"Who is the second?" Lin Chen asked, puzzled.
"That’s the second place," Zhang Shi repeated, "Murong Xue on the Hundred Stars Chart."
"Her first Spirit Beast is a Combat Pet, she chose a Spiritual System for her second one, and her family somehow got her a Three Thousand Cyan Wus."
Upon hearing Three Thousand Cyan Wus, Lin Chen was also taken aback.
This thing is quite rare. It’s a tiny tree similar to a bonsai with three thousand leaves. According to the Beast Taming Treasure Manual, Three Thousand Cyan Wus can help Spirit Beasts comprehend the Dao, and sitting next to it can enhance Spiritual Power growth.
"Are you close with her?" Lin Chen asked.
"Then I can’t get it. Her second Spirit Beast is from the Spiritual System, it’s not possible for her to battle with me."
"Don’t rush," Zhang Shi quickly said, "Actually, Murong Xue and I share the same dream, and that’s to defeat Ning Tian."
Lin Chen frowned, why does it involve Ning Zimo’s brother again?
Because he knew Ning Zimo, Lin Chen occasionally heard stories about Ning Tian.
It’s rumored that since Ning Tian became a Beastmaster, his talent is astonishing, and he has never lost.
"Not complicated," Zhang Shi said, "Now Ning Tian is also nurturing his second Spirit Beast, which is also Level 13."
"Is he easily affected by emotional fluctuations?"
"No, he always remains aloof, which is what I can’t stand about him, always as if someone owes him money."
"That’s hard to deal with," Lin Chen shook his head.
"There’s always a way; I’ll go ask Murong Xue."
With that, Zhang Shi left without waiting for Lin Chen’s consent.
Leaving Lin Chen’s dormitory, Zhang Shi went straight to the girls’ dormitory and saw the second, Murong Xue.
Murong Xue had flowing long hair and wore a white outfit. The most prominent features were her chests and her sexy long legs.
She was meditating cross-legged and immediately opened her eyes to mock when she sensed Zhang Shi’s arrival:
"Oh, isn’t this the guy who flaunted disgrace outside, the Stone Man?"
"Murong Xue, spare me the sarcasm," Zhang Shi said, "You know, the other side is a freak like Ning Tian."
Upon hearing Ning Tian, Murong Xue’s emotions became complicated.
This big beauty Murong Xue naturally had many pursuers, but she only liked Ning Tian.
Yet Ning Tian was a cultivation fanatic, not interested in relationships. Faced with her hints, Ning Tian ignored them. Even the nickname "second" was given by Ning Tian.
So Murong Xue had both love and hate for Ning Tian.
Love because of fondness, hate because she couldn’t have him.
Murong Xue thought, if Ning Tian lost once and his Dao heart shattered...
She might have a chance to step in.
Unfortunately, she’s always been the eternal second, losing every time.
As for Zhang Shi, although he has some skills, Ning Tian’s sharp mind could play him like a dog.
"Combined Skill, One Qi Turns into Four Oxen, is impressive," Murong Xue nodded, acknowledging Zhang Shi’s defeat wasn’t undeserved.
Lost in thought, she suddenly snapped back to reality, staring at Zhang Shi and asked:
"Wait, why did you come to me?"
Zhang Shi didn’t hide anything and told her the situation.
"He wants the Three Thousand Cyan Wus tree?" Murong Xue cursed upon hearing, "This was bought by my grandfather at a great cost from an auction. How can a mere secret realm cultivation spot compare?"
"I didn’t ask you to give it. He mentioned that he might just cultivate for two months and then return it," Zhang Shi wasn’t foolish enough to miss the point, saying, "Don’t you want to see Ning Tian’s expression after losing?"
"Afraid it won’t happen."
"It’s normal to lose, after all, he is Ning Tian."
Murong Xue was tempted.
After winter, when Spirit Academy recruits new students, Ning Tian might be recommended by the Inner Courtyard to participate in next year’s Spirit Academy entrance exam.
"One month’s usage rights," Murong Xue finally said.
