Chapter 14: Martial Dao Genius

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Martial Dao Genius

Regarding the matter of the perverted Cannibal Giant.

The four roommates chatted about it briefly but didn’t give it much thought, and soon went back to doing their own things.

Around two in the afternoon.

Chen Zijie suggested they team up for some League of Legends.

Gao Fei and Qian Duole eagerly jumped on board, booting up their computers and logging in.

"Gu Qing, you’re not joining us?"

Noticing Gu Qing hadn’t moved, Chen Zijie turned to ask him.

Gu Qing smiled. "Ever since that winning streak got me to Challenger last night, I’ve suddenly lost my passion for League of Legends. It just feels pointless now."

"Is that so?"

Chen Zijie thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I get it. Ever since I finally achieved my dream and hit Challenger last night, I’ve kind of felt the same way. It’s a little anticlimactic."

Gu Qing nodded. "Exactly. That anticlimactic feeling."

’He really did find it anticlimactic, but not because of the game itself. It was because of the [Professional Game Player] label floating over Chen Zijie’s head.’

After many days of effort, he had finally managed to obtain [Lightning Reflexes] early this morning.

’From that moment on, Chen Zijie’s label could no longer provide him with any Attributes.’

’And with no more gains to be had, he naturally lost interest in playing games with him.’

’Now, out of his three roommates, only Gao Fei, with his [Basketball Player] label, was still a source for farming Attributes.’

’From now on, he would only play basketball with Gao Fei to farm the Physical Strength Attribute.’

’No more binge-eating snacks with Qian Duole, no more marathon gaming sessions with Chen Zijie.’

’A person’s time is limited.’

’I have to use every single minute, every single second, to improve myself.’

’I need to farm as many Attributes as possible.’

’To get stronger as fast as I can.’

’After all, leveling up in the real world is way more satisfying than leveling up in a game world.’

’The game *Earth Online* is the best game in the world!’

With this in mind, Gu Qing took out his phone, opened WeChat, and messaged the younger student from the PE department.

He asked if she was free to practice with the Red Tassel Spear at the track.

In less than two seconds, the younger PE student replied.

[Yeah, yeah! I can head out anytime!]

[Gu Qing: OK, I’m heading out now.]

[Xia Shuran: I’ll just wash my face and I’ll be on my way.]

[Xia Shuran: By the way, Senior, I brewed some tea in my dorm. Want some?]

[Gu Qing: I have to try it!]

After their brief exchange, Gu Qing put on his sneakers and headed for the track.

「Ten minutes later.」

He arrived at the track.

There weren’t many people around at this time of day; most students were either in class, sleeping, or playing games in their dorms.

Only a few scattered people were taking a walk.

"Gu Qing, here, try the Pu’er tea I brewed. It’s the perfect temperature, not too hot."

Xia Shuran, arriving a few moments after Gu Qing, jogged over and handed him a water bottle filled with warm tea.

The water bottle was pink and looked well-used.

It was clearly the one Xia Shuran used every day.

"Let me have a taste."

Gu Qing took the bottle with a smile, twisted off the cap, and raised it to pour the tea into his mouth.

He deliberately kept the mouth of the bottle from touching his lips, making no contact at all.

When she saw that Gu Qing wasn’t drinking directly from the opening, a flicker of disappointment passed through Xia Shuran’s heart.

But her slight disappointment quickly turned into admiration.

’He’s not a casual person. He knows to keep a respectful distance from a girl he’s not close with yet. His behavior is so proper; he doesn’t do anything overly familiar.’

’Also, he’s acting so reserved... maybe he’s never been in a relationship, just like me.’

At this thought, Xia Shuran couldn’t help but feel a secret thrill.

’Having never been in a relationship herself, she hoped the boy she liked would be the same.’

’If we get together in the future, should we have a son first, or a daughter?’

’Oh, and we have to think of names ahead of time!’

Xia Shuran’s imagination began to run wild.

While Xia Shuran was lost in her fantasies, Gu Qing finished his tea.

Seeing the younger PE student in front of him with a flushed face, he found it a little strange.

’The weather is pretty cool today, so why is her face so red?’

’Is it because she jogged over just now?’

Gu Qing didn’t give it much more thought and soon began practicing with the Red Tassel Spear alongside Xia Shuran.

Time ticked by, and in the blink of an eye, an hour had passed.

As Gu Qing and Xia Shuran were practicing with the Red Tassel Spear, several lines of text suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[You have practiced martial arts with your classmate Xia Shuran for over an hour]

[Martial Arts Techniques +1]

[Physical Strength +1]

[A cumulative increase of 100 points in Physical Strength will grant the Attribute—Muscle Knots]

[Current points acquired: 21]

’Whoa, I’m getting Attributes?’

Gu Qing froze for a moment, then a thrill of excitement shot through him.

’I’ve been hanging out with Xia Shuran for days now, spending hours on the track, constantly practicing with the Red Tassel Spear.’

’Hard work really does pay off!’

’I’ve finally built up enough familiarity with her!’

’Now I can farm Attributes from the [Martial Arts Grandmaster] label above her head!’

Taking a moment to calm himself, Gu Qing began to review the text that had appeared.

’Martial Arts Techniques +1?’

’Physical Strength +1?’

’Just like the [Basketball Player] label?’

’So the [Martial Arts Grandmaster] label also provides the Physical Strength Attribute?’

’Looks like any label related to physical activity provides this Attribute.’

’It’s a little repetitive, but that’s actually fine.’

’That guy Gao Fei can’t really keep up.’

’Every time we go play ball, he starts complaining that he’s tired after only about three hours, going on about how he’s exhausted and can’t play anymore.’

’Now that I have this younger PE student to farm Physical Strength from, I can get that ’Muscle Knots’ Attribute—the one that’ll make me super ripped—even faster.’

After a moment of thought, Gu Qing dismissed the text and continued practicing the Red Tassel Spear with Xia Shuran.

But this time, his movements were completely different.

His spear swings were fluid and skillful.

His grip on the spear was firm and powerful.

With a slight turn of his wrist, the spear shaft sliced through the air with a whistle, its red tassel dancing to trace beautiful arcs.

Thrust, flick, chop, sweep—every move was precise and decisive, with no wasted motion.

Compared to his somewhat clumsy movements from moments before, he now moved with a natural, flowing grace.

Xia Shuran watched from the side, completely stunned.

It took her a moment to snap out of it. She stared at Gu Qing in disbelief and asked, "Gu Qing, how did you suddenly get so good with the Red Tassel Spear?"

Gu Qing replied nonchalantly, his expression unchanged, "I’ve been practicing with you for a while now, right? At least an hour or two each time. I guess the quantity just led to a qualitative change. So, I suddenly got better."

Xia Shuran listened, completely baffled.

’Wait, you’ve only practiced a few times and you’re talking about ’quantitative change’?’

’Then what does that make me? I’m a PE student who’s been practicing with the Red Tassel Spear since I was a kid—for almost ten years!’

’Am I some kind of cripple?’

This time, Xia Shuran was truly dealt a heavy blow. She looked as if she was starting to question her very existence.

...

PS: Holding out my bowl and begging for monthly passes and recommendation votes!