Chapter 168: It

Two o'clock in the afternoon.

Zhang Suannai's match.

Her opponent is a Sword Cultivator from a Military Academy.

The Military Academy has the support of the Wangting Sword Sect behind it, so the Sword Cultivator naturally follows the Wangting Sword Sect's path, which has certain differences from Zhang Suannai's Traditional Sword Cultivator path.

Comparing the two, the Traditional Sword Cultivator leans slightly more toward the Spirit Cultivator side, while the Wangting side leans relatively more toward the Martial Cultivator side.

This is because the era in which the Sword Sect was born was quite early; it was the age of Spirit Cultivators, so it inevitably was heavily influenced by the Spirit Cultivator system. The Wangting Sword Sect, however, is a new force that split from the Sword Sect a thousand years ago. Compared to Traditional Sword Cultivators, they do not value innate talent as much, valuing acquired effort more; both their combat style and cultivation method lean more toward Martial Cultivators, retaining only a small portion of the Sword Sect's core.

Of course, the current Traditional Sword Cultivators are not actually that traditional anymore; times are changing, and those who are too conservative cannot survive.

Generally speaking, those who use Sword control for attacks, with Sword Light dancing and ten thousand Swords shuttling, are Traditional Sword Cultivators. Those who hold the Sword with a body like lightning, achieving Human-Sword Unity, graceful as a startled swan and supple as a swimming dragon, are Wangting Sword Cultivators.

Both are very cool.

It is a pity that the two on the Arena are too different.

One is Fifth Stage, one is Fourth Stage; one is a heaven-favored child seen once in a century, the other is just an ordinary genius—there is almost no fight to be had.

It just so happens that the Sword Sect and the Wangting Sword Sect are mortal enemies—

Thus, in order to uphold the orthodoxy of the Sword Sect, Zhang Suannai held back almost nothing. For a moment, only Sword Light could be seen filling the Arena, and in just an instant, the winner was decided.

"Whoosh!"

Zhang Suannai brandished the Long Sword, emitting a slight sound of breaking air, and after a few Sword flourishes, she tossed it into the air.

The Long Sword spun as it flew up, then spun as it fell.

Zhang Suannai held the scabbard and caught it casually.

"Clink!"

The Long Sword landed steadily into the scabbard.

What a cool display.

Standing outside watching, Chen Shu could not help but think.

Just as he looked up, on the other side of the field were a Daoist and a monk; the Daoist had delicate features, the monk was tall and sturdy, and both were looking at him with smiles.

The Daoist even waved at him.

Chen Shu said in a low voice to Qingqing beside him, "I'm going over to greet them. You stay here; they don't know yet that you are in the group, and Zhang Suannai also doesn't want you to know that we have this group."

Ning Qing rolled her eyes.

Chen Shu smiled brightly, walked over, circled half the Martial Arts Arena, and quickly arrived before them.

"Gate of All Wonders? Green Lamp Ancient Buddha?"

"Qingcai Keke?"

"Amitabha, Qingcai Caike."

"Greetings, two masters." Chen Shu returned the greeting, "This is our first official meeting, right?"

"Yes." The monk nodded.

"That's right." The Daoist also nodded.

"My real name is Chen Shu, which both group members already know. May I ask for your Dharma names?" Chen Shu asked again.

"This poor monk is of the 'Tong' generation; I was picked up by my master under a street lamp, so my master gave me the Dharma name Tongdeng." The monk pressed his palms together, wearing a smile, and then leisurely said Amitabha, "Qingcai Caike, greetings to you."

"My Daoist name is Xuanzhen. I only know my secular surname is Pei; I don't have a given name. My ID card says Pei Xuanzhen." The Daoist also said, but he laughed, "Why does it feel more restrained than when we are in the group?"

"It is the first time we've met, after all. I was afraid that if I acted too familiar right away, you wouldn't be able to handle it."

"It doesn't matter to me; just be casual."

"You are thoughtful, benefactor." Qingdeng Gufu said, then looked toward the other side of the Martial Arts Arena, "Is that the one that Zhang Suannai often mentions..."

"Yes, my childhood sweetheart, the roommate that Zhang Suannai always mentions in the group. Her name is Ning Qing." Chen Shu paused and added, "However, Zhang Suannai does not want her to know about the things in our group, so I won't introduce you to her."

"Understood, understood."

Qingdeng Gufu glanced at Ning Qing in the distance again.

