Chapter 80: So Weak

Ever since Liu Xin became a gene warrior, not a single ordinary person had dared utter a curse word in his presence. Even those from the gene families treated him with courtesy and respect.

Yet today, as he escorted the Awakening Serum to this place called Capital First High School, a mere student—an ordinary one at that—had the nerve to point at his nose and hurl insults at him. And not just any insults; each word hit straight to his core, stabbing deeply at his nerves, challenging his limits with every phrase.

Humiliation. Naked, undisguised humiliation. Not only did it belittle him as a gene warrior, but it also shamelessly trampled upon his very soul.

He despised pretty boys. And now, he wanted nothing more than to tear the one before him to shreds, to show him just how cruel this world could be.

He understood the rules—how to manipulate them. Just as he had the first time, when he killed the woman who should have been his, along with that pretty boy. But today, he was going to kill in a rage. No one could stop him.

"You... what... did... you... say?" Liu Xin's face twisted hideously, his eyes bloodshot, and a chill of murderous intent swept over the stage, sending the ordinary, yet-to-awakened students nearby into an icy abyss.

Having never faced violence before, how could they possibly withstand the murderous aura of a true gene warrior? Their bodies shivered involuntarily, cold sweat seeping from their skin.

"You can't touch him. I swear, if you do, the Bai family will wipe you and everyone connected to you off the face of the earth!" Bai Xue suddenly rushed forward, blocking Tang Shen from view, pointing at Liu Xin and shouting.

Regret gnawed at her for not bringing her family's bodyguards into the school. Here, they only came to pick her up after classes, always waiting outside during the day. Though she had already sent word, it would still take them a few minutes to reach the gymnasium. Just a few minutes more.

Liu Xin’s pupils contracted, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes: The Bai family?

He knew all too well the might the Bai family wielded. But to let this brat go—his pride screamed in protest.

Seeing Bai Xue step in front of him so suddenly, Tang Shen would be lying if he said he wasn’t moved. Even now, she was willing to stand by his side. Foolish, truly foolish—no matter how rational a woman is, when it comes to feelings, she’s bound to make mistakes.

But did Tang Shen need to hide behind a woman?

He pulled Bai Xue behind him with a single motion, grumbling, "Damn it, is that all you can say, you ugly bastard?"

Bai Xue was bewildered, staring at Tang Shen in disbelief. She was on the edge of collapse—why was he deliberately provoking a gene warrior? Couldn’t he wait until after he awakened, or at least until her bodyguards arrived? That way, she could protect him too.

"Tang Shen, stop this nonsense, you’ll get yourself killed," Bai Xue whispered anxiously. "If you insult a gene warrior to his face, and he kills you, he won’t bear any consequences."

"Oh? Is that so?" Tang Shen turned, a look of surprise on his face. He knew gene warriors were formidable, but hadn’t realized they were above the law, able to kill with impunity. He considered this for 0.1 seconds, then looked at Liu Xin and declared with utmost seriousness, "You little punk, I’ll give you a chance to rephrase your words, or I’ll beat you till you kneel and call me daddy."

Bai Xue was speechless.

Are you even listening to me? Do you understand what I’m saying? How can you still speak so righteously at a time like this? Are you really not afraid of death? Provoking a gene warrior like this—she was filled with despair.

The principal and teachers were equally desperate.

The students had long since been dumbfounded, staring blankly at the scene, unsure if they were dreaming.

A chilling laugh escaped Liu Xin, his rage reaching its peak; the sound set everyone’s nerves on edge. Staring murderously at Tang Shen, he spat out, "No one can save you today. I’ll crush every bone in your body, piece by piece.

"No... one... can... save... you!"

Bang!

With a sudden burst of speed—more than five times faster than an ordinary person—he vanished before everyone's eyes. The acceleration was so abrupt that no one could track his movement.

Despite his bulky frame, Liu Xin was a speed-type gene warrior.

Many onlookers gasped, some showing schadenfreude, others unable to bear what was about to happen, turning away and closing their eyes.

"No!" Bai Xue, her face as pale as a ghost, screamed.

She could already picture Tang Shen’s tragic end, and she wished with all her heart that it wouldn’t happen. Yet, unawakened as she was, how could she possibly stop it?

No one present believed Tang Shen could survive an attack from a C-rank gene warrior. The gap between an ordinary person and a seasoned gene warrior was simply too vast to be bridged.

Yet no one noticed the calm look in Tang Shen’s eyes, as tranquil as a still pond.

Liu Xin’s vanishing form was crystal clear to Tang Shen.

Too slow.

Far too slow.

He didn’t know how much of his skills he had managed to synchronize from the holographic game, but it was certainly more than fifty percent.

To him, this gene warrior’s movements were sluggish, his vicious expression and the punch he threw, all painfully slow—nowhere near Tang Shen’s speed.

So slow that...

With a casual motion, Tang Shen caught the oncoming fist in his palm.

The punch, slow as a snail and weak as if made of cotton, was this really meant for fighting?

Even his disciple, Gu Yina, could take down ten of this man with a single hand; give her a blade, and she’d mow down fifty of him, leaving him questioning his very existence.

Liu Xin, who had vanished from everyone’s sight, reappeared—not by his own will, but forcibly stopped mid-charge.

His fist was locked in Tang Shen’s hand.

The bizarre scene froze the expressions of those who had been gloating, disbelief written all over their faces.

Was this a joke? Were they acting?

Bai Xue stared dumbly as well, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

No one was more shocked than Liu Xin. His punch had felt as if it had hit a mountain—he hadn’t even sensed the slightest forward motion, and his body had been forcibly halted.

Tang Shen’s palm hadn’t moved an inch, let alone the rest of his body.

The other gene warriors nearby, who had initially looked away in sympathy—after all, Tang Shen’s insults had been too harsh, and they had no reason to interfere—were now utterly stunned by what they saw.

What just happened?

"So weak," Tang Shen remarked, in all sincerity.