Translator: CinderTL
"Hmm?"
Jiang Ye's eyes snapped open.
He glanced at his status panel:
[You have achieved a new achievement: Slaying over two hundred Great Grandmasters of the Demonic Path and over three hundred Grandmasters of the Demonic Path. Slay Demons and Exterminate Evil, and Save the World!]
[Unlocked Title: Acting on Heaven's Behalf]
[Reward: Flourishing Fortune has been upgraded from Level 1 to Level 2. Favored by the heavenly dao, you will turn misfortune into fortune. Your luck has been moderately increased, and your comprehension has been enhanced by 10%.]
"It's for killing members of the Shadow Clan earlier."
"Only settling now?" Jiang Ye mused. "So we have to wait until the mission ends."
He had triggered the 'Kill Demonic Path Practitioners' achievement at the very start of the mission.
Yet for the past five days, the system hadn't settled the reward.
But Jiang Ye was used to the system's quirks and wasn't worried.
Sure enough, what was meant to come eventually did.
"Level 2 Flourishing Fortune? 10% increase in comprehension?" Jiang Ye's eyes lit up.
Luck was a valuable asset.
The moderate boost to his luck was likely even more precious than the comprehension increase.
Buzz!
His wristband vibrated again.
Your account xxxxx5679 has received 1,648,800 federal currency.
Your account xxxxx5679 has received 500,000 federal currency.
Seeing the seven-figure balance in his account, a smile crept across Jiang Ye's face.
"I'm rich now."
Satisfied, he closed his eyes.
"Cultivation time!"
Three days later, the situation in Ancheng had completely stabilized.
The mission to "reinforce Ancheng" officially concluded.
Most of the Reserve Star Professional Cadre members who had come to assist had already withdrawn from Ancheng.
Zhang Jianwu also retreated from the Cosmic Void Passage.
Life finally returned to normal.
On June 30th, Ancheng Third High School held a memorial service to mourn the teachers who had sacrificed themselves during the Shadow Calamity.
Nearly all the students from Senior Class One attended.
"Teacher Cao, may you rest in peace."
"We will never forget you."
"Teacher Cao Feng," many girls murmured, their eyes red-rimmed with tears.
To them, Cao Feng had been their teacher for the past three years.
Jiang Ye stood silently among the crowd, utterly silent.
The deceased were gone, and he was powerless to change that.
All he could do was continue to grow stronger until he could quell all Shadow Calamities.
The memorial service concluded.
"Jiang Ye, is your father alright?" Zhao Qingli asked, her long, pale legs carrying her over. "I heard he works at the Shadow Hunting Bureau."
"He's fine," Jiang Ye replied, shaking his head.
Since that day, Jiang Dahai had stayed home.
It wasn't until the past two days that he finally returned to work.
"Oh, right, Class Monitor," Jiang Ye suddenly remembered. "I need to repurchase the profound-grade martial ginseng and Martial Spirit Mushroom. Can I get five hundred thousand first?"
"Five hundred thousand?" Zhao Qingli blinked in surprise, then exclaimed, "Where did you get that much money?"
"I completed a Reserve Star Practitioner mission recently," Jiang Ye explained briefly.
"You're really not afraid of dying, are you? Going out in that situation?" Zhao Qingli frowned, her delicate eyebrows furrowing. "What if something had happened?"
"But I'm fine, aren't I?" Jiang Ye smiled.
Suddenly, Zhang Jianwu waved him over. "Jiang Ye, come here for a moment."
"Okay," Jiang Ye said goodbye to Zhao Qingli and quickly followed.
In the office, Zhang Jianwu looked at Jiang Ye and smiled. "Congratulations on becoming a Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner."
He had already heard the news from Tang Huochang.
"Thank you for your guidance these past few months, Director," Jiang Ye said earnestly.
In the half-year since Chen Zilu's departure, Zhang Jianwu had provided him with considerable support.
"No need to thank me," Zhang Jianwu said with a smile. "To be honest, Chen Zilu asked me to look after you before she left."
"Teacher Chen?" Jiang Ye exclaimed in surprise.
She's been too kind to me.
Still, Jiang Ye remained grateful to Zhang Jianwu. While Chen Zilu's request was one thing, it was Zhang Jianwu's willingness to act on it that truly mattered.
"I never imagined you'd achieve such success," Zhang Jianwu said, his voice filled with admiration. "Not only did you top the city in the College Entrance Examination, but you've also become a Third-Tier Reserve Star Practitioner in West Mountain Province."
Jiang Ye smiled modestly.
"Next month, you'll be heading to Penglai University," Zhang Jianwu said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Give it your all. It's a place teeming with geniuses, but I believe you'll make your mark."
"Also, Penglai University and White Dragon University are quite close, both in the same city," Zhang Jianwu added with a meaningful look.
Jiang Ye's expression shifted slightly. "Director, are you suggesting I visit Teacher Chen more often?"
