The martial arts technique of mid-grade Profound level was extremely precious. Even in the Northern Guardian Prince's Manor, there were only a few such high-level techniques, all considered treasures of the manor.
Zhuang Zhou speculated that the appearance of such a technique in the thatched hut was likely part of the Northern Heaven Academy's assessment of the students' character!
If one were to covet it, the assessment results would surely be greatly affected!
Zhuang Zhou put away the technique, pretending as if nothing had happened, planning to hand it over to the Northern Heaven Academy members when he encountered them again.
It wasn't that Zhuang Zhou was particularly noble and free from greed, but rather that the martial arts techniques he mastered were unfathomably advanced, and a mere mid-grade Profound level technique was not worth his attention.
Martial arts and secret techniques were divided into four major levels: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, with each major level further divided into upper, middle, and lower grades.
In his previous life, the highest level of martial arts and secret techniques Zhuang Zhou mastered had reached the mid-grade Earth level. If the Northern Heaven Academy tested him with a Heaven level technique, he wouldn't hesitate to take it and run! Damn the Northern Heaven Academy, he couldn't care less!
When it was time for dinner, no one came to deliver food!
A prodigy from the Grand Yong Dynasty was so hungry that his stomach growled, and he couldn't help but jump up and curse!
"We came to join the academy, not to suffer and endure hardship here!"
"If you don't want to suffer, you can go home now, no one is stopping you! This is the Northern Heaven Academy, a place for cultivating elite forces to resist foreign invasions, where training is harsh and life is risked. It's not a place for you worthless people seeking pleasure!"
At this moment, the middle-aged man appeared again, his tone becoming more domineering!
Behind him was a beautiful woman, dressed simply in a white long robe, yet her stunning beauty and voluptuous figure were not concealed in the slightest.
Zhuang Zhou immediately recognized that this beautiful woman was a significant figure. Although she was just standing there, she exuded a sense of harmony with nature, as if she existed and yet didn't exist!
This profound state was not necessarily about strong cultivation or high combat power, but her understanding of the natural Dao had reached an indescribable level!
As the middle-aged man spoke, the prodigies from the Grand Yong Dynasty were instantly silenced.
They dared not retort, but their eyes were filled with anger.
They seemed to be suppressing their fury, waiting to become official students of the Northern Heaven Academy, to leap over the dragon gate, and then use their status to trample this ungrateful middle-aged man underfoot in revenge!
"Ahem, Teacher Xuerou, if you have anything to say, please go ahead! The students sent by the Grand Yong Dynasty are becoming more and more outrageous!"
The middle-aged man reined in his previous sharpness and dominance, and when he turned to look at the beautiful woman, his expression instantly became respectful and humble. This chapter was taken from novelping . com without permission.
"Actually, I came this time to inquire about something! Have any of you seen a black-clothed person around? At noon, a sutra I had just acquired was stolen by a black-clothed person! When my people tracked him here, the black-clothed person was nowhere to be found! This sutra is extremely important to me! If any of you discover its whereabouts, I will reward you handsomely!"
As Teacher Xuerou spoke, Zhuang Zhou was taken aback.
Could this so-called sutra be the Fiery Fist in his possession?
The other prodigies from the Grand Yong Dynasty were all dumbfounded, as they hadn't seen any sutra.
At this moment, Zhuang Zhou hesitated for a moment and stepped forward.
"I found this under the bamboo mat in my thatched hut! I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the sutra Teacher Xuerou mentioned!"
Zhuang Zhou took out the Fiery Fist and handed it to Teacher Xuerou.
"Haha, this is clearly a martial arts technique, how could it be the sutra Teacher Xuerou is looking for! Zhuang Zhou, you must be dreaming of making a contribution!"
A prodigy from the Grand Yong Dynasty, Beichen, mocked.
Zhuang Zhou ignored him and kept his eyes fixed on Teacher Xuerou.
As the sutra was handed over, a flame ignited in Teacher Xuerou's hand, and the Fiery Fist was instantly reduced to ashes, revealing three pieces of gold leaf.
Tiny characters were inscribed on the gold leaf.
Teacher Xuerou's face lit up with joy.
"Hiding the sutra within a martial arts technique, that black-clothed person is truly clever!"
"Indeed, this is the 'All Things Thrive' sutra I've been searching for. Whatever reward you desire, just let me know! Resources, techniques, even the opportunity for direct admission, it's all possible! I, Lin Xuerou, always repay kindness and never owe anyone!"
Lin Xuerou's words made the other prodigies from the Grand Yong Dynasty even more envious and jealous.
What kind of luck did Zhuang Zhou have to make such a significant contribution before even officially joining the Northern Heaven Academy?
That was a chance for direct admission, something they all desperately wanted!
Especially Beichen, who had just mocked Zhuang Zhou, now looked as if he had swallowed ten pounds of rotten dog feces, his face turning a sickly green!
"No, I don't want anything! I want to join the Northern Heaven Academy through my own efforts, but if I can successfully join, I hope Teacher Xuerou can visit me often, because from the first moment I saw Teacher Xuerou, I felt an extraordinary sense of closeness, like a gentle big sister!"
His pure and innocent gaze softened Lin Xuerou's heart, making her gaze even more tender.
"You don't want the opportunity for direct admission?"
Lin Xuerou was surprised that Zhuang Zhou's only request was for her attention.
"Nothing, this is my first time traveling far from home, and I feel very lonely. I just hope that if I can join the Northern Heaven Academy, there will be a place that feels warm to me, a person who makes me feel warm! Teacher Xuerou gives me this sense of security and stability! If I pass the academy's assessment, I hope Teacher Xuerou can visit me occasionally, once a month, oh, no, once every three months is fine! So that in my lonely days, I have something beautiful to look forward to!"
Zhuang Zhou spoke with a pitiful tone, his big eyes looking at Lin Xuerou with a pleading expression, and Lin Xuerou's maternal instincts suddenly surged.
Yes! Such a cute child, only eight years old, leaving his parents to come to the harsh and indifferent Northern Heaven Academy to learn.
Lin Xuerou was moved, and she nodded in agreement: "If you can successfully pass the assessment and join the Northern Heaven Academy, I will allow you to move to the courtyard next to mine and be your sister!"
Lin Xuerou's words made Beichen and the others' eyes almost shoot out flames of jealousy!
This Zhuang Zhou was truly shameless, and he would be able to move into the beautiful, gentle, and gracious Teacher Lin Xuerou's courtyard.
Oh my! How wonderful it would be if it were me!
"Zhuang Zhou, you hypocritical scoundrel, we will definitely not let you pass the admission assessment and move into Teacher Lin Xuerou's courtyard!! Come, come, come! I have some food from home to share with everyone! Let's starve this shameless guy Zhuang Zhou!"
Beichen took out some delicious food from his storage pouch, distributing it among the people from the Grand Yong Dynasty to win their favor!
"Long live Brother Beichen!"
"Following Beichen, we eat nine meals a day!"
The prodigies from the Grand Yong Dynasty surrounded Beichen, treating him like the center of their universe.
They feasted heartily, leaving Zhuang Zhou out in the cold, isolating him!
Zhuang Zhou touched his nose and smiled, unconcerned. He took out some dry flatbread from his storage pouch and ate it with relish!
"I wonder what tomorrow's admission exam at the Northern Heaven Academy will be like?"
Zhuang Zhou mused to himself as he chewed on the flatbread.