Chapter 10: I Want to Be a Chef
After talking with his parents, Jiang Tian returned to his room.
Ding Dong.
His phone chimed with a text message. Jiang Tian took it out, glanced at the screen, and froze for a moment.
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"Dear user, hello..."
It was a familiar bank notification—his balance had increased by three million yuan.
If he looked carefully at the transaction details, he could see that it was labeled as a bounty, with no extra information attached.
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"The bounty for killing the Starry Sky Gate disciples arrived this quickly?" Jiang Tian was a little surprised as he read the message.
It was only just getting dark outside—at most two hours had passed. Was the process really this efficient?
No award ceremony? No formal recognition?
The money was just… transferred directly?
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Although puzzled, Jiang Tian didn't dwell on it. As long as the money was in his account, that was all that mattered.
"It's still early. Let's study."
He patted his face, took out his book, and began to focus.
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At the same time...
Outside his window, Zhou Shang had quietly arrived.
A faint glow of blood shimmered beneath his feet, his body radiating an intense energy.
He paced in the void, stepping through the air as if walking on solid ground, approaching Jiang Tian's room.
It took almost no effort for him to hover outside the window and peer inside.
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Through the glass, he saw Jiang Tian reading a book, practicing precise hand movements.
"With such terrifying talent, he still works this hard?
Studying late into the night, training his knife skills... Truly remarkable."
But then, Zhou Shang suddenly froze.
Something was… off.
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The book Jiang Tian was reading wasn't a martial arts manual.
It wasn't a guide on swordsmanship.
It was a book on culinary knife techniques.
"How to Develop Proper Knife Skills as a Chef."
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Zhou Shang took a closer look.
Jiang Tian's movements weren't combat knife techniques—
They were vegetable-cutting techniques.
"...He's just learning how to cook?"
For a moment, Zhou Shang felt an odd mix of emotions.
He had been too sentimental, assuming Jiang Tian was an unstoppable martial prodigy, dedicated to his craft.
But this kid… was just practicing cooking.
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Swish!
Zhou Shang's expression changed as he sensed killing intent.
Inside the room, Jiang Tian had stopped moving and was staring right at him.
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"I've been discovered. What keen perception."
Zhou Shang wasn't hiding deliberately, but ordinary people would never notice him.
Even for a martial artist, detecting him so quickly would be nearly impossible.
This kid really is a monster.
He hasn't even awakened yet, but he already has such sharp instincts.
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To avoid misunderstandings, Zhou Shang spoke directly—his lips unmoving, but his voice transmitted clearly into Jiang Tian's ears.
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"Don't be alarmed. I am Zhou Shang, president of Hongwu University in Xingcheng."
"You should have received the bounty, right? I arranged for it to be processed immediately—special matters require special handling."
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Jiang Tian remained cautious.
The man outside his window was standing mid-air, exuding an overwhelming presence.
A true top-tier expert.
If this person wanted to kill him, Jiang Tian knew—
He wouldn't even have a chance to fight back.
But… there was no hostility.
Jiang Tian took out his phone and quickly searched the name "Zhou Shang."
A detailed profile appeared.
The face matched. The credentials were legitimate.
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Zhou Shang smiled.
"It's not good to leave an old man standing in the cold night breeze. Why don't you invite me in for a chat?"
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Jiang Tian hesitated, then sighed.
"Principal Zhou, please come in."
He stepped forward and opened the window.
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A Strange Sight
Zhou Shang climbed through the window, stepping into the room.
Jiang Tian watched him, feeling a sense of absurdity.
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"This is the president of the second-best warrior university in the country… climbing through my window in the middle of the night?"
It just felt... weird.
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Once inside, Zhou Shang waved his hand.
A faint surge of blood energy filled the room, forming an invisible barrier.
Now, no sound could escape, and no one could enter without his permission.
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Zhou Shang studied Jiang Tian carefully.
"Good kid… taking down that many Starry Sky Gate disciples—
Even a Level 2 disciple?
Truly gifted. Beyond compare.
"This whole incident is being classified as top secret.**
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"Once your terrifying talent is exposed, alien races will stop at nothing to assassinate you."
"They will do everything in their power to prevent a future supreme powerhouse from emerging in the human race."
"You were too reckless. You should never have revealed your abilities so openly."
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Jiang Tian listened carefully, realizing Zhou Shang was speaking for his own good.
But instead of responding, he asked a question of his own.
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"Was it wrong for me to kill the Starry Sky Gate disciples?"
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Zhou Shang immediately shook his head.
"Of course not."
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"Then why should we hide doing the right thing?"
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Zhou Shang paused.
Then, after a moment—
He laughed.
"You're absolutely right. Why should we hide the right things?"
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Still, he continued, "But sometimes, concealment is necessary. The enemy must never know the full extent of your power."
Jiang Tian nodded in understanding.
"I'll be more careful next time."
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Then, he asked curiously—
"Principal Zhou, is my talent really that great?"
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Zhou Shang froze.
After all this…
This kid doesn't even realize how terrifying he is?
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"Very strong!" Zhou Shang nodded seriously.
Actually, he wanted to say "the strongest in history"—but he held back.
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Suddenly, the ring on Zhou Shang's hand flashed, and a bracelet appeared.
It looked plain, even worn out.
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"Take this. It's a life-saving item—a trophy I obtained fighting the Starry Sky Gate."
"Pour your blood and energy into it."
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Jiang Tian studied it carefully, then did as instructed.
Instantly, information flooded his mind.
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[Death Bracelet]
Activates upon a fatal strike—sacrifices itself to negate the attack.
Creates a defensive shield and teleports the user away.
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One extra life.
Jiang Tian's eyes widened.
This was… priceless.
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He tried to return it.
But Zhou Shang stopped him.
"No. Young warriors like you are the future. It's my duty to protect you."
"Consider it a gift from an elder."
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Then, Zhou Shang made an unexpected offer.
"Jiang Tian… I want to pass down everything I've learned to you."
"I want you to become my student."
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Jiang Tian fell silent.
Then, after some thought, he replied—
"I'm sorry, Principal Zhou. I can't accept."
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Zhou Shang's expression fell.
"Why?"
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Jiang Tian met his gaze, completely serious.
"I want to be a chef."
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Zhou Shang: "???"