章 19: Chapter 18 Shi Long, Wang Jun, and Chen Wei
While going down the mountain, Liang Chen and Xiu Ying haven't been talking much because of what happened earlier. Once they reached the road leading to the academy, Xiu Ying broke the silence. "Thank you for being here, Liang Chen. I couldn't have done it without your support."
Liang Chen smiled back at her. "You're my friend, Xiu Ying. I'll always be here for you."
He took out a set of 8 thin needles on a cloth and gave it to her. "Here is my congratulatory gift. These are needles made from the claws of the 3 eyed bear. It's called Tardigrade Needles. You can use it as a hidden weapon to surprise your opponents."
Xiu Ying was surprised when she took the cloth. She noticed that the needles are all high-grade mortal artifact weapons. This can be bought for quite a lot of money or contribution points. Xiu Ying pushed back the cloth. "You keep it, this is more valuable in your hands."
Liang Chen said that he still has another set with him. After convincing Xiu Ying, she finally accepted the Tardigrade Needles. Liang Chen gave some advice on how to use it. Xiu Ying asked why is it named Tardigrade. Liang Chen explained that it is a name of a small bear which is fitting since it is a needle and made out of bear claws. This is the 1st time she had heard of the name. Xiu Ying has been reading books about demon beasts in the academy's Chronicle Pavilion. The Chronicle Pavilion is a building within the academy that stores books about the history of the world. Be it the academy's history, past events, herbs and materials, animals and demon beasts, etc. Any disciple or elder can read or borrow books here for free. Liang Chen knows about it but he hasn't gone there since he is not interested in the world at this time and he has the Universal Guide to inspect any herb or material for him.
When they reached the academy's entrance, Liang Chen and Xiu Ying parted ways. After she reached the female yard, Yu Yan saw her enter the door. She was about to call on Xiu Ying but noticed something questionable. Her face shows that she saw something unbelievable. Xiu Ying noticed this and went towards her.
"What is it?" Xiu Ying asked.
Yu Yan tried to speak quietly but in a surprised tone trying to hold her own voice from blaring. "WHY ARE YOU WEARING A MALE OUTFIT?!" Even if she tried to hold her voice, it was still a bit loud, and some other disciples nearby cleaning and walking by heard it.
Xiu Ying was stunned for a while and couldn't make any excuses. "I... I forgot something... I need to go back TO MY ROOM." She quickly said as she walked in a brisk manner while her face was red. Yu Yan was speechless. There are so many things reveling in her mind right now that she hadn't noticed that the broom in her hands already fell to the ground.
One of the disciples standing nearby saw everything happening. When Xiu Ying left in a hurry, she made a sneer. That person was Wei Ling. She was the most beautiful and talented in all the outer sect peaks. However, her position went to 2nd when Xiu Ying arrived. Before, some male disciples, even in the inner sect peaks, greet her and shower her praises when she comes out of the yard. But now, they are just waiting for a chance to get to know Xiu Ying. She immediately went away smiling, she is cooking something up in her mischievous head.
Liang Chen just arrived outside the assignment hall when he saw a recruitment sign on the side with 3 cultivators. The sign says, exterminating cobalt monkeys, requires Mortal realm level 7 or above, 500 contribution points rewards, and an equal share of materials. Liang Chen thought that killing cobalt monkeys and getting 500 contribution points with materials are quite good. Cobalt monkeys have a size of 1.5 meters. More or less half the size of a normal human adult. They have the strength of Mortal realm 6 and above however, they are quite agile and attack in groups. They also have quite a bit of intelligence since they know when to attack and when to back down. When Liang Chen had just recently joined the sect, he saw a senior Mortal realm level 8 disciple limping back into their male yard and with bite marks all over his body. He found out that their senior was gang banged by cobalt monkeys in all directions. Good thing that senior escaped or he would have been turned into dinner by those monkeys.
Liang Chen changed his aura to Mortal realm level 7 and walked toward them. He asked the universal guide before what cobalt monkeys are and he found out that the cobalt monkey's fangs are colored blue since it has the element of water. Those fangs would be a good Mortal-grade sword for Xiu Ying.
