If Heaven hadn't given birth to me, I would be arrogant.

"A challenge?" Fox, who was still feeling embarrassed and annoyed, was stunned for a moment when he saw the white gloves lying at his feet. Then, a look of ecstatic joy appeared on his face.

"You actually challenged me? Hahaha! Hahaha!" Fox laughed wildly. He couldn't hold back any longer. He had always wanted to teach Zong Ze a lesson, especially after Zong Ze publicly insulted his cousin Long Xiaotian last time, but he had been struggling to find an opportunity!

His own strength far surpassed Zong Ze's, and challenging him would be utterly humiliating. Even if he weren't afraid of losing face and actually challenged him, according to the rules of the continent, the challenged person had the right to choose the method of challenge, and given Zong Ze's intelligence, he was genuinely afraid that Zong Ze would propose some bizarre challenge.

But today, fate has presented me with such a wonderful opportunity; Zong Ze is actually challenging me. The choice of how to challenge him is now in my own hands.

“Good!” Fox said loudly, “According to the rules of the continent, I have the right to choose the time, place, and method of the challenge, right!”

“That’s right!” Zong Ze remained calm and composed.

Seeing Zong Ze nod, Fox was ecstatic: "Time: the day after tomorrow morning; Location: the Imperial Capital Duel Arena; Method: armed combat! Do you agree? Of course, if you're scared, I can suppress my power and duel you!"

Upon hearing Fox's words, the people around started discussing among themselves. It seemed that the Zong family was really going to make a fool of themselves this time!

Fox's choice was obvious: the Imperial Capital Duel Arena, a duel arena that can hold 100,000 people. Moreover, Fox had scheduled it for the day after tomorrow. Two days would be enough time for the news to spread, and the duel arena would probably be packed to capacity. Zong Ze would be brutally defeated by Fox right under the noses of 100,000 people!

Everyone assumed that Zongze might propose some conditions, given the vast difference in strength between him and Fox; it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to make such demands. However, to everyone's surprise, Zongze shook his head and said, "I don't need you to suppress your strength. A duel is a duel. If you suppress your strength, is it still a duel?"

"However, I have a small problem!" Just when everyone thought Zong Ze had gone mad, he changed the subject, and everyone realized it was normal. With Zong Ze's wisdom, how could he agree to such a foolish condition? It seems Zong Ze does have conditions!

"I wonder if the combat you're referring to includes all forms of force? For example, does it include carrying weapons? Can you bring spirit pets along to fight?" Zong Ze asked tentatively. "As you know, I've never participated in a combat duel before, so, hehe, I don't quite understand!"

"You? A spirit pet? You mean the pig at your feet?" Fox laughed heartily after hearing Zong Ze's question, and it took him a while to recover before saying, "As long as you don't bring another person to help you, you can bring a spirit pet. You can use any weapon you want, even your grandfather's legendary greatsword is fine!"

Han Gong nodded and said, "Oh! So that means that as long as I and my spirit pet defeat you in the duel arena, and as long as no outsiders are involved, no matter what method I use, as long as I defeat you, it will be considered a victory for me?"

“That’s right!” Fox said arrogantly, but then he suddenly remembered something: “But you can’t borrow other people’s spirit pets, you can only bring your own. If you borrow your grandfather’s Earth Rhinoceros Dragon, then there’s no point in fighting!”

"Of course!" Zong Ze nodded and said, "I'll naturally bring my own spirit pet. Don't worry, I won't bring any other spirit pets. If I'm going to bring one, it will only be Little Black! Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now. A duel... just thinking about it is exciting. I need to go home and prepare!"

After saying that, Zongze turned to leave, but Fox called out to him, "Wait a minute!"

"Oh?" Zong Ze turned around. "Is there anything else?"

"I don't think just dueling is very interesting!" Fox became increasingly excited as more and more classmates gathered around to watch. "I want to add a little wager. Are you willing to accept?"

"A bet?" Zong Ze frowned slightly. "Team Leader Fox, I think I need to remind you that although the Empire doesn't oppose gambling, the Academy seems to forbid it! Besides, how could I gamble with you? Your father is the Minister of Finance; in terms of wealth, my Zong family can't compare to yours!"

Fox wasn't sure if he understood the implication in Zong Ze's words about their family's corruption; when Zong Ze mentioned gambling, he quickly shook his head and said:

"No, no, no! You misunderstood. As the group leader for the first year, how could I lead the way in breaking school rules? I didn't mean to gamble with you!"

"What do you want to bet on?" Zong Ze asked!

"I'll bet you an apology!" A sinister smile crept across Fox's face. "If you lose, I'll make you kneel before me in the dueling arena in front of everyone and kiss the back of my feet to apologize!"

"Oh! Fox, you're so wicked!" Zong Ze slapped his forehead, sighed deeply, and then said, "I agree. If I lose, I'll kneel before you in front of everyone and kiss the back of your feet to apologize! But what if you lose?"

"Me?" Fox smiled dismissively. "How could I possibly lose? Don't forget, I'm a level nine martial artist!"

"What if you lose?" Zongze said softly, "There's a saying in the Empire that even the most powerful person can have a stroke of luck, and even the fastest horse can stumble. What if you happen to stumble in the dueling arena?"

“Okay!” Fox nodded and said, “I promise you, if I lose to you, I will kneel down in front of you in front of everyone and kiss the back of your feet to apologize!”

"Oh no, my team leader!" Zong Ze quickly shook his head and said, "The empire has abolished slavery now, so I won't make you do what slaves do. If you lose, all I need you to do is kneel in front of me in public, kiss the back of my hand, and apologize to me!"

“Alright! It’s a deal!” Fox nodded. “Zongze, you should go back and prepare to lose. Although the Empire has abolished slavery, I don’t mind you groveling at my feet like a slave and apologizing to me. Just you wait!”

After saying that, Fox turned and left the pavilion!

Speaking of which, Fox's bet was undeniably malicious. Although the kneeling and foot-kissing ceremony still existed in many noble households, the official authorities had actually abolished it. This was because the foot-kissing ceremony was a gesture of respect from slaves to their masters, and since the empire abolished slavery, it naturally abolished this ceremony as well.

The current custom in the empire is to kneel and kiss hands, a gesture of respect used by commoners when addressing nobles!

Fox's plan was good, but he was destined for tragedy the day after tomorrow. Those who insult others will always be insulted in return. He brought this upon himself, so who can he blame?