Onii-chan

Renomon watched Zhang Ye recover through meditation, utterly speechless. Just as he was about to stand up and activate his trump card, his pupils shrank again.

Holy crap, that recovery speed!

He could feel the external mana being sucked into Zhang Ye’s body at a terrifying rate, causing his previously unstable mana fluctuations to fill up at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Six seconds later, Zhang Ye opened his eyes and let out another shout.

“Holy Light Barrier!!!”

Before the first barrier could shatter, a second one was already raised.

The flaming rock, which had struggled to break through the first layer, slammed into the second barrier. It finally lost its momentum and exploded, sending giant shards of rock flying everywhere, crushing countless Flame Rock Beasts.

Renomon stood there, jaw agape.

Well, that happened...

After releasing the second Pseudo · Holy Light Barrier, Zhang Ye immediately went back into meditation. His mana recovered in an instant. Only then did he turn to the bewildered Renomon and smile. “Hello there, brother-in-law.”

Renomon snapped out of it and nodded. “Hello... thank you!”

Zhang Ye couldn't help but chuckle. This brother-in-law seemed a bit socially awkward; his face was flushed red and his neck was strained just from saying thank you.

In truth, it wasn't that Renomon was bad with words, but rather that being saved by a Tier Seven peak made him feel a sense of shame.

This shame wasn't directed at Zhang Ye, but at himself.

If only he were stronger, like his big sister, how could he have ended up in such a predicament that he needed this brother to step in and save him?

I’m still not strong enough...

Thinking this, he nodded to Zhang Ye and said, “My name isn't brother-in-law. I am Renomon.”

Zhang Ye replied, “Got it, brother-in-law. Understood, brother-in-law.”

Renomon: “...”

Renomon didn't know what “brother-in-law” meant, so he assumed it was a dialect from another region and didn't pay it much mind.

He looked at the giant Flame Rock Beast charging toward them aggressively and said with a solemn expression, “Brother, let’s retreat for now. Once my mana recovers, I’ll deal with this beast. Don’t worry, I, Renomon, won’t forget this debt of salvation. All the points will be yours then!”

Zhang Ye laughed. “No need, I’m not short on points!”

Renomon was stunned. Not short on points?

Not even a day had passed, yet someone dared to claim they weren't short on points?

Suddenly, Zhang Ye smiled. “Sit tight, brother-in-law. Leave these Flame Rock Beasts to me!”

“Since you dared to bully my brother-in-law, if I don’t tear you apart, my name isn't Onii-chan!”

Onii-chan?

Is that his name?

Renomon felt the name was a bit strange, but he didn't think too much of it.

“Brother, I know you’re powerful, but there are so many Flame Rock Beasts...”

Before he could finish his sentence, his eyes widened once again.

He saw the space around Zhang Ye vibrate as golden magic circles emerged one after another. Light swords condensed and then shot outward!

That wasn't all. As soon as one Pseudo · Holy Sword Judgment was released, Zhang Ye immediately meditated to recover. Six seconds later, another Pseudo · Holy Sword Judgment followed. He repeated this cycle over and over!

Wave after wave of light swords shot out in dense clusters, like a machine gun. The approaching beast tide was pelted before they could even get close, letting out continuous screams of agony.

The Tier Ten mid stage Flame Rock Beast was Zhang Ye’s primary target. Five out of every ten Holy Sword Judgments landed directly on it.

Its defense was formidable, but it couldn't withstand such a relentless bombardment. Light swords rained down, stripping away its thick rock armor. It was forced to curl up into a ball to defend itself.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ye’s light swords became even more concentrated.

As the surrounding beast swarm thinned out, more and more light swords landed on the Tier Ten mid stage Flame Rock Beast.

In the end, the scene became Zhang Ye standing in place with his arms wide, continuously releasing light swords, while the giant beast remained curled up, using all its mana for defense, not even daring to run.

If it ran, its defense would drop significantly, and it would undoubtedly be turned into a sieve by the dense barrage of light swords.

The situation reached a stalemate.

Now, it was a battle of mana. Whoever ran out first would be the loser.

The giant Flame Rock Beast was very confident. Magical beasts generally possessed much more mana than humans. It believed it would definitely be the one to win in the end.

However, it never imagined that Zhang Ye wasn't relying on a mana pool at all. He was replenishing his mana immediately after using it. A full mana bar every six seconds—who wouldn't be terrified?

This lasted for a full ten minutes!

The giant Flame Rock Beast was hammered by light swords for ten minutes until its rock armor was completely pierced and its mana was exhausted. It couldn't escape even if it wanted to.

Just like that, amidst an unwilling roar, it was shot into a sieve by the light swords and turned into a pile of scattered rocks.

After killing so many beasts and a Tier Ten mid stage Flame Rock Beast, Zhang Ye’s physique improved once again, reaching Tier Nine mid stage!

He nodded with satisfaction and deactivated the Holy Light Barrier, as there were no more Flame Rock Beasts left in the canyon.

He had slaughtered them all; those that survived had been scared away.

As for Renomon... his mouth was hanging wide open. He had been in a state of shock for the entire ten minutes. Zhang Ye even wondered if his jaw had been dislocated.

