After Cui Xuanhui's figure dissipated, the scene before Chen Chuan collapsed, returning once more to the cold, metallic hall.
Joseph walked over at this moment and asked with a smile, "Mr. Chen, may I ask if you were satisfied with this simulated exchange?"
Chen Chuan shook his head.
Joseph ventured to ask, "Is it because your sparring partner failed to provide you with adequate enjoyment, sir?"
Chen Chuan nodded and said, "I do have a few observations. This person's true craft did not lie entirely in his fists and kicks, but also in the deception, curses, and pleas for mercy during battle. Without those, the experience feels somewhat incomplete."
Joseph pondered seriously and nodded in deep agreement. Bowing slightly, he apologized, "That is an oversight on our part; we were indeed lacking in consideration. In the past, we feared that verbal remarks might cause dissatisfaction to the participants, but we neglected that each individual has a different perspective."
He said solemnly, "Would Mr. Chen like to try again? We can provide you with an improved service."
Chen Chuan said, "Let's leave it for today. I'd like to tour other parts of the campus. I imagine the Information Hall will remain open to visitors in the future as well?"
"Of course," Joseph replied with utter certainty. "Our Free Stars Academy upholds an open and welcoming attitude toward all martial artists across the world. For an influential and capable martial artist such as Mr. Chen, you are always welcome to visit."
Chen Chuan knew he meant what he said, because the more frequently someone visited, the more comprehensive the information and data they could gather.
And what he had displayed just now was actually something he had deliberately revealed.
Previously, when he fought the three martial artists of the Longevity View, even if he had wanted to keep a low profile, he couldn't have. Today, he gave them something to base a reasonable judgment on. Even so, this was still not his full regular strength; he hadn't used a single burst technique, let alone his Second Self.
If enemies judged him based on this data, he would welcome it.
Seeing him turn to walk outside, Joseph accompanied him. He then asked with some curiosity, "May I ask why Mr. Chen was interested in this particular figure?"
Chen Chuan replied naturally, "I heard he died too quickly back then, so I wanted to see how he'd react when beaten to the point of agony." He looked at Joseph. "Your side doesn't mind, do you?"
"Not at all," Joseph replied with a smile. "Although he could be considered a citizen of the Federation, he was originally placed here for certain political purposes, which runs counter to our academy's founding tenets. To tell the truth, we've wanted to replace him for quite some time."
Chen Chuan nodded. "Some things ought to be replaced."
Joseph smiled and said, "Please trust us—the academy has always strived for continuous progress. Seventy years ago, our academy's administration was once in great disarray. Later, we introduced many advanced technologies and senior administrators from the Yorno Continent, which led to today's order and prosperity. By the next time Mr. Chen visits, I believe we will have made even further progress."
Chen Chuan did not yet have an in-depth understanding of Stars Academy, but in the way the academy conducted its affairs, it did feel very purpose-driven.
The Federation, based on the records he had previously read and what he had seen firsthand, could be said to be terrible where it was bad, but extraordinarily formidable where it was strong. This was fertile ground exquisitely suited for the survival of elites and the strong, while the weak were typically mere nutrients to enrich the soil.
Once outside, he and Joseph boarded a sightseeing vehicle and headed toward the central campus district.
Because he had gone to the Information Hall for the simulation, Gui Zihan and his group had already gone ahead earlier.
These couple of days happened to be a Federation holiday, so many students had gone out to celebrate.
However, because the visiting delegation had arrived, some elite students and faculty had chosen to remain behind. When Chen Chuan arrived, the two sides happened to be sparring and exchanging pointers.
A student from the Capital was competing with a Federation student. Both were at the third limit, around seventeen or eighteen years of age. At such an age, to have cultivated to the third limit signified truly exceptional talent.
This student from Great Shun was from the Capital, named Guan Fengchun. Being able to join the visiting delegation this time meant he had clearly been strictly selected from among the many students.
When Chen Chuan arrived, the two had already been fighting for some time. Drenched in sweat and radiating heat, their stamina appeared largely depleted.
This was rather uncommon, as within a confined ring, a prolonged war of attrition rarely occurred. This indicated that their combat awareness and techniques were evenly matched.
Chen Chuan came to the side of the ring and, with just a glance, knew the outcome would likely be decided on the next strike.
Because both had hit rock bottom in terms of stamina, the crux was who would strike first. Yet if a strike failed to down the opponent, exhausting the remainder of one's stamina would put them in an extremely precarious position.
In this situation, there were many choices. Fighters would generally adopt specific tactics, such as feigning an attack to bait the opponent into striking first, or discarding all distractions to make one all-in gamble.
Yet the closer it got to this decisive moment, the more hesitant one became, and the more thoughts swirled in the mind. No approach seemed safe, making it difficult to choose decisively. Thus, the two were locked in a standoff. Even though they appeared motionless, their minds were racing frantically for a counterstrategy.
