Chapter 14

Not only that, Qin Peng could clearly feel the essence in his lower abdomen flowing through his meridians, constantly strengthening his muscles and bones. There was no longer any sense of stagnation, in other words, he was constantly getting stronger.

"Is this what it means to completely transform one's tendons and wash one's marrow? From now on, my martial arts cultivation will advance rapidly, and my cultivation will not encounter significant bottlenecks!" Qin Peng muttered to himself. After taking a refreshing bath, he found that his skin had become finer and smoother. If he were to compare it with Su Shiyue, his skin might even be whiter and smoother than hers, and also more firm and tight.

Afterward, Qin Peng returned to the classroom.

The homeroom teacher, Gu Li, was still teaching. Seeing Qin Peng return, she unusually did not say any harsh words, just watched as Qin Peng returned to his seat.

Once Qin Peng sat down, Gu Li slowly said, "This weekend, all students will collectively go to the Gory Mountains for a week-long practical training. Our opponents will be the natives of Terra!"

"Is it time for the trial?"

Qin Peng's thoughts flickered, but he didn't take this trial too seriously. Generally, the school would consider the safety of the students and wouldn't take them to overly dangerous areas.

The natives of Terra were a species that originally inhabited Terra during the human conquest. They were also intelligent, but unlike humans, they did not have advanced technology and were still in an ancient, feudal society.

After humans entered Terra, a thirty-year war ensued between the Terra natives and humans. In the end, humans eliminated most of the Terra natives. Subsequently, humans transformed Terra into a paradise suitable for human habitation. Although the Terra natives were not completely exterminated, they were almost extinct, with only a small number hiding in deep forests or underground.

Such trials were not uncommon, and they generally posed no real danger.

"Now, class is dismissed!" Gu Li seemed unwilling to stay in the classroom any longer and directly left.

Qin Peng glanced at Gu Li, a mocking smile appearing on his face. At this moment, Guo Hao, with an excited look, approached and said, "Qin Peng, what's going on with you?"

"What do you mean, what's going on?" Qin Peng flipped his hands, an innocent expression on his face, "What are you talking about?"

Guo Hao laughed and said, "You're something! You even fooled me. How did you and Su Shiyue meet? How did you manage to hook up with the campus goddess?"

"Before today, I only knew her, but she didn't know me. Do you believe me? Today, everything was a bit strange!" Qin Peng rolled his eyes.

Tsk tsk!

Guo Hao made a sound and continued, "You're just pretending! You only met her today, and she stood up for you. Also, what's up with your strength? I don't think it's just a breakthrough to 0.5!"

Qin Peng shrugged and said, "Rat, don't ask about this. If you insist on thinking that Su Shiyue gave me some benefit, then think that way!"

"Damn!"

Guo Hao exclaimed, "I knew it, you two must have something going on. Brother, if you get any benefits, don't forget about me!"

Qin Peng just smiled bitterly, not that he was unwilling to help Guo Hao, but the benefits he had were not something he could share.

"Qin Peng! Come out for a moment!"

At this moment, a voice suddenly echoed in the classroom. Qin Peng's gaze immediately fell on the owner of the voice, a stranger he did not recognize.

Qin Peng glanced at Guo Hao and walked directly toward the stranger.

"Who are you?" Outside the classroom, Qin Peng curiously asked.

"Follow me!" The stranger didn't waste any words and left down the corridor.

Qin Peng frowned slightly but followed the stranger. They walked to a secluded place, and only then did the stranger turn to look at Qin Peng, "You're Qin Peng?"

"You're asking a known fact!" Qin Peng said coldly, "Who are you? What do you want?"

The stranger casually tossed a check to Qin Peng. Qin Peng was taken aback and looked down to see a series of zeros on the check—10,000 star credits?

Star credits were the unified currency after humans entered the interstellar age. 10,000 star credits were enough to cover a common family's expenses for three years.

"This is a little benefit for you. Now, you must immediately request to withdraw from the school!" The stranger looked down at Qin Peng, like a wealthy person giving alms to a beggar.

Qin Peng was taken aback and then looked at the stranger, "Are you a monkey sent to entertain me?"

