Chapter 19

In the open space of the bamboo forest, the Muqin instructor held the Fiery Hammer in his right hand, looking mighty and fierce, while pointing at Shen Lang with his left hand and lecturing him continuously.

"Stand properly! How can you act so carelessly!"

Shen Lang, with a mournful face, said, "I'm not being careless. It's because you hit me, and I almost lost half my life... Just because you have a spirit weapon, you think you're so great, and you have to show off!"

Muqin snorted and put away the Fiery Hammer, saying resentfully, "I will only say four things, so listen carefully."

"I'm all ears," Shen Lang said helplessly.

"First, you used the Divine Speed Talisman to prank Instructor Qin Hun and beat his favorite disciple half to death. He will remember you, so be careful and don't let him catch you... However, as long as I'm here at Tayan Academy, he can't do much to you. Second, I don't know what you did to make Xu Qing have diarrhea, but this time he was so unlucky that he fell into the toilet. He won't dare come to Tayan Academy for a while, and he hates you deeply. Once he leaves Tayan Academy..."

Hearing Muqin's words, a warm feeling rose in Shen Lang's heart, knowing that the other person was looking out for him.

However, he was not pleased to say, "Instructor Qin Hun's actions were his own fault. I warned him multiple times not to use all the Divine Speed Talismans, but he wouldn't listen. As for Xu Qing, it's a bit absurd. Why do they all think I made Xu Qing have diarrhea? Couldn't he have eaten something bad, or gotten tired from looking for Qin Hun? Besides, even if I did make him have diarrhea, I didn't break the toilet, and I didn't write the words on the toilet door. If I knew he was going to that toilet, I wouldn't have written anything at all..."

"Enough nonsense! I've told you, so be careful! Third, a student from Jialan Academy will be staying in our class for a while and will join you for the Thorn Valley trial in a few days. Before that, you are responsible for protecting her. She's a beautiful girl from a prominent family in the capital, so you're lucky!"

Muqin said, frustrated with Shen Lang's lack of effort.

Shen Lang rolled his eyes and shook his head, "No! Why should I do this? No way! I don't have the time or interest to protect a stranger. You know, Dangdang has been protecting me for years. You want me to protect someone? Don't joke, I refuse! The children of prominent families have their own people to protect them, why would they need someone like me?"

"There's no room for negotiation. You have the highest cultivation in our class, so who else could it be?" Muqin decided without further discussion. "The last thing... "

She hesitated a bit, "I'm about to take the First Rank Spirit Artisan examination at the academy, but I've spent most of my time and energy on martial arts, so... Do you have any way to help me advance further in the art of alchemy and reach a higher level?"

"Yes," to her surprise, Shen Lang answered very readily.

He took out a pen and paper from his storage bag and wrote quickly, then handed the densely written paper to Muqin, saying, "The most fundamental aspect of alchemy is the cultivation of divine sense. The strength of divine sense is what keeps many people out. The second is the spirit array diagram, which relies on divine sense. Without a strong divine sense, even with a spirit array diagram, you can't draw it."

"Then this is..." Muqin asked, barely containing her joy.

Shen Lang said nonchalantly, "This is a simple Divine Sense Cultivation Technique to enhance divine sense. Don't underestimate this simple technique; long-term cultivation will bring great benefits! Below that is the principle of drawing a wind-type spirit array diagram. I don't have a jade slip, so you'll have to make do with this for now. Tomorrow, I'll make a detailed tutorial for you. Below that are some spirit materials. Go and purchase these materials as soon as possible. I can use them to refine a spirit liquid that, when combined with the Divine Sense Cultivation Technique, will greatly enhance your divine sense below the Xuanwu Realm."

"Such a good thing! Did you read it in a book? Great, okay... give it to me!" Muqin's face showed great joy, and she believed everything Shen Lang said because she was also an alchemist and knew the effects of many of the spirit materials. The spirit array diagram, even at a glance, seemed to be no less than a Fourth Rank spirit array diagram!

"What else do you want?" Shen Lang was puzzled.

Muqin was taken aback, "Money, of course. These spirit materials aren't free, are they?"

"..." Shen Lang was stunned, "Instructor, are you feeling well? You're asking me for money? I have a monthly allowance of 100 gold coins, half of which I give to Dangdang as protection money, and the other half isn't enough for food... If I didn't save energy by sleeping every day, I would be starving and emaciated by now. Don't go, let's talk this out! How can you ask me for money? You might as well sell me!"

"Alright, alright, I was just saying. Look at you, you're as talkative as Chu Qingcheng." Muqin waved her hand and walked away, "Go eat, and be sure to attend class tomorrow morning. A new student is coming, from Jialan Academy, a beautiful girl. Don't be rude to her!"

