Zhou Bai and Christina were both stunned by the speed after using "Laziness Acceleration."
"With this move, I can totally challenge Jiang Weishan successfully in the exam this time, becoming the second-ranked in the special training class. More points mean more laziness."
"No, maybe I could even beat the first place, Meng Ruocun."
Thinking this, Zhou Bai couldn’t help but laugh, then he looked at the ninth star point, which was also the last one on this layer of the divine chart.
"After ’Poverty Disaster’, it’s really going to be ’Poverty Disaster’, huh?"
Poverty Disaster: If they ask you to lend, you must lend. Note: Borrowing money with ability is not shameful.
Cultivation method: (Omitted)
Laziness (0/23000)
"Oh?" Seeing the explanation for "Poverty Disaster", Zhou Bai’s eyes seemed to brighten: "There’s something to this. Just not sure what exactly can be borrowed with this ’borrowing’."
"But 23,000 laziness points? That still needs saving up for some time."
Beside him, Christina reminded, "I’ve broken through the first realm, and I’ve already mastered ’Sword Qi Division’! It’s time to go to Old Man Ying Hui for materials to craft my sword."
In the recent period, Christina had been following Fang Mo and practicing swordsmanship. After breaking through the 10% threshold in the "Dao Comprehension", she had been progressing rapidly and now it was time to craft her own sword.
Zhou Bai nodded: "Yeah, speaking of which, you selected ’Shadowbearing’ as your diagram, right? Didn’t Fang Mo and Teacher Ying Hui both suggest you choose ’Pure Jun’?"
"Only a fool would choose Pure Jun and fight head-on," Christina said. "I want Shadowbearing so I can hide behind and deal damage quietly."
...
That same night, in another room at Dao School.
Lin Muqing knelt on the floor with a respectful expression, saying, "I’ve gotten very close to Zhou Bai; the kid doesn’t have complex thoughts, and after a few meals, he talks to me about everything. However, he’s still very optimistic about the state of the war."
Before Lin Muqing, a silhouette stood in the darkness, listening to her report and slowly speaking: "Humph, optimistic about the war situation? It’s just ignorance, not knowing the current situation and the inside story. Leak a bit of information to him appropriately, and then find an opportunity to bring him in."
Lin Muqing said, "I understand."
...
Meanwhile, outside in the cafeteria, on a lounge chair in the garden.
Auntie Wang lay on the chair, seemingly dozing off.
But an ant had slowly crawled into her ear and emitted a faint human voice: "How’s the situation? Have you made contact with Zhou Bai?"
Auntie Wang’s ear bone vibrated slightly, making a soft sound: "Hmm, I’ve made contact, but it’s difficult to make a move. However, I found that he’s quite close to Miss Pei’s teacher, that Lin Muqing, they often come here to eat together."
"Oh? Is that so?" said the ant. "But Miss Pei’s situation is complicated; it’s not our mission here. You should focus on making contact with Zhou Bai. It would be best to find an opportunity to test him and see if we can recruit him to our side."
"I know."
...
The next day, early in the morning, Zhou Bai rushed to Ying Hui’s office, pushed open the office door with a bang, and shouted, "Teacher Ying Hui! I’ve reached the first realm, and ’Sword Qi Division’ is no problem now. I want to craft my sword."
Ying Hui’s face lit up with joy upon hearing the news that Zhou Bai had stepped into the first realm. Zhou Bai was still the first of his generation to enter the first realm, but his expression fell when he learned that Zhou Bai had already mastered Sword Qi division: "You’ve mastered Sword Qi division? Which diagram did you choose?"
The level zero Sword Diagrams are mainly about creating a stream of Sword Qi, continuously strengthening the power of that Sword Qi.
From the first level on, Dao School offers three different Sword Diagram routes to choose from: Pure Jun, Cheng Ying, and Gan Jiang Mo Ye. Each route involves forging a different type of sword artifact with completely different styles and powers, leading to entirely different cultivation paths later on.
But before one can start forging a sword artifact, the focus is on refining one’s swordsmanship and tempering one’s Sword Qi.
Ying Hui originally thought that, considering Zhou Bai’s tough physique, it would be fitting to equip him with a Pure Jun sword for him to be able to charge into battle and fully leverage his strengths.
However, Christina also knew that Ying Hui wanted her to choose Pure Jun, but that didn’t suit her personality at all. She intended to cultivate Cheng Ying.
So before reporting back to Ying Hui, Christina had already sneaked to the supply management office and exchanged for a divine diagram on her own.
After all, Zhou Bai had won first place in the freshmen assessment and could exchange for the first-level divine diagram cultivation materials for free.
At this moment, upon hearing Ying Hui’s question, Zhou Bai sheepishly said, "I chose Cheng Ying. I feel that Cheng Ying suits me best."
Ying Hui gave him a look that said, "I knew it," realizing that he was starting to get used to Zhou Bai’s habit of disobedience.
"With your body trained toughly and flesh that could go toe-to-toe with Jiang Weishan in a fistfight, you’re telling me you’re suited for Cheng Ying!" Ying Hui stood up in frustration, "Do you even know what characteristics Cheng Ying has? It can refract light, conceal breath, hide Sword Qi, and is best for ambushes and assassinations."
"It suits me very well," said Zhou Bai. "Actually, besides Body Refinement, I’ve also practiced Gale Breath Walk, and I’m very fast now."
"You’re very fast?" Ying Hui looked at him in disbelief. "How come I didn’t know you’re that fast? And you haven’t had a teacher guide you through the Gale Breath Walk technique, have you? I’ll tell you, Gale Breath Walk looks simple, but it’s easy to learn and hard to master..."
Ying Hui’s lecture was cut off by a whooshing sound of a whirlwind that burst through the air.
This chapter is updated by freēwēbnovel.com.
He watched as Zhou Bai’s figure flashed, leaving trails of afterimages and whirlwinds in every corner of the office before returning to his original spot, and said in surprise, "You really mastered it? And your speed has become so fast?"
Zhou Bai smiled slightly. He hadn’t even burst his shirt or shoes, nor had he used Laziness Acceleration. Otherwise, the speed would have been even more terrifying.
Zhou Bai said, "Teacher Ying Hui, you teachers want me to follow the Body Refinement path. Does this mean you think I only have the talent for Body Refinement? I don’t agree. I want to pursue a path of being well-rounded and powerful, without any weaknesses—strong in all areas. I believe I have that kind of talent."
Seeing Zhou Bai’s serious expression, Ying Hui paused for a moment and fell into deep thought.
Had Zhou Bai not just displayed his rapid progress and the mastery of Gale Breath Walk, Ying Hui would have outright dismissed his words.
But now, seeing Zhou Bai’s progress, Ying Hui seriously considered what he said.
If Zhou Bai could indeed become strong in all aspects and become a top-notch powerhouse, that would be wonderful.
But if Zhou Bai’s talent was not enough to support his ambition and his divided focus slowed his progress, it would be a waste of resources.
’However, this kid Zhou Bai, in just half a year’s time, has cultivated this impressive state of being, has already chosen Cheng Ying, and has shown improvement in terms of speed, so continuing to cultivate Cheng Ying is not unacceptable.’
’Being well-rounded and powerful, huh?’
After some thought, Ying Hui looked up at Zhou Bai and said, "The path of cultivation ultimately comes down to one’s own choice. Since you’ve achieved results, I won’t stop you from choosing Cheng Ying. Later, I will speak with Fang Mo. Go with him to the Artifact Refining court to forge Cheng Ying—I’ve already given them a heads-up."
--
Thanks to ’Delusional Demon God Li Anping’ for the generous gift.