Chapter 87: "Expert" Level - Finger Strike

Chapter 87: "Expert" Level - Finger Strike

As Luo En passed by, their conversation abruptly ended. They cast him a complex glance before quickly turning away, returning to their own struggles for survival.

Arriving at the next class, Luo En arrived early this time and deliberately chose a front seat.

Before he could settle in, he overheard hushed conversation from the back row.

"Look, that's him - the one who stood out in Lord Eric's class today."

A short-haired female apprentice deliberately raised her voice, challenging Mi La with her eyes.

"Hmph, another so-called genius?" Another voice sneered with practiced disdain. "Mi La, looks like you've got a new competitor trying to take your spot."

Mi La's expression flickered slightly but quickly returned to calm. "Everyone has their own path."

"True", the short-haired apprentice mocked, "just like your path keeps going in circles. Didn't you say the same thing when Cui Xi arrived? Look at her now compared to you."

"Shut up!" Mi La snapped angrily. "At least I didn't get left behind by Cui Xi by several streets! And don't think I don't know what you sacrificed just to get that half-finished zero-ring spell model?"

At that moment, the classroom door opened and a middle-aged woman, a High Apprentice, walked in.

She wore a dark gray robe with purple trim, her expressionless face giving an impression of someone who never smiled.

"I am Li Ya. Today I'll be teaching you the 'Spiritual Energy Stabilization Technique.'"

Her voice was calm but carried authority. "This course is even more crucial than Mana Circuit Optimization because the stability of your spiritual energy directly determines the complexity of spells you'll be able to master in the future."

The short-haired apprentice's expression darkened, but with the High Apprentice present, she dared not speak further.

Luo En found the situation slightly amusing. Even in a place like this, the typical adolescent cliques and conflicts still thrived. What was even more ironic was that these people, who were all in dangerous circumstances, were wasting energy fighting amongst themselves instead of supporting each other.

In class, Luo En listened attentively. As Li Ya had claimed, this course was indeed more important than the previous ones. She explained in detail the principles of spiritual energy fluctuations, common instability factors, and how to stabilize spirit fields through specific techniques.

Like Ai Li Ke, Li Ya also had practical sessions where apprentices would demonstrate on stage.

As she prepared to call someone at random, Luo En stepped forward without hesitation.

Following instructions, he attempted to construct a simple spirit barrier to resist external interference. For ordinary Elementary Apprentices, this exercise wasn't easy, but for Luo En, who had already grasped parts of "The Murmuring of the Star Devourer", it was effortless.

[Spirit Interference (entry-level) experience points +1]

"Excellent performance, Lalfapprentice", Li Ya praised more directly than Ai Li Ke. "You seem to have already mastered some advanced meditation technique?"

Luo En's heart tightened. He hadn't realized his performance had been so obvious.

He quickly composed himself. "Just some basic practice, Li Ya Senior."

Li Ya didn't press further, simply nodding. "Continue like this. You have the potential to directly enter Phase Two courses."

After class, Luo En had gained even more than expected. He not only earned experience points for the Spirit Interference skill but also learned several practical techniques for stabilizing spiritual energy, which would greatly help his future meditation and spell practice.

As he packed his notes to leave, the thin female apprentice from earlier approached.

"Hello, my name is Mi La. Your performance in class was truly impressive."

"Thank you. I just have some foundational skills", Luo En politely replied.

"I can tell." A complex emotion flickered in Mi La's eyes. "You remind me of Cui Xi. She was the same way when she first started - perfectly completing every Mentor's requirement."

Her voice carried both admiration and a faint bitterness. "I entered Black Mist Jungle three phases before Cui Xi, but now she's already an Intermediate Apprentice while I... I'm still repeating these foundational courses."

Not knowing how to comfort her, Luo En could only say, "Everyone has their own path. Perhaps your strengths lie elsewhere."

Mi La managed a weak smile. "Thank you, but here, spiritual aptitude and comprehension are the true tickets to advancement. Fifth Class Star potential, whether high or low, only gets you relegated to the School's outer circles. Unless..."

Suddenly, a group of apprentices surrounded them, their expressions carefully crafted to appear friendly.

Mi La glanced at the approaching group, slightly frowning as she whispered to Luo En, "Be careful with these people. They're not good news."

Then she quickly walked away.

"Hey, Lalf!" A tall apprentice greeted enthusiastically. "I'm Ya Lun. I saw your performance in class - truly impressive! How did you do it?"

