Chapter 30: The Private Tutors and the Request

After briefly explaining the definition of the Nine Layers of Xuanguan, Jiang Ningan hesitated: “But…”

“But what? Senior Jiang, don’t leave your sentence hanging.” Fang Can scoffed.

“Although the Nine Layers of Xuanguan is the strongest realm of shedding the mortal form, the vast majority of martial arts in the mortal world cannot meet the requirements for the ninth layer—shedding seven or eight tenths of the old body is already the limit.”

“And your eighty-eight acupoint technique should be the same…” Jiang Ningan looked at Fang Can with regret, feeling as if a genius had been wasted.

“Then what about your own technique?” Fang Can asked.

“I’ve shed nine and seven tenths of my old blood—equal to the third-generation sect master.” Jiang Ningan spoke with quiet pride; even the sect’s founder had only reached nine and five tenths.

“So if you replace all ten tenths of your old blood, would that make you the strongest in this age of Shedding the Mortal Form?” Fang Can pressed on.

“That would require a top-tier technique paired with peerless talent. Ancient texts do mention a Tenth Layer of Xuanguan, but no one has ever reached it.”

Jiang Ningan explained: “After all, it’s nearly impossible to train the lower yin, the five zang and six fu organs, the skull, bone marrow, eyes, and even hair follicles—completely shedding them is extraordinarily difficult.”

“So it seems this was waiting for me,” Fang Can muttered to himself, his unshakable sense of entitlement leaving Jiang Ningan speechless.

After a simple morning wash, though he hadn’t slept at all, Fang Can’s eyes still gleamed with vitality.

Telling Jiang Ningan to hide inside, Fang Can gently opened the door—outside, the endless crowd had vanished entirely.

Now only a handful of officers from the New Nation’s police force remained outside the door.

“Welcome, Young Master Fang Can, to your inspection.”

As the door opened, four girls—each with flawless faces and figures—smiled and bowed in unison toward Fang Can.

They radiated youthful energy, making one instinctively want to linger in their presence.

Fang Can: … Corruption! Utterly corrupt!

“Oh my, this must be Young Master Fang Can,” came a voice nearby, dripping with flattery.

Fang Can turned to see a middle-aged man in a suit approaching him.

“You’re… the mayor of City Z?”

Fang Can recalled the man’s identity—he’d occasionally seen him speak on local TV during school days, but he’d never been this humble before.

“Hehe, Young Master Fang Can, don’t be so formal—I’m Li Zhenxian. Just call me Little Li.” Mayor Li smiled, rubbing his hands nervously.

“You’ve already evacuated all these people?” Fang Can asked.

“Yes. Except for doctors, police, and military personnel, I’ve had everyone stay in nearby buildings until the Celebration Day ends, then they’ll return to work.”

“Food supplies are also being managed as best we can, to ensure everyone gets through these days safely,” Li Zhenxian explained.

As he spoke, Fang Can gazed into the distance and saw countless eyes fixed on them from surrounding buildings.

Li Zhenxian had wanted them to return to their homes, but no one dared leave—they all insisted on staying near Fang Can, as if the entire city had become his devoted disciples.

“You’ve done well,” Fang Can nodded in approval. “For the next few days, I’ll rely on you to maintain order.”

“No, no—we’re merely doing our duty,” Li Zhenxian smiled, waving his hand. “Should Young Master Fang Can need anything, just speak to these people at the door—we’ll fulfill every request without hesitation.”

“Oh… by the way,” Li Zhenxian slapped his forehead. “I almost forgot—you’re still this year’s exam candidate. Even in these extraordinary times, we can’t let your studies suffer.”

“So?” Fang Can eyed him—surely the man wasn’t about to suggest he start studying again.

Li Zhenxian gave a knowing smile and pointed to the four women standing nearby.

“To ensure your studies aren’t hindered, I’ve specially arranged these private tutors to assist you with your lessons.”

Seeing Fang Can’s gaze, Li Zhenxian assured him: “Young Master, rest assured—each of them holds at least a bachelor’s degree. They’ll ensure you absorb cultural knowledge while being properly educated.”

Fang Can: … Private tutors, huh? I can’t even bring myself to point out how ridiculous this is—who could resist this temptation?

Seeing Fang Can’s silence, Li Zhenxian added: “They’re all completely voluntary—they genuinely want to help improve Young Master’s academic performance.”

In truth, as Li Zhenxian said, so many had volunteered to be Fang Can’s tutors that they’d spent the entire night sifting through photos until their eyes ached.

In the end, they’d selected only the few with the highest academic credentials.

So, brothers, studying really does change your fate!

The only problem was that Li Zhenxian, having been out of school too long, had developed a serious misjudgment.

Sending a group of undergraduates and graduate students to tutor a senior high schooler like Fang Can was downright absurd.

After all, if those undergraduates and grad students had to retake the Gaokao today, barely scraping into a junior college would mean they’d retained something from their three years of high school.

“Alright, I feel your sincerity.”

Fang Can waved his hand. “But I’m currently training in martial arts—I have no time for studying right now. Keep these tutoring offers on hold for now.”

Seeing Li Zhenxian’s surprised look, Fang Can felt a pang of regret—he’d almost been tempted to accept, if only Jiang Ningan weren’t hiding inside and he couldn’t risk exposure.

Besides, there’s a saying that guarding the essence is key to faster progress in Shedding the Mortal Form—so for now, Niu Niu will just have to suffer a few more days.

Looking at Li Zhenxian before him, Fang Can thought for a moment and said: “Old Li, I need you to handle a few things for me.”

“Of course! Anything within reason—I won’t delay a second!” Li Zhenxian thumped his chest loudly.

“I need some basic self-defense weapons. Also, get me some poisons. And build me a custom energy generator…”

Fang Can laid out his requirements to Li Zhenxian.

After all, he might be heading to another world in a few days—he needed to prepare everything quickly, and here was a ready-made channel.

Li Zhenxian agreed without hesitation, promising to spare no effort.

After all, gathering these items wasn’t difficult—all the city’s resources were now at Fang Can’s disposal.

He could even command the university’s mechanical and chemical PhDs, so fulfilling Fang Can’s requests wouldn’t be hard at all.

Any poison or device he wanted—given the materials—could be built the same day.

Throughout the entire process, Li Zhenxian acted like a loyal subordinate, never questioning Fang Can’s identity—only believing, utterly and completely.

After all, things were going well enough—any suspicion might uncover something dangerous.

(End of Chapter)