigorously shake his hand.

The other gentlemen responded in kind, smiling amicably. "Not so long I think. Maybe a year. But I must say, Renjian, you look like you've put on a few! You need to take better care of yourself."

Renjian chuckled good-naturedly. "Oh it's nothing, I just take up a little extra space. So long as the wife doesn't run off with another man more svelte than I, there's nothing to worry over."

An inexplicably sullen expression flashed across the taller man's face. "Shall we head in?"

The fatter one stepped aside and motioned his friend in with a wave of his pudgy hand. The two of them walked passed the gates shoulder to shoulder. They were a somewhat comical sight – Ruchao was at least a head taller than the other.

After a few long moments, both Director Shi and Director Wu followed behind them.

The newcomer was the Dean of Lir University, Han Ruchao. Of course the fatter gentleman was his counterpart, the Dean of the NEU, Xu Renjian.

Their names rang in the education circles of the Eastern Alliances. Both were responsible for many well-trained graduates, who went on to live successful lives in their own right.

The two traded words as the meandered through the university. "So Renjian, when are the games commencing? Is your university prepared?"

Xu Renjian smiled ever so slightly. "As expected. All the best pilots were stolen away by you, naturally. What can we do about it? We make the best of what we have."

Han Ruchao laughed pleasantly at the candid remark. "You're far too humble, my friend. Who knows what the result of this year's competitions might be! We might all be pleasantly surprised. In fact, why don't we make the whole ordeal more interesting? Maybe a little wager?"

Xu Renjian's flabby face twitched at the prospect. Again, he thought ruefully. The last year his friend walked away with a b-ranked power gem. No here he is again looking for more. Of course he couldn't allow the challenge to go unmet, that would be weak.

"What sort of wager are you thinking?"

Han Ruchao didn't miss a beat. "Some changes this time since we have two competitions, don't you think? A b-ranked gem for the sparring part seems fair. Same as last year. As for the RD, how about something a little more interesting for the inaugural year. How does an a-rank gem strike you?"

Xu Renjian felt a pang of fear in his chest after hearing the offer. He was very familiar with the type of person Han Ruchao was, and he never gambled on something he had a chance of losing. Clearly combat was his school's specialty, but for such a wager he must be very confident in his school's chances for success in the RD competition.

"We'll forget about the a-ranked gem. You know I'm a man of limited means!" Despite his tone Xu Renjian wasn't in the least interested in negotiating a fair exchange. He was simply embarrassed at his lot.

"Ahh, I see." Han Ruchao shook his head piteously at the shorter man. "Never mind then. I was unaware your school was struggling like that – I suppose you haven't had any decent researchers come through lately. With this being the case, I suppose we'll just stick with our former arrangement. A b-ranked stone for the winner of the sparring contest."

Xu Renjian's brow furrowed as their chat continued.

Is this some sort of cat and mouse game he's playing? His plan all along, for fear I'd delay the exchange further?

He found himself in a proverbial pickle 3. His hesitation and speculation were not lost on Han Ruchao. As the silence stretched, so too did his enigmatic smirk.

Eventually Xu Renjian spoke up. "We'll put a b-ranked gem on the RD contest. After all the combat portion is already stacked against us, bad luck you know. It's fair this way."

The old fox! A surprised displeasure took root in the visiting Dean's heart. He wasn't fooled, the slippery snake.

"Excellent!" Han Ruchao belted his acceptance with only the slightest hesitation. He'd already gotten what he wanted, anyway.

The two smiled pleasantly at each other. But in their hearts it was a different matter, both with a jagged axe to grind. They laughed and talked as they strolled to the reception hall.

1. Really, Lan Jue? That's your line? Come on TJSS, you can do better than that.

2. See? That's what happens when you use a stupid line like that chives nonsense.

3. Not a literal pickle.

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Chapter 178: Last Minute Preparations

As was often the case, Lan Jue had arrived at the mountain early this morning to send Qianlin to school. He likewise heard from her that today was the day the NEU and Lir University were to begin competing at the West Hill training grounds. All teachers were expected to attend and learn from the spectacle. The electives instructors were no exception.

He'd left Hua Li and Chu Cheng back at Skyfire Avenue. They were in the underground, training mecha combat in the jewelry store warehouse while he was busy. Hua Li had shut off his communicator and was once more effectively 'in the wind' – at least as far as Mo Xiao was concerned. Hua Li knew she was no fool, that she probably suspected he was hiding in the Avenue. Luckily, however, she had no way to get in and find him. In this part of the galaxy, there were some things even the Poseidon Group couldn't pull off.

ζ

"Professor, you were looking for me?" Tang Xiao trotted up to Lan Jue, who was waiting patiently behind the electives building in their former meeting place. The young pupil panted from the exertion.

"Right, stop pretending. Your fat, but all this for two steps of running is a tad ridiculous don't you think?" Lan Jue's words were honest and cutting. An apprentice as deceitful as this, he didn't have any recourse.

Tang Xiao chuckled, and sure enough his panting stopped immediately. "Am I getting predictable? I do it to perplex my enemies."

"So I've noticed," Lan Jue said wryly. "Your downright rotten to the core. Are you feeling confident about the competition today?"

Tang Xiao looked almost pained as he answered. "How could I be? It's like a King of Fighters style battle with three people, right. So last year we only knocked out one of their fighters before the second cleaned us all out. This year they're even meaner. They're saying it'll only take one of them to finish us."

Lan Jue looked impressed. "What rank are these pilots?"

"The word is Emperor-Class, but I dunno how accurate that is." Tang Xiao shrugged. "Students don't know anything about their competition before the actual bout. The professor war games are even more intense. They're all at least Emperor First Class. Strong. So they have us beat on every side. It's a pretty cruel way to lose."

Lan Jue thought for a moment, staring at his pupil. "Simple. Time's a little tight, but I can teach you a few tricks. Call it last minute preparation. Are there any restrictions on the mechas specifically?"

Tang Xiao blinked. "Actually, no. Everyone's permitted to use their own mecha in DreamNet 1. We're pretty crappy in that department, too. As you know, in DreamNet each component costs. Every part and gem, and what's more it's about equivalent to what you'd get in the real world. The school helps us a little, but they don't have the resources compared to LU 2. This is the main reason why we can't beat people even our own rank, much less stronger. They've got some big money behind them. I mean enough to launch a whole contingent of war mechas. They're just altogether better than we are in every way."

Lan Jue chuckled in response. "Outfitting is the single last thing you need to worry about as a pilot."

Tang Xiao's eyes flashed with sudden interest. "But professor, if I don't prep my equipment I won't have any stopping power."

Lan Jue looked over his pupil for a moment before speaking. "You've worked hard lately. Fine, I'll help. It helps that your combat style is different from others'. Oh, and by the way, if you should run in to that Xiao Han in the arena beat the piss out of him for me. If you win, be patient."

"Got it!" Tang Xiao snapped to attention, giving his professor a sloppy salute.

ζ

Nation Eastern University Reception Hall.

"Is the press release ready?" Han Ruchao inquired of Shi Jiujiu 3

"Everything's prepared," Shi Jiujiu's deep voice answered. "The NEU has garnered no small amount of fame simply by hosting that Poseidon concert. This can be to our advantage, however. If we win not only will it improve our standing, the press will turn right around and trample all over their current golden boy."

Han Ruchao nodded his head in tacit acceptance. "I can't wait to see that look of utter defeat on his pig face. We'll beat them so bad he'll feel it. If he gets ill enough from the shame, maybe he'll lose some weight."

It wasn't a stretch. Rarely did the NEU hold such activities, and now two in as many days. It was only during their field day once a year that the school approached anything as busy as this.

This was different. Right on the heels of Poseidon's Sounds of Nature benefit concert, was the highly anticipated (or dreaded) educational exchange between Lir and NEU. Under the guise of 'cooperative improvement,' of course.

And yet everyone on campus knew this drama was inevitable once a year. They expected to suffer at Lir's hands, accepting it as their lot.

So here it was again this year, with the people of the NEU bracing for humiliation. But there was a silver lining; at least they got to watch some nice mecha combat. That was something everyone could get behind.

Perhaps that was another reason for this farce they embarked upon year by year. Of course this was not their world, but like anyone the students of the NEU desired to experience and get better at it. Their piloting abilities and the strength of their mechas were crucial to their identity.

In the last five years the NEU had suffered significantly in this area. In the hardware sector alone they were only just catching up with other high level universities. With their reputation so low, they had no means of attracting talented students4. And thus cycle continued. Every school wanted to see their facilities improve, in all areas. Unfortunately, it was easier said than done.

ζ

It was after lunch, and students had begun to make their way in chattering groups towards the mecha combat area situation on the campus' West Hill. Lan Jue got the news moments before from Qianlin via their Soulcaller gem, telling him that Tang Mi would also be competing. The both of them felt like it was an embarrassing shot in the dark.

It really was interesting! He thought back to when he was in school, though admittedly not that long ago. He never had any opportunities to join in activities like these. For the simple reason that none of the universities were interested.

But he didn't know anything about how schools were run these days. He never really paid attention to that sort of news.

His thoughts wandered further, to the beginning of his studies, and almost immediately his face slackened. Those memories always brought a darkness with them when they floated to the surface.

ζ

West Hill, NEU Mecha Training Area

The training field was actually a massive stadium, easily ten times the size of a normal field.

The entire thing was supported by the hills that composed the area to save on costs. Inside, it was separated in to several sections. Among them were the forest, mountain, plains and desert. Each one was the result of a simulation, but served as excellent practice fields that trained students in tactical awareness.

Of course, they also had a standard combat arena, though that was used for the real thing.

As the teachers and students of the NEU filed in, they immediately spread out across the spectator's bleachers. Looking over the stadium, it was clear that the National in the school's name wasn't just for show. They certainly would need the help of the Eastern government to pull something like this off. It was the largest arena on Skyfire. In fact, it was among the three largest in the entire Eastern Alliance.

It could handle thirty thousand spectators without trouble. Hanging above the stands were scores of holographic televisions. This way the spectators had a comprehensive view from every angle.

The NEU welcoming committee was on a stage nearby, Tan Lingyun among them. The Savage Goddess was clad today in a white combat suit, that brought out her every proud curve. Yet despite her alluring figure no soul dared venture near, for fear her attention would fall upon them. As Lan Jue knew, misunderstandings were a real danger. Easily provoked was probably an understatement.

