Storm of Gods

Chapter 166 People are afraid of being famous and pigs are afraid of being strong.
The power of the divine relic was indeed formidable. Most of its power, including the hidden force, was blocked, but some of it still managed to penetrate and break through the defenses.

Simmons took a deep breath and smiled wryly, "Am I too weak?"

Li Xin was also somewhat surprised by the effect of the divine relic. If it weren't for the divine relic, the same punch would probably have rendered him unable to move for a while.

"Young Master Simmons, you have to eat one bite at a time. This is just the beginning. Today is the first training session, so let's stop here for now. There's a saying in my hometown: if you want to become a master, you have to learn to take a beating first. The more you take a beating, the stronger you'll become." Li Xin gently patted Simmons, and Simmons' stiff body felt a little more comfortable, so he stepped out of the pit.

"Then let's practice twice a day... once a day."

"No way, let's be casual. I still have work to do, I can't come every day." Li Xin shook his head. He could eat every day, but Simmons's small frame would be ruined. Where could he find such a good meal ticket?

Locke and the others watched with gritted teeth. It seemed like a fight had taken place, but it also seemed like no fight had taken place. Li Xin didn't seem to have been hurt at all, but that was still terrifying. Was this person like this no matter what opponent he fought?
Now I understand why someone like the prince would show him such respect. But why is he a cook?
Just then, a commotion broke out outside, and a group of people burst in, dressed in various outfits. Some looked like they were from the Order of the Church, and some looked like they were from the Knight Academy, but none of them were from Saint Ze.

"I don't know what's wrong with the captain and the others. They insisted on forcing their way in and challenging someone named Li Xin. I couldn't stop them at all," said a student from Shengze.

"Enough nonsense, which one is Li Xin? I am Rongze Hailat, and I challenge you with the honor of a knight!" Hailat looked around and locked onto Li Xin. It wasn't that this guy looked like a master, but rather that his appearance and name didn't seem to be from Heldan, and this guy's appearance was the most similar.

"Which one is Li Xin? I, Tishu of the Fallan Order, challenge you! Let us have a fair duel witnessed by the gods!"

"Li Xin, come on, let me see what level the warrior appreciated by His Highness the Prince is at!" As soon as Hirat saw someone trying to steal his business, he immediately threw out his white gloves. It's always better to strike first than to lose. The first blood of these experience babies is the most valuable. The person who defeats the one praised by His Highness the Prince will appear on the front page of the Heldan Daily the next day!

This is a knightly custom; once the glove is thrown, the challenge must be accepted. If one is too cowardly to accept the challenge, it is considered a sign of extreme weakness in Heldan. If the opponent is a knight, one will either drop out of school or be expelled. Cowards are not fit to be knights.

Li Xin was speechless. He knew that refusing directly would be useless. These people were all cunning and shrewd. They must have found out about his situation. He had no background and was practically using him as a stepping stone to fame. Judging from their burning eyes, they were probably after him.

“I can accept the challenge, but it’s not honorable for so many of you to win by sheer force, nor does it align with the spirit of chivalry. I have to set some conditions,” Li Xin said. “Here, pick anyone from here, defeat them, and then come and duel with me. The winner should register with Celia in order. Our knightly battle must be fair and just!”

Li Xin countered with a set of chivalrous punches, a punch that demonstrated a foundation that transcended eras.

Simmons had already realized what a great training opportunity this was! Where else could he find so many sparring partners? "That's right, Li Xin and I just finished sparring. Fighting now is not in line with the spirit of chivalry. Today, our Holy Ze Academy is opening five spots for you to choose from here. Whoever wins can register and queue up for a challenge!"

"Alright, how could I, Hailat, take advantage of you? You're the little red-haired one!" Hailat looked around and found the one he disliked the most. If he didn't beat up this eye-catching little red-haired guy, who would he beat up?

Locke chuckled upon hearing this; he'd just been itching to join in after watching the boss and Brother Li fight so fiercely.

