CHAPTER 155: CHAPTER 155: I’VE BEEN ANNOYED WITH YOU FOR A LONG TIME

What to do?

In the Tianjian Bureau, the only one willing to let Wang Lan hit them without using Star Martial Skills was Xu Shiyun, I guess. Otherwise, I’d have to buy two hundred Soul Beads. Two hundred Soul Beads would cost eighteen million. Better forget about it. It’s not that I can’t afford it; it’s just completely unnecessary. Forget it, I’ll just save up skill points in battles after school starts.

DING DONG—

A text message popped up on his phone, sent by Xie Sisi.

"Wang Lan, are you home? Can I come over for a visit?"

Huh? Is an opportunity just presenting itself? Wang Lan’s eyes suddenly lit up.

"Welcome, welcome, a very warm welcome."

It would be awkward for me to take the initiative to invite someone, but since she brought it up, it’s fine to accept. But to hit her over two hundred times... that seems a bit cruel, doesn’t it? Never mind, I’ll get Xu Xiangwen to share the burden.

Immediately, he made a call. "Xu Xiangwen, come over to my house for training and vent your excess bestial energy!"

"You’re the one with excess bestial energy! You just wait, see how I beat you up this time."

Xu Xiangwen and Gong Feiyu came together; they arrived before Xie Sisi.

"Lanzi, did you break through to the Star Cloud Stage this winter break?" Xu Xiangwen asked loudly as they parked their cars in the garage and got out.

"How could it be that easy? I’m only at the mid-stage of the Star Shine Stage now. You two took over a year to break through to the Star Cloud Stage; I’ve only had half a year at most." Wang Lan, seeing them arrive, whipped off his jacket to reveal a tight-fitting t-shirt.

"Then I can rest easy," Xu Xiangwen said with a faint smile, rubbing his wrists.

"Rest easy? About what?"

"Your training room is equipped with PS armor, right? And I remember there’s an electromagnetic protection barrier, isn’t there?"

"Yeah!"

"How about... we don’t practice close combat this time?"

Wang Lan paused, slowly turning his head to look at Xu Xiangwen, who was jauntily slicking back his hair.

"Buddy, you’ve been getting a bit cocky lately... Who gave you that confidence?"

"What confidence? It’s just a minor breakthrough to the Star Cloud Stage and some small progress in my Star Martial Skills..."

"Fine! Since you’re asking for it, I’ll accommodate you. Come on, change your clothes, get up here."

Xu Xiangwen quickly took off his jacket and whooshed up onto the combat platform. Gong Feiyu grabbed a can of cola and lay down on a nearby recliner, a smile on his face.

"Wang Lan, I told you about my Star Martial Skill during the intermediate trials. But at that time, my Star Martial level was only at the Star Shine Stage, so I couldn’t unleash its full power. After breaking through to the Star Cloud Stage, my proficiency with Star Martial Skills has reached a new height. Moreover, my set of Star Martial Skills belongs to the Yang Attribute, which involves a nature transformation. After casting it, my body’s strength will multiply, and I can achieve localized metamorphosis. However, my metamorphosis is purely caused by the Star Martial Skills, not some kind of mutation-type talent. My bloodline is very pure."

"No one is doubting your bloodline. Wait, the Yang Attribute also has nature transformation?"

"Since the Yang Attribute is an attribute, how could it not have a nature transformation? Although the Yin and Yang attributes are not among the seven fundamental attributes, the seven fundamental attributes are derived from them. My Star Martial Skill is called Pure Yang Skill, Star Martial rank: A! Once activated, my speed, strength, reaction, and defense will all multiply by several times. It possesses capabilities for breaching defenses, agile combat, and both long-range and close-range attacks. I haven’t learned the long-range manifestation, ’Mingling,’ yet, but in close combat, three Gong Feiyus wouldn’t be enough for me to handle. This Star Martial Skill actually has deeper potential; it’s still in its nascent stage. Pure Yang Attribute Star Martial Warriors are too rare, which is why this Star Martial Skill hasn’t been completed to this day."

