A Stark Contrast, a Change in Attitude!

[Ding—]

[Bonded target Qian Renxue has begun training under a load beyond her limits. Tenfold return triggered.]

[Congratulations, host! Physical Body Enhancement +1...]

As another steady stream of warmth poured into his body, Qian Renchuan perked up at once.

"Whoa."

"She's really going all out, isn't she?"

"Class only ended a little while ago, and she's already training her body again?"

"She makes overachievers look lazy!"

Qian Renchuan was filled with admiration.

Compared to his second sibling, he really did seem like a good-for-nothing.

But that was what his system was for, wasn't it?

Then something Huo Yuhao had thought earlier flashed through his mind.

Wait.

He mentioned Whale Rubber, didn't he?

How did I forget about Whale Rubber?

That stuff can temper the body and make it stronger.

Qian Renchuan's eyes brightened as he turned the idea over in his mind.

She's pushing her body this hard so she can absorb a Soul Ring beyond her physical limits.

If I can get her some Whale Rubber, her body will grow much stronger.

And the stronger she gets...

The bigger my tenfold return will be!

I can't lose on this deal!

The corners of Qian Renchuan's mouth lifted.

I'll have to search Spirit Hall's treasury sometime. Maybe I can find some Whale Rubber there.

In this era,

no one knew what Whale Rubber was good for.

But that did not mean Spirit Hall had none in its treasury.

Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao caught a glimpse of Qian Renchuan rolling over and going back to sleep. He sneered inwardly.

Heh.

Just as I thought. A good-for-nothing who doesn't care to learn.

He sees me working on these oddly shaped pieces of metal and doesn't even ask about them.

An idiot without a shred of curiosity will spend his whole life knowing nothing of the wider world.

Then again, that suits me. If he can't understand what I'm doing, I won't have to hide it from him.

Once I finish the Fixed-Installation Soul Tool, I'm leaving this evil place!

With that thought,

Huo Yuhao cleared his mind.

He focused all his mental energy on the Carving Knife once more, and his engraving sped up.

At the same time,

on the Back Mountain of Spirit Academy,

the sun was setting, but the air remained stiflingly hot.

A small figure struggled up the steep mountain path.

It was Qian Renxue.

Her thin training clothes were soaked with sweat and clung to her young body.

A huge block of Pig Iron was strapped to her back.

Still, Qian Renxue bit her lip and kept climbing.

Her calves trembled violently with every step, and she was almost too breathless to continue.

But she pressed on, showing no sign of retreating or giving up.

Almost there.

I'm nearly there!

Just a little farther to the top!

Qian Renxue gritted her teeth, resolve written across her face.

If I hold on a little longer, my body will grow that much stronger.

Tang San, if you could break the rules, so can I!

This time, I'll crush you and make sure you never rise again!

Crack!

A loose rock shattered beneath her foot.

Qian Renxue stumbled, and her knee slammed into the rough stone again.

Blood seeped out at once

and stained her trouser leg red.

She did not spare it a glance. Digging her fingers into the edge of a rock, she forced herself back to her feet and continued climbing.

Her perseverance

was enough to shame any adult soul master.

Far from the Back Mountain, atop a tall tower,

several chiefs of Spirit Academy stood watching the stubborn figure on the path.

They watched Qian Renxue fall again and again,

then get back up each time.

Every one of them looked stunned.

"Miss Xue's determination is frightening."

One chief could not help voicing his admiration.

"A six-year-old girl, pushing herself this mercilessly."

"Indeed."

Another chief nodded repeatedly, his expression complicated.

"That block of Pig Iron weighs over a hundred pounds. Even an adult Soul Grandmaster would struggle to carry it up a mountain, let alone a child without a Soul Ring."

"With Miss Xue here, Spirit Hall's future will surely be brighter than ever."

"His Holiness the Pope has a fine daughter!"

The other chiefs joined in, their words full of praise and hope for Qian Renxue.

Then someone suddenly asked,

"By the way."

"What's the Eldest Young Master doing now?"

"He sent a level-twenty-one student flying with one punch today. Didn't His Holiness the Pope order us to find more people to push him?"

"Has that stirred some ambition in him too?"

At those words,

the air atop the tower went still.

The chiefs who had been talking so freely all froze.

Then

they fell into dead silence.

They exchanged awkward looks. None of them knew how to answer.

What was the Eldest Young Master doing?

Sleeping, of course!

What else would he be doing?

The next day came in the blink of an eye.

Early that morning,

the sun shone brightly.

Warm sunlight streamed through the window and filled the dormitory.

Qian Renchuan was still asleep.

Li Yan and Zhao Mang had already tiptoed in with breakfast and set it beside his bed, along with fresh water.

Only after arranging everything did they carefully nudge him.

"Eldest Young Master."

"We brought your breakfast back."

"Oh."

Qian Renchuan woke with a yawn.

The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Li Yan and Zhao Mang's faces, swollen like pig heads. Both wore fawning smiles.

"Eldest Young Master, you're awake."

Li Yan hurriedly handed him a towel.

"Your wash water is ready. The temperature is just right."

Zhao Mang nodded eagerly beside him, holding out the breakfast tray.

"The meat buns and beast milk are fresh from the kitchen. Please have them while they're hot, Eldest Young Master."

Qian Renchuan stretched. Seeing how obedient the two had become, he felt quite satisfied.

Before going to sleep last night,

the two had made a little noise while cleaning.

Qian Renchuan had seized the excuse to give them another thorough beating, leaving them howling for mercy.

From the looks of things,

those two beatings had worked wonders.

Qian Renchuan sat up, took the towel, and gave his face a quick wipe.

Then he noticed that Huo Yuhao's bed was already empty, its blanket neatly folded.

He sure got away early.

Qian Renchuan chuckled to himself.

Running off at this hour, he must have found some deserted corner to practice his Mysterious Heaven Skill and Purple Demon Eyes.

If you two are going to work this hard, don't mind me collecting the rent.

The next moment,

he called up the system panel in his mind.

[Host: Qian Renchuan]

[Martial Souls: Skin, Seraphim]

[Level: 25 (Soul Grandmaster)]

[Mental Strength: 236 (standard for an ordinary level 25: 135)]

[Physical Strength: 364 (standard for an ordinary level 25: 205)]

[Soul Power: 3912/3910 (level 26 Soul Power standard: 3910)]

[Bonded target (1): Qian Renxue; current status: cultivating Soul Power]

[Bonded target (2): Huo Yuhao; current status: practicing Mysterious Heaven Skill]

P.S. Please leave a recommendation vote, a monthly vote, and a five-star review.

Feel free to share any feedback too.

A reader pointed out that taking it easy doesn't mean sleeping every day. I took that to heart and realized there's been a bit too much sleeping. I'll give him some new hobbies later.

But I have four chapters written ahead, so he may still be sleeping in those.

After that, I'll change things right away.

Lastly, please leave a five-star review. If anyone knows a book-recommendation blogger, I'd appreciate an introduction. I can pay to promote it on Douyin.

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