Practice grounds of the Great Zhou Inst.i.tute.

　　Many practice platforms stood in the practice grounds, while the numerous youths atop them yelled out as they exchanged blows. Each punch and kick had the vigour and ferocity of a tiger, a rather imposing sight. Below the platforms were crowd of spectators who would burst into cheers from time to time. There was no lack of young and pretty girls amongst the crowds, and their pretty watching eyes made the boys on the platforms fight with even more enthusiasm, hoping to show off their moves and thus bask in the limelight.

　　It evident that this practice grounds was a rather popular location in the Great Zhou Inst.i.tute.

　　When Xu Lin lazily walked onto a platform, news of his fight with Zhou Yuan had already been secretly spread by the former to the entire practice grounds.

　　"What? His highness Zhou Yuan is going to fight with Xu Lin?!"

　　"How is that possible! His highness Zhou Yuan has yet to open even his first meridian channel, on the other hand, Xu Lin had already opened two!"

　　"This Xu Lin is truly a bully, he surely used some despicable means to force Zhou Yuan."

　　 "......"

　　When the many students heard this news, cries of disbelief and surprise immediately erupted. Some of the commoner students felt that such a fight was really a little too unfair for Zhou Yuan.

　　For any Channel Opening stage pract.i.tioner, the opening of every meridian channel would raise the innate quality of one's body. Strength, speed, reflexes etc. far surpa.s.sed those who had yet to open their channels. To put it bluntly, a Channel Opening stage pract.i.tioner was able to effortlessly defeat dozens of cultivators who had yet to open their channels.

　　Atop the stage, Xu Lin merely chuckled when he heard these voices. No matter what they said, after today, his vicious beating of Zhou Yuan would definitely spread to the entire Great Zhou Inst.i.tute. Such news would undoubtedly be a blow to Zhou Yuan's reputation, thus making him a laughing stock.

　　While these malicious thoughts swirled in Xu Lin's head, the black ma.s.s of a crowd around the practice platform suddenly split apart. One could only watch as a thin youth slowly walked forward.

　　This thin youth had a scholarly face and gave off an aura of culture. He looked just like a weak and delicate scholar.

　　Naturally, this was Zhou Yuan.

　　Under the many varied gazes, Zhou Yuan headed straight for the practice platform where Xu Lin was.

　　"Your highness." Su Youwei's little face was somewhat anxious as she followed closely behind him. It was clear that she still wanted Zhou Yuan to give up on fighting Xu Lin.

　　Zhou Yuan gently smiled at Su Youwei and said, "I can no longer back off at this point. Or else, I will be known as the prince who ran away just before the battle."

　　Su Youwei's footstops stopped as she tightly bit into her red lips. She knew that it would indeed be a huge blow to his reputation.

　　Su Youwei lifted her pretty face and looked at Xu Lin, who was stop the practice platform. At this very moment, her eyes slightly narrowed, and seemed to become a little ferocious.

　　"Your highness, it is my fault for not handling matters properly this time and causing trouble for your highness. In future, I will no longer be careless nor merciful." said Su Youwei in a soft voice.

　　Truth be told, she had lost to Xu Lin previously mainly because she was lacking in ruthlessness. Otherwise, Xu Lin would not even have the chance to use his Genesis weapon. This lesson allowed her to understand that if one does not give the snake a fatal blow, one would surely be bitten.

　　Zhou Yuan was a little stunned. He blinked at Su Youwei and said, "We are friends. It is only right for a friend to help settle another's problems."

　　By the time his words faded, he had already stopped onto the practice platform.

　　Su Youwei smiled a little as she gazed at his back. A warm feeling flowed within her heart. Soon after, her eyes slightly lowered; she had already made a decision. If Xu Lin dared to hurt Zhou Yuan, she would let the former know the meaning of a little girl's grudge and vengeance.

　　"Oh? Your highness actually dared to come. I had believed that you would secretly run away to the palace." Xu Lin mocked with a smile as he watched Zhou Yuan, who had walked to his front.

　　Zhou Yuan gently arranged his sleeves as he said, "Looks like you are very confident in yourself."