Chapter 276: The Curse of Curse Spring Village

Chapter 276: The Curse of Curse Spring Village

"So, what interesting things did you bring this time?" Lu Ke, the Death Mage, asked curiously.

In the world where Eccentric Lu Ke resided, there existed various extraordinary sealed artifacts with incredible effects. Even the current Lu Kes had not been able to fully decipher some of the more powerful ones.

After the world's reboot, Eccentric Lu Ke decided to fight fire with fire by using sealed artifacts to counter other sealed artifacts. He established a company to collect these artifacts and would occasionally bring some intriguing ones to share with the other Lu Kes.

"Recently, I collected two sealed artifacts," Eccentric Lu Ke said with a mischievous smile. He presented a peculiar, gigantic machine composed of countless interlocking gears. Then, he began to explain its functions.

"This is the Waste Generator, as the name suggests, it can create numerous useless gadgets. For example, a lamp that only lights up in sunlight, a fan that only spins with wind, a white cane that only the visually impaired can use, and a dog communication device that only works for dogs."

Pirate Lu Ke scratched his head, "They do sound like useless items."

"Not necessarily," Eccentric Lu Ke replied. "There are no useless sealed artifacts, only people who don't know how to use them."

Fire Shadow Lu Ke, whose intelligence was slightly higher than the other two, shook his head. "There is no such thing as garbage in this world; it's just a matter of finding the right place for each item. Just because we don't need it now doesn't mean we won't need it in the future. What's the underlying logic behind this sealed artifact?"

Eccentric Lu Ke thought for a moment. "It seems to weaken a certain characteristic and manifest it as a tool, then restrict its use to only those who possess that characteristic."

"Hmm...that's interesting. How do you define this 'characteristic'? For instance, I think being 'weak' is a characteristic, so wouldn't weakening it make it strong?"

Eccentric Lu Ke's eyes lit up. "Are you a genius or something!"

Why didn't he think of that approach?

Fire Shadow Lu Ke raised his eyebrows proudly. "Let me help you analyze the other sealed artifact as well."

"Ah...never mind, that's not necessary."

Eccentric Lu Ke revealed a peculiar smile. "The second one is a derivative sealed artifact, apparently derived from a sealed artifact that can extract anime props. I obtained the 'Curse Spring Village' from the anime 'Ranma 1/2', which has various 'Drowning Springs' with different attributes. Those who bathe in these springs will transform into something else when exposed to cold water and revert to their original form with hot water."

The most famous ones are undoubtedly the 'Maiden Drowning Spring' and the 'Male Drowning Spring', which can change one's gender.

"This...doesn't seem very useful," the other Lu Kes lost interest. Changing gender was something the Lu Kes had already achieved. In fact, both 'Double Complete Hands' and 'Non-Action Transformation' techniques, when mastered, could accomplish the same. Aside from these methods, altering one's life state was a trivial matter for the current Lu Kes.

"You have to consider the compatibility of abilities in different worlds," Fire Shadow Lu Ke explained. "In a non-magical world, even if a Lu Ke could dismantle a Gundam with their bare hands or survive a nuclear blast, they still couldn't change their gender. But if such a situation were to arise, this sealed artifact would come in handy."

"But no Lu Ke would want to turn into a girl," Death Lu Ke added.

Eccentric Lu Ke held up his index finger. "That's where the second point comes in."

He waved his finger. "It's easy for a Lu Ke to change their gender, but not for others. Why do you only think of using this on yourselves? Imagine the fun you could have if you used it on others."

A silence fell upon the shared space as the Lu Kes glanced at each other.

"I've already analyzed the Curse Spring Village. Anyone interested in the data?" Eccentric Lu Ke smiled and held out his hand, waiting for someone to shake it.

"Pfft, boring! Who would do such a thing!"

"Yeah, we have better things to do than this."

"Hey, I'm off to play Black Myth!"

"I'm going to leave a bad review for Sanguosha. No time for this."

As the Lu Kes one by one disconnected, Eccentric Lu Ke scratched his head, puzzled.

