The entire sky felt oppressive at dusk, as if the world was on the brink of apocalypse.
Zhou Luo felt hungry and decided to grab some food from the cafeteria.
He'd noticed plenty of kitchenware at home, but the fridge was completely empty—not even a mouse would find anything to eat there.
By now, most students had completed their registration, so the academy grounds were bustling.
There were plenty of arrogant seniors leaning against walls, eyeing the newcomers, as well as domineering freshmen flaunting their combat levels without restraint.
Even during meals, everyone carried an air of superiority.
But the moment Zhou Luo appeared, all eyes turned toward him.
Zhou Luo was far too famous—his face was already etched into everyone's memory.
He was like a thorn in the side of every freshman.
Ignoring the stares, Zhou Luo simply got his food and started eating.
"You've got five minutes to finish eating. I'll be waiting for you at the Combat Tower." A burly man suddenly approached Zhou Luo, his face full of provocation.
Zhou Luo glanced up calmly, his expression indifferent.
[Name: Xiong Zhan!]
[Level: Peak Level 18!]
[Destined Mecha: Demonic Bear Mech!]
[Ultimate Move: Unknown.]
Damn it!
If you were a third-tier senior, I might have let it slide.
But a one-hit wonder like you dares to act high and mighty in front of me? Who the hell do you think you are?
Not just Zhou Luo—even Swift Blade in the Battle King's Hall couldn't stand someone more arrogant than himself and was already threatening to kill this guy.
Even the usually composed Fire Thunder was boiling with battle intent—his blade was practically itching to slice this guy in half.
Even Fang Feiyang hadn't been this obnoxious. Who the hell are you?
"Go to hell!"
Zhou Luo roared, grabbing an alloy tray and slamming it with full force into Xiong Zhan's face. Even without piloting a mech, the combat energy a second-tier Mech Battle King could unleash was terrifying.
BANG!
A deafening crash echoed through the cafeteria as everyone looked up to see a figure smashed into a support pillar.
"Whoa!!" The crowd gasped in shock.
"Holy shit! Western Madman lives up to his name—this is insane!"
"Doesn't he know fighting isn't allowed outside the Combat Tower?"
"All I can say is, too reckless."
"Something's off—don't you think Zhou Luo's combat energy is way too overwhelming? Xiong Zhan's at peak first-tier, but he couldn't even resist."
The cafeteria wasn't just filled with freshmen—many seniors were present too.
Having spent a year at the War God Academy, these seniors had sharp eyes and immediately recognized the gap between Xiong Zhan and Zhou Luo.
"You think you can pull the overbearing CEO routine with me? Today, I'll teach you what it means to respect your betters!"
In a flash, Zhou Luo appeared before Xiong Zhan and threw a full-powered punch—the air itself compressed and exploded from the force.
"Stop him! That punch will kill Xiong Zhan!" A senior shouted, realizing the danger and rushing forward.
But someone moved even faster.
Before anyone could react, a figure stood in front of Xiong Zhan.
With just one hand, he blocked Zhou Luo's full-strength strike.
"Boom!!" The Combat Energy dispersed violently, the recoil forcing Zhou Luo back four or five steps.
Zhou Luo stared deeply at the chubby man dressed in chef's attire before him.
"Heh, fighting isn't allowed within the academy. You've already crossed the red line and will face severe punishment—but that's not my concern. If you want to fight, go to the Combat Tower. Just don't wreck my cafeteria."
The head chef continued to smile amiably at Zhou Luo.
Zhou Luo knew that with such a powerful figure present, there was no way he could teach Xiong Zhan a lesson.
His gaze shifted to Xiong Zhan, who was kneeling on the ground, clutching his face.
"You like fighting, don't you? Well, so do I. Bet fifty percent of your Combat Energy and face me in the Combat Tower."
"You don't have the option to refuse today."
Zhou Luo smirked coldly, grabbing Xiong Zhan by the head and dragging him out of the cafeteria.
"You're forcing me into a duel! The academy will expel you for this!!"
"How are you any different from those scum in the Dark Hall? Let go of me!!!"
Under the suppression of Zhou Luo's Combat Energy, Xiong Zhan's struggles were futile.
Only then did the crowd realize just how vast the gap between the two was.
"This is bad. Things have escalated."
"Zhou Luo, don't be impulsive! He's right—you'll get expelled. It's not worth it!"
"Our War God Academy may value martial prowess, but this is going too far. Good heavens~"
"Hmph! Expulsion be damned. If I don't crush you today, my mind won't be at peace. And if my mind isn't at peace, my Combat Rank won't improve. You've become my inner demon."
News of the conflict between Zhou Luo, the academy's top genius, and Xiong Zhan of Raging Wave Base City spread like wildfire. The fact that Zhou Luo was forcibly demanding a Combat Energy duel quickly reached every corner of the academy.
In no time, the spectator stands in the Combat Tower were packed, with even the outside area crowded with onlookers.
By the time the teachers received word, Xiong Zhan had already been dragged to the outskirts of the Combat Tower by Zhou Luo.
"Dammit! I was only gone for half a day, and you've already stirred up this much trouble! Are you trying to defy the heavens?!" Meng Li rushed frantically from the depths of the academy.
Accompanying him were Xiong Zhan's teacher and several third-tier instructors.
Their strength was immense—they intercepted Zhou Luo in an instant.
The crowd finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, the students erupted in jeers when they saw the teachers intervene.
The War God Academy had a rule: teachers were forbidden from interfering in student disputes. Since Xiong Zhan had provoked the incident, the choice was his alone.
"Zhou Luo, what are you doing? Stop this at once!" Meng Li urged anxiously. He had worked hard to recruit such a prodigious disciple and didn't want anything to go wrong.
"Zhou Luo, I'm aware of the situation. Release Xiong Zhan, and I'll compensate you with a hundred credits. How about it?" Xiong Zhan's teacher hastily added.
Zhou Luo flung Xiong Zhan to the ground and glared coldly.
"You're lucky so many teachers are pleading for you. Here are your two options: One, enter the Combat Tower with me and bet half your Combat Energy in a duel. Two, refuse."
The teachers frantically signaled Xiong Zhan with their eyes.
Anyone could see that Zhou Luo far surpassed Xiong Zhan in strength. Choosing the first option would mean Xiong Zhan willingly becoming Zhou Luo's stepping stone, freely offering up his Combat Energy.
But how could Xiong Zhan, ranked among the top ten prodigies, back down? His bloodline forbade him from yielding.
Xiong Zhan's face twisted in fury, his crimson eyes locked onto Zhou Luo.
"I know you're stronger than me. If you've got the guts, suppress your strength to the same level as mine for a fair duel!"
"If I lose, I, Xiong Zhan, will admit defeat. But if you lose, you'll kneel before me!"
The blood in Xiong Zhan's veins was boiling. Being sent flying by a tray in the cafeteria and then suppressed by Zhou Luo in front of so many people—didn't he, Xiong Zhan, have any dignity left?
If he refused now, would he even be a man?
Even if he lost, he, Xiong Zhan, would accept it wholeheartedly!
"As you wish!"
This time, the two entered the Combat Tower voluntarily, so the forced duel was invalid.
The direct confrontation between the two top talents immediately stirred up the academy, with nearly half of the senior students coming to watch.