CHAPTER 131: CHAPTER 126 RECOGNIZING A THIEF AS ONE’S FATHER

Trekking and cultivation in the mountains is a tradition for college freshmen.

In the past, the planet was infested with Insect Race and Alien Beasts, and the living conditions were harsh. Most humans had to live underground.

Going to college signifies adulthood. Trekking and cultivation are a test for these young adults.

If they cannot handle basic dangers, they do not qualify for college.

With the continuous advancement of human technology, the utilization of Source Power has reached a very high level. Most Alien Races threatening humanity have been dealt with.

To this date, there’s hardly any dangerous large Alien Beasts seen on the surface of the Pegasus Star.

As for the Insect Race, they have almost been eradicated.

Humans have become the rulers of the planet, yet they still prefer living in clustered communities.

Everyone loves living in the super metropolitan areas; few are willing to reside in the wilderness.

Even the wealthy are unwilling to take such risks.

Modern high-tech intelligent robots can perform most physical labor, like mining and agriculture, which have almost fully been taken over by robots.

Modern people indulge in the virtual network, and even if they want to experience nature, they can do it online.

The virtual network hosts countless natural wonders, incomparable to real nature.

As a result, few people venture to the mountains for entertainment.

The students of the Sword Dao Institute were very excited upon entering Cloud Wood Mountain since most were experiencing real nature for the first time.

The virtual network, while excellent, is still different from the real countryside.

For instance, mosquitoes are omnipresent, buzzing around one’s ears incessantly, and no amount of strong insect-repellant perfume can keep them away.

The August sun can peel a layer of skin off a person. Most students were unprepared for this, and by midday, everyone was sunburned, their faces red and stinging.

The intense heat made them sweat continuously, requiring constant hydration. Most were feeling sticky and very uncomfortable.

These discomforts are difficult to experience in the virtual network.

So, the students of Class 08 soon began complaining, each complaining incessantly.

Having grown up in super metropolitan areas, these youngsters were unaccustomed to such hardships.

For them, even getting wet in a rain shower was considered extreme.

Wan Tao was exasperated by their complaints, unable to apply high-pressure methods on these naïve young students.

He could only continuously reason with them, reminding them that quitting now would cost a lot of credits, requiring a repeat of the year.

Such severe penalties were quite deterrent.

Even though the students kept grumbling, none mentioned wanting to head back.

Xu Lingyun, in the middle of the group, looked disdainfully at his delicate classmates. Growing up in the wilderness, he felt like he was back home here.

Even the buzzing mosquitoes made him feel nostalgic.

The city was nice but far too orderly. The Celestial Net was everywhere, monitoring everyone.

Xu Lingyun always felt restricted and unfree in the city.

In Cloud Wood Mountain, the network signal couldn’t cover the entire area. Accessing the Celestial Net was often impossible, which made Xu Lingyun feel a long-lost sense of freedom.

This mental change greatly improved his overall condition. He even vaguely felt he was about to make a breakthrough.

Xu Lingyun was delighted, feeling that his Source Power Level might rise one Level during this training journey.

Then, he’d perhaps challenge Gao Xuan again.

Xu Lingyun’s gaze fell on Gao Xuan, and his newfound confidence suddenly evaporated.

Gao Xuan wore a tracksuit with a hood and the ever-present large sunglasses perched on his nose.

Unlike other heavily-armed classmates, Gao Xuan looked like a relaxed tourist with casual attire and a relaxed demeanor.

His face showed no signs of sunburn, nor was there any sweat visible.

As if the blazing sun and intense heat had no effect on him.

Yun Qingshang by Gao Xuan’s side also appeared very relaxed. Yet, Yun Qingshang wore a black Combat Robe, holding a long Longsword, and carried a large backpack.

Obviously, Yun Qingshang was carrying Gao Xuan’s items in her backpack as well.

Xu Lingyun felt very indignant; if Yun Qingshang were his girlfriend, he would let her perch on his shoulders all the time. He’d even revel in cloud Qingshang’s every whim.

Yet, the goddess-like Yun Qingshang was no more than a sidekick to Gao Xuan, acting as both bodyguard and nanny.

The more Xu Lingyun thought, the angrier he became. How could Gao Xuan do this? So what if he was a little handsome and skilled in Swordsmanship, what else did he have!

He was just another poor country boy, yet still so full of himself! What a joke!

Rumor even had it that Gao Xuan was blind. But looking at him, that seemed absurd. The kid moved seamlessly, his sword strikes were fast and accurate; calling him blind was nonsense.

Mental Sensing was complete nonsense too.

The only good news was that Yun Qingshang and Gao Xuan didn’t seem to be involved romantically. The two seemed more like siblings, very close but not intimate.

Moreover, Gao Xuan had a notorious reputation when it came to women affairs. It was rumored he was even kept by a super-rich lady. Ugh, what sort of person is he!

Xu Lingyun couldn’t take it anymore, he strode over to Yun Qingshang and said, "Let me carry your backpack."

Yun Qingshang glanced at Xu Lingyun and said calmly, "No need."

Xu Lingyun was a bit puzzled: "Gao Xuan isn’t without hands, why are you carrying his backpack?"

"I like to."

Yun Qingshang used just three words to leave Xu Lingyun speechless.

Xu Lingyun wasn’t good at communicating with people anyway; his big face turned a bit red, and he didn’t know how to respond to Yun Qingshang.

He stood there dumbfounded for a moment before saying, "Don’t be harsh, I didn’t mean anything else, I just want to help."

Gao Xuan laughed from the side, "Qingshang, if he’s willing to help, let him."

