Chapter 43: A Gift
After taking the medicine, Zhao Junhong’s condition improved noticeably, and his aura began to rise again. Fang Qingyun plopped down on the ground and let out a long breath.
He glanced at the system.
[Origin +1]
[Origin +1]
At this moment, Fang Qingyun’s spiritual power had already reached 69 points. Then there were the weapons and his own body…
Adding all these together, the force he was bearing exceeded 7,000 jin, perhaps even more.
So, the moment the Tidal Change began, Fang Qingyun immediately entered this state.
“Come on, let’s have one last frenzy!”
Fang Qingyun stared intently at the system.
At the same time, countless others were staring just as intently at Fang Qingyun.
In the City Lord’s Mansion, the City Lord turned and asked his secretary, “What’s Fang Qingyun’s current spiritual power?”
The secretary replied immediately, “We estimate it to be around 60.”
Sixty…
Many people drew in a sharp breath.
This number was something even many direct descendants of noble families couldn’t reach—only the highest-ranking clans might possess such talent.
The City Lord was not satisfied. “What’s the margin of error?”
The secretaries exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.
What was the margin of error?
How were they supposed to know?
Inside the secret realm, the more spiritual power one possessed, the faster the increase. They weren’t clear on how much the rate increased after fifty points.
There had been individuals with spiritual power exceeding fifty before, but how much they had and how quickly it grew—why would anyone divulge that?
Anyone whose spiritual power could surpass fifty was a chosen prodigy, someone widely favored. If you wanted to strong-arm an answer out of them, dream on!
“Hmph!” The City Lord snorted in anger and stopped speaking.
Principal Zhang said calmly, “Why get angry, City Lord? As long as the spiritual power doesn’t exceed seventy, he can’t reach the upper grade.”
“Heh, how could he not reach the upper grade?” Principal Sun retorted immediately. “Let’s say Fang Qingyun is at sixty now—can’t one Tidal Change add five points? And after that, what about the secret realm’s blessing? Can’t that add another five?”
Principal Zhang chuckled coldly, his tone indifferent. “You’ve calculated well, Principal Sun, but do things ever go as you imagine? Let’s not mention anything else—who dares guarantee the blessing of the secret realm will add exactly five points of spiritual power? Maybe it’ll just stop at sixty-nine.”
Principal Sun sneered. “That’s still better than being kicked out directly.”
“You bastard, I’ve tolerated you long enough!”
“Right back at you!”
Principal Sun abruptly rolled up his sleeves.
“All right, enough!” someone interjected as the two seemed ready to start another quarrel.
No!
They were already in the midst of cursing and about to come to blows.
The City Lord hastily intervened.
“The college entrance examination is almost over. You two should make your preparations.”
The two glared at each other, neither backing down.
Principal Zhang’s voice was icy. “Sun, dare to bet with me again?”
Principal Sun sneered. “Get my grade-five weapon ready first. I’ll bet with you once I have my custom grade-five weapon.”
Clutching his chest, Principal Zhang gasped for breath. After a moment, he gritted his teeth. “Fine, I’ll give it to you. I won’t go back on my word. But remember, I’ll get my chance to turn things around.”
“Heh!”
...
“Huff... huff...” Fang Qingyun gasped for breath, sweat streaming down his face.
He had gone from sitting to lying down, his clothes soaked through. Nosebleed had started to trickle, his vision blurred.
“Can... can you hold on?” Zhao Junhong managed to ask hoarsely.
“...Yes,” Fang Qingyun struggled to utter the word.
Zhao Junhong grinned, gesturing with his mouth. “Look at that girl. Damn, she’s got another trick up her sleeve.”
Fang Qingyun turned with difficulty, only to see Murong sitting cross-legged in a cultivation posture.
“What’s that?” he asked.
Zhao Junhong panted, “My family once told me some nobles have deep legacies. They can cultivate special techniques and absorb spiritual energy even as prospective warriors. That’s why those from noble families are all so powerful.”
“Heh, all those explanations boil down to one word: damn!”
Zhao Junhong gestured at Murong again. “Go give it a try.”
Fang Qingyun ignored him and glanced at his system.
