Chapter 55

Continue to support, and please vote and bookmark if you can. Thanks.

————————————————————

When Ji Ran brought Lydia back, the three people clearly showed a somewhat surprised expression. However, the two younger ones seemed to recognize Ji Ran. After whispering a few words to the middle-aged man, they stood up.

"Ji Ran, right? The genius who scored full marks in the swordsmanship exam? We were the ones who supervised your exam. I'm Baise, and this is David. The other one is the school's swordsmanship professor, Master Lawrence." A young man who looked more enthusiastic and lively came forward first.

Exam supervisors? Ji Ran couldn't help but be speechless. So, exams in this world also have supervisors...

Since they were exam supervisors, there was a certain connection. Ji Ran smiled and greeted the two, then shifted his gaze to the Master Lawrence behind them.

Being called a master, this Lawrence had clearly surpassed most people in swordsmanship. Although Ji Ran believed that the Four Seasons Sword Technique was one of the best in this world, he never dared to claim it was the best. This world also had its own civilization and history, and the swordsmanship developed here might not be inferior to that of the Eastern world... of course, at the high end.

Ji Ran had some understanding of why Master Lawrence came to find him. Scoring full marks in the swordsmanship exam, how could no one notice? The professors at the academy, whether for fame and profit, for the sake of tradition, or for other reasons, had no reason to let a genius with full marks in swordsmanship slip away.

Even if this genius used only ordinary swordsmanship, his solid foundation allowed him to display top-notch skills, which would still catch the eye of swordsmanship masters... being able to reach this level without top-tier swordsmanship only made his talent more evident.

And if one could fully utilize high-level swordsmanship, their talent in swordsmanship was even more undeniable... not to mention, just this high-level swordsmanship alone was enough to make one stand out for a while.

Ji Ran, who mastered a gold-level swordsmanship and scored full marks in the entrance exam, had a talent that was enough to make someone like Professor Lawrence restless.

"Hello, Professor Lawrence." Ji Ran took the initiative to greet the middle-aged man. After all, he was a swordsmanship master, and although his exact strength was unknown, even if he had ten or eight more systems, he might not be able to defeat the other at this moment...

"Very good." Professor Lawrence looked Ji Ran up and down, nodded, and then shifted his gaze to the empty ground where Ji Ran practiced swordsmanship in the morning.

"From that empty ground, I could see how you practiced. Your foot movements are very regular, clearly designed to complement your swordsmanship. However, your control of the swordsmanship... you are not yet fully proficient. There are many irregular marks on the ground, which are the result of your imperfect control."

Professor Lawrence didn't say anything else at first but directly pointed out Ji Ran's current shortcomings.

This indeed shocked Ji Ran.

After all, although Ji Ran believed that his Four Seasons Sword Technique was outstanding, he never thought he had mastered it to perfection. Even reaching a high level was a stretch.

The marks on the ground were indeed left by his sword aura. As Professor Lawrence said, they were the result of his inability to perfectly control the sword aura. Although it wasn't battle aura, it was not the fault of Professor Lawrence, as the external manifestations of sword aura and battle aura in this world were not much different... if he could distinguish them from the marks on the ground, he wouldn't just be a swordsmanship master.

As for his foot movements, there was no need to say more. The leisurely pace was designed to complement the Four Seasons Sword Technique, and the fit was unparalleled. As a swordsmanship master, it was no problem for him to see this.

"Ji Ran, right? I've seen the footage of your exam." Professor Lawrence looked at Ji Ran with a calm, expressionless gaze, and Ji Ran couldn't read anything from his eyes.

"Your swordsmanship is something I've never seen before. It's not just the technique of using a sword; it contains... other elements. Perhaps a unique spirit, or a culture I don't understand, but something I can't grasp. This swordsmanship is very novel and has piqued my interest. Of course, I'm not asking for the inheritance of your swordsmanship, just to gain some insights from it."

Professor Lawrence was straightforward about what he wanted, showing his sincerity.

Ji Ran didn't speak, as he felt that Professor Lawrence hadn't finished.

"Of course, I won't just study your swordsmanship for free. Your swordsmanship is indeed remarkable, and I admit that. However, your foundation still has many shortcomings. I may not be able to guide your swordsmanship to a higher level, but I can at least help you improve your weaknesses. Additionally, I have a wide range of swordsmanship knowledge, which I believe will be useful to you."

