Chapter 692 - 43: Corner

Student dormitories at Wuyi Academy were generally below the sixtieth floor, while faculty apartments were on the seventieth floor and above. The academy had assigned Chen Chuan an apartment on the seventy-ninth floor, in the southeast corner of the Profound Palace Building.

The elevator doors slid open. After stepping out, Chen Chuan found himself in a private hallway lined with glass partitions. Behind the glass grew flowers and plants known to refresh the spirit and delight the heart.

Beyond the hallway was a spacious, high-ceilinged room filled with soft light. The furniture was all characterized by clean, simple, and exceptionally smooth lines.

The apartment was split into two levels connected by a pair of spiral staircases. It was more than three times the size of a student dorm. The interior layout was logical, featuring an independent Domain display screen and an enlarged private Training Ground. Outside, there was a large, reinforced, classical-style veranda and rooftop terrace.

After looking around, a notification sounded on his Realm Token. It was now noon, and the system was asking if he required lunch.

The Wuyi faculty residential area had its own grand dining hall that offered a variety of delicious, high-Energy foods. It also provided a limited daily supply of rare, highly nutritious delicacies from the Merging Land, so there was no need to subsist on dry Nutrition Paste.

However, some teachers, engrossed in their combat training, still preferred Nutrition Paste to save time.

Chen Chuan glanced at the options. He had heard about the rare delicacies from the Merging Land during his time there and had only seen them once at a banquet held by Chen Bitong, though he hadn’t had a chance to taste them.

Since it was available now, he casually placed a pre-order for a serving.

Due to its scarcity, this food was usually fully booked the moment it became available. However, once pre-ordered, you were placed in a queue. His turn would come in a few days.

He walked over to the long sofa in the middle of the large living room and sat down. Tapping his Realm Token, a beam of light instantly shone down, and a massive Domain screen materialized before him.

All the content on his Realm Token could be displayed on the screen, showing even more information at once. He watched some of the conversations and news on the fringe channels for a while.

With another light tap, he switched the view to a panoramic map of Jibei Dao Central City.

It displayed not only the urban districts of Central City but also the vast industrial zones and factories to the southwest and south of the city, as well as the numerous island-based biological research sites owned by various corporations out on the eastern sea.

These areas clustered densely around Central City. Clearly visible transport canals, highways, rail networks, and sea and airship ports connected to the various districts like veins and nerves.

After a quick overview, he highlighted the locations of the Lianwei Zhongyu branch and the Green Source Ecological Company’s subdivision.

These were the two places he needed to focus on next.

A moment later, he tapped a few more times, bringing up the Lower City District and all its entrances, outlining them in dark red for distinction.

Now it was easy to see that the Green Source Ecological Company had chosen a very particular location. It was situated directly above the intersection of several main thoroughfares of the Lower City District, like the nexus of a Large Net.

He stared at it for a moment, then bookmarked the map for future reference before shutting down the screen. He headed upstairs to the second floor, which was one enormous, open Training Ground.

He walked to the center and said, "Hong Fu."

Instantly, the scenery changed. He was standing on a tall, vertical reef in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by raging waves crashing against the stone and white surf churning.

On a similar pillar of rock directly across from him, a red figure appeared. A veil hid her face below her sharp, lively eyes. Her red clothes and the red tassel on her blade fluttered in the wind.

Chen Chuan held out his hand. Although he hadn’t brought his Snow Monarch Blade, he felt a tangible sensation in his palm as an illusory copy of the blade materialized there.

Hong Fu slowly raised her Yanling Blade horizontally, then gripped the hilt. SHIING! With a flash of cold light, the blade was drawn.

Chen Chuan nodded at her. He focused his mind, and with a flicker in his eyes, his greatly enhanced Spiritual Power slammed toward her.

As expected, the attack was blocked. Then, a wave of Spiritual Power, just a fraction stronger than his own, pressed back against him.

’This is the kind of pressure I need.’

Hong Fu could always control her strength to be just a sliver above his level. This allowed him to constantly perform at his maximum potential, ensuring both his mind and body were honed most effectively.

The instant his Spiritual Power was repelled, the red figure fluttered across the gap, seemingly leaping over the sea. The red tassel on her Yanling Blade danced as she delivered a gracefully executed slash.

Chen Chuan raised his blade to block. As the swords collided, Power clashed, and a penetrating force shot through his body, only to be stopped by his organized Horizontal Training Strength.

The Yanling Blade twisted, following him like a shadow. He leveraged the advantage of his Horizontal Training, ignoring her slash and attacking Hong Fu before she could regain her footing. Her figure spun, deftly dodging his attack as she ducked low and swung her blade in an upward arc.

