Chapter 176: I Hate Showing Off the Most

On the way back to the Dormitory, Chen Shu bought a jin of milk strawberries, a jin of the highest-grade large cherries, a jin of frontier tribute pears, and a durian, basically picking the most expensive of each variety in the shop to reward himself.

No need to doubt it, he spent Qingqing's money.

Chen Shu also took the opportunity to check the balance in Qingqing's account; good heavens, the financial burden is truly heavy.

He must do more to lighten the burden for Qingqing.

He soon returned to the Dormitory.

Meng Chunqiu was still sitting in the living room pretending to read, while Jiang Lai sat nearby, holding a copy of "Martial Artist Anatomy," unsure if he was previewing or reviewing.

Come to think of it, the final exams are in a month; no wonder even these crude martial artists have started cramming for their cultural courses.

Hearing the commotion of his return, both of them turned their heads to look at him.

"Yo!"

Chen Shu smiled and was the first to greet them: "Brother Jiang, your injuries have healed?"

"Healed," said Jiang Lai.

"Brother Chen is back! Where have you been these past two days?" Meng Chunqiu blinked his eyes and put down the book in his hand, "I heard from Brother Jiang that you made it into the top three, and that you defeated a Fifth Stage genius from the Spirit Sect while only at the Fourth Stage. Is that true or false?"

"Low profile, low profile."

"Brother Chen..."

Meng Chunqiu's expression became complicated once again; the level of Brother Chen's awesomeness always exceeded his expectations time and time again.

Meng Chunqiu held it in for a long time, then finally let out a long sigh: "Although I do not care for force, I know that in our era, among our peers, it is almost impossible to defeat a Fifth Stage genius of the Spirit Sect with Fourth Stage cultivation. Brother Chen, you really make me look at you with new eyes..."

"Can't help it."

Chen Shu shook his head and sat down beside him: "I am simply a one-in-ten-thousand cultivation genius."

Jiang Lai said from the side: "Brother Chen, you don't know, but your exploits have gone viral on our school's forum. Everyone is saying that the first place for the Martial Body Tournament the year after next has already been locked in by our school in advance."

"Really?"

"Yeah! It's so hot! Everyone thinks it's incredible!" Jiang Lai said to him, "If you don't believe me, go check the forum!"

"Forget it..."

Chen Shu waved his hand: "I'm not someone who likes to show off; it's better to keep a low profile."

"Mm."

Jiang Lai nodded, feeling very worshipful inside.

At the same time, he couldn't help but look at Meng Chunqiu beside him.

Meng Chunqiu:??

Why are you looking at me?

Chen Shu yawned, picked up his Mobile Phone, leaned back, and nonchalantly opened the browser.

He searched for the Yujing University forum.

He clicked in to take a look.

Sure enough, he found several posts about the Martial Body Tournament on the homepage.

The first one was posted officially, containing some photos of the Martial Body Tournament opening ceremony, including some handsome men, beautiful women, and exciting moments.

He clicked in to look at the beauties.

The second one was a discussion about Brother Ji in the school tournament finals.

Nothing worth looking at.

The third one was bragging, saying that Yujing Academy occupied half of the top six spots in the off-campus Martial Arts Tournament.

Pure self-consolation, skip.

The fourth one: Heard a freshman Fourth Stage junior from the Ancient Cultivation Academy defeated the Fifth Stage Brother Ji? True or false?

Chen Shu clicked in with Joy.

"?"

What is this?

It doesn't explain anything in detail!

Chen Shu typed a reply below—

How could anyone at the Fourth Stage defeat the Fifth Stage Brother Ji? Brother Ji is a genius of the Spirit Sect; even the peerless geniuses from other schools couldn't possibly beat Brother Ji at the Fourth Stage, right? I don't believe it! Tell me in detail!

Someone else said Brother Ji threw the match; Chen Shu happened to be bored, so he analyzed it thoroughly with them, explaining that it was an impossible thing.

"Heh~~"

Chen Shu yawned again.

Getting a bit bored.

He subconsciously wanted to tease Qingqing, but Qingqing's Mobile Phone was in his own hands.

So unaccustomed to this.

And this is only the first day.

Chen Shu simply took out Qingqing's Mobile Phone, opened Feixin, and sent himself a message.

Qingqing: I love you

Then he took out his own Mobile Phone.

Chen Shu: I know

"Tsk!"

Chen Shu grinned, revealing a smile, and decided to play this game once every day.