"You've made a good choice! Let Grandpa carry you back!"

"State your name! I, Hairat, do not kill nameless nobodies!"

"Locke, member of the Holy Ze team, remember this: it is your honor to fight me today, and my name will surely shine upon Heldan!"

And so the battle began. Li Xin noticed that, knights or not, they all loved to flaunt their titles and show off. He greeted Simmons and then slipped away through the back door. He really didn't have time to deal with such a large group; it's true what they say, fame brings trouble. Celia approached Simmons, "You won't die, will you?"

"Thank you so much!" Simmons sat in the chair, panting. It was really a miracle. He thought he was going to be half-dead, but it turned out to be just a minor injury. No bones were broken. Brother Li was too lenient. At the same time, he also knew that he still had a lot to learn. He would continue in the Sacred Ground this weekend and strengthen himself!
With this kind of play, Simmons had no more worries. He had already lost, so all he had to do was think about how to win.

"Not bad, Simmons, you're finally showing some ambition." Celia smiled and patted Simmons on the shoulder.

Simmons closed his eyes, feeling that talking to her again would only cause him serious injury.

Simmons ignored Celia, but Celia wasn't about to let him off the hook. "You usually seem so unreliable. I thought you'd given up, but you've managed to pull off something big without us even noticing. It's amazing that you were able to find someone as capable and intelligent as you. It seems we really do have some hope."

"Don't expect too much," Simmons said, his mind still clear. "This is an opportunity for us. So many sparring partners are being offered to us for free. Tell everyone to cherish this opportunity. And don't forget this weekend, Brother Li has time."

“Simmons, I have something extremely important to do this weekend, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to spend time with you,” Celia said.

"Oh? What's so important?" Simmons was taken aback.

"Why are you so nosy about girls' affairs?"

"Girls' stuff?" Simmons asked in surprise.

Sincere doubt is the most ironic...

On their way back to the Deadwood Monastery, Klee carried Estella as they sped through the dense forest, with Chris leading the way in the air. Within the sight of the bird and the cat, they wouldn't encounter anyone. Not only was Estella enjoying herself, but Klee and Chris were too. When Klee was in her cat form, she was indeed too lazy to move, but entering her stealth form was a different story. Chris, being a proud golden eagle, was even less likely to be a homebody bird when soaring through the sky.

Estella's expression held a lingering excitement, and her eyes were even more determined. On this day, she seemed to have seen another world, with bustling markets and lively crowds. She went to the church of the Earth Mother, the kind that ordinary people go to, and prayed. She also saw the slave trade in the market, saw slave owners whipping slaves, and saw people and livestock being traded together. She saw thieves, adventurers, and women washing clothes.

The outside world is not all beautiful, rich, or real.

Estella had made thorough preparations and was not acting on impulse. The market and the church were two very important places in the lives of the Heldan people. In addition, she had found Celitia, her study companion. Every once in a while, Celitia and others would enter the palace to listen to the lectures of the Grand Scholars with her. Among them, Celitia was the closest to Estella.

Perhaps they both shared the same rebellious streak. Estella had mentioned wanting to leave the palace to Celia a long time ago. If it were anyone else, they would have either tattled or said something like, "Oh dear, Your Highness, you mustn't, it's too dangerous," or "Oh dear, Princess, those vulgar people will defile..." But Celia cautioned, "Either don't even think about it, or if you're going to do it, you need a well-thought-out plan. The outside world isn't like the palace, although the palace isn't all that great either."

Of all the people, Celia was the only one who didn't envy the royal life. What's the point of living in a cage, waiting to get married?
So the third place Estella went to was the Holy Zeal Cathedral. Because of her status as a nun and perhaps God's blessing, she didn't encounter anything outrageous, and everything went smoothly. Now, Estella could feel the unbelievable shock of her dashing friend, and this sense of accomplishment was just too wonderful.

The two agreed to meet again on the weekend.

If it weren't for Estella, Celia wouldn't have stood Simmons up.

(End of this chapter)