“Old Shen, speaking of which, you’re a reborn old man. When the ranking match comes, aren’t you bullying us youngsters? Showing off, huh?”
Su Aoxue couldn’t help teasing Shen Yan as he came out of the locker room.
“Let me think, you’ll one-punch each little buddy? And then blame everyone for watching?”
‘After all, who hasn’t dreamed of standing in the spotlight and pulling off the perfect show to earn gasps and cheers? I’m past the age of showing off, but first place comes with a lot of resources. I’ve got to go for it.’
Shen Yan smiled at Su Aoxue’s jab.
“I’ve long passed the age of showing off. Still, first place gets a lot of resources. I need to fight for it.”
“Tsk, talk about a pretty speech. How come I feel like you’re just a little bit sly? I’ll spare a few seconds of pity for them.”
Su Aoxue clicked her tongue.
“I’m definitely not going to fight you again, you sneaky old man.”
Just then, Su Aoxue quietly moved closer to Shen Yan and asked in a casual tone,
“By the way, are the locker rooms private or open?”
“Private rooms. Why do you suddenly ask?”
Shen Yan answered without thinking.
“Nothing, just curious.”
‘Private rooms, huh. That’s good. If I enter the men’s locker room, I won’t have to worry about exposing my identity.’
Su Aoxue crossed her arms and turned her gaze back to the giant screen in the Rest Hall.
It was showing thirty different camera angles, recording the first batch of twenty examinees who had entered the test field.
Next to her, Shen Yan had already changed into his combat uniform.
He was in the second batch.
Shen Yan frowned slightly at Su Aoxue.
Why did that question feel so out of place?
Then he noticed she wasn’t wearing her usual oversized jacket.
Instead, she had on a black long-sleeved undershirt.
At first glance, nothing special.
But looking closer, it highlighted how small Su Aoxue’s frame was—almost like she was underdeveloped.
‘I thought something felt off earlier, but I was busy with other stuff. Now that I look closely, it’s pretty obvious.’
Shen Yan searched his memory for what Su Aoxue used to look like.
‘That night I slept with Xiao Xue, I felt his skeleton was big… but now Su Aoxue’s appearance is so ingrained in my mind, I can’t recall how he used to look. Is it because he’s been skimping on meals to pay for Xiao Qing’s medical bills? A normal male’s skeleton shouldn’t be this small… If that’s the case, it’s bad for a Martial Artist. I need to make up for it.’
Shen Yan was counting on Su Aoxue to become his right hand in the future.
In his previous life, he had been far too alone.
Humanity was about to face a great calamity; even he couldn’t guarantee his own survival.
The stronger his foundation now, the better the chance of living later.
Unable to stand his staring, Su Aoxue turned her head and asked,
“Hey, Old Shen, what are you staring at? Do I have flowers on me?”
She spoke with a bit of unease, afraid he might discover she was actually a girl.
But Shen Yan said seriously,
“I see you’re all skin and bones, clearly malnourished. After we get to the 3rd Base City, I’ll mix some potions to supplement your nutrition. Otherwise, it’ll hurt your foundation.”
Su Aoxue: “…”
‘So that’s the reason? But I’m not sick, really!’
Confused, she asked,
“Wait, why do you think I’m weak?”
Hearing her confused voice, Shen Yan explained logically,
“Just looking at your build, you don’t look like a normal 18-year-old male Martial Artist. You’re too thin, like a female Martial Artist.”
Then, as if remembering something, he used an attack no man could stand:
“You’re this fragile. Can you really be a Martial Artist?”
Su Aoxue’s face stiffened instantly.
“See? I’m right. You’re too skinny now. Keep it up and you’ll ruin your foundation!”
Shen Yan pressed.
“Alright, alright, stop! You sound like an old lady!”
Su Aoxue was momentarily silenced by his lecturing tone.
“And I’m not fragile! I still prefer your old Martial Arts Fanatic persona. Please get it back! Don’t starve yourself to save money for your sister’s medical bills, or your own body will collapse before she recovers.”
Su Aoxue’s words made Shen Yan pause.
“That Martial Arts Fanatic version of me is gone forever, unless I forget the memories of the future. But if I did, what’s the point of being reborn?”
Shen Yan shook his head.
“Remember what I said: eat more from now on, and take the potions I prepare. You look frail.”
“Alright, I’m up soon. I need to get ready.”
Shen Yan gave Su Aoxue a mysterious smile, then turned and left, not giving her a chance to retort.
Watching his retreating back, she pouted, itching with anger.
‘Just wait. Next time, I’ll use my Frost Calamity Witch identity to beat you up. Then you’ll see if I’m really frail or not!’
……
In a private lounge, a man with an elegant demeanor held a wine glass, his expression flat as he watched a small screen nearby.
The screen was split into twenty small windows, showing the live broadcast of the first round of practical exams.
Growing bored, he yawned and asked,
“Any outstanding talents among this batch?”
His subordinate, standing straight beside him, immediately handed over a file.
Each page had personal data on the front and a candid photo on the back.
The photos were blurry, but basic features could still be made out.
“Everything is here, sir.”
The man flipped through the file casually, then stopped, interest flickering across his face.
“Able to teleport using shadows? Dodged an Elite-level Abyss creature’s attacks multiple times? Interesting ability.”
“If I remember correctly, the second round should be his turn. Let me see how he performs in actual combat… Shen Yan?”
When he saw Shen Yan effortlessly kill two level-2 creatures—one from the Abyss and one from the Gray Mist—a hint of greed crept onto his face.
Level 2 corresponded to human C-rank Martial Artists.
For a newly awakened Talent to have such combat power meant extraordinary potential.
“Excellent ability… but it shouldn’t belong to you,” the mysterious man murmured, his smile turning sinister.
Meanwhile, Shen Yan returned from the combat simulation battlefield and looked at the Rest Hall’s screen, a strange grin on his face.
‘He should be watching. I’ll use him as the whetstone for the first blade of my new life.’
Just then, Su Aoxue’s voice came from behind.
“What are you smiling at the big screen for? And you said you were past the age of showing off!”
Shen Yan: “…”
Never mind.
He’d ignore Su Aoxue, who still knew nothing.
She’s practically hinting it but Shen Yan is too dense