Chapter 42

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Chapter 42: Chang Xiang Appears

Crackling and popping sounds, like strings of firecrackers exploding, rang out incessantly. It created an illusion for those caught within, as if they had arrived on the evening of New Year’s Eve.

The sounds of detonation lasted for nearly half the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Simultaneously, small puffs of smoke, generated by raindrops colliding with abacus beads, filled the open area again with haze.

While others couldn’t see clearly, Lou Yun, right in the midst of it, realized that although the countless raindrops summoned by his magical weapon all hit Qian Ruming’s incoming abacus beads, they hadn’t damaged the beads in the slightest. Before him, those countless, faintly gleaming abacus beads still advanced densely towards him.

If struck, he would surely be overwhelmed. The only way to avoid being hit was to unleash the Fusang Fire.

Just as Lou Yun prepared to deploy the Fusang Fire, a long-unheard but familiar voice suddenly sounded in his mind: "Don’t use the Fusang Fire!"

"Brother Chang!"

Lou Yun was so excited he almost shouted aloud. Chang Xiang, absent for over a month, had finally appeared at this critical moment.

Chang Xiang could naturally hear the surge of joy and relief in Lou Yun’s reaction to his voice, but now wasn’t the time for reunions.

"Remember," Chang Xiang’s voice was urgent, "never reveal your full strength to your enemy. The Fusang Fire is your ultimate trump card. This is merely a test; you must hold something back. No need to go all out. Listen to me! Right now, disperse all your spiritual energy evenly throughout your entire body. Trust in your own strength. Endure it head-on!"

Chang Xiang’s sudden appearance infused Lou Yun with boundless courage and confidence. Naturally, he wouldn’t doubt Chang Xiang’s words. He nodded immediately and swiftly dispersed all his spiritual energy to every part of his body.

At that very instant, the dense swarm of abacus beads shot right before Lou Yun.

Lou Yun clenched his eyes shut as his body was instantly engulfed and covered by countless abacus beads!

"BOOM!"

A thunderous roar that shook the heavens and earth echoed across the sky over the Ancient Weapon Academy, making the very ground tremble.

Qian Ruming recalled her abacus, clasped her hands behind her back, habitually narrowed her small eyes, and looked lightly at Lou Yun, who was enveloped in the intense light.

Everyone else also widened their eyes, staring intently at that sphere of brilliance.

Before the intense light could completely fade, a figure already stumbled out from its core.

Looking at Lou Yun, whose steps were unsteady but who still wore a faint smile on his face, expressions of utter astonishment appeared on everyone’s features.

Even Qian Ruming couldn’t help but raise her brows slightly. "Good lad," she murmured. "I only used twenty percent of my strength, yet he not only took every hit, he even remained standing! His strength truly surpasses my expectations. Heh. But he’s definitely at his limit now. His spiritual energy must be completely drained!"

That was indeed the case. The reason Lou Yun was still able to stand, albeit barely, was entirely due to his sheer, stubborn willpower. A single tap of a finger at that moment would have sent him sprawling to the ground.

Although Qian Ruming knew Lou Yun’s current state, she still asked him: "Lad, can you still fight?"

Lou Yun took a deep breath, shook his head, and said with a smile, "No… can’t fight any more, Teacher Qian. How many moves was that?"

Qian Ruming laughed heartily. "Nineteen moves!"

A flicker of regret passed over Lou Yun’s face, but it was quickly replaced by satisfaction. He stuck out his tongue and licked his slightly parched lips. "Heh, a shame… just one move short. So… does that mean I can enter B-level?"

Qian Ruming extended her index finger gently shook it, and uttered one word: "No."

"No?" Lou Yun was confused. "Then I should be…?"

"Although you only blocked nineteen of my moves," Qian Ruming continued, "you not only withstood my mid-tier moon-grade weapon technique, you also stood firm without falling. Based on that alone, it suffices to prove your strength is worthy of entering…"

She paused deliberately here, to build suspense. Everyone, including Lou Yun himself, thought the next two words out of her mouth would definitely be "A-level."

However, the word Qian Ruming uttered after the pause was: "Special level!"

An absolute silence descended upon the scene. Everyone was struck speechless by sheer shock. Lou Yun’s mouth fell open; he could scarcely believe his ears.

Special level. This classification was reserved for students whose strength had reached the level of a mid-level magical weapons master before turning eighteen. Being placed in this tier essentially meant being designated as a Seed Student, an object upon whom the Academy would spare no expense in the future to cultivate as a key focus.

Although Lou Yun’s magical weapon was only beginner two-star, Qian Ruming deduced his true strength from this test, concluding that he had actually reached the level of a mid-level magical weapons master.

After being stunned for a long time, a voice suddenly rang out: "Unfair!"

Everyone snapped out of their daze and looked towards the source. It was Qin Wufeng again.

Qian Ruming merely glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and said coldly, "How is it unfair?"

Qin Wufeng pointed at Lou Yun. "Students entering the academy are categorized based on their magical weapon level. Martial Sister Liu Ruyan has indeed reached the intermediate one-star magical weapon level, hence her placement in the Special level. We all accept that. But his magical weapon level is clearly only beginner two-star. By rights, he should only be placed in D-level. How can he enter the Special level? Teacher Qian, this classification is unfair to the other students."

Hearing this, Lou Yun was shocked again. He looked up at the beautiful girl who stood distinctly apart from the crowd. In just half a year, she had actually cultivated to the intermediate one-star level. This cultivation speed, compared to his own, was simply even more terrifying!

He knew that cultivating a magical weapon was easiest at the lowest levels. But as the level increased, progressing became harder and harder. Especially when breaking through major levels, it became even more difficult. Barriers like advancing from beginner five-star to intermediate one-star, or from intermediate five-star to advanced one-star, were significant hurdles. Many people were even trapped before these barriers, unable to advance for ten or twenty years. That’s why Lou Yun was so surprised. Liu Ruyan hadn’t just advanced a level; she had effortlessly crossed this major threshold.

