Volume One: The Young Monk Returns to the Secular World Chapter Forty-Nine: High School Students’ Advertising Calisthenics (Seeking Recommendations)

Xiao Yan turned his head to look and was momentarily stunned.

The manual in question was the very same one whose original title, “Sunflower Manual,” had been scribbled over and replaced with “Muscle-Tendon Transformation Classic.” Yet now, even that title had been struck through and amended again—to “Fried Chicken Divine Technique.”

What on earth was going on?

How did this book end up here again?

Xiao Yan was about to say something, but then noticed that Chen Buqun was already engrossed, reading with eager anticipation, appearing almost ready to try it out himself…

From time to time, he even began to gesture suggestively at his own groin…

Sinful, sinful indeed…

Xiao Yan could only mutter so in his heart, before picking up the “Star Absorption Technique” manual from the ground, intending to begin his cultivation.

However, after some thought, he felt taking someone else’s property was a bit improper, a breach of manners. So, from within his robes, he produced another book—its cover bore his own handwritten title: “Middle School Student Radio Calisthenics.”

When he first crossed over to this world, Xiao Yan had wanted to keep fit, but had forgotten some of the moves in this routine, so he’d drawn and recalled the steps bit by bit, laboring for half a month to finish this cherished compilation.

He carefully put “Middle School Student Radio Calisthenics” back in the place where “Star Absorption Technique” had been, frowned, picked up a brush, crossed out the original title, and wrote “Star Absorption Technique” in its place.

Perfect.

Satisfied with his own cleverness, Xiao Yan picked up the “Star Absorption Technique” and began to study it in earnest.

“Xiao Yan… what are you doing? Don’t tell me you’re planning to learn that demonic art?” Chen Buqun rushed over excitedly. “I heard ordinary people can’t cultivate the Star Absorption Technique at all. Why not try this one…”

He waved the “Fried Chicken Divine Technique” meaningfully, then added, “But there’s a catch: to practice this, you have to, well, you know… cut it off… but don’t worry—”

Xiao Yan’s face remained utterly expressionless.

“This manual has already been completed by someone formidable. Now, you don’t need to cut anything off—instead, you just store all the masculine internal energy generated in cultivation. This way, you’ll strengthen your muscles and bones, and the effects are even better!” Chen Buqun exclaimed in admiration.

“You’re far too naive. You think I never considered that? The human body’s meridians have their limits. If you just keep storing up that energy with nowhere to release it, what do you think will happen?” Xiao Yan shook his head.

“Could it be…”

“That’s right—it’ll explode!”

The Chen siblings were stunned.

So, “fortified” wasn’t just a rude word—it could literally mean blowing up.

“But… I still can’t accept…” Chen Buqun seemed reluctant, feeling it was a real shame to waste such a divine technique.

“Get away from me! Go amuse yourself—leave me out of your fried chicken business…” Xiao Yan said, and went off to a corner to study his manual.

“Brother? Xiao Yan?”

Only then did Chen Shuwan realize both men were absorbed in their respective manuals.

She looked at Chen Buqun, then at Xiao Yan, and after a moment’s silence, she made up her mind, abandoned her brother, and went to sit beside Xiao Yan.

“You’re not seriously thinking of cultivating this technique, are you?” she asked, her beautiful eyes blinking as she sat down beside him.

“Mm,” Xiao Yan replied nonchalantly, not even looking up.

Chen Shuwan seemed a little annoyed, but when she glanced at Xiao Yan’s profile, her cheeks flushed and she quickly turned away.

Just then, Xiao Yan suddenly stood up and announced, “I’m done. I’ve finished cultivating.”

What?

At that moment, faint footsteps echoed in the corridor. The three of them exchanged a look, held their breath, and instinctively hid themselves.

It was then that Da Vinci entered, accompanied by his disciple Mu Chen.

