Su Cheng, Stop Pretending

"I won't disturb your reminiscing. Feel free to contact me anytime if you need anything."

Dugu Bo glanced at Su Cheng's expression and knew there was more to the story.

With a slight movement of its lips, it vanished like a phantom, disappearing without a trace in no time.

"Is there anything else, young man?"

Su Cheng looked at Zhu Zhuqing with a blank expression.

"Su Cheng, stop pretending!"

Hearing his feigned confusion and tone, Zhu Zhuqing felt a surge of anger.

He gritted his teeth and took a few more steps forward, reducing the distance between them to less than two feet.

His originally cool face became somewhat distorted, his eyes widened, his eyebrows were raised high, and his eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions, including anger, resentment, surprise, and excitement.

In front of this person, she could no longer maintain her former composure.

Those memories, those memories that were longer than her entire life, surged and boiled like a volcano, yet she suppressed them tightly in her heart to prevent them from erupting.

If the other students at the Shrek Academy were to see her strange expression at this moment, they would be absolutely astonished.

Zhu Zhuqing's voice trembled Sisi, yet seemed to contain a hint of anticipation.

"You dare say that my strange memories, those inexplicable dreams, have nothing to do with you?!"

Unlike Qian Renxue's situation.

In Qian Renxue's mind, Su Cheng's appearance was at the wrong time.

In reality, Su Cheng is too young.

In her view, if Su Cheng were given several more decades to grow, he would naturally become the teacher she remembered.

Appearing a step ahead of time now is like meeting the right person at the wrong time—it's a wonderful kind of fate.

She wouldn't think that the dream actually came from Su Cheng.

As for Su Cheng's extraordinary abilities and talents in reality, it's because, like her, he possesses memories from his dreams.

Because she herself had truly mastered the Severing Meridians and Continuing Qi Method, and even the method of Cross-Year Absorption Soul Ring across time limits.

But Zhu Zhuqing is different.

Su Cheng is the same age as her in the Simulated World.

In her childhood, he not only acted as her childhood friend and classmate, but also pretended to be her father, guiding her both openly and secretly.

In addition, he taught her the Nirvana Sutra, how to Cross-Year Absorption Soul Ring across age limits, and finally taught her the method of seizing bloodlines, helping her cultivate the Netherworld White Tiger Martial Soul and advance to the Titled Douluo.

These are all things that Su Cheng, at his age, clearly couldn't have accomplished.

Moreover, she just couldn't understand what Su Cheng was after in all that.

Especially after she regained consciousness, she realized something was wrong.

Although this person doesn't exist in reality, the various techniques and skills I remember are all real.

After meeting Su Cheng today, she instantly became certain that her suspicions were true.

Or rather, she hoped it was the truth.

—All these changes must be related to Su Cheng.

Su Cheng thought to himself, "Just as I expected."

He had noticed something was wrong while he was inside the house.

Both Zhu Zhuqing's flustered reaction upon seeing him and her unreasonable cultivation level were proof of it.

Of course, the most crucial thing is that special temperament, which is so similar to the Zhu Zhuqing in my memory.

"It seems to be a similar situation to Xiao Xue's, but not as severe as schizophrenia," Su Cheng thought to himself. "So, does this mean that the longer I spend with someone in the Simulated World, the greater the influence on them, and the more related memories I accumulate?"

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of vigilance, wondering what Bibi Dong's current situation might be.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Zhu Zhuqing stared at Su Cheng. "Weren't you so good at pretending? Keep pretending!"

Hearing the other party's angry rebuke, Su Cheng temporarily suppressed his thoughts, looked at Zhu Zhuqing who looked slightly agitated, and chuckled softly, "Then what are you planning to do by coming out to find me?"

Zhu Zhuqing was taken aback.

Yeah, what for?

She hadn't thought about anything at all; she was just driven by an uncontrollable instinct, and she didn't know why she had chased after him.

I just wanted to talk to him, or ask him a few questions.

But now that I've actually seen it, and I've vented my emotions, I'm suddenly unsure what to do or say next.

Looking at Zhu Zhuqing, Su Cheng suddenly had an idea, and a bold plan began to take shape in his mind.

"You Shrek Academy for that White Tiger Martial Soul, right?"

Zhu Zhuqing stared at him silently, and after a long silence, she nodded.

"You really want to become stronger?"

"Certainly."

"Why? Is it for your corrupt family's rules of competition, or for controlling the Star Luo Empire in the future?"

"No reason. I just want to become stronger, no other reason is needed." Zhu Zhuqing said coldly, "What, are you plotting something again? I won't listen to you this time."

"Haha, no, of course not." Upon hearing her answer, Su Cheng clapped his hands and laughed.

"I think what you said is very well said. Just because of what you said, I can help you again."

Zhu Zhuqing was stunned.

Su Cheng's reaction was completely different from what she had imagined.

But what she just said was the truth, not something she said in anger.

Defeating Dai Weisi was merely a side effect, a way of accepting the White Tiger Martial Soul as payment.

But she didn't care about family rules or the Star Luo Empire Throne at all.

The grand scheme in her dream, the lie that lasted a lifetime, had already made her weary of all these things.

"I can help you significantly improve your cultivation level in a short period of time without any hidden dangers, and I can also solidify your foundation. You should be aware of my abilities," Su Cheng said solemnly.

"However, there is one condition: you must guarantee that you lead your academy's team to the finals of this year's Spirit Master Competition."

Zhu Zhuqing raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, but did not ask any further questions for the time being. She simply said, "How are you going to help me?"

