After leaving the dormitory, Shu Han and Shen Shao returned to the Fenxin Society, where many mbers were waiting for them.
Upon seeing everyone, Shu Han recounted what had happened with Chen Chuan. When the mbers heard that Chen Chuan hadn’t been threatened in any way and had given up the Profound Image Force entirely of his own accord, they were first stunned, then filled with a sense of frustration at his wasted potential.
A senior mber said in a low voice, "This can’t be the end of it. As his upperclassn, we can’t just watch him squander his talent like this. We have a responsibility and an obligation to set him on the right path."
Soone else said in astonishnt, "This junior’s only been enrolled for about half a month, right? And he can already take down Shu Han? His natural talent is truly outstanding."
"It proves his physical condition is excellent and his talent is prominent. That’s the only way he could do sothing like this without cultivating any Power. Sigh... talent like that isn’t much worse than our leader’s was back in the day. How could he just give it up? What a waste! If he were willing to accept the Profound Image Force Skill, I can’t even imagine the heights he could reach."
The mbers all agreed. A person that talented was born to cultivate the Profound Image Force Skill, just like their leader. How could he waste such talent? They had to find a way to persuade him, to correct his course.
But soone raised a critical question. "But ultimately, he’s the one who’s unwilling. What can we possibly do?"
"That’s because he doesn’t yet understand the responsibility he carries," a slightly older student proposed. "Why don’t we invite him out for a talk? If we reason with him, he should understand."
"But will he even co? From what Shu Han said, he just holes up in his dorm training all day and rarely cos out. The way things are now, I doubt we could even see him if we went to his dormitory."
Although students aren’t allowed to bring food into the dormitories, that rule doesn’t apply to the instructors. So, in theory, if Chen Chuan didn’t want to co out, he could stay in there indefinitely. And as long as he gave the dorm supervisor a heads-up, they would be barred from entry.
"He can’t stay in his dorm forever. There will be opportunities."
"I have an idea..." one mber said. "The monthly exam is approaching. He’ll have to co out for that. Maybe we can talk to him then?"
A core mber thought for a mont. "That’s a viable plan. Alright, I’ll go talk to one of the faculty mbers and get this arranged. We’ll schedule a formal talk with him. We can’t let him keep being so stubborn."
"But what if he still refuses to listen?"
"Then we’ll make him understand the logic of us Fighters," a voice cut in.
The mbers turned and saw a tall, imposing student standing in the doorway. They hurriedly greeted him with titles like "Senior Brother" and "Vice President."
The tall student walked over and said slowly, "He’s just new to the academy; he hasn’t seen much yet. Once we make him understand that there are vast differences between one form of power and another, I’m confident he’ll correct his way of thinking."
In his dormitory, Chen Chuan was completely imrsed in his training. During the day, he practiced the Pile thod of the Orthodox Scattering Hand, using dicinal supplents in coordination with a Breathing Technique. At night, he focused on the Breathing Technique and used his Second Self to remove the strain and damage caused by the dicine, the Pile thod, and the breathing exercises.
He trained so ceaselessly that he completely lost track of ti. It wasn’t until Cheng Zitong told him he could take a break that he realized it was already the end of the month.
Seeing that Chen Chuan still looked eager to continue, Cheng Zitong smiled. "You’re far too diligent. There’s no need to rush. You’ve only been enrolled for a month, and you have the whole sester ahead of you. Take your ti. It’s the end of the month now, which ans every student has to take the monthly exam. The instructors have to be present as well. I’ll take you to your exam tomorrow."
Chen Chuan said, "Teacher, what will be on this monthly exam?"
Cheng Zitong replied, "For the monthly exams, the instructors usually create tests for each other’s students. I haven’t served as an advising teacher much in the past, so I’m not familiar with the exact process. But don’t worry. The teachers here all have to give so face. Besides, your strength is plain to see. It shouldn’t be difficult for you to pass."
Chen Chuan nodded. Shu Han had ntioned this during their confrontation; the monthly exam was really just a way to keep students from slacking off.
There was indeed nothing to worry about. Even if soone tried to make things difficult, it wouldn’t matter much. Failing wouldn’t result in being held back a grade; only the midterm and final exams were that critical.
Besides, since the instructors created tests for one another, anyone who deliberately gave another’s student a hard ti would have to worry about their own student receiving the sa treatnt. It wasn’t worth the trouble and served no real purpose, so there was generally a tacit understanding between them.
