Matrix Survival: One random treasure chest per day

Chapter 659 Bad Thing!
"Great!" Zhan Zhouzhou, who had rushed back, gave a thumbs up: "You're getting more and more fantastical."

"Fantasy?" Zhan Zhouzhou paused, her lips twitching. "Not really, it's more like high-level martial arts."

Li Zheng asked in surprise, "You read novels too?"

"What's so special about it?" Zhan Zhouzhou rolled her eyes under her hood. "I'm a modern young person too. What's wrong with reading novels in my spare time?"

"I thought you had a strict upbringing and wouldn't be exposed to these kinds of frivolous and decadent things," Li Zheng chuckled dryly. "After all, they're all virtual things."

“Virtual…” Zhan Zhouzhou paused for two seconds, then nodded: “Indeed, in the eyes of those of you who don’t know the ropes, those things are indeed virtual.”

"..."

"???"

Li Zheng was completely confused: "What do you mean?"

“You’re not in the circle, so you can only watch the show.” Zhan Zhouzhou explained, “Have you read the book ‘The Lonely Master’? The author is the president of the Martial Arts Association. It contains many insights into martial arts, all based on his own real experiences. It’s very valuable for our generation of young people.”

A master...lonely?
Li Zheng thought about it carefully. Wasn't that an online game novel?

Oh, right.

The online game version of "The Lonely Master" is set on Earth, but the current universe is the Blue Planet, so "The Lonely Master" might be a... Wuxia (martial arts) novel?
Li Zheng hadn't seen it before, so he could only nod blankly: "I see."

“Those long, rambling novels are probably boring for outsiders like you. It’s normal that you haven’t read them or can’t get into them.” Zhan Zhouzhou noticed Li Zheng’s confusion and didn’t continue the topic. “These twisted creatures are interesting. They have very strong bodies, but they’re not very bright. They only fight with brute force.”

If there were no environmental influences, Zhan Zhouzhou could play freely and was confident that he could take on ten opponents at the same time without being at a disadvantage.

In terms of pure martial arts combat ability, Li Zheng is far inferior to Zhan Zhouzhou. However, after observing the opponent's more refined "Piercing Swallow" move, Li Zheng had a premonition that he would also learn this move.

The enlightenment that the Bodhi tree brought him was simply unparalleled. Just by watching, he could automatically deduce the techniques that Zhan Zhouzhou used when he performed his moves.

At this moment, Li Zheng felt that he should hang out with Lady Zhan more often in the future, since any achievements she made in martial arts would eventually become his.

"Hmm, your martial arts are not bad, but unfortunately, they'll become mine in the next moment." Li Zheng thought to himself, what kind of invincible male protagonist template is this?
Unfortunately, this isn't the kind of fantasy world depicted in novels; the ceiling for martial arts here is probably quite low.

Thinking of this, Li Zheng suddenly remembered the move "Spatial Annihilation Version: Swallow Through the Hall" that he had created in the Dark Realm but had not yet been able to comprehend. Perhaps that level was the limit that this universe could achieve, which was why he could not comprehend it no matter what.

"..." Li Zheng thought about many things, and for some reason, his thoughts suddenly jumped to mental strength: "Speaking of which, my mental strength is so strong, as long as I improve my physique, I'll be invincible, right? Is it still necessary to practice martial arts?"

Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?
"It shouldn't count. After all, martial arts can also strengthen the body. Let's just consider it a way to improve physical strength." Li Zheng put away his wandering thoughts, looked up and found Zhan Zhouzhou standing in front of him, staring straight at him without saying a word. He was immediately startled: "What are you doing?"

"What am I supposed to do? Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Zhan Zhouzhou asked meaningfully, "I've noticed that you tend to space out a lot when you're with me, and you space out for a long time each time. Be honest, are you thinking about something naughty?"

Under the hood, Zhan Zhouzhou's cheeks suddenly turned bright red after she finished speaking the second half of her sentence.

Is this guy fantasizing about himself?
Probably not.

Miriel is better than him in both looks and figure, so he has no reason to fantasize about himself.

Ok……

What does he think about when he's spacing out?
Li Zheng honestly replied, "I've been studying your 'Swallow Through the Hall' move and have gained some insights."

"..." Zhan Zhouzhou was silent for a few seconds, the blush on her cheeks quickly faded, and an incredulous expression appeared on her face: "You comprehended the Swallow Through the Hall I just used? And you even gained some insights?"

"Correct."

