Tragic Zhang Qingsi

"Brother, brother, misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding."

Off to the side, Zhou Lu stared at Chen Yan in terror, forcing a smile as he dragged Sister—who was on the verge of tears—and hurried away.

Fight my ass.

Wu Chuhua was Twentieth, one of Second High's top five, yet a single knee from Chen Yan had nearly made him question his entire life.

Chen Yan smiled and looked at Wu Chuhua.

"Zhang Tie, you've gotten weaker."

Wu Chuhua was still lying on the ground. The excruciating pain was slowly easing, but drool still trickled unconsciously from his mouth. He was a little afraid to look at Chen Yan now.

After a while, Wu Chuhua finally recovered enough to pack up his belongings. As he was leaving, he looked at Chen Yan.

"Chen Yan, when we fought last time, were you just playing with me, or were you already that strong back then?"

His heart was full of doubts. Chen Yan had clearly fought him with everything he had that day, and had even treated his failed awakening as though it were nothing.

Before Chen Yan could answer, Wu Chuhua shook his head and left.

If Chen Yan's rate of progress could really be that fast, then he might as well go die.

Wu Chuhua cast a deep look at the courtyard where he had been living. Rubbing his stomach, which still ached fiercely, he looked toward the other small courtyards, a glint flashing through his eyes.

Stopping before one courtyard, he shouted in a low voice:

"Whoever's inside, get the hell out here!"

With a creak, a disheveled Youth opened the courtyard gate. His pupils shrank when he saw Wu Chuhua carrying his luggage.

"Wu Chuhua, you got kicked out?"

The Youth named Zhang Qingsi was filled with astonishment. Thinking of something, his expression darkened.

"You can't challenge me. I bought this place. If you want to challenge someone, go challenge Li Shaowu."

Wu Chuhua laughed.

"Fuck off. If you want a place to live, go take one. That's the rule of the Town Martial Class. You've got someone backing you, but I've got my Brother too!"

As Wu Chuhua spoke, he set his bedding on the ground.

With a sharp smack.

Before Zhang Qingsi's terrified eyes, Wu Chuhua grabbed him by the neck and flung him far away.

"The Town Martial Class is for getting stronger, not for currying favor and comparing wealth. You piece of trash—no amount of money can change the fact that you're trash."

Ignoring Zhang Qingsi's gloomy expression, Wu Chuhua walked into the courtyard.

Zhang Qingsi alone remained behind, staring darkly at the courtyard that had once been his. He clenched his fists, yet could do nothing.

"Every family that used connections to replace another student has to pay five hundred thousand?" Chen Yan asked in surprise within the spacious Living Room.

"Yes. It's a rule set by Director Luo. People like Zhang Qingsi can stay in the Town Martial Class instead of being kicked out, but each family has to pay five hundred thousand."

Gao Yuan drank some hot water and smiled guilelessly.

"All that money will be used to train the Town Martial Class students. Zhang Qingsi was originally in a four-person room, then he spent another three hundred thousand to buy a small courtyard in the Experimental Zone from Li Shaowu.

"Li Shaowu is a student at his family's Martial Arts Hall."

Gao Yuan spoke with a sigh. He knew Zhang Qingsi's family was rich, but he had never expected them to be this rich.

Money could make ghosts turn millstones.

Chen Yan nodded. Chen Yu had already returned to school, and he had invited Gao Yuan in to ask a few simple questions about the Town Martial Class's rules.

He had never expected a county Town Martial Class to operate on such a grand scale. No wonder the outstanding students' daily meal expenses alone ran into several thousand.

So Luo Puxin had sheared so much wool from these wealthy local families.

There were nearly twenty people who had entered the Town Martial Class through connections. At five hundred thousand each, that added up to over ten million.

Ten million—what kind of concept was that?

Terrifying.

"In the Town Martial Class, everything depends on points. Since you beat Wu Chuhua and took the Experimental Zone house, you'll be directly rewarded fifty points. Those fifty points are enough for you to Contemplate the Origin Crystal of the Body Refinement Breathing Technique for fifty hours.

"Points can also be exchanged for a Teacher's explanations, Treasure Medicine, beast meat—anything."

Gao Yuan grinned.

