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[1] "How proud can I really be? I'm utterly fragile, okay?" — A lyric from Hebe Tian's 2013 ballad "Don't Think of Me" (你就不要想起我), expressing the vulnerability hidden behind a facade of pride. Du Long's internal monologue quotes this line as his arrogance crumbles—he's discovered he can't withstand even a single blow.
Did he even need to think about it?
The chance to "demonstrate true bandit style" alone was enough for Chen Shu to choose without hesitation.
"Du Long, though I'd really like to accept your challenge, but..."
Chen Shu deliberately paused.
Du Long's gaze locked onto him. He was about to use the classic provocation tactic to force Chen Shu's hand.
But at that very moment, a yellow figure suddenly appeared above the Sub-dragon's head!
"What the fuck! You're pulling another sneak attack?!"
A massive creature over ten meters tall materialized in an instant.
The Slime's gaze was resolute, wearing the constipated expression of someone about to unleash something powerful—as if determined to show the dragon below exactly what it was made of.
Du Long's reaction time was far too slow. He'd never imagined Chen Shu would pull this move.
But the Earth Sub-dragon reacted a beat faster. Last time, it had been the victim of exactly this kind of ambush.
As a survivor of trauma, it had naturally developed a permanent psychological scar.
A sharp earth spike suddenly erupted from the ground, gleaming with deadly sharpness.
With the Slime's massive frame, there was no way it could dodge.
"Damn, quick reflexes!"
Chen Shu raised an eyebrow slightly, but remained unruffled.
The Slime opened its enormous mouth wide, roaring winds howling forth. Using the wind's thrust, it forcibly altered its falling trajectory, narrowly avoiding the earth spike.
Shen Wushuang nodded approvingly. Chen Shu's skill usage was becoming increasingly refined.
"Huh? Did Chen Shu's Slime get even bigger?"
"Yeah! This oppressive presence... why does the Earth Sub-dragon really look like a bug now?"
Many students wore looks of astonishment. The Slime might not be good at anything else, but it was BIG! Unbearably big!
"Level 8 Beast Tamer?"
Shen Wushuang sensed the fluctuating Beast Taming Power emanating from Chen Shu and instantly realized he'd broken through.
In that moment, both Xu Xiaoyu and Tang Lie turned to stare.
"I remember his Beast Taming Talent was only Common..."
Most students in the Special Training Class had Outstanding talent—otherwise, they wouldn't have stood out from the rest of the grade.
Even Shen Wushuang was baffled. Common talent, lowest-tier F-rank contract spirit—why was he this strong?
A fog of confusion settled over them. They felt like THEY were the real workhorses here...
"Even if you've become a Level 8 Beast Tamer, I, Du Long, remain fearless!"
Du Long roared, both to pump himself up and to encourage his Sub-dragon.
BOOM!
The words had barely left his mouth when a thunderous crash rang out. The Earth Sub-dragon was sent flying...
It barely managed to land at the very edge of the arena.
The Earth Sub-dragon shot back a complicated look, its eyes seeming to say: Master, YOU might not be scared, but I AM!
Right now, its entire body ached as if it had been rammed by a mountain.
As a Slime, occasionally beating the crap out of a dragon was perfectly reasonable.
"Your bug's pretty weak, huh?"
Chen Shu sighed, feeling the lonely chill of standing at the summit.
"Damn it! You're too arrogant!"
Du Long's expression twisted with fury. The Earth Sub-dragon instantly charged on all fours, rushing toward the Slime.
ROAR!
The ground beneath the Slime began rippling strangely, as if an earthquake had struck.
Its round, pudgy body was trapped, unable to move.
"DIE!"
The Earth Sub-dragon pounced, its razor-sharp claws swiping down viciously.
Faced with this perilous moment, the Slime boredly yawned and immediately fell into a deep sleep.
What the hell! This is too much!
Savagery flashed in the Earth Sub-dragon's eyes as it tried to use its massive claws to inflict serious damage.
CLANG!