Tan Lingyun spun around, and her eyes fell upon Geng Yang, Tang Mi and Tang Xiao. Her voice was low and harsh. "Remember the order. Geng Yang, when the sim goes live, you're up first."

"I'm frst?" Geng Yang gaped at her in surprise. He was the best pilot the school had, enrolled in the Emperor-rank for more than a year already. Recognized as the valedictorian of his mecha combat class. He was truly dumbfounded by Tan Lingyun's decision to send him in first.

She nodded. "I don't know what the opposition's roster is, but I do know that beyond a doubt we're no match for the Lir team, at least in terms of raw power. Situations like this, you rely on your ace in the hole to get an advantage. If you go in first, you're guaranteed to take out at least one, and if we're lucky weaken another. An important task, our vanguard. You understand?"

"Yes Professor, I understand." Geng Yang's eyes shone with anticipation, the fire of combat lust deep in their depths.

Next, Tan Lingyun turned her attention to Tang Xiao and his sister. "Tang Mi will be second. Your job is to keep the advantage on our side, to the best of your ability. Tang Xiao you're last, and for you I have only one demand – just do the best you can."

"I will, Professor!" Brother and sister answered in unison. To Tan Lingyun, Tang Xiao looked like a good, honest kid. He was obedient, quiet and simple.

Tang Mi poked her brother's pudgy waist. "Bro," she whispered, "You think you can do it?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Tang Xiao nodded his head in resolution. "I know it."

"You don't know crap," Tang Mi said suddenly. "Even if Geng Yang beats his first opponent and weakens the second, I'll still need to try my best to at least drain their mecha's energy stores. In this sort of competition, they won't allow us to stop and charge our suits. It'll be up to you to take on the second challenger and the third. At any rate, if we even get that far, it'd be better than last year. Hell, we'd probably get awards from the school."

1. Calling it now – twinkie

2. Lir University.

3. Ehm, Director Shi? They don't clarify, so I'm assuming.

4. You think maybe it might also be because you guys don't have any classes? Teachers on vacation, concert, contests…

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Chapter 179: Mecha Skirmishes

Tang Xiao chuckled through his pudgy face. "Such little confidence in your big brother huh, little Mi? I'm doing my best to be a man and make the best of the situation! Professor Tan Must know this, that's why she put me at the end."

Tang Mi gave a tepid response. "Bro, don't be a punk this time. Anything shady and the Savage Goddess is sure to make you pay for it."

"Alright, alright," Tang Xiao surrendered. "How about focusing on yourself. I'll handle the rest."

By now the sun had begun it's slow, inexorable trek westward. Beneath it many had begun to fill the sparring platform. It was becoming an ordeal, for not only were the big-wigs from Lir and NEU in attendance, but also leaders from other schools and Skyfire government officials. All came to watch the schools battle.

This sort of exchange was always sure to garner the interest of the varying schools. As peers they were ever curious as to the state of their competition. It also made for the perfect schmoozing opportunity, with so many important names gathered together.

This was not even considering the mecha pilots. Even the Northern Alliance – the strongest nation in the galaxy – was seeing an alarming shortage in capable pilots. A single mecha pilot was very rarely the determining factor in a battle's success or failure, but a good pilot often is one of the most important factors.

The three alliances were always in a state of undercover, simmering contention. Even considering this, however, there was an unwritten rule: any conflicts were restricted to mecha pilots. Whatever the issues it was never to extend to warships, simply because their cost was too great. This was something every alliance understood.

Even though humanity had been scouring the galaxy for a couple of hundred years, in the grand scheme everything was still new. There was still a good chance that a frightening and powerful alien race could make itself known. It was for this reason that the alliances kept their main strength at bay.

Mechas are especially crucial now, as planetary exploration and development has progressed. A skilled pilot was highly prized anywhere they went. They were considered strategic resources to advance the strength of a nation.

Lan Jue sat amidst the crowd. Jin Yan and Wang Hongyuan appeared after a short while.

Before Jin Yan could even react, Wang Hongyuan swept passed her and took the seat at Lan Jue's side.

She stood there looking at the two of them curiously. She had no choice but to take the seat next to Wang Hongyuan.

"Professor Wang. Professor Jin." Lan Jue nodded politely to the two instructors.

Jin Yan smiled prettily. "Hello Professor Lan. You're also interested in mecha combat?"

Lan Jue laughed. "Part of being a man. I'd wager it's just part of our DNA."

Jin Yan grinned. "I'm sure! Men are always interested in things that hit and kill."

Wang Hongyuan's imperious voice interjected. "No! I actually am far more interested in art. Clearly, otherwise I'd never have chosen dance."

Jin Yan sniffed at him. "Well I like it for the manliness of it all." 1

Wang Hongyuan nearly choked, pupils contracting. He was entirely flabbergasted.

Jin Yan scooted forward a little to separate herself from Hongyuan, and directed her attention to Lan Jue. "What do you think of all that yesterday at the Poseidon concert? How can he sing under water? And that mermaid, definitely a suit. Or something swimming back and forth with her. But she really was like a fish. How can they sing under water?"

"No idea," Lan Jue said. "Perhaps they have some sort of special contraption. Maybe a secret of the Poseidon Group. You know, if we knew the method it would ruin the effect."

Jin Yan looked impressed. "Looks like our scientific progress really is going too fast. It was my first time going to any sort of concert like this, Poseidon was quite handsome. I used to think you were pretty cute Professor Lan. Little did I know there existed guys like Poseidon." 2

Both gentlemen sat stone still, their faces gloomy and sour.

Eventually Wang Hongyuan coughed to break the silence. "So, ehm, Professor Lan. What do you think of our chances in this competition?"

"I have no idea," he replied with a shrug. "I'm no mecha pilot, I don't know what's going on."

Wang Hongyuan suffered a slight tick, but quickly recovered. And least until he blurted out, "What crap."

Lan Jue feigned shock at the accusation, the very picture of innocence. Hongyuan immediately muttered, "Nevermind."

Lan Jue leaned back in his seat and stared at the looming screen before him. "Anyway it's fun simply to come and watch. Days like this I really love the college life. Peaceful and relaxing, watching the youth of tomorrow grow in to leaders. It's a fine feeling."

Wang Hongyuan paused. He knew Lan Jue meant him. These peaceful days were hard earned. He didn't want them bothered.

He himself was a smart man. It didn't take him long to figure it out. He simply nodded. "Well let's watch the game eh. Should be starting soon."

Then, as if on cue, the National Eastern University's Director of Teaching Affairs Wu Junyi appeared upon the stage.

"Teachers. Students. Please quiet down. The Official Educational Exchange Competition between the National Eastern University, and Lir University will begin shortly."

His powerful and imperatorial voice boomed across the auditorium. Instantly, the place went still. Not a soul wanted the Director's attention to fall on them.

Wu Junyi paused for a moment. He let his eyes wander over the crowd, and then he continued. "Next, please join me in welcoming our Dean, Xu Renjian onstage to speak a few words."

It was the first time Lan Jue had heard this name. He was further surprised to see the man was in fact nearly as chubby as Tang Xiao.

Xu Renjian beamed towards the audience. "Respected teachers, and honored students. Welcome, one and all. First, I would like you all to raise your voice with me in welcoming the Dean, teachers and students of Lir University to our home."

Xu Renjian was the first to clap his hands together. Only a few scattered applause was all the crowd could muster.

Sitting on the stage nearby, Han Ruchao's expression never changed. He was already accustomed to this kind of reception. He was well aware of the animosity between the two schools.

Xu Renjian's smile grew a little brighter. "Today, the chosen contest in which we shall be competing with Lir University is mecha combat. As I'm sure you all know…"

Xu Renjian's propensity towards pomp and circumstance was quite apparent. He went on for ten minutes before he reached the closing words.

"Director Han, perhaps you would like to share a few words?" At long last he finished, turning the focus on to the opposing Dean.

Han Ruchao rose to his feet, and approached the podium. By his bearing it was clear he was out to top Xu Renjian.

"To every deeply treasured teacher, and dazzlingly brilliant student of our dearest friends from the National Eastern University, hello. I, am the Dean of your grateful guests, Lir University. Han Ruchao. Every year, our two great institutions come to together in a display of integrity, comradery, and mutual desire for improvement. It is the foremost link our chain, which we have forged in friendly cooperation. Forged, in our resolute search for progress and perfection…"

Lan Jue had thought that Xu Ruchao was quite the talker. But this oddball windbag Han Ruchao was clearly determined to beat Xu Renjian's word count. He was unmindful of the jeers and disdainful glances as his speech closed after the fifteen minute mark.

Finally, he relinquished the microphone to Wu Junyi. "Alright, thank you for that. Ehm, now it's time for the contest to commence. First, we'll begin with the students simulated King of the Hill event. This will take place in a DreamNet arena, whose terrain will be determined by random drawing. The mechas which the students employ are their own. Will the first pair of students please enter the ring.

The actual competition was taking place in a site to the left of the auditorium, where more than five hundred simulators were arrayed. The competitors were there, busy testing and calibrating their mechas for combat. However, what happened there would appear on their screens, and as instructed two students appeared before them.

The massive screens flashed as the students were formally selected, and their terrain randomly chosen.

"That's Geng Yang." Lan Jue heard a snippet of conversation from someone in the row in front of him. Lan Jue wasn't familiar with the line-up for today's event, but he did dimply recall Tang Xiao saying that – besides his sister – one Geng Yang was on their team. He'd also said Geng Yan was the single best pilot the NEU had to offer.

Wang Hongyuan's brows shot up in surprise. "Well, it looks like the Savage Goddess is going for the Tianjin approach." 3

Lan Jue shot him a glance. "Looks like a subject close to your heart. You sure seem to know a lot."

Wang Hongyuan just continued. "For this sort of competition, the Tianjin style simply isn't effective. At best you'll redeem a little face. It's perfectly obvious the Savage Goddess doesn't think highly of our students at all, and plans to shoulder the whole thing herself. No, it's the teacher's competition that's the main event."

Lan Jue gave A nonplused response. "Is Lir really that strong?"

"Lir's university is an uncommon powerhouse of a school," Wang Hongyuan instructed. "They consistently pump out excellent pilots. Of their present student body, they have more than twenty registered in Emperor-class training. For this competition they chose three from their number. So tell me, how do we compete against that? We've got six, maybe seven ready for Emperor class, but only barely second grade."

