Infinite Star - Chapter 22

The next round continued in the Quarter-Finals after they cleaned up the mess Flint created. The young boy was brought to the academy’s doctor. In this tournament, there were far more injuries than in any tournament before. Most of the injuries were not that fatal. The only fatal injury was caused by Flint. Zayn also caused four students to get crippled, but contrary to Flint, Zayn did not mean to do that at all. The other four grouped up to fight Zayn and then got crippled by Zayn’s tough body. In a way, they reaped what they sowed.

Teacher Leaf called Flint to him and lectured him about his behavior, while the next round proceeded. Even though Teacher Leaf added the rule of not unnecessarily crippling his opponent, it was most likely that Flint would only receive a lecture. He was one of Teacher Leaf’s unofficial direct students and Flint’s family background saved him from any real consequences.

In the next round, a 4-Star Body Refinement Cultivator fought against a 5-Star Body Refinement Cultivator. Their fight was, in general, one of the more boring fights in the whole tournament. Obviously, the 5-Star Body Refinement Cultivator had the upper hand and was the one to most likely win the round. Zayn noticed this and decided to ignore the fight in total.

“Why isn’t Flint getting punished for his action?” Zayn asked Vown and Ryu because he did not why one would add a rule and then ignore it. Flint crippled a student only to demonstrate his superiority

“That is a bit more complicated. First of all, he’s Teacher Leaf’s student and Teacher Leaf dotes on him, as the referee for this tournament, he decides about the consequences, but I think he will let it go. And second of all, no one dares to speak out about it, because of his family background. He belongs to a branch of the Burning Heart Family. One of the leading families in the empire. No one here in the academy dares to get on their bad side. Well, there are a few exceptions The principal is still not here”

Zayn understood the first part of Vown’s explanation. As his teacher, he isn’t probably as strict as to others. Some teachers are quite the opposite, they are far stricter with their students than with any other. But what confused Zayn was the part about family background. Zayn’s experience with families was really lacking. He did not have any good memories of it.

“Listen up, I don’t know where the hell you are from, but from all the worlds I watched, there was always one rule that persisted. The strong rule the weak. And a group of cultivators is nearly always stronger than a sole cultivator, in the same realm. Cultivation is about growth and progress and this naturally brings strength. A Cultivator will only get stronger and stronger on his journey. Many people from families and sects after reaching their limits. Through this, they will have power over the weak. The strongest one in the sect or family, the guardian, will always stand behind his sect or family. If one would enrage a talented youngling from their family, the family would act against you. A talented youngling could mean a stronger future for the sect or family. Imagine a sole cultivator against hundreds or thousands of cultivators from a sect or family. The fight is just nothing an ordinary cultivator could handle. That’s also why many talented cultivators join sects. Only to be able to survive in this huge realm. They can then rise in status in a sect and enjoy the riches of the sect. You have to realize this fact. If you want to win this tournament, you have to beat the flame kid. If you successfully beat him, you may enrage his family. They won’t publicly kill you, but they will surely dislike you.” The Infinite Star commented.

Zayn now understood why no one dared to speak out. They were all afraid to backlash from their involvement. This only showed the ugly truth of the world. The majority of the cultivator was only centered on themselves. Many would not even lift a finger to help others. If they did not benefit from it, they would not act. And the others who wanted to help or act were restricted by their weakness. This only showed once again that in this world strength ruled the weak. If any of those, who wanted to act were stronger than the Burning Heart Family, they would immediately act, and the Burning Heart Family could not do anything at all to stop them.

“Vown, why don’t you say something? Aren’t you strong?” Zayn thought that Vown would immediately say something. He believed in Vown and thought that he was the strongest around here. Vown once proclaimed that he was the strongest teacher here. With his strength, he surely would be able to act.

” That’s also complicated. I can’t attract attention” A pained expression was visible from Vown’s face.

Zayn could not understand his reason. He did not know much about Vown, but in his ignorance, he got disappointed in Vown.

Zayn was determined to beat Flint. No matter what family he would offend with that action. His determination not only came from the Quest, but also from his burning desire to give Flint’s face a makeover.

While they were discussing, the round ended. Obviously, the 5-Star Body Refinement Realm Cultivator won the round. Everyone did not feel surprised or entertained by this round, so they were happier with it ending.

Teacher Leaf then announced the next round. Both contestants entered the arena. One was also a 5-Star Body Refinement Realm Cultivator and the other was the remaining 6-Star Body Refinement Realm Cultivator. The 6-Star boy was an eyesore for the crowd. He looked like a corpse. His every movement emitted laziness and boredom. His black hair was completely messy, and his eyelids were completely black, which stood out in his complete appearance, because of his complete pale skin.

The round started, and the 5-Star student charged at his opponent. The crowd did not expect much from this round. It was obvious that the corpse looking boy would win, with his superior cultivation.

“Kid, this fight will be crucial for you. It is obvious that the 6-Star Body Refinement Realm boy will win. The next opponent he would face then would be you. I told you that your current limit should be the 6-Star and this boy is in this stage. Only after triumphing over him would you have the slightest chance of beating the flame kid. Use this battle as a way to learn about him. It will be your first real fight. It will also be the first one which requires you to completely engage in fighting. You would have to use everything you learned until now.”

Zayn nodded in agreement and started to focus on the battle. He wanted to analyze this fight and use this knowledge later.

The corpse-like boy dodged the charge of his opponent effortlessly. He did not use any footwork at all. His movement was completely lazy.

“Weak.” The corpse-like boy commented. His voice seemed annoyed but also unemotional.

His opponent just started to attack furiously at him. He knew that he was no match for the corpse-looking boy, but he still tried. Maybe through pure luck would he win, at least that was what he hoped for.

The coming attacks were only dodged and dodged. He always dodged the attack, as if he was blown away by the attack. All his movements were really fast but also seemed slow, lazy.

“NonoWrong.” Again, his unemotional voice could be heard.

His opponent got confused. What did he mean? What was he doing wrong? Was his opponent teaching him? All these questions swarmed over his mind and were immediately emptied out of his mind. He needed to concentrate on the current fight. Maybe his opponent was just trying to mess with him.

He again charged at him and attacked his opponent furiously and relentless. But his attacks were again dodged.

“Ahrighthe said somethingwhat was it againHmm” The corpse-looking boy again commented, while dodging. He dodged the attack mindlessly and seemed to concentrate on something. He tried to remember something and at the same time easily continued to dodge.

“Ah, I know” He remembered something and distanced himself from his opponent.

“I didn’t know whales could talk! If you would lose a bit of weight, maybe you would be able to hit me!” This time not only his voice sounded energic and with life, even his body seemed without laziness and boredom, but immediately afterward he got back to his lazy and bored state.