World’s End: My Keyword is One More Than Others

Chapter 280: No Fight, No Friendship

People were utterly humiliated!

The younger generation of the cultivation world felt more ashamed than when Du Ge had stripped and humiliated them earlier. How could someone as good as Chen Ziyong be a Heavenly Demon?

But the truth was right in front of them.

Facing Du Ge's disdainful gaze, the pride of these rising stars in the martial world was completely shattered at this moment.

Being looked down upon by Du Ge didn't break their defenses; they just thought he was an arrogant, ignorant brat.

Being stripped and humiliated by Du Ge didn't break their defenses either; after all, they believed it was purely because Du Ge had no sense of martial ethics and had gained the upper hand through a sneak attack.

But when it was revealed that a Heavenly Demon had infiltrated their ranks, and it was pointed out by another Heavenly Demon, using this to teach them a lesson, everyone couldn't hold it together...

...

"He is a Heavenly Demon, but what are you?"

"Only that idiot Suwen would be fooled by you."

"Try touching me, just try. Today, if any one of us gets hurt, half of the cultivation world won't let you off..."

...

Seeing the suddenly enraged crowd, Du Ge was momentarily stunned. Then he remembered the skill he had evolved—Taunt of Mental Breakdown.

Well then.

He had already subdued them, but a few words broke their psychological defenses and rekindled their hatred.

This damn negative skill was hindering him from making friends!

He had to eliminate this negative influence.

Du Ge shook his head, looking at them with pity. "This is your own problem. I kindly pointed it out to you, and instead of hating your own incompetence, you take it out on me. Is this the upbringing of disciples from prestigious sects?"

Du Ge's voice wasn't loud, but it struck straight at their hearts, like a bucket of cold water poured over their heads.

All along, they had prided themselves on their prestigious backgrounds, but now they were being told their upbringing was problematic. Even if it was from an enemy, it made them feel utterly ashamed.

The key point was that every word Du Ge said was true, leaving them unable to refute.

They couldn't beat him in a fight, couldn't out-argue him, and had made one foolish mistake after another...

At this moment, the disciples from over a dozen prestigious sects began to question their past lives. Were they really the utter failures Cheng Yu had said they were?

But they were clearly the geniuses of their respective sects!

At the same time, Du Ge's personal interface flashed. He reached out and opened it, and sure enough, there was a new skill.

Heart-Killing Strike: When your opponent is utterly defeated by you, they will experience intense self-doubt, leading to despair, depression, and self-loathing. If not rescued in time, they will sink into a state akin to a living dead.

...

The second skill for the second keyword was complete!

Indeed, focusing on one keyword yields the highest efficiency.

Next, as long as he found the main storyline of the world or wiped out the examinees, he could end this world.

What a pity.

The second skill derived from discrimination didn't seem very useful.

After all, in the real world, he needed more friends, not to turn others into useless wrecks!

Moreover, if he had the ability to utterly defeat someone, wouldn't it be better to just destroy them outright?

Sigh!

Du Ge sighed. The derivation of advanced skills was too unreliable. Just like being kind and being taken advantage of, some useless skills would always be derived.

Of course.

Friendship also needed to be developed, otherwise, it would be hard to explain to others when he got out.

Looking at the once-proud geniuses now filled with dejection, Du Ge's gaze softened. "In a perilous situation, angering me does you no good. As the saying goes, a barking dog doesn't bite.

Similarly, those who hate me in their hearts but remain silent are clearly more deep-minded than you. They might be thinking of the saying, 'A gentleman's revenge is never too late.' But your impulsive outbursts might drag them down with you, leading me to eliminate them as well. At this moment, they probably hate you more than I do!"

The few who had spoken looked apologetically at the silent ones. "Sorry."

The silent ones shook their heads helplessly, bitterly saying, "Don't let him sow discord. We're not that naive. Since he pointed it out, in his eyes, we're all the same."

"Stay calm, composed, and don't let the enemy provoke you." Du Ge looked at them and smiled. "No matter how dangerous the situation, if you can keep yourselves alive, there will be a future. Like you, I am also a member of the cultivation world. I didn't come here to humiliate you but was entrusted by Daoist Priest Suwen to awaken you.

Being taught a lesson by one of your own is better than being taught by a Heavenly Demon.

After all.

We will face various Heavenly Demons in the future. They possess all sorts of unimaginable supernatural powers. Some will make you lower your guard, some will anger you, making you lose your reason, and some might stir your desires...

At such times, only by holding firm to your true self and keeping your mind clear can you see through them and defeat them. Otherwise, even if someone avenges you, so what?

