Chapter 2

Dazed and confused, Zhuge Xiang opened his eyes, looked around, and was startled to find himself lying on his own bed, not by the small lake.

Perplexed, he sat up on the bed and looked down. A black ring, as if rooted in his flesh, was firmly on his finger, giving him a sense of connection, as if the black ring had become a part of him.

Just as Zhuge Xiang was examining the ring on his finger, a stream of information suddenly surfaced in his mind, all about the black ring. It was as if by instinct, Zhuge Xiang understood the peculiar nature of the ring.

This ring is called the Super Game System. He didn't know where it came from, and due to his limited strength, he couldn't fully unlock its functions. However, what he knew so far was that it had a character panel where he could see his own information, and he could level up by defeating monsters. Defeating targets would grant him experience points, and there was a chance to obtain various items, such as equipment, magical artifacts, medicinal materials, or even skill books.

"What an incredible ring! Could this be the legendary magical treasure that surpasses magical artifacts!?" Learning about the game system, Zhuge Xiang was both surprised and delighted.

To have such a magical item through a stroke of luck, and the fact that experience points could automatically break through one's strength without any bottlenecks, this single function alone would make even the elders of the Asura Sect envious.

As if by instinct, Zhuge Xiang pulled up his character panel. The character panel that appeared in his mind displayed some basic information about him: Zhuge Xiang, male, 14 years and 8 months old, ordinary person, experience points: 80/100.

Looking at his character panel, Zhuge Xiang frowned. It seemed that reaching 100 experience points would allow him to successfully comprehend Qi. However, after almost a year of hard training, he had only accumulated 80 points. The possibility of raising his experience points to 100 in the last half month was extremely slim.

The discovery of the Super Game System was indeed a stroke of luck that made Zhuge Xiang exceptionally happy. However, looking at his character panel and his experience points, his joy vanished. No matter how good the magical treasure was, if he couldn't use it to comprehend Qi and become a formal disciple of the Asura Sect within half a month, it would be useless.

"Zhuge Xiang, you're awake. Cultivation should be gradual. Overworking yourself can backfire. If I hadn't found you by the lake, you might have become food for a monster," said a tall, muscular teenager as he pushed open the door and walked in, his eyes filled with concern.

The teenager, who looked to be about 14 or 15 years old, was nearly 1.7 meters tall, with a robust build and well-defined muscles, making him look like he was 18 or 19. He had a simple and honest face. This teenager was named Niu Geng, who was straightforward and honest. In the training camp of 100,000 teenagers, each room housed three people, and Niu Geng was Zhuge Xiang's roommate.

"Thank you, Niu Geng, for bringing me back," Zhuge Xiang said, realizing why he was in the room, and sincerely thanked him.

"Hehe..." Niu Geng scratched his head, a bit embarrassed by Zhuge Xiang's gratitude. "Li Bin said that since we all live under the same roof, it's our duty to help each other."

"Li Bin?" Hearing this name, a flash of displeasure crossed Zhuge Xiang's face. "I've told you before, don't get too close to Li Bin. He's not worth befriending."

Li Bin was another roommate, but Zhuge Xiang couldn't agree with his character. Relying on his cousin who had already comprehended Qi, Li Bin felt superior, as if he himself had comprehended Qi. Niu Geng, being straightforward and honest, had often been used by Li Bin, but Niu Geng always thought it was his duty to help his roommates. Li Bin often used this reasoning to justify his actions.

"Alright, Zhuge Xiang, don't hold a grudge against Li Bin. We're all friends," Niu Geng said, not caring at all.

Zhuge Xiang felt frustrated. Being loyal and willing to take a loss showed a broad-minded heart, but if the other person was deliberately targeting and bullying you, and you still endured it, that was foolish.

However, Zhuge Xiang knew Niu Geng's temperament and that he wouldn't listen, so he shook his head and said no more.

At that moment, a short and thin man pushed the door open. He was about 14 or 15 years old, with a sharp face and shifty eyes, clearly someone who enjoyed scheming. This was Li Bin, another roommate of Zhuge Xiang.

"Ha ha, you're both here. I have some good news. My brother, Zhao Feiyun, comprehended Qi just two months ago. He chose the Ghost Step martial art from the Martial Arts Pavilion and has already grasped the basics. Even the manager said he's a rare talent," Li Bin said, laughing, his expression clearly boasting.

