Chapter 30 Ripples of Fate

After leaving Ghost Street, Li Ang was in no hurry to go home.

He turned into a dead-end alley, and after confirming there were no tails behind him,

he finally took off the mask and shed the somewhat tattered black robe, revealing the school uniform underneath.

He looked down at his palm; the sensation of shattering that bald brute's joints seemed to linger there.

"Why didn't I kill him?"

With his current strength and methods, he could have easily made those people vanish from the world without a trace.

But he hadn't; he had only crippled their ability to move.

This wasn't just because he didn't want to get involved in a murder case in reality.

More importantly, he was conducting an experiment.

An experiment regarding "destiny points."

The System description mentioned that the way to obtain destiny points was to "change the established destiny of important figures or events."

"Although that bald brute is just a minor character, in a place like Ghost Street, what will be the fate of a cripple who has lost his martial power and offended countless people?"

"Will he be sought out for revenge by enemies? Betrayed by subordinates? Or reduced to a beggar?"

"Originally, he might have been able to throw his weight around for a few more years, but because of my intervention, his destiny's trajectory has been completely rewritten."

With a thought, Li Ang summoned the System panel.

Sure enough, in the [destiny points] column, the number had changed.

[Destiny is like a spiderweb; pull one thread and the whole body moves.]

[Ding! Detected host interfering with real-world Karma.]

[Event: Ghost Street bully 'Scorpion' has been crippled, causing a change in his original destiny trajectory.]

[Impact Rating: Faint.]

[Obtained destiny points: 5 points.]

"It really works."

The corners of Li Ang's mouth curled up slightly.

Even though it was only 5 points.

This validated his hypothesis—not just in the simulator, but actions in reality can also farm points!

Moreover, this kind of change didn't need to be earth-shattering; it only needed to break the original trajectory.

"If I can resolve some future hidden threats in reality ahead of time... like the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce, or that Heart-Eroding Cult undercover, Liu Qing..."

Li Ang's gaze gradually became profound.

That would be a massive amount of destiny points!

However, he was still too weak right now.

Keeping a low profile while developing was the kingly way.

...

The next day, early morning.

Longnan No. 1 High School, Grade 11, Class 3 classroom.

After finishing the daily morning martial arts practice,

Li Ang carried his backpack and walked into the classroom as usual.

The class was as noisy as ever, with students gathered in small groups discussing last night's games or the latest gossip.

No one noticed that the "nerd" who usually sat in the corner with his head down

seemed to have a much lighter step today than usual.

"Yo, God Li is here!"

A sarcastic voice rang out.

The speaker was a boy sitting in the front row.

He was wearing brand-name sportswear and had the latest model of a Qi and Blood monitoring wristband on his wrist.

Liao Fan.

The class monitor of Grade 11, Class 3, at the Sixth Stage of Qi and Blood. His family was in the mining business, making him a typical wealthy kid.

In the College Entrance Examination within the simulator, he was also the "background character" overshadowed by the brilliance of Li Ang and Liu Xiyue.

"I heard you took leave to go to the hospital yesterday? What, did you take too many pills and cause a problem?"

Liao Fan looked at Li Ang with a fake smile.

"If your body can't handle it, don't force it. The path of martial arts isn't for everyone."

A few low chuckles came from the surroundings, and several students who usually hung around Liao Fan joined in the jeering.

"Exactly, Li Ang. If you really can't make it, just switch to being a liberal arts student. Don't throw your life away."

Li Ang paused slightly and turned to glance at Liao Fan.

That glance was calm and indifferent, as if looking at a stray dog barking on the side of the road.

Liao Fan felt inexplicably flustered by that look, and his subsequent mockery got stuck in his throat.

"Thank you for your concern, monitor. I'm doing fine."

Li Ang replied flatly, then walked straight to his seat and sat down.

He took out a book titled "Fundamentals of Martial Arts Theory" and began to read.

This dismissive attitude made Liao Fan feel a surge of annoyance, yet he couldn't find a way to lash out.

"Ring—"

The bell rang for class.

The homeroom teacher, Wang Heng, walked in with his lesson plans under his arm.

His expression today wasn't very good; he seemed to have just been lectured by the Academic Affairs Office.

"Turn your books to page 108! Today we will discuss 'Signs of Meridian Reversal and Qi Deviation'."

Wang Heng tapped on the blackboard, his sharp gaze scanning the entire class.

"I checked a few people's homework yesterday, and it was simply a mess!"

"Some people, just because their families have a bit of money and their Qi and Blood is a tiny bit higher, think theory class isn't important?"

"Let me tell you! On the battlefield, if you don't understand theory, you won't even know how you died!"

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Liao Fan.

"Liao Fan! You answer this."

"If during cultivation you suddenly feel a stabbing pain in the 'Shanzhong Point' accompanied by numbness in the left arm, what sign is this?"

"How should it be handled in an emergency?"

Liao Fan stood up, stammering for a long while.

"Uh... it might be... Qi and Blood circulating too fast?"

"One should... should take deep breaths?"

"Deep breaths? Do you think you're not dying fast enough?!"

Wang Heng was so angry he threw a piece of chalk at him.

"That is a precursor to heart meridian damage! Deep breathing will accelerate the flow of Qi and Blood, directly exploding your heart! Sit down! Copy it ten times!"

Liao Fan's face turned red, and he sat down dejectedly.

