Chapter 40 The so-called life-or-death struggle is nothing more than a money-giving gift.

Late at night, Cloud Top Villa.

The air seemed to solidify, with only the faint electric hum of the desk lamp.

Jiang Chen sat cross-legged on the bed. He wasn't holding a water glass, but the ceramic mug that should have been on the table was now trembling and hovering half a meter in front of him.

"Up... down... spin around..."

As Jiang Chen's thoughts moved slightly, the cup, as if supported by an invisible hand, clumsily drew circles in the air.

【Ding! Detected that the host is performing toddler-level Mental Energy training.】

【Proficiency +1... +1...】

【Evaluation: Although the movement is like Parkinson's, congratulations to the host, the materialization of Mental Energy has stabilized at the "Organ Refining Realm Level 1" standard.】

"What's wrong with Parkinson's? As long as I can drink water."

Jiang Chen relaxed his mind, and the cup flew steadily to his mouth. He took a sip of cold water, his gaze falling on the bloodstain on the floor that hadn't even dried yet—that was the only trace Black Snake had left behind.

"The Wang family, oh the Wang family. To send me experience points, you even sent out a top-tier delivery boy like this. It's truly touching."

Jiang Chen put down the cup, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes.

Black Snake died inexplicably, without any external injuries, not even decent signs of a struggle. For a noble family accustomed to inferring things by common sense, this was not only not terrifying but actually an extremely obvious "misleading signal."

Meanwhile, in a secret room at the Wang family's residence in the Imperial Capital.

The atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive. Wang Teng stared fixedly at the on-site investigation report transmitted by the holographic projection, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

"No external injuries, Meridians intact, but the brain region... has completely turned into mush."

The old butler standing behind Wang Teng spoke in a hoarse voice, a sharp glint flashing in his turbid old eyes. "Young Master, Black Snake was a killer at the Peak of the Viscera Refining Realm, proficient in assassination techniques. I have also investigated that Jiang Chen, he is at the Bone Forging Realm Level 8. Even if he possesses innate Divine Power, it is impossible for him to cause Black Snake's mind to collapse without a sound."

"What are you implying?" Wang Teng turned around, the iron balls in his hand being squeezed until they creaked.

"A Protector!" The old butler said decisively. "Behind this kid, there must be a Grandmaster-level powerhouse who specializes in Mental Energy! Black Snake didn't even see Jiang Chen's face before he was wiped out by that powerhouse from afar!"

"So that's how it is..."

The wariness in Wang Teng's eyes dissipated by more than half, replaced by a knowing sneer. "I was wondering how a bumpkin could be so evil. Turns out he's relying on someone backing him."

"Young Master, since there is a Grandmaster protecting him, I'm afraid the path of assassination won't work."

"Who said I wanted to assassinate him?"

Wang Teng walked to the window, looking in the direction of the Imperial Capital Martial Arts University, a cruel arc curling at the corner of his mouth. "Since the underhanded way won't work, let's do it in the open. The arena for the Freshman Grand Competition has a barrier that isolates the inside from the outside. No Protector can interfere."

"Killing him within the rules is considered an 'accident'. Even if the Grandmaster behind him is powerful, would they dare to openly break the rules at the Imperial Capital Martial Arts University?"

"Young Master is wise!"

The next day, Imperial Capital Martial Arts University, office building.

Jiang Chen pushed open the door to Mu Qingxue's office, familiar with the route.

As soon as he entered, a cold air comparable to a freezer rushed towards him.

"Hiss—Teacher, did you turn the air conditioning down again? Even a penguin would have to wear a down jacket if it came in here."

Jiang Chen rubbed his arms and looked at the beautiful figure behind the desk.

Mu Qingxue was wearing a high-necked white cashmere sweater today, covered by a slim-fitting black trench coat, wrapping herself tightly.

But even so, Jiang Chen keenly noticed that her hand holding the pen was trembling slightly, and her fingertips showed a sickly blue-purple color.

The Cold Poison backlash period had arrived.

Hearing the movement, Mu Qingxue looked up. Her eyes, originally as cold as frost, suddenly erupted with a hint of undisguised... desire the moment she saw Jiang Chen.

That look was like someone dying of thirst in the desert seeing a bottle of iced cola.

"Come here."

Mu Qingxue's voice was a bit hoarse; she didn't even have the strength to maintain the dignity of a teacher as usual.

Jiang Chen sighed and walked over. Before he could speak, a bone-chillingly cold little hand had already impatiently grabbed his wrist.

"Ugh..." At the moment of contact, both of them let out a soft groan.

Mu Qingxue only felt a wave of scorching Yang Qi pouring into her body along the contact point, and the chill that was about to freeze her blood was instantly dispelled.

She felt so comfortable that her toes curled up, and a flush of abnormal redness quickly appeared on her originally pale cheeks.

As for Jiang Chen, he was shocked by the cold, but immediately after, the Qi and blood in his body seemed to be provoked and began to circulate frantically, and his Mental Energy blue bar recovered at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Teacher, your condition... is a bit serious."

Jiang Chen looked down at Mu Qingxue. This woman was usually as cold as a queen, but now she was like a clingy cat, holding onto him tightly with both hands, even wanting to press her whole body against him.

"Stop talking... let me... hold it for a while..."

