From MC's Perspective:
High Mountain Peak,
After a few hours, I stopped cultivating the wood scripture. It'd almost dawn. And the rain continues to pour down. So I decided to leave.
Before getting up, I looked inside my dantian. The green essence was increased by a considerable amount. So I can leave the place with ease.
Rumble~
When I got up I heard some rumbling sound. But nothing was found in my perception. Feeling uneasy slightly in my heart. I started to move toward the teleportation point.
This time I don't want him to use the lightning movement technique. It's a waste to use the lightning phantom technique after spending long hours storing purple essence in my dantian.
Meanwhile, the red moon tower warriors appeared back at the same place after some time.
They are going back after completing their mission. But as they walked past the solid bedrock, one of the warriors noticed something.
He spotted footprints on the ground. Which shows someone just walking by this place.
"Looks like that one from the academy is going back before us," The 2nd warrior commented.
At this time the rest of them also noticed the footprints. All are convinced that the person is their academy student.
After taking a glance at the footprints, they continued their journey.
Time went by,
After some hours, I used the same teleportation point to come back to the academy.
But the time went beyond 9 P.M. And I haven't had a nice meal yet. If it was wild, I could cook monster meat for dinner.
Sigh~
After letting out a small sigh, I walk back to the dorm room. I quickly walked to take a hot bath. The rainy atmosphere is something. It made me take a hot shower.
Several minutes later,
I changed into comfortable clothes and laid down comfortably on my bed. The trip to the high mountain peak turned out to be fruitful. Thanks to the dean, she had found a gem of a place.
Hereafter, I can use it as a secret base. I'm feeling relaxed right now. The issue about the lack of a lightning cultivation environment was weighing down in my mind earlier.
Now it has gone completely. I don't have to worry about balancing both lightning and body technique.
I cracked up a small smile unknowingly.
"Oh, yes. What have these metal faction warriors done today?" I mumbled under my breath.
I guess, probably they might have searched the entire academy to find me. Though they are annoying with their stalking. But they do bring some entertainment from time to time.
Suddenly, the image of Uncle James and Granny Park comes to mind. My mood instantly goes down.
Though tier-6 region is a blessed land for warriors. But for people coming from lower-tier cities. It is nothing but the experience of walking on the edge of the knife.
I'm yet to feel comfortable here. When it comes to the Red City and my home in White Snow City. I had always felt somewhat confident.
But here the environment is completely different. I know who is targeting me. People are openly doing it. The Giant Tower Faction even made it clear.
Even the dean didn't hide secrets from me. She even told me about the year-end conference. The conflicts between the various academies are a reality.
I can only raise my strength and develop steadily before going to the inner post. I don't know what's like inside the Inner Post regions.
A look of longing appeared in my eyes. Then pushing down these thoughts, I access my communication watch to look for the post online.
When the page appears. I see a lot of headlines. But the next moment, my heart turned cold.
[Cowardly cat Zack Lockwood's disappearance.]
"Who made this post?" I said to myself.
Then I began to scroll down the page. I see several mean posts about me. These people labeled me as a coward running away from the challenge.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Everyone saw how I took care of Tyler Lane. The guy was Peak Elite Warrior. And I don't think there is a massive gap between him and Brandon Hurst.
My mouth curves into arcs. These guys are using academy students' opinions to raise the image of their faction.
What a trick! I sneered inside.
The dean gave me some time before the duel. Since I have recovered the purple essence. I don't want to waste time.
I made up my mind to accept the duel post. And as for the date? I cracked up with a cold smile on my face.
After closing down the site, I accessed my student account. To accept the challenge, I have to properly respond through the official channel.
Then I set the duel for the next afternoon.
After completing the procedure, I fell asleep comfortably.
Meanwhile, the official duel post's scheduled date appears on everyone's timeline. Shortly after, the academy's social media site was taken by storm.
Today all day long the Academy social media site was bombarded with mean posts and rude comments about Zack Lockwood.
But no one would have expected to see the official duel schedule at this time.
The dean, Rebecca, was sleeping in her bedroom. When the notification came she immediately woke up. As a dean, she can't miss a single notification.
But when she saw the message, She let out hysterical laughter, "Ha...Ha...Ha...."
"So he came back successfully from the high peak mountain," She said to herself.
The news came as a surprise. More than the duel, she is glad that Zack's trouble was solved.
Now he can go to the high peak mountain to cultivate lightning essence. Not only Zack, as a dean she was also worried about that problem.
Because Zack's presence is important during the year-end conference. If he can raise his level, then it would be good news for the academy as well.
Then she went back to sleep.
Hurst Family,
Brandon Hurst was sleeping as well. But this news has completely taken away his sleep.
Instead of getting angrier. He is smiling cruelly.
"Good" "Good"
"I thought he didn't want to face me," Brandon said to himself.
"Ha...Ha...Ha..."
"Tomorrow, I will defeat Zack in front of the Flame faction members. Then the prestige of the metal faction would rise by many folds," Brandon muttered.
Then he got up from the bed to train.
The following day,
The whole academy is aware of last night's post. Even the Flame faction members were surprised.
Inside the flame faction common hall,
Tyler Lane knitted his eyebrows. He knows about Zack's strength. But at the same time, he didn't underestimate Brandon either.
Brandon got sophisticated metal techniques. It won't be easy for Zack to win either.
"So the duel will be worthwhile to watch," He said to himself.
Similarly,
Other faction members are looking forward to the duel.
9 A.M
I walked out of the dorm building and headed to the dining hall. On the way, I spotted many students' eyes filled with surprise.
I guess last night's news must have shocked them. After entering the dining hall, I saw that the seats were half filled.
Even the half-filled seats were unusual at this time. Then a sudden realization struck my mind. These guys are here for me.
If people want to see me, they can only find me here. Then ignoring their gazes, I walked up to the food counter.
The familiar staff behind the counter greeted me with a smile.
"Are you ready for the duel?"
When I received the food plate. Her voice reached my ears. My eyes lit up with surprise. This is the 2nd time she took the initiative to talk to me.
Last time she had warned me about the Flame faction warriors.
"Yeah, I'm 100% ready," I answered with a smile.
Then I sat in a corner to eat the food. While eating the food, I perked up my ears to listen to people's conversations.
"I heard Brandon has been training in deadly techniques."
"Hey, if it's true then, do you think Zack can survive?"
"It's not easy to win against Brandon."
"Last time Zack defeated Tyler Lane effortlessly."
"Harumph. It's a lie."
"I think Tyler was careless."
When I heard all types of conversations. I almost choked up. These people are underestimating me. I think it's better to make an example out of Brandon.
After that, no elite warrior would dare to challenge me. But the problem is Brandon is not even a top warrior. There are many others in retreat.
Then I continued to eat food.
Several minutes later,
I head towards the central arena or duel stage. Last time, I came at the last minute. So I didn't have time to appreciate the massive arena.
"Hmmm," I raised my eyebrows. I found some people following me from behind. Shaking my head, I walk slowly toward the central arena.
Beep!
Suddenly, I received a call from the dean. Seeing that I stopped my movements. Why is she calling me? Maybe she wants to know about high mountain peaks.
Then I attended the call. The dean wants to meet me before the duel.