Chapter 057: A New Point Grinder (Asking for Votes, Asking for Favorites)

“Go to hell!” Xin Lang sent the chubby Gu flying with a kick and cursed, “You damned fatso, I’m not as depraved as you!” Gu, having been kicked away, dashed right back and persisted, “Don’t tell me you’re selling yourself just because Chu Chu gave you two lollipops?” “You glutton for punishment, why aren’t you dead yet!” Xin Lang raised his foot again, kicking Gu a second time.

Both Qian Baidu and the fat Gu Ge had advanced to the eighth and ninth levels of martial apprentices, but Xin Lang was still dissatisfied. He believed that if the two of them could master internal strength and become true martial artists, winning the championship would be all but guaranteed. Moreover, both of them had the potential to break through—Xin Lang was confident he could help them become martial artists with special methods.

Taking into account their differing physiques, Xin Lang created individualized training regimens for each. Every night, Gu Ge continued his “cultivation” at the Pleasure Spring House, and then sparred with Qian Baidu the next day. As for Qian Baidu, aside from his regular practice, Xin Lang would have him soak in a medicinal bath for two hours daily, using herbs procured from the Nine Herb Hall, to further boost his strength.

Gu Ge belonged to that enviable and infuriating category—he grew stronger every time he had an intimate encounter with a woman! Qian Baidu, on the other hand, thrived on competition: whenever Gu Ge surpassed or defeated him, his fighting spirit would explode, and he’d inevitably break through to the next level.

By their second day training together, Qian Baidu had reached the ninth level, catching up with Gu Ge. Neither was willing to be outdone, and both advanced rapidly.

Xin Lang didn’t neglect himself—he devised a training plan, using treasure-grade herbs as the main ingredient and blue silver grass as the catalyst to brew two elixirs: one for oral consumption, the other for soaking. Used together, they would rapidly clear and repair his meridians, paving the way for his eventual ascension to Grandmaster.

Currently, Xin Lang had accumulated over six hundred experience points, but ever since the departure of the “Strongest Mercenary Squad’s” trio of elites, his gains had slowed to a crawl—barely a dozen points a day, mostly from daily tasks.

“This won’t do, I need to find another way to farm experience,” Xin Lang mused. “But who?” With Qian Baidu’s current strength, he was no longer suitable—the opponent needed to be a true martial artist. “Who at Sunward Academy is a martial artist?”

A sudden flash of inspiration brought someone to mind.

Xin Lang sought out Meng Linglong.

She asked, “Xin Lang, is there something you need? Just say the word.”

He chuckled. “I’d like to borrow someone from you.”

“Borrow someone?” Meng Linglong’s heart skipped nervously, worried he’d use the upcoming inter-academy tournament as leverage to make unreasonable demands of her or her sister. “May I ask who you wish to borrow?”

Xin Lang noticed her legs unconsciously tensing, and smiled, “Don’t worry, Headmaster, the one I want to borrow is our academy’s Academic Director, Luo Hengxing.”

“Luo Hengxing?” Meng Linglong relaxed, but then frowned. “Director Luo isn’t easy to invite. The academy can cover the cost, but you’ll have to persuade him yourself.”

“No problem, just pay him well! With enough money, he’ll have to agree,” Xin Lang replied.

“Fine. The academy will provide one silver coin a day. Go and negotiate with Director Luo yourself,” said Meng Linglong.

“One silver coin?!” Xin Lang protested. He was giving Qian Baidu ten silver coins a day. “Forget it. You’d better save that for your cosmetics, Headmaster.”

A bit irritated, Xin Lang left her office. If not for the main quest’s compulsion, he never would have agreed to participate in the tournament.

Luo Hengxing’s home was a modest courtyard—simple but meticulously kept. Entering, Xin Lang saw the unshaven Luo Hengxing tending a fire beneath a medicine pot, while a little girl of seven or eight carefully carried a bowl of decoction inside.

“Xin Lang?” Luo Hengxing was surprised to see him.

Xin Lang explained his purpose, but Luo refused. “You’d better find someone else.”

“If you agree, Director Luo, I’ll pay you one gold coin a day,” Xin Lang tempted.

“One gold coin!” Luo Hengxing was astonished.

Yet he hesitated, troubled. “I do need money, but I have little free time. How about this: I’ll spar with you two hours a day, and you pay me ten silver coins.”

Xin Lang had already guessed his predicament. “I studied at the Alchemy Academy before. May I have a look at your wife?”

“You?” Luo Hengxing pondered, then agreed. “Very well, come with me.”

Luo’s wife appeared to be in her thirties—though bedridden and pale, her beauty was still apparent.

“A sickly beauty and a fallen hero—a perfect pair,” Xin Lang thought.

He examined her condition. “Though the illness is grave, there’s still hope. Director Luo, if I can cure your wife, will you become my sparring partner?”

“What? You can cure her?” Luo Hengxing exclaimed in shock.

“Let’s try and see.” Xin Lang knew Luo wouldn’t be easily convinced, so he made no grand promises.

“Alright. If you can cure her, my life is yours,” Luo replied solemnly.

Xin Lang smiled, “No need for that. Just challenge me as many times as you can each day.”

“Challenge you?” Luo was puzzled.

After taking Xin Lang’s medicine, Luo’s wife began to recover. Within two days, she was walking again.

Luo Hengxing was astonished. “Xin Lang, are you a grandmaster alchemist?”

“If I said no, would you believe me? Let’s discuss that later. For now, Director Luo, it’s time to keep your promise and challenge me.”

“Alright. But be careful—I might not be able to hold back,” Luo warned.

Xin Lang grinned. “Don’t worry—come at me with all you’ve got! Use your full strength!”

“I know you’re a level ten martial artist, but I’m a true martial artist—I can use earth-ranked techniques!”

Xin Lang laughed. “In that case, let me make the first move, so you won’t hold back.”

With that, he struck: “Earth-rank, low-grade technique—Mountain Shaker Palm!”

“Internal force?” Luo was startled. “How could it be so strong?”

To ensure Luo used all his strength, Xin Lang unleashed his “Heavenly Halberd” ability, doubling his power.

Boom! Underestimating Xin Lang, Luo was sent staggering back over a dozen steps.

Luo’s internal energy churned violently. It took several minutes to dissolve the hidden force inflicted by Xin Lang’s attack. Caught off guard, he had suffered a covert loss.

“You’re a fourth-level martial artist?!” Luo Hengxing exclaimed in disbelief.