183: Desserts are good, otherwise it would be boring

On the campus playground.

A banner was unfurled at some point.

It specifically named Shen Bei and demanded to teach him a lesson!

Shen Bei was almost fuming.

He had been Cultivating in the basement these past few days.

He even paused his part-time jobs for a while.

He hadn't provoked anyone.

Who the hell was so bold as to openly challenge him like this?

Suddenly, Shen Bei seemed to recall someone.

“Could it be Cha Xiaodao, who wants to become the Three-Rank Invincible King?”

Professor Gu Xinrou and Jian Tong had mentioned this person a few days ago.

And Shen Bei hadn't paid attention to outside information.

He didn't expect this guy to actually show up…

Shen Bei quickly walked over.

He couldn't be a coward now.

If he hadn't been specifically named, Shen Bei naturally wouldn't have bothered with this clown.

But since the challenge was brought to his doorstep, avoiding the fight would be like a turtle retreating into its shell!

Soon.

Shen Bei arrived at the playground.

He immediately saw students gathered in three inner and three outer circles.

They were all cracking Gua Zi and enjoying the show.

At the same time, in the center of the venue.

A man, about thirty years old, with a profound aura, a face like jade, and very handsome, yet his eyes carried a hint of uncomfortable arrogance that marred his overall demeanor, was sitting on a grand armchair.

A long saber rested on his lap, which he was gently wiping with a silk cloth.

That pose… was somewhat like a butcher who had just woken up.

He was Cha Xiaodao, the subject of much discussion recently!

There were also several cameramen adjusting their equipment, seemingly recording the entire event.

Shen Bei's mouth twitched. Is this a movie shoot?

However, Shen Bei understood their intentions at a glance.

They probably wanted to build a personal IP and become a Martial Artist influencer…

For this world, there are countless aspirations for Martial Artists, and becoming an influencer accounts for half of them.

They'd casually perform feats like breaking stones with their chest or bending steel bars with their throat in videos, then have their 'family' (fans) send small gifts.

They could earn a good sum in a day.

Of course, some influencer Martial Artists also liked to act out scripts, with 'real-life' offline encounters.

First, two influencer Martial Artists would inexplicably hurl insults at each other from a distance.

Then, they would constantly escalate the situation, releasing various videos to attract viewers, vowing to meet offline for a 'real' fight.

They'd make a fuss for a year, constantly claiming they were going to fight, but never actually doing it.

They were even more drawn out than Brother Jia, who always says he's returning to China next week.

“Shen Bei is here!”

Someone shouted.

The entire venue immediately erupted.

The students watching the show and eating Gua Zi discussed animatedly:

“He’s here, he’s here! The protagonist is here!”

“Does anyone actually think Shen Bei is the protagonist? Cha Xiaodao has already defeated all the famous Third-Rank Martial Artists in the country.”

“That’s right, he’s an experienced Third-Rank Martial Artist. Shen Bei is still lacking in experience.”

“Didn’t you see Cha Xiaodao’s videos? He’s incredibly brutal.”

“It’s really hard to say who will win.”

“Don’t lose heart and boost his prestige. When has Shen Bei ever lost?”

…

At this moment, Cha Xiaodao, upon hearing the students chattering around him.

Immediately looked up and locked eyes with Shen Bei.

He stood up, cupped his hands, and smiled broadly:

“You’ve come.”

“I’ve come.”

“You shouldn’t have come.”

“But I still came.”

Cha Xiaodao's pair of narrow eyes were like saber edges: “My apologies for the presumptuous challenge.”

Shen Bei strode forward with a domineering presence, his head slightly raised: “You know it’s presumptuous, yet you lack manners? You’re a Martial Artist who’s been in society for so long, stepping on others’ faces to gain traffic for yourself. At the very least, you should know how to respect people.”

Cha Xiaodao’s face instantly turned cold and terrifying.

He naturally understood what was being referred to.

That was the provocative banner.

Cha Xiaodao waved his hand, and a cameraman on the side uttered an “Oh,” then ran to the banner, tearing off Shen Bei’s name to reveal “Yuan Ye.”

After tearing it again, “Lin Xiao’s” name was revealed…

As he kept tearing, various other names could be seen.

Undoubtedly, they were all Cha Xiaodao’s defeated opponents.

Cha Xiaodao smiled: “I had no intention of showing off; this banner is merely a prop.”

“If you’re getting angry over a banner, it seems your magnanimity isn’t all that great.”

Shen Bei chuckled: “Even more disrespectful…”

He even reused the damn banner repeatedly. Isn't that looking down on people too much?

Cha Xiaodao didn't want to waste any more words with Shen Bei and spoke directly: “You also have two choices: turn around and leave, or fight me.”

Shen Bei didn't answer directly, but instead asked: “How many people have you challenged?”

“Among Third-Rank Martial Artists, relatively famous ones, whether they are influencers, Dungeon Martial Artists, student Martial Artists, or civilian Martial Artists, I have challenged 27 so far, and you are my last one.”

“So, after challenging me, you can declare yourself the Three-Rank Invincible King?”

