Chapter 270: Chapter 256: Abnormality

Soon, Zhou Leng’s body returned to normal.

At first glance, it was only slightly reddened.

Upon closer inspection, extremely tiny scars were visible between the skin.

The originally severe injuries were converted to minor injuries in a short time.

The Giant Body of Wonders and an ordinary body are on entirely different levels.

In overall strength, the Giant Body of Wonders is not as strong as a giant.

But thanks to human mastery of Qi Blood, the Giant Body of Wonders surpasses real giants in intricacy.

Giants cannot achieve this level of micro-repair.

Zhou Leng walked into the twelfth level.

Inside, stood a genuine Innate Puppet.

It was also a silver puppet, looking almost the same in appearance.

Yet, it emitted a strange pressure.

The blue spell light around it was like a Shield of Light.

Its ruby-red eyes resembled the flames of war.

Buzz…

The Innate Puppet crouched lower, the ground trembled, and it transformed into a series of afterimages, reaching Zhou Leng in an instant.

Not daring to be careless, Zhou Leng delivered the twelfth and most gentle move of Overlapping Waves Palm.

Water-Wrapping Tornado.

In the instant the right palm touched the puppet’s fist, True Qi transformed into a peculiar vortex, merging with power to form a whirlpool-like force landing on the puppet’s fist.

The Innate Puppet’s fist was merely deflected slightly, striking Zhou Leng’s right palm.

A piercing pain shot through the right arm, forcing him to recoil cautiously, performing a side roll to evade.

“I concede,” Zhou Leng shouted loudly.

The Innate Puppet halted its incoming right foot, turned back, and emitted a mechanical humming sound from within.

Zhou Leng shook his aching right arm, grateful for his quick reflexes; otherwise, he would have been injured.

Indeed, the Innate Puppet is something not to be vanquished at present.

He turned away, claiming the rewards from levels seven to eleven.

Shortly after stepping out, a staff member ran out.

“Student Zhou Leng, please wait.”

Zhou Leng turned around to look; it was the staff responsible for distributing rewards to him.

“You’ve broken through eleven levels within a year, meeting the criteria of our ’High-Talent Cultivation Plan.’ Please fill out an application form to request special items or pills.”

Zhou Leng turned back and asked, “Can I apply for them for certain?”

“The most important resources are difficult to obtain. If the application fails, we will notify you, and you can opt to downgrade your application to less valuable items, which you’ll definitely get.”

Zhou Leng nodded, followed the staff back, checked the application form, read through the application details, before slowly reviewing items available for application.

“Is there Protective Realm Pill?”

“Yes. However… I suggest you choose something else.”

“Hard to apply for?”

“In our Rucheng, there are very few who manage to pass 11 levels compared to the massive number in Xiong City, leading to fewer applications for Protective Realm Pill, making it easier to apply for.”

“Do you think I should choose other pills?”

“Yes. One Protective Realm Pill can be exchanged for ten Embracing Essence Pills or Concentration Pills. Generally, martial artists who pass level 11 opt for the latter rather than the Protective Realm Pill. After all, many martial artists don’t need much of the Protective Realm Pill, usually one to three pieces are enough.”

Zhou Leng pondered for a moment, then said, “I will still apply for the Protective Realm Pill.”

“All right, given your strength, you might indeed consume several Protective Realm Pills.”

After filling out the application form, Zhou Leng thanked the staff and departed.

Due to minor injuries, he avoided overly intense training.

The next morning, a new screenshot of Rucheng’s Qi Blood Chart was frantically shared, especially in Ruda’s groups.

Though it was during class time, students exchanged glances and secretly checked their phones.

Many in the class discreetly eyed Xu Qingjin.

Initially baffled, Xu Qingjin quickly noticed Cao Jiajia pointing to her phone.

Xu Qingjin also took out her phone, glanced at the class group, and opened a screenshot.

Rucheng Qi Blood Chart.

First, Rao Mingjun. Martial Arts Index: 11.

Second, Zhang Feng. Martial Arts Index: 11.