Instead of the expected sound of tearing flesh, there came a crisp metallic collision.
The Sub-dragon's front claws instantly shattered, blood spraying everywhere.
"Bite it!"
The Earth Sub-dragon attacked with every part of its body, again and again—but nothing worked.
Huff... huff...
The Slime showed no signs of waking whatsoever.
Meanwhile, the Earth Sub-dragon panted heavily, already exhausted.
Chen Shu wore a pained expression and offered words of comfort. "Why don't we just call it quits? There's no need to torture your contract spirit like this. Unless... you've got some kind of grudge against the Earth Sub-dragon?"
Du Long nearly coughed up blood. His fists clenched tight. The Earth Sub-dragon couldn't even break through its opponent's defense.
Because he'd awakened a dragon-type contract spirit, he'd always been called "other people's kid"—the golden child everyone envied.
Naturally proud, he'd never imagined he'd be repeatedly crushed by a Slime.
"I surrender!"
Du Long let out a deep sigh, the corners of his eyes glistening with moisture.
How proud can I really be? I'm utterly fragile, okay?[1]
"Your class monitor will always be your class monitor. Are You明白?"
Chen Shu strode to the front of the class and surveyed everyone below.
"I know there are definitely people who aren't convinced. So today, I'm giving you all a chance! Anyone who can beat me gets ten High-Grade Beast Orbs!"
"Of course, if you lose, you owe me one High-Grade Beast Orb!"
Chen Shu's eyes gleamed as he calculated. It was time to harvest some dear leeks...
"Ten-to-one odds. Surely no one's too scared to try?"
Chen Shu's gaze swept over Tang Lie and the others, not even sparing Xu Xiaoyu.
In his eyes, leeks had no identity!
Suddenly, Chen Shu remembered something. He pointed toward the back row. "Hey, Xie Sunan—sit down! This doesn't concern you!"
The divine skill "Love is a Ray of Light" would always carry weight. Who would dare ignore it?
"Nobody brave enough? So the pride of all you geniuses gets trampled underfoot by a 'regular guy' like me?"
Chen Shu sighed, wearing the expression of someone disappointed in iron that wouldn't become steel.
Even Shen Wushuang's mouth twitched. She was barely restraining herself from beating Chen Shu senseless.
Just then, Hong Ming stepped forward.
"I'll fight!"
His expression was resolute, eyes blazing with battle spirit. "Chen Shu, if you want to fight, then let's fight!"
In an instant, a ferocious Raging Ape materialized.
ROAR!
It bellowed, looking like the Great Sage Equal to Heaven freshly released from his seal, ready to tear apart heaven and earth.
One minute later.
"My monkey~~~"
Hong Ming's eyes were red-rimmed as he continuously stroked the fallen Raging Ape beside him, the picture of someone about to ascend to the afterlife.
"Chen Shu! How could you be so cruel?!"
"How was I supposed to know? When a Slime this big sits down, your dumb ape doesn't even dodge? Life's already short—why'd it have to take the shortcut?"
Chen Shu stood to the side, desperately holding back laughter. Finally, he couldn't contain it anymore and burst out laughing.
Shen Wushuang's mouth twitched. "Alright, recall it. Get to the school nurse!"
She'd never expected the Raging Ape to be this arrogant. With that small frame, you want to lift a Slime? You must be joking.
"Next!"
Chen Shu rubbed his hands together. He hadn't expected a High-Grade Beast Orb to come so easily.
Below the stage, Tang Lie shot Wang Yun a look.
Wang Yun whispered, "Young Master Tang, I really can't beat him..."
"Who's asking you to beat him? Don't you understand wheel tactics? First wear down that poop monster's stamina, then I'll deliver the finishing blow and take him down in one strike!"
"Fine..."
Wang Yun sighed. So I'm the cannon fodder now?
He stepped forward and announced loudly, "Chen Shu, I, Wang Yun, refuse to accept you!"
As he passed Hong Ming, he whispered, "Save me a spot in line at the nurse's office..."