Lan Jue grunted. "Oh. And what about the teachers who are here to compete? You think the Savage Goddess has a chance?"

Wang Hongyuan nodded. "She should. After all she's our school's poster child. She might have the attitude of a spoiled child, but she's pretty strong. Be it the simulations or the real bouts, she's going to hold a dominant position. No surprise since she's a Sovereign-Level pilot. And an eighth-level Talent to boot. Any school could win a few victories with the likes of her in your corner. Overall, Lir's faculty are stronger than ours. However, if you're talking one on one I don't think they have anyone strong enough to beat her. We had a King of the Hill bout last year, and it took two teachers taking turns to take put her down. So we got one. But she also got another victory in the real combat arenas. They say she's the one bright spot in our school. I heard she's been busting hump this year to prepare. No small amount of preparation, or so I'm told."

"I guess we'll see," Lan Jue said. "Perhaps Professor Tan will put on a good show."

1. Oh shnap that burn is rough! I cringe for Hongyuan.

2. To a crisp. The burn – it's horrible!

3. This involves the story of Tianji and the Horse race. In short, during this horse race Tianji decided to pit his worst horse against his opponent's best, his average horse to race the inferior one, and his best horse against the challenger's average horse. In that he way won two of the three bouts, and the competition: You can read about it here.

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Chapter 180: Let the Combat Begin

Just as they finished speaking, combatants were drawing lots to decide which arena they'd be competing in.

The result: The arena! Simple, direct, and most suited for precisely this sort of thing. It was the best arena for determining who had the greatest aggregate strength.

The scene upon the giant screens changed, revealing the massive arena that would be their battlefield. Two mecha appeared on either side.

Two names appeared on the screen in each corner, followed by a sanguine colored bar. It revealed the condition of the machines. A third bar was also present, this one detailing the energy levels of the suit.

Geng Yang's name was displayed on the left. On the right, one Hua Qianhu

Gengyang was piloting a black suit. By the looks of it, it was a close-combat mecha – jet black, with thick legs and a spear in its hands. A pair of triangular metallic wings were at its back. Presumably, speed and maneuverability would not be a problem for Geng Yang.

His opponent was the opposite. The mecha was quite slender, nimble, with a massive laser rifle slung across it's back. Judging by the look, it was a powerful electron canon.

Once a weapon reached a certain level of power, rifle was no longer an applicable term. This was more akin to a canon, and one direct blast from it was likely to obliterate most suits.

It was a weapon best employed by snipers. He laser electron canon was incredibly powerful, yes, but like anything it had a drawback, and it's was a very poor rate of fire. Fire one shot, and you needed to wait for it to sufficiently cool before the second could be released. The enemy's advantage lay in those few seconds in between.

For a sniper, this arena was likely the worst pick.

Competitions in DreamNet needed no arbitrator. It's systems automatically kept things fair and even.

Three. Two. One. Begin The countdown rang through the speakers, and the fight commenced.

Thirty minutes was set. After that, the match would be considered a draw. In more complicated terrain this was a possibility, but in the main arena it was unlikely to happen.

As the match begun, Geng Yan wasted no time. In a flash he was airborne, all thrusters fiery like a nightmarish hurricane. Judging by the model and loadout of his opponent, getting in close was the best decision.

The arena was a thousand meters in diameter. It was enough that any long distance combatant could work with it – and alternatively, was a chore for any close range fighter due to the distances they had to traverse. They couldn't safely approach without a hail of laser fire.

But Geng Yang was worthy of is Emperor-grade training. He took advantage of his opponent's need to ready his weapon to launch himself forward without molestation. He rocketing forward dangerously.

As expected Hua Qianhu's first move was to pull the weapon from behind his back, and carefully take aim.

A nearly inaudible buzz arose from Geng Yang's mecha, whereupon a dim grey aura began to emanate from it. This was an integral part of any high-level mecha confrontation involving close-combat fights: magnetic disruption. Its purpose was simple – to prevent weapon locks. If a sniper wanted him down, he'd have to do with his own eyes and no computerized assistance.

The black mecha shuddered in that moment. Its speed increased, zooming forward – and changed direction midair without warning.

"Mm. Disordered Leap." Wang Hongyuan muttered mostly to himself as he watched the fight unfold from the safety of the bleachers.

The basics of Disordered Leaping wasn't difficult. However, mastery and using it properly in a battle required quite a lot of practice, and no small level of talent. A necessary requisite for Emperor-class pilots, disordered stepping was considered when determining a pilot's ranks and fighting ability.

Hua Qianhu's mechanical arms were still as they trained the electron canon, like he'd been immobilized in the same spot. Only it's upper body moved, in the smallest increments. He was calm, deliberate. By all indications the sniper had no intention to evade the encroaching spearman.

The one thousand meter separation quickly became five hundred.

Beads of sweat had already begun to appear on Geng Yang's forehead, as he fought the controls in the simulator pod. To those on the outside, he looked as though he already had the advantage. What they did not realize, however, was that the closer he got the more lethal his opponent became.

Perhaps only Geng Yang realized the danger. His enemy had yet to fire off a single shot, but every time Geng Yang made landfall to jump again, Hua Qianhu's weapon was half a second behind. It only took one shot to end it. If Geng Yang slowed even the slightest bit, it would spell the end.

His adversary's calm could only be described as terrifying. It meant he was smart, waiting for that moment when he let his guard slip, slowed down just enough to land a shot. Just waiting, and watching, in almost perfect stillness. 1

Snipers were about specifics; just the right shot, and just right the distance, in just the right moment. He knew as well as Geng Yang, that a sniper's hit average increased exponentially the closer he was to his target. Up to a certain distance, anyway.

Geng Yang didn't attack yet, though he was drawing closer. This was primarily due to the fear that his attack would telegraph his intentions. If the sniper knew where he would be, it was just as bad as standing still.

Geng Yang clenched his teeth, and his hands sped faster over the control panel. The mecha raced forward in response, to the point where an illusory shadow of itself trailed in its wake. It was an indication of true Disordered movement – ghost images. Of course, the faster the mecha went the harder controlling it properly was. Only truly skilled pilots were capable of pulling it off.

The directors of the competing schools were sat quietly in the VIP box, watching the exchange. Lir's Han Ruchao nodded sagely, then leaned towards Xu Renjian to speak a few words. "Not bad at all, this student of yours, eh my friend. Employing Disordered Leaping to this level is an impressive feat. I'm guessing Emperor-grade."

Xu Renjian smiled ever so slightly. "Compared to your own students, he hardly registers! The result of this bout is difficult to guess. Your sniper is as calm as I've ever seen."

Han Ruchao chuckled, but did not continue the conversation.

Five hundred meters. Four hundred. Three hundred.

Only a few seconds had passed since the fight had begun, but already the distance between the fighters had dwindled to no more than three hundred meters. For close-combat mechas, this was enough for them to employ their entire attack arsenal. But, before Geng Yang could have a chance, the sniper was on the move.

He dropped in to a squat.

Geng Yang's undivided attention was ever on his opponent, and his sudden movement made him assume he was preparing to fire. His figure shimmered, shuddered, until it was three identical figures jumping erratically forward. Three sets of enormous metallic wings unfurled.

However, what he didn't notice was the sniper's stance. It had squat, but not for cover. Instead dual sets of canon barrels stretched out from compartments in the legs. With a flash, ten deadly bursts of laser fire launched his way.

They were accurate, and as feared they raced towards the only path Geng Yang had to advance.

Not a pure sniper? The float sent shivers down Geng Yang's spine.

He heard a blast from the direction of his enemy, then everything was enveloped by a blinding red light.

Boooooooommm!

ζ

The situation was clear to everyone watching from the stands. Geng Yang had dashed headfirst in to a shell from the electron canon. It was a perfect shot, right in the cockpit, that sent him flying to the other end of the arena.

The familiar digitized voice of DreamNet followed. "Direct hit, cockpit. At best, the pilot survives in a coma. Mecha damage exceeds fifty percent. Winner: Hua Qianhu 2."

And thus did the first contest end.

The entire match, from beginning to end, didn't last longer than two minutes. This included all the dancing around and delays Geng Yang employed. It was safe to say this was an embarrassingly short match.

Hua Qianhu holstered his rifle, never glancing towards the smoldering wreck that was Geng Yang as it crashed to earth a few hundred meters away.

Geng Yang sat in his simulator, viciously pounding his fists against the control panel. He knew immediately the fatal mistake that lead to his 'demise'.

As he passed the three hundred meter mark, he'd begun to grow nervous. What's more, after five hundred meters he'd already stretched himself to the limits of his speed. It wasn't a situation he could sustain for long.

When he spied Hua Qianhu move, he'd assumed it was an attack and put his all in to the onslaught. But it was more than he could take, and for a split second his hands paused. As a result, his mecha lurched. That was all Hua Qianhu needed.

Through the course of the fight, the enemy hadn't even employed their greatest advantage. Geng Yang hadn't lost from technological inferiority, but psychologically. His opponent was simply better and more experienced than he was.

Geng Yang despondently pulled himself from the simulator. Tan Lingyun, the reputed Savage Goddess, said nothing to him. She simply patted him on his shoulder. Inwardly, though, she was just as depressed.

Geng Yang's defeat completely ruined her strategy 3. Not only had they lost their best combatant, they hadn't even weakened the first challenger. How to proceed from here? Tang Mi and Tang Xiao both weren't up to the level of Geng Yang. This Hua qianhu had barely used any of his energy stores – mechanical or physical. It looked like Lir's one student was going to eliminate all three of the NEU's.

In the VIP viewer's box, Han Ruchao sat with a smug grin on his face. "Hua Qianhu is a lucky one. There wasn't any cover in there for him. If it hadn't been for that direct hit, things definitely would have gone differently.

Typical! Such a victory and still he complains of the circumstances. This old bastard is as rancid as he ever was. Xu Renjian fought to keep his expression even.

He continued to gripe. "You agree right? I guess luck, in the end, counts as a strength!"

