Chapter 113 - 112: Fighting to Recruit at the Door

The Blood Sacrifice Rebirth had consumed thousands of prodigies, but some were still rescued. Among them were a few lucky survivors from the Copper Skin Realm whose muscles, bones, and flesh had undergone a transformation, giving them an incredibly solid foundation. It was a blessing in disguise.

Liu Zili’s situation, however, was somewhat special. She had consumed a great deal of Spirit Charm and reached the Jade Sinew Realm, yet she hadn’t formed true Jade Sinews. Furthermore, after waking up, her heart was always pounding erratically, and her cheeks were as red as peach blossoms.

On the armored vehicle taking the exam candidates back to Gao Yuan City, she stole a glance at Jiang Qiu, who sat beside her, gazing out the window. Her lips were pressed together slightly, her almond-shaped eyes lost in a daze, deaf to the boisterous celebrations of her classmates.

She fell into her memories. After being knocked into the boiling pool, she’d desperately wanted to eat those Treasures of Heaven and Earth. So, she’d taken large bites, but her mind and body couldn’t withstand the pressure, and she gradually fainted.

’But my soul could still feel it. For a time, my cheek was pressed against a chest as hot as fire—once in the water, and once, I think, on the way back to the temporary exam base. I could hear the THUMP-THUMP of a heartbeat.’

’It felt so good.’

’But... it feels so far away now...’

Her thoughts drifted as her gaze swept over the bridge of Jiang Qiu’s nose, which sliced through the light and shadow. Outside, the houses slowly receded, an endless stream of banners and electronic signs.

Beyond the police cordon, a scattered crowd watched, their gleaming eyes tracking the vehicle. They murmured amongst themselves and nodded, like countless fireflies gazing upon a meteor.

Occasionally, a shout would blare from a distant loudspeaker, growing closer: "Congratulations to Jiang Qiu from Outer City District Eight for claiming the top spot among Gao Yuan City’s Ten Great Prodigies!"

’Just this city-level honor is already far beyond my reach,’ she thought, ’let alone the supreme honors of the exam, which the committee hasn’t even announced yet.’

’I wanted to work harder, to keep up with him, but now, after my body’s refinement, I have to tilt my head up just to see his face...’

After a long silence, Liu Zili lowered her head. Her right fingertips gently brushed across the Purple Gold Patterned Storage Ring encircling her left wrist. A stinging sensation welled up in her nose, and with a soft sniffle, a film of tears blurred her vision.

’If I had peerless talent, I would do whatever it takes to become stronger.’

’Even if it wasn’t purely Martial Arts Talent. As long as I could repay him, it would be enough.’

...

The armored vehicle stopped outside the Outer City’s Shantytown. Two figures alighted. The neighbors, who were on their time off, stared with wide eyes. "Getting out of an armored vehicle... the number one prodigy from all those banners and loudspeakers... that can’t really be Xiaoqiu, can it?!"

"My god, how can a badass like that come from a dump like our neighborhood?"

The already narrow street instantly became crowded. Cement-dusted sleeves were rolled up, and grimy, rough hands snatched up phones. FLASH! FLASH! The camera lights blinked as everyone beamed, eager to share the news with their children in middle and high school. "See? The Shantytown can produce amazing people too!"

Jiang Qiu waved goodbye to Liu Zili and strode toward Thirteenth Street. The narrow lane was filled with thick, rustic accents that carried an enthusiastic warmth.

He hurried back to his small brick house and let out a long sigh of relief, his gaze slowly hardening. ’I never expected my exam score to be... this good.’

Killing the Transformed Great Demon, Sorrow, was a first in the history of the exam. Never before had a Transformed Great Demon appeared in an examination area, let alone been slain by a mere high school student.

The exam committee had assigned a provisional score of two hundred thousand points for the kill. The two Top Tier Demon Beasts he’d also killed were worth another fifty thousand points combined. This catapulted him to the top, creating an insurmountable gap between him and the second-place score of thirty thousand points.

