Chapter 017

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‘ ‘ for thoughts.

“ “ for speech.

<> for non-verbal communication like telepathy

Please point out any mistakes/inconsistencies you find and feel free to comment on anything regarding this FF.

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Warning: May contain mature content (18+) of an adult nature. Read at your own risk.

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Note:

Although the full name mentioned here are Chinese style, (example: Fang Hao, surname Fang first then given name Hao), the names clubbed with descriptions are description and then given name instead of description and surname (example Fatty Hao and not Fatty Fang).

Btw, I read all your comments, but may not reply to each and every one separately.

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After the competition concluded, Fang Hao opted to wait by the dining hall for his dusk meal instead of cultivating. All the fighting had tired him and made him hungry. Also, he was a bit paranoid about Old Man Zhu’s invitation and not in an ideal mindset to cultivate. He was lying on the grass outside the dining hall, chatting with his clique as he gazed at the sky. It was good to relax for a change. While he was being complemented by his clique, he made it a point to complement Fatty Lin. Even though Fatty Lin had the weakest talent in cultivation amongst them, he had progressed the farthest in the competition, apart from himself.

“See Brothers, talent is not everything! Self-confidence and determination can help a lot! Fatty Lin’s opponents were shaken by his unyielding attitude. So we should work hard at cultivating. One day, instead of just eating a spirit chicken’s offal…I would like to eat the meat of a whole roasted spirit chicken, seasoned with spirit herbs! We shouldn’t give up, brothers.” Fang Hao gave a pep talk, more to himself than his clique.

While there was a possibility of him being suspected, there was no concrete proof. While his performance was surprising…it wasn’t heaven defying! Hell, a distinguished adult mortal solider would have way more stamina than him. There was no point in getting depressed over unlikely pitfalls. Sure, it was better to plan for it in advance and avoid it…but what is done is done. Also, it wasn’t like the mortal world had no body refining scriptures.

There were fragments of the worst body refining scriptures circulating among the mortal military and mercenary guilds. Sure, it couldn’t be compared to the Divine Vajra Body Scripture, but he hadn’t progressed far enough for his body to be regarded exceptional among cultivators. He still had a body which was in the limits of what was achievable in the mortal world. For all intents and purposes, he was just a sturdier fatty. His mood improved significantly after he organized his thoughts and consolidated his knowledge. ‘When I reach Qi Condensation and gather a few contribution points, I should elect for a body refining manual/scripture. That way, I will have a solid excuse for my potent and dashing physique.”

The dinner was a sumptuous meal of beef noodle soup, roasted duck, bamboo shoots with silkworm larvae and rice. He especially liked bamboo shoots with silkworm larvae dish. It was the first time, in both his lives, that he had tasted it. In fact, he had more of it than everything else combined! ‘I am already fat as fuck. No point in restraining myself. This is the good stuff. Where was this stuff in my previous life? The bamboo shoots are good…but who would have thought insect grub would be so tasty!’ Fang Hao though happily as he took his 7th serving of the silkworm larvae dish. He hummed a jolly tune as he took a hill like serving back to his table. Ah being fat is so nice. I don’t have to give a fuck about overeating as I am already fat. And fuck your judgmental stares plebeians! This daddy is already fat and gives zero fucks about your attitude.’ thought Fang Hao as he swallowed a couple of silkworm larvae from his plate before reaching his table.

The other fatties of his clique were inspired by his appetite and took way more their usual serving. The janitorial disciple in charge of serving the meal had his heart full of disdain. But he dared not refuse the demand of the five meatballs. After all, they were quite generous with the spirit chicken offal they offered in exchange for having offal stew cooked for them. Compared to the disdain and bargaining of other outer disciples, the five fatties gave what they promised without scorn and complaint, and their seniors had strictly instructed them not to offend them as far as possible…even if each of them ate the food of almost three people. Still, the unrestrained gluttony exhibited by the five dumplings was attracting more than a little attention in the dining hall.

With a satisfied expression and titillating sensation, Fang Hao returned to his courtyard and earnestly started practicing the 4th move of the Divine Vajra Body Scripture. After a satisfying and fulfilling meal, he was at his peak and practiced the body refining scripture continuously, taking breaks only to circulate the 4th layer of the Sublime Qi Manual to recover his used Qi. From the time he was sloshed with Spirit Wine, he noticed that he was significantly quicker at the Sublime Qi Manual circulations, with each circulation being much more efficient. Soon it was dawn, as his rumbling stomach notified him.

Fang Hao had a hearty dawn meal and returned to practicing. He realized that a calm and satisfied mind, significantly boosted his practicing speed as he went to the Assignment Hall to drink with Old man Zhu. Initially, he was cautious and guarded, fearing exposure. When he finished his third cup, Old Man Zhu had a satisfied expression on his face as he said, “Junior Hao, the way you sat on the competitors was simply priceless! It was the first time in century I had such a laugh!” Fang Hao was quite sloshed, though not at the point of unconsciousness, as he replied with a slurred tone “Shenior, One of the few advantagesh I have is my weight! In order to consherve my shtamina, I sat on them, to humiliate and intimidate them! I shkipped two rounds with the opponentsh conceding immediately, being too afraid of facing me!”

Old Man Zhu gulped down another cup and said, “Don’t be too humble little fatty, the look of humiliation and shame on your second opponent’s face was the best laugh in a century! But why did you give up on No. 21? You could have won if you persisted for a bit.” Fang Hao was drunk, but since he had rehearsed and prepared repeatedly for similar queries, he replied naturally, “Shenior, I wash at my limitsh. Maybe I could have won…but I wash too tired.” Old Man Zhu had a somber expression, as he dropped a bombshell, “Say little fatty, how about being my disciple?”

Even though Fang Hao was inebriated, he still had a bit of hesitation on his face. With what little sense he retained, he still understood that taking a master in this situation was a big deal. Seeing the puzzled silence of the little fatty Old Man Zhu said, “If you officially accept me as your master, You would have a lot more spirit wine to drink…and maybe I can let you sample some more potent spirit liquor!” Hearing old Man Zhu’s proposal, Fang Hao was sold! As of right now, he didn’t give a shit about the seriousness of a Master-Disciple relationship! The phrase “more potent spirit liquor” had him sold. He did a swaying kowtow, with his head almost banging the floor, as he slurred “Thish dishiple greets hish mashter!”

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Since I shifted to my current job, I am having one fateful encounter after another! Last weekend I met my long lost childhood friend…and today after work I was pub hopping, I met my ex! She was already married and was miserable and had already applied for a divorce. OK I didn’t get laid today. But still, knowing that your ex who had humiliated you in public and dumped you years ago, was miserable at this point of life, while I was happy and content, sure did lift my spirits! Needless to say I enjoyed quite a bit of schadenfreude and am drunk as fuck…since I received my paycheck! So please excuse my mistakes if they are more than usual.

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