Chapter 31 – I Don't Want to Try Anymore

Afterward, the six of them—Su Ming and the others—briefly explained their respective situations to deepen their understanding of one another.

If nothing else, when it came to combat capabilities, since they were about to become teammates who would operate together, it was only natural to gain some insight into each other’s strengths.

Su Ming, Lei Hao, and Ye Bai gave the three underclassmen a simple introduction to their roles and specialties.

For instance, Lei Hao, as a Hunter, excelled in close-quarters combat. His weapon of choice was a greatsword, and he positioned himself as a tank. In his own words, if there was any charging into battle to be done, he was the one to handle it.

Ye Bai, on the other hand, wasn’t skilled in offensive Spirit Arts but had some expertise in binding and certain supportive Spirit Arts. He saw himself as a mid-line controller but lacked effective means of dealing damage.

As for Su Ming, he positioned himself as a backline damage dealer, capable of using several offensive Spirit Arts, though he wasn’t proficient in other types.

Of course, if Xu Qianqian were here, she would surely inwardly scoff at this guy who was pretending to be weak to catch others off guard.

Naturally, An Zijin and the other two had no idea about such things. Still, after Su Ming and the others introduced themselves, they also shared their own situations.

Among these three exceptionally beautiful underclassmen, aside from An Zijin, who was a Sorcerer, the other two were Hunters.

Jiang Wanyu told everyone that she was very confident in her speed. Her weapon of choice was a pair of short spikes, which had relatively low lethality. She saw herself as a guerrilla-style forward—perhaps not suited for charging into the fray, but she could excel at disrupting enemy formations, drawing attention, or even handling reconnaissance tasks.

In other words, Jiang Wanyu was an assassin-type Hunter.

An Zijin, of course, needed no introduction. As the top student of the Sorcerer Department, she had already mastered several Spirit Arts shortly after enrolling and was said to be highly regarded by the instructors in the Sorcerer Department.

The combat abilities of these two freshmen were something to look forward to. In terms of innate talent and potential, they were already widely acknowledged to surpass Su Ming and the others, who were considered average in the Academy. Thus, even though they had just enrolled, Su Ming and the others wouldn’t underestimate them.

What truly surprised Su Ming and the others, however, was Yao Beibei. This seemingly intellectual and quiet younger girl turned out to be a Hunter as well.

Even more astonishing was the weapon this well-endowed underclassman used—a pair of hammers.

Yes, hammers.

And not just any hammers—they were enormous, heavy, and even more meteor-hammer-like than actual meteor hammers.

Yao Beibei also positioned herself as a forward, but a strength-based one.

According to An Zijin and Jiang Wanyu, it was best not to provoke Yao Beibei. Otherwise, if she swung her hammer, everyone would likely end up dead.

Su Ming and the others stared at this seemingly timid and gentle underclassman, who lowered her head as if embarrassed, their lips twitching as they felt their entire worldview crumbling.

Regardless, the fact that the six of them had formed a team was now set in stone.

Next, the six of them filled out their respective information on the team application form, submitted it to the staff at the Mission Hall, and officially became teammates.It is worth mentioning that during this time, some students in the Mission Hall gathered around and shamelessly extended invitations to An Zijin, Yao Beibei, and Jiang Wanyu, saying things like, “Instead of joining such an inconspicuous team, why not join us? Our side has…” and so on.

However, An Zijin and the other two rejected them without hesitation.

Well, to be more precise, it was An Zijin who rejected them without hesitation, and then Yao Beibei and Jiang Wanyu followed suit without hesitation.

These two fierce and loyal juniors seemed determined to stick with Su Ming’s little Zijin sister, advancing and retreating together, acting as her guardians. In their words and actions, they were practically declaring themselves the “An Zijin Protection Squad.”

And An Zijin herself was equally determined to stick with Su Ming, advancing and retreating together, almost openly calling herself “Su Ming’s Little Sweetheart.”

Thus, these three exceptionally beautiful juniors firmly boarded Su Ming’s team, even giving Lei Hao and Ye Bai a free ride, which delighted the two of them immensely.

As for Su Ming, he probably just gained another wave of animosity, with An Zijin’s fans (or simps) secretly cursing and threatening him.

Well, clearly aggrieved, but clearly not saying a word.

Clearly, he would just quietly hold a grudge, waiting for the right moment to make these guys understand why flowers are so red.

…

“So, you and your childhood neighbor sister ended up as teammates in the same group?”

That night, when Su Ming inadvertently mentioned this matter during a phone call with Xu Qianqian, she unexpectedly showed concern.

“Yeah,” Su Ming said casually, standing on his dormitory balcony and gazing at the night view. “Although her joining has made our team stand out in every possible way, when it comes down to it, our team’s overall strength isn’t outstanding, so it’s not a big issue.”

