Chapter 15: Beating Wang Lumao

Looking at Han Zhen, who looked exactly like himself, Li Shutong almost burst out a curse.

'An SSS-level talent as a spirit contractor is one thing, but instantly mastering the Eight Lock Fists? Kid, are you cheating?'

"How did you find the location of the first lock, Kai Ji?"

Li Shutong was genuinely shocked. Even he didn't know the exact location of Kai Ji, and could only rely on a vague sense, breaking through during battles again and again.

But Han Zhen hadn't even fought. Just listening to the oral explanation of the Eight Locks Fists, he managed to unlock the first lock?

"Uh... I just found it by feel?" Han Zhen was uncertain.

He merely used his memories from his previous life about the Taichi, imagining the location of Kai Ji as the brain domain and then circulating the Eight Locks Fists technique.

And it actually worked?

After unlocking the first lock, Han Zhen could clearly feel a surge of new energy in his body. His speed, reflexes, and strength had all noticeably improved.

It was similar in effect to the augmentation from Fuxi Qin's Dragon Soaring Symphony.

But now Han Zhen could stack the two effects, which wasn't as simple as one plus one equaling two.

Han Zhen tentatively directed the internal qi of the Eight Locks Fists to strike at the second position in his memory—Rest Ji.

But all the qi seemed to vanish without a trace, like sinking stones in the ocean.

He gave up entirely.

'

Indeed, cultivation couldn't be rushed in a single step.'

"Teacher, how many locks can you unlock now?" Han Zhen asked curiously.

"Six locks. I faintly feel I'm not far from unlocking the seventh," Li Shutong replied.

This achievement was remarkable, but in front of this disciple who instantly unlocked the first lock, it seemed less impressive.

Li Shutong thought about it, and his face stiffened as he clenched his fists silently.

"The Eight Locks Fists not only unlock the body's limits for enhancement but also include vital combat techniques. Without proper technique, all that strength has nowhere to be used and is wasted."

"Next, I'll teach you the combat techniques honed through life-and-death battles against the insects."

As soon as Li Shutong finished speaking, before Han Zhen could respond, he had already launched a full-strength punch at him.

---

Morning.

When Xia Youwei woke from her sleep, she heard noises coming from the lawn downstairs.

Walking to the balcony, she saw Han Zhen, drenched in sweat, throwing punches, dodging, and shifting around wooden training dummies.

It looked like he hadn't slept all night.

"Hmph. That stupid, clueless idiot!" Looking at the double bed she had carefully prepared, Xia Youwei muttered under her breath. [T/N: Pathetic]

But when she saw Han Zhen's face, swollen like a pig's head from being beaten, her previous annoyance subsided a lot.

"Teacher left in the middle of the night and didn't stay to rest here."

"Let's go have breakfast quickly. We still need to attend the graduation ceremony today."

As students of Qingteng Academy, passing the Spirit Contractor Examination marked their official graduation. From here, they would report to various battlefronts, beginning new journeys.

Though they had made a splash in the exams and been accepted as Li Shutong's disciples, Han Zhen and Xia Youwei's time at Qingteng Academy wasn't over just yet.

After breakfast, they headed to the academy together.

As soon as Han Zhen and Xia Youwei appeared, their classmates began pointing fingers and whispering.

Occasionally, bursts of mocking laughter erupted.

"?" Han Zhen and Xia Youwei were both baffled.

This scene felt eerily familiar.

But it was precisely because of this familiarity that it felt absurd.

'Deja vu?'

D'idn't we already prove ourselves in the combat examination? Why...'

"Oh, isn't this Han Zhen, who shone so brightly in yesterday's Spirit Contractor Combat Examination?"

From a distance, Wang Lümao and Xiao Mei approached together.

Seeing Han Zhen, Wang Lümao's smug expression was impossible to hide.

'What is he so pleased about?'

Soon, someone answered Han Zhen's question.

—

"I've been assigned to the Deep Blue City Guardians Organization, starting as a low-level team member?", Han Zhen said.

"Yes, Han Zhen, I know this decision might be hard for you to accept, but it's the directive from above. I've already done my best to fight for you..."

In the principal's office, when Chen Guangpu relayed the news to Han Zhen, even he sighed.

He couldn't understand why the higher-ups made this decision either.

This was an SSS-level Spirit Contractor who had aced both the combat and healing examinations.

How could the authorities assign him to the Guardians Organization?

What a waste of talent.

Though the Guardians held considerable authority in cities, they were ultimately a rear-line institution.

Compared to frontline organizations or major battlefronts, they offered far less growth, development, or future achievements.

"It's fine, Principal Chen. I accept the arrangement," Han Zhen said, shaking his head.

He finally understood why Wang Lümao was so smug and why his classmates were gossiping.

They likely thought he had embarrassed the authorities during the examination, prompting retaliation.

But Han Zhen knew this was his teacher's doing.

Going to any major battlefront, no matter which one, would ultimately lead him to becoming someone else's shadow.

"So this is what Teacher meant by finding my own path?" Han Zhen muttered to himself.

The news of Han Zhen's "fall from grace" spread quickly throughout Qingteng Academy.

Wang Lümao and Xiao Mei played no small role in fanning the flames.

Now everyone knew Han Zhen had offended the authorities and was relegated to a grueling, thankless grassroots organization.

Some felt pity, others gloated, and some just enjoyed the spectacle.

The happiest person, of course, was Wang Lümao.

The frustration of being overshadowed by Han Zhen yesterday had finally dissipated.

"Han Zhen, I told you, you're no match for me."

"So what if you cleared the hardest examination? Offend the authorities, and you're doomed."

"Hahahaha!"

Wang Lümao waited outside the principal's office just to mock Han Zhen, eager to see his furious, humiliated expression.

At that moment, Han Zhen moved.

He raised his fist and punched Wang Lümao square in the face.

"Hmph, getting angry now? Arrogant fool. Without your spirit partner, how dare you mock me?"

With Xiao Mei absent, Wang Lümao didn't back down. With a cold snort, a layer of white mist condensed in front of him.

His spirit partner talent: Celestial Spirit Aura

Wang Lümao had already tested it with Xiao Mei the day before.

But the mist was so thin it looked fragile as paper to Han Zhen.

His punch smashed through the Celestial Spirit Aura and landed squarely on Wang Lümao's face.

The latter was sent flying, unable to even finish cursing before blacking out.

"That's it?"

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