Chapter 6

The great battle in the martial arts hall has ended, and Shang Xia left with a casual demeanor after settling matters.

However, the ripple effects of this great battle were just beginning to ferment.

Shang Xia could roughly predict that the appearance of his supernatural power might bring him some trouble, so he hurriedly left the academy grounds as soon as the competition ended.

But not long after leaving the martial arts hall, he saw two figures standing in the distance, clearly having waited for him for a long time.

"Chief Shang, where are you in such a hurry to go?" Zhang Haogu had a look of "I've caught you" on his face, and his tone was tinged with teasing.

Shang Xia knew he couldn't avoid it, so he steeled himself and stepped forward, saying, "Disciple greets Instructor Zhang and this teacher!"

Zhang Haogu pointed to the person beside him and said, "This is Jia Yuntian, the steward of the Scripture Hall."

Shang Xia's face showed understanding. The steward of the Scripture Hall held a position equivalent to that of an instructor in the academy, so he hurriedly said, "Disciple greets Steward Jia!"

Jia Yuntian waved his hand and said, "Let's skip the formalities. I'll get straight to the point. I want to ask how you cultivated the 'Mixed Yuan Thunderhand' supernatural power, and whether the academy's Scripture Hall can record it."

Shang Xia showed a slight look of surprise and looked at Zhang Haogu with some confusion.

Zhang Haogu sighed slightly and explained to him, "The concept of the 'Mixed Yuan Thunderhand' supernatural power was first proposed about three hundred years ago. Its origin can be traced back to an ancient technique called 'Palm Heart Thunder' from a thousand years ago, practiced by ancient cultivators."

Shang Xia was hearing about the origins of the 'Mixed Yuan Thunderhand' martial arts supernatural power for the first time and was surprised to find that it involved ancient cultivators, showing a bit of astonishment and even a hint of confusion.

Could it be that his understanding was wrong, and he had not come to a high martial world but to an era of the revival of cultivation?

But before his thoughts could wander further, Jia Yuntian's cold snort interrupted him: "Ancient cultivators were nothing but a swarm of locusts!"

Zhang Haogu said in a gentle tone, "But they did lay the foundation for the rise of martial arts to some extent."

Jia Yuntian corrected him, "Martial arts are a comprehensive improvement and surpassing of ancient cultivators!"

Zhang Haogu nodded, clearly not wanting to argue with his friend on this issue, and instead looked at Shang Xia, continuing the previous topic: "But after the concept of this martial arts supernatural power was proposed five hundred years ago, it wasn't until a hundred years ago that someone managed to cultivate it by chance!"

Shang Xia sighed, "So this supernatural power is so difficult to cultivate?"

Jia Yuntian glanced at him and said, "Old Zhang just means that the 'Mixed Yuan Thunderhand' is hard to cultivate. Of course, every supernatural power is difficult to cultivate. It requires lineage, insight, willpower, and opportunity, all of which are essential!"

"Ah," Shang Xia nodded, then showed a look of pride, saying, "I understand, Teacher. It means that all supernatural powers are hard to cultivate, and the 'Mixed Yuan Thunderhand' is especially difficult!"

Even with Zhang Haogu's gentle temperament, hearing such self-praise made his lips twitch a few times. He pretended not to have heard and said, "In the past hundred years, only five to seven people have been recorded as successfully cultivating this supernatural power, but the number of people who were seriously injured or died while cultivating it is dozens of times more, not to mention those who gave up halfway."

Shang Xia's expression of pride became even more evident after hearing Instructor Zhang's words. He fanned his folding fan more rapidly, pretending to be regretful, "It caused so many casualties, indeed hard to cultivate. But it also shows that this supernatural power must be powerful, otherwise, so many people wouldn't have tried it."

Jia Yuntian grunted, looking away, seemingly unable to tolerate Shang Xia's proud expression.

Zhang Haogu coughed lightly to cover his near loss of composure and continued, "Tongyou Academy has been established for less than twenty years. In total, five students have been recorded as cultivating the 'Mixed Yuan Thunderhand.' The first four ended up with one dead, one seriously injured, one lightly injured, and one giving up. You are the fifth and the only one to succeed."

Shang Xia laughed awkwardly, "Lucky, I was just lucky!"

Jia Yuntian couldn't stand the boy's smugness and said directly, "If you can provide the specific cultivation process of the 'Mixed Yuan Thunderhand' to the Scripture Hall, and if it is both reference-worthy and practical, then Jia and I will jointly recommend you to the academy, and the academy will reward you based on the specific situation!"

Shang Xia showed a look of difficulty, "Contributing to the academy is my duty, but my cultivation of the 'Mixed Yuan Thunderhand' was also very lucky. I believe the two of you have already heard about the incident where my seclusion place was struck by heavenly lightning..."

Jia Yuntian's face showed disappointment.

Zhang Haogu's eyes flashed, and he sighed, "The difficulty of cultivating supernatural powers increases as one's cultivation level decreases, and the lower the cultivation level, the fewer choices of supernatural powers are available. Imagine how much it would help the academy's overall strength if you could provide an effective cultivation method for the 'Mixed Yuan Thunderhand.' I'm sure even Chancellor Shang would be very pleased..."

