As I said, Natalia was just eighteen but she was already on the Ancient Realm. When I was that age, I think I was still in the Immortal Realm. The only ti I stepped into the Ancient Realm was when I was already in my twenties.
Back then, no one dared to talk to her, nor did anyone challenged her. After all, when it cos to student exchange events amongst schools all across the four corners of the world, it's done to show the superiority of the nation's cultivation levels. I have no idea who implented the student exchange events but it indeed put pressure on everyone every ti students with higher cultivation would participate in the exchange.
When Natalia first arrived at a nearby school, there was an air about her, which showed everyone her sheer amount of power. Even the strongest students of the school were afraid of her. However, I perceived her differently than the rest. I don't know if it was because of my age or if it was because of my experiences in life but I could tell that Natalia was soone who wanted to live a normal life... to have friends she would go to school with, to eat out whenever there's a group project, or to just spend ti on the rooftop at school breaks.
At that ti, she was more of a mascot for Europe or sothing. I don't know if she was really from a country in Europe but judging from her na... that was probably the case.
With everyone gathered that day, the principal then walked forward and introduced each of us one by one. As soon as the introductions were over, a few of the students ca toward , their eyes shimring as they stared at my splendor. It was probably because I was the youngest Sect Master to ever exist.
Of course, Natalia was no exception.
As she approached and the group that surrounded , I thought that maybe she would challenge to a duel or sothing since her brows were furrowed and her eyes were turned into slits. She seed exceptionally angry as if she was harboring so deep resentnt. If I hadn't known any better, I would've fled from the scene, fully knowing that what might co out of her lips next might be a curse that would cripple for a lifeti.
"Um, S-s-sect Master Tang Yongrui?" She called out, tripping over her words since she wasn't used to our country's language.
At that point, my opinion of Natalia Schirchstein suddenly changed from negative to positive. That's why she looked angry, she was just too nervous to approach and the others.
But even after her unintentional display of cuteness, everyone else still backed away as they felt the air getting heavier by the second. Since Natalia was still in her late teenage years, her control over her Original Qi Core wasn't that sophisticated. This made her unknowingly release a frightening amount of Qi Energy from her body.
And since the body is hard-wired to detect any danger when it's near, the group gathering around probably backed away out of instinct. They just didn't want to kindle the wrath of the one and only Natalia.
"Yes, do you have any questions?" I asked her as confidently as I could. Thankfully, my voice didn't crack from the pressure. And I was already at the Dao Realm back then! Even with all that gap, she could still overwhelm with a bit of pressure emanating from her Qi Energy.
"H-how did you... um, are you strong?"
"Y-yes? I think so."
I suppressed my laugh from coming out of my mouth since I actually got her question. She wasn't trying to ask if I were strong enough, she genuinely wanted to know how I beca the Sect Master of the Tang Sect when I was still in my twenties. She probably thought that it was such an insensitive question to ask so she decided not to ask it. (I'm the youngest Sect Master to ever exist, right? So that ans sothing must've happened to the previous Sect Master of the Tang Sect probably an unfortunate accident and there was no one else he could trust within the Tang Sect)
Well, that was probably how he chose but I'd rather not think of it. Reliving the old mories just brings back reminders of pain and the sense of loss back then.
"You want to know how I beca one of the strongest and youngest Sect Master, right?" I asked. "If you want to know, then... would it be all right if I ask for a little favor?"
Natalia skeptically stared at for a good two minutes (she probably didn't know how to answer that certain offer but I gave her ti to explain herself). But in the end, she agreed to the request.
"S-sure, but that doesn't an I would g-grant it." She clenched her pudgy fists as tight as she could, trying to put up a front that she won't fall for my tricks.
"Then, I want to have an exhibition match with you... to show everyone what a Sect Master can do."
For the first ti that day, I saw Natalia lit up as she eagerly nodded her head in acceptance. One of the exchange students overheard what we were talking about and he imdiately relayed it to the principal. It was too good of an idea that the principal didn't reject it. Honestly, I think he wanted to see fight since I've never shown my real strength all my life.
Within minutes, a stadium beside the school building was prepared and then...
... I found myself in the middle of the stadium. I stood at the right side of the stadium while Natalia stood by the opposite. My mind was still processing what to do when the Principal suddenly announced the start of the match!
START!
I raised my hands before Natalia could do her first move. When it cos to speed, I'm actually pretty fast since that's what I've always relied on when I'm in trouble. What's the use of speed when you can't even maintain the speed limit, right?
Everyone held their breaths as the referee of the match raised his hands and asked what's wrong.
"I have an announcent to give before we proceed with this match." I started.
"Now, one of the rising questions you have in your mind is that this is unfair, right? Of course, it is unfair since I'm already a Sect Master and Natalia is still a student. But please bear in mind that the purpose of this exhibition match is to teach Natalia sothing that she hasn't learned throughout these years. I hope everyone would understand and agree to that."
Upon seeing a couple of bobbing heads, er I an, nodding heads, I cupped my hands and continued my announcent.
"But still, this fight is still unfair. I should give her a handy, right?"
This ti, a series of gasps erged from the crowd.
Oh, carp!
"I ant a handicap! A handy!" I panicked as I explained. After clearing my throat a couple of tis, I continued. "As I ntioned, I should give her a HANDICAP, right? And that handicap would probably blow all of your minds. This is sothing that I've done to my disciples every ti they challenged to a fight. And I assure everyone here that this handicap holds a multitude of invaluable lessons."
Natalia concernedly stared at as if she was dragged into sothing crazy... well, I guess one could argue with that. I an, what I'm about to do was as crazy as it gets... and that's the essence of the handicap.
"From the beginning to the end of the match, I will not use an ounce of my Qi Energy! If Natalia can defeat , then I'll be her servant from now on!"
Another round of gasps, another series of shocked faces from the audience. Do I seem like I'm enjoying myself right now? Oh, yes! That couldn't get any more precise than that. I really am enjoying the mont since it would show just how strong the Tang Sect is.
That or I'm just digging my own grave. If Natalia was stronger than I expected, then I don't think I have a way out of this. In any case, I already plainly laid out the disadvantage. If I were to go back on my words right now, then that would just make a coward... or an idiot... or both.
"Are you sure about this, S-sect Master?!" Natalia finally spoke up. "With all due respect, Sect Master Tang Yongrui, I'm in the Peak of Ancient Realm. Given two years and I'll reach the Dao Realm. Please don't underestimate , Sect Master."
"Don't worry, Natalia. I'm not underestimating, not in the least bit. I just want to teach you a very important lesson to formally welco you to this school as part of the student exchange event. I may be overstepping my boundaries right now but I'm convinced that it's necessary for your growth."
Natalia smiled. It was brief but she smiled a little bit before bowing towards . "Well then, please guide , Sect Master. You did say that if you were to lose, you'll be my servant, right?"
"Yes," I confird.
"T-then, if I were to lose, I'll be your disciple." She returned, her face brimming with confidence.
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