Chapter 52 - 52 52 Zhang Xiaoman, the Bragger Who Doesn't Need a Script

52: Chapter 52: Zhang Xiaoman, the Bragger Who Doesn’t Need a Script 52: Chapter 52: Zhang Xiaoman, the Bragger Who Doesn’t Need a Script “Fake!

It’s all lies to deceive you!”

Although Zhang Xiaoman really wanted to say this, he couldn’t.

After all, it was a pretense he himself had staged, and even with tears in his eyes, he had to maintain it.

Looking at Xiao Shun, who appeared as curious as a baby, Zhang Xiaoman really had a million sarcastic comments he wanted to hurl.

Why did you have to ask so many questions?

Was it necessary to be so detailed?

When I mentioned the Three Great Guardian Forces, I was just embellishing the world-building off the top of my head.

Why are you taking it so seriously?

Of course, Zhang Xiaoman could now simply retort with a “You shouldn’t know too much” and shut him down.

But was Zhang Xiaoman that kind of person?

Was he someone who would choose to flee when he lacked strength?

He was not!

Therefore, being an honest and good-natured individual, Zhang Xiaoman decided to continue bluffing him.

It must be said that sometimes, people are forced into situations, and the same goes for bluffing.

Zhang Xiaoman suddenly walked to the window, his eyes gazing out as if reminiscing something.

“As you’ve learned before, the Fusion process is incredibly long.

Thus, shadows of monsters have always existed in this world…”

His gaze was profound, as if his eyes could see through the endless expanse of time to witness scenes from bygone years.

“Alien Species have been continuously invading our world, with Transcendents blessed with Dark Energy Talent sporadically resisting the assaults from beyond our realm, suffering heavy casualties.”

“The only consolation is that the overlaid monsters don’t seem to have the ability to spread the Plague…”

“889 years ago, with the massive collapse of the Luo Dynasty, this situation became even more serious…”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shun couldn’t help but exclaim,

“I know this part!

I remember my teacher saying that after the collapse of the Luo Dynasty, there was a historical gap of 10 years.

Could it be that…”

Zhang Xiaoman turned his head to glance at him, saying nothing, yet his eyes revealed a hint of admiration.

He calmly turned his head back, his heart pounding with anxiety.

“What?

There’s also a talk about a 10-year gap?

How come I don’t remember that?

It seems there’s a reason why I didn’t pass history…”

With his hands behind his back, he continued to speak:

“This situation lasted until the year 1140, with the establishment of the Forest Guardian organization.”

“Transcendents were united, casting aside prejudices of identity and status, working together to fend off the onslaught from the Alien Species.”

“It goes without saying that there is strength in unity.

According to internal records, in just a short span of five years, the monsters that had plagued the continent for centuries were nearly eradicated, and people saw hope once again.”

“Later, the people of the other two continents followed suit, establishing their own organizations, namely the Guardians and Trackers…”

Zhang Xiaoman stopped here suddenly, his gaze on the window, frantically thinking about the next part of his script.

However, Su Fu, who had been silently listening behind him, suddenly spoke up, asking,

“Mr.

Zhang, what happened to the other two forces later?

Did they end up like the Forest Guardians…”

Zhang Xiaoman shook his head and sighed,

“They no longer exist…

Ever since human Talent mysteriously vanished 300 years ago, the number of Transcendents has only been decreasing.

Under the passage of time, they have faded into obscurity.”

“In their heyday, Transcendents from the Three Great Forces supported each other, fought side by side.

Forest Guardians battled bloodied, Guardians protected City States, and Trackers sought out the strange beings lurking in various corners…”

His tone carried a sudden hint of melancholy as he said,

“The old Mentor’s wish at the time was to rediscover these three forces and integrate them to collectively face the ‘Great Fusion’ that is soon to come.”

“Unfortunately…”

Zhang Xiaoman ended his fabricated tale there, drawing towards a close.

Both listeners were immersed in the story, which made him feel a bit embarrassed.

After a long silence in the room, Xiao Shun’s voice suddenly broke the quiet again.

“Senior, why don’t we join forces to accomplish this great endeavor!

I am convinced that with your ability, you can surely do it!”

Zhang Xiaoman was somewhat stunned after listening.

What great endeavor?

Did I say I was going to do something?

How did this guy suddenly assign himself a main quest?

And what’s this about ‘with my ability’?

I know exactly what I’m capable of; how come this fellow is suddenly so confident?

Could it be that my bluff this time was too successful?

While he was pondering, he heard Xiao Shun on the bed speaking again:

“Senior, rest assured, I will follow you to the death!

Even if I cannot become a hero, I will fight to the end…

Ah, right, Senior, does our lineage’s cultivation system have any realm classifications?

Like in those cultivation novels, with Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and so on.”

Zhang Xiaoman suddenly had lines on his face.

This kid must have read quite a few novels.

Immediately, he laughed and said:

“There’s no such thing as realm classifications; everyone’s strength is just their control over Dark Energy.

Of course, if we must say, we could differentiate according to different stages.”

Having said that, and seeing the expectant looks on their faces,

Zhang Xiaoman couldn’t help but shake his head and continued:

“As of now, based on the different levels of control power, it can be divided into Enlightenment, Control, and Transcendence stages.

The specifics aren’t convenient to discuss right now, we’ll talk about it after I construct the Enlightenment Array.”

“So, what stage are you at now, Senior?

You must have reached the Transcendence stage, right?”

Zhang Xiaoman heard this and did not directly answer him but just smiled gently, giving an expression that did not wish to boast.

The latter saw this and instantly admired him even more.

After listening to Zhang Xiaoman’s explanation, the two men couldn’t help but get visibly excited.

Xiao Shun was especially ecstatic, his eyes brimming with boundless longing, wishing he could immediately set out on the Extraordinary Path.

Su Fu’s expression was also filled with anticipation.

Though he didn’t show the same level of excitement as Zhang Wei, his slightly trembling hands and constantly twitching eyelids were betraying his inner turmoil.

Zhang Xiaoman started bluffing these two guys at first just because he had told a lie and needed more lies to cover it up.

But later on, he slowly began to place them in the future backup ranks of his underlings.

After all, one of them had money, and the other had time; both were indeed not bad choices.

And he himself was well aware that the reason why he could fool them was partly because he indeed displayed abilities beyond the ordinary.

On the other hand, it was the strangeness they had personally experienced that directly proved his claims.

One almost lost his son, and the other almost lost his life.

For them, these were major horrors in their lives.

And it happened to be at the most desperate moment that Zhang Xiaoman stepped in like a divine savior and saved them.

One could say that it was a fantastic start to the game.

The rest, as long as he didn’t claim to be the Creator God, would basically work with just any random fabrication.

PS: Some readers have commented that the protagonist is always bluffing, which is boring.

This…

to avoid spoilers, all I can say is that there is a bit of that indeed…

But after you read the beginning of Volume 2, “Enlightenment,” you should understand…

How should I put this…

The holes will be filled…