This was Su Ming’s perspective.

Su Ming, Lei Hao, and Ye Bai—the three of them were already established as the “cannon fodder trio” for a whole year, a reputation that was unshakable.

As for An Zijin, Yao Beibei, and Jiang Wanyu, while they were highly noticeable in every sense—especially An Zijin, who was both the new-generation Academy Beauty and the top freshman—they were still just newcomers who had recently enrolled.

No matter how talented freshmen are, without sufficient training and study, their strength is negligible within the entire Academy.

Take An Zijin, for example. As the top freshman in the Sorcerer Department, she had only learned a few low-sequence Spirit Arts. Across the entire Demon Hunter Academy, her strength might very well be at the bottom.

Therefore, Su Ming believed that even if his team attracted attention, their lack of strength would prevent them from being assigned particularly difficult missions.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing Su Ming’s words, Xu Qianqian said this:

“It seems you don’t know much about your fiancée.”

Her words made Su Ming freeze for a moment.

I don’t know much about my fiancée?

How could I not know?

Is there anyone who knows my future wife better than I do?

Su Ming grew furious at the thought.

But then, he froze again.No… I don’t have a wife!

What the hell is this about a fiancée!? Σ(⊙▽⊙”a

While Su Ming stood there dumbfounded, Xu Qianqian abruptly changed the subject as if she had never said anything unusual.

“My matters are mostly settled now. If you need to conduct a transaction, we can proceed immediately.”

Hearing this, Su Ming’s eyes lit up, instantly tossing the matter of the nonexistent fiancée to the back of his mind.

“Are you sure?” Su Ming said, “I have quite a lot of items on my end.”

“Don’t worry,” Xu Qianqian replied. “The Xu Family also deals in the sale of Extraordinary Items. Whether you want to sell them directly for money or exchange them for other materials and items, the Xu Family should be able to meet your needs.”

The faint tone carried an unmistakable air of extravagance that anyone could easily detect.

Su Ming would absolutely not admit that, in this moment, he had been genuinely impressed by Xu Qianqian’s display.

But ironically, he currently needed exactly this kind of extravagantly boastful person, which left him feeling quite conflicted.

Forget it. Considering this rich girl was about to help him accomplish an important matter, he’d let it slide this time!

“Tell me, where should we make the exchange?”

Su Ming lowered his voice, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of engaging in shady dealings.

“Just come directly to my place to find me!”

After leaving these words, Xu Qianqian hung up the phone.

“This…”

Listening to the busy tone from the other end of the line, Su Ming was momentarily unable to process what had just happened.

Soon after, he received a message containing an address.

……

Longyao Base City, Mirror Lake District.

This was both an advanced residential area within Longyao City and what many considered the wealthy district.

Su Ming arrived here following the address mentioned in the message he had just received.

Currently, Su Ming stood before the gated entrance of an ultra-luxurious villa, gazing across a vast courtyard at the building with a thoroughly bewildered expression on his face.

Before him, the gate opened, revealing an extremely luxurious team of maids pouring out, along with an elderly gentleman dressed as a butler.

“Welcome.”

The butler bowed politely to Su Ming.

“Welcome!”

The maids arranged in two rows immediately followed with bows of their own, their clear, pleasant voices rising in unison.

Faced with such an elaborate welcoming committee, Su Ming remained in a daze, bewildered as he was ushered inside by the butler, bewildered as he boarded a sightseeing vehicle that traveled along the garden path toward the ultra-luxurious villa, and still utterly bewildered as he was finally escorted into the villa and brought to a reception room.

Here, Xu Qianqian appeared to have been waiting for some time, sitting at a small white table while sipping black tea and reading a book.

The Young Miss of the Xu Family wasn’t wearing her usual Academy uniform but instead wore a dress that was clearly expensive at first glance.

Her usually tied-back ponytail had been let down, transforming into sleek, beautiful black hair that cascaded straight down to her waist.

At this moment, Xu Qianqian lacked the cold elegance she typically displayed at the Academy, possessing instead only the grace and soft beauty reminiscent of nobility.Such a Xu Qianqian, just like her usual halo, made one clearly realize that this person was indeed a genuine Young Miss of noble birth.

Snap!

Xu Qianqian closed the book in her hand and looked at Su Ming.

However, all she saw was the lingering confusion on Su Ming’s face.

“What’s wrong?”

Xu Qianqian was slightly taken aback, rising in puzzlement.

Only then did Su Ming regain some clarity, immediately fixing his gaze intently on Xu Qianqian and speaking from his heart.

“I don’t want to work hard anymore.”

These words were clearly audible.

Xu Qianqian: “…”

(End of Chapter)