Chapter 43: Ai Xi Seeks Help

The appearance of these spells further convinced Ding Huan that immortals and gods truly existed.

Otherwise, how could these spells be explained?

Before this, after arriving in Puhai, Ding Huan had constantly feared being detected by powerful beings, mainly because he had no means of self-preservation.

Now that he had these spells, how could he not learn them as soon as possible?

He looked at his arm—he still needed to test his healing ability.

His Wind Blade technique was still unrefined; Ding Huan had not yet mastered it fully, and he dared not cut himself accidentally, lest he sever an arm and turn joy into sorrow.

After thinking it over, Ding Huan still took a fruit knife and slashed his arm.

Though he cut deeply, blood oozed out only slowly.

Within seconds, the bleeding stopped; Ding Huan watched his wound, and in less than a minute, it began to heal gradually.

"Incredible." Ding Huan was delighted.

Within just one minute, the wound had already begun to recover.

Most crucially, this healing was unlike ordinary wound recovery—it left no scab and no itching sensation.

A wound healing directly—was there any recovery ability more miraculous than this?

Five minutes later, Ding Huan washed the wound with water.

The spot where he had cut himself now held only a faint trace.

Even Ding Huan himself was stunned by this healing ability.

…

Today's gains were simply too great; it took Ding Huan a long while to calm himself down.

Then Ding Huan packed his things, checked out of the room, and paid full compensation for the damaged items.

The hotel was puzzled why Ding Huan had chopped half the bedside table with a single slash, but since he paid full compensation, what could they do?

After checking out, Ding Huan specifically bought a tent and went to Puxin Park, still under construction in Puhai.

Since the environmental mutation and the outbreak of gene beasts, this park had been abandoned.

In this era, how many people still visit parks?

Everyone is struggling just to survive.

No one knows whether death or tomorrow will come first.

Thus, this vast wetland park had become wilderness, even hosting some gene beasts.

Ding Huan quickly set up his tent and began practicing Fireball, Wind Blade, and Wind Riding.

Since he had come to Puhai, he certainly wouldn't leave empty-handed.

Before leaving, he planned to scout the Gene Alliance's base in Puhai, so these simple spells would be very useful.

Wind Blade was simple; Ding Huan succeeded on his first attempt.

Fireball was harder—if it took half a minute to condense a fireball, there'd be no point fighting anyone.

This kind of spell required speed, ferocity, and precision.

Ding Huan practiced Fireball and Wind Blade relentlessly.

From the moment he first conjured a fireball, Ding Huan's progress was like divine aid; within just five days, he could cast Fireball instantly.

As for Wind Blade, he achieved precise control.

The only weak point was Wind Riding—it required even more time to refine.

In five days, apart from a few vehicles, Ding Huan saw not a single person pass nearby.

For Ding Huan, it was time to leave.

…

Puhai Martial Arts Square, the second round of assessments had ended.

Fang Chong, Li Wanran, and Lü Zi remained among the top five.

The more introverted Lü Zi still ranked first, Orwen second, Li Wanran third, Ai Xi fourth, and Fang Chong fifth.

All top five achieved double-S ratings.

This ranking embarrassed many renowned universities in China, as none of their students made the top five.

Aside from Yujiang University, the best result from all other Chinese schools combined was sixth place.

Their first two rounds yielded one S and one A—still far weaker than the top five.

The third round of assessments would take place the next day.

With two rounds over, some rejoiced while others grieved.

Regardless, Yujiang University was elated; even the leaders of Luohe City were jubilant, with some even traveling specially to Puhai to offer condolences and congratulations.

The Yujiang University students who shone brightly in this assessment—Fang Chong, Li Wanran, and Lü Zi—naturally seized this opportunity to reunite with their families.

At this moment, not just Yujiang University but the entire city of Puhai regarded these three as the center of attention.

As parents of these three students, they received invitations from all sides.

Luohe's leaders came to Puhai to meet them and requested they bring their children for a gathering.

Geng Qianxing, considering that these three students practiced the Thousand Network Gene Scripture and Basic Long Fist, believed their strength would handle the third and fourth rounds without issue.

He decided to let the three students relax and enjoy the joy of their success with their families.

Alone in his room, Geng Qianxing still thought about his notebook; ever since it had been taken, he had been uneasy.

Strangely, after the notebook was taken, there had been no further word.

With the three students gone, Geng Qianxing practiced the Thousand Network Gene Scripture for a while but remained distracted.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door.

Geng Qianxing opened the door and stared in confusion at a young girl standing outside.

The girl's face was gaunt, even with bloodstains on her forehead, her eyes dull.

"Who are you looking for?" Geng Qianxing asked.

Yujiang University students had outstanding scores; most visitors seeking Geng Qianxing and his three students were turned away.

Now someone still came looking—she must have some ability.

