31: The first 100 chapters of Chapter 31 should be fine, right?
Inside Jiang Baihe's Dean's office.
Ning Yuan walked in nonchalantly.
He saw his Dean Martial Uncle bending over, looking pained as he once again retrieved a crumpled ball of scrap paper from the trash can.
Seeing this, Ning Yuan laughed inwardly.
It seemed this Martial Uncle's obsession with order was truly terminal.
“Ninth Martial Uncle!”
Ning Yuan gave a crisp shout.
Jiang Baihe's hand shook in fright, and the paper ball he had finally managed to retrieve rolled right back into the trash can with a thud.
He straightened up, the conflicted expression on his face vanishing instantly, replaced by an incredibly kind smile.
“Xiao Yuan, how do you have the time to visit your Martial Uncle? Have you gotten used to the academy yet?”
Ning Yuan walked over with a chuckle.
“Martial Uncle, you can't go on like this. Here, watch me.”
As he spoke, he took the crumpled paper ball without waiting for an answer.
His fingers moved like phantoms, and in no time at all, he had folded that scrap paper into a complex, three-dimensional box.
Then, he raised his hand high and slammed it down with a fierce palm strike.
Bang!
With a crisp, muffled sound, the 3D box was instantly flattened into an incredibly neat and tidy piece of paper!
Jiang Baihe felt a sudden jolt through his whole body, as if an electric current had surged through the depths of his soul, bringing an unspeakable sense of relief.
“Satisfying, right?” Ning Yuan winked.
“Satisfying!” Jiang Baihe answered subconsciously.
Only when he saw Ning Yuan’s grinning face did he suddenly snap out of it, a look of helpless amusement appearing on his face.
“You little brat, you’ve really made things difficult for your Martial Uncle now.”
And it was true.
Originally, he only needed to flatten the scrap paper before throwing it away.
Now that he had witnessed this even more extremely satisfying method of disposal, wouldn't it be even more troublesome whenever he had to throw away trash in the future?
The mere thought of it made him feel completely numb.
Jiang Baihe waved his hand helplessly, no longer dwelling on the topic.
“You’ve come at just the right time today; there’s something I need to tell you in advance.”
His expression became solemn.
“According to the latest intelligence from the academy's higher-ups, an ancient ruin on the Mother Star has recently shown intense energy fluctuations, and it's suspected to be opening soon. It's speculated that rare items capable of increasing the foundation of Transcendent Realm martial artists might emerge. Therefore, the higher-ups have decided to use this as an opportunity for our martial academy students to go in and gain some experience.”
Hearing this, Ning Yuan also became interested.
Jiang Baihe continued, “However, resources within the ruins are limited, and there are many wolves for little meat. To qualify for entry, one must pass the academy's test. Specifically, in one month, the academy will hold a large-scale Martial Academy Tournament. Only students who rank in the top one hundred of the Qi and Blood Academy and the top one thousand of the Transcendent Academy will be eligible to enter.”
He looked at Ning Yuan with earnest concern.
“A month's time is neither too long nor too short. I suggest you take this time to properly polish your foundation in the Qi and Blood Realm. With your talent, making it into the top hundred will definitely not be a problem.”
In his view, giving Ning Yuan a pre-allocated slot wouldn't be difficult.
But doing so would actually harm him.
A true genius needs to grow through constant tempering and competition.
On this point, his own master had also given repeated instructions.
Although he knew Ning Yuan's talent was extraordinary, the Great Xia Martial Academy was likewise a place of crouching tigers and hidden dragons, with many top-tier geniuses.
Ultimately, Ning Yuan hadn't been practicing for long, and he would be at a disadvantage in that regard. After all, some of those other children had already been polishing themselves in the Qi and Blood Realm for a year or two.
“Within a month? Calculating the time, it should be about time for me to advance to the Transcendent Realm.”
Ning Yuan thought to himself.
“Coming early is never as good as coming at the right time.”
“Top one hundred in the Qi and Blood Academy? Heh.”
With his current foundation, let alone the top hundred, even if all the students in the Qi and Blood Academy were added together, they wouldn't be enough for him to fight alone.
Just as he was about to speak, the system's voice rang out again quite opportunely.
【Congratulations to the Host for obtaining a divine pet, but do not forget that your own cultivation is the foundation for standing in this world! The Martial Academy Tournament in one month is of great significance; please be sure to go all out!】
【Main quest issued: Host, please successfully break into the top one hundred in the Martial Academy Tournament!】
【Friendly tip: In the coming period, please do your utmost to break through to the Senior Martial Artist Realm to obtain the second stage quest reward. Combined with the Heaven Slaying Secret Art, you might barely be able to catch a glimpse of the tail lights of the various geniuses!】
Ning Yuan laughed upon hearing this.
“‘Of great significance,’ Little System, you’re playing the mystery card again. Your intel isn't even as good as mine; I already know it's for entering the ruins.”
He was excited.
Another quest!
Double the anticipation, double the joy!
He turned to Jiang Baihe and guaranteed with a solemn face, “Don't worry, Martial Uncle, I will definitely work hard!”
Seeing this, Jiang Baihe nodded with satisfaction.
Look at that—this child has Prodigy-level talent yet remains so humble. Truly rare.
“By the way, what did you come to see me for today?” He finally remembered to ask about the main business.
Ning Yuan's expression also became serious.
“Martial Uncle, I want to borrow a place from you—a place that can mask an aura.”
Jiang Baihe was stunned for a moment.
Masking an aura?
This request was rather strange.
He smiled and said, “What's so hard about that? The quiet room I usually use for my own secluded cultivation will do. With my level of array mastery, even if a Martial Emperor came in person, they wouldn't be able to sense a thing.”
As he spoke, he lightly clapped his hands to open the secret chamber.
The wall behind him opened, revealing a high-tech portal with a corridor extending straight into the depths of the earth.
Ning Yuan hesitated for a moment.
“Martial Uncle, that... is there anything better?”
Jiang Baihe was truly surprised now.
“You rascal, even a Martial Emperor-level cultivation room isn't enough for you?”
Though curious, he then thought that this was his martial nephew's own secret, and there was no need for him to ask too much.
Ning Yuan just chuckled and didn't explain.
He had a strong premonition that the commotion Wang Zai would cause this time by using the Saint-level Bloodline Potion for its transformation would definitely not be small.
It was better to keep as low a profile as possible.
Otherwise, constantly triggering universe-wide phenomena would be a bit too flashy.
“Alright then.” Jiang Baihe thought for a moment, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
“Follow me.”
Soon, the two of them stopped in front of an ordinary-looking black portal on the academy's back mountain.
Jiang Baihe pointed at the door and laughed, “This place was once used by your grandfather for secluded cultivation. It bears the imprint left by the old man himself. Forget a Martial Emperor—even if a Martial Saint came in person, they wouldn't dream of probing anything inside. You should be satisfied now, right, kid?”
Hearing this, Ning Yuan nodded repeatedly.
“Satisfied! Extremely satisfied! Thank you, Martial Uncle! You're truly the best, Martial Uncle!”
He offered up a round of flattery without hesitation.
Jiang Baihe was flattered into a cheerful mood, feeling quite refreshed.
“Alright, get in there. I'll stand guard for you outside.”
He waved his hand, and the black portal opened inward silently.
A bottomless staircase led down to the ninety-ninth floor underground.
Ning Yuan strode inside.
Watching Ning Yuan's disappearing back, Jiang Baihe's curiosity reached its peak.
“This brat is being so mysterious; what exactly does he want to do in there?”