Volume One, Chapter 15: Rejecting the Confession Once More; You Run, I Chase—No Wings Can Help You Escape
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Everyone could only sit quietly and listen to Wu Wu boast about his younger days.
How he had slain a Beast King with a single stroke, how he had been admitted to the finest martial arts university, how he had once been pursued by the most beautiful girl on campus…
His stories made everyone’s hearts tremble.
He went on for a full half hour. Had he not grown thirsty and stopped to drink some water, he probably would have continued indefinitely.
Still, Wu Wu told his stories with such vivid flair that they were genuinely entertaining.
With nothing better to do, Tang Xi used the system to check on Jian Qingyu.
She had already fallen asleep and looked unbearably adorable.
“I absolutely have to take first place in the school’s mock examination. And in the joint examination a week from now, I have to take first place there too. The resources awarded should be quite good.”
Large-scale joint examinations were generally decided upon by the senior authorities of the Tenth King City, and their rewards were by no means comparable to those offered in competitions organized by individual schools.
………
At the Immortal Martial Bureau, Zhao Shixuan looked toward Wang Qi.
“Wang Qi, how did it go?”
“Chief, he has confessed. Apparently, someone contacted him and hired him to assassinate Tang Xi. But the person who contacted him was a third-party intermediary. He doesn’t know who was behind it.”
“Hmph! It seems the mastermind is quite cautious. Follow the trail, but don’t alert the snake. The ten high schools will be holding a joint examination soon, and nothing can go wrong. Increase patrols immediately.”
“Also, keep an eye on Tang Xi’s recent movements. We need to investigate further to determine whether he truly is an unparalleled genius.”
………
In the main hall of the Xu family residence, the head of the Xu family frowned and glared angrily at the middle-aged man standing before him with his head lowered.
“You actually failed to kill a mere Qi Refining brat?”
The middle-aged man’s voice carried a hint of lingering fear.
“Patriarch, as far as I know, the Immortal Martial Bureau seems to have intervened. The assassin was captured by them and may already have confessed.”
“But you can rest assured, Patriarch. I hired the assassin through a third-party intermediary, and I also killed the intermediary myself. Nothing will lead back to the Xu family.”
“Hmph! At least you were quick-witted. Don’t make another move against that boy for now. Wait until I give the order.”
The middle-aged man said, “Patriarch, the young master refuses to eat or drink and keeps clamoring to leave. Should we—?”
“Bring that rebellious son to me.”
………
When Xu Wuhen saw Xu Quan, he put on a pitiful expression.
Xu Quan snorted coldly.
“Hmph! The high schools of the Tenth King City will be holding a joint examination soon. Get me a good result and give your mother a surprise. Otherwise, your confinement will be extended. You’ll have to win back the honor you lost yourself.”
“Don’t worry, Father! I was merely careless last time. I’m a genius who cultivates the Nascent Soul Method. I won’t be careless again and lose to that little bastard Tang Xi.”
………
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In a dim underground chamber, the spacious room had been built in a circular shape. Strange patterns were carved into the walls, radiating a scarlet glow and giving the entire place an eerie atmosphere.
At the very front stood a serpent-shaped statue, with a bronze chair beneath it.
A man wearing an Evil Ram mask sat in the chair, tapping his fingers against the armrest.
The mask was hideous and terrifying, seeming to smile and yet not smile, displaying the ram’s malevolence to the fullest.
“The Spectral Maiden is dead, but the token shows no sign of having been activated. It seems it did not fall into the hands of the Immortal Martial Bureau.”
“The Spectral Maiden’s death was filled with unforeseen complications. Everything seems to point toward a senior high school student named Tang Xi.”
“Someone, inform all subordinate members that they are to reduce their activities for the time being. Do not attract the attention of the Immortal Martial Bureau. Anyone who causes trouble will answer to the Evil God.”
………
Tang Xi had no idea that he had been targeted.
At noon, he went to the cafeteria with Mu Fan and ate to his heart’s content.
After finishing their meal, the two were taking a stroll when Qing Hua blocked their path.
“Mu Fan, I need to speak with Tang Xi. You go on ahead.”
“Sure thing! Brother Xi, put on a good show.”
………
Tang Xi looked at the radiant smile in Qing Hua’s eyes and felt somewhat alarmed.
What was she planning this time?
“Great Beauty Qing, what are you trying to do?”