He then got up, went to the kitchen to wash the fruit he had bought, placed it on the coffee table, and invited the two of them to eat; then, while eating and playing with his Mobile Phone, he checked the forums for Ling'an Academy and Guozong Academy, and surprisingly, there were some people discussing his victory there too.

Oh no, he's probably going to get famous.

Will there be long-legged, crop-top-wearing fangirls asking me for autographs on the street from now on?

Wouldn't that vinegar pot Qingqing be sour enough to die by then?

Chen Shu thought to himself while happily eating strawberries, then opened a short-video app and started scrolling while lying down.

The curse is healed today, so I can have Xiaoxiao help with my homework. But the curse isn't completely healed, so being appropriately lazy is reasonable. What's even better is that the guardian who usually keeps an eye on me has been locked up.

Carefree and at ease.

……

April 28th, past nine in the morning.

Military Academy No. 1 Martial Arts Arena.

Chen Shu came alone today. After looking around, he discovered the Group Owner standing with Zhong Miao Zhimen, so he walked over.

"Good morning, Group Owner, finally meeting you in person."

"Long awaited, nice to meet you, nice to meet you."

This was their first official meeting, although they had already met before.

The Group Owner lowered his head and glanced, discovering that this person was still carrying a bag in his hand, and inside the bag were snacks like potato chips, soda, popcorn, and spicy chicken. He felt a bit speechless inside, but didn't say anything, only asking:

"Came alone today?"

"Obviously, otherwise how would I dare to greet you all?"

"That's true……"

The Group Owner looked at Chen Shu.

Chen Shu also looked at the Group Owner.

Their gazes met, and everything was understood without words.

Zhong Miao Zhimen looked back and forth between them, and relying on his meager Secret Sect Daoist attainments, he keenly sensed something was wrong: "What are you two communicating about?"

"Saying we can't let Grandma see," Chen Shu replied.

The Group Owner remained silent.

Zhong Miao Zhimen frowned, sizing up the Group Owner: "Feels like it's not that simple……"

"Hey! What could it be?"

As Chen Shu said this, he opened the plastic bag and handed it toward them, sharing very generously: "Come, come, don't be polite. I knew I would run into you all, so I specifically bought some extra snacks and water, don't be polite."

"Emmm……"

Zhong Miao Zhimen fell into hesitation.

At this moment, Chen Shu saw Yan Keling again, so he hurriedly waved, called her over, and introduced her: "Zhong Miao Zhimen, Haoran, you must have guessed it already."

"Mm."

Yan Keling was very polite: "Hello Group Owner, hello Daoist."

"Hello."

The Group Owner nodded in reply.

"Hello."

Zhong Miao Zhimen also gave up on investigating.

"Who wants to eat potato chips?"

Chen Shu started pushing his sales again.

Ten o'clock sharp in the morning.

The two group members were already prepared in the Martial Arts Arena. As the gong sounded, Qingdeng Gufu almost instantly activated the Three-Headed Six-Armed Demon-Subduing Golden Body, and Zhang Suannai also used her full strength to unleash a sky full of Light Swords. Both were giving it their all, holding nothing back.

For a moment, Sword Light flew everywhere within the Defense Barrier of the entire Martial Arts Arena.

The dull sounds of impact, the clanging of Light Swords hitting the Golden Body, and the ripples constantly spreading across the outer Defense Barrier without stopping, formed a combat scene with extreme visual and auditory effects.

Chen Shu ate potato chips and drank soda, watching with great interest.

Time passed bit by bit.

Chen Shu could clearly see that Zhang Suannai's strength was actually stronger than Qingdeng Gufu's.

Sword Sect Disciples are considered quite capable among the disciples of all the top sects. Although they are not necessarily significantly better than the Buddhist Sect disciples who practice Zen-Martial Dual Cultivation, the combativeness of Sword Sect Disciples also leads other top sects—especially among young disciples. Young disciples of other sects are still focusing on cultivation and haven't experienced too much tempering through combat, while Sword Sect Disciples have been fighting and getting beaten since they were young.

It is even more so in the modern era.

Zhong Miao Zhimen and Qingdeng Gufu might rarely experience battles where the outcome is hard to determine.

The modern social environment is just like this. Except for deep mountains and old forests, sect grounds, and a few remote areas, if a Fifth Stage full-power battle breaks out anywhere, the police officers will show up before long, so there aren't that many opportunities for battle.

Sword Sect Disciples are different.

These people fight every day in the sect; cultivation is fighting, and fighting is cultivation. If they don't fight, their hands itch; if they don't get beaten, their skin itches.

Therefore, Qingdeng Gufu's combat experience is far inferior to Zhang Suannai's.