1. Snipers were always my favorite.

2. Well, so much for Tan's strategy, eh?

3. Told you.

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Chapter 181: Flogging Corpses

Xu Renjian's chubby face twitched at Han Ruchao's incessant, passive-aggressive whining. However, his voice was calm and even as he spoke. "I disagree, it's a very different thing from actual strength. Geng Yang is still inexperienced, and in fact his mecha was more than capable of handling a blast or two from that canon had he managed to succeed in the forward assault. Had he managed properly, that barrage wouldn't have given him pause. Had that first strike not pinned him in a killzone your student's victory would have been far from assured. But it was a clear indication of your school's dominance in this area, Ruchao."

Han Ruchao nodded his head. "Mecha technology is important here, but experience always trumps toys. Every week our university holds a small sparring session, with real mechas. If their suits are damaged, they must earn study credits to repair it. Then, they can continue to participate. Rinse and repeat. We also offer a great deal of incentives in the form of rewards for a good showing. Under this sort of motivation, we foster a vibrant spirit of learning and competitive exchange."

Xu Renjian shot him a glance, but did not speak. A lump formed in the pit of his stomach, the result of the depressed realization that this was destined to get worse. He didn't anticipate his students would ever pull out a victory, he just hoped it wouldn't be an ugly defeat. At present, it looked like he could only pit all of his hopes on Tan Lingyun in the instructor competition.

With the first fight finished, the NEU's second challenger appeared in the ring.

Tang Mi entered with a fiery gusto, ready to risk everything. She was well aware of the skill discrepancy between herself and her opponent, and that left her with only a single course of action. She would focus her strategies on consuming the sniper's energy reserves, in order to set up an advantageous start for her brother. If they could just get the better of this one guy, they'd be redeemed!

Compared even to Geng Yang, she was a weaker pilot. However, where she had the upper hand was in her experience. This was a result of the Tang family's resources. The family was wealthy enough to properly outfit both she and her brother with capable mechas once they'd joined the NEU. As they grew and improved, so too did their suits.

Hua Qianhu beckoned her forward tauntingly.

As the losing party, she had the option of continuing the fight with the current arena or opting for a new one. Without hesitation, she chose to continue where they were. It was the best fit for how she intended to proceed.

The suit she used now was not the same she'd employed in her fight against Nooblet so long ago. Compared to Geng Yang's, it was a far sight flashier.

The streamlined, golden mecha released a shimmering halo of light. By simply looking at it, it was impossible to distinguish precisely what the suit was specialized in. It resembled its pilot in many ways; long legs, crouched and ready for a fight.

"Three. Two. One. Begin!"

The second contest began with the blow of an alarm.

Like Geng Yang before her, Tang Mi's mecha began the fight by leaping upward leaving a contrail of golden light in its wake. All thrusters burned as it tore through the air, and what's more the mecha itself was surrounded in a grey halo and a golden shield of light. Disruption and defense.

It was not that Geng Yang had forgotten to use a shield in his own fight. The constructed and loadout of his mecha was different from Tang Mi's. His particular choice wasn't properly suited for combat against long-ranged fighters like the sniper, even if he had used it. It would not have made any difference.

The golden mecha barreled forward at incredible speed. Its right arm stretched out, and from the palm a blast of golden light fired towards the distant sniper.

It wasn't straight, but instead traced an arched trajectory through the sky, spinning erratically like a boomerang. It rushed in almost sideways towards Hua Qianhu.

The slender sniper mech dropped in a crouch. It was starting to look like his standard response to any attack.

The golden mecha, like Geng Yang before it, advanced with Disordered leaps. But unlike Geng Yang, Tang Mi's hand speed wasn't quite as developed. As a result her advance, and the jerking motions of her Disordered leaps, was visibly slower. There was no afterimage from her passing.

The golden beam of light whistled over Hua Qianhu's head. The slender mecha stood, never moving from its spot. Still that same, terrifying calm.

A pale pink light spread out from Hua Qianhu's back, stretching over him in a photomask.

"Dang!" His shield came online, encompassing him in a rippling orb of pale pink light.

It was quite the powerful shield! The suit must have had at least a c-ranked gem powering it to maintain such an effective defense.

Tang Mi fumed, both at the situation and in envy of his mecha. She quickly recovered, however.

The boomerang of light hung in the air for what felt like an age before screeching a path once again towards Hua Qianhu. In the same instant, the deafening blast of the sniper's cannon rang out.

A sizzling beam of red light lanced through the air with a frightening metallic roar.

"Miss!"

Tang Mi was attentive, and made adjustments as she watched the sniper move.

Sure enough, the cannon's blast made landfall less than five meters from Tang Mi's golden mecha. It was indeed a miss, but in the space of a few seconds another thunderous blast was heard. A forest of deadly laser beams came crashing down from on high.

Tang Mi coaxed her mecha to leap high overhead, while in the same instant the thrusters launching her forward went from gold to white. The mecha vanished in a flicker of light before appearing at Hua Qianhu's side!

"She got passed the kill zone!"

The entire NEU section of the audience watched on the edge of their seat, fists clenched as their representative finally got within striking distance.

As Tang Mi reappeared, her mecha had at some point produced two shimmering golden daggers which were now clutched in its mechanical hands. The matching armaments were a frightening pair, almost appearing possessed of their own intimidating aura. High-frequency blades 1. With these in hand, Hua Qianhu's shield was not as intimidating.

The sniper certainly hadn't anticipated this golden mecha was capable of such speed. He subconsciously jerks his suit to the side, narrowly avoiding Tang Mi's deadly scissor slice.

Lan Jue watched from within the crowd, and quietly shook his head. No one saw, for all their attention was fixed on the large screens before them.

As the sword cut through the air, the golden mecha's chest was left exposed. However, as its arms spread wide in the follow-through a glaring burst of light spat from its torso to launch at Hua Qianhu. It was a textbook, arrogant move. NPD, near-proximity detonation.

The striking distance was less than five meters, and though it was dangerous the destructive power was increased as such close range, even beyond that of the sniper's electron canon. Its utility was compounded by an increased blast radius. It was an important aspect of a close-ranged fighter's arsenal for countering snipers.

Victory! Tang Mi swelled with pride and excitement. The NPD was too close for her opponent to dodge. Even his c-ranked gem couldn't deflect the attack.

But, did she really pull out the win?

The sniper lay prostrate on the ground, but was still movement. The suit twitched and struggled. It's left hand clutched the cannon, and with a fierce thrust of its right the suit was upward once again.

Just as the NPD fores, Hua Qianhu's suit released two beams of light from its shoulder plates. It launched his suit backwards to mitigate some of the damage and push back from the hot zone.

He caught the edge of the blast, but it was enough to violently knock him to the ground.

The sniper mecha twisted while airborne, spinning directly above Tang Mi's head. Time almost appeared to slow as the cannon lined up directly over the golden mecha. He pulled the trigger.

"Booommmm!!"

The golden mecha's head exploded in a brilliant shimmering display. When the dust settled, the suit's entire torso was missing.

Peng! Hua Qianhu's sniper landed with a thud. It paused, looking over the crowd for a minute before continuing. He slowly walked around the wrecked, placed a foot against it, and viciously kicked the remains to the floor.

Shouts of indignation rose from the crowd as nearly every NEU student and faculty member balked at the display.

That digitized voice returned: "Tang Mi had been annihilated. Hua Qianhu is victorious."

Wang Hongyuan was absolutely livid as he glared at the screen. "Too excessive. He wins and then beats on the wreckage!"

Lan Jue said nothing, but his own face was a mask of displeasure. Lir University certainly was one to go too far. This was clearly provocative behavior.

Xu Renjian's glowering face turned again to Han Ruchao. "Director Han. Is this what your university teaches its students?"

Han Ruchao looked on as though nothing untoward had occurred. "In combat you must never give your opponent an opportunity 2 What is the suit is equipped with a self-destruct mechanism 3? Naturally we teach our future soldiers to avoid this risk. You can't feasibly expect us not to treat this like a battlefield, Renjian. Our instructors use simulation as a foundation, to prepare them for the real thing. It's common sense, I'm surprised you don't understand this."

"You…!" Xu Renjian's face was dark with rage.

The crowds below bellowed their curses at the screen.

There was a term for Hua Qianhu's actions in DreamNet: flogging corpses. It was specifically to humiliate the opponent, despite whatever training they touted, and was universally despised as a practice.

And think of Tang Mi's reputation. She was one the school's Great Beauties, and an Emperor-grade pilot. She may not have had the same following as Zhou Qianlin, but she was still a school celebrity. This was especially true in the mecha combat department, where she was considered their muse. How could anyone suffer this sort of humiliation and keep a level head?

The crowds raged and cursed, oblivious of the filming equipment quietly watching from a dark corner.

"Silence!" Wu Junyi's commanding voice rang out, but even with his deterring presence he had to shout three times before he could illicit a response. Eventually he succeeded in curbing the vitriolic riot that was on the cusp of boiling over.

By the time Tang Mi pulled herself from the simulator, her face was pallid and drawn.

Those many days ago when she'd been dismembered by Nooblet's Brunois Assault, the only ones to witness it had been herself and that damn landmine. This time, however, two entire universities had witnessed her outrageous defeat.

"Tang Mi." Suddenly she felt herself enveloped in a comforting embrace.

"Your brother will avenge you!" Tang Xiao's pudgy face was conspicuously absent of his normal teasing smile. Now, it bore the brutal expression of someone out for blood.

He hugged her tight. He spoke to no one, did not even acknowledge Tan Lingyun. Wordlessly, he stuffed himself in to the simulator and began the set up.

Hua Qianhu shouldered his weapon. He stood proudly at his end of the arena, soaking in the jeers.

A flash, and at the other end of the arena appeared his third and final challenger.

1. Weapons that oscillate at high frequencies so as to weaken molecular bonds. An example in regards to the MGS universe can be found here: http/metalgear./wiki/High-frequency_blade

2. For real? Tang Mi was blown in half you unbelievable *.

3. Ok… he has a point.

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Chapter 182: Trainwreck

Hua Qianhu stared in silence at the third and final challenger. It looked like an average mecha.

It was coated in a bright silver plating, with a stocky composition. It was a good deal sturdier than Geng Yang's, but of course the greater volume meant it's speed suffered.

A close combat mecha? Hua Qianhu sat comfortably in his simulator, a smug grin on his face.

Hua Qianhu was the second strongest of the three mecha students that had been chosen for this competition, inferior only to Xiao Han. In fact, he'd already attempted the Sovereign-grade test once already. He'd only failed because he was lacking a little experience.

