Chapter 318: Finally Able to Show Off, Hu Batian, Path to Divinity

The concert in Qingshan City was still being broadcast live globally. Anyone could access it by logging onto the Federation’s official website and clicking on the [Yan Ruoyi Global Charity Tour] link.

Just this advertisement alone made countless artists and celebrities around the world envious. After all, it was the first time in decades that the Federation had promoted a concert. Only a fool wouldn't realize that Yan Ruoyi had powerful connections.

While many celebrities envied Yan Ruoyi, Chen Chu had his own body of enviers.

An unknown employee in Yan Ruoyi’s company had leaked Chen Chu’s cover name, and a media company revealed it to the public. With his arrogant performance at Yan Ruoyi’s concerts, the name “Chu Batian” had become widely known across the world.

When people learned that arrogant bodyguard’s name, they were initially stunned and then laughed, mocking him mercilessly.

Such an edgy name, who would still be called Chu Batian in this era?

However, after the mockery, people realized that this guy seemed to live up to his name, acting in a very domineering manner[1].

At 7:30, as the venue lights dimmed and mysterious music played, a massive purple bud appeared in the center of the large stage. Surrounding the thirty-meter-high 3D flower bud were mutated beasts, brilliant white foxes ranging from ten to thirty meters in length.

White mist swirled on the ground, and the mutated beasts roamed, creating a fairyland-like scene.

Whoosh!

Petals fell from the sky, and the purple bud gradually unfolded, forming a purple lotus platform that covered the entire stage, magnificent and grand.

At the center of the lotus platform, Yan Ruoyi appeared in ancient-style attire, wearing a luxurious purple-red long dress and a phoenix crown. Her noble aura and stunning beauty were captivating.

At the same time, the surrounding three- and four-tailed mutated beasts all bowed to her. Such a grand entrance caught the eyes of everyone at the venue and watching the live broadcast, giving them a cinematic feeling.

After the initial shock, however, some people instinctively shifted their gaze. Sure enough, that annoying bodyguard was still there, standing three steps behind Yan Ruoyi as usual, his stern expression making him look like an emperor.

Seeing that tall figure standing on the lotus platform, many people instinctively felt that he was a king, with the magnificent Yan Ruoyi becoming a mere backdrop.

"Dammit! What's the deal with this Chu Batian? Why is he always there?"

"

Sobs!

I'm sorry, my goddess. I didn't look at you first but at that annoying bodyguard."

"Oh no, Mom, is there something wrong with my sexual orientation? I'm actually paying attention to that bodyguard."

"Uh... as a woman, paying attention to a man is quite normal, isn't it?"

"Brother Chu's breakthrough is remarkable this time. It’s fundamentally transformed his entire demeanor," Li Daoyi remarked with some envy from below the stage.

That regal, emperor-like aura is truly enviable. What secret art has he cultivated?

Boom!

As the music started, the lotus platform shattered, scattering light petals everywhere. Most of the white foxes vanished like bubbles, marking the official start of the concert.

Howl!

A four-tailed mutated white fox, ten meters tall, over twenty meters long, and over thirty meters including its tails, gracefully stepped onto the stage and lay down behind it.

"

Gasp!

That mutated beast is real."

"It's so huge."

"Standing up, it's as tall as a three-story building."

Around the stage, many ordinary people and low-level cultivators gasped at the sight of the level 6 mutated beast, which was already displaying some of the grandeur of a colossal beast.

Chen Chu’s ability to kill level 6 mutated beasts like chickens was an anomaly due to his immense strength. For ordinary people, even a level 1 mutated beast was extremely dangerous, let alone a level 6 beast that was on the verge of becoming a colossal beast. In a densely populated concert, an outburst from it could instantly kill hundreds.

However, this mutated beast was quite docile at the moment. Whenever Chen Chu's gaze swept over it, the giant fox's face even showed a human-like submissiveness, its four fluffy tails gently swaying in a pleasing manner.

No one noticed this scene, however. The concert's music was upbeat, and soon the first song reached its climax.

"I bet that guy is going to block Ruoyi again."

"No need to bet, that guy has already blocked Ruoyi."

It was the same familiar formula, the same familiar taste. When all the cameras focused on Yan Ruoyi, Chen Chu, dressed in a black suit and sunglasses, suddenly appeared, completely blocking her from view.

Suddenly, that stern face appeared in front of countless people.