Clavell, the man of Makan descent whom Chen Chuan had seen earlier in front of the academy gates, walked over and asked seemingly casually, "Who does Mr. Chen think will win?"
Chen Chuan said, "Our side."
"Mr. Chen seems very confident."
Clavell looked at him. "How about we place a wager?" He gestured toward the stage. "Betting on the outcome of their match."
Chen Chuan smiled slightly and said, "Sure." He directly took out the Cold Claw. "I'll wager this, then."
Although this item was a grade 3 relic, at his current level, while its utility wasn't completely negligible, it was quite limited.
"A relic?"
Seeing it, Clavell hesitated slightly. He hadn't intended to play for such high stakes. But since he had been the one to propose it, and Chen Chuan had offered such an item, he had to produce something of equivalent value.
In truth, declining wouldn't have been a big deal—at most, he would lose a bit of face. However, after watching Chen Chuan's contest against Cui Xuanhui earlier, for some reason, an irritation had festered in his chest, making him yearn urgently to score a victory over Chen Chuan. Therefore, he did not back down, pulling a necklace from his coat pocket.
Beside him, Castina glanced at him in surprise, knowing that this was a First People relic Clavell had gone to great pains to collect, originally intended as a gift for a powerful congresswoman. She hadn't expected him to actually put it up as a wager.
This was truly... fascinating.
At that moment, she flashed a mischievous smile and called out to the two students still confronting each other in the arena: "You two students! Your instructors have just placed a wager over the outcome of this match. Mmh, each has staked a relic. By my estimation, these are two grade 3 relics. You might not have a clear concept of what that means, so let me explain: a grade 3 relic capable of aiding in combat is enough to incite martial artists to fight tooth and nail for it. You can imagine its value."
Without a doubt, she was deliberately piling pressure onto the two students.
Neither Chen Chuan nor Clavell stepped in to stop her, because the pressure was equal on both sides, and it could also be considered a test.
In such circumstances, one could see a person's psychological resilience and the choices made under extreme duress. Furthermore, compared to the crucible of a life-or-death battle, this was a trivial matter.
The two students fighting on the stage indeed felt pressure like a mountain weighing upon them. These were grade 3 relics; they were not ignorant novices and understood all too well what that signified.
If their loss caused their teacher to lose, it wouldn't just be an issue of material loss—it would surely be remembered and brought up by others for a long time to come. Even more critically, they each represented their respective academies, and in a broader sense, even their respective countries. If they lost, could they bear the burden?
In truth, not only the fighters, but the students watching below grew tense as well. A wager involving two grade 3 relics was something many of them had never even seen, let alone witnessed as the stakes in a duel. At this moment, every single one of them held their breath, eyes riveted to the stage, waiting for the match's resolution.
Guan Fengchun locked eyes with the Federation student. Each could see in the other's gaze the sheer unwillingness to lose.
After facing off for a few more moments, the Federation student charged forward first. Yet Guan Fengchun made no attempt to dodge or parry; the moment the other launched himself, Guan charged straight forward to meet him!
The Federation student was slightly taken aback by his choice. Moving a beat later meant Guan couldn't build up maximum speed and momentum, which was bound to put him at a disadvantage. Could there be some trick behind it?
This thought sparked a split second of hesitation. Under normal circumstances, such an emotional ripple wouldn't have disrupted him. Now, however, it slightly threw off the rhythm of his body. He knew something was off, and the emergence of that very thought only exacerbated it.
Guan Fengchun pressed forward with resolute momentum. With two loud thuds, both landed strikes almost simultaneously. Both recoiled backward. The Federation student stumbled back several paces, and though he gritted his teeth and fought to endure, he ultimately failed to steady his balance, collapsing onto his back.
Guan Fengchun swayed on his feet, holding out until the other had completely fallen to the ground before finally sinking down onto the floor himself.
According to sparring rules, the victor was unmistakable.
Watching this outcome, Clavell's expression soured. Gritting his teeth against the sting of loss, he handed the necklace to Chen Chuan.
"Mr. Chen, your luck is quite good."
Chen Chuan paid no heed to the sourness in his words. Taking the necklace and examining it, he nodded. "Very nice. Thank you."
Yet this was hardly luck on his part. Rather, he had seen that Guan Fengchun's desire to win and willingness to risk his life far surpassed that of the Federation student. In that final clash, Guan had acted on the conviction that even if he couldn't win, he would drag his opponent down with him. Thus, even without a clear win, the chances of securing at least a draw were exceedingly high.
Clavell was clearly unwilling to accept this defeat. Looking at Chen Chuan, he said, "Mr. Chen, how about we make another wager?"
……
……
Chapter 1106