Chapter 45: The Front Door or the Back Door? Wishing Everyone a Happy National Day

“Since you know it’s an unreasonable request, there’s no need for further explanation, Teacher,” Xiao Nan replied cautiously. His tone wasn’t particularly stiff, but he did sound a bit troubled.

From a certain perspective, the other party had just saved him, which was a favor owed. Even though, strictly speaking, he could have dodged on his own—there wasn’t much real danger. If Lin Anguo had lashed out in rage, a blow or two could be brushed off, but it wasn’t as if he would chase a student all over campus to kill them; that would be outrageous.

“All right, it’s nothing difficult, just something I wanted to discuss with you,” Tang Zhixuan said, giving up the pretense when she saw how guarded Xiao Nan was.

“Go on,” Xiao Nan replied, his expression unchanged.

I’ve seen through you already.

“Has Qin Shuang ever mentioned me?”

“She has. She said if I ever ran into trouble, I could ask Teacher Tang for help—whether it’s protection at school or matters like getting into a martial arts university.”

Xiao Nan didn’t even blink, answering seriously.

“Stop.” Tang Zhixuan’s expression darkened slightly, and she asked suspiciously, “Did she really say that?”

“Of course she did. She also said that if Teacher Tang lends a hand, maybe I could even get into one of the top universities in the Imperial Capital.” Xiao Nan lied through his teeth, while internally speculating about Tang Zhixuan’s true identity.

Believing she was just an ordinary martial arts teacher at a high school would be a sign of a broken mind. She looked no older than twenty-one or twenty-two, yet her cultivation had already reached the fourth rank—an outrageous achievement. Judging by the way her blood energy overflowed, the ability to hurt enemies at a distance, she couldn’t be far from the fifth rank. Her talent was almost on par with Qin Shuang’s.

One must know that stepping into the mid-third rank, regardless of combat skill, would make someone a local authority in a county-level city like Yuanjiang. Most of those people were middle-aged, having trained for a lifetime, with progress growing ever harder. It was a fact.

Hearing Xiao Nan’s words, Tang Zhixuan’s temper nearly boiled over; she arched a brow, almost cursing aloud.

That girl really might have said something like that.

This kid, with his fox-like eyes and refined features, practically had the word “charmer” written all over him—he certainly had the makings of a kept man... And now that she thought about it, Qin Shuang did seem to care quite a lot about him; it was entirely possible she’d left such instructions before leaving.

But what, am I his nanny now? Looking after your pretty boy? You wish!

“As for getting into a top martial arts university, don’t bother dreaming. If you had awakened your spiritual sense earlier, supplemented your diet with the best herbs, bathed in medicinal decoctions, and undergone extreme body training daily, you might have broken through the blood energy limit and made it into a second-tier university like Yanghe Martial Arts University.

Hmm, if you spared no expense, maybe even Lijiang Academy.”

Tang Zhixuan looked Xiao Nan up and down carefully, then shook her head.

Lijiang Academy was a first-rate martial arts institution, with a hard requirement of a blood energy index above 4.0—no room for manipulation.

Sparing no expense meant using the finest spices, second-grade blood energy pills, meridian-clearing elixirs, and gorging on fierce beast meat. Each day, one would bathe in decoctions brewed from aged herbs, transforming the body anew.

Such resources required a veritable fortune.

The truth was, Xiao Nan’s innate constitution was just a bit lacking.

Each step of improvement demanded several times the resources of others—towards the later stages, that multiplier could even reach ten.

“A blood energy value of 2.0 is a bottleneck—double that of the average person. For others, it’s easy; for you, it’s a challenge. Even if you’re close now, popping another blood energy pill might not get you through right away. You’ll be stuck for a while.”

Xiao Nan believed her. He could feel his body reaching some kind of limit; to put it simply, his digestion and evolution speed weren’t fast enough.

Taking more time, grinding it out, he could eventually break through 2.0, maybe even 3.0.

