Fantasy: I Become God by playing a game [Dungeons + LitRPG +Xinxia]

**Chapter 3: Childhood Sweetheart**

Jiangnan City, September 1

"Good morning, Xiao Chen!"

Just as Su Chen was about to close the door to his room, a familiar voice echoed from the corridor.

His reaction was almost instinctive. Without even turning his head, he grabbed the hand reaching out to touch his head—a move so fluid it seemed he had practiced it countless times before.

"Xiao Ye Zi, how many times have I told you? A man's head is like a girl's feet—it's not something to be touched casually."

Pulling out his key, he turned to face the girl, giving her a look of disapproval. She responded by sticking out her tongue playfully.

The girl had delicate features, a ponytail, and large, sparkling eyes full of life and charm. She was the kind of energetic person who could brighten anyone's day with just a glance. Her name was Lu Xiaoye, Su Chen's childhood sweetheart, who lived in the apartment above his.

It's often said that girls change a lot as they grow up. Su Chen could hardly believe that the little girl who used to run around with a lollipop in her mouth had grown into such a radiant beauty. Though Su Chen had become quieter and more reserved after an accident ten years ago, he couldn't help but reveal his youthful energy when around her.

Lu Xiaoye, however, wasn't one to reflect on Su Chen's scolding. Instead, her eyes sparkled mischievously, as if she had thought of a clever retort.

"Xiao Chen, are you hinting that you want to touch my feet instead?"

Su Chen: "..."

For a moment, Su Chen was at a loss for words. Staring at Lu Xiaoye, who had such a cheeky grin, he hadn't expected her to come up with such a bold reply. Letting go of her wrist quickly, he feared the neighbors leaving for work might misunderstand the situation. Turning on his heel, he headed for the building's corridor.

"Hey, don't leave! You haven't answered my question!" Lu Xiaoye called, hurrying to follow.

"Don't follow me. People might misunderstand."

"Hehe, you can't even look me in the eye. Are you secretly in love with me?"

"Whatever makes you happy."

Su Chen gave her an exasperated look as she trailed behind him with a smug grin.

Jiangnan No. 1 High School – At the School Gate

"Xiao Chen, what have you been playing all morning? I saw you glued to your phone the entire way here," Lu Xiaoye asked, peering curiously at Su Chen's screen.

Though they were childhood friends, Su Chen had no intention of revealing his secret interest in the game "Cultivation of Immortality".

"It's just a single-player game to pass the time," he replied calmly.

"You're in your third year of high school! Shouldn't you be focusing on studying instead of playing games?"

"This is one of my ways of practicing," he said casually.

She shook her head, unimpressed. Her ponytail swayed as she spoke with a mocking tone.

"Xiao Chen, I'm saying this for your own good. You can fool others, but don't fool yourself. If you keep slacking off, you won't be laughing when the college entrance exams come around."

Su Chen looked at her smirking face and immediately saw through her ploy. She was deliberately trying to provoke him.

Putting his phone away, he said with a blank expression, "Well, what you said makes sense. But I seem to recall someone, at six years old, wetting their bed and blaming it on spilling water from a cup."

"Ah!"

Before Su Chen could finish recounting her embarrassing childhood story, Lu Xiaoye quickly covered his mouth with her hands, silencing him. She even used her chest as leverage to hold him back.

Su Chen struggled against her hold, trying to regain control of the situation. At the school gate, their playful tug-of-war drew the attention of passersby.

For others, it looked like harmless teasing, but for Su Chen and Lu Xiaoye, this was the essence of their relationship. Playful banter and mutual teasing defined their bond as childhood sweethearts.

However, not everyone saw it that way.

Lu Xiaoye wasn't just any girl. She was exceptionally beautiful and one of the top students in the prestigious Heaven Dao Class. Her popularity made her a standout.

Su Chen, on the other hand, was average in almost every way. His family background was modest, his cultivation level ranked at the bottom of the Human Dao Class, and his only redeeming quality was his good looks. But in a world where strength reigned supreme, looks didn't mean much.

For some of the onlookers, their intimacy sparked jealousy and resentment—especially in Chen Li, a classmate of Lu Xiaoye's in the Heaven Dao Class.

"Student Lu, why are you hanging around with this garbage from the Human Dao Class? Be careful, or he'll drag you down."

Su Chen and Lu Xiaoye stopped their playful antics to face the interruption.

Chen Li's hostility toward Su Chen was no secret. Among Lu Xiaoye's many admirers, he stood out for his persistence. In his eyes, Su Chen was an unworthy rival.

"Who asked for your opinion? Let's go, Xiao Chen. Don't waste time with him," Lu Xiaoye retorted, pulling Su Chen away.

Su Chen shook his head silently. Why does Chen Li humiliate himself like this every time? He seemed to think that insulting Su Chen would somehow make Lu Xiaoye see him in a better light.

But Chen Li couldn't understand the depth of their relationship. Ten years ago, Su Chen had saved Lu Xiaoye's life. While he had long since moved on, she carried an unshakable sense of gratitude toward him.

As they walked away, Chen Li clenched his fists in frustration.

"I'll prove to you, Lu Xiaoye, that I'm the one most worthy of you," he muttered to himself.

He resolved to humiliate Su Chen in the upcoming mock exams, aiming to showcase his superiority.

Little did he know that Su Chen, despite his carefree attitude, was also planning to shock everyone during the exams.

The upcoming mock exams were destined to be eventful.

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[Purple Cloud Divine Light Technique: Perfection Level (1/10,000)]

Effect: Increases lifespan by 200 years, raises spiritual power limit by 5,000 points, and allows casting of the Purple Cloud Divine Light.

[Sharp Technique: Perfection Level (1/1,000)]

Effect: Enhances weapons with the 'Power of Gold,' significantly increasing sharpness.

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(End of Chapter)