Chapter 84: The Chief Student of the First Year

“I admit defeat!”

After Jiang Xincheng finished instructing the Butterfly Fist technique, Xuanyuan Ningshuang promptly conceded.

She then bowed respectfully to Jiang Xincheng and said, “Xincheng, thank you. Let me treat you to dinner tonight. Are you free?”

Jiang Xincheng glanced at Lin Anan on the stage. He noticed the young beauty was staring at him with wide, bright eyes, not even blinking. He smiled slightly and nodded. “Alright.”

Noticing Jiang Xincheng’s action, Xuanyuan Ningshuang also looked toward Lin Anan. Seeing the radiant smile on Lin Anan’s delicate, jade-like face and Jiang Xincheng’s adoring expression, Xuanyuan Ningshuang felt a faint, inexplicable sense of loss. But then she smiled brightly and stepped down from the platform.

With Xuanyuan Ningshuang’s defeat, Jiang Xincheng officially entered the top three. Among the top three first-year students at Tianhai University, Jiang Xincheng was the only Primordial Warrior at the Tendon Training Realm. The other two were at the Bone Training Realm. Being able to reach the Bone Training Realm in their first year showed that these two had considerable talent. However, no matter how talented they were, they were no match for Jiang Xincheng.

Although Jiang Xincheng’s current strength was only at the Late Tendon Training Stage, the Primordial Force within his body was four times that of other Primordial Warriors at the same level. It was no less than that of a Primordial Warrior at the Bone Forging Initial Stage, though it was somewhat less refined. However, with his powerful Origin Force Combat Skill, the Mountain-Shaking Fist, and his rich combat experience, he could easily make up for this small gap.

A Primordial Warrior at the Bone Forging Initial Stage posed little difficulty for Jiang Xincheng. Only a student at the Middle Bone Training Stage with decent practical skills could pose a slight threat. As for a Primordial Warrior at the Bone Forging Late Stage, that was when Jiang Xincheng would need to get serious.

So, in the subsequent matches, Jiang Xincheng successively defeated the remaining two students at the Bone Forging Initial Stage. He smoothly claimed first place, becoming the Chief Student of the first year at Tianhai University. He was also the only student from the College of Computer Management and Science to make it to the end. He received a prize of 100,000 Credit Points and became a hero within the College of Computer Management and Science.

After the ranking matches came the Challenge Tournament, but the Challenge Tournament was scheduled for the next day. So, after collecting his prize money and medal, Jiang Xincheng left the Stadium. He went to have dinner with Lin Anan, Xuanyuan Ningshuang, and the others.

When the guys from his dorm heard that Xuanyuan Ningshuang was treating, they all got super excited and insisted on tagging along. Even the roommates with girlfriends—the eldest, Chen Dianming; the third, Li Yuqiang; and the fourth, Xu Luke—were no exception. They ran faster than anyone else. Who knows how their girlfriends would react if they found out.

They went to Jia Family Kitchenette again. The three signature dishes were Braised Pork Knuckle, Plum Juice, and Tofu Skin. They also ordered a whole table of other dishes.

Farmhouse Stir-fried Pork, Big Plate Chicken, Sauerkraut Fish, Braised Pork Belly, Chopped Pepper Fish Head, Twice-Cooked Pork… The table was laden with food. Although these weren’t the signature dishes of Jia Family Kitchenette, they were still quite tasty and above average.

“Xincheng, thank you so much for today’s match and your guidance. With your pointers, my Butterfly Fist technique is now at least twice as powerful as before. This toast is for you.” Xuanyuan Ningshuang proactively raised her glass, personally poured a drink for Jiang Xincheng, and said with a charming smile.

Tonight, Xuanyuan Ningshuang was dressed beautifully. She had bright, dazzling eyes, a delicate, picture-perfect oval face, a small, straight nose, and rosy lips. With light makeup, every part of her was beautiful and stunning.