"And there's Qingshan, the Chu Family's Breeding Area. Staying for one hour costs two points. It's dangerous, sure, but everyone can call for help. If you call for help more than ten times, you'll be eliminated.

"I stayed there for an hour yesterday and nearly used up one of my chances. Tomorrow, I'm going to the Blood Sensing Chamber to smell blood. Do you know about smelling blood...?"

Gao Yuan kept talking. Like Chen Yan, he had been born poor, and had only seen the world of martial artists for the first time after entering the Town Martial Class.

Chen Yan nodded. Luo Puxin had already told him about these things.

There were many dangers in the Chu Family's Breeding Area, but it also tempered one's ability to survive and fight.

The Town Martial Class did not simply teach lessons and train in an orderly fashion.

Instead, it directly trained the students' combat abilities.

Qingshan and Chen Yan were going. He needed Ice Attribute Treasure Medicine that could enhance Yin Zhe.

Although Luo Puxin did not think he would be able to find any.

But Chen Yan had the Saint Breaking Tree, and the Saint Breaking Tree possessed powerful discernment abilities in the wild.

"Gao Yuan, if you're going to the Blood Sensing Chamber tomorrow, call me." Chen Yan was planning to see his guest out and said this as he rose to his feet.

"Huh?" Gao Yuan was somewhat surprised. "Chen Yan, didn't your awakening already fail?"

Wu Chuhua could testify to Chen Yan's failed awakening. It would probably not be long before everyone knew.

Chen Yan's expression darkened, yet a trace of struggle surfaced in his eyes.

Gao Yuan opened his mouth, then sighed. "The chances of awakening again after a failed awakening are very small, but you... sigh..."

He sighed. He understood what Chen Yan was thinking.

He was still unwilling to accept it and wanted to try once more, though it would most likely be useless.

For a moment, Gao Yuan looked at Chen Yan with sympathy.

But he quickly came to his senses.

Wait, why am I pitying him?

One punch from him and I'd probably be flat on the ground.

After Gao Yuan left, Chen Yan inspected the two-story building. Sure enough, there was a Training Room on the first floor.

Upon entering the Training Room, he saw that its walls were made of special Bluestone, with excellent soundproofing.

Chen Yan exhaled Red Mist, lowered his body slightly, and drew back his right fist. His gaze turned cold and stern in an instant, while an overwhelming, irresistible aura rose from his entire body.

Gathering strength, then gathering more strength.

The Crimson Gang Body Tempering Canon linked the Muscle, Bone, Skin, Strength throughout his body, and flowing Internal Force surged into motion.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

Fine whirlwinds appeared around his fist, spinning counterclockwise.

He threw another punch, and the whirlwinds around his fist suddenly exploded in the opposite direction. Raging Wind and Waves poured forth, ceaselessly swirling through the Training Room.

"Still not enough."

Chen Yan murmured. He was still far, far behind Shen Yiwei.

Keep practicing his punches!

If Shen Yiwei knew what Chen Yan was thinking, he would surely be speechless.

What level are you at? What level am I at?

The next day.

A cafeteria worker specifically delivered food to Chen Yan's door. Seeing that the owner of the courtyard had changed, the worker even let out a surprised sound.

After a breakfast of beast meat, the physique energy within Chen Yan's Saint Breaking Realm suddenly soared.

A meal costing more than eight hundred yuan naturally had such an effect.

Chen Yan then saw Gao Yuan waving at him from before the courtyard, and the two headed to the Blood Sensing Chamber together.

"Chen Yan, you look really tired."

Gao Yuan was surprised. Had Chen Yan not slept all night?

Chen Yan remained silent. Last night, another [Technique] Character Saint Breaking Fruit had appeared, but the [Strength] Character Saint Breaking Fruit had not grown.

He still felt extremely exhausted.

But exhaustion was better than being powerless, wasn't it?

Having a direction to strive toward, having a goal to pursue—that was happiness.

Chen Yan smiled.

The morning dawned. Splendid, tapestry-like rays of light intertwined like brocade and slowly rose, illuminating the entire First High School.

The sun rose in the east and set in the west every day. It burned, it had a direction, and it ought to be happy.

That was what Chen Yan thought.

