Chapter 138: The Martial Arts Administration Bureau Was Surrounded by College Students

"Tell me, are you actually an orphan?"

Watching Zhang Chu’s brows knit together, Chen Long’s gossiping heart began to stir.

"Mind your own business," Zhang Chu replied, shutting off his phone and heading straight for the Martial Administration Bureau’s gaming center.

Upon entering, he found only Fan Tianlei present, aside from the twelve technical experts from last time. Fan was the supervisor for the project's follow-up phase and was required to be present for every internal test. Zhang Xueying had been absent due to her breakthrough to become a Dual-Strength Warrior, which was why Chen Long had taken her place.

"Zhang Chu, your affairs are causing quite a stir, yet you still have the mood to come for a trial," Liu Tianhe said, blocking his path with a sneer. "If Xueying knew you were two-faced, acting one way to her face and another behind her back, I wonder what she would think?"

"None of your damn business." Zhang Chu despised this kind of petty person who thrived on others' misfortune.

"Brother Zhang Chu, I believe you are not that kind of person," Huang Lili spoke up at the critical moment.

"Sister Li, teach me how to play," Chen Long asked, having taken a liking to Huang Lili and eagerly wanting to learn the mechanics of the Brain-Machine Beast Sea.

Fan Tianlei, standing not far away, had originally intended to ask Zhang Chu about the trending topics on the forums. However, seeing how Zhang Chu treated Liu Tianhe, he decided against it. He was too old to risk being humiliated by a retort from the boy.

"Since everyone is here, let us begin the second internal test." Fan Tianlei’s words extinguished the flare-up before Liu Tianhe could make his move. Since Chen Long was participating for the first time, Fan explained the rules once more. As before, the open zone began in the Newbie Village.

Zhang Chu sat in the chair and donned the brain-machine helmet. A powerful pulling force tugged at his mental energy. When he opened his eyes again, he was stunned by the sight before him: "Damn, this Brain-Machine Beast Sea is actually interesting. It can even simulate urban warfare."

He was currently in an alley in Binzhou City. The scene before him was chaotic, with corpses strewn everywhere and several half-beasts tearing warriors apart. Zhang Chu knew it was a virtual game, but it felt terrifyingly real—he could even smell the scent of blood.

"There’s another warrior here! Kill him and take Binzhou City!"

Before Zhang Chu could react, seven half-beasts lunged at him. The strongest was a 5-star half-beast with horns on its forehead, likely having fused with the genes of an Armored Green Bull. The half-beasts didn't waste words, closing in for the kill. Zhang Chu, having no habit of making small talk, simply prepared to fight.

In his eyes, these half-beasts were nothing more than mental energy points. He reached out, and the Crimson Flame Sword appeared in his hand.

"Thirteen Swords of Blazing Fire!"

In a one-versus-six melee, sword techniques were the most lethal. Thirteen sword auras pierced the air, instantly penetrating the bodies of the half-beasts. The armor of the 5-star Armored Green Bull half-beast was shattered on impact. Zhang Chu flashed forward and gracefully sliced through its throat with a single stroke. The half-beast dissolved into floating blue light orbs.

"Passive Devour!" Zhang Chu triggered his skill.

"Ding! Detected host devouring 5-star mental energy. Mental power increased by 250."
"Ding! Detected host devouring 3-star mental energy. Mental power increased by 150."

In this single wave, Zhang Chu’s mental power had increased by 1,550—far more effective than consuming Soul-Condensing Pills. Looking at the wailing citizens of Binzhou, Zhang Chu felt no urge to play the savior. It was all fake; there was no point in playing the hero.

This time, Zhang Chu was selective. Killing low-level half-beasts was useless; his targets were the level 6 and 7 half-beasts, and he hoped to even challenge an 8-star. He navigated through the northern district of Binzhou City. The Anti-Monster Gate was littered with bodies, and half-beasts were pouring in by the thousands.

One benefit of the brain-machine game was that it could customize missions based on the player's subconscious desires. No sooner had Zhang Chu decided to hunt only level 6 half-beasts than a massive wave of them charged in through the gate.

"Come, come, all of you into daddy's bowl!" Seeing nearly a hundred 6-star half-beasts roaring toward him, Zhang Chu grew excited.

"7-star Gravity Field!"

As the Gravity Field activated, the half-beasts slowed down, some even dropping to their knees. Back at the Bureau’s gaming hall, Fan Tianlei gasped upon seeing this on the big screen: "What kind of encounter did this kid have in the Star Beast Tree Hole to master a heaven-sent skill like 'Gravity Field'? Even I’m jealous."

As if to prove his point, Zhang Chu unleashed a chain attack. Electric Vines Entanglement! Then, he went all out, using a "Berserk Devour" version of his passive skill. 101 half-beasts were instantly converted into energy.

"Ding! Detected host devouring 6-star mental energy. Mental power increased by 300."

For the next 24 hours, Zhang Chu went completely berserk. Aside from hiding his Vine Demon seeds, he held nothing back.

Fan Tianlei and the others watched in astonishment as Zhang Chu fought like a demon inside. The greatest advantage of the urban map was the abundance of NPC half-beasts. Zhang Chu didn't need to search; he just had to kill.

"Ding! Reminder to internal tester: game time is up. In ten seconds, you will be disconnected from the server and returned to reality."

One hour had passed outside, but 24 hours had passed inside. Zhang Chu felt unfulfilled as he exited the game. He pulled up his personal status panel:

Strength: 910,000 / 1,500,000
Mental Power: 1,110,000 / 1,500,000

He had killed 300 half-beasts, adding 90,000 to his mental power. Seeing Zhang Chu wake up first, Fan Tianlei quickly signaled the experts to hold their tongues. "Don't make a fuss. Continue observing, we'll discuss it later."

Chen Tianxiang had specifically requested that they monitor for any energy degradation. They had just detected a drop in energy in the Newbie Village where Zhang Chu was. Fan Tianlei had a rough idea of what was happening, but he needed confirmation.

"Director Fan, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going." With the second test over, Zhang Chu needed to return to the Armaments Division’s special training field to boost his strength in preparation for his promotion to 8-star.

Just then, Fan Dayong rushed in. "Zhang Chu, I'm afraid you can't leave right now."

"What happened?" Fan Dayong was in charge of security at the Bureau. His presence meant something major had occurred.

"Dad, the front gate of the Bureau is surrounded by student representatives from ten Binzhou universities. There are media outlets everywhere, and they are here for... they are here for you, Zhang Chu," Fan Dayong said.

"For me?" Zhang Chu was dumbfounded.

"See for yourself." Liu Tianhe pulled up a local livestream on his phone and handed it to Zhang Chu. "Zhang Chu, if you don't resolve this, the credibility of the Martial Administration Bureau will be dragged through the mud because of you."

Damn it! Zhang Chu glanced at the phone. It was a sea of naive, foolish college students. Leading them was none other than that idiot, Wang Xiaochuan, his former class monitor from Binzhou University. Wang and his cohorts were flanking an elderly couple—Zhang Erhe and his wife—who were chanting slogans at the gates of the Bureau.