3 Chapter 2
Lin Ming was elated, and not without reason.
Knowing what was going to happen in the future was already a great advantage, it was even more so to be the protagonist, but if you add to that a system...
Too overpowered!
A silly smile hung on Lin Ming's lips at the very thought. In his unstoppable curiosity, he began to check the system closely.
At that moment, a skill panel appeared before him.
'Hmm? Is that a progress bar? 100%?'
Lin Ming suddenly realized that there was a progress bar below the skill panel which was already full.
With the progress bar full, a lottery screen appeared on the skill panel.
[Drawing passive skills...]
[Drawing successful!]
[Passive skill obtained, Parallel Thinking!]
Parallel Thinking: Your mind can focus entirely on two different tasks simultaneously.
Lin Ming at that moment felt that the world became wider.
The information he was able to record increased in scope and diversity as if there were another him.
It was a truly magical experience.
To determine just how far this passive ability could go, Lin Ming began to perform two mathematical operations of some complexity at the same time.
And, it worked just as he expected.
He didn't know if a martial artist would ever be able to attain a similar ability, but even if that were the case, at least Lin Ming would already have a head start.
Turning his attention once again to the skill panel he found that the progress bar was empty. Which led him to ask himself a question, how could he fill it up again?
...
At the base of the great Zhou Mountains was a stretch of buildings extending up to twenty miles in length.
This was the operations area of the Seven Profound Martial House and today was registration day for those wishing to take the entrance assessment.
A crowd gathered on the field before the Martial House.
Despite having arrived deliberately late, there was still a vast number of applicants. These formed three neat rows, and each row stretched up to several meters long.
At a glance, it was already visible that Lin Ming and Ling Xiaodong would still have to wait in line for another hour to complete registration.
The duo looked at each other and sighed despondently.
In their annoyance and boredom, Lin Xiaodong noticed a small door nearby.
"Oh there's a door," Ling Xiaodong pointed.
Lin Ming knowing the plot decided to give the fat young man a little insight.
Clearing his throat, Lin Ming spoke, "Little Xiaodong, that place is reserved for nobles."
"Master, what do you mean?" Lin Xiaodong played along.
With an erect posture and an aura befitting a sage, Lin Ming said, "Since the Seven Profound Martial House was built on the land, buildings, and resources of the Heaven's Fortune Realm, it is only natural to give some face to the elite classes of the realm."
With a glint of understanding in his eyes, Lin Xiaodong continued, "Then, many of the affairs of the martial house would be handed over to the elites for management... An example of this was today's registration for the entrance exam!"
"Worthy of being my disciple," Lin Ming declared grandly.
Lin Xiaodong, bowed slightly and said modestly, "No way master, it's all due to your great teachings."
"It's good that you understand, Little Xiaodong."
As they entertained themselves with their slapsticks, out of the corner of their eyes they noticed that the doors to the gate were open.
Two young men came out of the door; one of them was wearing blue clothes with a long sword tied around his waist. His hair was tied up in a gold-colored headpiece and he had an attractive appearance.
Was Zhu Yan, an enemy of the original Lin Ming. This he was already part of the Seven Profound Martial House.
Not only that, but he even excelled in such a competitive environment where the best talent from the Sky Fortune Kingdom gathered.
"Damn, we ended up meeting an obnoxious person," Lin Xiaodong muttered sadly.
Zhu Yan walked beside the other young man. The rest of the nobles waiting outside decided to follow them. It seemed that Zhu Yan was leading the other young man to check in.
The two of them continued walking forward. At this pace, it was inevitable that Lin Ming and Zhu Yan would meet.
If he were the original Lin Ming, he would not have backed down, Instead, he would have faced Zhu Yan head-on. Such was his martial arts path.
But now... A tactical retreat!
Lin Ming retreated giving way to Zhu Yan, and seeing that Lin Xiaodong did not follow, he grabbed him on the shoulder and pulled him.
"Huh?" Lin Xiaodong was confused at the sudden movement.
Zhu Yan who had already noticed them looked at Lin Ming with contempt.
It wasn't just because of the innate arrogance of the elites. Such an attitude originated because of a certain woman, Lan Yunyue.
Lan Yunyue was Lin Ming's childhood sweetheart, but because she felt she could reach greater heights with Zhu Yan, she left him.
Although that alone was not enough to instigate such hostility from Zhu Yan toward Lin Ming.
This enmity was because Lan Yunyue still held Lin Ming in her heart! Causing the relationship with Lan Yunyue to not progress as Zhu Yan would want it to.
What man would be happy with that?
Therefore, he wanted to teach this pain in the ass a 'little' lesson. However, Lin Ming ran away without a fight, giving way for Zhu Yan to belittle him even more.
Of course, this result pleased Zhu Yan. It was as if Lin Ming himself declared: I will not cause problems.
With Lin Ming showing by his actions the attitude he would have toward Lan Yunyue, Zhu Yan, being the magnanimous man he was, ignored him and continued on.
'Garbage'.
Not without first insulting him in his head.
Soon, Lin Ming and Lin Xiaodong could only watch the backs of Zhu Yan and his group.
"Brother Ming, why?" Lin Xiaodong said in frustration.
Contributing to making that monstrosity feel good didn't please him at all.
Understanding Lin Xiaodong's question, Li Ming explained, "Xiaodong, Lan Yunyue left, and I can't deny that it was painful. But I am also no one to tell her how to live her life. She will be with whoever she wants to be with, simple as that."
Lin Xiaodong opened his eyes in surprise.
"Brother Ming... You're really great!" He gave a thumbs up and said in admiration upon hearing his words.
Lin Ming didn't have to say much to convince Ling Xiaodong, that's how reasonable his argument was.
Besides, Lin Ming was a person who would despise lying about such matters, and Lin Xiaodong knew that very well.
Yet in this old-fashioned society, there was the possibility of being criticized for it.
Nevertheless, the context of the separation also had to be taken into account.
Which fell on the premise that Lin Ming and Lan Yunyue did not officiate anything about what they felt, despite already being aware of each other's feelings.
In short, they were not a couple.
To conclude, since Lin Ming did not take the confrontational route, he would no longer lose his housing to a monkey-eared bootlicker, which would save him from future problems.
Obviously, by being able to anticipate the consequences of his actions, his decisions would naturally be better.
