Chapter 101: Facing Each Other in Contest, Part 2

Lanskka hesitated and said, “One million is no small sum. Why gamble so big? A token amount would suffice.”

Li Xiuxiang laughed heartily. “Mayor, Brother Le and I are martial artists with our sights set on the heavens. Such worldly matters hardly concern us. This is a United Cosmic Bank gold card, loaded with 100,000 Cosmic Credits—equivalent to exactly one million Wolf Warrior Coins. Take it as a mediator’s token. I wonder what Brother Le is willing to wager?”

One million Wolf Warrior Coins, even in the opulent world of Li Chenxing, was no trivial amount. Li Xiuxiang’s father, the steward of the Li family patriarch, would naturally dismiss such a sum as insignificant, but Le Kai was a local native—could he really produce such a huge stake?

Li Xiuxiang smirked inwardly. A mere boy, yet so eager to show off. He thought, “I, the young master, have poured all I have into this one million Wolf Warrior Coins. Can you, a mere local, possibly match that? Perhaps you’ve never even held a Wolf Warrior Coin in your hand!”

Seeing Le Kai’s awkward smile, Li Xiuxiang’s heart bloomed with amusement.

Though he did not concern himself with opponents at this level—there were countless gifted rivals like Le Kai he was confident he could crush—Le Kai had dared to cross a forbidden line. In his heart, Li Yan was his future wife; he had always believed this, and it was the reason his father supported his coming here. That Li Yan had left Li Chenxing for such a remote place was undoubtedly influenced by the steward Li Buyun, who had sent his own son to accompany her. The intention was plain to see.

Yet Li Xiuxiang never expected this local to be so brazen as to openly hold Li Yan’s hand.

Damn it, truly damnable! To take Li Yan’s delicate hand and stroll beneath the setting sun, greeted by throngs of admirers—that was his ultimate dream!

But this wretched bastard had beaten him to it, desecrating the goddess of his heart. For that alone, not even a blood brother could be spared mercy.

“Since Brother Li insists on such a grand gift, it would be pretentious of me to refuse. Very well, I’ll match your wager.”

To Li Xiuxiang’s surprise, Le Kai actually produced a gold card identical to his own, also carrying 100,000 Cosmic Credits! These crystal cards, issued by the United Cosmic Bank across the universe and supervised by the Cosmic Divine Network, were unique and a symbol of status. Only those with 100,000 Cosmic Credits could obtain them. Should the balance fall below that, the card would automatically downgrade to an ordinary one—an absolute safeguard against fraud.

Le Kai revealed the card reluctantly, clearly lacking confidence in himself. After a moment’s thought, he said, “I have been in seclusion for a long time; some knowledge may be rusty. The exam is tomorrow—I need someone to tutor me. Since Brother Li and I have this wager, I cannot ask you, and Lan Bo is useless—he can barely manage himself, much less help me. After much thought, only Senior Sister Yan’er seems suitable. Yan’er, would you help me?”

Le Kai took a long detour before finally fixing his expectant gaze on Li Yan.

Li Xiuxiang nearly shouted with rage, ready to challenge him to a duel. This boy was clearly up to no good! However, Yan’er had been raised in noble etiquette since childhood and would never be alone with a strange man, especially as night was falling. Previously, when tutoring, she was always accompanied by numerous guards and servants—courteous and proper—ensuring the old master’s peace of mind.

Li Yan hesitated, then, looking at Le Kai’s hopeful eyes, forced down the refusal that welled up in her throat and nodded gently. Naturally kind, known as the Angel of Kindness, she had often donated and organized charity events to aid the poor back in Li Chenxing.

Seeing this, Li Xiuxiang’s face turned grim, his heart aflame. “No!”

Le Kai turned, puzzled, and said in surprise, “Brother Li, are you afraid of losing the bet and now regretting it? If so, we are no strangers—if you admit defeat now, I won’t hold it against you. After all, one million Wolf Warrior Coins is no small matter!”

“You—don’t talk nonsense. I don’t care about such an amount. It’s just that you can’t ask Yan’er for tutoring.”

Li Xiuxiang clenched his anger, staring daggers at the feigning innocence of Le Kai, wishing he could strike him down to dust with a single blow.

“Yan’er’s status is precious; she cannot be alone with any stranger,” Li Xiuxiang blurted, feeling his usual gentlemanly composure slipping away.

“Brother Li is right. Yan’er is so beautiful and charming; no stranger should approach her. Rest assured, with me here, I will never let her suffer harm!” Le Kai thumped his chest, speaking with righteous conviction. His impassioned, self-sacrificing demeanor nearly made everyone in the hall—except Li Yan—choke with disbelief.