"Exactly."
"Let me be frank," Zhang Jianwu continued. "Chen Zilu comes from a transcendent family in the Eastern Ten Provinces. Her background is far more significant than you realize."
"Transcendent family?" Jiang Ye blinked in surprise. He had heard the term before but never fully understood its implications.
But in his memory, it seemed impossibly distant.
"Transcendent families are clans and lineages centered around Transcendent Aptitude," Zhang Jianwu explained. "They represent the true apex of power in this world."
"In some ways, they even possess the authority to stand on equal footing with the Federation," Zhang Jianwu remarked with a sigh.
Jiang Ye held his breath.
Transcendent Aptitude existed only in legends.
Ancheng, and indeed the entire West Mountain Province, rarely encountered such extraordinary beings.
Only in the distant, glittering Eastern Ten Provinces and Southern Ten Provinces did such figures emerge.
Transcendent families centered around Transcendent Aptitude?
These must be unimaginably colossal entities, undoubtedly standing at the very pinnacle of the world's power structure.
"In the past decade, not a single Transcendent Aptitude has emerged in the entire West Mountain Province."
"But Transcendent families?" Zhang Jianwu shook his head. "Every generation has the potential to produce one."
"The influence and power of Transcendent families are as unfathomable as Transcendent Aptitude itself."
Jiang Ye nodded.
His understanding of Transcendent Aptitude remained limited.
Even the Dao Bone Aptitude he had personally encountered was already far beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
Transcendent Aptitude? It was even more unimaginable.
"In any case..."
"Chen Zilu's background is far from ordinary," Zhang Jianwu said, looking at Jiang Ye. "If you can establish a connection with her, your path will be much smoother at Penglai University and throughout the Eastern Ten Provinces."
"I understand, Director," Jiang Ye nodded.
"Remember this: maintain a teacher-student relationship at all times," Zhang Jianwu suddenly warned sternly. "This is crucial."
Jiang Ye paused slightly, then nodded. "I understand."
"Good. You may leave now." Zhang Jianwu smiled. "Use this month to cultivate diligently. Make a splash when you enter Penglai University."
"Who says students from West Mountain Province can't shake up the schools in the Eastern Ten Provinces? I have faith in you."
"I will!" Jiang Ye grinned, then bowed and left.
After Jiang Ye had left, Zhang Jianwu gazed out the window.
"Teacher-student relationship," he murmured, pondering his own words.
His warning was meant to dissuade Jiang Ye from entertaining any inappropriate thoughts. After all, they were close in age, and Chen Zilu seemed to treat Jiang Ye with special regard.
But their positions were as different as heaven and earth. If Jiang Ye harbored any improper intentions, their hard-won connection could easily crumble.
Still...
"Who can truly predict the future?" Zhang Jianwu suddenly shook his head and smiled.
Perhaps one day, a name that would resonate throughout Ancheng and beyond would emerge from the distant, prosperous Eastern Ten Provinces.
At that time, even transcendent families would treat him with respect.
Jiang Ye could sense some of Zhang Jianwu's thoughts, but he didn't mind.
The gap in their status wasn't a shackle, but a driving force.
It was precisely because of these disparities that he pursued his goals with even greater determination and effort.
The day after the memorial service, Zhao Qingli sent over the low-grade profound martial ginseng and Martial Spirit Mushroom, worth five hundred thousand.
On the third day, Jiang Ye went to Ancheng's city center for a standard cosmic tempering session.
Originally, he had wanted to try the Primary-Tier Primordial Starlight Cleansing.
But the staff advised him that using this opportunity in Ancheng would be a waste, suggesting he save it for when he reached the Eastern Ten Provinces.
They explained that the Primordial Stellar Energy there was of much higher quality than in West Mountain Province.
"The Eastern Ten Provinces must truly be prosperous," Jiang Ye mused.
"Even the quality of stellar energy is several times better than in West Mountain Province?" He was astonished.
"The Star Practitioners from the Eastern Ten Provinces are stronger," the staff member explained. "They can venture into more dangerous Cosmic Perilous Zones, giving them a chance to obtain higher-quality stellar energy."
"I see," Jiang Ye said, understanding dawning on him.
Ultimately, it came down to the overall strength of West Mountain Province being insufficient. The Star Practitioners nurtured there were also a tier below those from the Eastern Ten Provinces.
"In that case, I'll go with the standard option," Jiang Ye decided.
While the effects of standard-tier cosmic tempering weren't as noticeable as before, it still provided some benefit. Moreover, after his recent battles, less than ten thousand strands of stellar energy remained in his Guanyuan Acupoint. Cosmic tempering not only accelerated physical transformation but also replenished stellar energy.
July.
Jiang Ye continued his monotonous cultivation routine.
During the day, he practiced the Star Martial Advancement Method and Nine Luminaries Star-Treading. At night, he focused on refining his Martial Dao Will—or, as he jokingly called it, "charging up his master."
