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Chapter 50: Domination Era
Chen Chu did genuinely feel happy about Xia Youhui’s breakthrough; he was the closest with Chen Chu in school, and he had been quite helpful to him earlier in his cultivation.
Looking at Chen Chu's smiling face, however, Xia Youhui couldn't help but say, "Yeah, I was happy at first. After all, there are only about thirty other freshmen who’ve broken through to the Second Realm. But now, I don’t really feel happy anymore."
"Why?" Chen Chu looked at him in surprise.
Xia Youhui leaned in, whispering, "Ah Chu, be honest with me, when did you break through to the Second Realm?"
Last month, Xia Youhui had noticed some changes in Chen Chu. There had been an indistinct oppressive aura around him, as if he had become much stronger. When he had asked about it, Chen Chu had only said Xia Youhui was feeling it wrong, so he hadn’t thought much of it.
But in the recent ranked competition, Chen Chu had displayed impressive strength that surpassed many geniuses, leaving Xia Youhui stunned. And just now, he vaguely felt that same faint oppressive feeling from Chen Chu again. It felt familiar... and annoying.
This time, he couldn't be mistaken. Chen Chu had become stronger again, putting pressure on him, who had just broken through to the Second Heavenly Realm.
Seeing this, Chen Chu didn't hide it anymore and smiled. "Not long ago, I broke through just yesterday."
Initially, he had refrained from telling others because he had broken through too quickly. But, now that over half a month had passed, his breakthrough to the Second Heavenly Realm might surprise people but would also be within expectations for an unconventional genius.
Hearing Chen Chu's admission, Xia Youhui's face lit up. "I knew it! I wasn't mistaken!"
"Old Xia, how did you know I broke through?" Chen Chu was puzzled.
After breaking through, he had been using his spiritual force to conceal his aura. Until now, no one had discovered that he had reached the Second Heavenly Realm.
"That’s because I've always been sensitive to this stuff, especially the strengths of auras," Xia Youhui boasted.
"..." Chen Chu didn't want to talk to him anymore.
He had worked hard to cultivate the Insightful Eye Realm for so long and finally broke through under the enhanced attributes. He now had a keen sense for danger and malicious gazes.
Yet, this guy naturally had a similar sense for the auras. It was an unconventional talent, but it did seem to have unexpected merits.
While talking, the two of them finished picking out their meal, and were starting to find a table. Luo Fei, not far away, waved to them.
As Chen Chu and Xia Youhui sat down, Li Wenwen, sitting with Luo Fei, curiously asked, "What were you two talking about over there? You chatted for so long."
After eating recklessly for almost two months, the initially cute short-haired girl had gained a bit of weight. Right now, she had a chicken leg stuffed in her mouth.
Xia Youhui casually said, "Nothing much, just about how Ah Chu and I broke through to the Second Realm."
"What? Both of you broke through!... Cough, cough..." Li Wenwen was startled and almost choked on the chicken leg in her mouth.
Xia Youhui glanced at her, unable to hide his pride, "Of course, I'm a genius. It’s just the Second Realm. I broke through in just a month and a half."
No one, however, was paying attention to him anymore. Li Wenwen looked at Chen Chu beside her in astonishment and asked, "Chen Chu, when did you break through? How did you do it so fast?"
She had built her foundation two days earlier than Chen Chu, yet she still had some distance before she could break through to the Second Heavenly Realm. She wondered how long it would take her to reach that stage.
"I broke through yesterday by chance. It might be related to my compatibility with the Dragon Elephant Art," Chen Chu explained with a smile. "Plus, the contribution points reward for being in the top fifty and the twenty percent discountaccelerated my progress."
"I see. But you're still amazing," Li Wenwen said enviously.
Meanwhile, Luo Fei, sitting next to them, had a faint smile on her face when she heard Chen Chu say he broke through yesterday. She didn't believe that at all.
"Lin Xue broke through, both of you broke through, and here we are, stuck, not knowing when we'll break through." Li Wenwen wore a face of resentment.
"...Well, don't count me in. I should be close too," Luo Fei coughed lightly.
"What, Luoluo, you're also breaking through? How is that possible?" Li Wenwen was astonished once again, staring wide-eyed in disbelief.
Luo Fei tucked her hair behind her ear and whispered, "Since I found a way to improve compatibility through reading, my cultivation speed has increased a lot."
Thinking about Luo Fei's method—reading classic Daoist and Buddhist texts to enhance her art’s compatibility—Li Wenwen and even Chen Chu felt a bit envious.
"...It turns out I'm the most miserable one. You guys are too mean." Li Wenwen felt a bit frustrated. Suddenly, Xia Youhui said, "Ah Chu, since we've all broken through to the Second Realm, are you interested in a friendly match?"
"...Are you sure?" Chen Chu looked at him strangely, wondering why he wanted to seek abuse.
Xia Youhui confidently said, "I admit your strength is formidable, but now that everyone’s broken through to the Second Realm and condensed their true power, I don't think you can beat me easily.
"You should know that this time, I didn't just break through casually. My brother knew that I’m practicing the Black Tortoise Earthly Art, so he got me a bottle of Colossal Beast’s Essence."
"Colossal Beast’s Essence!!" This time, Chen Chu, Luo Fei, and Li Wenwen all showed surprise on their faces.
Anything associated with colossal beasts carried a hefty price tag. Even ordinary Colossal Beast’s Essence cost 50 contribution points on the school's exchange list.
Xia Youhui grinned, "It was from an ordinary colossal beast called the Mountainous Giant Tortoise. After I used it during my breakthrough, I got a lot stronger in multiple aspects.
"The amplification of true power for advanced arts after breaking through to the Second Realm is usually around three times. But my defenses had been amplified five times. Terrifying, isn't it?
"I also got a lot of strength after absorbing that colossal beast essence. Now, if I encounter that guy Li Meng again, I'm confident he won't be able to break through my defense."
Chen Chu suddenly asked, "What about Li Hao?"
Xia Youhui's triumphant smile instantly stiffened.
Pfft!
Luo Fei and Li Wenwen couldn't help but laugh, especially Luo Fei, who had witnessed Xia Youhui being violently smashed into the ground by Li Hao before.
The mood was light as the four finished their meal, took a short break, and then went to the third-floor cultivation room. Most others were still on lunch break, so there weren't many people around. Chen Chu and Xia Youhui stood about ten meters apart, with Luo Fei and Li Wenwen watching from even further away.
Xia Youhui licked his lips in excitement. "Ah Chu, an elder brother is always the elder. I dominated you last time, and I’ll do the same again.. Today, Xia Youhui will rise, dominating this era at Nantian Martial Arts High School!"
Watching Xia Youhui suddenly ramble about his delusions, Chen Chu, Luo Fei, and others felt a bit speechless. Especially Chen Chu, who didn't know when this guy had become his "elder brother." It was still uncertain who was the elder and who was the younger.
However, he couldn’t deny that he did get suppressed during their last spar. But today... anticipation gradually built up in his gaze.
He really wanted to see Xia Youhui's expression after getting beaten later.
He was also looking forward to the power of his advanced arts after breaking through to the Second Heavenly Realm. This was his first time sparring with someone who had also reached the Second Heavenly Realm since his breakthrough.
With the cultivation of true power, the characteristics of each true martial art would really shine. Power-type arts becoming more powerful, speed-type arts,getting faster, defensive-type arts becoming impenetrable against blades and spears...