Li Xiuxiang nearly fainted, his blood boiling uncontrollably.

Li Yan was moved, saying softly, “Le Kai, you truly are a good person. The world needs more people like you—so passionate and just.”

Le Kai replied, “Of course! Have you forgotten our last experience? I loathe evil with a burning hatred.” His fiery spirit instantly shifted into a cute, somewhat helpless expression, frowning, “Senior Sister Yan’er, I’m counting on you this time. I’m really a bit rusty on the first-year courses!”

Lan Bo admired him wholeheartedly but jumped in to tease, “Boss, you’re not just a bit rusty—you’ve never been to school, have you?”

Le Kai’s vision darkened. “This traitor—how could he say such things?”

But Li Xiuxiang, hearing this, felt somewhat relieved and comforted himself: “Yan’er is kind and lovely but hates deceit above all. Though you use this to get close to her now, once the exam is over tomorrow, she won’t even look your way. Fine, let you enjoy this moment of pride. Offend me, Li Xiuxiang, and you’ll never rise in this life!”

With that thought, the heat in his chest finally abated.

Lanskka had no words left to comment but, a blind admirer of the professor, unconditionally trusted his words. No matter how extraordinary Le Kai was, he would accept it as normal.

Li Yan, however, looked worried. “Le Kai, you’re reckless. You’ve never been to school—how could you top the grade? Looks like you’ll have to cram all night.”

“All night… cramming?” Li Xiuxiang slumped onto the sofa, dizzy.

Before he could protest, Li Yan said, “Brother Xiuxiang, Le Kai has never attended school and doesn’t know how difficult exams are. Isn’t that bullying him? I’ll tutor him all night—do you mind?”

Li Xiuxiang wanted to object loudly, but meeting Li Yan’s stern gaze, he could only nod. “Of course I don’t mind. But if Brother Le lacks confidence, you can admit defeat now. Let’s just call it a joke.”

Le Kai looked troubled. “Brother Li, you’re mistaken. We martial artists know the importance of keeping promises. Besides being kind and honest, I value my word above all. To say otherwise is an insult. Though I’ve never been to school, with Yan’er’s help, I’m confident I’ll top the grade!”

Li Yan praised, “A true man must have ambition and create miracles. Le Kai, I believe in you.”

Li Xiuxiang felt as if he might explode but dared not show it. He sat up straight, forcing a composed demeanor, refusing to look at that infuriating face.

Lan Bo discreetly gave Le Kai a thumbs-up, silently reflecting on himself. He was just a bit more handsome, a bit taller, with higher lineage—so why did his beloved elder sister always disdain him?

At the evening banquet, Li Xiuxiang seemed to have forgotten his earlier displeasure, embodying the perfect noble gentleman. His flawless etiquette earned high praise even from Lanskka, who scolded Lan Bo to study harder. In stark contrast, Le Kai’s presence was utterly baffling.

Feeling the disdain and contempt from the municipal officials toward Le Kai—and their flattering attention to himself—Li Xiuxiang finally felt a sense of triumph.

The Li family’s most cherished granddaughter was to attend Blue Star Huazhong City School—a top secret and paramount matter. The local nobles and officials spared no effort to curry favor. Xi Tianfeng was practically itching to summon his son to charm the young lady, hoping to win her favor and secure his family’s prosperity. With his son’s perfect looks and prodigious talent, he was certain to capture her heart.

Of course, countless other officials and nobles shared this ambition. Everyone knew that with the Li family’s daughter coming of age, a marriage alliance with her would guarantee soaring fortunes.

Typically, children of noble clans were tools of family alliances, chosen to consolidate family interests by marrying into families of equal standing. Commoners’ fantasies of princesses eloping with paupers were just that—fantasies never realized.

This time, however, the Li patriarch declared the marriage would be free of all mercenary considerations; it would depend solely on Li Yan’s preference. But there was a minimum requirement: the suitor must be a once-in-a-billion prodigy, someone who, even if not admitted to the War God Academy, could prove their worth in major competitions. The Li family never accepted weaklings as sons-in-law.

This was Xi Tianfeng’s greatest concern. His son met all the criteria perfectly—a match made in heaven.

Hua Keqiang thought likewise, but unfortunately, both their sons had chosen to enter secluded training, refusing to emerge until reaching a certain level. They missed this opportunity but were unhurried, as the next genius selection contest was still a year and a half away.