Chapter 191 - 146: Meeting in Person

Chapter 191: Chapter 146: Meeting in PersonJi Xinghuo immediately became cautious, "You’re not just acting to deceive me, are you?" "Wishful thinking." Zhao Manying gave him a sidelong glance. She was talking about something serious, and his suggestion of "acting" had ruined the atmosphere. However, it implicitly confirmed that he really was her Heart Demon. She said irritably, "Is a nobody like you worth me putting on an act to deceive?" "That’s true, hahaha..." Ji Xinghuo felt a bit embarrassed. Calling himself a "nobody" at the time was partly due to the huge disparity in strength and reputation between the two of them in the past. Later on, as he caught up with and matched her, he developed a kind of retaliatory psychology from feeling good about himself. He hadn’t expected her to remember it till now. Clearly, Zhao Manying had noticed this subtle emotion and, despite saying she wanted to find out his identity, she hadn’t actually taken action to do so. "I’m serious." Zhao Manying’s expression was very formal, "I want to challenge you offline, and regardless of the outcome, you won’t have to take any responsibility. I can offer you a reward." "There’s no need for a reward." Ji Xinghuo shook his head. "You agree?" Zhao Manying said delightedly. "Of course." Ji Xinghuo didn’t hesitate much. His identity was a minor matter. If the Heart Demon issue was as serious as Zhao Manying described, potentially affecting the new season, he indeed wanted to help her overcome it. However, whether she would actually overcome it would depend on her abilities. "By offline, do you mean a real-world battle or the Spirit Realm World?" he asked directly. Both were considered offline. The Spirit Realm World couldn’t be accessed through the internet; one had to be present and use a projection cabin to enter it. In the Spirit Realm World, real combat could be fully simulated and was safer. It was also more familiar to Zhao Manying, since the Super League matches were held there, making it her home ground advantage. "I’m fine with either, you decide." Zhao Manying replied casually, revealing her confidence once again. "Let’s do it in the Spirit Realm World then," Ji Xinghuo said with a laugh, "Real-world combat is hard to control. If I accidentally hurt you and it affects your new season, I would become a sinner." "What do you mean by that?" Zhao Manying became displeased upon hearing this. "No other meaning, I’m just being honest," Ji Xinghuo said plainly, not beating around the bush and expressing his true thoughts, "You challenging me offline really isn’t a wise choice. It’s possible that it won’t break your Heart Demon but will make it even worse." Zhao Manying stared at him, then suddenly started laughing. "Has anyone ever told you that you’re very arrogant?" She laughed so hard she nearly couldn’t stop, "Anyone listening to you would think you’re the top of the ladder." Ji Xinghuo spoke indifferently, "Your number one spot on the ladder will eventually be mine." "You’re too conceited!" Zhao Manying’s smile faded, and she became serious, suddenly saying, "If I lose this offline challenge, then I’ll be your girlfriend." Ji Xinghuo’s expression froze, "Isn’t that going a bit too far?" "You don’t want it?" Zhao Manying snorted, "Or do you think you’ve already won?" Ji Xinghuo didn’t respond, but his expression said it all. "Do you already have a girlfriend?" Zhao Manying pressed him, "Even if you have a girlfriend, I don’t care. Because you can’t possibly beat me!" "I don’t have a girlfriend, but I advise you to think over this wager carefully. I’ll allow you to take back your words," Ji Xinghuo was truly considering her situation. They were just online friends, and although they had become quite familiar with each other, he knew her character of sticking to her word. The situation could become very awkward for both, potentially ruining even their friendship. The more confident she was now, the more embarrassing it would be for her if she lost. "I’ve already thought it through; there’s no way I’ll take it back." Zhao Manying, as if spirited, rejected Ji Xinghuo’s well-meaning advice, finding his arrogance unbearable. Her pride as the top of the ladder wouldn’t allow her to swallow this affront. Most importantly, she truly believed she couldn’t lose. Overcoming a Heart Demon required confidence, which was why she went all-in without hesitation. If she faltered now, even the slightest bit, her Heart Demon would become even more unbeatable. Ji Xinghuo realized this was a deadlock. "I know what I’m doing. Let’s settle on that," Zhao Manying said quite casually, "Also, I want a real-world fight, not the Spirit Realm World." She was all in. Ji Xinghuo shook his head helplessly, experiencing the fickleness of a woman again; she had just said he could decide, and now she had changed her mind. He didn’t try to persuade her any further; after all, he wouldn’t be at a loss. "You set the time and place." "Right now," Zhao Manying said, somewhat eagerly, "Chang’an has many upscale Martial Arts Arenas, but they’re crowded and it’s not convenient to reserve one now and clear it out. Do you mind if the place is a bit remote?" "Anything is fine." "Then let’s go to Huashan," Zhao Manying said, "There were sword contests on Huashan in ancient times; today, we’ll have a Huashan ladder contest." "Wouldn’t that be too far?" Ji Xinghuo scratched his head, "I’m in Qishan District, getting to Huashan means crossing the whole of Chang’an." However, Zhao Manying didn’t want to make any more changes. "You wait for me downstairs at the Miaoyang Building, and I’ll pick you up to go together." With the developed traffic nowadays, there was no need for a pick-up. But she did this, obviously to put Ji Xinghuo at ease, after all, they were going to the remote Huashan, and going together could prove that she had no