"You dare to train an incomplete Star Martial Skill?"

"The completion of Star Martial Skills requires generations of Star Martial Warriors to perfect them. Especially for those of us with rare attributes, cultivating Star Martial Skills is arduous... However, there’s one advantage we have that you don’t: it’s cheap. After I awakened my Yang Attribute, the Star Martial Hall even proactively contacted me to recommend Star Martial Skills."

"Damn, you get that kind of treatment?"

"Can’t be helped. Yin and Yang attributes are even rarer than your Medical Attribute Star Martial Warriors."

"Alright, are you ready? If you’re ready, I’m going to start." Wang Lan pressed a button on the remote, activating the electromagnetic barrier that had never been turned on before.

Fighting with Star Martial Skills meant a completely different level of destructive power. It was like upgrading from cold weapons to firearms—and not just entry-level firearms; it was like jumping straight to using things like grenades and the Thunder Rocket Launcher.

"Wang Lan, Xie Sisi has arrived."

"Let her come over."

"Wait? Xie Sisi is coming too?" Xu Xiangwen asked curiously.

"Yeah, Xie Sisi wanted to come, so I called you," Wang Lan said casually.

"Hold on! Wang Lan, I’m having a little trouble understanding your logic. Xie Sisi wants to see you, so you invited me over to spar?"

"Ah? Training one person is training; training two is also training. Besides, the New Year holiday is over, right? You guys must have packed on some pounds. It’s a good time to train a bit before school starts, help with digestion."

So you’re really sure Xie Sisi is here to spar with you and not because she’s thinking of sleeping with you? Lanzi, you take playing dumb to a whole new level, Xu Xiangwen silently thought, giving Wang Lan an appraising look.

Xu Xiangwen was right; Wang Lan was indeed feigning ignorance.

The last time he saved Xie Sisi, the "other" Xie Sisi had clearly told Wang Lan that Xie Sisi liked him. Since Wang Lan knew this, combined with all of Xie Sisi’s actions, he could certainly understand her intentions.

But dating and all that... what a hassle. Mentally, I have no need for romance. Physiologically, I haven’t reached that stage yet either. Considering my ideals and the current situation, the Demon Clan is stirring, and a great war is imminent. At such a critical juncture, shouldn’t I seize every opportunity to become stronger? Who has the mood for dating?

DING DONG—

The elevator opened, and a peerless beauty, as if she had stepped out of a painting, appeared.

Xie Sisi had an excellent figure, nearly 1.8 meters tall, with legs that seemed to go on for over a meter. A perfect golden ratio physique, paired with a delicate face. Even a little makeup could make passersby walk into lampposts.

Today, Xie Sisi wore a mink coat over a tight, hip-hugging miniskirt, her shapely, straight legs swaying enticingly enough to make one drool. She had also meticulously applied her makeup before leaving home. The moment she stepped out of the elevator, she captured the gazes of the three male creatures present.

"Sisi’s here?" Wang Lan waved enthusiastically.

Xie Sisi looked at the scene before her, a slight surprise on her face. But in an instant, a smile bloomed. "You’re all here? Why didn’t Wang Lan tell me?"

"He didn’t tell us you were coming either," Gong Feiyu said with a faint smile, gesturing for Xie Sisi to sit on a nearby lounge chair. "You look beautiful today."

"Thank you!"

"You’ve come at just the right time. These two are planning to spar using Star Martial Skills. We can learn about practical combat together."

"Oh, good! If Wang Lan had told me you were training, I would have worn sportswear."

"Alright, let’s not dawdle. Let’s begin," Wang Lan said.

"Be careful!" Xu Xiangwen’s smile vanished, his expression becoming incredibly serious.

In an instant, Star Energy Fluctuation surged around him, the immense Star Power visible to the naked eye. His aura erupted like a hurricane, the airflow rushing outwards, giving Wang Lan the sensation of a hot summer wind.

