Chapter 61 Unexpected Encounter
Long Tian walked towards the arena, where eight people were present, still hesitating.
"Why isn't anyone else trying again? Wasn't there someone who managed to get to the second floor earlier?" he asked nonchalantly, crossing his arms.
All eyes turned to Long Tian, one of them responded, "You want to give it a shot? Go ahead."
Long Tian offered a confident smile, proceeding towards the large stone. All the spectators watched him intently, none of them underestimating him; Long Tian appeared promising and formidable.
His gaze fixed on the stone. As he recalled, it required a striking force of 1000kg to propel him to the second floor.
While the first floor might not hold anything enticing, the second floor boasted more fun. The higher the floor, the rarer the items, but the qualifications also became more stringent.
His hand clenched into a fist, poised to strike the massive stone.
"Let me hit that stone," a voice suddenly sounded, halting Long Tian's intention.
His expression soured as he looked to the side and saw a muscular man approaching.
"Step aside, kid," the man said dismissively.
"Has your mother not taught you how to wait in line? Now I'm telling you and step back," Long Tian retorted icily.
The man arched his eyebrows. Although he didn't recognize him, Long Tian's appearance look like a genius from a prominent family. It wouldn't be wise to provoke him.
He stepped back and raised his hands, "Okay okay, I was just kidding. I won't bother you," he said, a surrendering smile playing on his face.
The entire scene left everyone stunned. Many recognized the muscular man; he was a member of an underground gang in Tianzhou. Yet, he chose to yield to a youth who appeared to be a high school student.
Long Tian arched an eyebrow, surprised by the man's retreat. He had anticipated a confrontation, fingers tingling with anticipation. But such reactions were par for the course for someone with a villain halo like his own—wherever he ventured, no one underestimated him, a stark contrast to protagonists like Qin Chen.
With his focus rekindled on the stone, Long Tian prepared for his attempt, His knuckles whitened as he balled his fist, summoning his strength for the imminent strike. Every eye was trained on him, an entire audience holding its breath.
Bang!
His fist connected with the stone, sending shockwaves through the arena. Within moments, the screen above flashed with the result: [Strength: 3679kg]
Everyone was astonished at the sight.
"Over 3000kg, damn, that kid is strong."
"It seems he's a genius from a prestigious academy, but why is he wearing a Tianzhou high school uniform?"
"He's still quite young, maybe 18. Sheesh, he's clearly from a prominent family."
The crowd buzzed with discussion, envious gazes on Long Tian. In the midst of it all, the once-confident newcomer perspired profusely, grateful that his instincts had guided him right in recognizing the potency of the youth before him.
As the attention shifted, Long Tian's smile remained, fixated on the numerical display. 3679kg. Not bad for a normal punch without the bolstering aid of Reiki or a martial spirit.
Shortly after, he was suddenly lifted upwards by a mysterious force. The floor above him opened slightly, and he arrived on the second floor.
He surveyed his surroundings, realizing he was far from the main area on the second floor. He also noticed the golden bracelet on his wrist. He smiled; this was a sign of passing the challenge on the first floor.
Tianjia Pavilion, shrouded in mystique, had been built by many hands, often invoking whispers of those who crafted it. The combat arenas, the strength-testing platforms—all bore the legacy of a powerful cultivator who had long departed from the world. Rumors persisted of rewards bestowed upon those who conquered each floor of the strength trials.
And there he stood, having conquered the first floor with a punch force of 3679kg. Now on the second floor, the golden bracelet bore promise—anything he desired could be his for the taking.
Long Tian advanced, footsteps resonating in sync with the lively rhythm of the nightlife that enveloped the second floor.
A cornucopia of attractions unfolded before his eyes: vibrant sights, tantalizing scents, and lively sounds intermingled. This was the place to indulge, the nexus of entertainment and excitement.
Taking in the spectacle, Long Tian's gaze lingered on an opulent open bar. Purposefully, he made his way towards it.
As he drew nearer, the image of a bartender in his thirties came into focus. Patrons occupied the stools, their chatter forming a backdrop to the ambiance.
