Chapter 42: Arrangements
Chapter 42: Arrangements
In the recruitment office, over a dozen guidance teachers were seated, and one of them, with remarkable candor, spoke up, "To be honest, I don't want to teach him."
The other teachers looked on, secretly admiring his boldness.
The high master, seated at the back of the office, maintained a stoic expression and simply asked, "What's your reason?"
The teacher tossed the file about Chen Chuan onto the desk and explained, "Based on his resume, he started practicing the Breath Technique too early, and judging by Zhong Wu's injuries, he might have also learned the Limit-Breaking Strike. This student doesn't know how to cherish his body and only knows how to overexert his potential. His future potential is likely limited."
However, the high master, if you could arrange for a comprehensive physical examination to prove he has no issues and meets my requirements, I'd be willing to take him on."
Ignoring him, the high master turned to another teacher and asked, "What about you? Do you feel the same way?"
The teacher stammered, "Master, I... well, I could teach him, but as you know, I'm leaving for an exchange program abroad in a month, and I don't know when I'll be back. Even if he follows me, it won't be for long."
The high master replied, "I wasn't counting on you. Alright, since none of you are willing, you're all dismissed."
The group of guidance teachers breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and left the office.
Once the office was empty, the high master picked up the phone on his desk and made a call. After connecting, he said, "They're all unwilling, so I might as well just assign someone directly and get things moving."
"Are you saying you've already chosen someone?"
The high master stated, "I think Cheng Zitong should take on this task for now.
The voice on the other end asked, "Little Cheng? Is he up for it?"
The high master replied firmly, "He will take over until we can convince He Xiaoxing to return. Moreover, do you have a better candidate right now?"
The phone fell silent for a moment before the voice said, "Then you'll have to take responsibility for fertilizing and watering as well?"
The high master turned and said, "I don't think that boy is so delicate. Whether he can achieve what we want depends on him.
"You had this idea beforehand, didn't you? Since it's your plan, make sure you handle it well and don't drop the ball." The call abruptly ended, leaving no room for further discussion.
The high master was taken aback, looked at the phone, and said, "Old friend, you're passing the buck to me again." After some thought, he dialed another number and waited for a while before it connected, "Little Cheng, it's me, Gao Ping. Yes, I'm asking you to take on a student. Is that okay? Give me a definite answer. Even if you call me 'Big Brother Gao,' it's still a yes or no..." The decision was made!
After submitting his application, Chen Chuan didn't wait around. He first went to the combat arena that Wei Chang'an had mentioned.
He had seen this arena from a distance before; it resembled a giant white shell and was quite beautiful. Inside, it was spacious and very comfortable.
This was the primary training ground for Class B students, and at that moment, numerous students were sparring with each other, both male and female. Many were upperclassmen, and most were solely focused on training, while a few, likely newcomers, were more lively.
As he walked by, others glanced at him a few times. The uniforms of Class A and Class B students were identical, with the only difference being the presence or absence of a school emblem on the chest.
Although his presence as a Class A student was unusual, no one said anything. Everyone was minding their own business.
Since he didn't initiate conversation, no one approached him either. Moreover, the Class B students would make way for him or let him pass first, creating a sense of distance and detachment. This reminded him of Wei Chang'an's words, and it seemed like everyone was adhering to their own boundaries, staying within their circles, not just within the school but also in the outside world.
After observing for a while, he realized that among the many students training here, only a few had mastered the Breath Technique. While he couldn't tell if they had mastered Power or not without sparring with them, he was certain that without the Breath Technique, one couldn't possibly cultivate Power.
As for technical skills, everyone had solid fundamentals and worked diligently. Their hard work inspired him, and he found himself gaining insights from their training. Unbeknownst to him, wherever his gaze landed, the students would tense up.
After a while, he realized there was nothing more to observe, so he decided to leave.
As soon as he left, some of the students on the field breathed a sigh of relief.
"Is that an Upper Scholar?" one of them whispered.
"Is that a Senior Student? I feel like his gaze is so oppressive," another replied.
"But he's quite handsome," a third student chimed in.
A few senior students, Class B Scholars, exchanged glances, their expressions turning serious. They remained silent, for they had felt a strong sense of threat when Chen Chuan was around.
This feeling wasn't imaginary; it was tangible through their bodies, postures, and eye contact, even in the brief moments between movements and techniques. This made them feel uncomfortable, and they also felt a sense of defeat. Chen Chuan was a stranger to them, and he might even be a new student.
They had thought that with their hard work, they would catch up to their peers, the Scholars. But now, they realized that even a new student could make them feel so intimidated. It was a blow to their confidence.
With nothing to say, they could only focus on their training.
Chen Chuan left the arena and headed towards Spring-Autumn Lake. He jogged a few laps around the lake and then proceeded to a solitary training hall within the academy. He trained until it was time for dinner, and after eating at the dining hall, he returned to his dormitory as night fell.
Just as he reached the dormitory entrance and was about to take out his key, a voice called out from a distance, "Hold on, classmate." He turned to see a short student running towards him with a piece of paper in hand. Chen Chuan stopped and asked, "What's the matter, classmate?"
The short student extended his hand and introduced himself, "Hello, I'm from Dorm 3. My name is Feng Xiaoqi. Are you from Dorm 4?"
Chen Chuan shook his hand and replied, "Nice to meet you, Feng Xiaoqi. I'm Chen Chuan."
Feng Xiaoqi, excited, said, "Chen Chuan, I'm glad to meet you. See, I have this form," he waved the paper, "Our dorm needs to elect a group leader to improve internal communication. Any school or dorm announcements will be conveyed through the leader. If any student needs help, they can also inform the leader first. I've taken the initiative, so I'm the leader now."
Chen Chuan understood that this was a task with some minor authority. He wasn't interested, so he replied, "Sure, I have no objections."
Feng Xiaoqi smiled, "Great, thank you, Chen Chuan." He then turned to the fourth dorm and met another student, a handsome young man, who introduced himself as "Luo Kaiyuan." When asked about Feng Xiaoqi's proposal, he simply replied, "Sure."
As for Dorm 1, it seemed empty. Feng Xiaoqi explained that he had arrived five days early and hadn't seen anyone in the neighboring dorm. However, the dorm layout diagram indicated someone had claimed it.
Just then, they heard footsteps approaching, and a senior student in a foreign formal suit walked towards them. He smiled at Chen Chuan and said, "Chen Chuan, we meet again."
Chen Chuan recognized him as the senior student who had received him during the re-examination and introduced the Mutual Aid Society. He greeted Chen Chuan and explained, "I've been asked to deliver a message to you, Chen Chuan."
(End of Chapter)
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