On the way.

Chen Yan saw someone he knew: Yu Zhiwen.

She was walking cheerfully with several other girls. When she saw Chen Yan, she hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Chen Yan, now that you've entered the Town Martial Class, cultivate well."

Chen Yan nodded:

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"Mm, you too. Keep it up."

Yu Zhiwen paused slightly, then nodded and left.

In her heart, she and Chen Yan were no longer on the same level. What right did he have to tell her to keep it up?

"Keep it up" was something the strong said to the weak.

But she was proud, and she couldn't be bothered to say anything.

Everyone had their own fate.

Teacher Xia Tong had been right.

"Yu Zhiwen, Qingshan High School's number one Heavenly Pride, can only rank upper-middle here. She's not as strong as you." Gao Yuan said with a grin.

Yu Zhiwen had not gone far. Hearing that, she halted again and frowned at Gao Yuan, wanting to ask—but she did not take it too seriously.

The two groups went their separate ways.

"Who was that guy?" a Girl beside Yu Zhiwen asked.

"The one Zhang Qingsi replaced," Yu Zhiwen replied.

"What's his name? He's pretty handsome." The Girl smiled sweetly.

Could being handsome put food on the table?

Yu Zhiwen was speechless. She swept the other girl a cool glance. "Chen Yan."

"Chen Yan? A Heavenly Pride!" The Girl suddenly cried out.

Yu Zhiwen froze, not understanding what she meant. Chen Yan was a Heavenly Pride—then what was she?

"You don't know?" The Girl looked at Yu Zhiwen strangely.

"This Chen Yan beat Wu Chuhua the day he arrived yesterday and took his room. I heard he kicked Wu Chuhua so hard he called him daddy."

Yu Zhiwen's pupils contracted. Her red lips parted as she stood there blankly, as if thunder had exploded in her mind.

The next moment, she hurriedly looked back, only to see that Chen Yan and Gao Yuan had already turned the corner.

"Chen Yan, you defeated Wu Chuhua. Fifty points recorded."

Before the Blood Sensing Chamber, Chu Feiyuan looked at Chen Yan with a cold expression.

He knew that Chen Yan had defeated Wu Chuhua. The Town Martial Class's points board had already added Chen Yan's fifty points.

Chen Yan really was a Genius!

That was what truly shocked Chu Feiyuan.

Although he was dissatisfied with Chen Yan, Chu Feiyuan had realized something.

Giving Chen Yan the Chu Family contract was extremely important. It had originally been a means for the Chu Family to build its reputation, and they had been prepared to waste the contract.

Yet this contract itself had turned out to hold value.

Then it should be given to him all the more.

At that thought, the chill in Chu Feiyuan's eyes gradually faded.

"Chen Yan, what happened before was indeed somewhat of a misunderstanding. You know..."

"It's fine, Teacher Chu. I'm partly to blame for this too. I didn't want to cause the Chu Family any trouble, it's just..." Chen Yan said with an honest smile.

Yet cold killing intent spread through his heart. This man deserved to die.

Chu Feiyuan froze, deeply gratified. What a sensible kid.

He had not misjudged him.

Wonderful.

"Mm. By the way, you're a Horizontal Refinement Genius. Why do you want to go into the Blood Sensing Chamber?" Chu Feiyuan asked with a smile.

"Teacher, Chen Yan said he still wants to try awakening again." Gao Yuan said with a smile from the side.

Chu Feiyuan nodded.

"Trying again after an awakening failure will only cost a greater price."

Chen Yan said nothing, stubbornness filling his eyes.

Chu Feiyuan nodded.

"Fine. Go in, then."

He had advised him. Chen Yan himself was the one insisting on wasting his points.

It was better if he wasted them. Once he had no other options, Chu Feiyuan could offer him the Chu Family contract, throw in some private benefits for free—wouldn't Chen Yan then be endlessly grateful to him?

"Alright, go on in. You can decide for yourselves how long you stay, but once your points are used up, someone will call you out."

Chu Feiyuan spoke with a smile.

After Chen Yan and Gao Yuan entered, Chu Feiyuan looked at a Teacher beside him and said, "Check which seat Chen Yan is in and channel some Impure Blood Energy to his side."