Yun Qingshang shook her head slightly; her backpack contained a lot of personal items which weren’t convenient to give to outsiders.

Gao Xuan didn’t mind, he said to Xu Lingyun, "Carrying bags voluntarily, you have potential. Work hard, I won’t treat you unfairly."

Xu Lingyun was furious, "I’m not trying to be your lackey, Gao Xuan, don’t get it wrong."

He thought for a moment and said, "I just want to help Yun Qingshang."

Gao Xuan shook his head slightly, "Qingshang is mine. Coveting the boss’s woman will cost you five limbs."

Xu Lingyun was a bit angry, refusing to accept this outcome, "You blind man, don’t be too arrogant! Aren’t you satisfied with all those women you have?"

"Junior, when you talk to the senior, watch your tone."

Gao Xuan wasn’t angry; he said it slowly as a lesson.

Xu Lingyun noticed there wasn’t a sword by Gao Xuan’s side, and felt a bit more confident.

"Last time I lost to you by accident, let’s have another match. If you win this time, I’ll acknowledge you as my father!"

Xu Lingyun didn’t give Gao Xuan a chance to speak, he threw down his backpack from his shoulder and charged at Gao Xuan like a fierce tiger.

Xu Lingyun might look big and burly, but he was actually extremely smart.

Growing up in the wilderness, he often fought with wild beasts. In his heart, there were no rules for combat. Fully utilizing one’s advantages and limiting the opponent’s power was the true essence of battle.

Gao Xuan excelled at using the sword and had incredible speed. This was his strong point.

But in this situation, Gao Xuan didn’t have a sword, he was next to a mountain wall on one side, a steep slope on the other, and surrounded by people front and back. There was nowhere to run.

The stronger Yun Qingshang was blocked behind him, and even if she wanted to help, it wouldn’t be quick enough.

As long as he faced Gao Xuan and grabbed him, one fierce throw could break his neck, making him completely submissive.

Of course, Gao Xuan’s Source Power cultivation was also not bad. But he had the physical advantage. Without a Sword Artifact, Gao Xuan’s bit of Source Power was not as useful as his body.

A swordsman who walked the path of agility mutation was useless without a weapon.

Xu Lingyun didn’t intend to ambush Gao Xuan, it just happened to be a timely opportunity he noticed, so he acted without hesitation.

This also came from the wildness in his bones, like a tiger, striking when opportunity to hunt appeared.

No one around had expected Xu Lingyun to suddenly attack, all showing shocked expressions. Yet, there was no time to react.

Qingyi Fei Niao wasn’t far from Gao Xuan; she could have reached out to help him. But she knew well of Gao Xuan’s prowess and didn’t need her assistance.

Xu Lingyun’s pounce was incredibly fast, he had trained this tiger form down to his bones.

This leap captured all the ferocity and sharp aura of a tiger’s strike.

Qingyi Fei Niao was a bit surprised too; this man’s Fist Technique was far more advanced than his Swordsmanship. This pounce had spirit.

This ’spirit’ wasn’t illusory; it was Xu Lingyun’s Spiritual Power condensed into a force, governing his Source Power and body with spirit, fully unleashing his strength.

If Xu Lingyun could wield ten parts of strength with the sword, this tiger pounce allowed him fifteen parts.

Essence Qi and spirit refined into one; there was already a faint masterful aura in his Fist Technique.

Qingyi Fei Niao was very curious how Gao Xuan would respond.

Of course, with Gao Xuan’s speed he could still dodge the pounce, but retreating would only boost Xu Lingyun’s momentum.

If this went on, Gao Xuan might not win.

As Qingyi Fei Niao contemplated the best strategy, she saw Gao Xuan spread the five fingers of his left hand and catch Xu Lingyun’s head.

This move was indeed unreasonable because Xu Lingyun’s pounce was fierce with multiple variations. For example, if his arms combined, he should easily block Gao Xuan’s palm.

However, Xu Lingyun didn’t block it.

Gao Xuan effortlessly pressed down, pinning Xu Lingyun’s head.

Then Xu Lingyun, fierce as a tiger, turned into an orange cat being stroked, pinned firmly by Gao Xuan’s one hand.

After Xu Lingyun’s legs hit the ground, he tried to struggle with force, but the overwhelming power pressing down on his head made him kneel.

Unwilling to give up, Xu Lingyun’s spine shook like a dragon, his entire body’s joints crackling, Source Power erupting, attempting to perform the Fierce Tiger Shakes Head.

Fierce Tiger Shakes Head was a technique of exertion in the Tiger Roar Iron Cloth Shirt, intertwining muscle and bone strength with Source Power, erupting continuously, extremely fierce.

Of course, this move was typically used in punches, elbows, legs, and feet, rarely using the head to exert force.

Pushed by Gao Xuan, Xu Lingyun, disregarding the risk of a broken neck, exploded all his strength to shake off Gao Xuan’s palm.

Just as this force burst out, Gao Xuan’s palm strength suddenly increased tenfold.

An irresistible, overwhelming power crushed down, Xu Lingyun’s whole body softened, all his strength forcibly dispersed. Even his surging Source Power was directly extinguished.

Xu Lingyun’s knees sank more than a foot into the ground, his head seemed flattened. He completely lost the ability to think, only the most basic instinct to survive remained.

"Have you submitted?"

Gao Xuan’s voice seemed to come from beyond the heavens, so distant and ethereal, like a deity issuing a divine decree, leaving no room for defiance.

"I’ve submitted, I’ve submitted."

Without hesitation, Xu Lingyun shouted aloud, "From now on, you are my godfather!"