Chapter 44: The College Entrance Exam Is Far Too Easy

"How… how did you get up here?!"

Wang Bao was startled!

This was the fourth floor!

Ling Qiu couldn't be bothered to respond. He strolled forward and addressed Brother Zhou, "Um, you… Zhou something, I have a question for you."

Hearing this, Brother Zhou's eyes narrowed. "Kid, you seem to misunderstand your situation. Just because Miss Gardenia helped you out once doesn't mean you have a permanent free pass."

He was truly drunk.

It was the first time he'd ever seen someone escape with their life from the Sky Garden Club, only to come back and court death again!

But…

He was also a little puzzled—this was the fourth floor. How had Ling Qiu gotten up here?

Could it be…

This Ling Qiu really did have some skills?

He'd just heard Wang Bao say that Ling Qiu had taken out seven or eight men on his own!

If the man truly had some ability, climbing up the outside of the building along the sign wasn’t entirely impossible.

Ling Qiu, not in the mood for idle chatter, stepped up to Brother Zhou. "Roll up your sleeve."

His sleeve?

Brother Zhou frowned, feeling a little baffled.

"What are you trying to say?—You’d best leave before I lose my temper."

Ling Qiu said coolly, "You seem pretty tough. Go ahead, attack me."

Wang Bao, standing by the side, was utterly bewildered.

This guy…

Is he really crazy??

From the sound of it, he came back just to pick a fight with Brother Zhou?

Does he really want to get beaten half to death?

"Kid! Do you even know who you—mph!"

Before Wang Bao could finish, Ling Qiu raised his hand and slapped him hard across the face!

Wang Bao crashed to the ground, clutching his mouth; several teeth and a mouthful of blood dripped through his fingers!

Ling Qiu glanced at him. "Weren’t you planning on coming after me later? No need to wait—do it now."

Wang Bao’s head buzzed from the blow, the pain dizzying him; he couldn’t even stand.

"So, you’re dead set on seeking your own demise!"

Though he couldn't make sense of Ling Qiu’s motives, now that things had escalated, there was no reason to hesitate!

Brother Zhou’s aura surged, and both fists shot out!

Bang!

His fists landed squarely on Ling Qiu’s raised forearm!

"Such speed! But unfortunately… against my fists, your arm must be broken by now—ah!"

Before he could finish, Ling Qiu twisted his arm back sharply!

Crack!

Brother Zhou’s arm was instantly dislocated!

Ling Qiu flipped him over, pinning him down with a foot on his back. Without another word, he rolled up Brother Zhou’s sleeve and, wearing his Yama Ring, gripped the man’s wrist.

A faint hum reverberated—

Ling Qiu narrowed his eyes, controlled his breath, and probed carefully.

Hmm?

Ling Qiu paused.

Brother Zhou’s tattoo did indeed contain some ghostly energy… but within his body, there was no imprisoned ghost spirit.

Had he been mistaken?

Or was it that, in this mundane world, even if someone inherited the technique to seal evil spirits, they only knew a fraction of it and couldn't complete the seal?

Regardless, the ghostly energy proved he was on the right track!

Brother Zhou—he definitely had a background!

Ling Qiu was no busybody…

But his instincts told him that following this lead could uncover something significant!

After all, Ling Qiu’s cultivation urgently required a supply of soul spirits as ‘food’. If they were evil spirits, even better!

"That tattoo—what’s its story?"

Ling Qiu's voice was icy.

"What tattoo? I don’t know what you’re talking about!"

Stunned by Ling Qiu’s skill, Brother Zhou hadn’t expected this young man to be such a formidable fighter!

As he spoke, his legs suddenly executed a scorpion kick, aiming for a surprise attack!

But Ling Qiu blocked it with a swift move of his arm!

Crack!

The bone snapped!

Brother Zhou’s leg was instantly broken!

"Ah—!"

Brother Zhou cried out in pain but didn’t scream; he was a hard man.

"I’ll ask again—what’s the story behind the tattoo?"

Beep beep!

Just then, Wang Bao, who was already dumbstruck by the scene, heard his walkie-talkie beep.

Next, a sultry, languid voice came through the speaker, "Ling Qiu, you want to know about the tattoo?"

Ling Qiu snatched the walkie-talkie. "You know the answer?"

The voice chuckled softly, "Come to the top-floor lounge, and I’ll tell you. Let Wang Bao and Xiao Zhou go—I’ll send someone to fetch you."

"All right."

Ling Qiu let go of Brother Zhou at last.

Brother Zhou gasped, enduring the pain, and stared at Ling Qiu as if he’d seen a ghost.

He simply couldn’t understand… how could this young man be so strong?

It was just a couple of moves, but as a seasoned fighter, Brother Zhou knew—just from those moves—Ling Qiu was in a league of his own.

Moments later, two expressionless men in black suits arrived and escorted Ling Qiu to the top floor.

The elevator doors opened. At the end of the hallway was a single door.

Ling Qiu walked straight over.

Just as he reached it, a voice called from inside, "The door’s open for you—come in."

Sure enough, the door swung open with a creak.

Ling Qiu stepped inside. It was a spacious suite.

Nylon carpet covered the floor. At the far end to his right stood a bar, where a seductive woman in a purple cheongsam perched on a high stool, one long, pale leg crossed, the tip of her high-heeled shoe dangling and swaying.

Her eyes were sultry, features exquisite, skin snow-white. In one hand she held a glass of red wine, sipping elegantly.

She didn’t look at Ling Qiu, but spoke lazily, "A freshly opened aged red. Come, have a taste."

Her aura was bewitching, as if she were a spirit come to tempt mortals. Sitting sideways at the bar, her shapely figure was the epitome of sensuality.

Ling Qiu walked over and sat at the bar.

He said nothing, merely narrowed his eyes and watched her.

She smiled, lips pursed. "The wine’s in front of you. Surely you’re not expecting a lady to pour it for you?"

Ling Qiu asked, "You’re… Miss Gardenia?"

She swirled her glass gently. "That’s what everyone here calls me. So, I suppose I’m who you’re looking for."

A temptress.

That was Ling Qiu’s immediate verdict.

Every gesture, every word she spoke exuded a unique, alluring charm.

A woman like this—if she wanted—could easily stir the most primal desires in almost any man.

"Not drinking?"

Seeing Ling Qiu unmoved, Miss Gardenia finally turned to face him, her bewitching eyes sizing him up. "Nothing remarkable about your looks, quite young… no wonder Yao Yao couldn’t see your strengths. The girl’s still young, not skilled at reading people."

She lit her pipe, took a languid draw, and exhaled a fragrant wisp of smoke. "But… I’m starting to understand why Old Master Qin values you."

Old Master Qin?

Yao Yao?

Ling Qiu thought for a moment, recalling the old man he’d once rescued by chance.

Miss Gardenia continued, "Anyone who can recognize that tattoo… is certainly no ordinary person."