Chu Hao attended classes as usual, enjoying the rare leisure time without the need to show off.

"Master, the Ghost School Principal is looking for you."

Jiayeci arrived, appearing silently, thankfully not with a blood-stained face.

Chu Hao nodded and made his way to the Ghost Office; his soul left his body and entered the Ghost School.

Upon seeing Chu Hao, the Ghost Principal burst into laughter, "Vice Principal, you’ve finally arrived! Our school has had quite a few graduates recently. Please help them transcend."

Every time he saw Ghost King Luo Dong, Chu Hao felt a bit odd.

The Ghost King was delighted. Ever since Confucius arrived, the school had grown considerably, and Confucius’s terrifying teaching methods had astounded him.

The first batch of Ghosts ready to transcend consisted of thirty-six souls. Chu Hao recited the incantations to open the Merit Gate, allowing all the Ghosts to squeeze into it.

"Ding... You have transcended thirty-six good Ghosts. Host has gained 700,000 Experience Points."

"Ding... You have transcended thirty-six good Ghosts. Host has gained 3,600 Merit Points."

Not bad at all. Transcending good Ghosts even yielded Merit Points, and although it could only be exchanged for 360 Pretentiousness Points, accumulating them over time was a significant gain.

At that moment, Chu Hao saw Confucius seated cross-legged on a large stone, looking completely at ease.

Chu Hao was stunned when he realized that Confucius’s level had reached 7—a level only he could see.

Impressive. Other Ghost Servants had to kill monsters to level up, but Confucius hadn’t gone out to kill any, and he was already level 7?

He opened Confucius’s stats page.

Ghost General: Confucius

Level: 7

Strength: 600

Agility: 600

Intelligence: 8,000

Skills: The Study of Education, The Path of The Zhou Yi (other skills await discovery)

Holy moly! His intelligence has actually reached 8,000 points! That’s outrageously powerful.

The Path of The Zhou Yi: Observes the grand cosmic trends, understanding astronomy above and geography below.

Apart from his combat abilities being lacking, his intelligence was simply off the charts!

Ancestor Confucius, I have to acknowledge your superiority.

Chu Hao approached, smiling, and said, "Ancestor Confucius, are you adjusting well?"

"It’s bland and tasteless," said Confucius.

"Why do you find it tasteless?" asked Chu Hao.

Confucius said indifferently, "It feels like a prison. I want to go out for a walk."

Ghost King Luo Dong quickly said, "Ancestor Confucius, I will arrange it immediately."

Confucius shook his head, "I want to go alone."

Luo Dong, with a troubled expression, said, "Ancestor Confucius, it’s too dangerous outside. I’m worried for your safety."

He could not bear to let Ancestor Confucius leave; after all, the future development of the Ghost School hinged on this great master.

Confucius, naturally understanding Luo Dong’s concerns, said, "No worries. In the age of information, teachings can spread thousands of miles. It won’t cause any delay."

Incredible! My Ancestor Confucius, he’s mastered the information age in such a short time!

Chu Hao nodded and said to Luo Dong, "Principal, I think this could work. Let Ancestor Confucius go out and see the world. After all, education can be conducted through online videos."

Luo Dong sighed, "Fine. But... I’m still worried. I’ll send two subordinates to follow Ancestor Confucius."

Confucius smiled and said, "Following young friend Chu will suffice."

Huh? Confucius wants to come with me.

Alright then.

After leaving the Ghost School, Chu Hao found himself with a small, elderly man by his side. Confucius had insisted on accompanying him, and there was nothing Chu Hao could do about it.

Like Li Shimin, Confucius was very curious about the outside world. This heavyweight’s first words nearly made Chu Hao kneel.

"Young friend Chu, can you take this old man to try some Kentucky Fried Chicken?"

Chu Hao’s mouth twitched. "Ancestor Confucius, KFC isn’t that great. I’ll take you to eat some local cuisine instead."

"Mm."

Taking Confucius with him, they arrived at a fancy restaurant, the same place Mu Yufei had brought him to last time. Along the way, Confucius looked around, extremely curious about the modern world.