CLANG! The two clashed once more. As their Power collided, both retreated half a step before swinging their blades at each other again, engaging in a long, continuous exchange on the narrow platform of the reef pillar.

Wuyi’s resources for teachers far exceeded those for students. According to the academy’s allocation, Chen Chuan could now use the training facilities for more than fourteen hours a day. He took full advantage of this time, only exiting the simulation after more than half a day of intense practice.

By now, night had fallen, and the apartment was filled with light. He then realized that not all of it came from lamps; some of the light emanated from the surrounding ornamental plants. It was bright yet soft, and a few of the decorative plants even glowed with multicolored hues.

After checking his messages, he ate a few sticks of Nutrition Paste, then took out the box containing the Pure Essence and continued to absorb the remainder.

While he was training, Assistant Ling was in the Sky Garden on one of the upper floors of the Profound Palace Building, speaking with someone.

"He’s an Investigation Chief now. I heard that a giant Airship arrived in Central City a few days ago. Based on the incident, he was likely involved, and it seems he came out on top.

This might be related to a conflict between Schools. But as you know, it’s difficult for outsiders to get accurate information about School disputes, so I couldn’t find out the specifics.

But it’s highly likely he’s already connected with some big shot, or perhaps has even joined a School. He already has his own path for advancement. If that’s the case, your plan to have him join us probably won’t succeed."

Assistant Ling, however, showed no signs of disappointment. He maintained his smile and said, "He’s actually the most suitable candidate. I’ve rarely seen a student with such high potential. Hmm, a teacher now.

His excellence proves I didn’t misjudge him. That’s why I still believe we need him to join. He has certain qualities that no one else can replace. I’m still very optimistic about him."

The voice replied, "But that’s impossible. If he already has his own future prospects, why would he agree to join..." As he spoke, the person on the other end seemed to be shaking their head in denial. "Impossible. Absolutely impossible."

Assistant Ling smiled. "If this plan doesn’t work, then we’ll just use another one."

The person on the other end was startled and lowered their voice. "Are you planning to..."

Assistant Ling just smiled without answering.

The voice hesitated. "You’re not unaware of the blade strike that cleaved the Ferris Wheel Building. His combat power is immense."

Assistant Ling remained noncommittal, simply smiling as he said, "Before that, I will have a good talk with him."

His gaze passed through the glass curtain wall to the distant view opposite the building. "After we talk, perhaps he’ll come to agree with our ideals?"

The next day, Chen Chuan emerged from his meditation. In the early morning light, he walked out onto the veranda’s observation deck.

He then opened a window. A moment later, a CHIRP echoed from the distance.

As the sound grew closer, a gorgeous shadow flew in from outside. It circled the observation deck once before landing perfectly on a pre-installed perch. It chirped at Chen Chuan again, then lowered its head to drink the water and eat the food that had been prepared for it.

Chen Chuan smiled faintly. He had asked the academy staff to set this up in advance. It seemed Chaoming liked it.

He checked the time. He had a class this morning. It seemed the student named Jiang Xin was quite eager to attend his lesson.

So, he first washed up, ate the breakfast delivered from the faculty dining hall, and then took the elevator to his assigned Training Ground.

He had already reviewed this student’s file. The student came with recommendations from numerous teachers at Yangzhi Wuyi, and the academy’s evaluation of him was very high. There was a near-unanimous consensus that he should come to the Central Hospital to study.

Such a situation was quite rare.

However, this was also because the old recommendation system had been abolished, and the quotas for studying in Central City had been expanded and relaxed. In the past, a student like this would most likely have been absorbed by the Mutual Aid Association. No matter how outstanding, it would have been difficult for them to stand out.

Looking at the sunlight outside, he involuntarily thought of Senior Brother Shen Zheng. ’If he could see Wuyi Academy now, he would probably be happy.’

Just as the time for the class was approaching, footsteps were heard outside, and a student who looked to be fifteen or sixteen at most appeared at the door.

His face held the unique expression of a young man: a mix of curiosity and anticipation for a new environment, along with a hint of eagerness.

He saw Chen Chuan and seemed a bit shy, not daring to meet his gaze. He walked in, bowed to Chen Chuan, and spoke with a voice tinged with nervousness and excitement.

"Hello, Teacher Chen. My name is Jiang Xin."

Chen Chuan looked at him and smiled. "Hello, Student Jiang. Have you seen me before?"

Jiang Xin looked up, his eyes filled with adoration. He said excitedly, "I saw Senior Brother Chen from a distance once—oh, I mean, Teacher Chen! Teacher Chen, my classmates and I have all heard about you. We all really admire you!"

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