"Hi! Is there still a spot open?" Liang Chen asked.
The 3 looked at him and the bald guy in the middle said smiling. "Welcome! Welcome! We still have 1 more spot open. Want to join and kill some monkeys?" However, the other 2 guys are a little bit disappointed when they saw him.
Liang Chen nodded. "I wanted to do some missions then I saw your sign. 500 contribution points are quite tempting. By the way, my name is Liang Chen. Liang is written as a beam and Chen as the morning." Liang Chen almost extended his hand but immediately cupped his hands together and gave a courtesy bow. Back in Green willow village, when he was still 8 years old, he met a neighbor who was an old man, he extended his hand waiting for a handshake but the other person only made an awkward smile and then gave him some pocket money. The notion of a handshake as a greeting doesn't exist here.
"The name is Shi Long. Shi as rock and Long as a dragon." The bald guy returned the courtesy. "This tall guy here is Wang jun and he's Chen Wei. Shi Long points at the other 2 introducing them. "Wang is written as king and Jun... written as handsome." Wang Jun also returns the courtesy but said it a little embarrassed. Wang Jun doesn't seem bad looking but his looks are kinda average. Hence he was embarrassed about being named handsome. Chen Wei just nodded.
"Welcome to the team! I will register your name then we'll set out immediately." Shi Long said as he went inside the assignment hall.
After he came out, the 4 started their journey. It will take 4 days via walking so they looked for a carriage that will bring them to the designated village or at least can drop them off close to it. They found one that is being pulled by a herbivore demon beast and paid tens of copper coins each.
Liang Chen got to know more about Shi Long and the gang during their travel. Shi Long from the south outer sect peak is the only son of Shi Feng, who is the leader of the acclaimed Jade Mountain Trading. Although Jade Mountain Trading is not the largest merchant company in the continent, they are known for being the fairest and most honest with its trades and deals. He has the strength of Mortal realm level 8.
Wang Jun and Chen Wei don't talk much, but Shi Long talked about them. Wang Jun is naturally shy. He is at the same south outer peak as Shi Long and has the same cultivation level. Because of his attitude, he often gets teased and bullied. Chen Wei most of the time has his eyes closed. He is from the north outer sect peak with the strength of Mortal realm level 9. He is currently the top Mortal realm expert of the entire outer sect peaks and an upcoming genius. Last year, he took the number 1 spot as the strongest in the Mortal realm. When the 3 found out about Liang Chen and who he was, they have pity in their eyes.
"So you are that Liang Chen that Liu Yang has challenged..." Wang Jun shook his head. "What will you do? There are only 2 more months and a few days left before the tournament begins and you are still at the Mortal realm level 7 and that bastard Liu Yang is already at the Qi Refining realm." Shi Long asked.
Liang Chen can sense some hatred from Shi Long. "Are you quite familiar with that Liu Yang?" He asked.
Shi Long gripped his hand hard, pointed at his head, and said with resentment. "He is the one who did this to me. Just because I bump into one of his lackeys by accident, he wanted ME to grovel on the ground and apologize. Of course, I refused. Our banter led one thing to another so I punched his lackey out cold. While the others pushed me down, that bastard took out his sword and starts cutting my hair. It was horrendous that I was forced to shave my head."
Liang Chen thought about it and then said. "Thanks for the worry, brother Shi Long. You don't need to worry. I have my plans on how to deal with that Liu Yang."
Shi Long just stared at him and then shook his head. "Whatever the result would be, I will still cheer you on junior apprentice-brother Chen!"
Chen Wei just stared at Liang Chen when he heard that. He heard some rumors that Liu Yang ran away from Liang Chen before and it seems there might be some truth to it.
When they reached the drop-off site, they took off and said their goodbyes to the driver.
クリエイターの想い 
Rueleosan
Rueleosan I know that writing a story is hard. But I didn't think it would be this hard. I am keeping up with my notes but there is a lot about world-building and every character to think of. I thought it would be doable to publish 1-2 chapters a day with a minimum of 1000 words or more per chapter, like in the beginning, however, it is getting more and more difficult. Since I do everything from writing to proofreading and posting. Thought I will do my best since this is my 1st story ever.
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