Upstaged

"I'm so jealous—I'm so jealous my stomach is about to explode!" The boy, who had been full of malice, slammed his fist on the table and yelled, "No way, I can't stand seeing you so smug. Tell me, can you tolerate this?"

"We absolutely cannot tolerate this!"

"No, we have to get him drunk today."

Just as the boys were clamoring to get Si Ming drunk, there was a knock on the door of the private room, and then a group of unfamiliar young men walked in, led by a handsome and refined young man.

"You're from... the class next door?" someone recognized them.

"Yes, we're from Class 12. What a coincidence that we're all having a class reunion on the same day at the same place, so we came to say hello."

As fellow alumni and from adjacent classes, many students knew each other, so everyone was very polite and toasted each other with smiles.

At this moment, the refined-looking young man approached Murong Qing and said, "Murong, I worked hard to get into Heavenly Black University for your sake, but I never expected that you would go to Heavenly Black Earth Emperor Linked Mountains University. It's such a pity."

The atmosphere suddenly became Anomalies. Many boys nudged Si Ming with their elbows, signaling him to hurry up and lash out. They were willing to back him up, but it was one thing to cheer him on internally, but another to outsiders.

The girls, on the other hand, had a look of anticipation, knowing what had happened back then. In high school, Murong Qing was constantly receiving confessions of love, which annoyed her to no end. So she declared, "I don't like long-distance relationships. Wait until you're capable of passing the Heavenly Black Earth Emperor exam before talking about anything else." This statement eliminated all the non-academic high achievers, instantly bringing a much quieter atmosphere. Meanwhile, the academic high achievers who secretly admired her assumed that Murong Qing was determined to pass the Heavenly Black Earth Emperor exam, so they worked hard to improve their grades, striving for both career success and love.

Unexpectedly, when it came time to fill out college applications, Murong Qing chose Linked Mountains University, fooling everyone.

Si Ming remained calm and composed, indicating that everyone should be patient and watch how his wife performed.

Murong Qing calmly replied, "I don't think there's anything to regret."

The boy shook his head and said, "Linked Mountains University is good, but it's still a step below Heavenly Black Earth Emperor. If you went to Heavenly Black Earth Emperor, you would know the difference between the two. So I feel sorry for you. You could have developed much better."

As soon as he finished speaking, the boy sensed that the atmosphere was off. He had prepared himself for hostility, since this was an attempt to win over the class beauty, which was akin to poaching someone and could easily cause public outrage. That's why he brought other classmates to keep things under control.

However, he soon discovered that things were not as he had imagined. These people were not looking at him with hostility, but rather with the kind of look one would give someone a fool.

Chapter 714 Stealing the Show

"Huo Wenlong, you just got lucky and passed the Heavenly Black Earth Emperor exam, so what? Look how smug you are! Anyone who didn't know better would think you'd advanced to the Nascent Spirit Transformation!"

Since they were from neighboring classes, many people knew each other. Soon, a boy in Si Ming's class mentioned the other person's name. Someone even explained to Si Ming that the other person was the class monitor of Class 12. He had used his position to fawn over Murong Qing, but he was very rational in his actions, knowing when to stop and not crossing the line by confessing his feelings.

Si Ming nodded slightly. Confessing one's feelings is always the final move, something that happens naturally when the relationship is established. Anyone who uses confession as a starting point is just someone who's been reading too many romance novels. But trying to steal his girlfriend is something he can't tolerate.

"First of all, it wasn't luck; I got in based on my own abilities. Secondly, I'm not particularly proud; I'm just stating a fact. Heavenly Black University is the best university in the Su State. Finally, I haven't advanced to the Nascent Spirit Transformation yet, but I will strive towards that goal. Becoming Spirit Transformation is every martial artist's dream, and I will definitely take that step in the near future."

Huo Wenlong spoke eloquently, and faced with difficult questions, he did not get angry or retort, displaying his elegant demeanor.

Si Ming clicked his tongue in approval and said, "Logical and well-founded, this kid is quite capable, but he's a bit bookish and stupid. What's with all this 'first, second, and last' stuff? Does he think this is a debate? Without a fair judge, as long as you provoke him a little, escalate the conflict, and turn the debate into an argument, then it won't be about who's right or who has the upper hand, but whoever has the stronger momentum."

And what he just said? Regardless of Murong Qing's reasons for choosing Linked Mountains University back then, since she made that choice, she is a student of Linked Mountains University. To say that her alma mater is no good in front of Murong Qing, does he think he can win Murong Qing favor with those words?

Lu Yifa, standing nearby, chuckled, "He's a young master from a wealthy family. People always fawn over him, while he doesn't need to. Naturally, he doesn't know how to say flattering things. He probably doesn't think there's anything wrong with what he said because that's just how he thinks. People around him might even flatter him, praising his straightforwardness. I think the reason he didn't confess in high school might not be because he knew what was going on, but perhaps because he was too arrogant and wanted to wait for the class monitor to confess to him."