The reason the two can still fight to a draw at present is because in this Martial Arts Arena, some systems are significantly weakened.

For example, Spirit Cultivators.

Normally, modern Spirit Cultivators would launch attacks on you from at least a kilometer away, but now they are forced to stand in this tiny venue to fight to the death with you.

Take Traditional Sword Cultivators for another example.

They originally have a Spirit Sword that has been nurtured for many years and is as easy to use as an arm, but you don't allow them to use it, and instead give them a sword suitable for Wangting Sword Sect members.

This weakening is no less than that of the Spirit Sect.

However, the competition rules couldn't possibly allow Zhang Suannai to use her own sword. She said it herself: her two swords were the beloved swords of two generations of Sword Gods, and this kind of thing is like a cheat item below the Ninth Stage.

Weakening is unavoidable.

But Martial Cultivators, Martial Artists, Wangting Sword Sect members, and Buddhist Sect Martial Monks who are similar to Martial Cultivators are not weakened.

Time flowed away bit by bit.

The fighting on the Martial Arts Arena remained intense.

The Demon-Subduing Golden Body forcefully smashed the incoming Light Swords and spewed flames, only to be blocked by the countless Sword Light barriers Zhang Suannai had slashed out; the Light Swords flying everywhere in the Martial Arts Arena also left him exhausted, and his specially made clothes gradually turned into tattered strips of cloth.

The situation was gradually tilting in Zhang Suannai's favor.

Chen Shu reached his hand into the potato chip bag, only to find it was already empty; after grabbing the last of the chip crumbs to eat, he clapped his hands, turned around just as he was about to go get another bag of snacks, but discovered the plastic bag was also empty.

He turned his head to look to the side.

Haoran and Zhong Miao Zhimen were each holding a bag of popcorn and a pack of spicy chicken, eating with great relish.

These two had said they wouldn't eat earlier.

Chen Shu was speechless.

Looking back at the Martial Arts Arena, he saw Zhang Suannai fly dozens of meters into the air, guiding her Sword to strike down like a lightning bolt, with countless Sword Lights behind her falling like Sword Rain along with her.

The three heads of Qingdeng Gufu closed their eyes simultaneously, all six arms pressed together in prayer, standing quietly, while a half-length Buddha statue emerged behind him.

The Buddha statue had a solemn appearance, its eyelids lowered, one hand holding a flower, the other presenting a palm, pushing toward Zhang Suannai and the sky full of Sword Rain.

"Boom!"

The Sword Light shattered, and the Buddha statue dissipated.

Zhang Suannai landed on the ground, her legs slightly bent, neutralizing all the impact force.

Chen Shu saw a hint of regret and discomfort on her face, and she helplessly shook her Sword—this person was definitely thinking that if she had been using her own Sword, this strike would have already won the match.

Zhang Suannai twisted her neck, not discouraged, and rushed forward quickly, turning to swing her Sword when she was still a few meters away from Qingdeng Gufu.

"Bang!"

The Sword Qi seemed indestructible.

Another gash was added to Qingdeng Gufu's Golden Body.

But he seemed to feel no pain or itch, his eyes fixed on Zhang Suannai, and the distance of a few meters was crossed in an instant.

A pair of arms grabbed toward Zhang Suannai's Sword from different angles, a pair of arms grabbed her hands and body respectively, and the remaining hand threw a punch while the other pushed a palm.

Zhang Suannai, much like Zhong Miao Zhimen who had invited the previous Sword Master a few days ago, kept dodging and weaving, twisting her body in mid-air to evade his attacks, while the Sword in her hand danced so fast only afterimages could be seen. The difference was that every time she swung her Sword, whether it hit or not, an incomparably sharp Sword Qi was inevitably released; Qingdeng Gufu could avoid the Long Sword but found it difficult to avoid the Sword Qi, and the hundreds or thousands of Sword Lights in the air continued to attack, striking his back and sides where he was difficult to defend.

Ten minutes later.

The Golden Body had long since dimmed and become tattered.

Zhang Suannai stepped on Qingdeng Gufu's thigh with one foot, then stepped onto his back with the other, and avoiding his six arms, nimbly arrived on his back.

She stabbed down with her Sword.

The Golden Body shattered completely.

The winner was decided.

Zhang Suannai's Long Sword only pierced in a small section and only went through his shoulder; in fact, for her, piercing through the back of his head was also entirely possible.

The champion was born.

This person is probably going to show off again!

Chen Shu drank his soda, thinking this, and turned around to glance around.

Behind them to the left, a tall and slender figure had just turned to leave, and within a few steps, the figure had already disappeared.