Chapter 51: Debt Collection

**Volume One: First Steps in a New World**

Zu An then spent his remaining Rage points. He didn't draw anything new; all he got were "Thank You for Participating" messages and Vitality Fruits.

In the end, he calculated that he had drawn a total of 55 Vitality Fruits, one bottle of "Believe in Brother Chun," and one Lucky Pill. After gaining more experience, it was easy to see the pattern: the probability of drawing a Vitality Fruit seemed to be about one-tenth. It appeared his luck had truly been terrible last time.

He then quietly swallowed these Vitality Fruits one by one, watching as the golden substance in the first array within his muscles slowly filled up. After consuming all 55 fruits, the first array was completely full, and the second array also contained a small amount of the golden substance.

"It really is the Fibonacci sequence," Zu An secretly sighed. According to the pattern of the Fibonacci sequence, if the previous number was 34, then this number would be 55. It had now been confirmed.

As for the extra golden substance in the second array, he presumed it was transformed from injuries he sustained when he accidentally hit a wall while experimenting with "Great Wind" earlier.

So, following the Fibonacci sequence, the next array would require at least 89,000 Rage points. What a rip-off! Why was cultivation so easy for others, yet he found it so hard to advance even a minor stage?

However, he reconsidered. Others had spent vast resources from a young age, toiling day and night to reach their current level. He had caught up to their average level in just two or three days, so perhaps he had nothing to complain about.

After this period of understanding, he generally grasped that among the entire academy's students, those with a cultivation level of Fifth Grade were absolute prodigies, geniuses even when compared nationally. There were only a handful of such individuals in the whole school. He currently knew that his "bargain" wife and Pei Mianman were Fifth Grade, and that Yuan Wendong seemed to have just broken through to Fifth Grade today.

Next, Fourth Grade cultivators were already the school's top students, and their numbers weren't too large either. This group was excellent in both talent and family resources.

Most students in the Earth Class and Mystic Class were at Third Grade, with some even below Third Grade.

Naturally, the Yellow Class had the most students; those who had just reached Second Grade could already dominate.

Considering this, Zu An's current strength was considered average across the entire school. Thinking of this, he felt much better.

The entire afternoon passed in such boring classes and lottery draws. After class, a crowd swarmed towards the school gate, each heading home to their respective families. Clearly, listening to such lectures was a tremendous ordeal.

Even Wei Suo was no exception: "Boss, see you tomorrow!" he said, and then darted away, disappearing without a trace.

Seeing this scene, it felt as though he was transported back to his school days, when the dismissal bell rang and a crowd rushed for food. Honestly, he rather missed it.

Zu An was leisurely packing his things, feeling the new changes after his body had upgraded. He should now possess the strength of approximately 143 people. He wondered if, in his previous life, he could have punched an elephant to death.

If he possessed such great strength, how terrifying must the power of those at Eighth Grade, Ninth Grade, or even Grandmaster level be?

This world was truly terrifying. If one's cultivation was low and they dated a high-level woman, during intimacy, they might even be accidentally sprayed to death by her...

If he truly died like that, he wouldn't have the face to meet anyone even in reincarnation.

"Brother-in-law, Brother-in-law!"

Zu An looked up and saw Chu Huanzhao excitedly waving at him from outside the classroom. Her bouncy movements gave her a touch of girlish charm, unlike her previous tomboyish demeanor.

"What do you want?" he asked, looking at her somewhat cautiously after stepping outside. Zu An had just been having some inappropriate thoughts, so he inevitably felt a little guilty.

"To go home together, what else?" Chu Huanzhao immediately showed some displeasure. "Hey, what's with your attitude? I specifically came to find you right after class!"

"Oh, so it's to go home," Zu An sighed with relief. He had thought this girl had some mischievous idea to bother him.

"It's all your fault for not coming to class yesterday; you made me waste a trip," Chu Huanzhao huffed. "But I finally caught you today. I promised Mother I'd keep a close eye on you."

Zu An couldn't help but say, "Didn't your mother send Hong Xingying to watch me? Where is that guy? I need to settle accounts with him today."

Chu Huanzhao wrinkled her delicate nose. "That guy seems to have chosen to live in the dorms. He probably didn't dare go home, fearing punishment."

"This school has boarding students?" Zu An was startled. How similar it was to schools in his previous life.

"Of course," Chu Huanzhao explained. "Brightmoon Academy is the best school in the surrounding counties. Many students from nearby regions come here, drawn by its reputation. Those of us who live in Brightmoon City can, of course, go home every day. Those without that option naturally live at the school. Look, the dorms are over there."

As she spoke, she pointed to the west. Zu An looked up and noticed some buildings faintly visible among the distant trees.

"I see," Zu An mused. He wondered if he should find an opportunity to stir up some trouble at the dorms; he might be able to harvest a large wave of Rage points.

Just then, he suddenly noticed waves of Rage points coming in from the backend. Although each individual gain wasn't much, their sheer number made up for it.

"What's happening?"

He looked up and realized that many people around them were looking at him with hostility. It was then that he noticed he and Chu Huanzhao were walking side-by-side on the tree-lined street, giving them quite a "CP vibe."