On East Xia’s largest streaming platform, countless comments flooded the screen.

Super Second Generation: "Ah! Damn it! I need to find someone to beat him up. This guy is too annoying, blocking my view of Ruoyi again."

"Boss, didn't you say earlier that we should crowdfund to hire someone to beat up this bodyguard? Count me in. I'll put in my entire 3,000 yuan salary for this month."

"Me too. Brothers, let's crowdfund and get him beaten up."

"Charge!! I still have a 1,000 yuan bonus for this month."

Super Second Generation: "I have 500,000 yuan for pocket money this month. I won't feel satisfied until we beat him up. Are there any high-level cultivators willing to take the job?"

"That guy doesn't seem weak. I think it would take at least an expert at the Fifth Heavenly Realm to handle him, but such a powerful expert might not be available for 500,000 yuan."

"No worries, we'll crowdfund."

"Yes, crowdfund."

"Brothers, create a group. Anyone willing to chip in, join us. Even 300 or 500 yuan is fine. Let's all pitch in and hire someone to beat that guy up."

"Right, make sure he can't get on stage next time."

"Make him lie in the hospital for a month..."

Seeing the arrogant bodyguard wandering around on stage, constantly blocking their view of their goddess, many male fans were filled with jealousy.

Too arrogant, too enviable. We won't be satisfied until he is given a good beating.

However, some remained calm.

"Brothers, be cautious with your investments... I mean, crowdfunding. Be sure those two calling for crowdfunding aren't scammers..."

"I made 300 yuan selling fish yesterday, I want to join the crowdfund too." In Wujiang City, Chen Hu excitedly joined the group organizing the beating.

Hmph, trying to beat up my brother? I'll make sure to tip him off.

Chen Chu was naturally unaware of all this. After wandering around the stage a few times, he moved to the edge.

There are no problems this time.

There were many annoyed glances, but they were all due to the audience's dissatisfaction with him blocking Yan Ruoyi. It was different from the deep malice of the demon cultists.

Those cultists had their ideologies influenced, including those mentally controlled and polluted by the Blood God Akunus. The gaze from such people felt like it came from demons of hell, filled with intense malice, which was what allowed Chen Chu to accurately identify them.

Since there were no such gazes this time, Chen Chu was happy to relax, his gaze falling on the beautiful figure walking around the stage, singing and interacting with the audience.

Looking at that smiling, youthful face, Chen Chu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Who would have thought that this radiant girl has less than three months to live?

Chen Chu hadn’t considered the idea of helping her. His soul splitting was different from the kind of wound she bore; while the other half was in a colossal beast form, the essence remained whole.

Her soul, on the other hand, was outright incomplete. If not even the Federation or king-level experts could heal it, a Sixth Heavenly Realm cultivator like him didn’t have a chance.

So, Chen Chu could only ensure her protection to the best of his ability and let her choose how to spend her remaining time.

In the best seats in the front row, the extraordinarily handsome Qingqiu Minghui sat with Qingqiu Mingyue beside him. The fox-eared girl looked at Yan Ruoyi on stage with shining eyes, excitedly saying, "Big Bro, do you think I could also become a big star like Sister Ruoyi?"

Qingqiu Minghui felt a headache coming on. "Mingyue, you need to focus on your studies. Becoming a star can wait until after you graduate."

"But Big Bro, you said you'd support me in anything," The fox-eared girl pouted.

"This is different. You know about Ms. Yan's condition. She has limited time, so she does whatever she wants. But you and I are different.

"We are descendants of kings and have our responsibilities. This time, we only have a month, and after that, I need to go back to prepare for the path to divinity. You'll have to come back with me. I can't leave you alone out here."

"...Alright."

More than two hours later, the concert ended smoothly without any incidents. However, that annoying bodyguard interrupted Yan Ruoyi's interaction with her fans again.

So annoying.

Although the concert was over, many people were still busy. News media workers were already editing their articles for the next morning.

Some headline writers had even posted various shocking titles like [That Bodyguard Is Still So Arrogant] and [Is He the Most Badass Bodyguard in the World].

At the same time, Chen Hu was busy.

[International Hire-a-Hitman Group]

"Domineering Slash, are you sure you can contact experts from Gunado?"

"Yeah, it's not that we don't trust you, but we don't want our salaries for this month to be wasted."

Domineering Slash: "Everyone, rest assured. I have a cousin in Miamir City who is a cultivator. The Blood Tiger Martial Arts Academy he belongs to is very famous locally.