"What did you say?" The stranger was stunned and stared at Qin Peng coldly, "Do you know what you're saying?"

Qin Peng looked at the man and slowly said, "Do you know how much it costs to study at Yingcai Academy for a year?"

The stranger was stunned.

Qin Peng continued, "The minimum cost is 50,000 star credits, and that's the lowest standard. You think 10,000 star credits can get rid of me? You're a joke!"

With that, Qin Peng turned and left.

"Wait!" The stranger suddenly said, "Qin Peng, do you know who you've offended at Yingcai Academy? Do you really think you can continue to stay at Yingcai Academy?"

"Whether I can stay or not has nothing to do with you!" Qin Peng glanced at the stranger, his gaze sharpening, and a sense of authority emanated from his eyes, the aura of a strong person.

The stranger took a small step back, a sense of fear welling up in his heart.

This was the aura of a strong person triggered by Yun Duankong's essence. Although Yun Duankong had disappeared, his essence remained in Qin Peng's body, carrying the aura of a strong person. The mental pressure was incredibly powerful.

Qin Peng was gradually accepting the treasures left by Yun Duankong and beginning to utilize them, including the aura of a strong person, which was a skill he had developed.

Even though the stranger's combat strength was greater than Qin Peng's, he was still intimidated by Yun Duankong's powerful aura.

"What's your name?"

"Zhou, Zhou Hao!" The stranger spoke honestly, even breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Who wants to cause me trouble? What's his status?" Qin Peng continued to ask.

"It's Wang Yang, the eldest son of the chairman of Shengshi Group. He's been pursuing Su Shiyue. This morning, he saw you with Su Shiyue and wants you to leave Yingcai Academy!" Zhou Hao answered honestly, a hint of nervousness in his voice, even more so than when facing Wang Yang. No, this oppressive feeling was even stronger than Wang Yang's.

Wang Yang?

Qin Peng frowned. He knew that getting close to Su Shiyue would bring trouble, but he didn't expect it to come so quickly. He had only just slightly interacted with her, and Wang Yang was already eager to get rid of him.

This was indeed a bit of a problem. Qin Peng was well aware of Shengshi Group's status on Terra and knew he couldn't afford to offend them.

"How much did he give you to get rid of me?" Qin Peng suddenly asked.

"One million!" Zhou Hao answered instinctively, then suddenly froze, looking at Qin Peng with fear.

Qin Peng was taken aback but then laughed mockingly, "You're really a joke!"

A joke?

Zhou Hao suddenly became angry. It seemed he had been toyed with from the beginning. What was even more infuriating was that he had been scared, and although the aura was powerful, it depended on the situation. If no one knew, it could be used to show off, but if the person knew the truth, even if they were initially scared, they would eventually realize the truth.

"Qin Peng, do you know who you are? You can't afford to offend Wang Yang. Take the money and leave, that's the best choice for you."

Qin Peng just laughed coldly and turned to leave, saying, "Go back and tell Wang Yang that I want to see what he can do to make me leave the school!"

Qin Peng was very confident in saying this. His combat strength had already broken through 1, and after the school's recognition, he could receive the Awakened Medal. He could choose to continue studying at the school or leave and find a job. Once he broke through 1, the job he could find would easily make his family live ten times better than now.

Even if he didn't look for a job, Qin Peng had absolute confidence in himself. He was an Awakened, and continuing his studies at the school came with a scholarship. Besides, he had learned the four forms of the Battle Dragon, which also came with a scholarship. The two scholarships combined would ensure that his parents wouldn't have to worry about money for the next ten years. Moreover, learning the four forms of the Battle Dragon would make him a priority for the school's elite training.

He couldn't afford to offend Wang Yang, but Wang Yang wouldn't find it easy to deal with him.

Wang Yang could at most make his parents lose their jobs, but if he dared to harm his parents, he would have to answer to Yingcai Academy's rules. As a student of Yingcai Academy, Qin Peng's parents and relatives were protected by the school.

Zhou Hao looked deeply at Qin Peng and said coldly, "Fine, Qin Peng, you will have to take responsibility for your words!"