Zhong Miao Zhimen also glanced in that direction. It just so happened that Ning Qing was also looking toward this side. His gaze inadvertently made contact with Ning Qing, and he immediately frowned slightly. But when he sensed carefully, he could not detect anything, so he felt a strange sensation like a fishbone stuck in his throat.

At this time, Zhang Suannai had already returned to Ning Qing's side. Feeling she had pulled off a cool move, she was delighted and asked immediately:

"Was I cool?"

Ning Qing only glanced at her faintly, then looked at Chen Shu again.

"Uh..."

Zhang Suannai felt a bit awkward.

Immediately, she followed Ning Qing's gaze and looked over, her line of sight crossing half the Martial Arts Arena, and she also saw the three of them. The surroundings were noisy, and she could not hear what they were saying.

She only saw the three of them chatting and laughing.

Zhang Suannai immediately became vigilant and glanced at her roommate beside her without changing her expression.

The roommate looked as usual.

"Phew..."

Zhang Suannai breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Chen Shu and the two silly group members were decent enough not to meet up in front of Ning Qing. Otherwise, with Ning Qing's intelligence and titanium-alloy dog eyes, it would likely be easy for her to detect the existence of the Ancient Cultivation Group from their conversation. If she followed the clues, perhaps her own dark history would not be safe either.

Cannot let her roommate know.

"Haha..."

Zhang Suannai gave a dry laugh, pretending to be completely unaware, and said to her, "How come your boyfriend who isn't dating you ran over there to talk to a Daoist and a monk? Could it be that he wants to enter the gate of emptiness?"

Ning Qing glanced at her faintly and said nothing.

After all, she does not tell lies.

Not long after, Chen Shu bid the two farewell and walked back.

And those two people, still separated by half the Martial Arts Arena, cast a meaningful glance toward Zhang Suannai, as if they were greeting her.

Zhang Suannai could not help but frown—

These two did not yet know how smart and terrifying Ning Qing was; such small actions of signaling her were very easily discovered by Ning Qing. If Ning Qing realized that she and Chen Shu both knew these two people, it would be very easy to detect something unusual.

Zhang Suannai glanced at Ning Qing again.

Fortunately—

Her roommate's entire focus seemed to be on Chen Shu, her expression light and calm, and she had not noticed anything unusual.

"Whew..."

Zhang Suannai breathed a sigh of relief again, though she felt strange inside.

There were still matches for Yan Keling afterward, so Chen Shu was too lazy to watch them; however, Zhang Suannai, Sect of All Wonders, and Green Lamp Ancient Buddha all expressed that they wanted to go take a look and witness the methods of the Imperial Sect, which had disappeared for a thousand years and reappeared in the world. Thus, they remained there, while Chen Shu took Ning Qing out of this school.

"Buzz, buzz."

Chen Shu took out his Mobile Phone and looked—

Grandma Always Says: @Sect of All Wonders @Green Lamp Ancient Buddha

Grandma Always Says: Don't you two signal me in front of that girl; don't think everyone is as stupid as you. Such obvious signals, my roommate can definitely see them. You cannot let her know that I am in the same group as Qingcai.

Grandma Always Says: Understand?

Sect of All Wonders: /Awkward yet polite smile

Green Lamp Ancient Buddha: Amitabha

Qingcai Keke: /Yawn

Just as Chen Shu finished sending it and turned around, wanting to reach into Qingqing's pocket, he saw a fair, tender hand extended, holding a Mobile Phone, handing it to him.

And she had even opened the Ancient Cultivation Group for him.

"So thoughtful!"

Chen Shu praised her and took the Mobile Phone.

Zhaoye Qing: /Yawn

Haoran Zhengqi: /Eating melon seeds

Grandma Always Says: Did you hear me? You two!

Sect of All Wonders: Beg me.

Grandma Always Says: I'll beat your dog head in in a few days.

Green Lamp Ancient Buddha: This poor monk will try his best to keep it hidden for you.

Grandma Always Says: You're the sensible one.

Green Lamp Ancient Buddha:...

Haoran Zhengqi: /Eating melon seeds

Qingcai Keke: Speaking of which, isn't Senior Brother Wuming from the Military Academy? How come we are already at the Military Academy, and he still hasn't shown his face?

Grandma Always Says: Maybe it's because my looks are too high, he feels inferior inside and doesn't dare to come out.

Sect of All Wonders: Not because you're afraid of being beaten by you?