Although Liu Ruyan’s gaze met Lou Yun’s, her face still wore its usual haughtiness and indifference. She immediately shifted her gaze away.

Facing Qin Wufeng’s "righteous" championing of the cause of justice for the other students, Qian Ruming sneered. "Fair? Then what do you consider fair?"

Qin Wufeng was stumped. Fair? What was fair? Make every student fight Qian Ruming? The strength Lou Yun had just displayed was witnessed by all. Forget others; even he himself, an intermediate one-star magical weapons master, wasn’t confident he could last that long under Qian Ruming’s attacks.

Lou Yun’s placement in the Special level was truly earned by his own strength!

Seeing Qin Wufeng speechless, Qian Ruming ignored him. She waved to a female teacher. "Bai Yue, take him to the infirmary. After his injuries are treated, go ahead and arrange his accommodation and other matters."

After giving instructions, Qian Ruming suddenly glared fiercely at the surrounding students. "Well? Aren’t you all going to class? Do you want collective punishment?"

With a "whoosh," the crowd dispersed like a receding tide.

Lou Qian didn’t go to class. Instead, she secretly headed towards the infirmary. Xia Zhilan kept looking back longingly towards the infirmary; clearly, she wanted to see Lou Yun too, but lacked the courage. Liu Ruyan left the most cleanly and efficiently, vanishing into the crowd in the blink of an eye.

Before the next day even arrived, the name Lou Yun – the one who was late and forced Qian Ruming to personally test his strength – had already resounded throughout the Ancient Weapon Academy.

After everyone had scattered, Qian Ruming narrowed her eyes and looked up at the sky above the Ancient Weapon Academy. She chuckled. "The New Talent Division this year actually produced two Special level students. This is truly something to look forward to!"

After saying this, Qian Ruming swayed her head, humming a tuneless ditty as she slowly walked towards her room.

At the same time, at the entrance to Chaoyun Valley where the Ancient Weapon Academy was located, Old Man Feng, holding a jar of wine, wobbled as he jumped down from a huge boulder. He smacked his lips. "Special level… that kid’s potential is immense. Ah, if things continue like this, the gap between him and Little Lan will only grow wider. That won’t do. I need to think of a way, think of a way to help Little Lan raise her magical weapon level."

…

Lou Yun wasn’t seriously hurt at all. He hadn’t suffered any injuries; only his spiritual energy was completely depleted. He didn’t want to stay in the infirmary, but the doctor insisted he rest there first and wasn’t allowed to leave until he recovered some spiritual energy.

Lou Qian poked her head out from the doorway, looked around cautiously, then strode confidently inside. Seeing Lou Yun resting on a chair, she habitually and unceremoniously poked Lou Yun’s forehead. "Well, well, you little rascal! Half a year apart, and your strength has improved this fast? You’re already a mid-level magical weapons master! Hmph, are you trying to infuriate me to death?"

Honestly, Lou Yun felt quite apologetic towards Lou Qian. He smiled awkwardly. "Sis Qian, sorry about that. I originally wanted to be placed in C-level with you, but I just couldn’t hold back earlier…"

Thwack!

Lou Qian unceremoniously smacked Lou Yun’s head. "What are you talking about? Do you think I need your company? Let me tell you, if you’re Special level, then you’re Special level! As your sister, I couldn’t be happier for you! How could I blame you? Silly little brother!"

Lou Yun grinned foolishly, knowing Lou Qian genuinely wasn’t angry. That meant he didn’t need to explain anything further.

"Alright, since you’re fine, I’m off to class. I’ve almost taken two days off; the teacher will scold me soon. You rest and recuperate properly. Go to class when you’re completely better. Anyway, you’re so strong now, attending class or not probably doesn’t matter!"

"Got it!"

"Then I’m leaving. Here, this little thing back to you!"

After handing Xiao Huo back to Lou Yun, Lou Qian turned and left the infirmary. Just before exiting, she couldn’t help but glance back at Lou Yun. A feeling welled up in her heart: the gap between her and this genius little brother would only grow wider and wider!

After Lou Qian left, Lou Yun stole a glance at the doctor, who was engrossed in reading a medical book and not paying attention to him. He quickly closed his eyes and started inquiring about Chang Xiang’s situation.

"Brother Chang, where did you go? You’ve been gone so long, and you didn’t even say goodbye!"

For Lou Yun, Chang Xiang held the position of a true elder brother in his heart.

Chang Xiang chuckled bitterly. "I didn’t go anywhere. I’ve been inside your body all along. Because I used Devour Weapons to help you last time, I expended the spiritual energy I’d painstakingly accumulated over many years. I fell into a deep sleep and only woke up today."

At this point, Lou Yun couldn’t hold back any longer and asked the question that had been burning inside him for a long time: "Brother Chang, what exactly is your identity? How can you hide inside my body, and why haven’t I felt it at all?"

He waited for a long time but received no answer from Chang Xiang. There was no sound at all. Frightened that Chang Xiang was angry, he quickly added, "Brother Chang, don’t be angry! If you don’t want to say, I won’t ask! Pretend I never asked!"

"Pfft!" Chang Xiang let out a light laugh. "Silly kid, do you think your Brother Chang is that petty? Getting angry just because you asked a question? Relax, I’m not angry. Actually, it’s about time I told you my identity. I’m just thinking of a way to tell you that you might find easier to accept."

Hearing Chang Xiang wasn’t angry, Lou Yun naturally felt relieved. However, he was a bit confused by Chang Xiang’s words. What did he mean by "you might not accept it"?