I'll Break Your Legs

"Wrong!"

Gu Yuan's internal alarm bells rang out.

He suddenly recalled that he had just broken through to the peak of the Third-Stage Blood Tempering Realm, and that was on top of the attribute bonuses he had been milking from his cousin over the last ten days.

If he really were to fight, contending for the top three would be quite easy.

Could it be that...

With a thought from Gu Yuan, a transparent panel floated before his eyes.

[Host: Gu Yuan]

[Held Traits: Saint Hand Pulse Clearing, Person Near Death]

Seeing that glaring line of black text, the last shred of hope in his heart vanished completely.

Cold sweat seeped from his temples.

Are you kidding me? This is the first time I've heard of someone becoming a dead man right after getting a cheat code.

Gu Yuan tapped his skull with one hand.

As it stands, this [Person Near Death] trait only seems to appear on the heads of students ranked in the top three for overall strength.

Then... what if he intentionally lost the match and didn't make the top three?

The moment this thought surfaced, the four words [Person Near Death] on the panel dissipated like smoke, vanishing without a trace.

Seeing this, Gu Yuan's taut nerves suddenly relaxed, and he let out a long, silent breath.

Thank goodness, this thing is dynamic.

"Xiaoyuan, what's wrong? What are you thinking about? You haven't answered me for ages."

Seeing him unresponsive for so long, Shen Tingxue stared at him in confusion.

"Ah? It's nothing, cousin."

Gu Yuan quickly gathered his thoughts, softened his expression, and spoke.

"About the competition, making the top ten shouldn't be a problem."

"Try your best to aim for the top three," Shen Tingxue encouraged.

"I heard that this competition is being held by all the high schools in the province. The top three from each school will be sent to the provincial capital to receive personal guidance from a Condensing Core Realm martial artist."

There was a hint of envy in her tone: "Guidance from a Condensing Core Realm martial artist—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You must seize it!"

No thanks.

Gu Yuan complained frantically in his heart, I think it's more like a murder attempt by a Condensing Core Realm martial artist.

"I'll try, I'll try my best, cousin," he said, brushing her off.

After dealing with his cousin, Gu Yuan's mind was racing.

Why would the top three in the Haicheng No. 1 High School competition specifically carry the [Person Near Death] trait? What about students from other schools? Will they also die if they go to the provincial capital?

After thinking for a moment, Gu Yuan shook his head.

This matter was too big and too bizarre; it was simply not something he could handle right now.

Even if he spoke out about it, others would only treat him like a lunatic under too much pressure.

It seems he would have to play the actor for this competition.

He would just coast into the top ten to get the school rewards; as for that death train to the top three, whoever wants to board it can go ahead.

Adjusting his mood, the red light ahead turned green.

The car started moving again.

Gu Yuan's gaze inadvertently shifted back to Shen Tingxue, only to discover that the trait above her head had changed once again.

He had originally assumed that after he obtained [Saint Hand Pulse Clearing], the trait above his cousin's head wouldn't change anymore.

But it had.

At this moment, a brand-new line of blue text was hovering above Shen Tingxue's head.

[Trait: Battle Maniac]

[Acquisition Condition: Assist the trait holder in killing ten First-Order Ferocious Beasts]

[Current Progress: 0/10]

Gu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

This system even has chain quests?

Killing First-Order Ferocious Beasts...

That wasn't as simple as giving a back massage in the clinic.

A First-Order Ferocious Beast was not something a Blood Tempering Realm martial artist could handle alone.

If he were to clash with one using his current Third-Stage Blood Tempering strength, there was a high probability he would be torn to shreds.

However, how could he possibly give up on a trait that had been delivered right to his doorstep?

"Sis," Gu Yuan suddenly spoke up.

"Do you have any missions to clear out fierce beasts outside the city lately?"

Shen Tingxue glanced at him, looking somewhat surprised.

"I do, actually. Next Wednesday, I'm heading to the abandoned mining area outside the city to clear out a batch of Iron-Armored Lizards. Why do you ask?"

"Take me with you."

"Are you looking to die?" Shen Tingxue refused without a second thought. "What are you going to do there as a Quenching Blood Realm cultivator? Deliver takeout to the beasts?"

"I want to broaden my horizons." Gu Yuan lied without his face turning red or his heart skipping a beat. "Our teacher said that before the college entrance exam, it's best to see some blood firsthand. It helps cultivate killing intent and is good for actual combat."