Though a part of the competition from the beginning, his interests were never in the opposition or even his own team mates. His primary desire was to do well, so that the school could earn more prestige and thus more resources for development.

After all he was very nearly set for life. A student who reached Sovereign status before even graduating was going to have a bright future, be it with an important family, a business collective or the military.

Hua Qianhu was no fool. He knew precisely the strengths and limitations of his abilities. He was well aware that the power he craved wasn't going to come solely by his hard work alone. There was talent and effort, sure, but contacts and resources were just as integral.

Case in point were the power gems a mecha suit employed to run. Expensive was an understatement, more than your average pilot would be able to afford. Luckily Hua Qianhu was a talented student, but he came from an average family. Where he got to now was largely a result of his own efforts, in a place where the university was giving him accolades. But even then, he still couldn't match up to those who came from a wealthy family.

He was graduating in a year. Now he was fighting tooth and nail with himself, pushing as hard as he could. He was dead-set on a single goal, all he wanted – to be a Sovereign-grade pilot.

The conflict between Lir and the NEU was as old as the hills. It was a good opportunity for him to ingratiate himself to the dean. Xiao Han was strong, true, but that wouldn't matter if he never got in the ring. That would mean it was him and him alone that represented Lir University's strength and superiority. He'd no longer be overshadowed.

It was for these reasons that Hua Qianhu was taking this competition so seriously, painstakingly studying his tactics. The arena wasn't the most suitable to his strengths, but he had faith in his abilities. As far as he'd seen, there was no danger of running in to a pilot that was his match.

ζ

"Would you like to draw lots for a new map?" The digitized voice rang through Tang Xiao's cockpit.

Tang Xiao's face was cold, and hard. He growled his response.

"No."

"Three. Two. One. Begin!"

The third student battle began without delay. Were Tang Xiao to lose here, it would mean a crushing, humiliating defeat for the NEU. Losing three to zero would be a humiliation that would be seared in to the school's historic memory forever.

ζ

Han Ruchao sat languidly within the VIP box, content in the results laid out before him. He found the first two victories very agreeable, and Hua Qianhu to be performing exceptionally. He found the young man's demeaning actions particularly fun to watch. Altogether the sniper mecha's power stores had barely been touched. It looked more than likely this was going to be a complete shut-out.

Xu Renjian's own mood was, naturally, entirely contrary to his Lir counterpart. The moment he'd seen Geng Yang enter the field first he'd guessed Tan Lingyun's strategy. What he did not anticipate was that their best student would be eliminated so quickly. There was more than skill discrepancy there – Geng Yang also had to learn to better recognize opportunity, and the lack thereof.

He'd anticipated Tang Mi's defeat, truth be told. But to lose in such a fashion, in front of the entire school, was a strike at the very heart of the university as a whole. If they lost again this time, the effect on their future recruitment would be catastrophic. Not to mention the strangled death of the entire school's moral, students and teachers both.

But this was the reality he found himself in. What could he do? Who but he was at fault for their inferior learning in regards to Lir?

Within the arena, the fight had already begun.

ζ

As this was the final bout, Hua Qianhu decided to switch up his strategy. Immediately his cannon was aimed directly at the silver mecha's head. A strong energy disturbance sizzled through the air as his weapon spooled.

According to Hua Qianhu's estimation, the one-thousand meter distance between he and his opponent was enough for two good shots. All he needed, was one solid hit.

By now he was supremely confident in his marksmanship, and for good reason. Within his kill zone, even Xiao Han wouldn't dare get on his bad side.

Tang Xiao began precisely how Geng Yang and Tang Mi before him had, with a direct rush. The instant the digital voice called for the fight to begin, he was off in a flash of light.

In regards to speed, his direct assault wasn't much different from Geng Yang's, though perhaps slightly poorer. His blazing thrusters were clearly already at maximum power as well.

Hua Qianhu was certain two shots was more than enough. With his extensive combat knowledge, he could read the result before it even happened. He grinned with satisfaction as his cannon beeped, indicating weapons lock

Hm? Weapon lock already, like he doesn't care? I guess he's mad and making mistakes.

Hua Qianhu was surprised to discover there was nothing Tang Xiao was doing to try and prevent a lock from his cannon. This meant no matter where he shot, the shell would find it's mark. It was a critical, catastrophic error on the part of his enemy.

Boom! The sniper took its first shot. Now that it was locked there was no need to wait.

A smile was already spreading across Hua Qianhu's face as he waited for the Hat Trick.

If this whole thing really was the result of his opponent's mistake, then all the better. He was already thinking of how to disgrace this guy in front of his friends. If, on the other hand, he managed to find some way to evade the strike, he still had time for his second shot. He had the dominant position no matter what.

"Aaaahhh!" A howling cry tore through the bleachers as the NEU onlookers collectively cried out. Not every student in the NEU was a mecha pilot, but all of them knew the process inside and out. A close-combat mecha taking on a sniper with no protective jamming was painting a giant target on your own chest. Defeat was inevitable.

The electron cannon's fiery red beam found its target. A virtual flash as the mecha exploded filled the screen.

Tang Mi's dull, defeated face was turned up to watch the screen. Her pretty face was heavy with melancholy. Was this the result of her brother being too emotional, she thought. It didn't matter, it was over!

Suddenly the cries stopped, as though someone simply turned off the volume. Everyone held their breath.

They'd seen it true, Tang Xiao's mecha really had been struck by Hua Qianhu's cannon. However, as the fires of the explosion raged an enormous figure broke through the wall of fire to rush forth.

A mecha, silver, but now with a dim silver shield of light encompassing it. Were it not for the laser's blast, it would have been entirely invisible and gone without notice.

He actually faced down the electron cannon's shell!

Within the VIP box, both deans watched the screens very carefully. Han Ruchao looked incredulous. Xu Renjian was absolutely shocked.

Both university leaders were calculating the precise stopping power of an electron shell. Next was how much power the suit must have consumed to deflect the blow.

And yet as they watched, the small line on the screen detailing Tang Xiao's energy reserves trembled only just slightly. Hua Qianhu's energy reserves were at twenty percent.

The giant silver mecha barreled through the smoldering cloud where impact had been made, rushing headlong towards his opponent.

But Hua Qianhu's training and experienced kicked in. His stunned surprise lasted only have a second before he began to react. He was an ace pilot, he knew what had happened – he just hadn't been expecting it.

This time he didn't remain locked in place as he had the previous two fights. He made a hasty retreat to the side. While his mecha twisted and raced diagonally away, it's upper body remained stationary, locked still to face his opponent. His cannon locked on Tang Xiao for the second time.

It was unfortunately Hua Qianhu was unable to see the harsh light of hatred in Tang Xiao's eyes, or the hard lines of his face as he scowled. His fat hands were a blur over the controls.

The silver mecha jerked to a stop without warning. The thrusters at its back sputtered, and changed colors.

The formerly incandescent light of the thrusters became a dazzling purple 1. There was a flash, and the air was sliced by a shimmering violet contrail.

Hua Qianhu blinked, confused by the illuminating display. Then, everything went black.

Booooommmmm!

Countless pieces of slag and debris tumbled from the simulated skies. The audience had seen it the clearest from the various screens overhead. The silver mecha had essentially turned itself in to a cannon shell – a freight train that had obliterated Hua Qianhu while he'd been caught off guard. The deadly sniper was now no more than a pile of shrapnel. Like he had been struck down by the hand of god himself.

The silver mecha landed with a thunderous boom, skidding to a halt. It stood tall and unscathed, imposing as a demon. It's giant metal hand raised, and waggled its pointer finger in denial towards the Lir University bleachers. 2

"Hua Qianhu's mecha has suffered one hundred percent damage. Combat complete. Victory, Tang Xiao!"

1. Holy shit, that's not what I think it is, is it?

2. So awesome I get tingles in my giblets.

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Chapter 183: Concealment, Assimilation Gems

Finished?

This match was even quicker than the last two. Sudden, and violent.

Lir University's Dean, Han Ruchao, shot to his feet faster than a llama on jet skis. His eyes were wide and round, utterly disbelieving the scene in front of his eyes.

His expression was matched by Xu Renjian's own face, slack-jawed and dumbfounded. Behind at the edges of his lips, the ever so faint hints of a haughty smile started to show. He knew his students, knew Tang Xiao's abilities – or so he thought. How could this be? Everything was backwards, and Bi Qianhu's attacks didn't even scratch him!

A simulator hissed sadly as the door opened. Bi Qianhu pulled his medium-sized build from the cockpit with a howl, his handsome features twisted in rage.

"B-BASTARD!! How the hell did that happen?! How did he go from a lumbering idiot to a damn light-speed battering ram?!"

The team's Lir University instructor looked on. Surprisingly he was young himself, perhaps in his thirties, with an unusually calm expression. After a moment his brows furrowed – just the slightest bit.

"You got flattened."

This was the young man whom Lir's Teaching Director, Shi Jiujiu, had treated with such respect. Su He.

Bi Qianhu stared at him, fuming. "You think his equipment was better than mine?"

Su He nodded, impassively gesturing towards the screens. "Note his energy consumption."

Bi Qianhu's head snapped up, where he was shocked to discover Tang Xiao had used only three percent of his energy stores. His eye twitched furiously.

It had been such a short match, but in that time he'd had to ward off his opponents and lug that cannon on his shoulder. And here he was at three percent?

He simply couldn't fathom what was going on 1, and his head nearly exploded as he witnessed Tang Xiao's energy reserves regenerating. His mecha was actually restoring itself!

"Ch-cheating! They must be cheating!" He shouted rancorously at the screen.

"Shut the hell up! Two victories aren't enough for you?" Xiao Han stood a small distance away, and spat the words accusingly.

"And what does that mean, huh Xiao Han?" Bi Qianhu narrowed his eyes, glaring daggers. The two school celebrities exchanged heated looks.

Xiao Han snorted scornfully. "Listen and learn. My guess he's got at least three a-ranked gems specifically for energy management on that thing."

"A-ranked?" Bi Qianhu turned his head to look back at Su He. The instructor was as before, expressionless and calm as the surface of a lake. He simply gestured towards a third student. "Ming Han. You're up. Select a new arena. Use the advantage of your speed to keep him at bay, don't let him get a hand on you."

"Yes, Professor Su." The entirely average looking youth jumped in to the simulator.

