Chapter 107: Can I Touch You?
Looking at the facilities in the rest area of Songyang High School, Qian Shen and Zhao Tianxing exchanged bewildered glances. Both had visited Bailong High School before and remembered the stark contrast of the previous Martial Arts Competition—back then, Songyang’s rest area had been anything but impressive. Now, suddenly confronted with such a luxurious setup, Zhao Tianxing couldn’t help but wonder if he’d accidentally wandered into the wrong venue.
Qian Shen couldn’t suppress his inner thought: Wait… with Songyang High School’s average scores, do they really deserve this kind of treatment?
Even Wang Hai couldn’t help but remark, having led teams in the Sports Competition for years—this was by far the grandest event, and the best treatment Songyang High School had ever received.
Lian Tianji, seemingly aware of everyone’s surprise, chuckled and explained: “This year’s on-site equipment is jointly sponsored by Ziyun Pharmaceutical and Luzhou Group. The conditions are indeed top-tier.”
He pointed toward the east side of the arena. “Over there, Luzhou Group and Hongta Pasture are providing free buffet meals for all competitors, as well as Ziyun students and staff assisting with operations. Would you like to go check it out?”
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, who had just sat down, immediately stood up. “We’ll go familiarize ourselves with the competition environment.”
The three of them walked together across the venue and reached the buffet zone. From afar, they could already see scores of Ziyun High School students—each with their skin tinted a deep, unnatural purple—carrying trays and eating as they walked.
The reason they were holding trays was clear: Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen noticed that once these Ziyun students filled their plates, they began eating while walking. By the time they reached the exit, they’d finished their meals entirely and simply placed their trays on the recycling table.
Bai Zhenzhen narrowed her eyes. “I get it now—those walking-and-eating students must be the underachievers from your Ziyun High School, right?”
“Because their grades are too poor to be allowed to sit down. From the moment they grab food at the cafeteria until they return the tray, they’re forced to eat on the move.”
Lian Tianji chuckled. “You’re painting our school too harshly. We don’t demand that much from struggling students.”
“These are just regular students who don’t get to sit. No special punishment.”
Bai Zhenzhen blinked. “Wait… then what about the real underachievers?”
Lian Tianji replied coolly: “The bottom 50 scorers eat in the restroom—no time limits, no rules. They can eat as long as they want.”
Zhang Yu silently thought: Ziyun High School really is full of privileged brats.
But then he reconsidered. Sure, forcing the bottom 50 to eat in the bathroom was cruel—but on the bright side… it did mean the school had plenty of restrooms, right?
Zhang Yu mused: At least that’s better than Bailong High School.
Just then, a deep rumbling sound echoed across the area—like the thunderous gallop of ten thousand horses. A horde of black-clad figures in Hongta High School uniforms marched into the buffet zone.
Zhang Yu’s eyes widened. “What the hell… are those even students? Hongta High School students?”
He’d seen Hongta’s hybrid descendants before—though their appearances differed slightly from humans, forms resembling brown bears or tigers were still somewhat familiar. But these… each one was a slick, glossy black from head to toe, with only their eyes glowing a fierce, blood-red hue.
His mind raced: My sister said Hongta High School achieved a breakthrough in genetic engineering—awakening a black creature’s bloodline in their hybrid students, refining it, and injecting it into human bodies…
Could this be the awakening of “Black Blood”? Gaining immense physical power, transforming them into black bears, black tigers… or even… black students?
Lian Tianji, noticing Zhang Yu’s shock, offered a helpful explanation: “Hongta High School successfully activated the Black Dragon Bloodline in their hybrid students. Their bodies have undergone a complete transformation.”
“Look closely at their skin—those black hues are actually the shimmer of dragon scales.”
Zhang Yu stepped closer and, amidst the dark glow, could just make out a fine layer of tiny black scales—glistening with iridescent shadows in deep, rich blacks.
He also noticed subtle details that had been hard to spot from afar: Xiong Wenwu’s two small horns on his forehead, sharply pointed and longer than before; the extended, claw-like fingers; the short tail twitching at his lower back; the long, curling whiskers framing his jaw. And most unnerving of all—waves of oppressive, predatory pressure radiated from them, like a pack of hunters locking onto their prey.
Lian Tianji added, his voice tinged with excitement: “The more Black Dragon Bloodline a student awakens, the more dragon-like their features become. Their physical strength increases dramatically. It’s said that the deeper the bloodline’s influence, the greater their combat potential.”
He grinned. “In terms of Physical Strength Level, these guys have a natural advantage. I’m really looking forward to our match.”
Bai Zhenzhen, already impatient, interrupted: “Finished talking? I’m gonna miss out if we don’t eat now.”
