Chapter 68: Urging the Campus Belle to Play Basketball

The budding affection that Lin Xuehong, Du Aizhu, and the others had just begun to feel for Zhang Pu was utterly crushed. How could they possibly compete with someone like Liu Qingyan? Liu Qingyan had come to encourage Zhang Pu, but to him, her words seemed laden with deeper meaning: she hinted that his sudden dominance on the basketball court might be due to some special, extraordinary method.

Zhang Pu knew exactly what she meant by those special methods; she had witnessed his capabilities back at Weiming Lake. But what he displayed on the court was certainly not the same formidable connections he had when drinking tea with Zhou Yu. No one knew yet about his ties to the influential figures of Qingwu District, and certainly, no one was intentionally losing to him because of those connections.

What Liu Qingyan alluded to—his sudden rise during the school basketball tournament—was, in fact, his use of certain special abilities, akin to the skills he wielded in the brawl at Weiming Lake. Zhang Pu had trampled several people there, and he sensed that Liu Qingyan, whether openly or secretly, had seen or at least guessed as much.

He even suspected he had caught Liu Qingyan following him, recalling how swiftly she had hidden herself at that time.

If Liu Qingyan wasn’t, like him, someone who cultivated immortality, then perhaps she practiced demon or monster arts, or at the very least, she was the prized disciple of some martial arts master. Her speed back then had left even Zhang Pu, on the verge of building his foundation, a little awestruck!

That kind of speed would have been inconceivable for anyone but someone at the pinnacle of martial arts. If Liu Qingyan was not a fellow cultivator, then perhaps those behind her were martial arts grandmasters. For ordinary people, outside of immortals, demons, and monsters, martial arts grandmasters were the highest pinnacle imaginable.

In his heart, Zhang Pu hoped Liu Qingyan was a martial artist; he was extremely reluctant to believe she practiced the demonic or monstrous paths. Though he had never truly considered her as anything like a girlfriend, he nonetheless hoped she would not stray down any evil path—after all, she was a truly outstanding girl! As for being a fellow cultivator, Zhang Pu thought it highly unlikely. He had the distinct impression that he was the only immortal cultivator on the entire planet.

Though he didn't trust his instincts implicitly, so far he had not sensed any trace of another cultivator on Earth.

Naturally, Zhang Pu could not confide in Liu Qingyan about his cultivation, no matter how close their relationship became; now was not the time for such truth. In response to her probing, he replied cryptically, suggesting that if she, as a heroine among women, took to the court, she would surely play exceptionally well.

The thought of someone like Liu Qingyan, the school’s renowned beauty, playing basketball made Zhang Pu inwardly amused.

Yet his words seemed to trigger something in Liu Qingyan, as if she realized he had discovered one of her secrets.

Soon after, as if unwilling to let Zhang Pu probe further, Liu Qingyan found an excuse to leave.

After she left, Du Aizhu sidled up to Zhang Pu, seemingly casual but clearly intentional.

“Just now, you seemed to imply that the great beauty Liu is also quite good at basketball…” Du Aizhu ventured, half-testing him.

She had overheard fragments of their conversation, and her curiosity was piqued.

“That’s right! She’s actually a hidden master of the game. Didn’t you know?” Zhang Pu, caught in the spirit of jest, replied mischievously.

Just then, Lin Xuehong joined them. Though she’d been a bit farther away due to some matters, she had been listening intently to Zhang Pu and Liu Qingyan’s conversation.

Hearing Zhang Pu declare so confidently that Liu Qingyan was a basketball prodigy, Lin Xuehong was truly astonished! It was rare enough for girls to play basketball, let alone someone of Liu Qingyan’s status—was it possible that she would willingly sweat and struggle on the court? It was almost unbelievable.

Yet Zhang Pu spoke with such conviction, his playful mood rising. He went further, encouraging Lin Xuehong and Du Aizhu to unite with the class leaders from other grades and persuade Liu Qingyan to join the school basketball team and help bring down the pride of Hope High School.

His words were so persuasive! If Zhang Pu hadn’t just become the brightest star on the court, neither Lin Xuehong nor Du Aizhu would have taken him so seriously. But things had changed; he was no longer a dispensable figure in their class.

However, as the initial excitement faded, the task he’d set for them seemed nearly impossible—they doubted that even if they managed to rally the other class leaders, anyone would dare broach the subject with Liu Qingyan.

In the modern high school, Liu Qingyan was in a league of her own. Rumor had it that her background was so formidable even the principal dared not treat her carelessly.

“Why don’t you talk to her? You’re closer to her,” Du Aizhu suggested after a moment’s hesitation, her usual mischievousness shining through.

Indeed, she was playful to the core—so thought Zhang Pu. These two girls were pushing the hot potato right back to him.

But Lin Xuehong, with her keen sense of the situation, noticed Zhang Pu’s unspoken thoughts. She had no intention of antagonizing him—he now represented the class’s honor, and as class president, she had to be cautious.

With a troubled expression, Lin Xuehong explained their predicament: it was all because Liu Qingyan remained so aloof; hardly anyone could hope to persuade her, and most didn’t even have the courage to approach her.

Zhang Pu laughed.

Since Lin Xuehong had taken the initiative to show humility, as class president no less, recognizing him as their leader, Zhang Pu felt satisfied.

He no longer pressed Lin Xuehong and Du Aizhu to persuade Liu Qingyan. Instead, he reassured them that he would speak to Liu Qingyan himself when he had the chance, and if she declined, it didn’t matter—he was confident he could still lead Modern High to victory over their formidable rivals at Hope High.

His words were like a lover’s comfort, and for a moment, Lin Xuehong and Du Aizhu felt their hearts blossom with joy.

Truly, in their hearts, Zhang Pu now outweighed all the others in the class by far!