Bi Qianhu stood to one side, still pondering the situation. A-ranked power gems? C-ranked were the only thing he'd ever actually seen employed at one of these things. It was extravagant! After all, the cost of gems in DreamNet weren't even slightly cheaper than those in the real world.

Next, Su He slowly turned his attention unto Xiao Han. "Watch this match very carefully. Distinguish the particulars of his equipment. When it comes down to you, do not under-estimate him. This student's mecha is a near match to yours."

Upon his victory over Bi Qianhu, the vengeance and anger in Tang Xiao's heart eased. Steamrolled… of course. He thought back to earlier, to the things his teacher had lent him for the games. A cruel grin spread across his fat face.

Bring it on, Lir punks. I'll show you the fat man's ferocity. 2

The arena glowed with a flash of light, and Tang Xiao's second opponent appeared opposite him in the ring. His name hung in the space over his head: Bi Minghan.

The newly arrived suit looked almost like a toy. It was small, and frail, not a centimeter over twelve meters.

A Darter Mech! Tang Xiao drew a breath.

Bi Minghan elected for another map. The world around them shifted nauseatingly as the backgrounds underwent a series of rapid shifts. The flashes slowed until it settled on their new field of battle: the desert.

"Terrain: desert. Combat shall commence in: Three. Two. One. Begin."

Tang Xiao winced against the sudden bight light and heat from the sand. It was a vast and expansive field, so close to reality it was difficult to tell the difference. The rolling dunes stretched for five kilometers in all directions, and the beating sun meant that anyone flying overhead would be lost in the glare.

Tang Xiao was off, like he didn't even need to think. He was the first to react as the match begun, and took a step forward.

The mecha plunged headfirst in to the dunes. Within the cockpit, the controls were unresponsive, silent as a grave.

The audience's omniscient view afforded them more information, like the dim yellow aura that hung over Tang Xiao's silver mecha.

Su He watched the screens, and for the briefest of moments, his brows lifted in surprise.

Xiao Han sneered at the screen, then called out to his instructor. "An assimilation gem, right Professor?"

Su He nodded slowly. "C-ranked."

Bi Qianhu stood to one side. His rage had begun to subside, and he was now more annoyed than angry. The mention of the assimilation gem brought him back to the battle at hand. He recalled the power gem's function as he watched the scene.

Assimilation gems were able to force a mecha's environment to accept it as part of itself. In that way it resonated with the surroundings and fought off radar detection. The Achilles heel lay in the fact that it was too effective. If the pilot found themselves in an area of high energy output – like, say, a sun-drenched desert – it overloaded the electrical systems. Tang Xiao knew this when he hid himself beneath the sands.

Restarting the mecha would take time.

Lan Jue looked on from the bleachers, nursing a bitter expression. This damn fat-ass! There hadn't been any assimilation gems in the kit Lan Jue had provided him. The only explanation was that it was Tang Xiao's own. It was like he was determined to depress the hell out of everyone!

Half a second after Tang Xiao went down, Bi Minghan was on the move.

However, they appeared to have been deposited a distance from one another. Seek and destroy would be the game. Bi Minghan engaged its radar acquisition equipment and began to scan for Tang Xiao's location. The Darter's strength was immediately apparent as it raced over the sands fast enough to look almost ethereal. Two ionized light sabers sizzled in its hands. It was like a monstrous spirit racing through the scalding desert.

The audience was able to observe both contestants on different screens, and by now many who had previous cursed Tang Xiao were forced to mutter praise. Luckily for him, the moment the assimilation gem shorted his suit and activated was the very moment Bi Minghan's radar sweep was passing over him. Was it not for that gem he'd certainly have been discovered and caught unawares.

Tang Xiao made no effort to turn on his own scanners once the mecha was operational. He simply poked a hole in the sand to peer out of.

Of course Bi Minghan was unaware of any of this. As a contestent he wasn't made aware of the situation as the audience was. And so he kept searching the dunes, wary of stopping for fear that Tang Xiao would do to him what he did to Hua Qianhu. His nerves were certainly on edge, ready to bolt and evade at a moment's notice.

Su He's instructions were clear, if not direct. It wasn't important that he defeat Tang Xiao, but instead to drag out a battle. With any luck Tang Xiao would tip his hand, reveal his abilities, and consume some precious energy.

The audience watched with baited breath. They saw Bi Minghan's own energy reserves begin to deplete as he raced around the desert arena at staggering speeds. Tang Xiao's energy levels had regenerated to full.

The previous battles had been short and violent. This looked like it was going to be a different beast. The audience readied themselves for a knock-down, drag-out battle.

Ten minutes passed.

Beads of sweat dripped down Bi Minghan's forehead as he sat in the dark simulator pod. As the time stretched on, his nervousness only increased, and keeping up his mecha's speed was exhausting. Still his opponent was nowhere to be found – like he'd vanished in to thin air.

Twenty minutes.

Bi Minghan was grappling a growing impatience. He knew very well that Tang Xiao must be hiding, but where he couldn't fathom. How was it his radar detection could find absolutely no trace?

Twenty-five minutes.

The time indicator on the screens over the audience's head began to flash red as the final five minutes of the battle began to tick down.

Bi Minghan's eyes flashed down to the control console, where he saw the state of his energy levels. Twenty percent gone, just from racing through the desert searching. The price of his high speed. Still, there was five minutes left in this fight – and a DreamNet competition was judged by damage to the mecha, not the amount of energy stored.

If it continued until the end, the match would result in a draw – really, a loss for both sides. But since the NEU was already down two wins, it would mean their aggregate score would be lower. They'd lose the competition.

This realization caused Bi Minghan to have a shift in thinking, focusing instead on self-preservation and protection instead of seeking out the enemy. He lifted in to the sky, distancing himself from the battlefield so he could get a better view.

Twenty-eight minutes.

Only two minutes remained until the end, and yet Tang Xiao was still nowhere to be found.

Was this really to be how it'd end? In a tie, a terribly anti-climactic finish. Bi Minghan suspected his enemy was still biding his time, concealing himself until the last minute where he'd reveal his strength.

Twenty-nine minutes!

Bi Minghan decided upon what he thought was the best option given the circumstances – he coaxed his darter mech higher towards the simulated cloudless sky. His mecha was specialized in speed, no slower even than Tang Xiao with his empowered thrusters. All he had to do was keep his distance, just for one more minute. That's all, then he'd done his job.

The console beeped as Bi Minghan's radar caught a ping.

The large silver mecha burst from within a sand dune, filling the air with choking dust. Bi Minghan sat slack-jawed in his simulator as a veritable meteor shower of particle beams filled his screen.

1. Woah, this guy is dense!

2. Oh yes

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Chapter 184: A 1% Victory

"Bi Minghan has suffered 1% damage. Tang Xiao 0%. Tang Xiao is victorious."

The emotionless digitized voice hung in the air.

The fourth student battle finished as the time ticked down to zero. Tang Xiao had won his second in a row, by virtue of a single minor attack.

The entire audience burst in to uproarious laughter.

It rang in the ears of every Lir student and teacher.

A 1% victory was usually a display of luck, just barely winning over the enemy. But when it was intentional, as this battle was, it was more embarrassing than flogging corpses.

Bi Minghan burst from the simulator, his face purple with rage. Even Hua Qianhu, whose mecha was absolutely obliterated, looked on him with sympathy.

This fight wasn't lost because of any difference in equipment. No, he lost this one because he was outplayed. His enemy had more heart.

Bi Minghan knew it was a lesson, and an image he wouldn't forget. Behind his eyes he could still see the curtain of red lasers filling the sky.

The laser curtain was a weak strike, but it was an effective long-range tactical tool. It was called a pinning laser, and it was meant to force a target where you want. If you knew where the target would be, all you had to do was pull the trigger. Naturally it's damage wasn't much of a concern, and what's more it's distance and scale were prohibitively expansive.

What was embarrassing was that this ploy was precisely what won Tang Xiao his victory.

ζ

Han Ruchao stared at the screens. His face was dark, and great huffs of hair were pushed through flaring nostrils. He snapped his head to his NEU compatriot. "You're indeed quite the teacher, Renjian! Using tactics one would never actually witness on the field of battle! Easily tolerable."

Xu Renjian's response was even and unhurried. "What is a man? A man is to endure, Ruchao. This was a fine showing. He waited until the last possible moment, so as not to give his enemy any chance at a reaction. I think that shows good battlefield tactics, don't you? He has been well trained."

"You…" Han Ruchao only stared at him.

Xu Renjian smiled. "Ruchao ,excess anger will bring you health problems. Think of your heart." Xu Renjian couldn't be any more pleased with this moment.

These last two victories were a better showing from the NEU than any in recent history. They were unorthodox, true – but who cared?

It was now time for the LU student body to glare spitefully at the victorious Tang Xiao. A few looked on the cusp of an outburst.

Tang Xiao's little trick wasn't something entirely unheard of. Kids used these sorts of tricks to tease their friends. Everyone knew about it. It was a cruel joke to use it in an actual battle.

But it wasn't just a trick now. It had snatched victory from Lir, turning the tables in a fight they should have won easily. It had changed the game.

Su He frowned openly. He turned to regard Lir's final hope. "Be wary. Do not get careless. This one, the cunning of a fox. Appearances can be deceiving."

Xiao Han's face was solemn. He may have fought his way to the top of the school's power rosters, but he wasn't arrogant in this. "I'll be careful, Professor Su."

The teacher turned back to the screens. "Choose another map."

"I will."

Xiao Han wasted no more time. He strode to the simulator and pulled himself inside.

The silver warrior's energy reserves were back to full. Tang Xiao's pudgy face bore a small smile. He thought about his sisters, congratulating himself on bringing vengeance to her assailant.

Your brother's gunna upset the balance. This is a coup! I may be fat, but that's all strength. Hell, might even I get a girlfriend out of this.

There was a flash, and the opposite side of the ring was host to a shadowy figure.

The mecha was bright red, and the light danced across it like licks of flame racing along the metal. Judging by it's construction, it looked like a melee mecha: big, and burly, with a massive saber on its back. The blade was easily ten meters long, and two meters wide. Just seeing it brought a shudder to some witnesses.

"Selecting new map." The digital voice came from everywhere at once.

"New terrain selected: Ocean."

