Chapter 72 · Volume 1

A Big Customer

“Since you want to earn points through your own strength... then join my team!” Zhang Ye said.
Renomon let out a hearty laugh, his smile bright and spirited, much like Leona’s.
“Alright!”
Although he preferred to fight alone, Zhang Ye had saved his life, and Zhang Ye was a friend of his big sister. He was more than happy to team up with him. Having someone to watch his back wasn't a bad thing at all.
“Onii-chan, then this is...” Renomon turned his gaze toward Lina.
Before Zhang Ye could speak, Lina took the lead. “Hello, I’m Lina!”
“Lina?” Renomon’s eyebrows shot up. He looked at the Lionheart Armor she was wearing and froze.
Lina? Looking at that Lionheart Armor... was she the little princess of the Lionheart Royal Family, Lina?!
Good heavens! The Lionheart Royal Family actually let their precious little princess participate in the dangerous All Souls entrance exam?!
If anything happened to her in this secret realm, it could trigger a war! Renomon couldn't help but shudder at the thought.
At that moment, Lina asked, “Why do you call Brother Ye ‘Onii-chan’?”
“Brother Ye?” Renomon was stunned. He looked at Zhang Ye with an expression that clearly asked: Isn't your name Onii-chan?
Zhang Ye replied without missing a beat, “Well... my full name is Ye · Handsome · Brawler · Mage-King · Versatile · Enduring · 23 · Onii-chan · Zhang. So, calling me Brother Ye or Onii-chan is fine.”
Renomon and Lina were both left dazed by the long name. Finally, Renomon nodded. “I think I’ll stick with Brother Ye. You’re stronger than me, after all, and calling you Onii-chan feels... a bit weird.”
“How could it be? Hehe... whatever makes you happy,” Zhang Ye said with a hint of regret. It was a pity he couldn't get this six-foot-three handsome guy to keep calling him Onii-chan.
Then, he waved his hand grandly. “Now, let’s head out and farm some monsters for my brother-in-law! Bobo, let’s go!”
Bolabo replied, “You got it, Boss!”
Renomon was shocked. “This rock beast can talk?!”
“Of course! I am Bolabo Gold! Don’t compare me to those trashy rock beasts... Ow! Boss, why’d you hit me?”
“Who are you calling trash? Watch your mouth. He’s your big brother’s brother-in-law!”
“What does ‘brother-in-law’ mean?”
“Wait, you know what ‘sister-in-law’ means, but you don’t know ‘brother-in-law’?”
“I heard it from other examinees. Once, an Eastern student came with his sister-in-law and said something about doing things while the big brother wasn't around... Ow! Boss, why’d you hit me again?”
“Shut up and move!”
“Oh...”
Before long, they arrived at the third farming spot—another canyon. Looking at the dense swarm of Flame Rock Beasts below, Zhang Ye couldn't help but sigh.
“Uh... Bobo, if we keep farming like this... will we drive these rock beasts to extinction?”
Bolabo shook his head. “No. Once the secret realm closes, the dead rock beasts will undergo Resurrection. Their tier will drop a bit, but they’ll recover within two years.”
“I see,” Zhang Ye nodded. Two years to recover, two years between exams. It seemed the entrance exam served as a way for All Souls Magic Academy to suppress the secret realm while recruiting students.
“Let’s begin. Brother-in-law, you take that side, and Lina and I will take this side. Any problems?” Zhang Ye asked.
“No problem!” Renomon nodded. He had just drunk a mana potion to accelerate his recovery, and his mana was already back to twenty percent—enough to work with.
However, Zhang Ye walked over and placed a hand on Renomon’s shoulder, injecting mana into him.
Renomon was confused at first, but then his eyes widened. He was utterly shocked. Such pure mana could be absorbed directly, and more importantly... it felt incredibly good!
In no time, Renomon’s mana was completely full. He gave Zhang Ye a deep look and said solemnly, “Thank you!”
Zhang Ye nodded and reminded him, “If you can’t hold them off, run toward me. With me here, everything will be fine!”
Renomon opened his mouth to say something but ultimately just nodded, accepting Zhang Ye’s kindness. “Alright!”
The three of them jumped into the canyon. Zhang Ye and Lina coordinated once again to farm quickly, while Renomon fought alone. With his mana restored, he displayed his ferocious power once more, flames rolling off him like a Raging Flame Lion.
With Zhang Ye and Lina sharing the pressure, Renomon had enough time to clear out the Flame Rock Beasts in his area. During the process, he was inspired by Zhang Ye and Lina’s farming method. Instead of just charging blindly, he began to consciously lure and gather the beasts before clearing them out with a big move. His efficiency doubled!