Sect of All Wonders: Know that you can't beat him?

Grandma Always Says: Shut up /Smile

Nameless Person: Sorry, I've been a bit busy lately, so I haven't had time to come watch everyone's matches!

Nameless Person: If I have time, I will definitely come!

Grandma Always Says: Busy with what?

Nameless Person: Just personal matters!

Grandma Always Says: Pfft!

Grandma Always Says: You didn't go on a blind date, did you?

Grandma Always Says: Or is it that after finding out Qingcai is a cross-dressing pervert, you don't want to come out anymore?

Qingcai Keke: Who are you calling a cross-dressing pervert?

Nameless Person: No!

Beauty with Eight-Pack Abs: What are you all talking about? Why can't I understand?

Grandma Always Says: Oh, oops.

Grandma Always Says: Forgot there's a new member.

Qingcai Keke: Prepare well for the battle @Beauty with Eight-Pack Abs

Chen Shu could not help but reveal a smile.

Ning Qing watched him from the side, as if infected by his smile, her brows and eyes brightening a little, only asking him calmly: "What are you laughing at?"

"Laughing at your stupid roommate."

"Is it fun?"

"It's fun."

"Childish."

"You're the one who's childish!"

"You're childish."

"You're the most childish!"

"Do you think I'm going to go back and forth with you for a long time?" Ning Qing glanced at him lightly, then shook her head helplessly, "Truly childish."

"Pfft..."

Chen Shu was too lazy to talk to her.

Putting away his Mobile Phone, he walked back side-by-side with her; the road back from the Military Academy was neither long nor short, and neither of them was in a hurry.

……

That evening.

Chen Shu had just finished showering when he received a video call invitation from the little girl; after he connected, the little girl's serious and delicate face appeared on the Mobile Phone screen.

"Brother-in-law!"

"Hmm? What is it, Xiaoxiao?"

"I want to go watch your competition tomorrow too!"

"Why?"

"I want to go watch."

"That won't work." Chen Shu shook his head, "The Military Academy is under restricted access; you can't just come and go as you please."

"Sister can go."

"That's because she has an entry pass."

"……" The little girl stared at him silently for a few seconds, then drew a conclusion, "Brother-in-law, you don't want me to go."

"That's not true!"

Chen Shu immediately cried foul and pulled out his own entry pass to prove his innocence: "The Military Academy really is under restricted access; you have to have this to get in and out."

"Help me get one too."

"I can't get one."

"You just don't want me to go."

"I really can't get one!" Chen Shu reiterated, "If I could get one, I would definitely let you go!"

"Really?"

"Really! When has your brother-in-law ever lied to you?"

"I just had Sister Zhang Suannai help me get one."

"Cough, cough!"

Chen Shu was almost choked by her.

The little girl in the video calmly asked with concern: "Brother-in-law, are you okay?"

"Emmm……"

Chen Shu pondered for a few seconds: "I didn't say that just now."

"Brother-in-law, I have the recording on."

"……"

Chen Shu couldn't help but fall into silence.

The little girl in the video didn't make a sound either, quietly peeking at him.

The two stared at each other.

A few minutes later.

Chen Shu silently opened the group chat.

Qingcai Keke: Zhang Suannai!!!

Qingcai Keke: Come out!!!

Nainai Zongshuo: /Your grandpa is here

Nainai Zongshuo: Something up?

Qingcai Keke: You helped Xiaoxiao get an entry pass?

Nainai Zongshuo: Ah!

Nainai Zongshuo: What's wrong?

Nainai Zongshuo: /Righteous and confident

Qingcai Keke: You don't know she's a minor?

Nainai Zongshuo: Didn't she go watch your school's Martial Body competition before?

Qingcai Keke: She only came once.

Qingcai Keke: Besides, can that be the same? That was basically just for fun.

Qingcai Keke: The Military Academy's competition has bloody scenes.

Nainai Zongshuo: There's nothing I can do.

Nainai Zongshuo: She threatened me; if I didn't get it for her, she would tell Ning Qing that you and I are internet friends, and not just Feixin friends or forum friends, and that I didn't even know that internet friend was you before.

Nainai Zongshuo: /Shrug

Nainai Zongshuo: I don't even know how she figured out that this was something she could use to hold over me.

Qingcai Keke: ……

The sister-in-law has become a little monster.

Qingcai Keke: You noob.

Nainai Zongshuo:???