Cha Xiaodao's face showed an arrogant smile, his eyes looking down on Shen Bei from above: “Not self-proclaimed, but recognized by my fans.”

Shen Bei smacked his lips: “Is there a bet? Otherwise, it’s meaningless.”

Cha Xiaodao was instantly bewildered.

In his previous challenges, some had fled without fighting, some couldn't even take one move, and some were beaten half to death.

Regardless of the circumstances, they all fought for honor, for their own reputation.

After all, Third-Rank Martial Artists could also be affiliated with companies.

The greater their fame, the higher the price they commanded.

Who wouldn't cherish their reputation?

But no one had ever asked for a bet!

Cha Xiaodao was momentarily unable to see through Shen Bei.

He naturally knew that Shen Bei's fame had recently soared.

He had not only captured a Fifth-Tier Alien Leader but also killed an Eighth-Tier Vicious Beast.

But Cha Xiaodao felt that this matter should be three parts true and seven parts false.

The facts were certainly there, but whether Shen Bei did it alone, or if a Da Shouzi helped, was unknown.

Therefore, in Cha Xiaodao’s eyes, Shen Bei was just a sham, a “mascot” promoted and built up by the country.

After all, his appearance was indeed good.

At this moment, Cha Xiaodao pondered for a moment, his face also showing some annoyance: “A bet? All the Martial Artists I’ve encountered fought for honor. Your statement is simply too vulgar.”

Shen Bei chuckled.

Why are you talking about morality with me?

Even extras get chicken drumsticks added to their bento boxes.

Fighting you for nothing, with no benefits, what kind of game is that?

Shen Bei said bluntly: “I apologize for my rudeness, but I am indeed so vulgar and only like bets. If you have a bet, I’ll play with you. If you defeat me, you’ll be the Three-Rank Invincible King.”

“If you don’t fight me, it means you concede, and flee without a fight.” Cha Xiaodao showed no sign of being manipulated by Shen Bei.

But Shen Bei shook his head: “You’re thinking too much. When it comes to building momentum, you can’t beat me. It’s not that I won’t fight, but that you can’t afford the bet. When the time comes, I won’t even need to act; the Martial Artists who fell to your hands will naturally fan the flames. In that case, you’ll have worked for nothing.”

Cha Xiaodao’s mouth twitched.

After so many fights.

He didn't expect to be manipulated by a seemingly harmless student!

That's right.

The final step.

As long as he defeated the famous Shen Bei, no one would not be convinced that he was the Three-Rank Invincible King!

With this halo, his personal IP value would skyrocket.

Cha Xiaodao wasn't simply fighting for honor.

Just like Shen Bei, without the drive of profit… he truly lacked motivation.

After thinking for a moment, Cha Xiaodao pulled out a Martial Skill book: “How about this?”

Shen Bei didn't even look. Whether it was money or Martial Skills, more was always better.

A prize would be enough.

“Alright.” Shen Bei grinned.

Cha Xiaodao then asked: “What about your bet?”

“The Three-Rank Invincible King.” Shen Bei answered swiftly and decisively.

This answer not only made Cha Xiaodao furious, almost making him spit blood.

The other students watching also burst into loud laughter:

“Holy crap! Shen Bei’s words could literally kill someone.”

“The damage is at least 50%, Cha Xiaodao has already lost half.”

“He’s truly cheeky. This Three-Rank Invincible King title was clearly earned by Cha Xiaodao, but now it’s become Shen Bei’s bet.”

“Nothing wrong with that. If he doesn’t defeat Shen Bei, all the people he defeated before are useless.”

“Why does it sound like Shen Bei is the Three-Rank Invincible King? All the Martial Artists Cha Xiaodao fought before were for nothing.”

“You can’t say that. If you get full after eating the third bun, does that mean the first two buns were eaten for nothing?”

“This is called reversing the Dao…”

…

At this very moment.

Cha Xiaodao felt a surge of anger rush to his head, his gaze becoming even colder: “So young, yet so shameless! The Three-Rank Invincible King is not your title!”

Shen Bei spread his hands: “Is there a problem? I’m your final reward.”

Shen Bei’s words pierced Cha Xiaodao’s heart like a sharp knife, making his blood rush to his head, his eyes instantly turning blood red!

It made it seem as if all his efforts for so long were just paving the way for Shen Bei.

He was so damn angry!

The next instant.

Cha Xiaodao took a step forward, gripping his saber in a reverse grip, unleashing a full Saber Qi, and slashed out!

‘Clang, clang, clang!’

The Saber Qi swept across the ground, True Qi gushing out, and the ground exploded in sections!

The long saber danced, bits of cold light falling like snowflakes.

Cha Xiaodao’s opening move was a saber technique: Myriad Homes’ Lights!

Every falling speck of cold light was a Saber Qi, indestructible and all-shattering!

The long saber swept upward, like a fire blazing to the sky!

Saber Qi surged, Killing Intent chilling!

No technique, just pure speed!

Pressing forward step by step, interlocking, each strike faster than the last!

“Shen Bei! Kneel for me!”