“Brother-in-law? Brother-in-law?” Zhang Ye called out twice.

Renomon finally snapped out of it, his eyes filled with a burning intensity.

Zhang Ye was taken aback, almost thinking Renomon had some strange preference.

Fortunately, he didn't. The fire in his eyes was purely because he had witnessed a true powerhouse!

“Onii-chan, you’re... you’re amazing!” Renomon said excitedly, his face flushed.

The combat power Zhang Ye had displayed was purely overwhelming, to the point where he forgot Zhang Ye was only at the Tier Seven peak.

Zhang Ye chuckled. “It’s nothing much, just top three among the freshmen.”

Being called “Onii-chan” by this six-foot-three handsome young man gave him a peculiar sense of wicked amusement.

With the danger gone, Zhang Ye waved his hand, and Bolabo immediately ran over with Lina on his back.

When Renomon saw another rock beast approaching, he was about to strike it down, but then his eyes widened again.

There was another person clad in armor on the Gold Rock Beast’s back. Based on the style, it appeared to be a woman, and she was holding something round and squishy in her arms.

And that rock beast... its entire body was glittering like gold. That wasn't the main point, though. The main point was—why was this rock beast covered in Soul Essence Lamps?!

They were glowing brightly, making the already golden Bolabo shine even more brilliantly, like a giant lightbulb.

There were so many lamps, and judging by the glow, no fewer than ten of them were full!

Are all of these Onii-chan’s?!

After his initial shock, Renomon could only sigh in admiration.

Indeed, there was always someone better out there.

He had considered himself a powerhouse among the younger generation as a Tier Nine early stage Magic-Martial Dual Cultivator. While he wasn't as good as his big sister, he wasn't bad either. But after meeting Zhang Ye, he realized how wrong he had been.

A Tier Seven peak who could release Tier Ten spells—and instant cast them at that—while possessing such a terrifying mana recovery speed.

If they were to fight, Zhang Ye would only need to wrap himself in a Tier Ten shield and continuously spam Tier Ten spells. Renomon was certain he wouldn't be Zhang Ye’s match, especially since Zhang Ye’s physique was no weaker than his own.

This... this was a monstrous powerhouse. He couldn't compare at all!

No wonder he said he wasn't short on points. Looking at it now, it was true. With his strength, wouldn't racking up tens of millions of points be a piece of cake?

Thinking this, Renomon’s admiration for Zhang Ye grew even more.

“By the way, brother-in-law, how many points do you have now?” Zhang Ye suddenly asked.

Renomon blinked and looked at his waist.

He had six lamps on his belt, three of which were full. Clearly, he had taken them from other examinees.

“In terms of points, I have about ten million,” he said.

In nearly a day, he had farmed from the outer area to the inner area. Earning ten million points was already quite impressive.

However, that guy Nan was even more impressive. He had filled five lamps in a day, and a fifth of them were essences from Tier Eight beasts or higher, totaling over twenty million points.

It made sense. Renomon probably couldn't match Nan’s combat power yet.

Zhang Ye had previously said that Tier Nine examinees earning twenty to thirty million points would be on the lower end.

Of course, they couldn't farm indefinitely. After all, recovering exhausted mana usually took over ten hours or even a full day. But in three days, someone like Nan would definitely have no problem reaching forty or fifty million points.

Of course, that initial twenty-plus million points had already ended up in Zhang Ye’s pocket.

Zhang Ye had a total of thirteen full lamps and several partially filled ones. Over two-fifths of them were essences from Tier Eight or higher. His total points were at least... over 110 million!

Holy... crap...

Without realizing it, he had accumulated so many points, and it was only the first day.

Even if he slacked off for the next two days and only farmed fifty or sixty million more, his average would still secure a landslide victory!

So, without a second thought, Zhang Ye took out two full lamps and stuffed them into Renomon’s hands.

Renomon was dazed for a moment before looking at Zhang Ye. “Onii-chan, this...”

Zhang Ye waved it off. “They’re yours!”

Renomon’s fiery eyebrows shot up. “I can’t accept this!”

Zhang Ye laughed. “You already called me Onii-chan, so why not?”

Renomon paused.

Does Onii-chan... have some other special meaning?

But he still shook his head. “I haven't earned this. Besides, you saved my life. I haven't even repaid you for that, so how could I take your lamps?”

“Furthermore, I want to earn my rank through my own strength!” With that, he handed the lamps back to Zhang Ye.

Zhang Ye looked at him with appreciation.

Not bad, not bad at all. As expected of Big Nana’s younger brother. Confident, powerful, and self-reliant!

Zhang Ye patted Renomon firmly on the shoulder. “Good! You haven't shamed your sister!”

Renomon was surprised, then smiled. “You know my big sister?”

“Of course, she and I are very close!” Zhang Ye grinned. “Otherwise, why do you think I saved you?”

Renomon’s expression shifted to one of realization. “So you’re a friend of Big Sister!”

Zhang Ye gave a smug chuckle but didn't explain further.

More than just friends. In the future, you’ll have to call me brother-in-law for real!

...

...