"So Glad to Have a Partner in Crime"

Chang Hanshan seemed to speak without thinking.

She immediately replied, "Ranan, Your Highness Zhe, you two can rest assured!"

"I've already thought it all out!"

"If, by any chance, I die someday, I'll donate my heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and corneas to disabled children!"

"In short, I'll donate everything I can!"

"I'll definitely be contributing to society! It won't be a wasted trip to this world!"

Silence, a deathly silence.

Chang Hanshan cautiously peeked out one eye from under the covers, stealing a glance at Zhou Zhe. Instantly, her scalp tingled, and a chill ran down her spine.

That look... it's so familiar...

Damn it! That's the same look I give Dugu Xiu!

Chang Hanshan swallowed, forcing herself to calm down. "Don't be like that! I won't die in the Cosmic Arena!"

"At least not for another ten years, absolutely not!"

I feel like Your Highness Zhe's aura is getting more and more terrifying...

The pressure in front of him is immense!

When I speak, my tongue feels all tied up.

It was obvious that the 3 points of "Majesty" attribute, provided by the three apprentices recognized by the mysterious notebook, were taking effect.

Chang Hanshan had originally wanted to say something witty, but now she didn't even have the desire to joke around.

"You won't die in the Cosmic Arena within ten years?"

Zhou Zhe gave Chang Hanshan a meaningful look and said playfully, "Having confidence is a good thing."

As he spoke, Zhou Zhe turned his head. "Miaoran, you don't need to worry too much about her."

"Your best friend here has more secrets and trump cards than you realize."

Even without the list of apprentices in the mysterious notebook, Zhou Zhe had already sensed something unusual about Chang Hanshan.

Her talent was clearly extremely low; her tested aptitude was arguably the lowest among all the apprentices, without exception.

But...

Her strength improvement hadn't fallen too far behind. It could even be considered mid-tier, similar to Jinuo's previous level.

What was even more incomprehensible was Chang Hanshan's combat experience!

She could convert her theoretical strength into actual combat power almost perfectly. Every time the apprentices sparred with each other, she handled it with ease, as if she were playing house with children.

At times, Zhou Zhe even felt that Chang Hanshan could perform at 120% or even higher during a life-or-death battle.

This had nothing to do with talent or aptitude anymore. Unless she had a talent similar to [Self-Configuration], or she was a seasoned assassin with years of experience, an ordinary girl would never exhibit such prowess.

However, since Chang Hanshan harbored no ill will towards Zhang Miaoran and himself, and she herself wished to keep her secrets hidden without revealing them, Zhou Zhe wouldn't casually expose her.

Upon hearing this, Chang Hanshan burrowed into her covers and played dead.

She didn't know where she slipped up to be suspected by her idol...

This time, I'm truly screwed!

After giving Zhang Miaoran a comforting look, Zhou Zhe then said to Chang Hanshan, "Your Wind Riding Blade Technique is practiced well. Although it doesn't have corresponding extraordinary attributes, purely on a technical level, it's already very close to the second tier."

"For an ordinary person, even with a renowned master like me as a tutor, reaching your current progress would absolutely take more than ten times the time you took."

Zhou Zhe shamelessly praised himself before continuing, "Don't be nervous."

"I'm saying this because I see your talent in swordsmanship."

"Stay in the apartment now, don't go anywhere."

"I'll arrange for someone to come and collect your physical data to custom-make a weapon for you."

"A weapon that truly kills."

Speaking of which, Zhou Zhe added with great interest, "Once the weapon is ready, there will be a killing trial. It'll basically involve you cutting down some living things to adjust your mindset."

"Don't harbor any luck."

"This is a tradition of the Swift Wind Pavilion; everyone has to go through it once."

With that, Zhou Zhe surveyed Zhang Miaoran and Chang Hanshan.

The latter was fine, maintaining a calm demeanor as steady as a rock, practically wearing "I've seen it all, what's there to fear?" on her face.