Si Ming was taken aback. Perhaps that was indeed the case. However, in principle, someone like him should have been taught a lesson when he reached the Heavenly Black Earth Emperor. There was no reason for those chosen ones to indulge him. Could it be that he had been taught a lesson at school and wanted to go back to his hometown to regain his confidence?

Such people are not uncommon; they are everywhere in officialdom and the workplace. They fawn over their superiors and boss around their subordinates, showing no awareness whatsoever of "do not do to others what you would not have them do to you."

Just as Si Ming was making wild guesses, another boy asked maliciously, "Huo Wenlong, you make it sound so impressive, but I wonder what level your Internal Cultivation is now?"

Huo Wenlong smiled slightly and said, "Actually, Internal Cultivation doesn't represent a person's level of power. It's just a threshold. Once you reach a certain level of cultivation, the importance of Internal Cultivation diminishes significantly. Just like crossing the threshold, whether you take one more step or two more steps doesn't make much difference. But I doubt you would understand if I told you this. Experts see the details, while laymen just watch the show. People like you only know how to measure a person's strength by their Internal Cultivation level."

Even Si Ming had to admit that this kid really knew how to stir up hatred. In just a few words, he had pushed all his classmates to the opposite side. Originally, a few girls had developed some affection for Huo Wenlong because of his good looks, but now they were all united against him and stood in the same trench.

Putting aside their differing stances, Si Ming felt that at least the other party's skill in drawing hatred had some merit. Indeed, there's always something to learn from others; one is never too old to learn.

The boy who had spoken earlier said irritably, "After all that whining, what level are you? If you're embarrassed, you don't have to say it, but please leave now and don't disturb our meal."

"As expected, one cannot understand ice when encountering a summer insect. It seems I can only communicate with you in a way you can comprehend," Huo Wenlong shook his head, a helpless expression on his face. Then, he put his hands behind his back and said proudly, "I am but a humble level nine."

Internal Cultivation Level Nine strength is beyond the average level of college graduates; it's at the level of a master's degree holder or a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Considering that Huo Wenlong has only just finished his second year of college, he is indeed exceptionally talented. Even in the Heavenly Black Earth Emperor a prestigious Chinese martial arts school), he would be qualified to be a member of the school team.

Normally, this would have surprised everyone, but now, with such a clear contrast, they could only laugh. Coupled with Huo Wenlong's superior demeanor, some people couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Hearing the laughter, Huo Wenlong's expression turned somewhat unpleasant, but he wasn't stupid. He quickly realized a possibility and said, "It seems your class has many talented people; you don't even take Level Nine Internal Cultivation seriously."

Si Ming thought to himself, "Looks like it's time for me to step up and show off." He ran his hand through his hair and was about to step forward.

"Hmph, I didn't expect everyone to notice after all... Sigh, ever since the demonic blood was activated, the second seal is no longer as perfect as before. Although I already knew this, I didn't expect that even those close to me couldn't be kept in the dark."

The one who spoke was Chen Shimi. He covered his face with one hand, only peeking out from between his fingers, and let out a sinister laugh like that of a demon king.

Si Ming cursed inwardly, "You dare invade your mother's grave!"

Is this the right time for you to show up? At least consider the occasion! This conflict has absolutely nothing to do with you. This isn't how you steal the spotlight.

The other students also looked bewildered, probably just as speechless as Si Ming. In their opinion, either Si Ming should step in and challenge them, or Murong Qing in and slap them in the face. But no matter what, it has nothing to do with you, Chen Simi. What right do you have to show up here!

However, Chen Shimi, being a blatant and undisguised chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur), obviously didn't care about what others thought. He snorted and said contemptuously, "See? Pathetic humans will never know how foolish their actions are. But by the time they do realize it, they'll already be in another world, with no way back."

Ren Junshuang couldn't help but say, "Chen Simi, shut up..."

It's you!

Huo Wenlong looked at Chen Shimi with a shocked expression, his outstretched finger trembling slightly, which did not seem fake.

What kind of show is this? Did you two plan this beforehand? This cover-up is too over the top. Everyone was completely speechless.

In Si Ming's eyes, Chen Shimi was a pretentious charlatan who always lived in his own world, saying things that were extremely awkward and gave people goosebumps. He completely regarded himself as the protagonist of a novel, was incredibly arrogant, and often ruined the atmosphere. Most people could not have a normal conversation with him and kept their distance.

However, in Huo Wenlong's eyes, Chen Shimi is a representative member of Linked Mountains University's school team with unfathomable strength. With his superb Five Lights Sword Control Technique and unexpected and powerful claw skills, he has helped Linked Mountains University win battles and capture flags. So far, he has never been defeated. Although there is an element of luck involved, there is no doubt that he is one of the key contributors to Linked Mountains University's advancement to the top four in this year's National Martial Arts Competition.

Huo Wenlong broke through to the Internal Cultivation Level Nine in the second semester of his sophomore year, so he did not join the school team. He had watched Chen Shimi's battle from the audience and thought that if he were to play, he would be no match for him. Although this person was eccentric and always said things that others could not understand, his strong strength made these things powerful proof that "masters are always different from ordinary people".