Chen Ping's Sword

"I won’t go. I know this illness. Last time, that professor from the expert clinic said it can’t be completely cured. Our family is in this situation, and Fan is at a critical moment. Why bother going to the hospital and wasting money?"

A woman’s voice was low and gentle.

"But, the professor also said that the special medicine is still useful. As long as the condition is stabilized and doesn’t worsen, it can last eight or nine more years. By then, maybe there will be new drugs available to completely cure your illness."

The man’s voice sounded helpless, slightly choked with emotion.

"We can still sell this house for some money. Don’t worry, I can still work. After work, I can deliver some takeout. We’ve been through tough times. Once Fan gets into a key school, after a few more years of endurance, everything will get better."

"It’s not feasible. Our money really can’t be spent on my treatment. Fan is still a little short of the standard. We can’t drag him back. Maybe buying more Clear Spirit Water might help."

Hearing the suppressed arguments coming from the next room, a pang of heartache surged as Chen Ping’s mind envisioned the weary eyes of a middle-aged man and the image of a middle-aged woman tormented by illness.

"Dad, Mom..."

A huge pressure weighed heavily on his heart, and his scalp tingled.

"I am Jiang Fan, attending Qinghai First High School, Class 5 of senior year. Tomorrow, we’ll be divided into general and martial arts classes. Those who haven’t reached the Meditation stage are considered talentless and can only choose liberal arts and find a stable but uninspiring job.

My parents have always had high expectations for me, going to great lengths and spending a lot of money to buy brain-boosting and refreshing medications, but they were of little use. I am still far from reaching a Spiritual Value of 1.0.

As for the Lotus Visualization Method, I can only visualize 15 petals. Five petals remain elusive. The teacher said this indicates a lack of talent and does not recommend continuing down this path."

"We can’t delay Mom’s illness any longer. I might as well drop out of school early to work. At least I can contribute a bit to the household, but I know my parents wouldn’t agree with my idea."

Confusion about the future, self-hatred, and intense guilt for being unable to help the family or support my parents surged over me like a tide."

Chen Ping found himself overwhelmed with tangled emotions, like a tiger trapped in a room, pacing back and forth.

It seemed he had forgotten something.

Gradually, he began to plan to work at a classmate’s uncle’s store, learning some bartending skills in his spare time, so he wouldn’t starve in the future.

After a while, the voices of his parents in the next room subsided.

It was deep into the night.

The lights in the neighborhood dimmed.

Chen Ping thought for a long time, unable to come up with a good solution, tears streaming from the corners of his eyes as he drifted off to sleep.

At this moment, he forgot his true identity, forgot that Xingqing Prefecture was still under the siege of True Martial King Ji Changfeng’s forces, and even forgot that he had just been inside the Heaven-Reaching Tower, witnessing an opportunity in the All Heaven Floating Map.

He was Jiang Fan.

From birth to eighteen, every experience was vivid in his heart.

There was emotion, pain, helplessness, and despair.

No longer did he remember everything from his two lifetimes as Chen Ping.

The next morning.

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

Chen Ping, full of worries, ate the breakfast his mother had prepared in advance. His mood matched the gloomy weather outside. After passing the station, he got on the bus heading straight for Qinghai First High School.

When he met acquaintances on the way, he greeted them woodenly, his mind preoccupied with whether to tell his deskmate about his plans to drop out of school.

His deskmate had always been good to him over the years. They even planned to go to Nanhe Martial Arts University together and achieve great things, defending the nation against external threats and becoming heroes remembered by all.

Unfortunately, this time, it seemed he was destined to break that promise.

Walking into Class 5 of senior year, he saw his classmates restless, whispering nervously about the upcoming Spiritual Power test...

"Have you heard? This time, teachers from the neighboring city are coming to proctor the exams. They’re observing so closely there’s no way to cheat."

"Yeah, I better visualize for a bit longer. Maybe some last-minute effort will lead to a breakthrough."

"What use is cramming? Even if you break through spiritually, it still takes two days to train your body and convert it to combat power. Refining Star Power to strengthen the body takes a process, too."

Someone nearby scoffed.

"What’s wrong? Can you manage?"

His deskmate Xiao Hongxin sidled over, prodding Chen Ping’s side with her finger, whispering.

There was a trace of pity in her eyes, clearly aware that he hadn’t called to share any good news over the weekend, indicating he hadn’t passed.

"What do you mean manage? Jiang Fan, don’t be discouraged. The other day, I talked to Uncle Cheng, and after quite some discussion, he agreed you could learn bartending from him. Even if you don’t pass now, learning a technical skill is better than wasting four years on something like accounting. At least you won’t let your family starve."

Huang Zhiming walked over with a chuckle, seemingly concerned as he patted Chen Ping’s shoulder, continuing, "I’d say deciding early is good.

Aunt Wang has bone cancer, and right now, they really need money. Even with your father working two jobs, they can’t afford medical treatment, let alone buy Clear Spirit Water for you to break through Meditation."

Whoosh...

Chen Ping’s face turned red.

He hadn’t expected the matter he quietly discussed with the class monitor to be brought up in front of the class, let alone discussed before Xiao Hongxin.