DEM Chapter 17: Wu Xingqi’s Nine Refining Methods!

Su Yuan’s unusual performance naturally caught the attention of PE teacher Zhuge Tie.

At first, he didn’t think much of it, assuming Su Yuan was just showing off and would fall back to his usual mid-pack position once he tired out.

But as time passed, and Su Yuan climbed to the top three in the class, doggedly sticking close behind Wu Xingqi without any sign of dropping back, Zhuge Tie started to lose his composure.

“Why is Su Yuan’s long-distance running so outstanding today? Last time we tested, he was only at a mid-tier level.”

He closely examined Su Yuan. With the sharp gaze of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he saw through every exposed inch of Su Yuan’s skin, observing the muscles beneath.

The rapid growth and strengthening of Su Yuan’s muscles during the run were crystal clear to Zhuge Tie.

Such a rate of physical improvement was far from ordinary.

“It feels a bit like those bodybuilders in the fitness world who use drugs. The hyper-excited mental state, the muscle growth speed, and the head… Su Yuan’s head seems a bit pointy too, though it’s not obvious.”

The thought flashed through Zhuge Tie’s mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

“No, while his muscle growth rate is abnormal, compared to the rigid muscles of those doped-up bodybuilders, his are remarkably balanced and flexible.”

“Could it be…”

A more shocking idea struck Zhuge Tie.

“Thinking about it, he just ate the food meant for Foundation Establishment cultivators that Teacher Li, Teacher Yue, and I left him at lunch. Maybe that’s what triggered this explosive growth in his physical strength!”

If you don’t eat enough, you lack strength, and your potential remains hidden!

The phrase suddenly surfaced in Zhuge Tie’s mind.

“Was Su Yuan’s average performance before because he wasn’t eating enough, lacking the nutrition to keep up? And today, after getting a big dose of nutrients, he’s finally showing his body-refining talent?”

“Have I been overlooking a body-refining prodigy all this time?”

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, and his excitement grew.

Along with excitement, a deep sense of guilt arose. Why hadn’t he taken better care of Su Yuan sooner?

If Su Yuan’s body-refining talent had been discovered in his first year, no, back in kindergarten, he might already be guaranteed a spot in one of the top ten immortal cultivation academies.

The thought made Zhuge Tie clench his fists in regret.

But he quickly rallied. With over half a year until the college entrance exam, it wasn’t too late to nurture Su Yuan’s talent now!

He, Zhuge Tie, would never be a mediocre teacher who failed his students.

Time flew by, and the hour-and-a-half-long run ended. Su Yuan ultimately couldn’t overtake Wu Xingqi, falling short by just half a body length.

If the run had lasted a bit longer, he was sure he could have passed that tanned firecracker.

“Section Chief Su, you were ferocious today! To catch up to me, you unleashed that kind of potential. Is this the power of love?”

Wu Xingqi, her tanned face glistening with sweat, approached Su Yuan, panting and exclaiming, “Just a bit more, and you would’ve caught me. Then I’d have had to keep my promise.”

I never made any promise with you, big sis.

Su Yuan wanted to retort.

But at that moment, his face suddenly changed. His body lurched forward, and his hands instinctively grabbed at anything for support, landing, by pure coincidence on Wu Xingqi’s… shoulders.

Wu Xingqi looked in surprise at the boy who seemed ready to collapse into her arms and said incredulously, “Is this the courage love gives you? Section Chief Su, I respect you as a true man!”

She gave him a thumbs-up.

“Help me up, I can barely stand.”

Su Yuan said weakly.

“Oh.”

After Wu Xingqi helped him steady himself and catch his breath, Su Yuan couldn’t help but curse the system in his mind.

The blue pill’s side effects weren’t clear at all! The moment the effect wore off, he was completely drained.

Thankfully, his pointy head, caused by the pill, had returned to normal without any lasting issues.

At that moment, Zhuge Tie approached, sizing Su Yuan up before saying calmly, “You’ve got multiple muscle strains and tears. It’s impressive you managed to keep up through an hour-and-a-half run.”

With that, he handed Su Yuan a capsule-shaped healing pill.

Though Zhuge Tie’s face remained stern, inwardly he admired Su Yuan even more.

Having body-refining talent was one thing, but this kid also had grit. Despite injuries, he kept going to the end without slowing down.

With such perseverance, he’d surely become an outstanding athlete.

After graduation, he’d probably move a couple more bricks than others at a construction site.

“Thanks, Teacher.”

After taking the healing capsule, Su Yuan soon felt the pain in his body gradually subside.

But its effects were nowhere near the blue pill’s.

As expected, system bro’s stuff was just too pure.

Just then, a “ding-dong” sounded in Su Yuan’s mind.

[Task Progress: Martial Arts Elder Favorability (125/80), Body Refining Elder Favorability (85/80)]

[Task Reward: Ancient Corpse Refining Technique (Issued)]

[Ancient Corpse Refining Technique: By locking a soul within its physical body, any living creature with a soul can be refined into a corpse puppet controlled by the refiner. The higher the creature’s level, the stronger the resulting puppet!]

The next second, Su Yuan’s mind was flooded with all the knowledge of the Ancient Corpse Refining Technique.

As its name suggested, the technique was profoundly sinister, so much so that just glimpsing it felt like it could taint the soul. Yet, in a single second, Su Yuan had completely mastered it.

This sudden expertise in corpse refining felt… well, how to put it?

He glanced at Wu Xingqi, who was supporting him, and his mind instantly conjured nine different ways to refine her into a corpse puppet.

The slight shyness from her standing too close vanished in an instant.

What the heck? Did this Ancient Corpse Refining Technique also suppress emotions and desires?

He wasn’t trying to be an ascetic monk! Wasn’t a sweet romance nice?

Su Yuan was utterly speechless. This blasted technique seemed to have nothing but downsides!

He quickly used his Brahma Pure Demon Heart to suppress the technique’s influence on his emotions, finally stopping himself from seeing Wu Xingqi as a corpse.

After letting Class Two rest for a bit, Zhuge Tie started the next round of PE activities.

Normally, PE class lasted two hours, followed by a one-hour math class under General Knowledge.

But just before math class was set to begin, Zhuge Tie announced that the math teacher was sick, so PE would continue.

The news sent waves of groans across the field.

Luckily, Su Yuan, due to his muscle strains, was allowed to rest during the extended PE class. Without the blue pill’s support, he definitely wouldn’t have lasted.

[NEXT CHAPTER]