Could it be because of his endurance gene? Thinking of this, Geng Qianxing's heart tightened.

"You must be Teacher Geng," the gaunt girl asked politely.

Geng Qianxing nodded. "That's right, I am."

"My name is Qu Fei. I've come to find Teacher Ding Huan."

The visitor was Qu Fei, who had once disbelieved Ding Huan—she had repeatedly urged Seeing Qu Yi not to associate with Ding Huan, yet now she had come to his door herself.

Even she felt the irony.

She had truly never believed in Ding Huan, but now Ding Huan's three students had both achieved S-rank scores in the two rounds of assessment.

By the time she was certain Ding Huan had real ability, she could no longer even meet him.

Many ordinary people still believed that Yujiang University's emergence of three extraordinary students was partly due to Geng Qianxing's efforts.

Warriors of Qu Jiuyi's caliber had begun to understand: according to what he knew, Yujiang University's three students had achieved these results entirely because of Ding Huan.

Unfortunately, he had once disbelieved Ding Huan's words, ruining Seeing Qu Yi's future.

Qu Fei and Seeing Qu Yi had always followed Qu Jiuyi's side, so Qu Fei knew part of the truth: the truly capable person was Ding Huan, not this Teacher Geng.

Because of this, Qu Fei still regretted it deeply.

"Ding Huan? He's not in Puhai," Geng Qianxing said, even more confused.

Ding Huan was wanted—everyone knew that—yet someone still came looking for him? What did this mean?

Qu Fei hurriedly said, "I know Teacher Ding Huan isn't in Puhai, but I have a letter that must be delivered to him."

"I can't find him either," Geng Qianxing refused without hesitation.

Qu Fei sighed.

"I'm Seeing Qu Yi's cousin. I blocked Ding Huan every time he tried to meet Yi Yi. I did these things unjustly—and I harmed Yi Yi..."

Seeing Qu Yi?

Geng Qianxing had a faint memory: on the first day of the first round, before Yujiang University's assessments even began, he had seen Seeing Qu Yi's name on the score board—ranked very high.

It was around B-rank gene fusion compatibility.

"You're saying Teacher Ding Huan knows Seeing Qu Yi?" Geng Qianxing was uncertain.

He was fairly familiar with Ding Huan, but he truly knew nothing of Ding Huan's past.

"Yes. When Teacher Ding left, he told Yi Yi that if she ever had trouble, she could come find him."

Now Seeing Qu Yi truly has trouble—I had no choice but to come find Teacher Ding."

Qu Fei knew Ding Huan and Seeing Qu Yi had never met—Seeing Qu Yi would never lie about something like this.

She had come here only because Qu Jiuyi had warned her on his deathbed.

Qu Jiuyi told her that Ding Huan had trained three students with S-rank gene fusion compatibility, proving his mastery of genetics far surpassed those so-called experts and professors.

In just three months, he turned three ordinary students into all S-rank results—without gene serums, no one would believe it.

Seeing Qu Yi's current condition can only be saved by a highly skilled geneticist: Seeing Qu Yi suffered complications from forced gene fusion and must stabilize her genome to survive.

There may be a few people in this world who could save Seeing Qu Yi—but the only one they could possibly persuade is Ding Huan.

After saying this, Qu Jiuyi left.

To this day, Qu Fei could not forgive herself for blocking Ding Huan and Seeing Qu Yi from meeting.

If Seeing Qu Yi had met Ding Huan, would her assessment score also have been double S? With a double S score, who would dare force Seeing Qu Yi into gene fusion?

"Alright—I'll take the letter. If I meet Teacher Ding Huan, I'll give it to him. If I don't, don't blame me." Geng Qianxing took the letter from Qu Fei's hand.

"Thank you," Qu Fei bowed deeply to Geng Qianxing, then turned and left.

After Qu Fei left, Geng Qianxing still felt uneasy—he didn't even know what he was uneasy about.

After pacing around the room several times, he heard the door knocked again.

Geng Qianxing's heart leapt for no reason—he immediately placed the letter on the nightstand, then went to open the door.

Two men did not wait for Geng Qianxing to speak—they walked straight into his room and shut the door behind them.

"Who are you? What do you want here?" Geng Qianxing asked warily, stepping back several paces.

These two men clearly weren't good people—both wore sunglasses; one held a bag, bulging with unknown contents.

The one without the bag wore a long-sleeved shirt, his hand tucked inside the sleeve.

Geng Qianxing suspected he was holding a gun.

"We're from the Gene Alliance. We need Teacher Geng to cooperate with an investigation. Teacher Geng, please come with us." The man in the long sleeves stepped aside, clearing the doorway.

Geng Qianxing remained silent—he knew resistance was useless.

He could only blame himself for not listening to Ding Huan.

These two men had come for him almost certainly because of his endurance gene—and possibly also because of Ding Huan's whereabouts.