Data Cultivation System

Chapter 9: Zhao Feiyun’s Rage, The Bet of the Duel

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Niu Geng was not happy with Zhuge Xiang’s praise at all. Instead, he sat down on the grass beside him with a look of fatigue. Then he asked an inconsequential question, “Zhuge Xiang, why did you come to the Asura Sect?”

Without waiting for Zhuge Xiang’s response, Niu Geng continued, his eyes filled with nostalgia. “I used to be a servant in the Tang Sect in Sichuan. The Tang Sect has always been renowned for its mechanisms and poison techniques. Despite being just a lowly servant, I was influenced by their knowledge and gained some understanding of mechanisms and poison techniques. However, being a servant, no one held me in high regard, and I didn’t have any friends. Fortunately, Miss didn’t despise me for my servile position…” said Niu Geng in a low voice. It was evident that he had a tale to tell, and Zhuge Xiang listened attentively beside him, taking on the role of a sympathetic listener.

Niu Geng’s story was simple yet touching. It turned out that he had no friends in the Tang Sect of Sichuan and was naturally withdrawn. However, the Ninth Miss of the Tang Sect was naturally cheerful and treated Niu Geng, a mere handyman, with respect. As a result, despite being just 13 or 14 years old, Niu Geng fell in love for the first time. It was unclear whether it was due to romantic feelings or simply having a single friend, but his steadfast heart was devoted to her.

However, more than a year ago, the Sichuan Tang Sect had arranged a marriage for the Ninth Miss. The Ninth Miss strongly objected, and Niu Geng naturally stood up against it as well.

He, Niu Geng, was just a handyman. He dared to act recklessly. Predictably, he faced criticism. In order to silence him, the Tang family sentenced Niu Geng to death. However, in the final moments, the Ninth Miss secretly allowed him to escape. Before leaving, she advised Niu Geng to be more joyful and make more friends.

“The Ninth Miss told me to make more friends, and I wanted to gain formidable strength to return to her. That’s why I joined the Asura Sect. I treated both you and Li Bin as friends. No matter how much I suffered, I never felt anger. But in the end, Li Bin wanted to kill me…” Niu Geng’s voice grew soft. As he reached the end of his sentence, a deep sense of helplessness laced his tone. On one hand, memories of the Tang Sect weighed heavily on him, and on the other hand, there was the betrayal of Li Bin.

Zhuge Xiang had seen the sacrifices that Niu Geng had made over the past year. If he was really a foolishly loyal person, it would not be a big deal. However, now that he had revealed his true colors, Zhuge Xiang knew that this seemingly honest and foolishly loyal Niu Geng’s heart was as clear as a mirror. Naturally, Zhuge Xiang also knew how tolerant Niu Geng had been over the past year for the sake of his so-called friend, Li Bin. However, in the end, Li Bin even wanted to kill him. It was no wonder that this situation had dealt a significant blow to Niu Geng.

“All I wanted was a few friends. I didn’t do anything wrong to him. I never complained, even when serving him tea and water. Why does he still want to kill me?” Niu Geng’s voice trembled as he lowered his head.

“True friends should support and help each other. People like Li Bin, who only take from you and betray you without hesitation, cannot be considered real friends. Don’t you still have me? Haven’t we always been friends?” Zhuge Xiang comforted Niu Geng, gently patting his shoulder.

Zhuge Xiang himself was taken aback by Niu Geng’s ruthlessness. However, in this moment, he realized that Niu Geng was also a pitiable person.

Zhuge Xiang did not doubt Niu Geng’s words. After all, with Niu Geng’s knowledge of poisons, both Zhuge Xiang and Li Bin would not dare to provoke him if he wished to harm them. Yet, he had willingly served and obeyed them for over a year. This fact alone proved the genuineness of Niu Geng’s words.

“When you give without hesitation, the person who ultimately betrays you cannot be considered a true friend.” Niu Geng contemplated this sentence carefully. There was a pensive expression on his honest face, clearly showing that the sentence had deeply touched him.

Zhuge Xiang sat down beside Niu Geng, his tone soft as he spoke, “You asked me why I came to the Asura Sect, right? In truth, I was once a beggar, begging on the streets alongside an old beggar…”

Zhuge Xiang’s story captured Niu Geng’s attention as well. Hearing about the old beggar’s tragic fate of being killed by a dog, Niu Geng sympathized with Zhuge Xiang’s hardships. When he learned that Zhuge Xiang had secretly killed 13 people from a wealthy family at night, Niu Geng was both amazed by Zhuge Xiang’s ruthlessness and relieved, leading him to offer praise.

