Chapter 161 - 95: Second Grade
"Yeah," another burly teacher chimed in, clapping Wang Yiming on the shoulder. "It was no trouble at all, just a quick trip. You don’t have to go to such expense."
The plaza instantly descended into a chaotic buzz.
In the end, it was Chen Zhenguo who let out a hearty laugh, gave a grand wave of his hand, and made the final decision:
"Alright, alright! Yiming has made a kind offer, how can we as his elders refuse and make him lose face? It’s settled! All of you have been rolling around in the dirt and mud in the mountains all day, looking like a bunch of mud monkeys. Hurry up and go home, take a nice hot shower, and change into some clean clothes! We’ll meet at Dingxiang Tower in one hour. Don’t be late!"
His gaze turned to Wang Yiming.
"Which private room did you book?"
Wang Yiming quickly replied, "Private Room 302!"
"Good! 302! Did everyone hear that? Dismissed, dismissed! See you at Dingxiang Tower later!" Chen Zhenguo finalized the plan.
Then, his gaze shifted to Lin Yi, who was about to leave. He added, "Lin Yi, you come too."
Lin Yi nodded and replied, "Yes, Principal."
Finally, Chen Zhenguo’s gaze fell upon the roof of the bus.
Luo Qian was bound in chains like a dumpling, and beneath him lay the Tomb-Guarding Corpse General, which emanated a cold, sinister aura. In this state, he obviously couldn’t join the upcoming dinner.
"Luo Qian,"
Chen Zhenguo’s voice grew a little more serious.
"Regarding your situation, I’ve already called your grandfather. He’ll be here to pick you up personally soon. Wanting to subjugate this jiangshi is your own choice, and the school won’t forcibly intervene. But..."
His tone shifted, carrying a warning:
"I must remind you, if this proves impossible, get rid of this menace as soon as possible! You don’t even have your freedom. Are you controlling it, or is it controlling you?!"
"I know, Principal," Luo Qian said in a muffled voice.
The teachers quickly dispersed in twos and threes, some on foot, others driving away.
Lin Yi, carrying the Owl Dragon Long Spear, was walking along the tree-lined path of the campus toward the exit.
Suddenly, a familiar black SUV braked to a precise stop in front of him.
The window rolled down, revealing Zhang Quan.
"Get in." The words were concise.
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Yi deftly pulled open the door, sat in the passenger seat, and said respectfully, "Teacher Zhang!"
Zhang Quan nodded, started the engine, and the SUV smoothly merged into the city traffic.
He glanced sideways at Lin Yi.
"Watching you in action today, your Qi and Blood is more condensed and vigorous, and your control over your power has become much more fluid. Very good! You haven’t neglected your spear practice during the winter break, have you?"
"I wouldn’t dare slack off in the slightest," Lin Yi immediately replied with a serious expression. "The bow-stance spear holding and the basic spear form routines, I practice them at least three times a day, rain or shine."
"Mm, that’s good."
Zhang Quan nodded in satisfaction, a flash of approval in his eyes, but his tone remained stern.
"Remember, practicing the spear is like rowing a boat upstream. If you don’t practice for a day, you’ll know. If you don’t practice for ten days, your opponent will know!"
"Especially the most basic moves: the point, the flick, the thrust, the hold, and the block. No matter how exquisite the high-level combat techniques you learn in the future, this foundation will always be the lifeblood of your spear arts!"
"You must practice every day, feel it with your heart, and even when your realm is higher, you can still learn something new by reviewing the old. You can always find some new insight."
Hearing this familiar lecture,
Lin Yi felt as if he were back in those days of tireless, sweat-drenched training under Zhang Quan’s guidance.
He straightened his posture and replied respectfully, "I understand. I will remember your teachings, Teacher."
The SUV sped through the night.
「A short while later.」
They arrived at the base of the apartment building where Lin Yi lived.
"We’re here." Zhang Quan brought the car to a steady stop.
"Thank you, Teacher!" Lin Yi unbuckled his seatbelt and got out.
"The dinner at Dingxiang Tower is soon. Do you need me to swing by and pick you up?" Zhang Quan asked, his hands on the steering wheel.
"No need to trouble you, Teacher," Lin Yi quickly waved his hand. "I can just grab a cab. It’s very convenient."
"Alright, see you in a bit." Zhang Quan said no more. With a turn of the wheel, the SUV merged back into the city’s stream of traffic.
Lin Yi turned and walked briskly into the familiar hallway of his apartment building.
The dim, sound-activated lights in the hallway flickered on one by one in time with his footsteps.
In fact, while the bus was still speeding along the road,
he had already controlled his Mosquito Avatar to fly back to his apartment at top speed.
He couldn’t help it!
’My entire fortune, those two thousand-plus Bone Tempering Pills, are all sitting at home.’
’If a thief broke in, I’d have nowhere to go to cry about it.’
That’s why as soon as things at Wangwu Mountain were over, he had his Mosquito Avatar fly back to stand guard.
Fortunately, everything was safe and sound.
No thieves had paid his home a visit.
Pushing open the door, the familiar, simple scent of his home washed over him.
Lin Yi deadbolted the door and immediately rushed into the small bathroom.
He turned on the showerhead, and a stream of warm water instantly washed down.
The warm water flowed over his skin.
It washed away not only the dust from the mountain forest, the cold and musty smell from the ancient tomb, and the filth left from battling the jiangshi,
but also, it seemed, the heavy fatigue that had accumulated throughout the day.
Although the Kidney-Water Spiritual Essence constantly nourished his body and eliminated the soreness in his muscles,
the feeling of mental relaxation from completely unloading his burdens and returning to a safe harbor was something no amount of Spiritual Essence could replace.
𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
He took a long, satisfying hot shower.
He changed into clean, fresh underwear.
Then he put on his Tier One Martial Arts Uniform, which had a self-cleaning function.
Lin Yi was completely refreshed, and his Spirit was reinvigorated.
He glanced at the old-fashioned clock on the wall.
The hour hand pointed to 11:40.
It was about time.
Lin Yi delayed no longer. He locked his door, went downstairs, and hailed a taxi.
"Driver, to Dingxiang Tower."
「Dingxiang Tower, Private Room 302.」