"With your martial arts talent, do you think you can comprehend it?" Zhan Zhouzhou shook her head: "That's impossible!" She had already observed Li Zheng; he was a complete novice in martial arts. Even if she had a hundred years, he would never have been able to learn the "Piercing Swallow" move she had just used.

This isn't because she looks down on people, but because talent really limits every martial artist; those who lack talent will find their efforts less effective.

"Actually, it's not that difficult." Li Zheng took out a black iron longsword that he used to practice sword moves, casually flicked it into a decent sword flourish, then bent his elbow backward, briefly gathered his strength, and thrust it forward with force.

In an instant, he seemed to merge with the black iron longsword, transforming into a giant sword gleaming with black light, piercing through the air and appearing five meters away.

"You really mastered it?!" Zhan Zhouzhou's eyes widened, and she exclaimed in disbelief, "You... how did you do that?"

Li Zheng sheathed his sword and looked back at her: "Do you remember what I mentioned to you a few days ago? I have a treasure trove where you can improve your martial arts comprehension."

After obtaining the Bodhi Tree, he invited Zhan Zhouzhou to experience its effects and to try to comprehend the "Spatial Annihilation Version: Swallow Through the Hall." He wanted to make a comparison and see if the improvements he and top geniuses gained from using the Bodhi Tree were different.

However, Zhan Zhouzhou refused, claiming that she did not want to rely on external forces to improve her understanding of martial arts.

"What kind of treasure land could improve the comprehension of someone who is almost a martial arts idiot to this extent..." Zhan Zhouzhou's expression was complicated. The sword skills that she had painstakingly practiced and developed were replicated by this person with just one glance. She had to admit that she felt a little discouraged.

However, she quickly rallied: "He only learned my moves so quickly because he had a cheat code. With the same moves, there's almost no chance of him mastering them on his own. But I'm different. Everything I have is something I've figured out myself. I've worked hard and practiced diligently. I can figure out how to proceed. My path in martial arts is limitless, while he can only follow in my footsteps!"

But... Zhan Zhouzhou felt extremely unwilling that the moves she had worked so hard to master had been so easily learned by others.

After hesitating for a moment, she remembered that Li Zheng had once wanted to become her apprentice, but she had refused because he was not talented enough.

"Ahem... um..." She became unusually hesitant and asked, "Do you still want to become my disciple and learn swordsmanship from me?"

Li Zheng was taken aback: "Become an apprentice? Didn't you say I was too stupid and refused to take me on as an apprentice before?"

Why bring this up again all of a sudden?
“Times have changed. With your current comprehension, you’re barely qualified to become a swordsmanship apprentice at my Zhan family’s sword school.” Zhan Zhouzhou’s expression was somewhat unnatural.

Of course, she wouldn't say that she only took on a disciple because she didn't want an outsider to learn the true essence of the Zhan family's swordsmanship. Giving Li Zheng the title of disciple was just a roundabout way so that she could feel better when she saw him use the swordsmanship in the future.

"How come you're only an apprentice?" Li Zheng said discontentedly. "Isn't this the same as those people learning swordsmanship in live-streaming rooms?"

"They are students, not apprentices," Zhan Zhouzhou explained earnestly. "Students can only learn the basic sword techniques of the Zhan family from me, while apprentices can receive the more core sword techniques."

"For example?"

"For example, sword techniques similar to the 'Swallow Through the Hall' move just now." Zhan Zhouzhou said without batting an eye. If she had only mastered one move of that level so far, she wouldn't mention it at all.

Li Zheng thought about it carefully: "I won't bow down. Anyway, I can learn it after you use it once. If I bow down to you as my master, I'll be inferior to you and you'll take advantage of me."

"What?" Zhan Zhouzhou was so angry that her teeth itched: "You stole my martial arts moves, isn't that taking advantage of me?"

“One is me getting the better deal, and the other is me being taken advantage of, what do you think?” Li Zheng turned his head and said, “Let’s go, we still have to find the next twisted creature.”

Zhan Zhouzhou roared in fury: "You scoundrel, stop right there! You must become my disciple today!"

She swiftly conjured the Purple Extreme Thunder Sword and, brimming with murderous intent, caught up with Li Zheng.

Strangely, despite feeling extremely angry, she was not affected by her surroundings and lost her composure.

"Heh, don't even think about it." Li Zheng sneered, quickening his pace while maintaining his mental strength to form an isolation layer around Zhan Zhouzhou, reducing the influence of the evil thoughts in the Sin Domain.

(End of this chapter)