The Teacher froze.

"Impure Blood Energy?"

"Mm." Chu Feiyuan smiled. "Chen Yan must be proud deep down. If we hand him the contract outright, he'll probably take it for granted. Give him a little difficulty first, then give him the contract.

For a country boy, kneeling in gratitude before you would be a perfectly normal reaction."

That Teacher was a steward of the Chu Family. He understood at once, though inwardly he was furious. Back then, he himself had been muddle-headedly duped by the Chu Family in exactly this way.

Even so, he could not say anything. He could only hurry off to make the adjustments.

Chu Feiyuan narrowed his eyes.

The Blood Sensing Chamber of the Town Martial Class had not originally been arranged by the Chu Family, but Luo Puxin had seized upon Chu Lan's matter, leaving the Chu Family with no choice but to sacrifice such enormous resources.

The moment he entered the Blood Sensing Chamber, Chen Yan was surprised.

The Chu Family's Blood Sensing Chamber was different from the one he had encountered at the Town Martial Division. His first impression was that it was small.

It was roughly the size of a restaurant. Rather than being filled with Red Mist, its interior was laid out like a restaurant as well.

There were more than fifty private booths in total, with only one person able to sit in each.

The walls were built from Bluestone, carved with intricate Pattern Lines.

At once, Yellow Light emerged within the Saint Breaking Realm.

This was Formation Energy, which could only be absorbed after the Saint Breaking Tree was upgraded.

As he passed several booths, Chen Yan saw an acquaintance again.

Zhang Qingsi stared darkly at Chen Yan. The person who had replaced his spot had actually already defeated Wu Chuhua.

Yet he himself had had to pay money just to attend the Town Martial Class.

He felt stifled, conflicted, and unable to put it into words.

Zhang Qingsi met Chen Yan's gaze and only spoke when Chen Yan was about to pass him by.

"Chen Yan, I'll pay three hundred thousand for your house."

Chen Yan ignored him. Zhang Qingsi stood up.

"Chen Yan, don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit."

Beside Chen Yan, Gao Yuan narrowed his eyes with a smile, but Chen Yan suddenly turned around.

Zhang Qingsi's mind went blank in an instant, and his whole body toppled backward. Excruciating pain shot through the bridge of his nose.

So fast. He had not even seen Chen Yan make a move!

Horror filled Zhang Qingsi's eyes, only for it to turn into boundless fury the next moment.

"Chen Yan!" Zhang Qingsi growled, seething with rage.

He got to his feet and faced Chen Yan, but when he saw the cold light blazing in the other's eyes, fear rose in his heart again.

"Trash, who the hell are you yelling at? Have some shame!" In a nearby booth, a male student stood up and sneered at Zhang Qingsi. "You're just a useless piece of trash whose family has a bit of money. What are you good for?"

That student was also someone whose spot had been replaced.

"Exactly, pure trash."

"Wu Chuhua was completely right."

"You really think you're capable? Don't you just have a Good Father? Get lost already. Stop polluting the air."

People all around cursed at him. Zhang Qingsi covered his nose as blood seeped through his fingers. He glared viciously at Chen Yan, then ran out of the Blood Sensing Chamber. Upon seeing Chu Feiyuan, he spoke in a choked voice.

"Teacher Chu, Chen Yan attacked me!"

Chu Feiyuan nodded.

"Then you can challenge him."

Though he was secretly scheming against Chen Yan, his goal was to sign a contract with him.

Zhang Qingsi froze, his expression changing before he said quietly, "Teacher Chu, I want Chen Yan's house. I'll have my dad give you five hundred thousand."

As soon as he finished, Chu Feiyuan's expression turned cold.

"If you want the house, fight for it yourself. Those are the rules of the Town Martial Class.

What are you trying to do by giving me money?"

Chu Feiyuan was angry. Chu Lan had only just been removed for lining his own pockets. Was Zhang Qingsi an idiot?

Luo Puxin did not interfere in transactions between students, but if a Teacher got involved, he would come down hard.

The other students and Teachers nearby all turned to look at Zhang Qingsi, watching him with mockery.

Zhang Qingsi's face went deathly pale. He did not dare say another word and hurried away.