Chapter 64: On My First Visit to the Star Beast Hunting Grounds, This Is What I Get

“Damn it.”

“Is this one of those ‘the young lady’s five-year term is up and she’s returned home to inherit a billion-dollar fortune’ scenarios?”

“Or is it that some incredible family’s trial has come around, and Su Mingyue is about to rise to glory?”

Leaving the Fitness Building, Zhang Chu’s brows were tightly furrowed.

In just a few short days, she had gone from a Level 4 Martial Artist to a One-Star Dual-Force Warrior. Not only that, half the Dual-Force Warriors of the Association were now enthusiastically recommending her. Aside from suspecting she was cheating with some sort of system, Zhang Chu really couldn’t imagine any other explanation.

If Su Mingyue truly had a powerful backer, she wouldn’t have been so thoroughly humiliated during her days at Binzhou University, nor would she have been forced into taking suggestive photos for online loans.

Seeing Zhang Chu silent all the way, Zhang Xueying kept offering words of comfort and finally mentioned Luo Zhidong. She said she would personally go to Dean Luo and ask him to mediate.

According to the rules of the Dual-Force Association, once the list was publicly announced, it couldn’t be changed without special circumstances.

On the way back to his office, Zhang Chu’s phone wouldn’t stop vibrating. It was the Binzhou Martial Arts Academy’s group chat for the hundred teachers. News of Su Mingyue’s breakthrough into the ranks of the One-Star Dual-Force Warriors and her winning the quota for the Starbeast Treehole had already spread through the group.

“Teacher Su Mingyue is truly amazing!”

“Cheering wildly for Teacher Su!”

“Teacher Su, don’t forget us if you become rich and famous!”

Just days ago, these same teachers couldn’t stop flattering Zhang Chu, but now they were all tagging Su Mingyue non-stop.

Throughout it all, Su Mingyue never once responded.

Zhang Chu had just set the group chat to mute when he felt a gaze fixed upon him.

Too handsome—really, it’s far too easy to attract women’s attention!

Looking up, he saw Su Mingyue, dressed in a long black dress, standing on the steps outside the administration building, her long legs carrying her toward him.

This woman… Zhang Chu didn’t even need to guess; Su Mingyue was obviously here to show off.

As expected, as soon as she approached, her first words were, “Zhang Chu, I told you you’d never beat me. Now or ever. The quota for the Starbeast Treehole is mine, and from now on, all the glory at the Martial Arts Academy will be mine as well.”

“Yes, yes, it’s all yours,” Zhang Chu replied, not bothering to argue. He swept past her, heading into the building.

Just a fleeting glance—there seemed to be a tattoo at Su Mingyue’s chest.

“Where have I seen that before?” Zhang Chu squinted, trying to get a better look, but only caught a glimpse of half the tattoo. He couldn’t very well pull down her clothes to see the rest.

Su Mingyue hastily covered her chest, her expression cold. “Zhang Chu, keep your eyes in check. We’re both One-Star Dual-Force Warriors now, and soon I’ll surpass you. Whatever thoughts you have about me, you’d best forget them.”

“Not much up top, and a petty mind to match?” Zhang Chu wondered how Su Mingyue ever became the campus goddess at Binzhou University. Was it just those impossibly long legs? She really was as flat as a board. Not his type, not at all.

What he liked was more along the lines of Zhang Xueying, the big-sister type.

Watching Zhang Chu walk away, Su Mingyue stomped her foot furiously. “Zhang Chu, just you wait—once I’ve settled the alliance business, I’ll make sure to humiliate you properly!”

As soon as work ended, Zhang Chu didn’t linger a second longer. He drove straight out of the university.

He still couldn’t figure out what method Su Mingyue had used, but one thing was certain: he couldn’t give her any opportunity to flaunt her victory.

Since the Starbeast Treehole quota was now out of reach, he had to change tactics and focus on quickly increasing his combat and mental power.

He wasn’t about to let Su Mingyue walk all over him!

Leaving the academy, Zhang Chu drove straight to the Boundary Marker Hall.

All Dual-Force Warriors in Binzhou needed to go to the hall’s affiliated Starbeast Forest for their training.

Getting out of his car, he entered the building.

At that moment, Zhou Xiaoyu was at the information desk, diligently answering a call from her superior. When she saw Zhang Chu come in, her eyes lit up. “Director Fan, that Mr. Zhang Chu you asked us to keep an eye out for is here. I’ll serve him first and call you back shortly.”

Hanging up, Zhou Xiaoyu quickly tidied her makeup and hurried over.

She was Zhang Chu’s personal 24-hour customer service manager. That punch he’d thrown last time had struck her heart—and she hadn’t stopped thinking about him since. She hadn’t expected to see him again so soon.

“Hello, Mr. Zhang Chu, I’m your dedicated customer service manager. You can just call me Xiaoyu.”

She wore a professional outfit, her glossy tights emphasizing her long, slender legs to an almost dangerous degree. With her plum-sweet smile, she was practically the butler every young master dreamed of.

Zhang Chu remembered her; she’d handled his Dual-Force Warrior certification last time.

“Manager Xiaoyu, I’d like to apply for Starbeast Hunting Ground training,” he said, handing over his Dual-Force Warrior badge.

“Please wait a moment.” Zhou Xiaoyu took the badge and scanned it, processing the application.

Soon, a full set of equipment was brought over—a formation locator ring and a vial of stamina recovery solution.

These were standard issues. Every Dual-Force Warrior heading into the Starbeast Hunting Grounds had to wear the locator ring. In case of emergency, the wearer could use the teleportation array on the ring to instantly return to the entrance, ensuring their safety. The stamina solution allowed for rapid recovery of physical strength. All this was included in the fee.

Each entry into the One-Star Starbeast Training Zone cost ten thousand yuan, with a strict four-hour time limit.

“Mr. Zhang Chu, if you encounter any problems during your training, simply press the instant-call button on your locator ring. I’ll be at your service at any time,” Zhou Xiaoyu said.

After completing the formalities, she led Zhang Chu to the formation gate on the second floor.

Passage to the Starbeast Hunting Grounds was only possible through the teleportation array. No one knew the exact location of the training grounds.

“Thank you.”

Following the instructions, Zhang Chu stood on the hexagram array and scanned his One-Star badge at the terminal.

Instantly, the hexagram below his feet blazed with high-energy light, enveloping him.

“Identity confirmed. Welcome, One-Star Dual-Force Warrior Zhang Chu.”

“Teleportation will commence in ten seconds.”

“Please stand firm and hold on.”

A mechanical voice announced, and a countdown appeared on the electronic screen.

Ten seconds later, Zhang Chu felt his body sway, then plummet rapidly.

As the high-energy beam vanished, so did Zhang Chu from the teleportation array.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded behind Zhou Xiaoyu.

Turning, she saw Fan Tianlei leading a group toward her. “Where’s Zhang Chu?”

…

Meanwhile,

Zhang Chu felt a chill wind brush his ears, making him shiver.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. “So this is the Starbeast Archive?”

He was standing on an endless grassland.

But as he turned around, his heart sank.

Hundreds of massive One-Star Starbeasts—Ironclad Blue Bulls—were charging toward him, kicking up clouds of dust and making the ground tremble violently.

“Damn it… My first time in the Starbeast Hunting Grounds, and I get this?!”