"Are all the other Lu Kes so upright? I thought they'd at least want to see what the main characters would look like after a gender swap."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fire Shadow Lu Ke's figure appeared behind him and embraced him.

Eccentric Lu Ke's eyes widened in surprise. "You..."

"Don't get the wrong idea. I just want to see what Kakashi would look like as a girl. I wonder if Gai would still fight him!"

Fire Shadow Lu Ke smiled sheepishly. How could he not use such a fantastic prank tool?

"Forget it. You're just obsessed with Kakashi," Death Lu Ke, known for his foul mouth, returned and patted Eccentric Lu Ke's hand, letting out a snort at the other two's speechless expressions.

"Why are you looking at me? Don't you guys want to see Byakuya as a girl?"

"I'd love to see that!" x3

Wait, why is it x3?

The three turned to the side, where the three-meter-tall Pirate Lu Ke stood, shrugging his massive shoulders. "Captain Garp...I mean, Old Man Deng, has taught me so much. It's the least I can do to repay him."

Who would've thought that behind that innocent-looking face, there was such a mischievous mind!

"Damn!"

Dragon Lu Ke, who had also returned, stared at the crowd surrounding Eccentric Lu Ke with a peculiar expression.

They all said they weren't interested, but they came back, didn't they? Truly, I'm surrounded by the best!

"Wait!"

Fire Shadow Lu Ke stopped Dragon Lu Ke, his eyes filled with caution. "Let's get one thing straight. We can have our fun and pranks, but you are not allowed to gender-swap any male characters. All Lu Kes refuse to engage in such activities. If you dare to taint our collection, be prepared to go solo from now on!"

"Got it."

Dragon Lu Ke rolled his eyes. "I'm a Lu Ke too. I'm not that shameless."

The Lu Kes fell silent for a moment. In their opinion, the other Lu Kes might occasionally lose control, but Dragon Lu Ke, as the collection's owner, was harder to judge. Perhaps 'a big-headed person' would be a more fitting description for him? He had led a charmed life, reaching the pinnacle of success by guiding his parents through the future economic landscape. Spoiled since childhood and wielding absolute power with his awakened Golden Finger, he was the epitome of a protagonist with an overpowered destiny.

The only setback he had ever faced, if it could even be called that, was perhaps getting beaten up by other Lukes in the shared space for showing off.

...

Cassel Academy, Norton Hall.

This luxurious mansion had a long history. It was once the private villa of Menek Cassel, the first principal of Cassel Academy. Later, it became the academy's guesthouse and was now dominated by the winner of the "Free Day" event.

The bedroom was filled with a subtle scent of rose wine. Classical and luxurious furniture was arranged in a tasteful manner, and a Fendi Kasa series bed with top-quality silk satin fabric graced the room, offering a smooth and delicate touch. On the bedside table sat an Hermes Kelly bag as a decorative piece.

Luke slowly opened his eyes. He was enveloped in softness, and with a detached air, he pushed away the person in his arms, causing the frowning girl to let out a cute, disgruntled moan. The silk bed sheets slid off their bodies.

Luke casually threw on a robe and stepped out of the room, walking across the Persian Rugs hand-woven carpet. He sat down on the sofa in the living room and poured himself a glass of Macallan, downing it in one gulp.

Macallan is a rare series of whiskey produced in the Speyside region of Scotland. Distilled in traditional pot stills, it has a rich, smooth flavor with layers of complexity, ranging from a honey-like sweetness to a subtle smoky finish. It is a collector's item, more valuable for its rarity than for drinking.

However, to Luke, alcohol was just food. Whether it was the Macallan in front of him or any other drink, it made no difference.

The phone rang at an inopportune moment. Luke narrowed his eyes and, half-reclining on the sofa, snapped his fingers. A man with a respectable and mature appearance appeared on the screen.

Frost Gattuso, the uncle of Caesar Gattuso, was an important member of the Gattuso family. He was more of a meticulous businessman than a dragon slayer.

Seeing Luke half-naked, Frost seemed to be reminded of something unpleasant. His temples throbbed reflexively, and he managed a forced smile.

"Luke, your style is always so unconventional."