Confucius remarked with feeling, "Technology changes the course of events! I truly envy the people of today."

Chu Hao laughed. "Ancestor Confucius, you’re too kind. Without our forefathers, we wouldn’t be here today."

"The young are indeed teachable."

Showing off at the slightest disagreement. Confucius truly is the founding father of pretentiousness!

While Confucius was dining and continually lavishing praise, Dong Qi called. "My lord, a group of Longhu Mountain disciples is heading your way."

Chu Hao was startled. These guys actually came? Yesterday on Weibo, I dared them to come to Anli City if they were looking for death.

I, Brother Hao, wasn’t looking for trouble with you, yet you came knocking on my door first.

Just after paying the bill, he saw three young men enter the restaurant. They were dressed in casual clothes, showing no sign of being Longhu Mountain disciples, yet they carried themselves with arrogance.

A tall young man walked over and said coldly, "You must be Chu Hao!"

Chu Hao shot him a sidelong glance. "And who do you fancy yourself to be?"

The tall young man snorted. "Zhao Ziqing, a thirteenth-generation disciple from Longhu Mountain."

The others also announced their names, looking down on Chu Hao with arrogance, sneering inwardly.

"Didn’t you invite us on Weibo? Well, here we are."

Chu Hao replied with a faint smile, "Oh! And then?"

"Let’s have a contest. I want you to clarify on Weibo that you’re no match for us Longhu Mountain disciples. If you lose, hand over the True Word Brush."

Chu Hao, hands in his pockets, chuckled coldly. "Compete with you? What’s in it for me, your Taoist Master? If there’s no benefit, then get lost."

Zhao Ziqing snorted, took out a talisman, and said, "Let’s bet this Talisman."

System prompt: "Mysterious Light Talisman, redeemable for 6,000 Pretentiousness Points."

Chu Hao’s eyes lit up. This Mysterious Light Talisman is actually worth so much! I’m in dire need of Pretentiousness Points right now, and this item is just perfect.

These people had come prepared. Even knowing that Jiang Yuran had been defeated by Chu Hao, they weren’t afraid of him at all and were full of confidence.

But how could Brother Hao agree so easily?

Chu Hao shook his head. "Just this trinket, and you want to bet for my True Word Brush? Have you lost your mind? Heh heh... It seems Longhu Mountain is nothing special after all. Are you guys running out of treasures? Just tell me, I’ll sell some to you."

"Ding... Host’s successful display of contempt earned 600 Pretentiousness Points."

"You!" The Longhu Mountain disciples were furious.

On second thought, it made sense. The Mysterious Light Talisman might be rare, but compared to the True Word Brush, the difference was too great.

At this moment, a refined and handsome man walked into the restaurant. He had long, willow-like eyebrows and an elegant posture, like a jade tree. Dressed in a pure white shirt, he exuded an air of calm composure.

"Senior Disciple." The others hurriedly greeted him.

Yue Qinghong—the one who had previously issued a challenge on Weibo, the Senior Disciple of Longhu Mountain.

"Chu Hao. We meet at last." Yue Qinghong was handsome and dashing. He spoke in an understated manner, yet his eyes exuded an intense pressure.

At that moment, Yue Qinghong noticed Confucius beside Chu Hao. He was born with special eyes; no Ghost could escape his Dharma Eye.

Yue Qinghong smiled faintly. "Brother Chu, you truly are extraordinary. Rumor has it you’re raising a Ghost, and it seems to be true."

Raising Ghosts, in the eyes of these reputable sects, was considered an unorthodox practice, no different from an Evil Cult, and not something to be openly acknowledged.

Chu Hao retorted, "What I raise is none of your business. If you want to challenge me, then show some sincerity. The True Word Brush is not something riffraff like you can covet."

The others gritted their teeth in anger, and Yue Qinghong’s eyes turned cold. Indeed, it was incredibly difficult to produce something comparable to the True Word Brush.

Yue Qinghong said, "We don’t want the True Word Brush. We’ve come this time to exchange pointers with you."

"Alright! Sparring fee," Chu Hao said, holding out his hand.