Zhuge Xiang didn't respond to Li Bin's words. Any response would only fuel his arrogance.

Anyone who successfully comprehended Qi within a year could choose a martial art from the Martial Arts Pavilion before the annual test, to prevent disciples from slacking off before the test.

There were four levels of martial arts: grasping the basics, entering the hall, mastering, and perfection. Li Bin's cousin, Zhao Feiyun, had managed to grasp the basics of a martial art in just two months, which was indeed impressive.

"Zhao Feiyun is really amazing. He can master a martial art in just two months," Niu Geng said, his eyes widening in admiration. He then looked determined. "I need to train harder. The test is in half a month, and I want to comprehend Qi before then."

"You guys chat. I'm going to train," Zhuge Xiang said coldly, not bothering with pleasantries, and turned to leave. He couldn't stand Li Bin's smug expression.

The Asura Sect was a demonic sect that valued directness and honesty. If you liked someone, you showed it; if you disliked someone, you showed it. Zhuge Xiang's obvious impatience made Li Bin inwardly angry, but he knew Zhuge Xiang had a strong spirit and wasn't as easy to bully as Niu Geng. However, Li Bin thought he was about to comprehend Qi and become a formal disciple of the Asura Sect. In the Asura Sect, who could he not provoke except those who had comprehended Qi?

Thinking this, Li Bin's courage grew. He usually only bullied Niu Geng, but this time he stopped Zhuge Xiang and said, "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. I have another piece of good news. My brother, Zhao Feiyun, knows of a Blood Spirit Fruit that is about to ripen. He will pick it and give it to me to help me comprehend Qi. In half a month, I will definitely become a formal disciple of the Asura Sect."

"Really? Congratulations," Niu Geng said happily, clearly pleased for him.

"Congratulations, but you didn't need to stop me to say that," Zhuge Xiang said coldly, not even looking up.

If Li Bin had the right to be smug, Zhuge Xiang had nothing to say. However, he couldn't stand people who relied on others' strength to feel superior. If you looked down on him, he didn't need to be polite. As a demonic cultivator, one should act on impulse.

The Blood Spirit Fruit was a rare spiritual fruit. Consuming it would provide a vast amount of blood essence, which was highly beneficial for cultivators in the stage of refining essence into Qi. For someone like Zhuge Xiang, who hadn't yet comprehended Qi, the Blood Spirit Fruit could play a significant role in helping him comprehend Qi.

If the probability of comprehending Qi through self-effort was only 10%, then taking a Blood Spirit Fruit during the breakthrough stage would increase the success rate to over 90%.

Li Bin didn't originally intend to reveal the Blood Spirit Fruit, but Zhuge Xiang's attitude made him angry. He decided to mention it to show that becoming a formal disciple of the Asura Sect was a certainty. He was waiting for Zhuge Xiang to flatter him, but to his surprise, Zhuge Xiang's attitude didn't change at all, and he still looked down on him.

"I didn't stop you just to say that. The room is such a mess. Don't you know how to clean up? You're so uncultured," Li Bin said, his breathing quickening, and he looked around the messy room, using it as an excuse to vent his frustration.

"Who are you calling uncultured? Do you want to die?" Li Bin's words made Zhuge Xiang's face turn cold. His eyes, filled with intense coldness, stared at Li Bin. For someone who had grown up as a beggar, the word "uncultured" was the hardest to accept.

Li Bin was taken aback by Zhuge Xiang's cold gaze, stepping back in fear. He had never seen Zhuge Xiang look so terrifying. For a moment, he was speechless.

"Alright, alright, we're all roommates. Let's keep the peace," Niu Geng said, trying to mediate, his face showing concern.

Niu Geng's intervention made Li Bin realize he had been intimidated by Zhuge Xiang's gaze. Out of embarrassment, he stubbornly refused to apologize. "So what if I call you uncultured? Look at this mess. I, Li Bin, am ashamed to live under the same roof as you."

Zhuge Xiang's eyes, filled with bloodshot, stared at Li Bin with a fierce look. "Li Bin, I challenge you to a duel!"