"Li Ang!"

Wang Heng called out a name out of habit.

"You tell him the standard answer."

The entire class's gaze instantly focused on the corner.

Li Ang closed his book and slowly stood up.

"This symptom is usually a blockage in the heart meridian caused by forcibly attempting to break through a bottleneck."

Li Ang's voice was calm and clear.

"The standard treatment protocol is: immediately stop the circulation of energy, press the 'Neiguan Point' for three minutes to stabilize the heart rate, then take a 'Heart-Protecting Pill' or lie down quietly."

"However, in actual combat, if there isn't enough time, one can attempt to reverse the Lesser Orbit, temporarily diverting the Qi and Blood into the 'Hand Shaoyang Triple Burner Meridian'."

"Although it will damage the arm Meridians, it can prevent the heart meridian from rupturing."

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

Wang Heng was stunned.

Because the "combat emergency treatment protocol" Li Ang mentioned wasn't even in the textbooks.

That was a life-saving secret known only to experienced old Martial Masters!

"Good... very good!"

The surprise in Wang Heng's eyes slowly dissipated, replaced by deep appreciation for Li Ang.

"Sit down."

"Did everyone hear that? That's what you call applying what you've learned!"

"Li Ang, come to my office for a moment."

Wang Heng packed up his lesson plans and beckoned to Li Ang.

...

The office.

"Teacher, you were looking for me?"

"Sit."

Wang Heng looked at this prized student, his tone softening, even carrying a hint of politeness.

"I called you here for something."

"As you know, the learning atmosphere in the class hasn't been great lately, especially in the combat classes. Group Leader Wu is quite troubled."

"Group Leader Wu specifically mentioned to me just now that he feels you have a great talent for theoretical deduction and correcting movements."

"So he wants you to use the time during evening self-study combat classes to act as a 'theory teaching assistant' for those who bought... ahem, for those students with weaker foundations."

At this point, Wang Heng's expression became a bit odd.

He didn't quite understand why the proud Group Leader Wu insisted on naming a student at the Fourth Stage of Qi and Blood to be a teaching assistant.

But since it was an arrangement from leadership and Li Ang's theory was indeed strong, he didn't ask further.

"Of course, you won't be doing it for free."

"Group Leader Wu said this is 'work-study.' You'll be given a stipend of ten thousand per month, coming directly from his project funds."

Li Ang understood perfectly, and his face cooperatively showed a look of gratitude.

In fact, this was exactly the suggestion he had proactively made to Wu Changhe this morning.

At the time, when this Origin Opening Realm Expert heard Li Ang's proposal to help as a teaching assistant, his first reaction was to refuse.

"Nonsense! Your current task is to prepare with all your might for the final joint examination. Where would you find the time to lead those poor students? Wouldn't that be wasting your talent?"

But Li Ang was persistent.

He used the excuse that "teaching benefits both teacher and student," stating that guiding others would also help him organize his own martial arts theories and consolidate his foundation.

More importantly, he frankly admitted that after taking so much money from the teacher, he would feel uneasy and burdened if he didn't do something, which would instead affect his cultivation state of mind.

Wu Changhe looked at Li Ang's stubborn yet sincere gaze and hesitated for a long time.

Considering Li Ang's terrifyingly solid theoretical grades and his strength at the Qi and Blood Seventh Stage Perfection, leading Grade 11 students was indeed more than enough.

Plus, to eliminate Li Ang's psychological burden of "feeling soft-handed after taking money," Old Wu finally gave a reluctant nod.

He then waved his hand and gave Li Ang a monthly teaching assistant stipend of fifty thousand, though it was publicly stated as ten thousand.

But for Li Ang, the most important part of this matter was,

imitating his own actions from the simulation.

By "pointing out" things to others,

he could openly demonstrate his "profound understanding" of martial arts, paving the way for his breakout in the final joint examination.

"No problem, Teacher."

"I'm very happy to be able to help my classmates improve."

Li Ang nodded to Wang Heng in agreement, his expression sincere.

"Alright, then we'll start tonight."

Wang Heng patted him on the shoulder.

"Do a good job; don't let down Group Leader Wu's expectations."

"Although your Qi and Blood progress is a bit slow, your brain is definitely useful. Even becoming a tactical analyst in the future would be a viable path."

Listening to Wang Heng's encouragement, Li Ang just smiled modestly without explaining.

Low Qi and Blood?

If Wang Heng knew that the student standing before him was a Martial Artist at the Ninth Stage of Qi and Blood, his glasses would probably fall off in shock on the spot.

"Teacher, then I'll go prepare first."

"Go ahead."

Walking out of the office.

Outside the corridor, the setting sun dyed the campus a golden hue.

Li Ang looked at the figures still sweating on the playground, his heart calm.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

"For the next period of time: classes during the day, teaching assistant in the evening, and practicing 'Hiding the Edge' late at night."

"And gather some more intelligence on the Heart-Eroding Cult."

"Although the simulator has entered a cooldown period, the path of martial arts cannot stop."

Li Ang touched his pocket, where the teaching assistant armband given by Wu Changhe was placed.

"Teacher Wu, don't worry."

"On the day of the final joint examination, I will give the whole school a massive surprise."

"As for now..."

Li Ang picked up his backpack, his figure merging into the crowd heading toward the cafeteria.

Hidden in the marketplace, Hiding the Edge in its sheath.