“Tang Xi, you still don’t understand what I want?”
“I want to tell you that I like you. Be my boyfriend!”
Tang Xi fell silent.
Good grief! Had she become addicted to confessing her feelings? This was the hundredth time—an entire hundred times. What kind of completely unhinged girl did this?
“Qing Hua, I don’t want to be your boyfriend. You’re a wonderful girl, and you’ll naturally meet someone even better. We can just be friends. Why insist on becoming a couple? Really now…”
“I don’t care. I’ve decided that you’re the one for me in this lifetime,” Qing Hua said, puffing out her cheeks.
Tang Xi folded his arms across his chest. “Well, I don’t care either. I’m not becoming your boyfriend.”
With that, he turned and bolted. If he stayed any longer, he had a feeling she would devour him whole.
Qing Hua’s voice came from behind him.
“Tang Xi, I’m going to keep pursuing you! You run, I’ll chase. You won’t escape me even if you grow wings—until I catch you!”
Tang Xi stumbled and nearly fell, then fled even faster.
What kind of savage thing was that to say—and coming from a girl, no less?
Watching Tang Xi’s disheveled back as he ran away, Qing Hua smiled.
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“I never imagined you were so interesting when you were young. You were just far too stubborn. You once even told me that you had been in three relationships. Does this look like someone who could actually manage a relationship? Besides me, what girl would ever like someone as hopelessly unromantic as you? Hee hee hee…”
………
By afternoon, Tang Xi’s class was Class Ten. No. 10 High School had sixty senior classes, with an average of eighty to ninety students in each.
Apart from Wu Wu, the Immortal Path teacher, Zhao Minghan, was also present.
“There are eighty-eight students in our class. Six of you will be selected to represent Class Ten in the school competition. Display your strength to the fullest; this will also serve as a test for all of you. After passing through the Bronze Gate, I’m sure you now understand the cruelty of the ferocious beasts.”
“The peaceful and stable lives we enjoy are built upon the burdens carried forward by others. One day, each of you will take on that same responsibility in their place.”
After Wu Wu finished speaking, Zhao Minghan took charge of the competition.
“Students, the matches will be arranged according to student number. Student One will face Student Eighty-Eight, Student Two will face Student Eighty-Seven, and so on. This is only a sparring competition. No one is permitted to kill or seriously injure an opponent. Ten matches will take place at a time.”
Tang Xi was Student Number Thirty-Three, which meant he would face Student Number Fifty-Five.
Mu Fan was Student Number Seventy-Six, and his opponent was Student Number Twelve.
Mu Fan’s opponent was a girl named Chen Lei, who possessed the strength of the first level of Qi Refining.
“Mu Fan, surrender! The martial path can never defeat the Immortal Path.”
“Chen Lei, if I hit you with my fist as big as a sandbag, you’re going to cry!”
Chen Lei swung an iron sword at Mu Fan. The veins on Mu Fan’s right arm bulged as he shifted aside, then gently pushed his palm against Chen Lei’s back.
With a soft cry, Chen Lei fell to the ground. She rose to her feet, looking as though she were about to burst into tears.
Mu Fan was speechless. She was both hopelessly weak and inexplicably eager to fight.
Tang Xi’s opponent was a male student at the first level of Qi Refining. Tang Xi let him have a few moves before ending the battle and winning with ease.
Most of the students’ fights failed to attract his attention. They were little more than children playing house.
Soon, the second round began. Tang Xi and Mu Fan both won effortlessly.
The third round was just as easy.
Eleven students advanced to the fourth round, so the matches were decided by drawing lots. Tang Xi drew Number Five, while Mu Fan drew Number Six.
Number Six received a bye, allowing Mu Fan to advance automatically.
Tang Xi’s opponent was a student named Tong Cheng, who was at the second level of Qi Refining. He possessed some ability. To have reached the second level of Qi Refining after entering the Bronze Gate for the first time, he clearly had a certain amount of talent.
Unfortunately, he was still defeated by Tang Xi.
The Class Ten selection ended after only an hour. Wu Wu announced the results.
“The following six students will represent Class Ten in the school competition: Tang Xi, Mu Fan, Zhao Haoyu, Wang Ya, Zhao Xiaomin, and Chen Huang. I hope all six of you will achieve excellent results.”
“Make Class Ten proud.”
………
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