Third, Mountain and River Origin. Martial Arts Index: 11.

Fourth, Zhou Leng. Martial Arts Index: 11.

The ranks following had Martial Arts Index of 10.99.

Classmate Ji Changnian looked at the screenshot projected from Demonized Watch in silence.

Zhou Leng’s Martial Arts Index seemed to have soared like a flight, directly reaching 11.

Martial Arts Index 11, nicknamed “Pre-Innate,” will undoubtedly lead to Innate, barring unforeseen circumstances.

Martial Arts Index 12 signifies “Little Innate.”

Zhou Leng had been attending online classes in an independent classroom, only realizing after the first session that many had sent congratulations, including Xu Qingjin’s flower-throwing puppy emoticon.

Dragon Country Capital Xiong City, Yunhua Martial Arts Academy.

Zhang Xinglie approached the classroom.

Now, Zhang Xinglie was distinct from regular Yunhua students, no longer attending ordinary martial arts classes.

Instead, attending small-class sessions with fewer classmates from the first echelon, all of Innate backgrounds.

Walking into the teaching building, he overheard discussions about “Zhou Leng.”

Zhang Xinglie smiled subtly, finally hearing Zhou Leng’s name at Yunhua.

Even if he’s not present, it equates to standing on Yunhua’s stage.

As he took a few more steps, there were still discussions about Zhou Leng.

Throughout the walk, Zhang Xinglie heard at least four groups discussing Zhou Leng, lost in thought.

Zhang Xinglie opened the National Newcomers Chart, checking the rankings.

15th, Zhou Leng, Martial Arts Index: 11.

Zhang Xinglie chuckled in delight.

Not far away, in the Yunhua Martial Arts Dojo.

Lou Fei Qiong looked at Zhou Leng’s Martial Arts Index, sighing softly.

He was a direct descendant of the Lou Family, taking steady steps, always holding back his realm and strength, but after the Giant Trial, he could no longer hold back.

Now he had already reached the Middle Period of the Vitality Stage, just a step away from the Late Stage.

As a member of the first-tier freshmen of Yunhua, his Martial Arts Index was only 10.99, still a large step away from index 11.

Unexpectedly, just a few days ago Zhou Leng was at the same level, and today he had surpassed him.

“This Zhou Leng is indeed formidable, I wasn’t mistaken.”

At Great Martial Arts Hall.

One call after another from the Ruda school authorities to Wang Boxiong, preparing to arrange interviews with Zhou Leng and promote his achievements for Ruda’s publicity.

Wang Boxiong flatly refused, saying Zhou Leng would not accept any interviews, nor needed any publicity before advancing to Grandmaster.

The heads of Ruda lined up like going to the restroom to find Wang Boxiong, but were all turned away.

Now Wang Boxiong was already a Grandmaster, his status was exceptional, and everyone’s attempts, both soft and hard, failed.

At Lianxiang Exploration Company.

“Madam, Zhou Leng is already showing the trend of a super genius, comparable to the Mountain and River Origin…” Shen Jun was worried, having been keeping an eye on Zhou Leng these days.

Mrs. Xiyang smiled exultantly, and said, “As expected of my child.”

Shen Jun rolled his eyes secretly and said, “Madam, can’t we just take action?”

“Yes, you can send as many in the Vitality Stage as you like, I don’t object.”

Shen Jun said bitterly, “A Martial Arts Index of 11 means invincibility in the Vitality Stage, sending however many is just delivering vegetables. If we don’t send Innate, we can’t kill him.”

“If you send Innate, you die.”

Shen Jun left with a dark face.

With the Martial Arts Index reaching 11, the attention from various sectors suddenly increased.

Especially on the Rucheng forum, the students of Ruda suddenly straightened their backs.

The students of Xihai Martial Arts Academy didn’t expect that Ruda had someone able to rival the Mountain and River Origin, expressing their sourness.

In the conference room of Xihai Martial Arts Academy, a group of school leaders were seated, the atmosphere somber.