Internally, Ya Lun was delighted. This new Elementary Apprentice appeared to be of higher quality than their previous targets. Especially the talent he'd demonstrated in class, which promised to yield more value.

The wandering Intermediate Apprentices outside had become increasingly picky about their "merchandise" recently, so they needed better "prey."

Last month's target had been relatively easy - just an ordinary Elementary Apprentice. They'd been easily lured to the wilderness edge.

The School Enforcement Team seemed completely indifferent to these disappearances, which further convinced Ya Lun his actions were safe. Every month, apprentices disappeared mysteriously. Who would care if a few more bodies turned up?

Out of politeness, Luo En responded to Ya Lun's question. "Just some luck and regular practice."

"Too humble!" Ya Lun slapped Luo En's shoulder with deliberate force, his eyes flashing calculation. "A genius like you must have some special cultivation method. Mind sharing a bit?"

Other apprentices in the classroom noticed Ya Lun's group had found a new target. Many showed fear in their eyes but no one spoke out.

A few even hurriedly packed their things, afraid of getting involved.

A thin apprentice with glasses quietly walked toward the door, exchanging a glance with a companion. "Another unlucky one."

"Deserved it. Who told him to be so clueless?" His companion replied indifferently, showing no sympathy. "Staying out of trouble is how you survive long here. That's the first lesson I learned in Black Mist Jungle."

Unperturbed, Luo En avoided their overly familiar touches, sensing the dangerous aura radiating from this group.

He knew something was off, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what.

"Nothing special, just basic meditation techniques every apprentice learns."

"Haven't you been working as an assistant at Madame Ellen's Herbal Medicine Shop?" A thin, small apprentice beside Ya Lun interjected. "That old hag is notoriously picky. If she chose you, your alchemy must be exceptional, right?"

"Just doing odd jobs", Luo En's tone started to show impatience at their disrespectful mention of Madame Ellen. "Organizing materials, cleaning tools - nothing like a proper student."

Ya Lun's smile didn't fade, but his eyes grew colder. "How about joining our collection mission this week? We're short someone with alchemy skills. We'll split the profits evenly - absolutely fair."

"Sorry, I need to prepare for the Potion Certification Examination recently. I don't have much time." Luo En politely declined.

"Potion Master Certification?" A flicker of confusion crossed Ya Lun's face before his enthusiasm returned. "Even better! This collection mission will give you valuable practical experience. Don't worry about time - the mission should only take half a day at most."

Obviously, this person didn't understand the value of Potion Master Certification.

Several apprentices in Ya Lun's group chimed in. They were all members of his gang, each already with blood on their hands.

Other apprentices in the classroom desperately maintained their ignorance.

Another apprentice leaned closer. "I heard working at the Herbal Medicine Shop pays well. You must have saved quite a few Mana Shard Fragments by now. For this mission, you could invest more in equipment. The returns would be much greater."

Gradually, the apprentices surrounded Luo En in a semi-circle.

When Luo En still didn't yield, Ya Lun reached out to forcibly grab him. "Listen, kid, don't refuse our kindness—"

Before he could finish, Luo En's eyes flashed coldly.

The heat of the Solar Corona Breathing Technique surged within him. The body control he'd gained from his swordsmanship, nearly at the Expert level, produced an astonishing effect.

His right index finger trembled slightly but with incredible force, accurately striking Ya Lun's chest-abdomen junction.

This was a special inner force he'd recently mastered through relentless swordsmanship practice, possibly indicating an imminent breakthrough to the Expert level.

At this moment, this special force transmitted through his fingertip, penetrating several inches into Ya Lun's body.

Ya Lun's movement stopped abruptly. His face turned deathly pale as he froze in place, as if frozen solid.

He could feel an eerie force exploding from his chest-abdomen area, directly shattering his breathing rhythm. A burning sensation spread through his chest, leaving him unable to utter a single word.

"I said", Luo En calmly withdrew his finger, sweeping his gaze over the surrounding figures, "I don't have time. I hope you understand."

Just then, footsteps echoed through the corridor.

The apprentices surrounding Luo En simultaneously turned their heads.

Li Ya stood at the doorway, holding several papers as though returning to retrieve something.

She glanced at the scene, her eyebrows slightly furrowing.

"Li Ya Senior!" Ya Lun's companions immediately shifted their attitude one hundred and eighty degrees, their voices filled with respect and fear. "We were just chatting with the new student."

Li Ya didn't respond, simply giving them a cursory glance.

That single glance made Ya Lun's companions feel as if sitting on pins and needles, all their earlier arrogance completely vanished.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end