Once again the world around them flashed, shuttered, warped until it settled on a vast blue expanse of sea. Tang Xiao and Xiao Han hovered above the waves, just close enough to make each other out.

Nearly every modern mecha was equipped with systems for underwater combat, but it was rare to find a mecha that specialized in it. So in a way this map was similar to the arena, and it was going to be a tough fight.

Su He nodded his head ever so slightly, pleased with the result.

Tan Lingyun, in the other sim room, frowned as she saw the terrain shift. Her eyes narrowed. She had seen Tang Xiao's explosive power in the first fight, and his trickiness in the second. However, this was going to be a much less hospitable battlefield, against a very difficult enemy.

The silver mecha hung in the air, large and imposing. Slowly, it's left hand lifted to give the distant challenger a thumbs up. But it's wrist slowly turned as the arm extended, until the thumb was pointed down.

Xiao Han's eyes flashed as anger shot through him.

He's actually taunting me?!

The red mecha burned all the brighter, surrounded in a carona of red light and energy.

"Three. Two. One. Begin!"

Xiao Han raced towards his enemy, the sound of his mecha loud as a jet engine. Bi Minghan's mecha was considered a step up from Hua Qianhu's, but neither came anywhere near Xiao Han's beastly machine.

Tang Xiao's silver mecha followed in kind, racing swiftly ahead. His thrusters blazed, but were absent the purple light from before. He was holding back.

The two war machines closed, until it looked as though they were right on top of each other.

Xiao Han's fiery red mecha's arm flashed, and the giant blade was in it's hand. As the weapon was drawn, it flashed through the air. A sonic boom of energy raced outwards with the action.

"Energy blasts?" Tan Lingyun's eyes narrowed. "A Sovereign-ranked pilot!"

Energy blasts were a staple of Sovereign-ranked pilots. It was a different sort of strike, compared to a long-ranged attack – it was congealed energy, manipulated and controlled. It was powerful, and frightening. Usually it required the use of a pilot's Discipline to employ with ease. It wasn't something seen often in DreamNet.

But this was Xiao Han's opening strike. The more astute among the audience noticed the red gem affixed to the massive weapon's pommel, that shimmered with a life of its own. The power flowing through the gem made it more obvious than it originally was.

It was at least a b-ranked power gem. Very competitive equipment.

In the face of Xiao Han's strike, the silver mecha collapsed. Not from a hit, but because the thrusters on its back all shut off in tandem. The enormous and hefty machine tumbled in to the drink.

Xiao Han's energy blast passed harmlessly overhead.

He wants to fight in the ocean? Does he expect to hide under the waves? Xiao Han considered the possibility, but the fact the bout had just started and Tang Xiao was just in front of him meant that If it was an attempt at concealment, it was a very poor one.

The audience looked on, confused. Suddenly, the silver mecha changed even as they stared on. The shoulder panels separated, and from the cavities therein extended two polished gun barrels. They fired without a moment's pause.

"Boom-boom!"

Xiao Han's reactions were worthy of his status. He swept his buzzing sword and blocked the two shells with little effort. But half a second later, the silver mech burst from beneath the brine and tore in to the distance. This, time, however, it was now literally bristling with protruded weapon barrels.

"Long distance fighter…?" Su He's face twitched as he fought the expression from his face.

What kind of monster had the NEU created? It was built like a melee fighter to confound the enemy, but it was… off. It had used a shield to protect itself from the impact that obliterated Hua Qianhu, but the most telling was the fact that it carried no weapon.

The barrels lit up as a series of lasers raced back towards Xiao Han.

Xiao Han was also surprised by the revelation, but his mecha manipulation didn't seem to suffer. To him, the machine was like his right arm. A piece of him. He stopped only long enough to deflect the beams with his sword, and then he was off again towards his prey.

Tang Xiao released wave after wave of attacks as he raced in to the distance. Xiao Han followed on his heels, dodging the attacks as they came. They raced over the water's surface, spraying up water behind them in a wake.

This wretched bastard! Xiao Han's face was dark with anger. Lying from the outset… It was a thought echoed by no small number of those in the audience.

It was a classic tactic from the games of old – the ranged fighter was kiting his close-ranged enemy; pulling him along, like a kite, and taking pot-shots as he did. And Xiao Han was happy to go along with it. Still this was a crafty one, changing up tactics on the fly and spurting the purple thrusters on occasion to keep the lead.

But really as they chased each other over the waves, it looked more impressive than it really was. The silver mechas blasts were flashy, but not all that powerful. Xiao Han blocked them handily with his weapon. It was catching up, without a single scratch.

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Chapter 185: Miraculous Victory

Both mechas were seeing their energy stores in decline. However, as expected, the ranged mecha's energy was being spent faster than the melee's. The battle was shaping up to be a violent one, with a lot of back and forth. Not five minutes in to the match and Tang Xiao's energy reserves were down thirty percent. Xiao Han was only missing ten percent.

Xiao Han raced towards his enemy, cool and calm. All the while he was carefully watching the wretched pilot darting in front of him, waiting for his next trick. He wasn't scared or intimidated; as far as he could see, it didn't matter what trick the guy tried to pull, his efforts would be futile 1. All he had to do was wait his enemy out. When his energy stores were too low for high speed or other attacks, that's when he'd make his move.

Tang Xiao began to circle around. His suit's power drained faster.

Lan Jue watched from the audience, his face a glowering mask. He inwardly cursed his student. This wasn't anything he'd taught him! This was the kid's own design.

He was fairly certain Tang Xiao's enemy now was the guy who'd been sniffing after Qianlin. A sovereign-ranked pilot with decent abilities and a decent punch. The tools he'd provided to shut down the kid's advantages still went unused by Tang Xiao. Instead he was falling back on his ultimately useless trickery.

Still, there was a ghost of expectation as Lan Jue watched. He still bore a dissatisfied frown, but memories of the fatty's near-victory from so long ago danced in his head.

Fifteen minutes passed quickly. Already, the silver mecha was down to forty percent energy. In terms of mecha combat, this was already in dangerous territory.

Tang Xiao recognized this as well, hence his decision to stop using the empowered thrusters. Now, he only relied on evasive techniques and defensive strikes. Xiao Han was in no rush to close the gap, instead remaining just behind him as they raced over the waves. He was waiting until the silver mecha was drained. That way his prey had no opportunity for escape.

Su He watched from nearby the simulation pod. His features were once more the familiar calm he'd arrived with. His lips curled in to a frown, suddenly, as though he'd just thought of something.

"Hm, no. He's been tricked."

Both Hua Qianhu and Bi Minghan looked inquisitively towards their instructor. "What do you mean, Professor?"

His brows furrowed as he spoke, his eyes never leaving the screen. "His opponent's energy levels shouldn't be dropping this quickly. By what we saw in his fight against the two of you, his central power gem is likely a-ranked. His power stores would thusly be… colossal. As would his energy regeneration. But in this fight it's obvious his reserves are draining faster than they should be. There's definitely something going on here, I just hope your compatriot recognizes this as well."

His teacher didn't need to worry. Xiao Han was well aware of the discrepancy.

In the beginning he hadn't noticed, but once Tang Xiao's reserves had dropped to fifty percent, it dawned on him. His own mecha used an a-ranked gem as its core, and his reserves were only down thirty percent.

You wanna play games? We'll play games. When your energy drops to twenty percent, and you don't have enough for your shields, that's when I'll move in. The energy he poured through his weapon extended the blade a hundred meters. He wouldn't even need to get that close. The only person this silver mecha was going to mess with was himself.

But Xiao Han was making a mistake that he could never have realized: He was trying to judge Tang Xiao's behavior against a normal person. He wasn't anticipating it was a total bastard that was piloting the thing.

Twenty percent remained.

Tang Xiao's energy surplus was already in the red. His speed was visibly slower. There was a flash of red light, and a sonic boon of energy swept mere inches from the back of the silver suit.

What was the ace of Tang Xiao's sleeve? Xiao Han chased his enemy, his heart filled with a nerve-wracking uncertainty.

If you won't show me, I'll make you show your cards.

Xiao Han's fingers danced along the controls like lightning. The red light surrounding his mecha dimmed somewhat, but not for lack of power – more like it was drawing in to itself. Moments later, the red light burst out from thrusters behind it. However, despite expectations, the light didn't do anything to modulate his mecha's speed. Instead it transferred to the weapon in his hand.

In the space of an instant, the fiery red sword in his grip flashed and became a dazzling gold. It flashed with a mass of congealed power.

Xiao Han roared as he lifted the weapon overhead. The air around him sizzled with errant jolts of energy as he brought the great blade down onto his opponent.

In the same instant, the silver mecha reacted. All of the thrusters and engines keeping it aloft sputtered and went dark. Once more he tumbled towards the briny seas in freefall.

"You think you can run away from me?!" Xiao Han screamed at him from within the simulator. He pointed his sword downward towards the spinning silver mecha, and a beam of red light shot down towards it with frightening speed. But that wasn't the end, for the second the beam of light issued forth, Xiao Han coaxed his mecha to pursue. Soon the strike and the mecha were barreling right towards the exposed silver suit.

This was the end!

By now the match had already stretched on for twenty minutes. Han Ruchao, Xu Renjian, and all the onlookers could see no way in which the intrepid silver mecha could get out of this unscathed.

What none could see was the smile creeping up Tang Xiao's pudgy face.

BOOOOMM!!

The red beam cast from the empowered sword connected. Surprisingly, Tang Xiao had lifted his left arm to block the brunt of the blast. In this way he protected the most integral parts of his machine.

The draw back was that his left arm was now a lump of slag. Half his suit was burned black and badly damaged. The swords power was so great that, had Tang Xiao not blocked when he did, his suit would likely have been sliced right in half.

Success! Xiao Han wasted no further time in hesitation – this was his opportunity. He was on his enemy in no time. His blade was moving again, another strike that set the air around it to undulating. The red beams of energy cast forth tore through the air in a 'Z' shape. If it landed, Tang Xiao would be reduced to half a dozen mangled pieces.

The silver mecha hit the water with a splash. His thrusters remained cold. He simply let himself sink in to the water.

Xiao Han's attack was ever so slightly off, however it was close enough that it struck.

A silver, mechanical skull hung in the air where Xiao Han's strike had separated it from the rest of the suit.

No one celebrated, not yet. In mecha combat this didn't spell the end of a match. The pilots weren't located in the head, after all, but safely nestled in the depths of their suit's chest.