“Why would experts from the Divine Text Bureau go to Ruda to give a lecture? And it’s Zhao… the expert.”

“According to rumors from Ruda’s side, a student named Zhou Leng is Zhao Nandi’s disciple, so Zhao Nandi gave a lecture.”

“It should be a coincidence, just Ruda pulling a big flag as a fox to assume the lions’ demeanor, it won’t affect the issues of the Divine Literature Academy.”

“Zhou Leng, this name sounds familiar.”

“The second-ranked newcomer in Rucheng, the one with a Martial Arts Index of 10.99.”

“Today it reached 11.”

“I seem to have heard it somewhere else before.”

“I remember, the first time I heard this name was here, the Progress Award at Eighth Middle School for Zhou Leng, that’s Zhou Leng.”

The almost forgotten old story surged in the minds of the leaders of Xihai Martial Arts Academy.

A few leaders showed slight changes in expression.

The principal of Xihai Martial Arts Academy watched those few people with composure, and then glanced at the vice principal in charge of admissions.

The vice principal slightly lowered his head, looking at the table, saying nothing.

Zhou Leng, as usual, went to the cafeteria with Xu Qingjin at noon.

The difference was, on the way, there were suddenly more people greeting him and referring to him respectfully as Senior Brother.

Including many seniors from the sophomore to senior years.

Xu Qingjin laughed, “You’re a celebrity in Ruda now; a lot of people are asking me about you.”

“Hmm.” Zhou Leng nodded lightly.

Xu Qingjin smiled, knowing that others might think Zhou Leng was too silent or too indifferent, but she knew, Zhou Leng just didn’t care about these things.

“When are you going to the Ancient River Ruins? Sister Nandi said that when the time is right, she could invite our Ruda’s Divine Language Association classmates to visit and study.”

“It should be soon, but I can’t say the exact time.”

As Zhou Leng was speaking, he glanced at his Demonized Watch and said, “Speak of the devil.”

Connected to the call, Zhao Nandi’s lazy voice came through.

“An anomaly has occurred at the Ancient River Ruins, and the ruins are about to open. To avoid sudden opening and closing, you better come now to prevent missing the opportunity.”

“Okay.” Zhou Leng trusted Zhao Nandi’s judgment.

“Make sure you’re prepared, buy a lot of things, and set off tomorrow, as soon as possible,” Zhao Nandi said.

“Okay.”

Ending the call, Zhou Leng said, “Now I can answer your question.”

Xu Qingjin looked at Zhou Leng, hesitated for a moment, and gathered the courage to say, “Sister Nandi said, the duration of the Ancient River Ruins is uncertain, since you’re buying things, I’ll join you for a stroll.”

“You don’t have classes this afternoon?”

“No.” Xu Qingjin’s face remained unchanged, calmly.

Zhou Leng said, “Alright, let’s go together.”

Xu Qingjin said, “After lunch, let’s first list what we need to buy, mark them after buying, so we won’t miss anything then.”

The two finished lunch, sat side by side, and used collaborative documents on their phones at the dining table to list many necessities.

On the way to the Martial Arts Mall, they watched some related videos online and made a long list.

After buying everything needed for the trip, Zhou Leng walked towards the ordinary mall opposite the Martial Arts Mall.

“Didn’t we buy everything?”

“Let’s just have a look around.”

Walking to the pedestrian crossing, Zhou Leng reached out to grab Xu Qingjin’s hand, pulling her along quickly.

A hint of astonishment flashed in Xu Qingjin’s eyes, she glanced at Zhou Leng from the corner of her eye, smiling.

Just like when they were kids.

His hand was still that warm.

Her hand was still that soft.

In the ordinary mall, Zhou Leng bought a large amount of cooked food.

When they arrived at the sports apparel section, he asked Xu Qingjin to help pick out a few sets of clothes and sports shoes.

Incidentally, he chose a set of women’s sportswear to gift to Xu Qingjin.

Xu Qingjin happily accepted.

She bought a black baseball cap to gift to Zhou Leng.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep