ASER - Chapter 79
Chapter 79: Cultivation
That night, after dinner, A'Diao went to Qu Jiangnan's residence, also located in the Jinling Academy's advanced dormitory area, carrying a bag of fruit. On the way, she exchanged 500,000 mental feedback points for the D-Grade Aptitude Marrow Cleansing Formula and used another 200,000 points to upgrade her Talisman Proficiency.
She now had a little over 250,000 points left.
After checking the formula, she compared it with the ingredients available on the market and found that some were quite rare. Most shops didn't have them, but A'Diao had Xiao Yuanbao search online databases and located a few stores. They were all well-known pharmacies with complete stocks of medicinal herbs, but the prices were also high.
"A single dose of the formula costs a total of 25 million...?"
Startled, A'Diao leaned against a tree by the roadside. After calming her breathing, she gritted her teeth and placed an order.
"There are gains and losses. What I spend now, I'll earn back someday! Damn Cui family and that bandit gang! Bah!"
A'Diao angrily closed her phone and continued towards Qu Jiangnan's residence.
She lived in Shanzhu Ju but had barely been to other parts of this dormitory area. Now, strolling around, she realized how lush and beautiful it was. The further inside she went, the stronger the Spiritual Energy became, indicating a large, natural Spirit Gathering Array.
To be honest, the Spiritual Energy Revival seemed sudden, but whether it was the Academy Alliance, the imperial court, or the powerful families, many were actually prepared.
But the academy's preparations were ostensibly for recruiting students. A'Diao felt that more resources were still allocated towards the teachers.
It made sense. These teachers were the ones who served the school long-term, while students came and went like leeks. Cultivating them was firstly for the school's reputation, to attract high-quality students from all over and gain an advantage in resource allocation. Secondly, outstanding students could give back to the school in the future, a mutually beneficial relationship.
But overall, the school definitely invested more resources in teachers than students. Otherwise, if a situation where "a flurry of punches could defeat a master" arose, it would be too embarrassing.
Look at the teacher rankings on the Catacomb Leaderboard; quite a few had cleared the third level.
No one knew what level Qu Jiangnan had reached; she didn't seem to have taken the test.
Perhaps she had, but her results were hidden, like hers.
A'Diao knew that only the principal had access to the Catacomb Leaderboard because it was a combination of forbidden artifacts and Spiritual Vessels, all belonging to the principal. Naturally, others couldn't view it.
As for whether he knew about her situation, A'Diao wasn't sure. It depended on whether the old man had any interest in her; otherwise, he wouldn't bother checking her real scores.
Qu Jiangnan's residence was located deep within, signifying her high status, no less than the school's long-standing senior officials. She was on the same level as the principal and other academy leaders.
So young, with a boundless future.
She wondered if she needed to serve tea and water.
A'Diao let her mind wander and soon arrived at a courtyard.
Compared to Shanzhu Ju, this house was much larger, occupying at least two thousand square meters.
A fence, sweet osmanthus trees, a plaque on the gate reading "Qinglong Study," small lanterns hanging on both sides of the plaque, a scholarly air with ancient charm, a fragrant garden, the house designed in a modern Jiangnan water town style, mainly in green brick and brown tiles, steady and simple, yet naturally elegant.
A'Diao had just pressed the doorbell when her eyes couldn't help but glance to the side.
Because there was someone in the next courtyard, a shirtless, well-built young man, probably in his twenties, with handsome features and a strong physique, practicing martial arts on the outdoor plum blossom stakes in the courtyard.
Sweat streamed down his skin, his abdomen rippling with eight-pack abs, a perfect inverted triangle physique.
Sweat slowly trickled down his abdomen towards his waistband...
Oh my, is this something I can watch for free?
If so, I'll take a longer look.
"Enjoying the view?"
Someone asked her.
A'Diao reflexively replied, "So-so, he's wearing pants."
"..."
A'Diao turned her head and saw Qu Jiangnan in casual home clothes. She immediately became flustered and said innocently, "Teacher Qu, how could you do this! You invited me here without warning me. Who knew there would be such scenery... I'm still a child; I'm so shy."
Then she covered her eyes in a ladylike manner.
From Qu Jiangnan +9999!
Qu Jiangnan's lips twitched slightly. She said slowly, "If you keep being so affected, there's no need for tonight's lesson."
Alright, A'Diao put down her hand and calmly opened the door to enter.
As she walked through the courtyard, the man next door trained even harder.
Oh, A'Diao suddenly understood. She gave Qu Jiangnan a meaningful look.
Qu Jiangnan's expression remained cold and indifferent, saying nothing.
Inside the house, there was no tea, only plain water. Qu Jiangnan didn't waste any words and went straight to the main topic.
"One-hour lesson. Tell me directly where your talent lies. Focus on your primary talent first."
A'Diao thought for a moment and said, "Daoism and Talismans."
Qu Jiangnan had been certain that A'Diao's talent lay in Daoism, given her performance today. But hearing that A'Diao also specialized in Talismans, she was somewhat surprised. "Are you sure?"
"As if I would lie."
"You would."
"......."
A'Diao didn't waste any words. She pulled out a black bag from her fruit bag and took out a few talismans.
Qu Jiangnan glimpsed three apples in the bag, not very fresh-looking, probably because A'Diao didn't like them, so she brought them as a gift.
She never expected there would be talismans inside the black bag.
Qu Jiangnan took the talismans and examined them for a while, asking A'Diao in detail about the process of making them, from when she started to how much material, time, and Spirit Power she used. Finally, she asked A'Diao to make one on the spot.
A'Diao did.
Qu Jiangnan pondered for a moment and said, "Actually, with your aptitude, I could recommend you to the principal."
The word "recommend" was used with such subtle meaning.
A'Diao's heart stirred, but she shook her head. "I'd rather have you teach me, Teacher."
Qu Jiangnan was a little surprised. "You don't want to receive his guidance?"
"Forget it, my talent isn't exactly earth-shattering. In the college entrance exam, pre-made talismans aren't allowed, right? They won't be of much help in the assessment, unless I draw spirit talismans on the spot. But that's too difficult and consumes a lot of Spirit Power, which could be counterproductive. The principal wouldn't teach me that. So, this talent has nothing to do with the college entrance exam, and naturally nothing to do with the academy's interests. It's better if you teach me, Teacher."
This person, though seemingly cunning and speaking erratically, always acted with a strong sense of purpose.
In modern terms, she was a "refined, self-interested pragmatist."
But she had one merit: she was clear-headed.
"From what you're saying, you don't plan to devote all your energy to the college entrance exam?" Qu Jiangnan asked curiously.
A'Diao smiled faintly. "I have to survive until the college entrance exam first."
Some people laugh while crying, laugh while lying, laugh while idling their days away.
Some people laugh while talking about life and death.
Qu Jiangnan wasn't unaware of the situation in Jinling. She fell silent for a moment, then reached out, and a stack of draft paper from her desk flew over.
"These are the basics of three Daoist techniques I'll be teaching tonight. You have ten minutes to memorize them, then I'll demonstrate directly..."
Qu Jiangnan didn't specify when A'Diao had to master them. She would quickly assess A'Diao's talent ceiling and then decide how to teach her.
Casually, seriously, attentively, or with all her heart.
It all depended on A'Diao's aptitude and her own mood.
An hour later, it was only six o'clock, just after dusk. A'Diao left, stepping on the warm orange light of the courtyard lamps. Qu Jiangnan opened the door for her. After watching her leave, she glanced at the next courtyard and said indifferently, "Next time you try anything funny, I'll make you disappear from the academy forever."
A certain teacher in the next room, who had been peeking at her, was first startled, then annoyed, and wanted to say something when a sharp pain shot through his knee. In the next second, he found himself wrapped in a vine. Before he could react, he was pulled out the window, then enveloped by vines and leaves, hanging from a branch like a cocoon.
His throat constricted; he couldn't make a sound.
Like a hanging corpse.
Qu Jiangnan's gaze remained cold, as if nothing had happened. She went back inside, saw only one apple left in the bag, and scoffed lightly.
Little miser.
She ate two of the three apples herself.
But her talent was truly terrifying.
In one hour, she had grasped the basics of three low-level Daoist techniques.
She would probably be able to use them skillfully by tomorrow.
"Such talent far surpasses the double 99s from that day's test, but her C-class growth potential isn't high. Could the test have been wrong?" Qu Jiangnan pondered deeply.
At the principal's residence, the principal, who was tutoring Tuoba, glanced out the window, raised an eyebrow slightly, and smiled.
Finally provoked her. He wondered what kind of young talent those people would send next to try and win this esteemed lady of the Qu family's heart.
Or perhaps, her killing intent.
After leaving, A'Diao returned home under the cover of night. After soaking in the Muscle-Separating Bone-Dislocating Soup, she achieved her second bone dislocation. She crawled out miserably, took a shower, and then rushed to Fuxiang Garden, entering a long period of cultivation.
The next day was Equipment Class. The teacher started lecturing on forbidden artifacts. However, after talking for half a day, the afternoon was given to the liberal arts teacher.
These days were just like the old days with the P.E. and music teachers.
However, there was an exam this afternoon.
The elderly teacher strolled away leisurely, holding his goji berry thermos, while A'Diao and the others hurried to the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was especially crowded today. The lunch ladies muttered, "Strange, why are so many people ordering steamed eggs with pig brains today?"
The lunch lady next to her said nonchalantly, "It's the second liberal arts exam today. Quite a few cried after the last one. They must be trying to nourish their brains this time."
The lunch ladies' loud voices embarrassed many students, but they still firmly ordered some brain-boosting dishes.
Tian Zhongxiang ordered three portions of pig brains for Tian Zhongye.
"Eat them all. Don't leave any leftovers."
A'Diao, Song Ling, and Rao Xueya: "..."
These were true siblings, no pretense.
The afternoon exam was indeed dreary, like an execution ground. Even A'Diao looked pale after it.
Damn question-setting team, the teachers are inhumane!
The results were released ten minutes later.
The anxious students couldn't help but look at the scoreboard.
"Fuck! That beast Jiang Yeynai is first again, 681!"
"Insane! Besides him, no one else scored above 600!"
"Terrifying... I knew no one would do well. It was too difficult."
"The ranking is almost the same as last time, but... holy shit, Chen A'Diao is tenth!"
"Song Ling is eleventh, Cheng Zhang twelfth!"
Everyone looked over and saw Song Ling leaning against a tree, reading a book, her features as elegant as a painting. The wind blew her hair, and she tucked it behind her ear with her finger.
This scenery... stood out.
But their gazes shifted, and right next to her, four people sat without any grace.
Like four plain, unassuming sweet potatoes.
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