"Bullshit. Which teacher said that? Tell me, and I'll go smash up his office."

"Really, Sis. I won't run around. I'll just follow behind you and watch from a distance. I promise I won't cause any trouble." Gu Yuan activated his shameless mode.

"You're an expert in the Body Tempering Realm; protecting a little noob like me should be a piece of cake, right?"

Shen Tingxue sneered.

"Don't try to butter me up. It won't work."

Gu Yuan didn't want to give up this opportunity.

[Battle Maniac]—just hearing the name told him this was definitely a combat-related trait. It might even significantly boost his combat power.

"Sis, I promise to follow orders. If you tell me to go east, I won't go west. If you tell me to hit a dog, I won't chase a chicken."

"No."

"Then I'm going to tell on you to Uncle," Gu Yuan pulled out his trump card. "I'll tell him you were the one who stole and drank that bottle of Fire Marrow Brew he treasured."

"Gu Yuan, you bastard!" Shen Tingxue slammed her hand on the steering wheel, making the SUV shudder. "You were the one who goaded me into drinking it!"

"Uncle doesn't know it was me, anyway." Gu Yuan grinned with a punchable expression.

Shen Tingxue shut her mouth, took a deep breath, and fought the urge to throw her asshole cousin out the car window.

After a long while, she gritted her teeth and squeezed a few words through the gaps.

"Fine. If you want to go die, I won't stop you."

"But let's get this straight: once we're there, you must stay by my side every single second. If you dare to run off, I'll break your legs before throwing you to the lizards."

"Deal!" Gu Yuan agreed immediately.

He leaned against the car window, feeling satisfied as he watched the city neon lights streak past outside.

[Battle Maniac].

The name alone sounded like a trait full of violence.

What he lacked most right now were genuine means of attack.

After ruthlessly making Shen Tingxue pay for a massive meal, Gu Yuan patted his rounded belly and returned home, feeling content.

"You're back, son?"

As soon as Gu Yuan stepped through the door, he saw his dad, Gu Yuanzheng, sprawled out on the sofa watching TV, while his mom, Shangguan Yi, was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner.

He skillfully picked up a pack of cigarettes from the coffee table, pulled one out, handed it to Gu Yuanzheng, and helped him light it.

Above his dad's head floated a white trait—[Old Smoker].

Gu Yuanzheng was stunned for a moment, reaching out to take the cigarette with a puzzled expression.

He didn't know what was up with his son; for the past few days, the first thing he did upon getting home was light a cigarette for him. This filial piety was a bit abnormal.

As Gu Yuanzheng blissfully took the final drag and stubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray, a change finally occurred on Gu Yuan's panel.

A line of green text emerged.

[Obtained Trait: Cloud Swallowing Mist Spitting (Green)]

[Trait Effect: Lung meridians will no longer be eroded by smoke. When smoking, qi and blood recovery speed is slightly increased. Can actively exhale thick smoke to briefly obscure vision.]

Better than nothing, he supposed.

Gu Yuan evaluated it in his heart; after all, he didn't smoke himself, and this was purely to verify what kind of effect this trait actually had.

"Gu Yuanzheng! I think your skin is itching, isn't it! You dare to smoke in the living room again!" Shangguan Yi's angry voice drifted from the kitchen.

"I'm innocent, honey!" Gu Yuanzheng sat up with a start, hurriedly pointing at Gu Yuan nearby. "It was our son! Our son insisted on lighting it for me!"

However, when he turned his head, the space beside him was empty.

Gu Yuan had already slipped into the kitchen, busily helping Shangguan Yi wash the vegetables.

"Huh? Dad, what are you talking about?" Gu Yuan poked his head out, looking completely bewildered.

"You... you little brat!"

Before Gu Yuanzheng could finish his sentence, a slipper flew with pinpoint accuracy from the kitchen, landing with a thwack right on his face.

"Don't blame everything on our son! You reek of smoke, hurry up and go open the window to air the place out!"

Gu Yuanzheng could only accept his bad luck, scurrying off to open the window in defeat.

After a flurry of activity, the meal was finally ready.

As Gu Yuan helped carry the last dish to the table, a notification sounded in his mind once again.

The progress bar under another trait had filled up.

[Trait Acquired: Home Flavor (Green)]

[Trait Effect: Every meal you eat at home will leave a coordinate labeled "Home" deep within your memory. From now on, no matter where you are, as long as you calm your mind and recall the taste of this meal, you will be able to clearly perceive the direction of home.]