"Nice job, Chen Zi! Looks like you've finally seen her true colors," Yue Yang said, giving Jiang Chen a thumbs-up. "I told you, that girl isn't right for you."
Jiang Chen just smiled without replying, glancing around. They were standing on a large platform, surrounded by strange, intricate runes that gave the whole place a sacred atmosphere and it was as if they'd stepped into a transcendent realm.
"What are you doing back here?" Yue Yang's irritated voice sounded again, pulling Jiang Chen's attention. He looked over and saw that Liǔ Qīngxiá had come up to them once more.
"Jiang Chen, I'm sorry! Listen, maybe we could catch that movie together next time? You know this is really important to me— please," She said in a soft, pleading voice, looking pitiful.
"Heh!" Yue Yang sneered, about to say something more.
"Liǔ Qīngxiá," Jiang Chen interrupted with a slight smile, "I remember you promised me something last time that you didn't follow through on. And the time before that, you said you'd go out for a late-night snack with me. And then…before that…"
"Jiang Chen, I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to you this time, I swear. Just please— this means a lot to me." Liǔ Qīngxiá's expression kept shifting, but she finally bit her lip and put on a pitiful look.
In the past, Jiang Chen would have given in immediately. But he wasn't the same person as before. Even if this intelligence wasn't all that critical, he saw no reason to share it with her.
"Heh! Liǔ Qīngxiá, do you think I'm a fool?" He scoffed. "I'm not giving you any intelligence. Now, back off. Aren't you the one always worried about people getting the wrong impression? Why are you getting so close?"
"You!" Liǔ Qīngxiá's face turned pale, then red with anger and embarrassment.
Ignoring her, Jiang Chen turned and walked away. As she watched him leave, her expression darkened even more. She stomped her foot in frustration but still chased after him.
"Jiang Chen! I made a mistake— can't you forgive me just this once?" She pleaded. "Why are you being so petty?"
"Petty?" Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, mocking her. "Petty, huh? How did you get that nameplate? And that new phone? Tell me, Liǔ Qīngxiá."
Then, spotting someone ahead, Jiang Chen called out, "Lin Shiyun!"
A young woman turned around, looking at Jiang Chen with curiosity. "Jiang Chen? What's up?"
Jiang Chen grinned. "I have some intelligence on the Ninja World from DaXia Academy. How about I sell it to you for fifty thousand star coins?"
"DaXia Academy's?" Lin Shiyun's eyes lit up, and she hurried over excitedly.
"Did your sister prepare this?" She asked, looking visibly eager.
"Yes, she did. So, what do you think?"
"I'll take it!" She said quickly. "I can transfer the amount right now!"
A moment later, Jiang Chen's account chimed with a new deposit. "All set! Thanks so much— this will be super helpful!" Lin Shiyun said enthusiastically. "After this, let me treat you to a meal!"
Liǔ Qīngxiá stared wide-eyed, stunned by what she'd just witnessed.
"You see, with this piece of intelligence, I can casually sell it to someone and get fifty thousand star coins, plus a good impression and a free meal. And with you? What do I get— a scowl without so much as a thank you? Do you think I'm a fool?"
Seeing Liǔ Qīngxiá's expression, Jiang Chen chuckled again. Lin Shiyun glanced at Liǔ Qīngxiá with a thoughtful look, but soon she simply smiled.
"You…!" Liǔ Qīngxiá finally snapped out of her shock, her face flushing with anger. She wanted to protest but didn't know what to say. In the end, she could only leave with an embarrassed expression.
"Hahaha! That was priceless!" Yue Yang burst out laughing, thoroughly pleased by the turn of events. "That was exactly what she deserved!" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽
"Alright, let's get ready. The login should be starting soon," Jiang Chen said, shaking his head, already putting the incident behind him. He reminded his friend, "Remember what I told you earlier— that's your only chance. If you miss it, it'll be hard to catch up."
"I got it," Yue Yang nodded.
After giving Yue Yang the reminder, Jiang Chen thought for a moment and decided to send Lin Shiyun a message.
"Thanks for helping me out. As a thank you, here's an extra tip: after choosing the Hyuga Clan, you might want to try visiting the women's bathhouse. There could be a surprising encounter there."
After sending the message, Jiang Chen put it out of his mind. Lin Shiyun had helped him a lot, and even though he was in a new world, Jiang Chen didn't mind giving her a little boost.
For regular people, the Hyuga Clan was indeed one of the best choices. Although there was the risk of the "caged bird" effect in the login world, it wasn't a significant problem in the main world. As long as one reached the endgame, they could overcome it.
Meanwhile, Lin Shiyun was carefully studying the intelligence Jiang Chen had given her when she received his message.
Startled, she read it and felt her cheeks flush slightly. She looked back and forth between the intelligence and the message, feeling a bit embarrassed, but it only lasted a moment. Thinking it over, she quickly typed out a reply and sent it.
But the message vanished into the ether without a response. She sighed, feeling slightly helpless, and was about to approach him when—
A ripple spread out across the platform, and all the runes began to light up.
"All students, please prepare!" The principal's voice echoed through the broadcast. "The login process is about to start. Please remain on your designated platform."
The reminder repeated, making Lin Shiyun halt her steps.
"It's starting!" someone nearby said excitedly. A collective thrill spread through the crowd, including Yue Yang and Jiang Chen, who were also filled with anticipation.
Another ripple expanded, and all the runes burst into full illumination. Jiang Chen's vision blurred, and in the next moment, he felt his consciousness rapidly elevate.
He couldn't tell how much time had passed, but eventually, his awareness suddenly dropped down again.