Indeed, the Hongta students devoured food with terrifying speed—gulping down entire plates in a single bite, jaws snapping shut like traps.
Zhang Yu quickly grabbed Bai Zhenzhen’s arm and dashed into the buffet zone, grabbing a plate and shoving food into his mouth.
Bai Zhenzhen seized a chicken leg, biting off half in two swift chomps. Tears welled in her eyes.
For the past month, she and Zhang Yu had lived on Synthetic Food. At first, it was tolerable. But later, the tasteless, mushy paste grew unbearable. Their bodies had long since suppressed the craving for real food—until now.
Now, the real taste of chicken exploded in her mouth—juice bursting with every chew. All she could think was: Pre-made roasted chicken legs… are absolutely amazing!
She took a swig of Hongta Pasture’s Beast Protein Milk. Her face relaxed into a blissful expression.
Lian Tianji walked over and sat across from the two, still chewing. “No need to rush. This buffet is provided by both Luzhou Group and Hongta Pasture. Even if ten times the number of people showed up, there’d still be enough food.”
After chatting casually for a few minutes, Lian Tianji finally asked the question that had been on his mind for weeks.
“Zhang Yu… how high has your Physical Strength Level risen over the past two months?”
He watched Zhang Yu shovel another slab of steak into his mouth, the memory of their fight in the martial arts arena flashing in his mind.
Even though I wanted to beat you… if our levels grow too far apart, winning would mean nothing.
The thought of never being able to defeat Zhang Yu again brought a pang of regret.
Zhang Yu shrugged. “4.95 level.”
Lian Tianji blinked. Then, with a smirk: “Not joking, right? What’s your actual level?”
Zhang Yu gave him a puzzled look. “4.95. Who’s joking?”
He stuffed another chunk of lamb into his mouth.
Lian Tianji’s brow furrowed. His first thought was disbelief: After undergoing Ziyun Pharmaceutical’s Super Metabolism Enhancement, I’ve injected nearly ten kilograms of serum daily. I’ve endured constant agony—muscles tearing, organs rupturing. I’ve been rushed to the emergency room multiple times. And even now, I’ve only reached 4.56 level.
How the hell could Zhang Yu be at 4.95?
Is he lying to hide his true level? But why? Everyone’s Physical Strength Level will be scanned at the start of the match anyway.
Could he actually be telling the truth? But that’s impossible…
For a moment, Lian Tianji couldn’t decide whether Zhang Yu was lying—or if he wasn’t.
Just then, a tall, elegant, icy figure silently entered the cafeteria, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.
Her beauty was striking, but that wasn’t the main reason. The entire crowd of Ziyun students rose in unison, bowing respectfully toward Le Mulan.
She wore her long hair tied into a high ponytail, secured with a purple ribbon. Her form-fitting purple athletic outfit revealed her snow-white arms and long, powerful legs, exuding a rare athletic grace.
But what caught Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s eyes most was the intricate purple mark on her forehead—a complex, swirling pattern unlike Lian Tianji’s simple dot. It looked like a single, vertical purple eye, embedded in her brow.
The top-ranked student of the year gave a slight nod, her expression cold and emotionless. “Return to your duties.”
The students bowed once more, then resumed their meals.
Le Mulan walked straight to Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, and Lian Tianji’s table and stopped.
Zhang Yu glanced at her, noticing her slightly labored breathing. He shrugged. “Want to join us for dinner? But I’m afraid there’s no seat left.”
Le Mulan replied flatly: “It’s fine.”
She glanced at Lian Tianji, whose massive frame took up two seats. “I’ll need a stool.”
Instantly, several Ziyun students rushed over. The first girl to arrive dropped to her knees and lay flat on the ground—her body forming a living stool for Le Mulan.
Holy shit, Zhang Yu thought. These Ziyun students are even more fanatical than they were two months ago.
His curiosity stemmed from one fact: after the technological breakthrough at Ziyun High School, countless first-year geniuses underwent Super Metabolism Surgery, their Physical Strength Levels skyrocketing. Yet Le Mulan had crushed them all—again.
The first-years realized, with despair, that even after the surgery, the gap between them and Le Mulan had only widened. Wealth and academic score, once already powerful, now carried even greater weight in the world of cultivation.
In such an environment, obsession with wealth and rankings had spiraled into something almost cult-like.
Zhang Yu felt Le Mulan’s gaze lingering on him, making him uneasy as he ate.
Does she still want to get revenge on me?
Just then, Le Mulan’s cool, clear voice cut through the air:
“Can I touch you?”
The table fell silent.
After a beat, she added, “I’ll pay.”
(End of Chapter)
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