"Does it remind you of someone you dislike, like Pompey Gattuso, the father of your beloved nephew, Caesar, and the head of the Gattuso family? The one who always leaves you with a mess to clean up and a sore backside?"

Luke didn't even bother to lift an eyelid, showing no respect for this core member of the Gattuso family and the acting director of Cassel Academy. He swirled the whiskey in his glass, taking small sips.

"What do you want?"

"On behalf of the Gattuso family, I extend our warmest greetings to the head of the Lu family, and we look forward to a long-lasting collaboration."

"Is that all?"

"...There's also a small matter. 'Free Day' is approaching. Last year, you snatched Norton Hall from the Lionheart Society. Are you planning to participate again this year?"

Of course, Frost wasn't concerned about the Lionheart Society; he was worried about his nephew, Caesar Gattuso.

Caesar Gattuso was the acknowledged heir of the Gattuso family. With noble blood, exceptional abilities, and an abundance of leadership charm, he was a heartthrob who could charm countless girls with just a glance. He had never experienced failure in his life, always standing tall at the peak, coldly waiting for others to challenge him. After their defeat, he would offer his hand and mock them for their foolishness.

After enrolling, Caesar, unable to tolerate the behavior of the previous Lionheart Society president, joined the student council. He cleaned up the rotten apples within, initiating rigorous training that quickly transformed the once insignificant organization into a force capable of rivaling the established Lionheart Society.

He was determined to take Norton Hall from the former Lionheart Society president, marking another milestone in his illustrious life... only to encounter Luke, a freshman who had just enrolled.

This newcomer, who everyone believed had entered through the back door and was ridiculously famous, wielded a wooden sword and single-handedly defeated the entire school, including the head of the Executive Department, Von Schneider. He fought his way to the principal's office.

The future head of the Gattuso family suffered a crushing defeat, losing miserably without even a glimpse of victory. He then embarked on various challenge projects... and lost so badly that he began to question his existence.

Sensing Frost's thoughts, Luke smirked.

"Why should I vacate Norton Hall when the school hasn't even approved my request to build a new one? It's good enough as it is."

A hint of hesitation flashed across Frost's face. "I think you should give other young people a chance."

With the new competition about to begin, Chu Zihan, the "Super A-rank" student, had already risen to prominence. The admission list provided by Principal Hilbert Jean Anhe included an S-rank candidate, and with Luke, the monster, about to stir up trouble again, Frost couldn't help but acknowledge that his nephew's chances of winning were slim, even if he believed Caesar was the best.

The good uncle's concern was evident; Caesar was destined to be the emperor who would lead the half-breeds to dominance. However, with new monsters appearing one after another, his brilliance was bound to be overshadowed.

Time was running out to establish his authority. If Caesar couldn't prove his worth during his school years, his performance would become a blemish on his otherwise glorious life.

"I'd like to know what it would take for you to give up Free Day."

"Sure, I don't need to stay in Norton Hall. Just give me a ton of the Philosopher's Stone."

Luke narrowed his eyes and nonchalantly crossed his legs, speaking casually.

Frost smiled, "Thank you very much. I'll have someone deliver the item..."

"I want a ton."

Lu Ke's indifferent tone froze Frost's smile in place.

When did the reserves of the Philosopher's Stone become measurable in tons?!

"Don't joke around, Lu."

"Who's joking with you, Frost Gattuso?" Lu Ke's gaze turned cold. He slowly straightened up, and his overwhelming aura, like a long needle, pierced through the electronic signals and vast distances, striking Frost's face. The middle-aged man, who had lived a privileged life, shuddered.

"Have I been too polite to you, giving you the wrong impression? Do you think you're worthy of having our family's younger generation step aside for you? If it weren't for our past relationship, Gattuso, you would have paid the price for your words today."

Lu Ke's voice was icy, striking right to the heart, "You know that's not something that can be resolved by burning some money or cutting off a few pieces of flesh, right?"

Frost's forehead broke out in cold sweat. A sense of panic spread from within, gradually engulfing his entire being. His lineage was excellent, but facing Lu Ke, he felt like an insignificant ant gazing up at a colossal dragon, as humble as a speck of dust.

