Chapter 642
Chapter 642 - 622: Invitation
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"You won by sheer luck."
"She had been waiting for your growth all along, with the expectation of ’seeing if you could still surprise me’, she gave you too many opportunities and time within the rule’s scope, making it possible for you to persevere till the end...."
"In the end, that final strike, which was so close to the ’rules’ boundary...if it had hit you... no, if it had come a little closer, you would have been dead. Or from another perspective, if she hadn’t used that strike beyond her limit, if she had controlled her output, she wouldn’t have self-destructed after delivering that strike. In a sense, she willingly gave you the victory."
"I know that too."
"...Anyway, congratulations, you indeed won a battle which was supposed to be a crushing defeat."
"Ha, should I be happy...?"
"Definitely, hold your head high. The ’justice’ of the Knight’s Secret Realm still exists, the Rust Knight also certified and blessed it, this battle adhered to the ’rules of a fair duel’ from the beginning to the end, you really won this monumental duel... In such a battlefield, from any angle, you created a miracle..."
The Big Cat’s words had a clear meaning. If someone else was in this scenario, Hannah would have treated them with the same patience, but the result would undoubtedly be the same, Hannah severing them with a single blow.
Did she go easy on him? The Educational Department? Under the "fair rules" of the Rust Knight, she fought till the end even though she was under no obligation.
It was Lu Ping’an’s abilities and trump cards that allowed him to hold out in a seemingly impossible situation.
From his Battle-profession to his Life System, Lu Ping’an had to reveal everything including his Flames System, and even his final card, the Ability of Spiritualisation.
The moment after Lu Ping’an’s "Three-in-One" combination was successful, he was unsure whether he had survived...
"But why am I still a bit unhappy..." Lu Ping’an knew that some things couldn’t be rushed and that he lacked the raw power to confront head-on, but he couldn’t control his emotions.
"Then remember this feeling of frustration, perhaps, one day...no, soon, you’ll win a match purely on your own strength."
The moment he exited from the Secret Realm, Lu Ping’an, who had just emerged from dizziness, did not look good.
On the one hand, he had indeed reached his limit. Whether it was due to "injury" or "fatigue", it had accumulated to a point where he could no longer delay payment.
The most exhausted part was actually his "spirit". His body could still function, but his spirit was overdrawn.
On the other hand, apart from his own dissatisfaction with the "victory", it was also due to the ragged red cloth wrapped around his hand.
[Hannah’s corpse wrap...]
"Sorry, excuse me, I’m very tired, and I need to rest."
Lu Ping’an’s face looked awful, ignoring the smiling faces in front of him.
Lu Ping’an’s status had been investigated in those days, and the treatment originally given to him as the "Best Newcomer" was no longer enough after today’s unexpected and exciting contest.
Anybody who watched that duel wouldn’t simply regard him as a regular "Decree-level" fighter.
Those who had once tried to find out Lu Ping’an’s background, all simultaneously remembered a fact... someone’s evaluation of Lu Ping’an as a promising "Rule-level".
If a regular person had made that comment, it wouldn’t matter. But if a real Rule-level strongman said that, people with intention would remember it and regard it as a kind of approval and expectation.
Even if it was merely a polite compliment, to be complimented by a Rule-level strongman in public was an honor.
But now, these people looking at this weary-faced teenager, were all reminded of a fact.
"...Perhaps this isn’t just a ’polite praise’, or maybe, he really does have the potential..."
"Good dogs don’t stand in the way, make way." Lu Ping’an, in a bad mood, was quite rude after his "polite request" to move was ignored.
In the past, Lu Ping’an’s "weak" demeanor and remarks would only invite more troubles, like "What are you looking at?"...but perhaps now, even he, subconsciously, wanted to vent some frustration on someone.
But this time, when he, being surrounded, vented his discontent, the reaction was akin to the parting of the Red Sea.
The crowded populace immediately moved aside, even the few clueless youngsters who didn’t were immediately pulled away by bystanders.