Instantly, Xu Xiangwen moved. He still relied on physical strength, but his speed was almost too fast for Wang Lan’s eyes to follow. In less than a second, he was in front of Wang Lan, throwing a punch at his face.

BOOM—

The ground trembled.

Wang Lan’s figure shattered into an afterimage as he activated Star Cloud Sword Dance.

The two, having distanced themselves again, didn’t move. That brief exchange was for them to size each other up, to get a baseline. Xu Xiangwen was afraid Wang Lan might underestimate him and accidentally get killed, while Wang Lan wanted to gauge Xu Xiangwen’s strength at the Star Cloud Stage.

"Well? Are you confident?" Xu Xiangwen asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Wang Lan’s expression was very serious. To be honest, no confidence!

Before breaking through to the Star Cloud Stage, Wang Lan could easily defeat Xu Xiangwen, with or without Star Martial Skills. However, the gap between the Star Cloud Stage and the Star Shine Stage was far more than just a difference in Star Power.

A Star Cloud Stage Star Martial Warrior surpassed a Star Shine Stage warrior in terms of physical strength, power, and nerve response speed. Coupled with Xu Xiangwen mastering a high-level Star Martial Skill, his strength hadn’t just surpassed Wang Lan’s—it had reached a point where it could potentially crush him.

In other words, if the current Xu Xiangwen were on the Star Martial Tournament stage, he could effortlessly steamroll his way to the finals. Even against Chang Shuangyue, who had once thoroughly suppressed Wang Lan, Xu Xiangwen could now easily win.

This was the brutal dominance of a higher realm.

With Wang Lan’s current Star Power, he had no chance of winning against any Star Cloud Stage opponent unless he used his wits.

That punch also made Wang Lan discard any underestimation. Xu Xiangwen had held back. If he hadn’t, Wang Lan might not have been able to dodge in time.

So, Xu Xiangwen’s question wasn’t arrogant; he was genuinely worried if Wang Lan could handle it. If he couldn’t, Gong Feiyu would have to step in. But Gong Feiyu wasn’t suitable either. As an Earth Attribute Star Martial Warrior, he couldn’t use his Earth Attribute Star Martial Skills on the platform. If he had to draw earth elements from the surroundings, Wang Lan’s office building, worth several hundred million, would be demolished.

"I’m okay, don’t worry. I have a Self-Healing Star Martial Skill, so even if I can’t take it, I can heal. Besides, this is better; it will enhance my practical combat abilities more effectively."

"Alright then, I won’t hold back next time."

"Begin!"

Nearby, Xie Sisi quietly raised her phone.

"What are you doing?" Gong Feiyu asked curiously as Xie Sisi opened her camera app.

"They’re having a practical combat session using Star Martial Skills. How can I not tell Xinyu? I’ll record it for her to see."

Xu Xiangwen once again transformed into a streak of light, shooting towards Wang Lan with a speed that made Wang Lan’s nerves tighten.

Executing Star Cloud Sword Dance again, Wang Lan narrowly avoided Xu Xiangwen’s fist. But before the afterimage could even dissipate, Xu Xiangwen’s next punch followed closely. Fortunately, Wang Lan’s Star Cloud Sword Dance had reached a profound level, the afterimages he created so realistic they could fool the eye. Because Xu Xiangwen repeatedly attacked mere afterimages, Wang Lan found space to evade.

But as it stood, Wang Lan was simply being chased and beaten by Xu Xiangwen. Forget about counterattacking; if he was too slow, he’d get a fist to the face.

"Lanzi, watch out...!"

Xu Xiangwen let out a strange cry and instantly created two Physical Clones. The problem was, these were tangible clones, and both could use Pure Yang Skill.

"Damn it, that’s just shameless!" Wang Lan’s face paled as he roared.

"This is a real fight, who cares about being shameless? Don’t run! I won’t be satisfied until I’ve hammered you today!"