Chapter 14: Unexpected Developments

Uh...

The three assailants were left utterly stunned.

The black-faced man, weighing in at a solid one hundred and eighty pounds, had been effortlessly thrown away by Chen Xiaobei. Blood mixed with shattered teeth spilled from his mouth.

This malevolent force was beyond their comprehension.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The three perpetrators, their bravado shattered, knelt down one after another, pleading with Lin Xiang, "Auntie! We know we were wrong! We apologize sincerely! Please spare us."

Lin Xiang stood frozen in place, as if trapped in a dream. She couldn't believe the scene unfolding before her.

After a prolonged silence, she stammered, "Let's go..."

Her words were like celestial music.

The three black-faced thugs, still coughing up blood, fled faster than rabbits.

"Hoo..."

Chen Xiaobei took a deep breath and immediately dispelled the power of Xiang Yu.

Suddenly, fatigue washed over him, and redness and swelling appeared on his right palm, accompanied by a bone-deep ache.

"Xiang Yu's power is overwhelming, but my current physique is too weak. It's like hurting the enemy with a thousand-pound weight. This is not a sustainable plan, but I'll have to find a way to cultivate," Chen Xiaobei pondered silently.

Ding—

Rescuing the victim earns 1 point in the Three Realms.

Ding—

Leveraging the power of the ghost deducts 3 points in the Three Realms merit. The existing Three Realms merit: -1, grade: bad guy!

I rub!

Why deduct the Three Realms merit?

Chen Xiaobei felt a bit aggrieved.

During his study of the ghost war eyes, he learned that the historical celebrities in the Three Realms Red Envelope Group were not living humans but the ghosts of the realm!

Upon death, a soul faces two options.

First, it can drink Meng Po Tang, cross the Nai He Bridge, and be reincarnated.

Second, it can stay in the realm and cultivate as a ghost, accumulating merits to become immortal and ascend to the immortal realm.

Most ghosts choose to reincarnate, as accumulating merits is an arduous task.

Xiang Yu is among the few who continue to cultivate.

"So, deducting the Three Realms merit is the cost of borrowing power, and it's transferred to Xiang Yu," Chen Xiaobei deduced.

Paying a price for gaining something seemed fair.

However, having the Three Realms merit deducted to -1 and being labeled a bad guy stung a bit.

"Chen Xiaobei, what were you doing?" Lin Xiang approached and inquired softly.

"Oh... nothing," Chen Xiaobei scratched his nose.

The secret in his heart was not something he could share.

"Why is your face so pale? Are you feeling unwell?" Lin Xiang, being observant, noticed Chen Xiaobei's changes.

Approaching, she raised a delicate hand and gently placed it on Chen Xiaobei's forehead.

Her slim fingers carried a cool touch, moving slowly and tenderly, like a gentle breeze, warming Chen Xiaobei's heart.

The teacher's hand is so soft...

Observing the beautiful woman before him and catching a whiff of her lily-like fragrance, Chen Xiaobei's heart raced.

"No fever, but my face still looks bad... Should I take you to the hospital?" Lin Xiang withdrew her hand, expressing genuine concern.

"It's okay. I'll be fine after some rest," Chen Xiaobei replied with a nonchalant smile.

Moreover, he had two bottles of small paraquat solution in the treasure chest. Consuming a drop would solve all his problems—no need for a hospital visit.

While he spoke, he prepared to leave.

"Wait! Chen Xiaobei... Can you accompany the teacher home?" Lin Xiang suddenly spoke, her voice barely audible, and her soft face flushed.

Home? To her place?

Chen Xiaobei's expression turned bold and assertive. He couldn't believe his ears. "What... Ms. Lin, you're so beautiful, and of course, I don't mind accompanying you home... But, things are progressing so fast. Is it really okay?"

"Progressing?"

Lin Xiang, looking surprised, blushed even more. "Don't think too much. I'm worried that those villains might linger near my house. I'd feel safer with you around..."

"Uh..."

Chen Xiaobei was initially thinking of doing something shameful at the teacher's home...

However, the recent confrontation with the black-faced man, who might seek retaliation, made him reconsider. If Lin Xiang were harmed, it would be truly regrettable.

"Let's go. I'll be the flower delivery boy with pleasure," Chen Xiaobei decisively agreed.

"Hmm..." Lin Xiang nodded, resembling a shy daughter-in-law following behind Chen Xiaobei.

Lin Xiang resided in the Xicheng slums—an area with shantytown houses, quite old-fashioned.

Considering her position as a university teacher, her income shouldn't be low. However, her current living conditions hinted at financial struggles. Most likely, it was due to her brother's situation.

Chen Xiaobei wanted to ask several times if she needed financial assistance.

Yet, Lin Xiang remained silent, refusing any help from Chen Xiaobei.

Perhaps, in her perception, Chen Xiaobei, a poor rural student, couldn't be of assistance.

In any case, the night passed peacefully.

Chen Xiaobei slept in Lin Xiang's brother's room, and the next day, they returned to school by bus.

Each day was uneventful.

Besides diligently observing the Three Realms Red Envelopes, Chen Xiaobei added a new daily routine—physical exercise.

Since borrowing the power of Xiang Yu, Chen Xiaobei keenly felt his weakness. Simultaneously, he harbored an intense desire to become a dominant force akin to Xiang Yu.

Big Brother Er mentioned that cultivation was a lengthy process.

Embracing this new path, Chen Xiaobei decided to start by overcoming himself.

Transforming from a mediocre student with minimal athletic ability, he now dedicated most of his time to intense workouts on the playground.

After each physical exertion, he would drink a drop of the Small Herbal Medicine Liquid to recover and continue his exercises.

In just five days, he had accomplished more than he had in the past six months.

Nether Eye blinked, revealing new attributes.

—Restored to 0, physique 3, combat effectiveness 10.

"A little effort, a little gain. That's the way!" Chen Xiaobei grinned, radiating an unusually bright smile.

Although he was light-years away from Xiang Yu, the overlord who faced thousands of enemies, this progress was enough to make him proud.

"Ring... Ring..."

At that moment, his phone rang. It was a call from the enchanting Lan Mengchen.

As promised, she wanted to treat Chen Xiaobei to a meal and had another matter to discuss with him.

Chen Xiaobei agreed without hesitation and headed straight to the school entrance.

Today, Qin Bo was absent. Lan Mengchen drove a modest Audi TT. As Chen Xiaobei hopped into the car, he was greeted by an eye-opening scene

.

"Master Chen! You've changed!"