Douluo: AFK to Become a God

Bonus Chapter: 250 power stones

Next Chapter: 350 Chapters

"Xiao Ao, don't talk too much."

Ma Hongjun tugged at Oscar, signaling him to stop asking questions.

By now, Ma Hongjun's face had mostly recovered, thanks to Oscar's peculiar sausages. While they were hard for those in the know to stomach, their restorative effects were undeniable. Two sausages later, Ma Hongjun's face was no longer a "pig's head," though traces of the beating lingered.

Just then, footsteps echoed from the cafeteria entrance. Oscar and the others turned to see Flender and Zhao Wuji entering, accompanied by Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu.

Oscar seemed unfazed, but the expressions of Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai changed instantly.

Especially Ma Hongjun—his body visibly trembled.

His earlier bad premonition had come true. The "demon king" had officially joined the academy.

"Oscar, are these two also students at the academy? Care to introduce us?"

Chu Chengzhou glanced at Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, speaking to Oscar with a playful smile.

Oscar froze. Didn't you just beat them up? I even used my sausages to heal Ma Hongjun's swollen face. Now you act like nothing happened and want me to introduce them?

Oh, right! You were the one dishing out the beating, not taking it. Of course, you'd act like nothing happened.

"These two are Dai Mubai, martial spirit White Tiger, age 14, and a Rank 35 Soul Elder; and Ma Hongjun, martial spirit... uh, Phoenix, age 11, and a Rank 21 Grandmaster."

Oscar gestured toward the two as he introduced them.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Chu Chengzhou, and this is my sister, Xiao Wu. We're both 16."

Chu Chengzhou smiled warmly.

What? 16?!

Oscar blinked in surprise. These two juniors were older than him?

"Hmph."

Dai Mubai snorted coldly and buried himself in his meal. But the spark of vengeance reignited in his heart.

Chu Chengzhou is already 16, older than me by a year, yet he's only a Rank 29 Grandmaster. His talent is clearly inferior to mine. I may not be able to beat him now, but once I reach Rank 40, I'll show him who's boss.

Mark my words, Chu Chengzhou. I'll repay today's humiliation tenfold!

As for Ma Hongjun, he forced a smile that was uglier than crying.

"Tsk, seems like Dai here doesn't welcome us. What about you, little fatty? Are we welcome?"

Chu Chengzhou's playful tone made Ma Hongjun shudder.

"Ahem! Stop standing around and eat already!"

Flender interrupted, sensing Chu Chengzhou's intent to tease the older students.

Including Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu, the academy only had five students.

Conflicts between students in other schools were minor scuffles, but in Shrek Academy, a fight among students would practically mean a full-scale brawl.

"Understood, Headmaster Flender!"

Chu Chengzhou nodded with a smile.

Shrek Academy's dire finances were evident in the cafeteria's offerings.

The meal consisted of plain rice, stir-fried Blue Silver Grass, sautéed cabbage, and a pot of mushroom soup.

"Headmaster Flender, isn't the cafeteria food a bit... subpar?"

Chu Chengzhou asked, eyeing the meager spread as he sat across from Flender.

The dishes lacked any semblance of richness. While they wouldn't starve, the nutrition was far from sufficient—especially for someone like him, who needed extra sustenance for body cultivation training.

"You should be grateful there's food at all. Stop being picky."

Flender shot him a dissatisfied look.

You didn't even pay tuition. Be thankful I'm letting you eat for free, yet you dare complain about the food?

"Headmaster Flender, I'm not being picky. We're still growing kids. What if we suffer malnutrition?"

Chu Chengzhou argued earnestly.

"Then why don't you pay for better food? If you agree to that, I'll have anything you want brought here immediately."

Flender retorted, his tone sharp.

Does he think I wouldn't love better food? The problem is we're broke!

"So, the academy's finances are really tight?"

"What, are you offering to donate?"

"I actually have a legitimate way to make money. Want to hear it?"

Chu Chengzhou's lips curled into a sly smile.

"Oh? Do tell!"

Flender perked up, immediately intrigued. Even Zhao Wuji turned to listen.

"Simple: borrow money! Borrowing isn't illegal, after all."

"Borrow? From you?"

Flender's face darkened.

"I don't have money. But just because I'm broke doesn't mean others are. Borrow from the wealthy."

"Borrow from the wealthy? Who exactly?"

"Let's not get into specifics yet. Headmaster Flender, what's the strongest expert in Soto City?"

"As far as I know, there's no one above Rank 80 in Soto City."

"So, you and Zhao Wuji are among the top experts here?"

"Of course! Between us, we easily rank in the city's top five."

Flender puffed up his chest with pride.

"Then it's simple. Soto City is a major hub, and there must be some... unsavory elements around. You and Zhao Wuji can borrow money from them. If they refuse, threaten to report their misdeeds to the city lord. Even if they have connections, they'll likely comply, considering your strength as Soul Saints."

Chu Chengzhou explained with a grin.

The plan was essentially a veiled form of extortion. Instead of outright robbery, they'd use borrowing as a pretext to fleece the city's criminal underworld.

Direct robbery would provoke resistance, but framing it as a loan would make it easier for the targets to swallow their losses.

"But... loans need to be repaid, right?"

Flender hesitated.

"Why repay money borrowed with skill? If they dare complain, just eliminate the creditors. After all, they're not exactly upstanding citizens."

Chu Chengzhou declared matter-of-factly.

The room fell silent.

Everyone stared at him, stunned by his audacity.

You can do that?

Bang!

Flender slammed his palm on the table, his face alight with excitement.

"Well said! Why should I repay money borrowed with skill?"

In that moment, Flender was brimming with confidence.

The plan wasn't without merit. While it wouldn't bring in massive sums, it could certainly alleviate the academy's financial woes.

At the very least, he could finally pay the salaries he owed his brothers for months.