Xu Sheng and Fang Chang's fists collided once more—this time with neither holding back, both unleashing their "full power."
BOOM!
A three-meter-high waterspout erupted from the lake's surface as a figure went flying backward through the spray—Xu Sheng.
Simultaneously, his soul tool armor began disintegrating with a series of cracks and snaps, components scattering into the water. His body crashed into his boat, capsizing it and sending both vessel and man plunging beneath the waves.
Meanwhile, Fang Chang used the recoil from their clash to pivot midair, landing gracefully back on Zhu Zhu's boat.
On the distant shores, students erupted into chaos.
"Gods! Who is that? He just knocked out Xu Sheng in one punch!"
"Xu Sheng's top five in the Inner Academy! A Sun Moon Imperial royal with access to their best soul tools!"
"Did you see his uniform? He's a temporary student? With that strength, why isn't he in the Inner Academy already?"
Though this was merely an avatar, Fang Chang had restricted his soul power to the 56th-rank Soul King level.
But his physical body—honed to god-king tier—remained incomparable. Xu Sheng never stood a chance.
Spitting blood, Xu Sheng glared venomously at Fang Chang. The whispers from shore about his humiliation stoked his fury to a fever pitch.
"You bastard! Just wait—the moment you step outside Spider God Academy, the Sun Moon Imperial Family will make you beg for death!"
Like all petty villains, he resorted to empty threats.
But Fang Chang was no constrained protagonist from some drama. He wasn't even human, let alone intimidated by some mortal-world royalty.
A sneer curled Fang Chang's lips as he pushed off again, gliding toward Xu Sheng—who'd just clambered back onto his overturned boat—and raising his fist for a finishing blow.
"Fang Qi, stop!"
Zhu Zhu sensed his killing intent and called out urgently. "The academy forbids private duels! You've already broken rules—if you deliberately injure him further, you'll face serious consequences!"
As a fellow spider kin, and since he'd intervened on her behalf, she felt obliged to warn him.
Her plea fell on deaf ears. Fang Chang's trajectory didn't waver as he landed on Xu Sheng's boat, fist descending toward the royal's skull.
Xu Sheng's face drained of color. For the first time in his pampered life, death loomed terrifyingly close.
"Y-you—I'm Sun Moon Imperial—" His lips trembled as he scrambled backward.
Fang Chang's fist accelerated—now mere centimeters away—
"HALT, BRAT!"
A thunderous voice boomed from the Inner Academy shore, accompanied by a projectile streaking across the water.
Fang Chang's punch continued downward—
CRUNCH!
Xu Sheng's left collarbone shattered audibly, his arm hanging limp as a scream tore from his throat.
Only the projectile's deflection of Fang Chang's strike had saved Xu Sheng's life. Had it landed true, his head would've exploded like overripe fruit.
Academy students—sheltered flowers unaccustomed to true violence—gaped in horror, some covering their mouths.
The intervener finally revealed himself—a middle-aged Inner Academy instructor radiating fury.
"You!" He glared between the unconscious Xu Sheng and indifferent Fang Chang. "I ordered you to stop! Why did you strike?!"
Fang Chang ignored him, prodding Xu Sheng's face with a foot to confirm his unconsciousness. "Administering discipline. Trash like this needs memorable lessons."
"Discipline?!" The instructor's face purpled. "That's our duty! Students must obey!"
"Obey? To you?" Fang Chang countered. "Would you actually punish him? You rushed here so urgently—clearly you know him. How do I trust you won't play favorites?"
"Even if you 'punish' him, it'll be a slap on the wrist—house arrest for a week? A stern talking-to?"
"After all, he's your prized pupil. Sun Moon Imperial Royalty. Am I wrong?"
The instructor stiffened. Fang Chang had struck a nerve.
Inner Academy followed a mentorship system—each teacher guided four or five students. This man was Xu Sheng's mentor, hence his vested interest.
Handling Xu Sheng internally would have meant token consequences. But now, with injuries requiring years to heal—possibly leaving permanent damage—everything changed.
In two months, selections for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament would begin. Xu Sheng's incapacitation meant losing a star competitor—and the instructor's performance metrics would plummet.
Worse, the Sun Moon Imperial Family would investigate. As mentor, he'd face disciplinary action from the academy.
Humiliation and rage warred within him as lake winds whipped his robes. "Enough debate. You're coming with me for disciplinary judgment!"
He lunged, intent on dragging Fang Chang away by force.
Zhu Zhu leaped between them. "Teacher Shen! He was defending me—"
"Move!" Teacher Shen shoved her aside, advancing on Fang Chang while secretly channeling soul power. If Fang Chang resisted, he'd have justification to "subdue" him harshly—placating both academy and imperial family.
"Scram."
Fang Chang's glacial command carried such lethality that the Soul Douluo-tier teacher flinched.
More terrifying—Fang Chang's right hand now gripped Xu Sheng's throat, fingers poised to crush his windpipe.
"Mere Sun Moon royalty, yet you grovel so pathetically. Spider God Academy's corruption needs purging."
Under Teacher Shen's horrified gaze, Fang Chang's fingers twitched—
Xu Sheng's body went limp.