Chapter 149: The Jia Ji Laughs: The Draw Card

"Hey, Yuuji, I've nothing more to teach you—go learn the Free Method from others now."

"Yes, Master Jia Ji!"

The torch boy stood at attention.

Sakai Yuuji answered with renewed vigor; since the past month of training, whether classmates or himself, anyone not utterly foolish could see the once ordinary boy had undergone a complete transformation in spirit.

Though he felt Jia Ji's training was designed to kill him—so much so that just standing before him now triggered an instinctive urge to flee.

But Sakai Yuuji understood that for a common mortal like himself, there was no other way to grow strong so quickly except through sheer effort; his awareness of danger and evasion had become instinct, deeply etched into his mind, greatly enhancing his combat awareness and hand-to-hand skills.

Even if his physical condition hadn't changed much, he felt that now, even unarmed, he could take down three street thugs and send them all to the hospital; even if he faced the man-eating Phosphor again, he could now duel with it using the artifacts he'd mastered and even kill it.

Calling Jia Ji "Master" now was sincere.

"Hmm."

Jia Ji sighed again, looking at Yuuji, then at Xia Na.

It seemed he'd been smitten by last night's dazzling Xia Na—but Xia Na, contrary to the original story, felt nothing for him.

Yet what Jia Ji was pondering wasn't the complicated romance between teenagers; he wasn't some love advice master—he couldn't even sort out his own affairs, let alone give bad advice?

What was looping in his mind right now was last night's successful "Dragon Car" stop, followed by his defeat in battle.

He hadn't felt much at the time, but after sleeping, he suddenly felt the helplessness of being a relic of the old era.

As Jia Ji ate breakfast made by Yuuji's mother, his face twisted in pain as he reflected on why he'd lost to a girl wielding a tachi.

Ah,

I remember—I'm a martial artist… I, my Northern Dipper Divine Fist, cannot lose!

If I hadn't chosen to wield a greatsword from the start, but instead entrusted my body to martial arts, to the Northern Dipper Divine Fist, how could I have lost?

The Northern Dipper Divine Fist, passed down once every two thousand years, invincible under heaven, its true power isn't just what I showed!

That "Dragon Ascension Sword, Lion Slash" nonsense should've been scrapped long ago!

Strictly speaking, he didn't lose to Xia Na—he lost to Xia Na who'd copied the Phoenix Fist and applied it to the Northern Dipper Divine Fist… meaning he lost to his own Northern Dipper Divine Fist!

Losing to oneself isn't shameful… but then again, he was still outclassed.

"I still have two punches left! I—"

"Yuuji's leaving—ignore this guy, let him go crazy on his own."

Ignoring Jia Ji's daily meltdown that morning, Xia Na, having won decisively, hummed happily, biting into a pineapple bun as she prepared to head to school.

Of course, she didn't have to go to school—the Faliyagni had been reduced to dust, and the Red World Apostles wouldn't randomly attack a school.

Even if they did, they'd abide by the world's fundamental law: the Sealing of the Absolute.

From Yuuji's house to school, with a Flame Haze warrior's triple-normal speed, it took only seconds; if absolutely necessary, she could use the "Phoenix Roar Sky Strike" that had just knocked Jia Ji to his knees, drastically shortening the time.

Yet she, who once didn't care about school, now hummed cheerfully on her way there—perhaps something good had happened at school, maybe she'd made real-life friends.

Constantly chatting in groups isn't good for minors' mental and physical development.

【Big Goddess: What kind of group is this? It's ruined people. pg】

【Yin-Yang Eye Witness: If you're talking about ruining people, you're the main culprit, aren't you?】

【Forever Seventeen: Didn't it make people better? Didn't it make people better?】

【Big Goddess: How's it going over there? Any new troubles? @Lan Yuan Yanzhu @Ice Queen @Changmen Damingshen】

【Lan Yuan Yanzhu: Everything's going smoothly (˙▽˙)】

【Ice Queen: Do you think anything could happen with me around?】

【Changmen Damingshen: Quiet】

Jia Ji knew that Xi meant that Lang Ping Ri hadn't pulled any big stunts yet—but that might not last.

【Xia Na: Why do you suddenly seem so idle? Are you already eager to leave?】

【Big Goddess: No rule says you must clear a world before leaving—it's not a dungeon… and honestly, this world feels the same with or without me▄██●】

【Big Goddess: You guys don't need my help anymore—just say the word @Yin-Yang Eye Witness @Angel After Death】

Jia Ji felt like he'd put on a mask of agony; in group combat power, Yun Zi was definitely first among martial types, Xiao Ai second, and third should've been him—now stolen by enhanced Xia Na.

Lost to the Realm Demon, lost to Xiao Ai, lost to Xia Na—if I lose again, there'll be no one left to lose to.

Plus, he was stuck in a bottleneck—his strength hadn't improved in ages, while others neared their own limits… the word "haha" slipped out involuntarily.

One after another are either major villains or heroines—so I'm the only common mortal?

He'd already handed over all the intelligence he knew to Xia Na; now even his combat power couldn't match hers. Staying here anymore would only let him play support—and when the Star Dawn Palace arrived, what difference would he make compared to Gourado, who couldn't fly?

【Angel After Death: No need】

【Yin-Yang Eye Witness: Though I've had a bit of trouble lately, overall there's no danger… check out my recent training results 【image. pg】】

The image showed a girl's arm, beginning to show muscle definition, straining her biceps and triceps into elegant curves—clearly natural, the result of hard work.

【Big Goddess: Good, keep it up… by the way, Witness, do you know someone named Tian Ma Xiwang? You two might have a lot in common.】

【Yin-Yang Eye Witness: Is… is that so?】

【Forever Seventeen: Wait, why not ask if we want to help? @Big Goddess】

【Big Goddess: Next time, definitely next time】

The palpable black malice seemed to seep through the screen.

If I went over now, Yun Zi would definitely trap me in a gap-black room for three months of ultimate humiliation as personal revenge.

Jia Ji had decided: before breaking through, he wouldn't go to the East.

【Big Goddess: If everyone's fine, shall I add a new member?】

【Forever Seventeen: I have something (raises hand)】

【Big Goddess: Alright, looks like everyone's fine with it】

"What? A new member?"

Xia Na, just stepping out the door, instantly teleported beside him, eyes sparkling with anticipation.

She'd never seen a card-draw ceremony—school could wait.

So who would be added this time?

"Hmm… how about this." Jia Ji pondered, rubbing his head, finally having an idea.

"Someone who matches my vibe, slightly stronger in combat—but not too much… someone who can fight hard, whose opponents hit hard, no weird rule-based nonsense…"

"Someone who can help me break through this mediocrity and step beyond the 2001-year-old path of the Northern Dipper Divine Fist!"

(End of Chapter)