Grassroots Travel: The Star Lord of Another World

Chapter 183 Training Hindered

"Master Wang, you are joking. Xiao Hei has just started special training. How can he compare to your Qilin?" Gao Xingchen stood in front of Xiao Hei calmly, trying to resolve this sudden challenge. It is true that Xiao Hei has awakened hidden skills, but after all, he has just started training. How can he be compared with Wang Teng's battle-hardened Qilin?

"Master Gao, do you look down on me, Wang Teng, or do you look down on my Qilin?" Wang Teng waved his folding fan with a hint of contempt in his tone, "Master Gao, have you forgotten that your Xiao Hei 'defeated' my Qilin in public at the auction?"

Wang Teng deliberately emphasized the word "defeat", and a whisper suddenly sounded around. Gao Xingchen cursed in his heart that Wang Teng was deliberately bringing up the past and roasting him on the fire.

"Master Wang, let bygones be bygones," Coach Qin stepped in to smooth things over. "Xiao Hei is currently in special training, so it's not convenient for us to play against him."

"Coach Qin, you can't say that," Wang Teng insisted, "As the saying goes, reviewing the old will help you learn new things. Maybe Master Gao will have more experience in training Xiao Hei after learning from my Qilin."

As he spoke, he cast a provocative look at Gao Xingchen, "Why, Master Gao doesn't dare?"

"Provocation doesn't work on me," Gao Xingchen stared back at him coldly, "I just don't want to waste time."

"Time? Master Gao is worried about losing the game and losing face, right?" Wang Teng laughed, his tone full of sarcasm, "That's right, after all, Master Gao is now famous. If he loses to me, wouldn't it be lowering his own status?"

Gao Xingchen clenched his fists. Every word Wang Teng said hit him where it hurt. He knew Wang Teng's intention, which was to take this opportunity to humiliate him and suppress his reputation.

"Okay, I promise you." Gao Xingchen took a deep breath and looked at Wang Teng firmly, "But I have one condition."

"Oh? What conditions?" Wang Teng asked with interest.

"Our duel will end when it's over," Gao Xingchen said word by word, "No one is allowed to kill anyone."

He knew that with Xiao Hei's current strength, he could never be the opponent of the Qilin. The reason why he agreed to this challenge was just to protect his and Xiao Hei's dignity, and he must not let Wang Teng look down on them.

"No problem." Wang Teng agreed readily, but he sneered in his heart. He was sure to win this game.

Gao Xingchen turned to look at Coach Qin, only to see that he had a frown on his face, as if he wanted to say something.

Coach Qin frowned, looking at the two people who were on edge, and said to Gao Xingchen in a low voice: "Xingchen, don't be impulsive! Wang Teng's Qilin is at the peak of the fourth level and has rich practical experience. It is too risky for Xiao Hei to fight it now."

Gao Xingchen naturally understood the gap, but he had a spirit of not admitting defeat in his heart, and was unwilling to show weakness in front of Wang Teng. "Coach Qin, I know you are worried, but if we back down now, it will only make Wang Teng more unscrupulous." He paused, his eyes firm, "I believe in Xiao Hei, he has the potential, we can't give up the opportunity because we are afraid of failure."

"But..." Coach Qin wanted to persuade him again, but was interrupted by Gao Xingchen.

"Coach Qin, don't worry, I know what's going on. I will do my best to improve Xiao Hei's strength while ensuring his safety."

Seeing that Gao Xingchen had made up his mind, Coach Qin sighed helplessly. He knew that Gao Xingchen was stubborn, so he could only remind him, "Xingchen, I know you want to prove yourself, but you must do it within your ability and don't rush it."

"I understand, thank you, Coach Qin." Gao Xingchen nodded solemnly.

After sending Wang Teng away, Gao Xingchen immediately devoted himself to Xiao Hei's training. He gave up the original step-by-step plan and adopted a more adventurous method - actual combat training.