From the outsider’s point of view, there was nothing wrong with the boy’s defiance... in contrast, it was they who were being too eager.
At this moment, the enemies had just experienced a bloody battle and were at their weakest. At this point, anyone who approaches them can be seen as a potential enemy.
In their weakest state, being "cornered", they might directly strike, which could later be justified.
"...I’ve been a ’Talent Scout’ for half of my life, and yet I still made such a basic mistake at this point ..."
The Talent Scouts sensing the disparity quickly gave way to avoid offending the person in front of them.
This is the world of professionals. If Lu Ping’an wasn’t strong enough, a kid upsetting an adult equates to provoking enmity. The "adults" wouldn’t care about your feelings or state.
But now, just a look from him is enough to make his opponents back down willingly.
However, he didn’t think too much about it. His condition was indeed terrible. The results of his depleted spiritual power and physical strength left his whole body in severe pain, especially his head.
𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
He was now seeing double ... The caution of the old stagers wasn’t mistaken. If someone dared to approach him forcefully after being warned, Lu Ping’an could indeed retaliate.
Now, seeing the suddenly unblocked path in front of him, Lu Ping’an didn’t hesitate for a moment and left.
But those left behind watched his youthful silhouette, knowing maybe this is just the beginning.
"...Is this the new era?"
Someone murmured what everyone was thinking.
The times have changed, the era when you could count new stars is gone and never coming back. Now, the previously "unknown" newcomers showed their strength as soon as they entered the scene, which would have been unbelievable in the past ... Perhaps the time to come will be an era of many shining stars.
Yet, for Lu Ping’an, nothing was more attractive than a meal and a warm bed.
"...Ding, ding, ding!"
Lu Ping’an slept for a long time.
And when he checked his phone, he found out he had slept for two days straight, with over two hundred messages on his phone.
"...Wow, that’s exaggerating."
Lu Ping’an rubbed his brow, feeling a bit of a headache.
He quickly skimmed through the messages. A few were from Xia Qin and others, asking about his condition. But after he left, the courtyard should have been accessible again. After communicating with the cat, they stopped texting him.
More messages were various types of "advertisements" and "recruitment" texts.
Earlier, Lu Ping’an was just a rising star. Despite his dragon-slaying success in a particular area, it mainly displayed his potential and the power of the "Taboo items" he held.
But this time, he demonstrated a remarkably balanced level of strength across three systems in actual combat. His abilities work together, forming a complete system. In the Ancient City, Lu Ping’an isn’t a future strongman, he’s a top-tier one right now.
He isn’t a specialist that focuses solely on one thing to the extreme. This vast and diverse strength, coupled with his young age, attracts countless eyes.
Lu Ping’an shook his head, tossed his phone aside and laid back down.
He was aware that once he chose to enter the Knight’s Secret Realm and decided to settle this grudge in the public eye, he wouldn’t be able to hide anymore. Those "Talent Scouts" who make a living off this business would sell his information everywhere, but he ...
"... Seems like, I don’t need to hide anymore."
In the age of great struggles, naturally, one must adjust their strategy. The rapidly developing Lu Ping’an needs more room for growth and resources. Thus, he needs more reputation ... Even if it’s just for himself and those around him, he needs to show off more chips.
"... Next, it’s time to talk to some people about my treatment. At least, on my family’s side ..."
Of course, there’s no rush to consider these things. What will come will come eventually. Hu Ping’an is now more interested in his gains from this trip.
After the Duel, according to the rules of the Secret Realm, he was immediately ejected... At the time, his spiritual power was exhausted, and his mind was almost non-functional. After briefly consulting with the cat, he quickly decided on the available choices.
Now, it’s time to see what he gained.
But while he’s in no rush, others are far more anxious than him.
"Lu Ping’an, Xia Qin asked me to give you a message." Only the cat could currently speak to Lu Ping’an directly.
"The Bureau of Anomaly Management is asking if you’re interested in a promotion to Captain?"
— End of Chapter 642 —