Mu Qingxue bit her lower lip, struggling to maintain the last trace of her reason. "In three days, it will be the Freshman Grand Competition... The Wang family will not let this rest. I must... help you with special training..."

"Special training?"

Jiang Chen looked at her weak appearance and couldn't help but laugh. "Teacher, looking at how you can't even walk steadily right now, you should take care of yourself first."

He held Mu Qingxue's hand back, his thumb gently rubbing the back of her hand, and the heat was transmitted more directly.

"As for the Wang family? Don't worry."

Jiang Chen leaned closer and whispered, "Although I am lazy, I am not stupid. Instead, it's you, Teacher. Your palms are sweating. Is it... that you really want it?"

"You!"

Mu Qingxue's beautiful eyes widened. She was just about to get angry but realized Jiang Chen was referring to the heat, and she was instantly ashamed and indignant. However, her body honestly refused to let go. "Shut up! Just be your heater in peace!"

After coming out of the office building, Jiang Chen hadn't even had time to savor the feeling in his palm before he was blocked in the middle of the playground by a group of people.

Leading them was Wang Teng.

He was dressed in white, with a long sword on his back, followed by dozens of Wang family supporters, his aura fully unleashed, instantly attracting the gazes of countless students around.

"Jiang Chen!"

Wang Teng shouted violently, his voice rolling like thunder. "At the Freshman Grand Competition, I want to initiate a 'Life-and-Death Duel' with you!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole place was in an uproar.

"A Life-and-Death Duel? That's a fight to the death!"

"Is Wang Teng crazy? He's a sophomore Prodigy. It's bad enough to suppress his Realm to bully a freshman, but he wants a Life-and-Death Duel too?"

Jiang Chen stopped, rubbed his sleepy eyes, didn't even glance at Wang Teng, and turned to leave.

"No time, I'm going back to catch up on sleep."

"What? Scared?"

Wang Teng stepped forward, blocking Jiang Chen's path, his eyes full of contempt. "Without the Protector behind you, are you just a piece of trash who only knows how to hide behind a woman?"

A Protector? Jiang Chen's heart stirred, and he almost laughed out loud. So these fools thought that?

"Provocation won't work on me." Jiang Chen yawned. "Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless you pay more." Jiang Chen stretched out a hand and rubbed his fingers. "I'm very expensive."

Wang Teng sneered: "Fine! If you win, half of the Wang family's industries in the Imperial Capital will be yours! Worth 50 billion!"

"Hiss—" The sound of gasping was all around. 50 billion?! This was simply a huge gamble!

"If you lose..." Wang Teng's eyes were venomous. "I want you to cripple your own cultivation, kneel in front of the Wang family's main gate for three days and three nights, and pay for the life of the Black Snake you killed!"

Jiang Chen's originally lazy expression became vivid the moment he heard the words "50 billion".

He stepped forward, walked to Wang Teng, and reached out as if to pat the other party's shoulder.

Wang Teng subconsciously wanted to dodge, but he discovered in horror that the sword scabbard behind him suddenly hummed strangely. An invisible force, like a giant invisible hand, pressed down on his sword and his body.

Slap. Jiang Chen's hand patted Wang Teng's shoulder lightly.

"Half of the industries? Senior Wang, you are too polite."

Jiang Chen leaned into Wang Teng's ear, smiling, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Since you want to send money so much, I will reluctantly accept it. Remember to prepare the title deeds. I don't like handling the transfer procedures, it's too troublesome and affects my sleep."

Wang Teng's pupils shrank violently.

Was that... an illusion just now? Why did he feel for a moment that he was being targeted by some terrifying Vicious Beast?

"Hmph! Playing god!"

Wang Teng shook off Jiang Chen's hand, his face pale. "Three days later, see you in the arena! I hope your bones can be as hard as your mouth by then!"

Watching the back of Wang Teng leaving with people, the smile on the corner of Jiang Chen's mouth gradually faded.

"50 billion... With this money, can I change the bed in the dormitory to one made of ten-thousand-year warm jade?"

Back to the dormitory.

Jiang Chen didn't go to sleep directly but took out the "Medal of Honor" that represented the freshman number one.

"System, connect to the virtual battle network."

【Connecting...】

【Identity confirmed: Jiang Chen.】

【ID generating... Please enter a nickname.】

Jiang Chen thought for a while and entered two words: Nightmare.

【Welcome to the virtual battlefield. Detected that the host possesses the "Nightmare Divine Body (prototype)", special mode enabled: Dream Battle.】

【In this mode, Mental Energy consumption is halved, and skill proficiency is doubled.】

"Perfect, let me practice a little with the stimulation of that 50 billion just now."

Jiang Chen closed his eyes, and his consciousness sank into the virtual network.

Over the next three days, a terrifying legend appeared in the virtual battle network.

A newcomer with the ID "Nightmare" didn't talk about martial arts and would just go to sleep as soon as he came up.

But any opponent who encountered him, whether they used swords, sabers, or magic, would inexplicably fall into a coma the moment the battle started, and then be tortured to death in their dreams by all kinds of strange things (like giant fly swatters, flying slippers).

"Wang Teng, right? Life-and-Death Duel, right?"

Exiting the virtual network, Jiang Chen looked at the rising sun outside the window and twisted his somewhat stiff neck.

"I hope you can be a little more durable, don't let me... win before I've even woken up."