"Especially the headmaster, Kainado, who is a Fifth Heavenly Realm expert in gene martial arts. He’s extremely powerful and once killed a level 5 mutated beast as tall as a four-story building."

"Wow! So strong."

"Impressive."

Super Second Generation: "I just had someone check online, and there is indeed a Blood Tiger Martial Arts Academy in Miamir City, and the headmaster is named Kainado. Domineering Slash is telling the truth."

Domineering Slash: "Everyone, relax. My cousin holds a high position in the Blood Tiger Academy. Even if we can't get Headmaster Kainado to take action, we can find other experts.

"Also, the crowdfunding money will be supervised collectively, transparently, and once we hire an expert, I will have him livestream it. Does that make everyone feel better?"

"Haha... now we can rest assured. Brother, you're righteous."

"Big boss has wide connections, so impressive."

"Hey, brother, why is your online name Hu Batian? Do you know Chu Batian?"

"Haha... no, I don't know him. I just saw his name was Chu Batian, so I chose an even more arrogant name to outdo him. Besides, your name is Long Batian."

Despite the fierce talk online, only about a thousand people had joined the hire-a-hitman group. With contributions of a few hundred here and a thousand there, and a few of ten or twenty thousand, they managed to gather just over a million.

Then, the leader chipped in a hundred thousand, and Super Second Generation added over seven hundred thousand in one go, totaling two million as a reward for hiring a Fifth Heavenly Realm expert.

In this international hire-a-hitman group, besides Chen Hu, there were also a few official personnel mixed in, like the instigator Long Batian, to see if there were any demon cultists or insiders.

At night, Zhang Xiaolan, who got up to use the bathroom, noticed light coming from under Chen Hu's door and called out. "Ah Hu, go to bed early. You have school tomorrow."

"Got it, Mom."

***

"Sister Ruoyi, you're leaving so soon?" The next day, at the airport, Qingqiu Mingyue clung to Yan Ruoyi, feeling reluctant.

Yan Ruoyi patted Qingqiu Mingyue's head. "The schedule is already set, and it’s hard to change. Otherwise, I’d love to spend more time with you."

Nearby, Qingqiu Minghui was speaking with Chen Chu, his tone slightly grave. "Both of you, be extra careful on this trip.

"The martial arts scene in Gunado is fraught with chaos due to systemic issues, and recently, demon cult activities have been frequent there. Despite multiple crackdowns, they haven't been eradicated. You can expect them to take action while you're there."

Chen Chu nodded. "I understand. Brother Li and I received the news this morning. We’ll be on high alert."

That morning, Chen Chu and Li Daoyi had received intel from the Federation’s intelligence department, noting unusual activity on the route from Kuoer Airport to Miamir City.

Local law enforcement had noticed some idle people frequently taking photos along that route. Although their phones only contained ordinary pictures when checked, the timing with Yan Ruoyi’s arrival seemed suspicious.

Moreover, when the images were pieced together, they covered most of the route’s scenes.

It was clear that demon cultists were planning something, possibly an ambush along the way. To avoid alarming them, the intelligence department pretended not to notice, aiming to draw them out. Additionally, a dozen high-resolution satellites were already trained on that road.

Chen Chu also received a text message from Chen Hu.

Unexpectedly, Chen Hu had infiltrated an "International Hitman Group", where Yan Ruoyi’s fans had crowdfunded over a million to hire a Fifth Heavenly Realm expert to beat him up at the next stop.

To gain their trust, Chen Hu had even painfully contributed three hundred yuan, enough to buy him many big meat buns.

Thinking about this, Chen Chu felt speechless.

A Fifth Heavenly Realm expert...

Li Daoyi rubbed his hands together, grinning. "It's better if those guys don’t show up. If they do, I’ll show them the fury of my Thunderbolt."

Finally, it's my turn to show off.

Li Daoyi felt excited. Recently, it had always been Chen Chu showing off, making him envious. Today’s entertainment headlines worldwide were about him again, even though they were both Yan Ruoyi’s bodyguards.

Eagerly anticipating his chance to shine, Li Daoyi watched as the international flight loaded with high-damage weapons taxied and then sharply lifted off.

Soon, with the roar of engines, the plane disappeared into the sky.

1. ”Chu Batian” translates to “Heavenly Ruler Chu” ☜