It must be said that for a professor at Azure Wind and a swordsmanship master to say such things, Ji Ran had every reason to be proud. But Ji Ran clearly knew that this was due to his swordsmanship. If it weren't for the Four Seasons Sword Technique, Professor Lawrence probably wouldn't have come to him.

However, the evaluation was mutual. Although Ji Ran knew his swordsmanship had many shortcomings, especially in the basics, which was his weakest point.

Although the swordsmanship was brought from a game and he was very familiar with it, he had never undergone the rigorous basic training that others had. He could indeed reach a high level with his advanced swordsmanship, but without strengthening his foundation, his achievements would be limited at some point.

Training in the basics of swordsmanship? He had no concept of it. The daily swordsmanship practice was the best way he could think of to ensure his skills didn't decline, but to improve, he needed professional guidance.

Professor Lawrence was certainly qualified to guide his swordsmanship basics. But with the other party taking the initiative to come to him, he needed to think carefully.

One must always be cautious. The lessons from Lai Si and others were still fresh in his mind. As they said, in this world, one shouldn't easily trust anyone.

"Professor Lawrence, I understand your intentions. But as you can see, I'm just a new student at Azure Wind, unfamiliar with everything. Could you give me some time to think about it?"

Ji Ran had no intention of agreeing immediately. Improvement was good, but his own safety was more important. He needed time to understand the situation. Besides, even merchants compare multiple options, what if other swordsmanship masters offered better terms?

Ji Ran's words made Baise and David's expressions change, and they looked at him with some urgency. Although Ji Ran didn't know why these two cared so much about him, he could tell they were worried for him. This made him feel a bit more favorable towards them.

Professor Lawrence didn't get angry when he heard Ji Ran's words. He just looked at Ji Ran a few more times and then stood up.

As he stood up, Ji Ran suddenly felt a fierce aura rush towards him. It was as if a thousand swords were pointing at him, and even though they didn't attack, it made his skin hurt.

His body instinctively wanted to retreat, but a stubborn voice in his mind told him to stand firm. He must not take a single step back!

So, his body swayed but didn't retreat at all.

The fierce aura disappeared as quickly as it came, making Ji Ran feel as if he had experienced an illusion. But the sweat on his back told him that his feeling was real.

"You're right. You need time, and I need time. If you have a decision later, feel free to come find me. Usually, you can find me in the third swordsmanship training room. If I'm not there, you can leave a message for Professor Lawrence."

With that, Professor Lawrence walked out of the dormitory area.

"Your caution pleases me. I believe your swordsmanship style and mine have a lot in common."

As Professor Lawrence walked away, David and Baise had to hurry to keep up. However, during the process, they kept looking back and making gestures, which Ji Ran could understand even if he wasn't familiar with them.

"This is a big shot! Why don't you quickly come and cling to his leg?"

Ji Ran was a bit puzzled by their behavior. Why did they act so concerned for him? He didn't know them, and even if they were his exam supervisors, they hadn't interacted before.

The group walked away, but Ji Ran didn't change his mind about thinking it over. He still had a long time to stay at Azure Wind, and unless Professor Lawrence suddenly had a breakthrough, his value would remain. Waiting a while should be fine.

"Whatever, let's make dinner first." Ji Ran smiled at Lydia and started preparing dinner. They hadn't eaten lunch and were both hungry.

"Big Brother Ji Ran... the one who just came was a professor at the academy, right? He must be very powerful, right?" Lydia, who had been ignored since the beginning, finally asked Ji Ran after everyone left.

Ji Ran nodded: "A professor at Azure Wind and a swordsmanship master, he must be very powerful."

Lydia's eyes widened: "If such a powerful person came to see Big Brother Ji Ran, doesn't that mean Big Brother Ji Ran is even more powerful?"

This simple, childlike admiration clearly pleased Ji Ran, but he just smiled and shook his head: "They came to me not because I'm powerful, but because I have something they find novel. Whether to agree to their request, I still need to think about it. Professor Lawrence is indeed very powerful, but whether he's suitable for me is another matter."

"Okay, if Big Brother Ji Ran says to think about it, then think about it. Whatever you do, it will definitely be right!" Lydia nodded vigorously.

Page AD starts

Page AD ends