You're dead. Even if you die with a smile, you're still dead. Who knows, those you killed might turn into ghosts and continue to bully you in the afterlife!"

Everyone was shocked, looking at Du Ge in astonishment.

Zhong Xie was silent for a moment, then fully recovered. He clasped his hands and solemnly bowed to Du Ge. "Thank you for your teachings, Brother Cheng Yu."

The others also came to their senses, sincerely bowing to Du Ge. "Thank you for your teachings, Brother Cheng Yu."

With Du Ge's timely intervention, the crowd was pulled back from the brink of collapse. Their hatred dissipated, and they seemed much more mature.

Du Ge smiled. "That's more like it! Bury your hatred, deceive the enemy, and when they let their guard down, call for backup or strike them down..."

Luo Fan chuckled, scratching his head. "Brother Cheng is just joking. We've truly learned our lesson this time and won't repay kindness with enmity."

"Exactly, Brother Cheng is doing this for our own good," Shi Dashan said. "Thinking back, our actions today were indeed childish. As Brother Cheng said, if he were really a Heavenly Demon, none of us would be alive."

"But I am a Heavenly Demon!" Du Ge laughed. "If I were a cultivator, how could I torment you like this?"

Everyone was stunned.

Even Daoist Priest Qingsong, who had just walked over, was taken aback.

Zhao Hongmei's eyes widened. He confessed? He actually confessed? What is he trying to do?

Zhong Xie was momentarily stunned, then laughed. "Brother Cheng is joking. The Heavenly Demons have only been around for two days. No matter how powerful, they couldn't suppress all of us in just two days. If all Heavenly Demons were as formidable as Brother Cheng, the cultivation world wouldn't need to fight them; we'd just wash our necks and let them slaughter us."

"Exactly, Brother Cheng, you used Daoist techniques in our fight," Rosie said.

"Right, keep that attitude. You know I'm a Heavenly Demon, I know I'm a Heavenly Demon, but everyone else denies I'm a Heavenly Demon and finds reasons to prove I'm not. Everyone's growing so fast!" Du Ge said, looking at them with approval.

"..." Everyone was speechless. If we all know, why say it out loud? Is your keyword 'awkward'?

"Brother Cheng really knows how to joke," Zhong Xie laughed heartily. "The lesson has been taught, no need to keep at it. We know our mistakes, Brother Cheng, please spare our fragile hearts!"

"..." Du Ge glanced at him, smiled, and said, "Right, right, just a joke. You wouldn't take it seriously, would you? How could I be a Heavenly Demon? As the saying goes, no fight, no friendship. Now, will you accept me as a friend?"

"Of course, if someone as outstanding as Brother Cheng isn't qualified to be our friend, we'd be blind," Luo Fan said.

"No, it should be, it's our honor that Brother Cheng is willing to be our friend," Zhang Ziqing said. "With Brother Cheng, Qingxin Temple will surely shine in the cultivation world in the future."

"I have to say, Brother Cheng's skills are truly impressive. That immobilizing talisman was used to perfection. If anyone says talisman sects aren't good at combat, I'll argue with them..."

"Luo Fan, I think you should cover yourself. Even if Brother Cheng says to have thick skin, you should consider the ladies present," Rosie said, blushing.

After being shocked several times, Luo Fan had forgotten he was stark naked. Hearing this, he blushed deeply and hurriedly found a torn pair of pants to put on.

...

So do you know he's a Heavenly Demon or not?

Watching Cheng Yu, who was now on friendly terms with everyone, Chen Ziyong was bewildered. He was getting confused by this group.

Cheng Yu was right; this group was growing too fast.

He saw clearly that Cheng Yu had just made the gesture of opening his personal interface. Who else but an examinee would do that?

But now he couldn't speak, and there was nothing he could do.

At this moment, he finally started worrying about himself. Having won over this group of rising stars in the cultivation world, Cheng Yu would probably target him next!

Damn it, he had won their favor first. If only he had acted sooner, he should have spoken up when Cheng Yu first appeared.

...

Du Ge was a cunning old fox. No matter how well this group pretended, they couldn't escape his eyes.

After all, his actions were more in line with a Heavenly Demon. Cultivating for just one day and suppressing everyone was absurd and defied logic.

But who cared!

He had already gained the friendship skill from this group.

No Fight, No Friendship: Opponents who are subdued by you will become friends who care for you.

They had already been subdued. Even if they knew he was a Heavenly Demon, they were still good friends...

However, looking at the newly acquired skill, Du Ge sighed. If only he could take this skill out with him, it would clearly be more beneficial for his social interactions in the real world!