The person in second place, however, was no longer able to witness this gap for themselves, which at least spared them a Heart Demon.

’Right, I think Director Zhao mentioned on the phone that some instructors from Northwest Martial University would be sending their disciples to recruit me,’ Jiang Qiu took another deep breath and licked his dry lips. ’And that General Gao from the exam committee said a VIP would be looking for me when I got home. Should I take a shower and get ready?’

He casually brushed aside a blood-matted strand of hair and tugged at the wrinkled collar of his black shirt, his heart pounding.

’Northwest Martial University, a dream I’ve pursued for eighteen years, is actually coming to me with an invitation. It’s a pleasant surprise, to say the least.’

CLICK.

The bathroom door slid open and slammed shut, followed by the sound of rushing water.

He washed up, got dressed, and dried his hair. Pinching his now-firm cheeks, he noted his jawline felt as sharp as the back of a blade. His dark eyes were round like polished black jade. ’After that medicinal bath in the pool, my muscle definition is much better...’

KNOCK KNOCK!

The two sudden knocks vibrated through the wall, shaking loose a few specks of dust.

Jiang Qiu frowned and walked to the door.

CLICK.

He pulled the door open, and a brawny young man with spiky hair came into view. The formal suit he wore was stretched taut across his shoulders, making him look like a great gray monolith standing in the street.

His thick brows were straight and sharp. He glanced at the dilapidated street, twitching his nose in distaste as the right corner of his mouth curled into a slight sneer.

He only turned his head at the sound of the door opening, looking down slightly to size up Jiang Qiu, who was holding the handle. "My name is Niu Yao, the third disciple of Instructor Wang Tianheng from Northwest Martial University’s Body Tempering Academy. If you’re willing to study under my instructor, you may call me Brother Niu."

He ducked his head and stepped inside, casually slapping the brick wall. "Why is this year’s top prodigy from Gao Yuan City living in a place like this? It stinks, and it’s tiny."

After muttering a couple of sighs, his gaze fell upon the large wooden tub standing alone in the main room. "Why keep such a big tub in such a tiny place? It’s an eyesore. If you become my instructor’s disciple, you can live in the provincial capital’s Inner City. It’s much more spacious."

...

Jiang Qiu’s gaze darkened, and his hands slowly clenched into fists.

’Does this guy even know how to talk?’

"Oh, right. I heard you’re a Horizontal Training genius, which is a perfect fit for our Body Tempering Academy. My instructor has taken a liking to you and specifically sent me to have a chat," Niu Yao said, glancing around before his indifferent gaze finally landed on Jiang Qiu. "Ordinary talents have to train for a year or two to reach the Spirit Body Realm just to be qualified to apply for an instructor, and even then, they aren’t guaranteed to become a personal disciple.

"You, on the other hand, have a good head start, so you’re qualified to choose an instructor and become their personal disciple. If you study under Instructor Wang Tianheng, you’ll even receive direct guidance from me, a rising star of the Body Tempering Academy..."

KNOCK KNOCK.

Two crisp knocks at the door cut him off.

Jiang Qiu slowly suppressed the rage building in his chest and walked to the door with clenched fists.

CLICK.

The door opened to reveal Liu Zili, her hands clasped behind her back. She had pearly teeth and bright eyes, her two faint dimples tinged with pink.

The annoyance Jiang Qiu felt from Niu Yao’s visit was instantly blown away, for the most part. But as he looked at the young girl beside Liu Zili, his brow furrowed slightly.

The girl looked to be junior-high-aged. She wore an oversized blue and white sweatshirt with shorts, a small braid hung down her back, and two locks of hair framed her round face. She wiggled a slender finger at Jiang Qiu. "Hiii~"

Jiang Qiu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Liu Zili, who stood a full head taller than the girl. "Hi?"

"Hehe, she’s..."

Liu Zili puffed out her cheeks, eager to make the introduction, but before she could get a word out, a cry of astonishment came from behind Jiang Qiu. "Instructor Shangguan?"