The fiery red mecha wasted no time, and was on his enemy once again. He hit the water and began to sink. The high temperatures of his suit elicited a massive cloud of steam to rise from around him.

The only thing anyone could see was the steam, turning the simulated world in to a blank white canvas.

Before their vision could clear, first came a noise. It was an explosion; one so intense, so frightening that it was difficult to compare. It was like a strike from a starship, birthed from the arms of the ocean.

BOOOOOMMM!

The sudden and violent eruption was compounded by the steam, making vision difficult, fuzzy. Great, towering tsunami waves arose a thousand meters high from 'ground zero.' The water directly above where the mechas fell churned and boiled.

Bolts of bluish-purple danced along the water's surface. The audience only watched, silent, struck dumb by the power of the strike they'd hadn't actually witnessed.

What was going on? What was the result?

"Xiao Han's mecha has sustained one hundred percent damage. Tang Xiao's mecha has sustained forty-eight percent damage. Victory – Tang Xiao!"

Tang Xiao victorious! It was both a blessed relief and a vicious gut-punch. The Students of Lir University stared in utter horror and disbelief at the words plastered across the screen.

They were all, to a man, utterly speechless.

The water calmed, and from its depths slowly arose a busted up, silver middle finger.

The rest of Tang Xiao's mangled mecha followed, proudly brandishing its remaining arm and the risen finger as though raising a flag.

"You CHEATED!" Han Ruchao shot to his feet, shouting impotently at Xu Renjian at his elbow.

Xu Renjian sat, unmoving. Slowly he turned his head, and when he spoke his voice was hard as iron, and calm as the simulated ocean on screen now was.

"Come now, Ruchao. You're a dean – let's control ourselves, hm? You know as well as I that matches held in DreamNet are impossible to fix. If you have a problem with the way this fight was conducted, yelling at me won't solve a thing. Bring your grievances to the Guardians."

Han Ruchao literally shook with rage. He fell resentfully in to his chair. After a moment he leaned towards Shi Jiujiu at his other side and whispered something.

Shi Jiujiu nodded, and quickly left the VIP box.

The shock and surprise was fading. Suddenly, as though subconsciously communicated, the entire NEU presence in the audience burst in to howls of praise and cheers of joy. The waves of emotion were so powerful it was almost as though the whole West Hill resonated with it.

Victory. A real and honest victory. A miraculous victory!

None could have expected that the thoroughly trounced NEU would turn the battle around with their last fighter. By virtue of a single fighter's power, they took out all three Lir challengers. It was unthinkable.

The jubilant cries were raucous, but there were few if any in the crowd who actually understood what was happened in the last three fights – especially at the very end.

Lan Jue, of course, was the exception. He sat calmly amid the cheering crowds, with a small smile on his handsome face.

Wang Hongyuan just looked at him. He leaned in and spoke softly, just enough for Lan Jue to hear over the din. "How in the hell did he pull that out in the end? Did you see it?"

"Nope," Lan Jue replied.

"No? So what the hell are you smirking about? You look so sinister." Wang Hongyuan glowered, afraid he was being kept in the dark.

Lan Jue rubbed his face with a sigh. Agitation was clear in his voice as he spoke. "What are you on about. This is a knowing smile, alright. Tang Xiao didn't win this fight from one strike – he won the mental war."

Wang Hongyuan was still unclear. "Mental war… what do you mean?"

"Keep watching," was all Lan Jue would say.

A voice cut them off, calling towards the audience from the main platform. "Lir University has request an analysis of the final battle. We will be reviewing the footage."

Battle review was one of the best advantages of fighting in DreamNet. It allowed anyone to view a fight from all angles. They could sharpen or slow the footage as much as they liked to pick out every tiny detail. But like anything, it cost money.

No one cared about the price at this point. Everyone was dying to know what the hell happened.

In the expansive simulator warehouse, two pods opened. Tang Xiao and Xiao Han stepped out as if in tandem.

Tang Xiao's face bore a proud expression, which only grew more arrogant as he stuck his index finger high in the air.

He looked for all the world like a returning, victorious general.

1. Hua Qianhe said the same thing

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Chapter 186: What Wretchedness!

"Ah, ah, ah!" Tang Xiao proudly waggled his finger in the air, when suddenly a slender figure snatched him up in a bear hug. Tang Mi squeezed him as hard as she good and kissed him on the cheek.

"I love you bro. Long live Tang Xiao! Muwah! Love you!"

Tang Mi hugged him tightly, kissing him once again on each cheek before finally letting him go.

Even Tan Lingyun, the famously sour Savage Goddess, stood a short distance away with a smile on her face. Tang Xiao's victories were not insignificant, and proud couldn't describe the whole of the NEU's feelings towards their student hero. It was fair to say their pudgy pilot had made history today.

Years of suppression and shame had finally been rectified.

ζ

"What was that." Su He's face was as close to an outright scowl as it could be as he stared at Xiao Han.

The young man looked on the verge of tears. His red eyes glared ruefully at the fat bastard who'd bested him.

"He's an insufferable prick. He had the ability to end the fight from the very beginning. Instead he went on to deliberately humiliate me. I'll kill him!" Xiao Han stomped towards the distant Tang Xiao with his hands clenched in to fists.

Su He calmly reached out and grabbed the fiery young man by the collar. He yanked him back before he could get too far. "Haven't you lost enough face? The competition isn't finished yet. We may have lost the first exchange, but that doesn't mean Lir University has been bested. We'll make up for this embarrassment in the real battles."

The fight recorded flashed up on screen as they spoke. Su He turned his back on Xiao Han as though he no longer existed, and began to study the playback.

The video raced through the early moments of the fight. Onlookers were able to review the battle from all directions and angles.

The first minutes were sped up. After all, everyone had seen clearly what had happened in the beginning. However, once the final moments of their exchange approached, the recording slowed.

The silver mecha had yet to hit the water, and was flailing through the sky. But now, with the images slowed, it was revealed that his flailing was a ruse to hide him pulling a dagger from a compartment behind his back with his remaining arm. It was a strange weapon, one that was black as ink and seemed to drink the light. But beyond that there was something else, only barely glimpsed: a bluish-purple orb, clutched in his mechanical hand.

As the frames slowly passed they watched as Tang Xiao hit the water, casting brine and water vapor high in to the air. Xiao Han's fiery red mecha was close behind.

The spray and steam hid everything on the surface from view. Under water, was another story.

The silver mecha's dwindling power reserves never changed, but from behind it the thrusters had burst to life and glowed a furious purple. In a flash the massive suit vanished, appearing directly in front of Xiao Han.

The sudden change in environment had certainly had an effect on the red mecha and its pilot. He'd assumed he was in the dominant position, and rammed in to Tang Xiao head first.

In reality his reaction was the proper one, at least under normal circumstances. A red shield had sprung up around him prior to impact, and judging by the vibrant light alone it was clearly a powerful shield.

The two mechas collided, and in that instant Tang Xiao's hand was in motion. The black dagger clutched in his grip lashed out, and from it sprang forth a caustic-looking black light. It cut through Xiao Han's shield like butter, and slashed a ragged hole in its chest plate.

"Sovereign-ranked?" It was a rhetorical question sputtered by no small number of shocked onlookers.

Was it possible that the silver mecha was piloted by a Sovereign-ranked pilot? Was Tang Xiao really that skilled? And why, then, did he appear so weak normally?

The fight hadn't ended there. The knife had cut deep in to the mech's chest, but hadn't punctured the cockpit. Xiao Han reeled back and swung his giant sword towards Tang Xiao. Had the silver mech continued the assault, he may not have been quick enough to escape the strike.

So instead, the silver mecha did something strange. He pulled the dagger free and used the relatively tiny weapon to ward off the buster sword. He let the weapon be knocked free, then reached out with his right hand and pushed Xiao Han away by the fissure in his chest plate. Tang Xiao's thrusters sent him reeling in one direction, which the thrust sent Xiao Han tumbling in the other.

The film slowed to a crawl, and spun back a few frames.

The images closed in on the silver mecha's hand. Now, slow as it was, everyone could clearly see precisely what the odd move was about. As the dagger was knocked away, the hand quickly fell and stuffed a small purple orb in to the fractured armor.

Rewind. The dagger had just sliced through the armor, and was being extracted to deflect the red mecha's sword.

Xiao Han detonated, instantly reduced to debris. Tang Xiao managed to avoid the brunt of the explosion by disengaging early.

Now they saw it, and the cheers from the NEU were almost entirely drowned out by the heated curses of the Lir student body.

Indeed, it was as Xiao Han had said. This fight could have been finished in the first minute.

Su He's pupils contracted as he watched. His intonation was thick with incredulity.

"Soulcrusher!"

The Soulcrusher was a weapon. More accurately, perhaps, an ultimate weapon. It was a strike that could only be used once before it was consumed. It had the power to rival an a-ranked power gem.

But what did it mean that he was using something so powerful, so extravagant, in a student exchange? And on a Sovereign-ranked mecha?

The Soulcrusher was a God-ranked ability, one which Tang Xiao avoided by sheer luck.

It was such overkill that he could have won the fight in the first few seconds of the fight. There hadn't been any need for their air chase, goading Xiao Han on. All he'd needed was to be in close enough for the strike to land.

Of course he hadn't done that, instead making Xiao Han chase him for his own demise. He wanted to draw him in, and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Or so he aimed to make it appear, but he'd had the bout won before it even started.

What Su He and the others couldn't see, was what made this particular trick of Tang Xiao's so downright rotten. When the Soulcrusher had been deposited in the broken armor, he'd placed it directly in front of Xiao Han's 'face', something Xiao Han saw very clearly. Were this a real fight, the little orb would have detonated in his embrace.

The fight was finished. Xiao Han's anger and depression were understandable. He didn't know what the hell he was fighting until the very end.

Tang Xiao's mecha wasn't meele, and wasn't long-ranged. It was an Assassin. As for the rank, Xiao Han still wasn't sure what the hell he was.

The audience was in chaos. The din was deafening as they milled about and shouted over the fight's conclusion. In the VIP box, Han Ruchao's chest rose and fell in angry huffs. He was like a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.

This was death by torture! Unbridled arrogance and humiliation! What's worse, they lost all of that equipment.

All because of a single Emperor-ranked pilot.

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