“Therefore, my goal for coming to the Asura Sect is very simple. I want to gain great power and become someone superior to others. I also want to have enough food to eat and live comfortably here.”

This was Zhuge Xiang’s reason for joining the Asura Sect. It was straightforward yet profound. His initial intention was purely driven by the absence of basic worries in this place. With such a motivation and background, it was no wonder that Zhuge Xiang’s ambition for cultivation was unparalleled.

“You’re doing well. You have already grasped Qi Force, but I have yet to achieve it.” As they had been conversing openly for a while, the gap between them had subtly widened. Niu Geng sighed, clearly feeling the mounting pressure as the test was approaching in ten days.

“Don’t worry about that. Have you forgotten about the Blood Spirit Fruit? I’ll get it for you. You assisted me with Li Bin’s Gut Cutting Powder before. Now it’s my turn to help you. We are friends, and friends should support each other.” Upon hearing Niu Geng’s sigh, Zhuge Xiang stood up and revealed a radiant smile. He looked at Niu Geng sincerely.

“Support each other? Friends?” Looking at Zhuge Xiang’s sincere eyes and bright smile, Niu Geng was speechless for a moment.

He had always been the one who had given in to Li Bin, and in the end, he had been betrayed. This was the first time that Zhuge Xiang had given in to him. He touched his chest and a warm feeling flowed through his heart. At this moment, Niu Geng vaguely understood the true meaning of being a friend…

In the middle of the night, within the Asura Sect compound, in Zhao Feiyun’s courtyard, his face turned pale. At the center of the courtyard, Li Bin, who was carried on a stretcher, had a dark expression. Clearly, he had succumbed to the poison. The few disciples nearby, who had yet to grasp Qi force, lowered their heads, afraid to make a sound.

“Zhuge Xiang! I will kill you!” Zhao Feiyun’s face turned ashen, and his expression was so dark that one could almost see water dripping from it. Staring at the lifeless body of Li Bin, Zhao Feiyun let out a stern shout. His intense hatred and murderous intent caused the disciples carrying the stretcher to tremble.

“Hmph, has that fellow already comprehended Qi Force today? That’s even better. I’ll make him beg for death in front of everyone.” After his roar, a fierce gleam appeared in Zhao Feiyun’s eyes as he spoke maliciously. Then, he glanced at the few disciples who had yet to grasp Qi force and commanded, “Go and inform Zhuge Xiang that in twelve days, I want to engage in a life-and-death battle with him in front of everyone.”

As he watched his disciples hurriedly depart, Zhao Feilong ordered someone to bury Li Bin’s body and returned to his room alone. “There are still twelve days remaining. I must achieve another breakthrough before the competition, advancing to the second level of the Qi Nourishing stage, in order to attain a better ranking.”

Zhuge Xiang and Zhao Feiyun harbored hatred towards him, but they didn’t consider him a significant threat. They believed that someone who had just grasped Qi force stood no chance against Zhao Feiyun, who was on the verge of breaking through to the second level of the Qi Nurturing Realm. Furthermore, twelve days was not sufficient for him to master any martial arts, and his Ghostly Steps skill remained at the beginner level.

“A life-and-death battle? Fine, but let’s make it more interesting by adding some rewards. Go back and inform him that the Blood Spirit Fruit is ready,” Zhuge Xiang responded calmly, halting his cultivation of the Blood Lightning Slash. He was not surprised by Zhao Feiyun’s proposal. Instead, he instructed Zhao Feiyun to prepare the Blood Spirit Fruit without utilizing it.

“Don’t worry, I won’t lose.” Seeing how worried Niu Geng was, Zhuge Xiang interrupted him before he could say anything.

No matter what, for the past year, Li Bin had always been showing off to Zhao Feiyun. Under his subtle influence, Zhao Feiyun’s strength had deeply embedded itself in Niu Geng’s mind. However, Zhuge Xiang remained confident in his own abilities.

With the Bloodthirst Technique, his ongoing cultivation of the Blood Lightning Slash, and the secret steel medicine he had yet to employ, Zhao Feiyun was preparing for the competition’s rankings. Zhuge Xiang, on the other hand, was doing the same.