“Damn you, Xiao Yan! I’ll never forgive you…” Da Vinci, deliberately stalling, slipped a manual labeled “Star Absorption Technique” into his robe.

His internal energy began to surge.

Twenty-eight levels of internal strength!

He’d actually improved since last time. It seemed the Sunflower Manual truly was divine.

Mu Chen, seeing this, also began to circulate his energy—twenty levels!

Despite this, Da Vinci was still uneasy.

After all, this little monk was a lunatic. If things went south, Da Vinci wouldn’t mind serving Xiao Yan a helping of undercooked fried chicken…

But that would mean trouble for his own disciple, Mu Chen…

The two men exchanged glances, each reading unwavering resolve in the other’s eyes.

“Xiao Yan, get behind me…” Chen Shuwan, knowing she was no match for the two before her, nonetheless rushed forward without hesitation.

But just then, a calm voice sounded from behind her: “Let me handle this. After all, Da Vinci and I are old acquaintances. Isn’t that right, old friend?”

“Bah!” Da Vinci spat, but seeing Xiao Yan approach, he actually took a step back, feeling a flicker of uncertainty.

Chen Shuwan looked at Xiao Yan doubtfully.

She really couldn’t imagine how someone who’d exhausted all his internal energy could possibly deal with these two formidable opponents.

After all, Da Vinci, though blind, was a true grandmaster—twenty-eight layers of internal power, a force to be reckoned with. And being blind, the old trick of throwing lime powder was useless against him!

Da Vinci’s ears twitched. Ever since he lost his sight, his hearing had become preternaturally sharp—good enough to fool others into thinking he wasn’t blind at all…

Now, by listening, he sensed that the three before him were in poor shape, seemingly quite weak.

“Hmph, my dear disciple, don’t they look injured to you?” Da Vinci was still unsure; Xiao Yan was a notorious schemer, after all.

“Yes, Master. There are still traces of blood on their clothes,” Mu Chen observed, answering honestly.

But all the while, his gaze never left the corner of Xiao Yan’s mouth. The master had spoken of dreadful things—he was eager to see them for himself.

“Heh, heaven is on my side… Xiao Yan! To atone for my sins against Master Yuan Tong in the afterlife, you will die here!”

Da Vinci straightened, a smile spreading across his lips—he was beginning to understand why Xiao Yan favored this expression. It felt wonderful!

His internal strength surged to twenty-nine layers!

He’d been hiding his true power all along!

“Buqun, wear nine and tread one; girl, shoulders at two and four.” Xiao Yan’s lips curled in a faint smile as he recited the sword formation mnemonics from the Chen family swordplay.

Mu Chen kept his eyes fixed on Xiao Yan, and when he saw that faint smile, he nearly dragged his blind master and ran.

But he couldn’t stop Da Vinci, who had already lost his head to rage.

With his acute hearing, Da Vinci felt full confidence—this was Xiao Yan’s weakest moment. He must not let himself be intimidated. Who knew if the little monk was just bluffing?

Da Vinci launched his attack, employing the ghostly “Phantom Steps.” Ever since he’d practiced the Fried Chicken Divine Technique, his speed had reached new heights, so much so that his body made sonic booms as it cut through the air.

Yet, every attack was blocked. Worse, his ears were tormented by Xiao Yan’s incessant recitation of sword formulas.

“Girl, left seven, right three. Buqun, six and eight for the feet…”

The most frightening part was, the sword array Xiao Yan deployed didn’t feel like the Chen family’s at all—it was much more reminiscent of the Seven Star Sword Formation of the Demon Sky Sect!

Did this mean Xiao Yan was a Demon Sky Sect spy planted in Golden Mountain Temple?

Once that notion took root, everything suddenly made sense to Da Vinci…

His seething hatred cooled, his mind cleared, and he started planning his escape!

But he soon discovered that he no longer had the freedom to leave—somehow, most of his internal strength had already been drained, as if sucked away by the Demon Sky Sect’s Star Absorption Technique!