Coach Qin strongly objected to this, "Xingchen, this is too risky! Xiao Hei hasn't laid a solid foundation yet, and it's easy to get injured if he goes straight into actual combat training!"

"Coach Qin, I know what you are worried about," Gao Xingchen explained, "but time is tight and we don't have time to take it slow. Only in actual combat can Xiao Hei grow faster and break through himself in a short period of time."

Coach Qin wanted to say something else, but seeing the determination in Gao Xingchen's eyes, he could only shut his mouth helplessly. He knew that Gao Xingchen had made up his mind and any persuasion would be futile.

In the next few days, Gao Xingchen took Xiao Hei to challenge various beasts, starting with low-level spirit beasts and gradually raising the level of his opponents. Xiao Hei accumulated experience in battle after battle, and his strength was also steadily improving.

However, Gao Xingchen knew clearly that these opponents were not at the same level as Wang Teng's Qilin. The real challenge was still to come.

Time passed day by day, and in the blink of an eye it was the day to fight with Xiao Hei. Gao Xingchen brought Xiao Hei to the arena, and Wang Teng had been waiting for a long time. Next to him stood a majestic Qilin, emitting a strong spiritual pressure. It was the fourth-level peak spirit beast that had shined at the auction.

Looking at the huge creature in front of him, Xiao Hei couldn't help feeling a little timid, and he instinctively hid behind Gao Xingchen.

Gao Xingchen gently stroked Xiao Hei's head and encouraged him softly, "Xiao Hei, don't be afraid. Show your courage! Remember, you are no worse than anyone else!"

Xiao Hei raised his head and looked at Gao Xingchen's determined eyes. The fear in his heart gradually dissipated, replaced by a high fighting spirit.

"Roar!"

Xiao Hei let out a deafening roar, announcing the start of the battle.

Gao Xingchen took a deep breath. He knew that the next battle would be extremely difficult, but no matter what, he would fight side by side with Xiao Hei to meet this challenge! The atmosphere in the arena was instantly ignited, and thunderous cheers broke out in the audience. Encouraged by Gao Xingchen, Xiao Hei bravely faced the huge Qilin. However, the reality was far more cruel than imagined.

Although Xiao Hei had accumulated some experience in previous battles, in the face of the absolute gap in strength, these experiences seemed insignificant. Every attack of Qilin was like a tidal wave, and Xiao Hei was exhausted from dodging and could not find any chance to fight back.

Failure after failure gradually wore away Xiao Hei's high morale. He began to doubt himself and whether he was really capable of defeating the powerful enemy before him.

Gao Xingchen keenly noticed the changes in Xiao Hei. He knew that what Xiao Hei needed most at this moment was encouragement and support.

"Xiao Hei, don't be discouraged, you've done a great job!" Gao Xingchen encouraged Xiao Hei loudly while directing him to dodge the attacks, "Remember the skills we learned in training before, you have to believe in yourself, you can do it!"

However, Xiao Hei seemed to have lost his fighting spirit, his eyes were full of confusion and helplessness. He lowered his head helplessly, allowing Qilin's attack to fall on him.

"Xiao Hei!" Gao Xingchen shouted anxiously, but Xiao Hei didn't respond at all.

Seeing that Xiao Hei was about to be hit by Qilin's attack, Gao Xingchen rushed forward without thinking and used his body to block Xiao Hei.

"boom!"

Qilin's attack landed heavily on Gao Xingchen. Gao Xingchen suddenly felt a huge force coming at him, and the whole person flew backwards like a kite with a broken string.

"Stars!"

In the audience, Nan Li exclaimed, stood up suddenly, his eyes full of worry.

Gao Xingchen struggled to get up from the ground, with a trace of blood flowing from the corner of his mouth. But he didn't care about his injuries and looked at Xiao Hei first.

"Xiao Hei, are you okay?" Gao Xingchen's voice was a little weak, but his tone was full of concern.

When Xiao Hei saw Gao Xingchen getting injured in order to protect him, he was filled with guilt and self-blame. He raised his head and looked at Gao Xingchen, tears welling up in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, master, I disappoint you..." Xiao Hei's voice was full of sadness and despair.

