Chapter 51: Rain and Shine

Jiang Jian descended the gangway and landed on the ground.

More than a dozen classmates still stood before the classroom door, not having left.

Seeing Jiang Jian come down, Shi Xuan stepped forward and asked, “Jiang Jian, what did Teacher Zhang punish you with? Let me compensate you.”

As he spoke, his expression was complex, his eyes filled with guilt.

In Shi Xuan’s view, the incident had originated from him, yet Jiang Jian bore the punishment.

This left him feeling deeply uneasy.

Jiang Jian sensed his thoughts and shook his head: “No need. The matter is resolved.”

Zhang Jian, the head instructor of the department, acted with great unconventionality.

First, he deducted 100 academic credits to uphold the “Linjiang Academy Student Code.”

Then, within his authority, he awarded himself an additional 200 academic credits.

Net gain and loss.

He ended up gaining 100 academic credits.

Thinking of this,

Jiang Jian smiled: “Don’t overthink it. I’m telling the truth.”

As he spoke,

Jiang Jian already had the urge to return immediately and cultivate.

After the recent battle,

The qi in his Shenque acupoint was nearly depleted.

Even so,

Jiang Jian clearly perceived

That the more frequently he activated his qi, the deeper his understanding of it became.

Use it or lose it—that’s the principle.

Leveraging the lingering momentum of battle, he should immediately absorb qi and stabilize his spiritual essence.

This would greatly aid his cultivation.

Hearing this,

Shi Xuan paused, then stopped pressing, saying: “By the way, check the campus forum.”

“The video of the battle, barely thirty seconds long.”

“It’s already spread throughout this year’s freshmen!”

As he spoke,

Liu Tiezhu strode over, wearing a teasing grin.

“This year’s freshmen have just enrolled.”

“And they’ve already witnessed a Level 4 talent, someone they normally look up to, being outmatched.”

“Such an absurd event is definitely major news.”

“Even I couldn’t resist.”

“I posted several comments under the video.”

At that moment,

Other classmates nearby gradually gathered around.

With expressions of concern, they all asked:

“Jiang Jian, are you alright?”

“Didn’t Teacher Zhang favor her again?”

“Shi Luohua is truly despicable!”

The group chattered in unison, all faces flushed with indignation.

Yet how much of it was genuine, how much feigned—

Only each person knew.

Jiang Jian smiled: “I’m fine.”

Someone hesitated a moment, then finally asked: “Jiang Jian, will you join me for the weekend study mission?”

Beside him, another student’s expression changed slightly, quickly adding: “Jiang Jian, come with me—my talent is Grass and Trees Know Spring, with strong recovery!”

Several other classmates, seeing this, hurriedly spoke up, inviting Jiang Jian.

The academy had opened less than three days ago.

The importance of academic credits was already common knowledge.

Although study missions carried danger,

Even causing ordinary students to turn pale at the thought,

This was still the First Department.

The 50 students of the First Department were the most gifted among the 1,800 freshmen, overall.

Among them were many bold, ambitious individuals unafraid of danger.

These people had clearly realized

That academic credits were never enough.

And large-scale study missions

Were nearly impossible for one person to complete.

Under these circumstances,

The value of having powerful teammates was self-evident.

Amid the clamor,

Liu Tiezhu pushed forward, raising his voice: “I’m truly sorry, but our study team is already full.”

One student frowned suspiciously: “You’re on a team with Jiang Jian? Really?”

Liu Tiezhu smiled and nodded: “Why would I lie to you?”

Shi Xuan added beside him: “It’s true—we’re full.”

Hearing this,

Several students looked disappointed.

After having previously agreed with Jiang Jian to team up for the next study mission,

They all departed.

Liu Tiezhu exhaled, stepped slightly aside, and revealed the girl behind him: “Shan Ye, my friend.”

Shan Ye stepped forward and extended her hand to Jiang Jian: “Hello, Jiang Jian.”

Jiang Jian lightly shook her hand: “Hello.”

Jiang Jian had some recollection of Shan Ye.

During yesterday’s cultivation class,

She ranked second in the cultivation competition.

Shan Ye kept her smile and extended her hand to Shi Xuan: “Hello, Shi Xuan.”

Shi Xuan replied: “Hello, Shan Ye.”

Shan Ye nodded politely and stated bluntly: “This is my talent—Life Without End.”

Without any visible movement,

From all directions,

Qi suddenly gathered around them.

Under the qi’s embrace, fallen leaves and fluttering petals appeared and vanished intermittently.

Jiang Jian felt his mind clear and his qi flow accelerate significantly.

Life Without End was powerful.

Though it could not heal wounds,

Its speed in restoring qi was extremely fast.

“For any study mission, the reward credits are fixed—the more people, the fewer credits per person.”

Liu Tiezhu said, “I propose we four form a temporary study team.”

“Jiang Jian’s technique is not only potent in offense but also excellent at protecting teammates.”

“Shi Xuan possesses a divine weapon, his aura fierce and his combat strength solid.”

“Shan Ye’s Life Without End can rapidly restore qi in a short time—immensely useful.”

“According to my estimate,

The four of us are already sufficient to handle current study missions.”

“Jiang Jian, what do you think?”

As he spoke,

Liu Tiezhu turned to Jiang Jian, his eyes seeking approval.

Jiang Jian considered briefly, then nodded: “Your arrangement is excellent. I have no objections.”

Every study mission offered a fixed reward.

The fewer the participants, the greater the share per person.

Shi Xuan fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Liu Tiezhu, after all that, what is your actual talent?"

"I've already told you—my talent must remain secret."

Liu Tiezhu glanced at him, expression calm. "Don't worry—I'll do my best not to hold you back."

Shi Xuan nodded and said nothing more.

But inside, he knew.

His words about holding others back were merely modesty.

After all,

Liu Tiezhu ranked first in his entrance examination.

When you really think about it,

he was the one holding himself back.

Thinking of this,

Shi Xuan clenched his Moon-Chasing Blade tighter.

His desire to grow stronger intensified.

"Let's have a meal together."

On Liu Tiezhu's face, that earnest smile reappeared.

He raised his identity device and summoned an unmanned aerial shuttle. "My treat."

Jiang Jian checked the time.

11:30.

"Fine."

The shuttle activated.

Jiang Jian sat by the window, watching the buildings blur past.

He recalled his battle with Shi Luohua.

Their exchange lasted only seconds.

Yet it gave Jiang Jian a clearer understanding of how swiftly combat could shift.

As cultivation time increases,

everyone's arsenal only grows larger.

Second talents, divine weapons, technological gear.

All of these

can exist independently of one's innate talent.

Relying solely on innate talent

cannot accurately judge a person's true combat strength.

"But,"

"no matter what,"

"cultivating spiritual essence remains the most fundamental foundation."

As his thoughts churned,

Jiang Jian's surroundings stirred with invisible energy as he meditated silently.

On the other side of the cabin,

Liu Tiezhu was speaking with Shan Ye.

Suddenly,

he sensed the spiritual energy fluctuation from Jiang Jian.

Liu Tiezhu fell silent, turning his head to look.

Shan Ye also noticed it, whispering, "Even a few minutes are used for cultivation."

Liu Tiezhu's gaze shifted slightly. "Being able to calm the mind and cultivate at any moment—that's already hard."

Shan Ye nodded, gazing at Jiang Jian with complex eyes. "We all understand the principle of cultivation."

"But actually doing it? We simply can't manage this."

"Such strict self-discipline..."

Here, she turned her gaze away from Jiang Jian and fell silent.

(End of Chapter)

(End of chapter)