other schemes. "Okay," Ji Xinghuo didn’t play coy, "I’ll be there in half an hour." After he finished speaking, he logged off. Ji Xinghuo changed into a black Martial Arts Uniform and put on a jacket outside of it, took both Lei Chi and Demon Sound swords, and also carried the Invisible Stab on his back. He stretched out his hand to summon Qing Hong, made it shrink, and hid it in his pocket—nearly fully armed. "Iron Hammer" was also loaded with ammunition and hidden in the Dimension Stomach. Although the probability of Zhao Manying harboring ill intentions toward him was extremely low, one can never be too cautious; he still needed to be fully prepared. Ji Xinghuo left the house, got into a Magnetic Levitation Car, and soon entered the Superconductive Highway. Passing through the neon-lit city, in less than half an hour, he arrived at the Miaoyang Building. This landmark, over 1800 meters tall, stood in the night among the clouds like a magnificent palace suspended in the sky. Ji Xinghuo had been here a few times, having held his birthday banquet here on his 22nd birthday. Only today did he find out that Zhao Manying lived above. The top of Miaoyang Building was a high-end residential area, and its location, height, view, and notoriety pushed housing prices to an unattainable level for most people. He had seen news before that the price per square meter of residential space at the top of Miaoyang Building exceeded one million, and these were all super-large units over a thousand square meters, with incredibly luxurious interiors, one of Earth’s most expensive real estate resources and a symbol of status and wealth. Arriving downstairs, Ji Xinghuo got out of the car and waited at the building’s main entrance. This was the previously agreed meeting point. It was now after nine o’clock, the liveliest time of the evening. Below Miaoyang Building was Chang’an’s most prosperous central area, where giant screens on surrounding buildings were flashing, playing advertising videos; the sky was colorful and the ground bustling with activity, as people moved in and out of various malls, bars, and cinemas amidst the noise, yet it was orderly, showcasing a vibrant economy. All sorts of transportation vehicles dazzled the onlookers, racing on the multi-layered Superconductive Highway. The dress styles of the people were also wildly diverse. Some were suited and booted with hair meticulously combed, like gentlemen from an old era; others were unconventional, strolling the streets in shorts and short sleeves despite the cold end of winter; some dressed carefully, like models on a runway; while others wore armor or dressed as characters from movies and TV, their hair dyed in various colors. Most people still dressed normally, but they did not reject these unusual outfits and would often give them more than a glance as they passed by, occasionally asking for a photo together. In the Asia-Pacific Community, the society advocated personal freedom for its citizens, where anything not prohibited by law was permissible. As long as it wasn’t illegal, nobody would criticize. Ji Xinghuo, carrying swords and arrows, stood on the street corner and didn’t attract much attention. Occasionally, passersby would glance at him, but they found nothing strange. He waited two minutes. Rumble... A deep engine roar approached, and Ji Xinghuo heard it from afar. It came from the underground garage behind the Miaoyang Building and circled around to the main entrance. It was a Light Wheel Motorbike, quickly pulling up in front of him. Sёarch* The NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The black body of the motorcycle was most striking for its two huge hollow tires, with blue-white light rings on the edges, connecting along the vehicle’s body that was over two meters long. Bright lines were present all over the body, making it heavy yet not losing agility with its streamlined design, resembling a piece of exquisite art. The Light Wheel Motorbike was an electric magnetic levitation motorbike that could travel on regular roads as well as Superconductive Highways, with a top speed of up to 500 kilometers per hour. This Light Wheel Motorbike was the latest "Nightwalker" model, priced in the tens of millions. Nowadays, the vast majority of people wouldn’t buy a vehicle because there was no need, but deep down inside every man and some women was a love for vehicles. And among these, the flashy Light Wheel Motorbike was the most fascinating. This was the dream machine many people yearned for! When the Nightwalker stopped at the roadside, it immediately drew the attention of those around, who stopped and watched. Not just the men, but the women also looked on with interest. The Rider on the Light Wheel Motorbike wore a black, shiny, one-piece leather suit that clung to the tantalizing curves of her body, highlighting her shapely figure. Although her face was hidden behind a helmet, with only a few strands of pink hair visible at her neck, her tall and commanding form alone was enough to stir the imagination. A Light Wheel Motorbike paired with a beautiful woman was a focal point in any crowd. Ji Xinghuo noticed that there was a sword inserted on the right side of the Light Wheel Motorbike. "Is she Zhao Manying?" Magnetic field sensing detected that the female rider in front of him was very strong, and the fluctuations of Ether Energy were similar, close to the peak of a Super Mutant. But magnetic field can only sense shapes, not true faces. "New Sky 2225?" A familiar voice came from under the helmet. "It’s me," Ji Xinghuo nodded, finally confirming that she was Zhao Manying. He had to admit that her first impression was completely different from her public image, entirely beyond his expectations. Zhao Manying gave him a quick up-and-down glance, her helmet nodding, then she patted the back seat of the Light Wheel Motorbike. "Hop on."