Chapter 2099: Chapter 2054: Making Things Difficult
"Why are there idiots like this everywhere." Chen Yang shook his head helplessly, looking at someone like Wang Youdong as if he were an idiot.
No real skills, but quite proficient in scheming and bullying the weak.
Thinking he could bully Chen Yang was a big mistake.
After watching Wang Youdong and the others leave, Chen Yang saw it was getting late and decided to head to the registration hall.
Just then, Nangong Zheng came out from his cave residence.
So the two of them went together.
While on the way, they chatted a bit.
Chen Yang discovered that Nangong Zheng was indeed a loose cultivator, as he had guessed.
At the age of eleven, due to an accident, he gained an opportunity and started cultivating.
The process was quite similar to Chen Yang’s.
But for some reason, his progress wasn’t as good as Chen Yang’s.
He cultivated for over ten years and only reached the Qi Cultivation Realm.
Whereas Chen Yang, in just a few years, had achieved Great Perfection in the Gathering Spirit stage, nearly reaching the Condensation Pill Realm.
Of course, Chen Yang didn’t tell Nangong Zheng about his own cultivation status.
Nangong Zheng didn’t ask either, thinking that Chen Yang was probably about the same level as him.
The two chatted all the way and soon arrived at the registration hall.
By the time they arrived, Wang Youdong and his group were already there, chatting with Xu Ming.
They were all birds of a feather, naturally having a great time together.
Seeing Chen Yang and Nangong Zheng approaching, Xu Ming’s face immediately turned sour.
"Why are you only here now since you all live together?" Xu Ming approached with a scolding attitude.
Nangong Zheng frowned.
He knew this guy was deliberately picking a fight over yesterday’s event.
"Elder Cao said nine o’clock, and we’re not late, are we?" Nangong Zheng replied.
"You’re not late, but you arrived late, and I’ve already assigned most of the tasks. The only task left for you is to hunt demon beasts." Xu Ming said coldly.
Tasks?
Hunting demon beasts?
Chen Yang and Nangong Zheng looked puzzled.
Wang Youdong and the others sneered coldly from the side.
"Chen Yang, we asked you to come with us, but you didn’t. Regret it now? Our task is only to collect herbs. You’re in trouble." Wang Youdong mocked, standing in front of Chen Yang with his group.
Then he respectfully said to Xu Ming: "Senior Brother Xu Ming, we’ll head out first."
"Yes, go ahead. Make sure to complete the task before dark; otherwise, it will be considered a failure, and your contribution coins for next month will be halved." Xu Ming said with a smile.
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother." Wang Youdong cupped his hands before leaving with a smug look.
Chen Yang and Nangong Zheng still didn’t understand what was going on.
After Wang Youdong and his group left, Xu Ming explained the situation again.
It turned out that although the academy gives out a hundred contribution coins each month, it doesn’t mean you have nothing to do.
There are fixed tasks every month.
But these fixed tasks are quite simple and almost negligible.
New students like Chen Yang also need to complete tasks.
The task assigned to them was to collect materials for refining an elixir.
Because of their good relationship with Xu Ming, Wang Youdong and his group were given the easy task of collecting herbs early on.
As for Chen Yang and Nangong Zheng, their task was more challenging.
They had to go to the back mountain of the academy, kill a Canghuo Wolf, and retrieve its inner core to complete the task.
If they couldn’t complete it, their contribution coins for the next month would be halved.
"Here is the image of the Canghuo Wolf. Set off now, and if you’re not back before dark, the task will be considered a failure." Xu Ming threw a roll of paintings to Chen Yang, sneering with pride.
He seemed to be saying, "This is what you get for offending me."
"This is an abuse of power for personal vendetta!" Nangong Zheng was particularly angry at the unfair treatment.
"What nonsense are you spouting? You came late and think you’re in the right? Are you going or not? If not, I’ll just mark your task as failed! Then you won’t need to go at all." Xu Ming shouted.
"You..." Nangong Zheng was furious and wanted to argue further.
But Chen Yang stopped him.
Chen Yang had a faint smile.
He had thought Xu Ming was just an ordinary disciple but didn’t expect this guy had some minor authority.
"Go, why not? Since it’s an academy task, we have to give it a try." Chen Yang chose to accept the task calmly rather than argue.
Because he knew arguments wouldn’t be of any use.
They would only give that guy more opportunities.
"Hmph, then go ahead. I’ll be here waiting for you." Xu Ming chuckled smugly.
"Let’s go." Chen Yang said no more and left with Nangong Zheng.
"Friend Chen Yang, that Xu Ming is too bullying. Why didn’t you let me argue further? I don’t believe Cangnan Academy is unreasonable." Nangong Zheng said, feeling indignant.
They were a bit late, but they were not late for the appointment.
So in Nangong Zheng’s view, Xu Ming shouldn’t allocate tasks to others in advance - it’s unfair.
Seeing Nangong Zheng’s indignant expression, Chen Yang felt quite helpless.
Thinking, this guy is a bit of a stick in the mud.
Someone who only follows the rules rigidly.
"Friend Nangong, we are new here, while Xu Ming has been in the registration hall for many years. If things really escalated, do you think Elder Cao would side with us?" Chen Yang asked with a smile.
Nangong Zheng remained silent.
He obviously knew that Elder Cao wouldn’t speak on their behalf. He just couldn’t swallow his grievance.
"Alright, isn’t it just about killing a demon beast? The task isn’t too heavy. Let’s head to the academy’s Ferocious Beast Forest and complete the task as soon as possible." Chen Yang smiled.
Nangong Zheng was uncomfortable but knew Chen Yang was right.
Now completing the task is most important. If they don’t finish the task, they would fall right into Xu Ming’s trap.
They absolutely couldn’t let them succeed!
"Friend Chen Yang, you’re right; killing the Canghuo Wolf is the priority now." Nangong Zheng realized.
Chen Yang smiled, said nothing, and led him into the academy.
During the day, there were still many people in the academy.
Many students were coming and going, all looking hurried, clearly under pressure.
Making the most of their time to cultivate, even when just out to handle affairs.
Chen Yang and Nangong Zheng arrived at the academy square, asking someone for directions to the back mountain and Ferocious Beast Forest.
The person they asked was quite friendly, and after hearing they were asking about Ferocious Beast Forest, he stopped, took a good look at Chen Yang and Nangong Zheng, and said: "Are you new students?"
"Yes, Senior Brother, we just joined the academy yesterday, so we’re unfamiliar with the place," Nangong Zheng said.
Who knew the man became surprised upon hearing they were new students.
"New students? Why are you asking about Ferocious Beast Forest? The beasts there are all at the Spirit Gathering Realm or above, not spirit beasts, and very ferocious." The man asked curiously.
Nangong Zheng’s expression immediately changed upon hearing this.
All Spirit Gathering Realm demon beasts?
That Xu Ming is truly vicious!
"This is the task given to us by the registration hall, to kill a Canghuo Wolf and retrieve its inner core." Nangong Zheng asked through gritted teeth.
He was full of hate for Xu Ming.
"What? That’s impossible. You just joined the academy; how could the registration hall assign you such a task? Isn’t that sending you to die? Did you mishear your task?"
"I suggest you go back and double-check. The academy wouldn’t have compulsory tasks like that." The man said seriously.