But rapid improvement in the short term would be difficult.

Nevertheless, there were always solutions. Some methods would have to be tried, even if they harmed his body—he needed to pass the blood energy test first.

Seeing that Xiao Nan hadn’t grasped the seriousness of the situation, Tang Zhixuan sighed to herself. What a wasted talent! If only he’d received specialized training early on, overcome the initial constitution barrier, and reached the blood energy baseline—given his understanding of martial techniques, he might have truly shone in the future.

Sadly, it was now a bit too late.

The body had matured, the innate constitution was set; changing it was nearly impossible.

She seemed to see, once again, those geniuses who could challenge higher-ranked opponents, but were inevitably crushed by overwhelming force from elite martial artists.

After a moment’s thought, she added, “I know a teacher at Yanghe Martial Arts University. I could arrange for you to enroll early, bypassing the national exams.”

“A back door?” Xiao Nan was surprised.

Yanghe Martial Arts University was no small name; it was a well-known second-tier school in the eastern province.

So, no matter the world, there are always people who can bend the rules... He grew ever more suspicious that Tang Zhixuan’s background was anything but simple.

“Try the front door, then—see if you can get through.” Tang Zhixuan rolled her eyes at him. How could this kid have so little self-awareness?

Didn’t he realize that, with his blood energy level, passing the test was impossible? Even with solid martial arts skills, he’d only be noticed by recruiters from third-rate universities.

Different tiers of universities meant vastly different training. The difference in graduates wasn’t just in rank—combat ability could be worlds apart.

The reason was simple: the quality of teachers and the resources at their disposal.

“I think I’ll pass. I want to try the national exam myself—we still have some time, don’t we? Maybe I’ll break through, and getting in on my own merits would sound better.”

“Fine, take the exam, then.” Tang Zhixuan exhaled, exasperated. Why didn’t he appreciate her good intentions? Then, as her eyes flickered, she understood. “I’m not asking you for anything difficult. Qin Shuang is training in the capital now; these years are crucial for her growth. Don’t go bothering her, and don’t mention the engagement.”

That should be easy, right? You don’t actually want to see her, do you? You must feel inferior every time you see how much stronger she’s become, right?

“Not at all. The stronger my wife is, the happier I am—why would I feel inferior? You’re overthinking it.” Xiao Nan smiled cheerfully, as if genuinely delighted.

Damn, this pretty boy.

Tang Zhixuan suddenly felt powerless. She found herself ever more displeased with this young man. As a grown man, he knew he was a burden—why couldn’t he be more considerate?

With Qin Shuang’s personality, she’d always prioritize giving him any good opportunities or resources. She might even become distracted by worrying about him, to the detriment of her own cultivation.

“What would make you agree, then?” Tang Zhixuan’s gaze turned sharp.

“It’s not impossible,” Xiao Nan replied, eyeing the martial arts teacher with a strange look. Could she be... inclined that way? Her concern for Qin Shuang was practically maternal—what ordinary friend would go to such lengths?

Did she perhaps harbor feelings for Qin Shuang?

The thought sent a chill down Xiao Nan’s spine. He mentally chastised himself for reading too many books lately and letting his imagination run wild.

Sensing the faint hostility radiating from Tang Zhixuan, he smiled. “I don’t need a spot at a second-tier university. But earlier, I noticed Teacher Tang’s sword was quite beautiful, and I happen to lack a suitable weapon...”

“You want my sword?” Tang Zhixuan paused, then burst out laughing. “You should have said so earlier. Here, take it—don’t go back on your word.”

She pressed the sword into his hands, even patting his shoulder in encouragement. “Your swordsmanship is quite impressive, almost on par with mine. You won’t disgrace this fine weapon. Keep practicing.”

With that, Teacher Tang swayed away, her steps graceful and full of confidence.

Judging from the smile on her face, she was clearly in a good mood.

“Did I just get handed a decorative piece?” Xiao Nan wondered, a sense of foreboding growing inside him.

...

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