He asked, "What ti tomorrow?"
"I’ll co pick you up tomorrow morning," Cheng Zitong said. "The exam shouldn’t take long."
「anwhile.」
At the Beifeng Garden Villa, several Painters were capturing the likenesses of a few mbers and leaders of the Mutual Aid Association on a tree-shaded lawn. Attendants moved about with trays of drinks, fruit, and snacks, while the lodious sound of a violin drifted from nearby.
An attendant approached Senior Brother Jiang, bowed, and whispered a few words in his ear. Senior Brother Jiang raised an eyebrow. "Oh? The Fenxin Society plans to persuade him?"
Though the two spoke quietly, everyone present had superb physical conditioning and heard most of it. One of them took a drink from a passing attendant’s tray, took a sip, then walked over and sat down. "Brother Jiang, are we sure the news about that kid not choosing the Profound Image Force is accurate? Make sure it’s not so act they’re putting on."
Soone else chid in, "It’s accurate. The Profound Image Force is special. Anyone who chooses it must be registered with the dean’s office and the headmaster’s office. But neither Gao Ping nor Cheng Zitong went to either place, so it definitely wasn’t the Profound Image Force. Besides, unofficially teaching soone a Force Technique is a violation of academy rules. They wouldn’t do that."
Another person spoke. "He rejected Yu Ruzhi’s offer that day. I really thought he’d be like that other guy from back then and choose the Profound Image Force. I didn’t expect this. I suppose he knows what’s good for him."
The first speaker, one of the Recomnded Students, said with a playful tone, "Perhaps he didn’t dare make that choice precisely because he heard about the incident two years ago. But..." He set down his glass. "Brother Jiang, if the Fenxin Society pressures him to choose, do you all think he’ll accept?"
Senior Brother Jiang just smiled. "We’ll know the answer after tomorrow’s show begins."
「The next day.」
Chen Chuan left the dormitory building dressed in his formal student uniform. The morning sun was bright, and a chorus of birdsong erupted from Spring and Autumn Lake.
After a short wait, Cheng Zitong’s car arrived. Chen Chuan walked over, opened the door, and got in. "So many birds chirping today," Cheng Zitong comnted. "It’s not usually this noisy, is it? I hope it didn’t disturb you."
Chen Chuan smiled. "I’m very focused when I train. Outside noises generally don’t affect ."
"That’s good."
Cheng Zitong started the car and drove Chen Chuan away from the dormitory, heading toward the southern part of campus. "It’s been decided," he said. "Teacher Ni Xiaolin will be your examiner for the monthly test."
"I’ve known Teacher Ni for a long ti. Don’t be fooled by her smile; she’s an old woman whose actions can be hard to fathom. You’ll need to be on your guard."
"Understood, Teacher," Chen Chuan said.
The car pulled up in front of a training hall nestled in a grove of trees. It was a pleasant area, covering a large plot of land. In addition to the training hall, there was a small library next door.
The two got out of the car, and Cheng Zitong led Chen Chuan inside. They had just stepped through the entrance when a tall, young female assistant with a high ponytail and powerful, well-defined legs walked over to greet them. "Senior Brother Cheng."
Cheng Zitong asked, "Xiaoniao, where is your teacher?"
Assistant Qiu replied, "Teacher just woke up and is getting ready..." She glanced at Chen Chuan. "This must be your student, Senior Brother. Why not have him go ahead and start the exam?"
Cheng Zitong hesitated. Chen Chuan spoke up, "Teacher Cheng, you can go ahead if you’re busy. I’ll go take the exam."
Cheng Zitong thought for a mont. "Alright, then." He patted Chen Chuan on the shoulder.
"Don’t worry, Teacher," Chen Chuan said reassuringly.
Assistant Qiu gestured down the corridor to the right. "This way." She then led the way forward. Chen Chuan followed her, making two turns before they entered a hallway lined with potted plants. At the end of the hall, Assistant Qiu pushed open a set of double doors, and Chen Chuan stepped in after her.
He found himself in a room with nearly twenty upperclassn, so sitting and so standing. A few were in formal student uniforms, while others wore the academy’s training garb. All of them were watching him in silence.
Assistant Qiu said, "This is your exam. It doesn’t matter what thod you use. Make them all give up, or find a way to walk out of here on your own. Do either, and you pass." With that, she walked to the side, folded her arms, and leaned against the wall.
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