章 160: Chapter 160: Su Ming: "System, Who Are You Looking Down On?!"

Zao Wuji hadn't expected that after Xiao Wu was captured, not only did she return unharmed, but she also broke through to level 40 and even absorbed her fourth spirit ring, exceeding its usual limit. It was unbelievable!

Zao Wuji shook his head, thinking it didn't matter. Besides Ma Hongjun, the trip had turned out to be more of a relief than a danger. The other three were still waiting on the outskirts, and they needed to hurry back.

Zao Wuji then said, "Since Tang San has finished absorbing his spirit ring, and both Su Ming and Xiao Wu are safe, let's quickly head back and find Fatty and the others."

"Although they're hiding on the outskirts, they might not be completely safe. If a powerful spirit beast shows up, we'll be in trouble!"

Hearing this, Dai Mubai and the others nodded in agreement. Fatty's injury couldn't be left unattended for too long.

At that moment, Oscar, having fully restored his spirit power, quickly made several Flying Mushroom Sausages.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu whispered to her brother, "Brother, why don't you summon the Wood Dragon? It's more comfortable, and there's no time limit."

Since Xiao Wu requested it, Su Ming naturally obliged. With a tap of his toe, a massive Wood Dragon soared into the air.

Su Ming then grabbed Xiao Wu and leaped onto the dragon's head. He turned to the others and said, "We'll pass on the sausages. Our Wood Dragon is more comfortable. What about you guys?"

The group exchanged glances. Of course, they'd choose Su Ming's Wood Dragon—it was faster, more comfortable, and could even defend them if they were attacked!

Oscar gave a helpless smile, and everyone hopped onto the Wood Dragon together.

Not long after, they arrived at the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest. Ning Rongrong, sensing a familiar wave of spirit power, rushed out and was delighted to see Su Ming and Xiao Wu had returned so quickly.

She waved excitedly and called out, "You're back, Su Ming, Xiao Wu!"

After they landed, the Wood Dragon disappeared, and Xiao Wu hugged Ning Rongrong tightly.

Ning Rongrong sensed something different between Xiao Wu and Su Ming, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. It was a woman's intuition, and she planned to ask Xiao Wu about it later.

Zao Wuji asked, "Where are Zhuqing and Fatty? We should leave here as soon as possible."

Ning Rongrong replied hesitantly, "Zhao teacher, I'm afraid that's not possible. Zhuqing is on the verge of breaking through. It's a critical moment."

"As for Ma Hongjun, he's resting in that bush," she said, pointing in the direction.

The group looked over and saw Ma Hongjun lying there, while Zhu Zhuqing's body radiated spirit power as she approached her breakthrough.

Zhu Zhuqing hadn't expected that after Zao Wuji and the others chased after Tang San, they would return so quickly. She thought that, like in the original story, Tang San would absorb the spirit ring of the Man-Faced Demon Spider and spend a long time finding Xiao Wu and the others. Yet, here they were after only a few hours.

Zao Wuji sighed, resigned to the situation. There was no choice but to wait until dawn. Surely their luck wouldn't be so bad that, after the Titan Giant Ape, they'd run into another powerful spirit beast.

Half an hour later, Zhu Zhuqing completed her breakthrough, advancing to level 36, surpassing her fiancé, Dai Mubai, who was three years older than her!

Dai Mubai felt uneasy. Zhu Zhuqing had broken through ahead of him, and he silently vowed to train hard once they returned.

Tang San, recalling Xiao Wu's earlier words, realized that despite absorbing a higher-level spirit ring, he was still the lowest-ranked among the new students.

But now, he wasn't concerned. Once they returned, he would work on crafting the Zhuge Crossbow and mastering other Tang Sect techniques. His strength would no longer be at the bottom!

Midnight.

Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing today's diary. You have been awarded: Combat Training Space.

Combat Training Space: Similar to the Virtual Learning Space, the host can conduct real combat training within it. The host can choose their training opponents, and all other rules will be explained upon usage!

Seeing today's reward and the system's explanation, Su Ming was quite pleased. He was lacking real combat experience, and fighting Er Ming had only showcased his power without truly improving his combat skills.

Su Ming believed that only life-and-death battles, full of danger, could enhance his combat ability. Since he wouldn't actually die in this space, he could fight to his heart's content.

Ding! The system detects that the host has made a "breakthrough" today. Congratulations! As a bonus, the system awards you the title of "Golden Warrior," to be worn permanently. Keep up the good work, hehehe!

Su Ming: …

"Hey, system, I lasted a full two hours. Who are you looking down on?! Get lost!"

Su Ming yelled in his heart, feeling both embarrassed and angry. This system was humiliating him!

However, no matter how much Su Ming called out, the system remained silent.

Su Ming couldn't help but feel suspicious. Could the system have been watching while he and Xiao Wu were together?

Su Ming: "System, don't tell me…"

Ding! Host, do not slander this system. I have no interest in you humans and your trivial affairs. I am far more noble than that!

Su Ming immediately caught onto a key word: "Humans? System, I've been meaning to ask, what exactly are you?"

Ding! The host currently does not have the authority to receive an answer to this question. I can only say that I am a very noble artificial intelligence created by a certain being. I am not the kind of AI you knew in your past life—that stuff can't compare to me.

Su Ming: …

Su Ming realized that this system was quite proud. He still didn't know who had created it, but clearly, it wasn't on the same level as the AIs from his previous life. Whoever had made this system was beyond his comprehension.

System: "Host, once your strength reaches a certain level, you will naturally know."

Meanwhile, the girls were all looking at Su Ming's diary. Though they knew today's rewards weren't for them, they still enjoyed being part of the process.

Ding! The female protagonists mentioned today are: Xiao Wu, fifteen times; Zhu Zhuqing, twice; Ning Rongrong, five times; Liu Erlong, once.

Today's most mentioned female protagonist is Xiao Wu. She has been awarded: Mastery of Strength!