Chapter 71

In an instant, the Chuxiao Sword melted into a fluid and wrapped around Ji Ran's body.

The feeling this sword gave Ji Ran was different from that of the Bone Blade Sword. The Chuxiao Sword was a level four weapon, which meant it was a genuine Silver Tier weapon. Compared to the Bone Blade Sword, the Chuxiao Sword could cover a larger area!

If he wished, he could even transform the Chuxiao Sword into a half-body garment. The defensive power of this half-body garment would likely not be inferior to that of ordinary armor!

This thought flashed through his mind but did not linger for long. After all, mobilizing true essence consumed a lot of energy. The Bone Blade Sword had almost depleted his true essence in an instant, and although it was slightly better now, the duration would not be much longer.

However, Ji Ran could feel that most of the true essence was still being wasted. Due to his unfamiliarity with this energy, he could not control the spontaneous diffusion of true essence. This was why the duration of the magic item's attachment was so short, and he could only manage to release one attack.

If he could improve his ability to control this energy, the duration of maintaining this state would increase several times, or even more than ten times. In that case, he might have some practical combat ability...

However, controlling the dissipation of this energy was not a simple matter. Despite his desperate efforts to circulate the Heart Sword Technique, he only managed to slightly slow down the dissipation of energy. In the end, he could only helplessly watch as the energy was depleted, and the state of the magic item's attachment disappeared.

Fortunately, no matter what, he had once again converted his true qi and magical power into true essence. The next time he used this move, its power and duration would increase. Unfortunately, so far, this thing could only be used as a last resort. Otherwise, his strength would have greatly improved...

By the way, calling this thing "magic item attachment" sounded a bit too crude. Was there a more elegant term to describe this state?

After thinking for a long time, a flash of inspiration struck Ji Ran. Back in his original world, he had read an old manga that, although it was cut short, he had always thought was quite good.

So, he decided to call this state "Armed Alchemy."

Naming this ability gave Ji Ran a sense of relief, as if a major burden had been lifted from his mind. After carefully admiring the Chuxiao Sword once more, Ji Ran finally sat on his bed and began to cultivate.

With the consumption of true qi and magical power, he needed to recover.

The next day, Ji Ran, feeling refreshed, took the Chuxiao Sword to class.

The scabbard of this sword was also crafted by Ji Ran along with the sword itself, and it was not much different from the previous one, so it was hard to distinguish from the outside. No one knew that the magic sword Ji Ran now carried was completely different from before, giving him a sense of wearing fine clothes at night. However, since he intended to keep a low profile, it didn't matter to him.

His relationship with his classmates had always been average, and he had no intention of making friends here. Although a few people were quite interesting, being ordinary classmates was enough.

After class, Ji Ran was about to go back for lunch when David, who had come to find him with Professor Lawrence, approached him.

"How's it going with Anya?" David's expression clearly had a teasing tone.

Ji Ran had also learned about David and Baise's identities; they were Professor Lawrence's assistants. They had some talent in swordsmanship but were not good enough to become Professor Lawrence's disciples. Following Professor Lawrence, they hoped to one day make a breakthrough in their swordsmanship and eventually become his disciples... the disciples of a Gold Tier swordsman, a prestigious title indeed.

"Ha, it seems you know everything I do?" Ji Ran had met David and Baise a few times, not exactly friends but familiar enough.

"Please, Anya is Professor Lawrence's granddaughter. We can't possibly not know. Besides, we also know that Douglas sent someone to cause you trouble, but you beat them back." David smiled mysteriously.

"…You know everything, but didn't stop him?" Ji Ran looked at David.

"Nothing we could do. We only found out after the fact. Even if we had known beforehand, we could have only warned him... after all, we don't have any subordinate relationship with Douglas, so we can't command him." David shrugged.

"…In the end, it's useless. I really can't understand what Professor Lawrence is thinking, letting Douglas harass his granddaughter so much. It must be quite a burden for Anya, right?" Ji Ran was a bit puzzled by Professor Lawrence's thoughts.

"Nothing we can do. This academy isn't just Professor Lawrence's; other families are involved too. The affairs of the big shots are hard to understand. However, they won't dare to go too far with Anya. As for you… your current situation isn't good," David looked at Ji Ran meaningfully.