"Alright," Zhang Shi rejoiced and said, "I’ll go tell Ning Tian."
"I’ll go too," Murong Xue’s eyes lit up, "I haven’t seen him for a long time, wait a minute, let me put on some makeup."
Zhang Shi was full of jealousy because he had confessed to Murong Xue before, only to receive a ’nice guy’ card in return.
Ning Tian was taken in directly as a closed-door disciple by Tang Xuehai, so he stayed in an excellent dormitory.
When they arrived, Ning Tian was guiding his Spirit Beast in cultivation, and didn’t even intend to stop upon seeing them.
"Do you think he’s blind, or just pretending not to see?" Murong Xue fumed, she spent two hours putting on this makeup, if Ning Tian directly dismissed her, she’d be quite rattled.
Zhang Shi was much thicker-skinned than Murong Xue, he stepped forward and shouted, "Ning Tian, do you have time?"
"No," Ning Tian didn’t even turn his head.
"No worries, you cultivate while I talk,"
Zhang Shi really started speaking.
"Did you hear about today’s incident? Lin Chen is so arrogant, came in boasting we have no one in the Inner Courtyard, spewing wild words. I naturally wasn’t convinced and fought for the Inner Courtyard, but sadly..."
"I understand you. You probably targeted him for the third spot, but didn’t win," Ning Tian interrupted his spell.
"You... you..." Zhang Shi, feeling exposed, fumed and said, "Even if that’s true, I was at least somewhat driven by a motive to represent the Inner Courtyard."
"Cultivation is, after all, survival of the fittest. If students of a batch are not competitive, that’s their problem," Ning Tian remained calm.
Zhang Shi was naturally unwilling to give up. In his eyes, both Lin Chen and Ning Tian were no good, letting them dog-fight, he’d be happy with whoever lost.
But, Ning Tian seemed like a stubborn and hard rock, he was completely unmoved.
"Cold-blooded," Zhang Shi finally shouted, "The Inner Courtyard, after all, is our alma mater, contributing to it is only right, wouldn’t you say, Murong Xue?"
"Ah?" Murong Xue, with eyes fixed on Ning Tian, responded only when prompted, saying, "I think Ning Tian is quite right."
"You..." Zhang Shi’s pupils dilated, shattered worldview: "Which side are you on anyway?"
The world of bootlickers is indeed unfathomable...
"Yes, yes, how about it, we all belong to the Inner Courtyard, we should contribute," Murong Xue said.
But Ning Tian said nothing more, leaving both of them to leave somewhat disappointed.
As they left, Zhang Shi muttered quietly, "It’d be better if Ning Zimo was here, he and Lin Chen used to be teammates, don’t you think, Murong Xue?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Murong Xue looked back three times a step, all just to catch glimpses of Ning Tian.
Zhang Shi was so upset, he shouted out:
"Pfft, you girl bootlicker!"
"You used to fawn over me too."
"That was before, now I deeply regret not seeing through you sooner."
"Serves you right for losing to Lin Chen."
"Why are you changing the subject?"
"It’s the truth, if my brother Ning Tian were to fight, surely he wouldn’t lose."
It was because of their bickering that they didn’t notice Ning Tian’s slight frown upon hearing the name Ning Zimo.
After a day of cultivation, Xiaobai wanted to sleep early.
Lin Chen also got used to sleeping early,
since he had a long day, he didn’t expect Zhang Shi to come knocking late at night.
"Did you work it out?" Lin Chen was hopeful.
"Ning Tian didn’t fall for it."
Lin Chen simply acknowledged, not surprised.
Not falling for it is normal behavior.
"Brother Lin, about that spot..."
"You’re pretty cunning, knowing it starts tomorrow, if you don’t sell it, you won’t get a chance, so you came at night."
"Hehehe..." Zhang Shi was caught in his thoughts, cold sweat pouring.
This Lin Chen... why is he also so smart, could he also end up playing me like a dog?
At this moment, Zhang Shi was utterly convinced, Lin Chen was indeed a worthy opponent to challenge Ning Tian.
Because they were a bit alike.