She wore white hot pants that showed off her long, jade-like legs, which seemed to gleam softly. Her fitted white T-shirt made her figure appear especially graceful. Most striking was her fairy-like aura; every smile and glance was captivating.

Even a beauty like Lin Anan seemed slightly overshadowed by Xuanyuan Ningshuang tonight, let alone Zhang Feng and Yang Ning.

Jiang Xincheng picked up his glass and gently clinked it with Xuanyuan Ningshuang’s. “We’re friends. There’s no need to be so polite.”

“Mm.” Hearing Jiang Xincheng call her his friend, Xuanyuan Ningshuang smiled brilliantly, like a hundred flowers blooming, indescribably lovely. “When you have time, maybe I can visit you for some sparring. We could practice together.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the private room fell silent. Everyone stared in surprise at Xuanyuan Ningshuang and Jiang Xincheng. Even Lin Anan, who was usually a bit scatterbrained, felt that something was off.

As for Jiang Xincheng’s dorm mates, they were so envious their eyes nearly popped out. Having a peerless beauty like Xuanyuan Ningshuang, the one and only School Belle of the university, accompany him in cultivation—such good fortune had never been experienced by any other male student at Tianhai University.

Everyone looked at Jiang Xincheng, waiting for his reply.

“I often practice in the woods outside. You might not be used to it,” Jiang Xincheng said. He didn’t directly refuse, but his words clearly indicated he wasn’t very keen on Xuanyuan Ningshuang joining him. It was a polite rejection, which left his dorm mates stunned, almost unable to believe their eyes and ears.

Such a rare, golden opportunity—one that might even lead to winning over the one and only School Belle, the great beauty Xuanyuan Ningshuang—was just turned down by Jiang Xincheng.

That wasteful scoundrel!

Not only did Jiang Xincheng’s dorm mates feel it was a great pity, even Zhang Feng and Yang Ning thought Jiang Xincheng had squandered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pursue Xuanyuan Ningshuang.

Only on Lin Anan’s pretty face did a faint smile appear. She glanced at Jiang Xincheng, who happened to look back at her at that moment and gave her a gentle smile, full of tenderness.

Xuanyuan Ningshuang was beautiful, perhaps even slightly more so than Sister Anan, but so what? In Jiang Xincheng’s heart, Lin Anan’s status was far, far above Xuanyuan Ningshuang’s. One could even say they were not on the same level at all.

In his previous life, Sister Anan had taken care of him for so many years. She stood up for him time and again, helped him overcome difficulties repeatedly, and in the end, even died for him. Such profound devotion and deep affection—how could Xuanyuan Ningshuang compare, no matter how beautiful she was?

In his past life, Jiang Xincheng owed Lin Anan far, far too much, and he never had the chance to repay her. Now that he had this opportunity in this life, how could he possibly miss it?

Besides Sister Anan, there was also Sister Yun’er—the woman who, after he lost Sister Anan in his previous life, stayed by his side during his deepest pain and helped him through his hardships. In the end, she married someone she didn’t love for his sake, only to be tragically and cruelly killed later.

In this life, the debts Jiang Xincheng needed to repay were too many, far too many. He simply didn’t have time to get involved with other women. His time was too tight; he couldn’t afford any delays.

So, even though he could tell that Xuanyuan Ningshuang had feelings for him, Jiang Xincheng didn’t take this chance to get closer to her or see if there was a possibility of having this extraordinary beauty.

Xuanyuan Ningshuang also noticed Jiang Xincheng’s deep affection for Lin Anan. Instead of feeling angry, she actually respected Jiang Xincheng even more for it, which was something Jiang Xincheng hadn’t anticipated.

After declining Xuanyuan Ningshuang, Jiang Xincheng drank with his dorm mates. He occasionally chatted with Lin Anan and cracked a few jokes. After several rounds of drinks and tasting various dishes, just then, Jiang Xincheng saw Zhang Feng pick up her glass and walk toward him.