What was this childhood sweetheart feeling? Zu An was a bit dazed but quickly shook his head, pushing away the inappropriate thoughts. Earning Rage points was more important.

"Little sister-in-law, link arms with me," Zu An held out his left arm.

Chu Huanzhao looked utterly bewildered. "Why?"

"We're family, aren't we? Walking arm-in-arm like this only shows how harmonious our family is," Zu An said, utterly serious.

"Do you take me for an idiot? You're just trying to take advantage of me!" Chu Huanzhao retorted angrily, directly pulling out her "Wailing Whip" and lashing out at him.

"Whoa, if you don't want to link arms, fine, but there's no need for a whip!" Zu An dodged frantically, shouting.

Chu Huanzhao, however, pursued him relentlessly: "I'll beat you to death, you pervert!"

The onlookers felt a surge of amusement. "Go on, you gigolo! You should know rich women aren't easy to please."

The two continued their playful scuffle until they reached the school gate, stopping not because Chu Huanzhao had a change of heart, but because "Bright Peak" Lu De was standing there. Wherever he was, there seemed to be an inexplicably oppressive aura, and no one dared to speak loudly, not even Chu Huanzhao.

She stuck out her tongue, put away her whip, and tugged on Zu An's sleeve as she headed out. "Hmph, no more shouting! I'll settle accounts with you when we get back."

Lu De's gaze, sharp as an eagle's, swept over the crowd, as if he intended to nip any misbehaving student in the bud. However, when his eyes fell upon their joined hands, they narrowed.

What was going on with the Chu family? Were they truly planning for both sisters to share one husband?

Although such arrangements were not uncommon in this world, they usually involved a man of exceptional quality, both in family background and personal ability. But what virtues or talents did this infamous good-for-nothing from the city possess?

Let alone both sisters, even the unruly Second Miss Chu was far beyond what this fellow could deserve.

Zu An, of course, had no idea that Lu De's eyes were now fixed on him. Just as he exited the school gate, Cheng Shoubing, who had been waiting by the entrance, waved at him excitedly. "Young master-in-law, young master-in-law!"

"Have you been waiting here all this time?" Zu An felt a bit bad. Cheng Shoubing had copied books all night yesterday and then waited here all day today.

"No, no, I went back and slept all day. I only came in the afternoon. Thank you for your concern, young master-in-law," Cheng Shoubing said, his eyes nearly disappearing as he smiled. "Oh, Miss, you're here too."

Chu Huanzhao acknowledged him with a hum. Her waiting attendant also led a fine steed over for her. Even though Zu An knew nothing about appraising horses, he could tell this one was exceptionally magnificent, thinking, "Now this is a true noble horse!"

"Huh, where's your horse?" Chu Huanzhao looked around, asking with some confusion.

Zu An felt a bit awkward, but Cheng Shoubing honestly replied, "We walked here this morning."

Chu Huanzhao frowned. "Why didn't the people at the manor arrange a horse for you?"

Cheng Shoubing muttered inwardly, *'Don't you have any idea why yourself, Miss?'* At the same time, he was somewhat surprised. It seemed the young master-in-law and the Second Miss were getting along quite well.

Chu Huanzhao thought for a moment, then handed the reins to a servant and said to Zu An, "I'll walk with you. I wanted to stretch my legs anyway."

Zu An said, "Actually, I don't mind sharing a ride with you."

Cheng Shoubing's face instantly changed. It was too late to stop him. He thought, *'It's over. The Second Miss has always had a bad temper; the young master-in-law is probably going to get whipped.'*

"Get lost!" To his surprise, Chu Huanzhao merely cursed but showed no intention of striking.

Cheng Shoubing blinked, wondering if he was dreaming. Something felt off.

Just then, a taunting voice suddenly called out, "Well, well, finally out."

Zu An looked back and saw a man with a scarred face leaning against a large tree, watching them. It was none other than Plum Blossom Thirteen.

Zu An said, "Has no one told you that your mouth twists a bit when you smile?"

Rage points from Plum Blossom Thirteen: 178!

Plum Blossom Thirteen's smile froze. He said coldly, "Go on, enjoy your verbal cleverness. I'm just here to remind you: the repayment date is one day closer. If you don't pay up then, I'll chop off both your hands."

"You owe him money?" Chu Huanzhao, standing nearby, widened her eyes in surprise.

Zu An nodded, secretly cursing the 'dead guy' from before a few more times.

Chu Huanzhao thought for a moment, then pulled out her silver money pouch. "How much does he owe you? I'll pay it for him."

Plum Blossom Thirteen was momentarily stunned. "Has this good-for-nothing gotten so successful now that such a beautiful young woman is offering to pay his debt?"

He unconsciously replied, "One thousand taels of silver!"

Chu Huanzhao gasped, then immediately shoved the money pouch back into her pocket and took a step back. "Consider me to have said nothing."

Zu An couldn't help but feel a little disdain. This girl always acted so impressive, only to fail to produce the money. It was the same in the cafeteria before.

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