Two hours later, the canyon was cleared!
During the fight, Zhang Ye intentionally dealt the killing blows to magical beasts at the Tier Nine late stage or higher. Combined with his previous kills, his physique improved again, nearing the Tier Nine late stage. In terms of pure physical strength, he was now even stronger than Renomon!
“That felt great! Hahaha!” After a smooth and unhindered battle, Renomon felt refreshed. He stood with his hands on his hips and laughed, his gaze toward Zhang Ye becoming increasingly friendly. From this run alone, Renomon had gained over ten million points.
Zhang Ye then acted as a power bank, replenishing mana for both of them until they were back at full strength.
“This is truly exhilarating!” Renomon laughed. He then noticed Gujiu and looked at it curiously. This little thing looked like a legendary slime. It must be Brother Ye’s. To be able to tame a slime—how impressive!
Lina nodded like a little chick pecking at grain. “Mhm, mhm! It feels so good!”
Zhang Ye chuckled and waved his hand. “Alright, whenever you’re low on mana, just come to me. I’ll fill you right up. I guarantee your mana will be inexhaustible!”
Bolabo leaned in as well. “I want some too! I want some too!”
Zhang Ye laughed. “Everyone gets some.”
Lina smiled brightly. “Thank you, Brother Ye!”
Renomon also smiled. “Many thanks!”
With Zhang Ye’s mana replenishment, Renomon was certain he could maintain two hundred percent efficiency! Reaching the top three among the freshmen was very likely now. Of course, he knew the number one spot would undoubtedly belong to Zhang Ye.
After joking around for a bit, the three people, one beast, and one slime set off for the next farming spot. However, it seemed someone had already beaten them to this one.
After having Bolabo hide, the three of them peeked down from the edge of the canyon. Renomon said, “It’s Samanra from the Wind Spirit family.”
Below them were indeed Samanra and her two companions. Nearly a day had passed, and they had managed to snatch several Soul Essence Lamp belts. They were currently farming; Sabiba and Sacra each had two full lamps, while Samanra had three full ones, with a fourth nearly filled.
Zhang Ye’s eyes lit up.
Lina asked, “Brother Ye, are we going to talk business with them?”
Renomon asked curiously, “What do you mean by ‘talk business’?”
“It means robbery,” Lina replied.
Renomon: “...”
Zhang Ye laughed. “Of course we’re going to talk. They’re old customers; we have to give them a discount. Hmm... let’s wait until Samanra fills that fourth lamp. That way, the ‘discount’ is even better!”
Ella couldn't help but fly out and say, “Are you sure it’s for a discount and not just to steal more soul essences?”
Zhang Ye laughed in his mind. “It’s all the same. It’s a win-win situation!”
Meanwhile, the three members of the Wind Spirit family below suddenly felt their hearts skip a beat. Strange. Why did they have such an ominous feeling?
Samanra instinctively looked around but didn't spot the hidden trio. She eventually brushed it off as her overthinking. She looked at the Soul Essence Lamps on her waist and felt satisfied. Her luck was good; finding this farming spot would likely bring her points to over thirty million, which should be enough to compete for the top ten. With more effort later, the top five wouldn't be out of reach.
As for the top three... she wasn't sure, especially since that bastard Zhang Ye existed. At the thought of Zhang Ye, Samanra gritted her teeth in anger. That guy could release Tier Ten magic; she was no match for him. He had stolen their lamps, and she could only swallow her resentment.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. No, once they got out, she had to find a way to track down that bastard and teach him a lesson! She huffed and continued farming.
However, the more she farmed, the more unsettled she felt. She felt as if someone was watching her, making her skin crawl. Finally, the fourth lamp was full, and the monsters in the canyon were nearly gone. Samanra nodded in satisfaction, preparing to lead her cousins elsewhere.
But in the next moment, several Holy Light Shackles shot out of nowhere, binding the three of them instantly.
Zhang Ye jumped out and ran toward them with a skip in his step.
Zhang Ye: ε≡٩(๑>3<)۶ “A big customer!”
Samanra and her group: !!!Σ(O_O)Σ(゚д゚lll)Σ(O_O;) “Don’t come any closer!!!”

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