Shen Lang didn't care. Not only was his cultivation still too weak, but even if he were stronger, he wouldn't have the interest to protect a stranger.

He went to the cafeteria to eat something, then headed straight for the Alchemy Academy.

He no longer needed to deliberately cultivate alchemy or refining. He didn't want to spend too much time and energy on these things.

The peak of martial arts was what he truly desired.

However, even with many powerful cultivation techniques in his memory, he still had to take one step at a time on the path of martial arts, without rushing.

Alchemy and refining could be used as auxiliary means, especially for earning money and spirit stones at this stage.

Not only did he want to earn money, but Shen Lang also wanted to earn contribution points at Tayan Academy.

Only with these contribution points could he enter the Cultivation Hall for practice.

The Cultivation Hall had special arrays, and the spiritual energy was much more abundant than outside.

Especially the gravity field, which had a direct effect on strengthening the body, making cultivation much more effective. Many elixirs could be absorbed by the body at the fastest rate in such conditions.

"Stop, only students of the Alchemy Academy can enter." A guard at the gate stopped Shen Lang with a light shout.

Shen Lang frowned and looked at the guard without speaking. Breaking in was not an option; he was here to earn money and contribution points, not to cause trouble.

But not being a student of the Alchemy Academy meant he couldn't enter, what a ridiculous rule...

Looking around, Shen Lang suddenly smiled.

He saw that outside the Alchemy Academy, on the right square, many students were diligently refining on various platforms, with earth fire continuously erupting, making the area as bright as daylight.

He walked over leisurely and stopped in front of a platform.

A young man in a blue robe was focused, carefully adding various materials to the furnace. Seeing Shen Lang, he glanced at him indifferently and didn't say a word.

"The Star Sand is too much, the furnace fire's temperature is not enough, which will make it harder to fuse the weapon later." Shen Lang took out an apple-like fruit and bit into it, then suddenly said.

The young man in the blue robe was taken aback, looked up, and glared at Shen Lang with disdain and warning.

It was extremely impolite to disturb an alchemist while they were refining. For this reason, there were soundproofing arrays between each platform.

There were many students who, despite not having a talent for alchemy, still wanted to learn and would come here to observe and learn by stealth.

But most people who came here would look at the alchemists with admiration and shock, and would not dare to speak casually to disturb them.

Where did this rascal come from?

Not only did he disturb the alchemist, but he also dared to criticize and comment?

I'm about to become a First Rank Spirit Artisan!

Do you, an outsider, have the right to criticize me?

If it weren't for the need to focus on refining, Xiao Qifeng would have slapped the black-robed boy right away.

How dare he!

Just as Xiao Qifeng thought this, he heard the black-robed boy laugh lightly and say, "Fire Crystal isn't that precious, and it doesn't conflict with other materials. You don't need to be so careful. Just grab a handful and throw it in, or you'll waste time."

"..." Xiao Qifeng almost cursed.

Who is this guy? I let you watch me refine, and you dare to keep talking nonsense. Do you want me to kill you after I finish refining?

I'll endure it one more time. I've failed so many times, and the materials are almost gone. If this rascal distracts me and I fail again, it will be disastrous.

Damn it, I've been refining a flying shield of black iron for so long. The steps are all correct, and the temperature is very stable, yet I keep failing...

If I fail again this time, I'll only have enough materials for one more attempt. If I fail again, I'll lose face in front of the instructor.

"The materials inside are already half-melted. Increasing the earth fire won't help much. You should use the pill fire. Although your cultivation is not high, your spiritual energy is enough to support this refinement." Shen Lang took another bite of the fruit and said.

"You... shut up!" Xiao Qifeng couldn't take it anymore and almost roared.

Shen Lang, of course, wouldn't shut up. If he did, how would he get into the Alchemy Academy?

"I can shut up, but you should use the pill fire quickly, or it will be too late." Shen Lang frowned.

"Damn it, do you know alchemy or do I? How can you use the pill fire before the flying shield is fully formed? If you use the pill fire and deplete your spiritual energy, what will you do later? If you keep talking nonsense, I'll beat you up!" Xiao Qifeng was almost ready to die. He had already failed many times, and this time was better than before, with a higher chance of success. Now, this guy kept distracting him!

I don't even know who you are, and we have no grudges. Why are you doing this to me?

Are you sent by heaven to play with me?

"You're such a stubborn fool. You've made so many mistakes before, and now you're missing a great opportunity... If you can refine the flying shield of black iron with your method, I'll change my name to yours!" Shen Lang shook his head, looking pained.

Xiao Qifeng lost control and increased the earth fire by more than double. He heard a "crack" from the furnace, and a black, shapeless object floated up, spinning in the air.

"I'll kill you if I don't, or I'll change my name to yours!" Xiao Qifeng threw the black, shapeless object aside and rushed down the platform, furious.

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