"Stop, stop, no need to say more!"

Shang Xia tapped his head with the fan handle and smiled bitterly, "I understand the principle. I'll go back and think about it, to see if I can organize the cultivation process of this supernatural power. Regardless of success or failure, I will give the academy a response in three days."

Zhang Haogu laughed, "Don't worry, kid. You'll definitely get your rewards!"

Shang Xia hurriedly took his leave.

Watching Shang Xia's departing figure, Jia Yuntian frowned, "This kid is slippery, very different from his grandfather!"

Zhang Haogu, however, was not so concerned, "As long as he can provide an effective cultivation method, what's the harm in giving him some benefits?"

Jia Yuntian looked at his old friend with surprise, as if seeing him in a new light, "Aren't you afraid that people will say you're currying favor with Shang Bonu?"

Zhang Haogu sneered, "Nonsense, how I act is my business, why should I listen to others' criticism?"

After saying that, Zhang Haogu's tone changed, "However, this kid probably still doesn't have a clear understanding of the value of the supernatural power he cultivated at the Essence Qi stage—now called the Martial Essence stage. It won't be easy for him to leave this academy!"

"Hmm? You mean..."

...

Shang Xia looked at the person blocking his path again, his expression changing. He seemed to have realized something.

Yuan Zilu, who had been cold-faced as a judge in the martial arts hall, now waved at Shang Xia, "Kid, you're great, I really like you!"

Shang Xia's expression twisted at the sudden change in tone, "Teacher, are you waiting for me here?"

Yuan Zilu laughed heartily, waving his hand, "I'm an officer in the Academy Guard Corps, you don't need to call me teacher, just call me Old Yuan."

Shang Xia secretly rolled his eyes and smiled dryly, "Officer Yuan is joking."

Yuan Zilu didn't mind Shang Xia's address and said directly, "Kid, how about joining our Academy Guard Corps?"

Before Shang Xia could respond, Yuan Zilu patted his chest, "Don't worry about anything else. As long as you follow Old Yuan, you won't be shortchanged. And with Old Yuan and the Academy Guard Corps backing you, no one will force you to do anything you don't want to do."

Shang Xia thought to himself that even now, few people dared to force him to do anything he didn't want to do, but he smiled and said, "Thank you, Officer Yuan, but as far as I know, the Academy Guard Corps only recruits inner dormitory students, and I'm still in the outer dormitory..."

Yuan Zilu laughed, "Kid, have you forgotten what time it is? You've completed your first year in the outer dormitory. After the holiday, if there are no unexpected events—no, there won't be any unexpected events—you will definitely enter the inner dormitory and be eligible to join the Academy Guard Corps!"

Shang Xia tried to decline, "I need to discuss this with my elders at home..."

Yuan Zilu glared, "What's there to discuss? You're being too indecisive. Make your own decisions..."

Before Yuan Zilu could finish, a voice interrupted, "Yuan Monkey, how dare you try to snatch someone from the Shang family? Who gave you the nerve?"

Shang Xia could clearly see the anger on Yuan Zilu's face. He turned around and shouted, "Who the hell... Oh, this voice sounds pleasant. Sister Shang, you're actually free to come to the academy today. Why didn't you let me know in advance so I could prepare?"

His expression and tone instantly changed from furious to flattering. Even with Shang Xia's experience from his previous world, he was stunned.

The newcomer was a beautiful woman with a resemblance to Shang Xia. She gave him a reassuring smile and then turned to Yuan Zilu with a frown, "Yuan Monkey, I don't care what position you hold in the Academy Guard Corps. Today, I'm taking my nephew home. Try to stop me if you can!"

"Who dares, who dares! I was just asking the kid's opinion. The Academy Guard Corps isn't a bandit's den, we don't snatch people!" Yuan Zilu quickly apologized.

The woman walked past Yuan Zilu without a glance, turning to Shang Xia with a gentle smile, "Xia'er, you did well."

Shang Xia, following the original owner's emotions, said with a hint of longing, "Aunt, why are you here?"

The woman was Shang Xia's aunt, Shang Xi.

Shang Xia grew up with servants and wet nurses, but Aunt Shang Xi was like a second mother to him. She was the closest person to him in the family.

Shang Xi said with a hint of annoyance, "You caused a big commotion in the academy. If I didn't come, who knows when you would be able to leave."

Shang Xia was slightly taken aback but saw Yuan Zilu smiling awkwardly, "Not at all, not at all!"

Shang Xi ignored Yuan Zilu and led Shang Xia out of the academy. From a distance, they heard Officer Yuan's voice, "Take your time, both of you..."

The journey out of the academy was unimpeded.

Shang Xia, curious, couldn't help but ask, "Aunt, that Yuan Zilu..."

"He was my junior in the academy!" Shang Xi clearly knew what he was asking.

"Awesome!" Shang Xia mentally gave his aunt a thumbs up.

Shang Xi hesitated for a moment and then said, "But you should be prepared for questioning. The family has some ideas about your Martial Essence supernatural power."

Before Shang Xia could speak, Shang Xi continued, "But don't worry. Even without your grandfather, no one in the family will dare to make things difficult for you. As long as your cultivation method is feasible, I can secure enough benefits for you from the family."

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