He lowered his head in apology, "I'm sorry, Lu. I spoke out of turn."

The atmosphere froze for a few seconds, then a few light laughs eased the tension.

"Hey! I was just kidding, Frost. You really need to work on your sense of humor. You know I'm easy-going but firm..."

Lu Ke's captivating aura vanished as he reclined back into the sofa, resting his head casually.

"Alright, old stick-in-the-mud. You know Caesar's personality; he wouldn't cheat. And if I don't participate in Free Day, he probably won't either. Your little prince is stubborn and determined, wanting to get back up where he fell."

"Your words are wise, Mr. Gattuso. Children have their own ideas, and we don't need to interfere. I look forward to greeting you personally at the next Board of Directors meeting, Lu."

Frost's voice was dry, "I'll prepare a gift to apologize to you at that time, and I hope you won't mind my previous slip of the tongue."

"I didn't mind in the first place."

Lu Ke's smile remained unchanged, "I have some matters to attend to here, so you..."

"Then I won't disturb you further."

Frost's figure disappeared from the screen.

Lu Ke opened a drawer under the cabinet and took out a stack of documents. They were filled with detailed information about the new students, covering everything from age, blood type, height, weight, family background, current address, and even ID numbers to past experiences.

He flipped through the list but didn't find the one he was looking for, causing him to frown. He made a call.

The person on the other end picked up quickly, and a man's voice, reminiscent of an American vagrant or a begging lapdog, came through.

"Boss, what can I do for you? I'll take care of it in no time!"

"The list of new students you gave me seems a bit off."

"How is that possible! I've written it all down in detail, Boss. The personalities, conduct, interests, and even the three sizes of the junior sisters are all clearly marked. I even thoughtfully excluded those with dating experience. Are you still not satisfied?"

Lu Ke's mouth twitched, suppressing the urge to slap him, "What about the male students?"

"Ah, Boss, if you want to change tracks, there's no need to harm the innocent junior brothers who haven't even enrolled yet. Chu Zihan and Caesar, the two best ones, are right in front of you!"

The voice on the other end added a non-existent shyness to its obsequious tone, "If you're not satisfied with them, how about me? I'm easy to keep; all I need is enough cola, spicy chicken wings, and a million dollars, and my body and soul are yours."

"Feng Ge, if you want to end up in the hospital, just say so. No need for roundabout excuses. I can help you loosen up those stiff muscles."

Feng Ge's voice paused, and he started sobbing, "Boss, I really didn't mean to. Collecting information on the junior sisters already overworked me, and I haven't recovered yet. Now you suddenly want information on the junior brothers..."

His voice was so sickeningly sticky that Lu Ke felt like his snot could travel through the phone line. Instinctively, he moved the phone away.

"Just find one person for me: Lu Mingfei, the S-level candidate on this year's enrollment list."

"Hey, so our Lu Ke Lu Boss has a sense of crisis too. Makes sense, since he's the S-level student personally designated by the principal. Who knows how bright his future will be."

"Cut the chatter."

"He's on the enrollment list, but he hasn't attended the interview yet. He hasn't been registered by Norma, so there's very little information..."

"I'll make it worth your while."

"You're so generous, Lu Boss!"

A few minutes later, a piece of information was printed out by the fax machine. Lu Ke picked up the document and looked at the listless, weak, and timid-looking boy, a smile forming on his lips.

He logged into the Night Watchman Forum and moved his fingers slightly.

A few minutes later, an ordinary white post turned red, and this red information surpassed all other posts, floating to the top!

【The top three to arrive at Norton Hall during this year's "Free Day" will have a chance to make a wish with a cost.】

Electronic data surged from the intelligent core of the North American headquarters, "Norma," rushing through the trans-Pacific submarine cable to tens of thousands of clients worldwide. The once peaceful forum now resembled a plain swept by a hurricane.

All forum users went crazy! Usually, these bounty posts rarely attracted attention, but any post touched by a celebrity would skyrocket in value.

Especially when the poster's ID was "Isomer"!

The only S-level student in Cassel Academy, who had single-handedly conquered the school on the day of enrollment, the glorious Lu family head!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end