A World Worth Protecting

With the evening’s glow shining on him, Wang Baole’s sharp ears caught the soft words of someone praising him amongst the crowds. Instantly, he felt delighted that the students had such a keen eye for talent. He slightly turned his body, changing his posture, and continued to bask under the glow of the evening sun with pride.

Seeing how Wang Baole was posing, Li Wuchen gritted his teeth. He cursed under his breath as he snarled before he turned to leave. Very quickly, under the instructions of the other teachers, the students from Fire Spirit Academy who were outside Battle-axe Hotel left one after another. However, some of them were clearly swayed by Wang Baole. They turned their heads to look at Wang Baole while leaving, their eyes carrying a look of admiration.

The students from Dao Mountain Mist Academy, on the other hand, were extremely exhilarated as they crowded around Wang Baole. They didn’t hide the passion in their eyes, as to them, Wang Baole was a superior figure after what he had been through.

“Fire Spirit Academy has mentioned that they want to engage us in a sparring match! Tell me! Are all of you confident?” Wang Baole spoke calmly, putting away his Dharmic Armament as he swept his gaze across the students who revered him.

The replies from these tens of students were energetic, passionate, and loud.

“Yes!”

“Great! Since all of you are confident, I will teach you my top secret tactic!” Wang Baole waved his hands and took out his cruiser before leaving the Battle-axe Hotel with the cheers and anticipation of the students in the background.

However, just before he left, Wang Baole met the person in charge of the hotel, Xu Zhenjing, and sent out an order.

“Make me a hundred axes with their edges all directed towards Fire Spirit College!”

Having witnessed Wang Baole’s astonishing combat capabilities with his own eyes, Xu Zhenjing was also extremely shocked. Now, listening to Wang Baole’s words, he hurriedly abided. He knew that this new employer of his was an enemy of Fire Spirit College.

That was indeed the truth. Wang Baole wasn’t the least bit happy with Li Wuchen, and the feeling was mutual. It wouldn’t have mattered as much if there were no conflict between them. However, since they fought again at the Battle-axe Hotel, coupled with the fact that they were of the same rank, Wang Baole was determined to let Li Wuchen know how impressive he was by showcasing his skills at the sparring match that Li Wuchen initiated.

You will not defeat me, and your students will not defeat mine! Wang Baole sneered. He had only intended to stay for a year with Dao Mountain Mist Academy, but now that someone had provoked him, Wang Baole felt that he had a duty to let Li Wuchen know who the boss was.

Three days passed just like that.

A hundred axes were laid densely outside the hotel in a frightening and imposing manner. Fire Spirit Academy seemed crestfallen, and not only was Li Wuchen scared by it, but the teachers and the dean reacted in the same way as well.

“What a bully!”

“We must win the sparring battle in three months!”

All the teachers of Fire Spirit Academy were determined. That was especially so for Li Wuchen, who began preparing for the sparring match with passion in his eyes. The battle that was to be held outside the Battle-axe Hotel; that, as well as what Wang Baole said back then, spread throughout the entire Dao Mountain Mist Academy from the mouths of the tens of students involved.

“Fire Spirit Academy was extremely despicable to bring over a hundred people to gang up on us. Thankfully, Dean Wang stood up for us, beating all their teachers viciously and protecting us from the front!”

“Dean Wang mentioned that no one could bully his students, not even the Federation President!”

“All of you have missed out on how imposing Dean Wang appeared with the glow of the evening sun on him. He was like a dragon, his spear cutting across the clouds as it charged directly towards the dean of Fire Spirit Academy! After that incident, all the students from the Fire Spirit Academy became so respectful towards Dean Wang!”

“The dean is so suave! I will never forget how cool Dean Wang looked when he attacked with his kick!”

These tens of students who admired Wang Baole, especially Jin Duozhi and company, were already quite influential within the academy. Relating their personal experience and passionately advertising the issue, especially when they described in detail how Wang Baole landed a thunderous kick on his opponents’ crotch, caused the news to spread like wildfire amongst the Dao Mountain Mist Academy students. When they heard the stories, they all grew excited.

If they were adults, they might not have been so head over heels, believing everything that others had told them. However, these students were still rather innocent. Looking at how excited Jin Duozhi and company were with the bruises they carried proudly, they grew exhilarated as well.

“The Fire Spirit Academy has made a bet with Dean Wang. We must definitely win the sparring match in three months!”

“Yes! I want to take part in kicking Fire Spirit Academy’s ass as well!”

In a blink of an eye, the entire Dao Mountain Mist Academy was overflowing with ardor and zeal coursing through their blood. The reasons behind their emotions made the teachers from Dao Mountain Mist Academy surprised after they understood the situation. They all felt that the newly appointed Vice Dean Wang Baole was a character not to be belittled.

