Xu Zhou coughed lightly, "It's quite tasty."
He decided not to mention the stalking for now.
Although Xu Zhou was curious to see how the usually cool Li Ruoxi would react upon learning about it,
he guessed that she would most likely become furious out of embarrassment.
Moreover, she probably wouldn't "stalk" him again in the future.
Xu Zhou was quite worried about the trouble brought by Huang Yunxuan, so he still really needed Li Ruoxi.
After all, having an elder sister ranked second on the Dragon and Tiger Ranking provides a great sense of security.
Li Ruoxi heard this and snorted softly, "Just say whatever you have to say."
Xu Zhou felt helpless. Could she see through him that easily?
His eyes rolled slightly, then he calmly said, "I've entered the top hundred rankings."
"Oh." Li Ruoxi nodded, "Not bad."
"Not bad?" Xu Zhou blinked.
"It's just average," Li Ruoxi changed her wording and said coolly, "Your actions weren't ruthless enough. If Huang Hao is stronger than you, you'll die."
"Oh." Xu Zhou nodded.
Li Ruoxi glanced at him and pursed her red lips.
After thinking for a moment, she added, "However, you're much better than before."
Xu Zhou looked up at Li Ruoxi. As expected, his aloof sister has a sharp tongue but a soft heart.
Clearly, she cares a lot about him, yet always puts on a cool demeanor.
He glanced at Li Ruoxi nonchalantly, "Really?"
Li Ruoxi nodded, "If you had completely crippled Huang Hao back then or even killed him on the spot, I would certainly admire you."
"Killed on the spot?"
Xu Zhou was slightly stunned. Li Ruoxi actually wanted him to kill Huang Hao?
Looking at Xu Zhou, Li Ruoxi's voice returned to its cool tone, "I said, if Huang Hao is stronger than you, you will die."
"His methods against you were extremely ruthless, determined to cripple you, making it far from an ordinary match but a fight to the death!"
"And even though you had the means to crush him, you merely cut off one of his arms. If it were me, even if I didn't kill him, I would cripple all his limbs, making sure he never stood again."
Xu Zhou frowned slightly.
Finding it hard to believe.
Li Ruoxi's words somewhat overturned his worldview.
Discussing killing someone outside, that might be barely acceptable, but this is a school.
Li Ruoxi was just a high school senior, after all.
Having lived for eighteen years in his previous life, it was difficult for him to accept such a viewpoint.
Xu Zhou said solemnly, "If you kill someone... the school won't intervene?"
"The school?" Li Ruoxi shook her head, her almond eyes fixed on Xu Zhou, "From the moment you enter the martial path, you should be prepared to bleed! Didn't your teacher teach you?"
Xu Zhou pondered. Of course, they taught it, but he always thought it referred to fighting mutated beasts.
Even if there was bloodshed, it would be much later.
But Li Ruoxi's words left him somewhat surprised.
"You're still too soft." Li Ruoxi said coolly, "As a Martial Artist, there is no talk of mercy, only cowards and warriors."
Having said that, she put down her bowl and chopsticks and turned to return to her room.
Xu Zhou watched her back, frowning slightly.
Moments passed before Xu Zhou suddenly realized something and exhaled slowly.
"Seems like I still haven't adapted to this world."
Xu Zhou thought to himself that this world was too similar to Earth, causing him to unconsciously transpose his worldview onto this world from his previous life on Earth.
But this world has Martial Artists and mutated beasts, so how could it be exactly like Earth?
Despite the modernity of everything here, this world ultimately isn't a rule-of-law society like Huaxia.
Xu Zhou glanced at Li Ruoxi's room, his heart stirred slightly.
What has Li Ruoxi experienced to possess such a mindset?
Clearly, when she was very young, she would scream in fear just at the sight of a cockroach, right?
At this moment, Xu Zhou suddenly recalled the sword from Huang Hao thrusting towards his head, remembered the lifeless eyes of the high school seniors, and also recalled the look in Huang Yunxuan's eyes towards him from below the podium.
Previously, Xu Zhou hadn't seen through Huang Yunxuan's gaze, thinking it was just hatred.
But now, he understood that it was killing intent, boiling killing intent, thick to the extreme!
Huang Yunxuan didn't just want revenge; he wanted to kill him!
"Indeed, things can't remain the same as before." Xu Zhou thought deeply, as if some beast was awakening deep in his eyes.
...
The next day, Xu Zhou went to school as usual.
After arriving at school, he didn't go to the training room but headed straight to the virtual pod counter.
He wanted to challenge the top ten of the first-year top hundred rankings!
The threat from Huang Yunxuan was like a sharp sword, always hanging over his head. If he wanted to escape such constant fear, he needed to become stronger quickly.
Strong enough to... kill Huang Yunxuan!
Yes, kill.
Moreover, reaching the top ten of the top hundred rankings has a reward of ten thousand Federation Coins, which will significantly boost Xu Zhou's strength.
At the counter, Song Qi saw Xu Zhou and did not stop him. Instead, he patiently informed him about the top ten of the first-year top hundred rankings.