[Host: Fang Qingyun]
[Strength: 12 (+)]
[Speed: 16 (+)]
[Constitution: 13 (+)]
[Mentality: 15 (+)]
[Spiritual Power: 73 (+)]
[Shooting: Intermediate]
[Swordsmanship: Novice]
[Summoned Beast: Dragonblood Lion (+)]
[Origin Points: 1273]
His Origin Points had increased to 1,273.
“How much spiritual power do you have?” Fang Qingyun asked softly.
“Not much, thirty-four!” Zhao Junhong replied with a hint of pride. “You?”
Fang Qingyun was about to answer when he noticed Murong’s ears twitch.
“A bit more than you.”
“Damn!” Zhao Junhong pulled a long face. “I’m a noble, and you—a commoner—are still ahead of me.”
“Heh, I’m here to beat nobles!” Fang Qingyun scoffed. “Just hold on a bit longer. The more spiritual power, the better.”
“Of course!” Zhao Junhong sighed. “But I don’t think I can last much longer.”
“You...” Fang Qingyun’s expression changed.
“Spiritual power’s great, but life is more important. I feel like I’m about to lose mine,” Zhao Junhong said, reaching for his secret treasure.
Fang Qingyun couldn’t help but curse inwardly.
[Origin -100]
[Speed +1]
[Speed: 17]
“Bang!”
Fang Qingyun struggled to his feet and stomped on Zhao Junhong’s hand, stopping him from activating the secret treasure. Then he pulled out a half-bottle of secret medicine.
“You still have some?” Zhao Junhong’s voice changed pitch.
He had run out entirely, yet Fang Qingyun still had half a bottle left? Was this some kind of taunt?
What was this, an all-you-can-eat buffet?
Fang Qingyun grinned at Zhao Junhong. “Come, let me test your throat for you!”
“I—!@#￥%”
[Origin -100]
[Speed +1]
[Speed: 18]
“Bang!”
With another speed increment, Fang Qingyun’s condition improved slightly. He used the moment to shove the bottle into Zhao Junhong’s mouth.
“Aren’t you going to use some for yourself—mmph!” Zhao Junhong could only whimper, tears welling up in his eyes as he glared at Fang Qingyun in grievance.
...
In the City Lord’s Mansion, many onlookers grinned at the scene.
“It should be a touching moment of loyalty! Why is it so sleazy with these two?”
“I noticed that too.”
“Their expressions... they make me want to punch someone!”
Principal Sun and Old Li stared blankly at the monitor, trying to appear unconcerned.
Yet, in their hearts, they’d cursed Fang Qingyun and Zhao Junhong hundreds of times by now.
Feeding someone secret medicine—was this really necessary?
What a pair of scoundrels!
...
“So confident in yourself?” a cool, clear voice sounded.
Murong opened her eyes, bright gaze fixed unblinkingly on Fang Qingyun.
Fang Qingyun grinned. “Why shouldn’t I be? I nearly beat you, the noble, until you surrendered on your knees.”
Murong’s face remained expressionless, but her slender fingers slowly clenched.
She took a deep breath and spoke coldly, “My spiritual power has already surpassed fifty.”
“And?”
“When we’re out, I’ll settle accounts with you!” Murong said icily. “And your friend, too—he should watch out. Zhou Yi, Li Fei, and Luo Yuxin are no pushovers. Their spiritual power all exceeds forty, and inside the secret realm, they’re hugely restricted.”
To this, Fang Qingyun only sneered. The howling of a defeated dog!
“Exactly!” Zhao Junhong had finished his medicine, his state clearly improved. He sneered, “Who’s afraid of whom? Especially that Zhou Yi—he wants trouble, but I’m not having it. When we’re out, I’ll give him such a beating his own father won’t recognize him.”
Murong closed her eyes and ignored the pair.
Each was more boastful than the other. Once outside, the truth would be revealed.
Yet thinking of the promise she’d made to Fang Qingyun, she felt another pang of headache.
Damn brute—such a greedy appetite. Aren’t you afraid of bursting?
As a favored daughter of the heavens, what she dreaded most was these shameless powerhouses.