"Such an elegant establishment," Long Tian remarked with a genuine smile.
"Thank you. Can I get you something?" the bartender inquired, professional yet approachable.
Curiosity piqued, Long Tian posed his question, "What's your finest offering?"
The bartender hesitated slightly, noticing that Long Tian was still in his school uniform, giving him a notably youthful appearance. Nevertheless, he went on to explain, "Well, our signature cocktail is the 'Starry Night,' a delightful blend of blueberry and lavender flavors. It's a favorite among our regulars. If you're more of a whiskey person, we have a selection of aged bourbons that might intrigue you."
Long Tian contemplated his options, curiosity piqued. "I'll take a 'Starry Night' cocktail, then."
A satisfied grin emerged on the bartender's face. "A fine choice." Skillful hands embarked on the mixology process.
"Can you make one for me too?" A soft voice sounded from the side, causing the bartender to turn and see a beautiful woman in her thirties, dressed in an azure gown.
"Do you want a Starry Night Cocktail as well?" the bartender inquired.
"Yes," the woman answered, smiling, as she took a seat beside Long Tian.
"Okay," with a nod from the bartender, the alchemy of creation began anew.
In the midst of this, Long Tian's eyes met the woman's, the unexpected encounter revealing his surprise.
"Well, Long Tian, who would've thought we'd cross paths here? It's been quite a while, hasn't it? Two years, I presume," her words held a familiar warmth, her smile kind.
A feeling of recognition washed over Long Tian. "Yes, it's been some time, Zhang Mei," he replied, steadying his initial astonishment.
The woman before him was unmistakable—Zhang Mei, his ex-girlfriend. It had been over two years since they broke up.
She fixed him with a lingering, assessing gaze, a glint of amusement dancing in the depths of her eyes. "You've undergone quite the transformation, I must say. Much more captivating."
Long Tian's smile remained steady. "Two years can work wonders, I suppose. But it was a time of fond memories; you taught me a lot," he confessed with a hint of nostalgia.
"Care for a revisit to the days of old? The allure of those adventures?" Zhang Mei's voice teased, each word carrying a seductive undertone.
Long Tian's response was swift, his smile genuine. "While it's tempting, Zhang Mei, I think we've both moved on from those 'old days.' I'm here to enjoy the evening, but maybe with a different light."
He accepted his cocktail from the bartender's outstretched hand and raised it towards Zhang Mei. "Shall we say, 'Cheers'?"
Zhang Mei's lips curved into a gentle smile as she picked up her own cocktail, clinking it against Long Tian's with a melodious sound. Together, they took a sip of their drinks, the blend of flavors echoing the complexities of their past.
"Long Tian, you've truly transformed in so many ways. Well, I won't intrude any longer. If you ever wish to catch up, you know where to find me," Zhang Mei's voice carried a playful undertone.
With a smile that lingered, she gracefully left the bar, leaving behind a sense of bittersweet memories that seemed to linger in the air.
Long Tian simply smiled as he watched Zhang Mei's departure. He still couldn't believe he had crossed paths with her here.
Yet, Zhang Mei wasn't the sole ex in his history. Recollections flooded back, reminding him of the more than 15 past relationships, each with its allure of beauty and memories.
Some of them were even older than him; for instance, Zhang Mei was 28 when he was just 16, a significant age gap.
However, that was a chapter closed, now residing in the tapestry of bygone days.
The bartender's voice nudged him from his reverie. "So, will you be covering her drink?" he queried, his tone amicable.
Long Tian's lips curved into an assured smile as he extended his wrist, revealing the gleaming golden bracelet. "Will this suffice?"
The bartender's eyebrows arched in surprise, his demeanor shifting. "Ah, so you managed to conquer the first floor challenge. A youthful talent, indeed. The drinks, both for you and the lady, are on the house. Care for something else?" he proposed, a generous offer extended.
"Sure, give me the finest vintage whiskey," Long Tian requested with a decisive nod.
"Right away," the bartender acknowledged, his hands gracefully setting to the task of fulfilling Long Tian's request.
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