The former, however, was beyond Zhou Zhe's expectations. She showed none of the usual girlish worry, fear, or reluctance. Instead, there was a hint of... anticipation?

Zhou Zhe didn't detect fear, only a faint excitement.

He suddenly felt a pang of self-reproach.

It feels like I've corrupted Zhang Miaoran.

She was such a good girl originally!

Now, in terms of personality and values, she was becoming more and more like him.

For the past two days, Zhang Miaoran had even changed her phone ringtone to "Hit and Run."

"You always liked the taste of blood."

"And I get off when I point the gun."

"It's so good to have someone to be so bad with."

These were some of the lyrics from "Hit and Run."

A quick browse of the Earth section on the Myriad Heavens Forum would tell anyone that Master Zhou was by no means a benevolent figure in the eyes of most Earthlings.

Zhang Miaoran's intention was clear: "You're a recognized big bad guy, so I'll strive to follow in your footsteps and become a qualified little bad guy!"

In the words of a Muggle best friend, this was called...

Having strong CP vibes.

After a brief handling of Chang Hanshan's issue, Zhou Zhe returned to his office, transforming into an emotionless work machine. With Triple Focus, he continued his daily routine of studying, teaching, and investigating.

But trouble always seemed to follow. After half a month of peace, a malicious, colossal projection suddenly descended!

The uninvited guest stood a full four meters tall, with an exaggerated physique and muscles bulging as if cast from steel.

His entire body was covered in grayish-white scales, his teeth were like sharp, small daggers, his eyes resembled blood-red rubies, and the pair of spiraling horns on his head were particularly ferocious!

This appearance bore a five or six-tenths resemblance to the now-deceased Super Horned Demon Roxstar, only he appeared more mature and aged.

"I am Hansenelton, a Silver Gladiator, Roxstar's father."

The other party stared at Zhou Zhe with the gaze of a dead man, his words squeezing out from between his teeth, filled with a bloody aura.

If looks could kill, Zhou Zhe would have been killed dozens of times over by now.

"Good day, old sir."

Zhou Zhe calmly picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Roxstar... that name sounds a bit familiar..."

Hearing this, the scales on Hansenelton's forehead suddenly bulged, flashing with black and red blood-light, his fury erupting: "Vile Earthling! Do you think you can get away with this?"

"My son was a one-in-a-hundred-million, legendary Super Horned Demon! Roxstar!"

"He was the hope and future of the Sigma Civilization!"

"The moment you killed him, I swore I would make you feel the pain I felt!"

"No!"

"I will repay you tenfold, a hundredfold, a thousandfold, ten thousandfold the pain I have endured!"

Zhou Zhe put down his teacup and said with a half-smile, "You must have spent quite a few Gladiator Points for this conversation."

"Honestly, I can't comprehend your actions."

"If you truly want revenge..."

"Why not go after 'Dao'?"

Upon hearing this, the light in the old Horned Demon Hansenelton's scarlet eyes dimmed slightly, as if a hint of fear had arisen.

In the next moment, this cowardice transformed entirely into rage.

"I will definitely torment you to death!"

Hansenelton gnashed his teeth, so eager to torture and kill Zhou Zhe, to flay him, dismember him, and burn his corpse. "A newcomer from Black Iron Five Stars..."

"The day you are promoted to Bronze Cosmic Gladiator will be your death day!"

"And..."

"You have already made an unforgivable mistake!"

"This mistake will become a regret you can never amend, no matter how much you regret it until your dying day!"

(Ran Lengguang: Starting tomorrow, the update schedule will be tentatively set between 12 PM and 1 PM. If you ask why... it's a good accompaniment to meals?

Ah! That's right!

Please cast your votes! Votes are very useful during the new book period. Thank you!)

A slight bit of characterization.

Mr. Zhou Zhe clearly thought too much. Zhang Miaoran was never a naive white lotus; her values had always been very compatible with his. There was no question of who was corrupting whom.

The female lead's personality might be a bit different from what everyone guessed