Every day was fully occupied.
Day after day.
Throughout this period, Jiang Ye made every effort to spend time with his parents and Jiang Ting.
As the end of July approached, Jiang Ye's demeanor grew increasingly relaxed.
At first, Jiang Ye's parents and Jiang Ting found it hard to part with him. But as time wore on, their reluctance gradually turned into a desperate desire for him to leave immediately.
Even saying goodbye every day can become tiresome.
"Xiao Ye, are you leaving today?"
"What? Still five days left?"
"Why don't you just leave early?"
"..."
Under such circumstances, Jiang Ye found himself looking forward to the day of his departure even more.
And so, the time arrived: July 31st.
Midnight.
Bang! Bang! Jiang Ye repeatedly kicked his legs into the air, training on the rooftop of his building.
Each kick carried the force of a thousand tons, accompanied by flashes of pale silver starlight and thunderous booms.
At first, his movements were somewhat stiff and awkward.
But as time passed, his strikes grew smoother and more lethal.
Bang! Boom! The stellar energy within Jiang Ye flowed more freely, gradually merging with his techniques.
If a progress bar were to display the intensity of his stellar energy eruption, one could witness Jiang Ye's visible improvement.
95%
95%
97%
100%
Whoosh! The moment the progress bar reached 100%, Jiang Ye leaped into the air, his right leg snapping out like an iron whip.
Starlight flashed.
Boom! A deafening sonic boom reverberated through the air.
A silver, star-like ring erupted, blooming like fireworks and instantly soaring over a hundred meters into the sky.
Whoosh~ The ring shattered a thin layer of clouds in its wake.
[Nine Luminaries Star-Treading: Entry (2%) → Entry (4%)]
Jiang Ye landed smoothly back on the ground, noticing the notification that flashed across his interface.
"Another 2% increase," he murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips as he glanced at the interface.
[Low-Martial Achievement System]
[Physique: Profound Physique (Upper D-tier)]
[Cultivation Techniques]
[Star Martial Cultivation Method: Perfection]
[Eight Trigrams Thunderclap Fist: Perfection]
[Star Martial Advancement Method: Major Success (30%)]
[Nine Luminaries Star-Treading: Entry (4%)]
[Achievements]
[Martial Arts Grandmaster, Patriarch's Friend, Playing the Fool to Catch the Tiger, Acting on Heaven's Behalf]
[Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder]
[Third Layer]
Jiang Ye's cultivation progress over the past month had been remarkable.
Not only had he achieved Major Success with the Star Martial Advancement Method, but he had also reached Entry level in the earth-rank Cosmic Secret Art, Nine Luminaries Star-Treading.
His current strength was now vastly different from what it had been.
A moment later, Jiang Ye turned and headed for the stairwell.
Tomorrow was the day he would leave.
Tonight, he needed to pack his luggage.
Eight o'clock in the morning.
After finishing breakfast, Jiang Ye went to his room to retrieve his luggage.
"Xiao Ye, don't get caught up in comparisons at university," Jiang Dahai cautioned. "Associate with good students—more friends mean more opportunities."
"Take some of Mom's pickled vegetables with you," Li Anping said, handing him a jar of pickled vegetables. "Remember to send word when you arrive."
"Dad, Mom, you both need to be careful too," Jiang Ye said earnestly.
The permanent Cosmic Void Passage remained a knot in his heart.
But what could he do about it now?
Move his parents? Clearly impossible.
Perhaps one day he would find a way to completely eliminate the Cosmic Void Passage.
"Brother!"
Jiang Ting hugged Jiang Ye, her eyes inexplicably reddening again. "You have to call every day."
"Tingting, your brother needs to focus on his cultivation. He doesn't have time to call every day," Li Anping scolded gently.
"I'll call when I have time," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "Mom, Dad, I'm off. No need to see me out."
He slung his luggage over his shoulder and stepped out the door.
Buzz!
His communication watch vibrated with a new message.
Zhao Qingli: I'm at your door.
Jiang Ye: I'm coming out now.
Jiang Ye waved goodbye to his parents and Tingting, but instead of heading downstairs, he sprinted up to the rooftop.
Hovering in the air above the rooftop was a sleek, silver-white circular aircraft.
Whirr!
A burst of white vapor erupted from the aircraft's rear as a massive hatch slowly swung open.
A fierce wind whipped through the air.
The class monitor really has money to burn, Jiang Ye thought to himself, hefting his luggage and leaping aboard.
Zhao Qingli had also applied to Penglai University.
He and she had agreed to travel there together.
"Mom, Dad, Tingting, goodbye!" Jiang Ye called out from the hatchway, waving to his family below.
Whirr!
The hatch slowly closed.
The circular aircraft's tail lights glowed as it began to ascend.
Boom! A thunderous roar shook the air.
In mere moments, the aircraft transformed into a fleeting afterimage, vanishing into the distant horizon.
(End of the Chapter)
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