Quickly, Xu Zhou grasped the general situation.
"On the first-year top hundred rankings, the Qi-Blood of the top three reaches 90 card, and the top five reaches 85 card?" Xu Zhou took a deep breath.
The students on this top hundred rankings are indeed extraordinary.
Even some second-year students haven't reached 90 card Qi-Blood!
"Apart from me and the first place, no one has broken through to the second level of battle techniques?"
Xu Zhou's eyes brightened. With this, he still had a chance to fight.
Quickly, he chose the fifth place on the top hundred rankings as his opponent.
The Qi-Blood of the top three is too high; he might not win against them.
But the fifth place, with only 5 card Qi-Blood difference, might be worth a try.
Soon, Xu Zhou entered the virtual pod number 1, put on the helmet, and entered the virtual world.
...
At the counter, Song Qi watched the virtual pod number 1, unable to help but exclaim, "I didn't expect this kid to challenge the fifth place right away. That guy isn't easy to deal with."
"I wonder how much time he'll take this time?"
With anticipation, Song Qi waited by the counter.
Three minutes later.
"Buzz!"
The virtual pod number 1 suddenly opened.
Xu Zhou came out looking dejected.
Seeing this, Song Qi shook his head slightly, then smiled and comforted, "Xu Zhou, it's okay to fail the challenge. Students on the top hundred rankings have ten chances every month..."
Before he could finish his words.
Xu Zhou said with a strange expression, "I succeeded in the challenge?"
"Ah?"
Song Qi quickly picked up his phone to check, and then his face was shocked.
Fifth place on the first-year top hundred rankings, Xu Zhou!
"Oh my god! Really fifth place?" Song Qi was incredibly shaken.
To think, just yesterday, he doubted Xu Zhou's qualification to challenge the top hundred rankings.
But today, he climbed all the way to the fifth place!
It was a slap in the face!
Suppressing the shock in his heart, Song Qi looked up, speechlessly staring at Xu Zhou.
Why are you looking so dejected after succeeding in the challenge?
Xu Zhou sighed and murmured, "There were quite a few mistakes in the recent fight; otherwise, I could have resolved it within a minute."
"It seems my Mountain Breaking Saber Technique still has many shortcomings!"
With this in mind, Xu Zhou did not linger and quickly left the area.
He needed to find his personal coach to improve his battle techniques!
...
Xu Zhou's ascent to the top five of the top hundred rankings quickly caused a stir in the school.
However, none of that mattered to Xu Zhou.
At this moment, Xu Zhou had already arrived at Cao Yong's office.
Upon learning Xu Zhou's intentions, Cao Yong immediately nodded, "Demonstrate for me to see."
"Yes."
Xu Zhou drew his Tang blade and began to practice.
Cao Yong's office was spacious, about the size of a classroom, so even at full strength, he felt no restriction.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Xu Zhou wielded the long blade, slicing through the air, bursts of hidden force emanating from the blade, causing the air to hum.
Cao Yong watched from the side, nodding slightly.
"As expected, he's broken through to the second level of saber techniques. This kid really has exceptional saber talent." He thought to himself.
Even in the senior year, most people remain at the first level of saber techniques.
To reach the second level is in itself a testament to talent.
Not to mention, Xu Zhou achieved this level in such a short time.
At this moment, Cao Yong smiled with satisfaction, beginning to feel fortunate about the bets he placed on Xu Zhou.
After a while.
Xu Zhou sheathed his blade and looked expectantly at Cao Yong, "Teacher, did you see any problems?"
"Uh..."
Cao Yong suddenly found himself speechless. He had been so engrossed in feeling satisfied that he forgot to look for Xu Zhou's issues!
He coughed, standing upright, "There are indeed some issues. You demonstrate it again, and I'll guide you as you correct them."
"Okay."
Filled with excitement, Xu Zhou believed him without doubt and started practicing again.
This time, as Xu Zhou practiced, Cao Yong began to guide him patiently.
"Your saber technique and movement technique must stay consistent."
"Keep your mind focused; enlighten through your saber technique! If your body and mind align, your saber will be sharper."
"In the third move, fourth stance, don't go off the beaten path!"
"..."
Under Cao Yong's guidance,
Xu Zhou gradually understood his shortcomings, rapidly improving his saber technique.
Two and a half hours later.
Xu Zhou sheathed his blade, sincerely saying, "Thank you, teacher."
Cao Yong was indeed very good to him. Without his detailed guidance, Xu Zhou would not have reached the second level of saber techniques so quickly.
"Your improvement is swift. Keep practicing, and you may break through to the third level before the second year." Cao Yong said.
This was a very high appraisal.
Throughout the school's history, those who reached the third level before the second year were exceedingly rare talents.
Xu Zhou earnestly nodded.
However, he did not leave immediately but suddenly said, "Teacher, there's something I want to ask for advice on."
"Go ahead." Cao Yong nodded.
Looking at his teacher, Xu Zhou said seriously, "What are the conditions for entering the Thousand Demon Cave restricted zone?"
Cao Yong's expression changed slightly.