Chapter 11: Am I So Awesome?
Chapter 11: Am I So Awesome?
Be a chef?
After hearing Jiang Tian's explanation, Zhou Shang's mind was full of question marks.
Then, he let out a long breath and smiled. "I thought it was something serious, and this is your reason?"
Jiang Tian, who had already started removing the Death Substitution Bracelet, looked up in surprise.
That's it?
---
"Alright, don't take it off. There's no reason for me to take back something I've already given."
"Being a chef is fine. There's no conflict between being my student and continuing to pursue your craft."
"Besides, I'm a sculptor myself—I specialize in bone carving."
---
As he spoke, Zhou Shang waved his hand, his spatial ring flashing with light.
A small bone sculpture appeared on the desk beside Jiang Tian.
It was intricately carved, depicting a martial artist practicing martial arts.
Jiang Tian noticed that meridian lines were engraved on it.
And—perhaps it was just an illusion—he swore he could hear the faint roar of a tiger.
---
"Bone carving is just my hobby, but it has developed to the point where I can embed my cultivation techniques into it."
"In order to get better materials, I had to become stronger—to hunt more powerful alien creatures."
---
Zhou Shang's eyes twinkled as he looked at Jiang Tian.
"And you... The red pig arm used in the Starry Sky Gate summoning ritual—you ate it, didn't you?"
"How did it taste?"
---
As he spoke, Zhou Shang took out a pill and handed it to Jiang Tian.
---
"Since you want to be a chef, you'll naturally need better ingredients. And to obtain better ingredients, you'll need to become stronger."
"Don't you want to taste dragon liver and phoenix gall?"
"If you accept me as your teacher and train properly, you'll have the power to hunt the most exotic creatures—and cook the most exquisite dishes."
"There's no contradiction between your dream and your strength. In fact, they complement each other perfectly."
"Desires drive growth. Ambition fuels progress."
"To become a better chef, to create better dishes, to obtain the rarest ingredients—you will have to get stronger!"
---
Zhou Shang smirked.
"As for being embarrassed? You're joking. If you want, I'll even open a culinary department for you at my university!"
---
Jiang Tian's eyes widened.
"A cooking major… in a warrior university?"
"Is that even possible?"
He had originally refused because he didn't want to waste Zhou Shang's time or feel like he was disrespecting his teachings.
But…
This was different.
This… actually made sense.
---
Zhou Shang noticed Jiang Tian's hesitation and pointed to the pill in his hand.
"Why haven't you taken it yet?"
"You ate alien flesh. That's dangerous—you need to purge the toxins."
---
Jiang Tian frowned.
"Alien flesh is poisonous?"
---
"Of course." Zhou Shang nodded.
"Why do you think purification pills are so expensive? Because alien flesh is naturally toxic to humans. We have to refine it first."
"Take the red pigs, for example. You ate a single pig's trotter raw, but normally, it takes at least ten red pigs to refine a single Qi and Blood Pill."
"That's because we have to extract and neutralize the toxins first. Otherwise, it's lethal."
---
Jiang Tian was shocked.
"But I don't feel poisoned. I feel… perfectly fine."
---
Zhou Shang froze, then quickly pulled out an examination device.
He also took out a blood collection needle and pricked Jiang Tian's fingertip.
---
Nothing happened.
No blood.
The tiny wound closed instantly.
---
The two stared at each other.
One old, one young.
"..."
---
Jiang Tian sighed. "I have a strong recovery ability. Let me do it."
He pulled out a utility knife from his drawer, gathered his blood energy, and ignited his hand in a blood-red flame.
Then, he slashed his palm.
---
Blood dripped into the instrument.
Zhou Shang ignored the device completely—his entire focus was on Jiang Tian's wound healing before his eyes.
"This… this explains everything."
"This is why he was assumed to be heavily injured at the crime scene…"
"But then, in his report video, he looked completely unharmed."
---
Beep! Beep! Beep!
The instrument finished analyzing the sample.
Zhou Shang turned to check the results.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
---
[Blood Toxicity: 0]
[Status: Completely Clean]
---
Jiang Tian ate alien flesh… and wasn't poisoned?
---
But then—
Another number shocked Zhou Shang even more.
---
[Blood Qi Value: 999 (?)]
---
Zhou Shang stumbled back, rubbing his forehead.
He sat right down on the floor, overwhelmed.
"What the hell is going on?!"
---
Even among top warriors, the Blood Qi Value for a Level 0 student should never exceed 99 points.
A Level 1 Awakened Warrior maxes out at 999 points.
But Jiang Tian—who hadn't even awakened yet—had already hit 999 points.
And the question mark in the results…
That meant his true value might be even higher.
---
Jiang Tian read the numbers carefully, then looked at Zhou Shang, puzzled.
"Is there a problem with my test results?"
---
Zhou Shang took a deep breath.
He had to explain this clearly.
---
"You should know about the Blood Qi System, right?"
Jiang Tian nodded.
He had studied it in school.
---
[Blood Qi System Basics]
Level 0: Health Maintenance (Passive Nourishment)
Blood Qi Limit: 99 Points
Only top-tier prodigies surpass 100 before Awakening.
Level 1: Awakening (First Major Power Surge)
Blood Qi Limit: 999 Points
---
Jiang Tian looked back at his test results.
"So… I'm already at Level 1?"
---
Zhou Shang shook his head.
"No. You haven't even awakened yet."
"But your Blood Qi is already maxed out."
"This… This isn't genius-level anymore."
"You… You're a monster."
---
Jiang Tian was silent for a moment.
Then, he rubbed his chin.
"So, I'm really that amazing?"
---
Zhou Shang buried his face in his hands.
"Kid, you have no idea."