Regarding the continuous duel challenges from others, although Zheng Qing found it quite annoying, he was somewhat experienced in such matters.

It wasn’t his first time facing such situations.

Back when he first entered freshman year, due to Arthur Ness’s ’supportive undermining’ and the brilliant performance in the first Fu Lu class, there were people who began to privately ’challenge’ him, attempting to climb the ranks by stepping on his reputation.

This was the simplest choice for most unknowns to make a quick name for themselves.

Fortunately, Jiuyou Academy was not Starry Sky Academy, and most young wizards were still very rational. Additionally, as time went on, those ambitious young wizards either achieved their goals through other means, found more suitable opponents, or had already abandoned their delusions, allowing Zheng Qing’s life to gradually return to peace.

In the first semester of sophomore year, after Zheng Qing’s relationship with Su Shijun was exposed, he experienced a second peak wave of ’duels’, getting ambushed and attacked during this period as well.

The second duel wave subsided as Zheng Qing hung up the no-battle sign, remained reclusive for almost a month, and extensively used the Invisibility Talisman when going out. Of course, during this process, Su Shijun’s smashing half of Wandering Bar in response to Zheng Qing getting ambushed played a very important role—at least it made those outside the school who were ready to stir things up a bit more restrained.

And then there was this time.

When Zheng Qing pondered privately, he felt that the small actions of the Seven Deadly Sins Devils were merely a trigger. Their hiring people to initiate duels against him obviously caught the attention of many onlookers, causing many who had already extinguished their thoughts to become active again.

In Xiao Xiao’s words, there was no better ’duel’ target than him.

"In terms of reputation, you are almost one of the most renowned among all students at First University, even current Augustus and Lei Zhe might not necessarily be more famous than you; in terms of identity, you have the dual status of assistant teacher and student, challenging you is like fighting two at once... what could be more exciting than defeating a First University assistant teacher during student years?"

"No wonder!"

The fat wizard patted his thigh hard, interrupting the doctor’s analysis, his tone carrying a hint of realization: "I just felt like I’ve seen more blue robes at the school recently, to them, Mr. Zha is practically a walking experience bag! A beatable target with a teacher status, a strong sophomore—what better duel target than this? I remember those blue robes’ slogan is always ’As long as life lasts, the fight never stops’!"

"This is also the third point I want to emphasize."

Xiao Xiao adjusted his glasses, raised a third finger at the bathroom door: "In terms of strength, your image is very subtle in most people’s eyes, having had highlights like severely injuring Sepulano, participating in the Battle of the Black Prison, and leading a hunting team to the Campus Cup finals, and also fleeing in embarrassment when the pursuer of Su Councilor challenged, appearing like a kept man..."

"Who fled in embarrassment? Who’s a kept man?"

Zheng Qing, who had just walked out of the bathroom, happened to hear these two words and immediately became somewhat exasperated: "As a dignified assistant of First University, if I duel with a few students and win, "Beta Town Post" will certainly make a big fuss about me bullying the young; if I lose, I’d lose face completely! From another perspective, if I win, I earn nothing, if I lose, I become the laughingstock of the whole school... only an idiot would accept their provocations!"

"Why do I feel the term kept man is a compliment?" The fat wizard’s tone was eerie.

"So now you have only two choices," Xiao Xiao, ignoring Xin Fat Man’s complaints, raised his voice slightly: "Either cut through the chaos with a quick knife, accept whoever comes to provoke, and knock them all down one by one, this way you can fundamentally change the image you have in many people’s minds; or, continue last semester’s low-key strategy, wear the Invisibility Talisman for a few weeks... before those devils’ small actions end, keeping a low profile is a very suitable strategy."

"I don’t have that idle time to duel with them every day."

Zheng Qing sighed irritably and wearily, throwing himself into his tent.

In just a moment, he fell into a deep sleep.

Of course, before falling asleep, he didn’t forget to activate a Calm Heart Talisman and slip a few Nightmare Dolls under his pillow, which had almost become second nature to him.

The next day, Tuesday.

The campus was as peaceful and serene as ever.

The matter of Old Yao missing half of Monday morning’s classes, like a small stone thrown into Lin Zhong Lake, quickly disappeared with the ripples, and soon no one talked about it.

Along with the disappearance of the Horseman Tribe in the depths of Silent Forest, it was soon swallowed by more, fresher rumors — every day rare magical creatures disappear into the Silent Forest, compared to which, the Horseman Tribe seems particularly insignificant — and as Xin Fat Man commented, being able to hear rumors in time each time is a kind of skill, most of the time, before most people get a chance to hear about them, those rumors have already disappeared into silence.

This silence might be the vast Silent Forest, or it could be the Silence Contract drawn up by the school or the Alliance.

In short, the following days were uneventful.

Zheng Qing shuttled daily between teaching buildings and experimental buildings, completing those seemingly endless assignments, the ’small tasks’ that seemed to have no end in sight.

During these days, the only thing slightly beyond his ’plan’ was on Wednesday noon when Professor Yao summoned him to the office, and in the presence of Vice Principal Ruoyu and another ’big figure’ from the Alliance, reissued a refined Merlin Gold Medal for him.

"Merlin Gold Medal is a very high honor within the Alliance."

While hanging the heavy medal on Zheng Qing’s chest, Professor Yao also briefly introduced some situations related to it: "... The Trident Sword originally suggested holding a more solemn awarding ceremony for you, but considering your special situation, the reason for receiving the medal is still in the ’silence period’, plus your very tight schedule this semester, so I refused the Trident Sword’s arrangement on behalf of the school, choosing to award you in my office... I hope you don’t feel we are being perfunctory."

Zheng Qing shook his head repeatedly, observing the nose, observing the heart, trying hard to restrain all kinds of random thoughts.

Kidding, including Old Yao, there were a total of three legendary wizards standing in this small office, this treatment, this level, no one would feel slighted.

"Of course, I think you should also like to keep a low profile." Old Yao smiled and patted his shoulder.

"You can try the new summoning technique above."

Vice Principal Ruoyu, leaning on his silver-white Wolf Head cane, gently tapped it, and Old Yao’s originally somewhat narrow office suddenly expanded in all directions, turning into a spacious and large square within moments: "... We’re watching from the side, you don’t have to worry about the place being too small to unleash it."