"I'll explain in detail later. First, go and ask your teachers at your academy for a long leave. Three months, please. Tell them you need to cultivate alone for three months."

"..."

After gazing at Su Cheng for a long time, she finally nodded slightly.

"Good."

After Zhu Zhuqing left the place, she returned to the Education Committee.

Dugu Bo suddenly appeared out of nowhere and stood next to Su Cheng.

Clearly, he hadn't gone too far before, and had been hiding somewhere watching the commotion.

"You really value this young girl," he suddenly remarked.

"Really?" Su Cheng was taken aback upon hearing this.

"It's rare to see you this happy." Dugu Bo scrutinized him with a critical gaze. "You admire her?"

"That's right." Su Cheng nodded frankly. "Don't you think she's very pure?"

To be honest, he didn't expect Zhu Zhuqing to say something like "becoming stronger doesn't need a reason."

Whether Zhu Zhuqing was pure or not was clearly not Dugu Bo's focus; he wore a mischievous smile.

He looked at Su Cheng and asked, "What about the Spirit Hall?"

"What do you mean, what to do?"

"Don't play dumb here. I can tell there's definitely something going on between you and this girl."

Su Cheng looked slightly embarrassed and said in a serious tone, "You don't understand."

"It's a good thing I didn't introduce Yan Yan to you. I don't think either of these girls is easy to deal with. You'll be in for a world of trouble later."

Dugu Bo, however, wore a gloating expression.

He had no prejudice against how many girls Su Cheng knew or what his relationships with them were.

But in his view, these people were clearly not as skilled as Dugu Yan.

Su Cheng didn't have to wait long before Zhu Zhuqing walked out of the Education Committee again and came to stand in front of him.

Zhu Zhuqing had done many things like asking for leave to cultivate alone over the past year, and the teachers in the academy couldn't control her, so they simply let her do as she pleased.

In any case, it's enough as long as this genius girl is willing to admit that she is a student from the Shrek Academy.

Dugu Bo had already left by then, and Su Cheng had taken his Hundred Treasure Pouch before he left.

"Come with me, I'll take you somewhere first."

Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing was ready, Su Cheng did not delay and turned to walk out of the academy, preparing to take her to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

While traveling, Zhu Zhuqing's gaze kept drifting towards Su Cheng.

Her mood was far from as calm as she had just appeared.

"You just said you wanted me to lead the team to help Shrek Academy reach the finals, why?"

"I need someone from your team to go and confront the Spirit Hall."

"Heh." Zhu Zhuqing's face immediately turned sneer. "Didn't you say you were from the Spirit Hall?"

"Not yet." Su Cheng's face stiffened, not expecting the other party to remember even such a detail.

"..."

Zhu Zhuqing didn't dwell on the matter too much, and instead asked with a slightly provocative tone, "What will happen if I can't do it?"

"Nothing will happen," Su Cheng replied casually. "I've already given you the benefits in advance, so there's nothing I can do if you can't do it."

He turned and looked at her, then said, "However, I will be very disappointed."

"Hmph." Zhu Zhuqing scoffed coldly, saying disdainfully, "What does your disappointment have to do with me?"

"Indeed." Su Cheng smiled, not minding at all.

"Now that Fourth Miss is free and easy, she certainly doesn't need to care about other people's opinions."

"It's good that you know." Zhu Zhuqing turned her head to look ahead. "If you dare to lie to me, I won't let you off so easily again."

"I, Su Cheng, never lie willingly."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing immediately glared at her.

Seeing this, Su Cheng quickly added, "Things that haven't happened in reality don't count."

Sunset Forest, in the deep valley where the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is located.

Su Cheng and Zhu Zhuqing stood side by side beside the spring.

Gazing at the spectacular sight of ice and fire blending together before her, Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily lost in thought.

A moment later, she glanced at Su Cheng beside her, then lowered her eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

Su Cheng didn't notice her expression at that moment, but instead pointed to a beautiful scene in the valley.

"Zhu Zhuqing, do you see? This place is full of rare and exotic plants."

"Some of these are divine herbs. If an ordinary person takes just one, it will be enough to defy fate and even become Titled Douluo in the future. Their effects are countless times stronger than the potions I have concocted before."

"However, even so, many herbs are not suitable for everyone. If consumed incorrectly, they can cause physical damage and loss of cultivation, or even endanger one's life."

"And I have something to tell you."

Su Cheng turned and stared at Zhu Zhuqing, "I myself have never consumed any of the Immortal Herb here."

Zhu Zhuqing was taken aback upon hearing this.

Since the medicinal Immortal Herb here are so potent, why doesn't Su Cheng eat them himself?

"My path of cultivation is different from that of ordinary people. My physical body is my foundation. The effects of the Immortal Herb are too strong, and no one can fully digest it. There will inevitably be a large amount of medicinal power residue accumulating in my body, which will disrupt the balance of my physical body."

"You are different. You will be developing the Netherworld White Tiger Martial Soul in the future, so your focus will be on the Martial Soul. Moreover, Beast Martial Soul and Tool Martial Soul are inherently different. Therefore, the Immortal Herb will be of great help to you. But whether or not you use it is up to you."

"If you don't want to take the Immortal Herb, I can also prepare a potion for you using other herbs here. The effect will far exceed your usual arduous cultivation, and there will be no medicinal residue."

As he spoke, Su Cheng stared at Zhu Zhuqing with a serious expression.

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then she turned her head away from his eyes and said softly, "Your suggestion is for me to use the Immortal Herb?"

"Yes."

"Then let's use the Immortal Herb."