Seeing how the mood in the entire Dao Mountain Mist Academy had been swayed, Wang Baole was satisfied. However, even though he had great ambitions, he found that reality was cruel when he put in the effort to understand the caliber of the students from Dao Mountain Mist Academy.

Even though Dao Mountain Mist Academy and Fire Spirit Academy were both elite academies, Dao Mountain Mist Academy’s dean was someone who went according to the rules. Perhaps it was his age that made him less willing to improve. Therefore, all these years, regardless of whether it was in terms of the credentials of the teachers, or the students’ combat capabilities, they had all fallen behind that of Fire Spirit Academy.

After all, the dean of Fire Spirit Academy was an ambitious person, putting in hard work to transform the college while gaining the support of numerous factions of Mars.

Therefore, if they didn’t put in the effort to change, Fire Spirit Academy would definitely surpass Dao Mountain Mist Academy in the sparring match.

This was a headache for Wang Baole. He had confidence in transforming the college, but three months wasn’t enough. It wasn’t possible unless there was a significant amount of funds and resources. However, even though Dao Mountain Mist Academy seemed to be thriving now, it was merely an empty shell without many resources that Wang Baole could mobilize.

Even if he were to apply for resources and funds from the Mars government, the approval would take some time. After making some brief calculations, Wang Baole realized that time was running short, and this made him even more troubled.

I hadn’t put in the effort here previously and didn’t understand the situation. If I had known that the college was in this state earlier… I wouldn’t have agreed to the match so readily. Li Wuchen is so sly! Wang Baole was troubled. He approached Dao Mountain Mist Academy’s dean to discuss the matter, but the dean merely offered a smile, giving the green light for Wang Baole to do anything he desired since he felt that he was about to retire anyway. However, the dean offered no ideas at all.

Wang Baole sighed, knowing that it was at least not a bad thing being under the leadership of a person like the dean, whom at the very least wasn’t a hot-headed, capable person. He was agreeable to everything, but it was also because of this that the challenge before him had become something that he needed to tackle on his own.

After thinking about the different possibilities, Wang Baole finally thought of Lin Tianhao.

When we were at odds during our times in Ethereal Dao College, he seemed to have a flair for spreading rumors. He isn’t stupid, but simply unlucky to have met me. With that thought, Wang Baole immediately summoned Lin Tianhao, throwing the tough question to him.

“Tianhao, this matter would affect Dao Mountain Mist Academy’s future and reputation. I will hand it to you. If you succeed, I will definitely convey good words about you to the dean!” Wang Baole cleared his throat as he patted Lin Tianhao’s shoulder while conveying his confidence in Lin Tianhao through his eyes.

Lin Tianhao was taken aback after listening to Wang Baole. He looked perplexed at Wang Baole and was himself troubled and battling with a new headache. He felt that Wang Baole was too shameless. Wang Baole was the one who accepted the invitation for the sparring battle, and now that it seemed too challenging, he threw the problem towards him.

Lin Tianhao didn’t trust Wang Baole’s promise that he would sing praises of him before the dean. However, he had no other choice. Regardless of whether it was his role or his position, he was surpassed by Wang Baole, who was also his direct superior. Such an order could indeed pressure him to his limits.

Why am I so unlucky to not only be bullied by him in the Dao College but even now when I’ve graduated? Lin Tianhao was sad and angry. However, it wasn’t time for him to air his unhappiness. Therefore, he quickly thought of more important matters. After a brief moment, he gritted his teeth, stepping forward before speaking softly.

“Dean, if it’s just resources. I have an idea…”

“Oh?” Wang Baole was about to raise his teacup, but he quickly glanced at Lin Tianhao after hearing his words.

“Dean, I know that you actually already have an idea. You’re just trying to test me, right? What I’m saying now should be similar to what you have thought of. Our troubles could be solved easily, in my opinion. The parents of these students are no ordinary people. Even though they are no match for you, they are still considered influential and powerful people on Mars.

“I feel that they would definitely solve our troubles for us with delight and initiative. After all, the sparring will take place on Martian Day. By slightly manipulating the situation and expanding the area, we could invite the parents of the students to be spectators. This way, the Fire Spirit Academy would have to mirror us or lose out in terms of imposing manner. However, if that ends up being the case… it means that the parents of students from both colleges would show up to watch the match. This would be a spectacular event for the Martian Colony, and it’s likely that even the City Lord would come personally to watch the match… This is akin to having the opportunity to showcase their children before the City Lord.

“No parent would want to see their child lose, especially in front of the City Lord…” Lin Tianhao spoke with gusto and had unconsciously curried the favor of Wang Baole, exhausting all his energy in order to not be in the hot seat.