Enjoying Himself

Virtual Universe, Black Dragon Mountain Island, Galaxy Residential District, Jiangnan Warrior Academy.

Tang Ping strolled around the second-rate campus where his good buddy studied, carrying the first-rate university diploma he'd just received from Galaxy Warrior University.

The Star Rank Breakthrough Package he'd ordered hadn't arrived yet, so he took the chance to relax and pick up a diploma.

With his current strength, he no longer needed a diploma to find a job, but an extra qualification meant extra security. If he ever wanted an easy job somewhere in the Milky Way Galaxy, this Galaxy Warrior University diploma might come in handy.

Ganwu Universe Kingdom had a special rule: across the entire kingdom, only the Ganwu Dojo was allowed to train cultivators. Academies founded by families, like Galaxy Warrior University, could only offer "auxiliary courses" such as general knowledge about the universe, Alien Race customs, starship maintenance and piloting, treasure appraisal, and survival in space.

Someone thought there was no need to study this kind of knowledge, since artificial intelligence could look things up in real time, and advanced AI could even operate an entire fleet on its own.

But Tang Ping knew better: on a battlefield, victory came down to how quickly you reacted in that critical instant. At Planetary Rank or Star Rank speeds, you might have only a split second to respond. By the time you asked an AI to look something up, you'd already be dead at an enemy's hands.

Fortunately, he was now a Planetary Rank ninth-level Spirit Reader, with memory and comprehension far beyond ordinary people. These courses were like studying for a driver's license back in the day; he only had to skim through them in his spare time to master them.

After passing the exams and getting his diploma, he thought of his good buddy Liu Hui, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, and came by to visit.

As soon as he reached the tree-lined path, Tang Ping's gaze was drawn to the students passing by.

As expected of college students. The girls were all fair and pretty, with long legs in their school uniform skirts, and their youthful energy fizzed out like freshly opened soda.

"College life really is great," Tang Ping sighed sincerely.

He considered himself an honest man and had only taken a couple of polite extra glances. Fortunately, he was wearing Galaxy Warrior University's blue-and-white uniform today. Otherwise, the security guard beside him, eyeing him so warily, would probably have kicked him out as a creep.

What surprised him even more was that several girls came over one after another to add him as a friend.

On the principle of "not hurting a girl's feelings," Tang Ping naturally turned down friend requests from male students. When pretty girls asked, he could only "reluctantly" accept.

"Ah, what can I say? I'm just too kind!"

"Thump!"

A fist suddenly slammed into his back with considerable force.

Tang Ping turned around. It was Liu Hui, whose hair was a mess and whose face was full of "resentment." "You've got some nerve, Tang Ping! I've been looking for you forever, and you're over here flirting with my juniors! So what if you're good-looking? Why is it that I've been at this academy for two years and barely even spoken to a girl?"

Clearly, Liu Hui had thrown that punch "out of spite." And since players in the Virtual Universe all had the same basic physical attributes unless they paid for upgrades, Tang Ping hadn't been ready for it and stumbled back several steps.

He narrowed his eyes and raised a hand to activate his Personal Terminal. "Xiao Ai, generate a virtual-universe lawyer's letter for harassment. The defendant is Liu Hui of Jiangnan Warrior Academy. Charge him with using illegal means to touch my body without permission."

[Beep. Generating lawyer's letter. Estimated completion in 10 seconds. Send a copy to the academy security office as well?]

"Bro! My dear brother! Dad! I was wrong!" Liu Hui's face went pale as he hurried over and grabbed Tang Ping's arm, his tone ingratiating. "I just haven't seen you in so long, I got too excited! Don't send it! Don't! I'll treat you to something good!"

Tang Ping's mouth curled to one side. That was exactly what he'd been waiting to hear.

In the end, Liu Hui had to offer "ten meals of Jiangnan Warrior Academy's signature barbecue" before Tang Ping would "forgive" him.

Word was, the barbecue restaurant was the academy's "hidden perk." Not only was the food incredible, but female college student streamers in skimpy outfits worked part-time as backup dancers. The prices were outrageous, and you had to book three days in advance.

Honestly, Tang Ping wasn't interested in the college girls or the skimpy backup dancers. But they were good buddies. How could he possibly not forgive him?

The two walked side by side toward the barbecue restaurant outside campus. Liu Hui excitedly told Tang Ping about how he'd been doing. As he spoke, he suddenly raised a hand and activated his personal title. Silver-colored text appeared above his head: [Planetary Rank Level One Warrior].

"Haha! How about that? Two and a half years! Your bro's a Planetary Rank now too!" Liu Hui thumped his chest, looking pleased with himself. "I'm an official citizen of the Silver Blue Empire now. When I go out to work, my boss will have to get me insurance and health coverage!"

Tang Ping glanced at the silver title and smiled faintly, then activated his own. Silver-backed text appeared, accented with a dazzling streak of gold: [Planetary Rank Ninth-Level Spirit Reader].

The students passing by stopped in their tracks, their eyes filled with shock. At an ordinary academy like Jiangnan Warrior Academy, reaching Planetary Level Peak was everyone's ultimate dream!

Tang Ping looked apologetic. "Sorry, I just! just got this title, and I haven't quite figured out how to turn off the display yet. Didn't mean to show off."

The smile on Liu Hui's face froze. He silently turned off his own title and spent the walk "indignantly" complaining. "Boohoo! You're not human! Could you stop getting stronger, please? Is living off someone really that great? Take me with you! I want to cling to a powerful backer too!"

Tang Ping patted his shoulder and said solemnly, "Your character model isn't good enough. No point thinking about it."

That completely ignited Liu Hui's "fury." His face flushed red as he angrily led Tang Ping to the entrance of Jiangnan Restaurant. After scanning a code to verify their reservation, they found a seat by the window. Liu Hui grabbed the menu and frantically tapped through it. "Whole roast lamb! Roasted star-beast leg! And ten energy tendons! Booze! The biggest keg you've got!"

"Glug, glug, glug~" As soon as the drinks arrived, Liu Hui picked up the keg and took a huge swig, glaring at Tang Ping with puffed-up cheeks.

He got mad—and then he was mad for a moment!

Tang Ping laughed.

He knew Liu Hui well. He was easygoing and generous, usually willing to take a loss, and always the first to step up when a friend was in trouble. Back when their grades had been worlds apart, they'd still become good buddies thanks to Liu Hui's cheerful nature.

Liu Hui also had lots of friends and got along wherever he went. People naturally liked that kind of personality.

A moment later, the restaurant lights suddenly dimmed, and lively music started onstage. A group of girls in skimpy dance outfits came on and began dancing lightly.

Everyone who could enter the Virtual Universe was at least Planetary Rank, and only citizens could use the Virtual Universe's registered-user helmets. These warriors were far more flexible than ordinary people. They performed several difficult spins, jumps, splits, and flips, and because their outfits were skimpy and tight, sometimes you could even make out their special contours.

"Clap, clap, clap!" The customers below cheered and applauded.

Tang Ping glanced at the bill and thought to himself: No wonder it's so expensive. A barbecue meal cost over 5,000 Silver Blue Coins, but beautiful women served the food, fed it to you, poured your drinks, and danced, with plays and instrumental performances in between. It really was a great experience.

Having money sure was nice!