Ji Ran was startled: "My situation isn't good? It's not that serious, right? It's just Douglas causing trouble. How much can he do, no matter how far he goes?"

David chuckled: "If it were just Douglas, it wouldn't be a big problem. But in this academy, you have to face more than just him."

Ji Ran was confused. In the past half month, he had been as low-key as possible, going back and forth between the classroom and the dormitory, and only going out every two days. He hadn't made any enemies outside, so why would others want to target him?

"The Student Council and the Blue Lion have both approached you, right? These two major forces in the academy have been in conflict for a long time, and a direct confrontation is likely to happen soon. Both sides want to recruit you, and staying out of it won't be easy."

David's words left Ji Ran even more puzzled: "What does that have to do with me? I've already clearly refused both of them. No matter how they fight, I just won't get involved, right?"

David continued to smile: "Of course, that's how you feel, but we can't say how they feel. In this conflict, they will gather all the forces they can. If you hadn't shown your strength, it would be one thing, but I heard you fought with Reinhardt..."

Ji Ran felt a sour taste in his mouth. How could this involve him? How much more ridiculous could it get?

"Actually, this is a minor issue. It's just a conflict between students, so they won't do anything too serious to you. However, the fact that you got a perfect score in the swordsmanship exam has already spread throughout the academy..." David's tone made Ji Ran feel uneasy.

"A perfect score in swordsmanship isn't that big a deal, right?" Ji Ran's voice lacked confidence.

"That's because we've been keeping it under wraps! But eventually, someone will find out. Once the news spreads, almost all the swordsmanship professors will know. I think your days won't be peaceful from now on..." David looked somewhat gleeful.

Ji Ran sighed helplessly: "Actually, the value of my perfect score isn't that high..."

"The value of it is not up to you to decide. Many people, like Professor Lawrence, want to advance in swordsmanship, but not everyone will be as fair as he is. Some just want to increase their own strength, while others... might want to leave a Gold Tier sword technique for their family. However, within the Azure Wind, they won't use force. Just wait and see, various troubles will slowly come your way."

Ji Ran deeply felt that a Gold Tier sword technique was far more important than he had imagined—of course, he wasn't sure if the Four Seasons Sword Technique was Gold Tier, but it should be at least decent.

Why did he suddenly get a perfect score in the swordsmanship exam? Why did he have to drag out the combat phase for ten minutes without defeating that misty guy? A moment of impulsiveness had led to such serious consequences!

David wasn't exaggerating. Professor Lawrence's request for equal exchange... of course, it wasn't really equal. He was a Level 2 swordsman, and a Gold Tier swordmaster wouldn't play fair with him. But at least Professor Lawrence had no ill intentions; he just wanted to use Ji Ran's sword technique as a reference. As for others...

He couldn't assume the best intentions for everyone in this world. Although he had met more good people than bad so far, the world was balanced, and it was time for him to encounter not-so-good people.

"Is there any simple and straightforward solution you can suggest?" Ji Ran nudged David with his elbow.

David dodged and then shook his head with a smile: "Not for now. You haven't agreed to Professor Lawrence's exchange yet, so he can't stop others from recruiting or threatening you. Even if you agree, your relationship with Professor Lawrence will only be a collaboration. If others want to take you as a disciple, he can't stop them."

Ji Ran put a hand to his forehead: "I just want to study in peace... Speaking of which, if I become Professor Lawrence's disciple..."

David immediately stopped him: "Professor Lawrence's standards for taking disciples are very strict. Look at me and Baise; we haven't passed the test yet. Although you got a perfect score in the swordsmanship exam and have a Gold Tier sword technique, that's not enough to make Professor Lawrence take you as a disciple."

"…Alright, I was just asking. You and Baise should continue to work hard." Ji Ran was silent.

The reliable ones had extremely strict standards for taking disciples, while those who wanted to take him as a disciple were unreliable... This impending fate deeply depressed Ji Ran...

"If you want to agree to Professor Lawrence's request, come find me soon. You know where I live. Building a relationship with Professor Lawrence will reduce some of the other troubles. I came here to remind you... be careful, the Azure Wind is not a peaceful and harmonious utopia." David said one last meaningful sentence and then left.

Ji Ran looked at the blue sky and sighed deeply. Indeed, in this world, without absolute strength, there was no right to enjoy peace...

So, he couldn't keep avoiding it anymore.