"Silly boy, what nonsense are you talking about!" Gao Xingchen endured the pain in his body, walked to Xiao Hei, and gently stroked its head. "You didn't let me down, you have tried very hard. We lost this game, but it's not your fault. I underestimated the opponent's strength."

"But, I..." Xiao Hei wanted to say something but was interrupted by Gao Xingchen.

"No buts. I believe in you. One day, you will defeat it and become the most powerful spirit beast!" Gao Xingchen's tone was firm and powerful, his eyes full of trust and expectation.

Xiao Hei looked at Gao Xingchen, and the fighting spirit in his heart, which was almost extinguished, burned again. He knew that he could not disappoint his master's expectations again. He had to become stronger and overcome all difficulties together with his master!

However, just when Xiao Hei was gradually getting back to form, Prince Wang spread rumors in public, saying that Xiao Hei had cheated to achieve his previous victory, which seriously affected Xiao Hei's reputation...

"Have you heard? That spirit beast named Xiao Hei cheated to gain victory before!"

"Is this true? No way, it looks like a very honest spirit beast."

"Of course it's true. My cousin is the prince's follower, so the news is absolutely reliable!"

On the training ground, similar discussions were heard constantly, like winged insects buzzing into Gao Xingchen's ears, making him upset.

Ever since Xiao Hei was defeated by Prince Wang's Qilin last time, Prince Wang has been spreading rumors everywhere, saying that Xiao Hei's previous victories were obtained through unfair means, and he even threatened to expose their "scam" in public.

In a short time, Xiao Hei went from being a highly anticipated rising star to a "cheater" that everyone wanted to punish.

Gao Xingchen clenched his fists and tried to suppress the anger in his heart. He knew that Prince Wang was deliberately disrupting the morale of the army in order to undermine the confidence of him and Xiao Hei.

"Xiao Hei, don't listen to their nonsense!" Gao Xingchen squatted down, gently stroked Xiao Hei's soft fur, and said in a firm tone, "We are upright and upright, there is no need to be afraid of them!"

Xiao Hei raised his head and looked at Gao Xingchen, with a firm light in his eyes. Although he could not understand what those people were saying, he could feel Gao Xingchen's trust and support for him, which was enough.

"Roar!" Xiao Hei growled, as if responding to Gao Xingchen's encouragement, and also as if warning those who spread rumors.

However, the power of rumors is far more terrible than imagined. More and more people began to question Xiao Hei's ability, and even some viewers who originally supported them began to waver.

The originally lively atmosphere on the training ground became extremely depressing.

"Xingchen, what are you going to do?" Coach Qin walked up to Gao Xingchen, frowning, with a hint of worry in his tone, "Young Master Wang came prepared this time, we can't let our guard down."

Gao Xingchen was silent for a moment, with a ruthless look in his eyes. "If an enemy comes, we will fight him with our troops; if a flood comes, we will block it with earth! Since he wants to play, then we will play with him to the end!"

Coach Qin nodded. He knew Gao Xingchen's character. Once he made a decision, he would never change it easily.

"Okay! Since you have made up your mind, I won't say much," Coach Qin patted Gao Xingchen on the shoulder, "Remember, no matter what happens, I will support you!"

Gao Xingchen looked at Coach Qin with gratitude. He knew that he was not alone in this strange world. He had friends and partners fighting side by side with him!

However, the following training was more difficult than expected. The pressure of rumors was like an invisible mountain, pressing down on Gao Xingchen and Xiao Hei's hearts, making them breathless.

Xiao Hei's training status obviously declined, and his once skilled movements became clumsy. It seemed that it also felt the strange looks around it, and became a little timid, not daring to train freely like before.

Gao Xingchen knew that this wouldn't work! He had to find a way to help Xiao Hei regain his confidence!

But how to do it?

Gao Xingchen fell into deep thought, his brows furrowed, his eyes full of anxiety...