Chapter 15: The Reward

Not all small spiritual energy blocks had the same storage capacity; Li Zhen hadn’t yet investigated what caused these differences.

Following the manual, he removed the spiritual energy block from the small Inverted Five Elements Array Disk. The array disk would be unusable for a short time, but the spiritual energy block could be repurposed.

He then installed the spiritual energy block into his rune dart, swapping out the nearly depleted one.

After a brief self-check, a number appeared on the gun: ‘186’. This discovery thrilled him—the rune dart would now function reliably for some time again.

“Li Zhen, the morning news is broadcasting a story about students from Yunxi Second Elementary Middle School!” Early the next morning, as soon as Li Zhen got up, Mei Yun, the intelligent housekeeper, alerted him.

“Mei Yun, turn on the news!” Li Zhen guessed that yesterday’s events might have made it onto the news, and he wanted to see how they were reported.

Mei Yun activated the wall screen. To Li Zhen’s surprise, Cheng He’s figure appeared on the screen.

The footage showed Cheng He leaving the Security Bureau the previous day, waving and smiling in the camera shot.

“According to our report, yesterday, young hero Cheng He and several classmates were kidnapped by the Demon-Worship Cult,” the news anchor announced. “Calmly responding to the situation, Cheng He bravely fought against the demonic cultists and cooperated with the Security Bureau to dismantle their secret hideout within Yunxi County.”

“Student Cheng He is currently attending Yunxi Second Elementary Middle School, where he is a seventh-grade student known for his excellent character and academic achievements!” the female announcer explained in a lovely voice.

Li Zhen was taken aback; he knew what Cheng He was like. Throughout the entire battle, Cheng He had been unconscious—how could he possibly be some little hero?

And why doesn’t he even deserve a name? So ‘student’ just refers to him.

Well, whatever. With Cheng He taking all the credit, I won’t have any trouble! Li Zhen quickly changed his mind, finding this situation acceptable.

When Li Zhen arrived at school, he had barely sat down when Cheng He appeared.

As Cheng He entered the classroom, he was greeted by enthusiastic applause from his classmates.

“Cheng He, you’re truly amazing! I heard you killed one of those demonic cultists—is that true?” a classmate asked admiringly.

“Just a lucky sneak attack,” Cheng He replied modestly, though he couldn’t hide the pride on his face.

However, when his gaze fell upon Li Zhen, his expression became somewhat unnatural.

The whole incident began when he’d led Senior Student Lu to intercept Li Zhen, inadvertently causing Li Zhen to be captured by the Demon-Worship Cult.

Worse still, the “senior student” he’d found was actually a member of that very cult. If word got out, it wouldn’t sound good at all.

Head bowed, Li Zhen focused on his work, ignoring Cheng He completely.

Class leader Yu Nan and vice-class leader Han Wenqin were aware of more details and didn’t join their classmates’ praise.

The investigation after yesterday’s incident revealed that Senior Lu had been stabbed to death with a short blade. However, Cheng He carried no weapon on him at the time, suggesting there must have been a third person present during the attack. This cast doubt on Cheng He’s heroic deed.

Moreover, based on what Yu Nan and Han Wenqin knew about Cheng He, they couldn’t believe he could kill such a demonic entity.

Han Wenqin discreetly produced a talisman, activating it with spiritual energy. The other students were clustered around Cheng He, so except for Yu Nan, who noticed, none of them saw her action.

The talisman dissolved into sparkling crystals, forming special runes that merged into Han Wenqin’s body.

These unique runes appeared in her eyes—a Tianyan Talisman imbued with the Heaveneye Technique, which allowed one to perceive spiritual energies.

Han Wenqin looked at Cheng He, observing a faint red glow emanating from his body, indicative of fire-type spiritual energy within him.

“Cheng He’s spiritual energy seems somewhat unstable,” she whispered to Yu Nan. “It looks like he’s been cultivating using spirit pills!”

“He’s trying to achieve too much too quickly!” Yu Nan shook his head disapprovingly.

While the Heaveneye Technique still had some effect, Han Wenqin scanned the classroom. As her gaze swept over Li Zhen, she noticed him suddenly lift his head and look directly at her.

At that moment, Han Wenqin noticed a green glow emanating from Li Zhen. This green light was remarkably concentrated, surpassing even his classmates’ displays.

“What did you discover?” Yu Nan asked, noticing Han Wenqin’s gaze on Li Zhen. He knew she had been using her Heaven Eye Technique.

“Nothing!” Han Wenqin nodded towards Li Zhen while responding to Yu Nan.

She had formed a suspicion about Li Zhen’s talent but didn’t wish to reveal it to Yu Nan.

Given their backgrounds, both Han Wenqin and Yu Nan had a specific mission within the cultivator class: to identify and nurture talented young cultivators in school.

“The teacher is coming!” A student’s remark finally brought an end to the classroom chatter.

Teacher Zhang entered the classroom with a middle-aged man. Li Zhen sensed the aura of a first-class high-grade spiritual object radiating from the man, leaving him inwardly astonished.

Since arriving in this world, he’d only ever experienced such an aura once before—from Constable Shang, who possessed a first-class high-grade magical artifact. That alone indicated how powerful Constable Shang was, being at the late stages of Qi Refining.

“Why is Principal Wang here?!” a student exclaimed in surprise.

Principal Wang, headmaster of Yunxi Second Elementary Middle School, was indeed a formidable presence at the late stages of Qi Refining.

“Students, Principal Wang has come today to present Cheng He with a school award,” Teacher Zhang announced with a smile. “Let’s welcome him with applause!”

The students clapped as they turned towards Cheng He. His face was flushed red; part of it from excitement and only a small part from shame.

It seemed Cheng He truly believed he was a great hero, thinking he had killed Senior Student Lu himself.

“Student Cheng He, please come up here!” Schoolmaster Wang gestured for Cheng He to approach, his eyes brimming with admiration.

As Cheng He reached him, Schoolmaster Wang affectionately patted his arm—originally intending to pat his head, but Cheng He stood too tall for that.

“When facing the monstrous cultists of the Demon-Worship Cult, student Cheng He bravely engaged them in battle and assisted the Security Bureau in uncovering their secret hideout. For these actions, our school has decided to recognize Cheng He as follows:

Firstly, he will be named this year’s outstanding student. Secondly, he is awarded a bottle of mid-grade Qi-Induction Pills.”

This reward included both honor and tangible benefits, making even Li Zhen envious despite himself. However, he didn’t regret his decision.

Even though the security forces had dismantled the Demon-Worship Cult’s base, he doubted Yunxi County had been completely purged of its influence. And supposing every last cultist within Yunxi County were eliminated, wouldn’t more simply migrate from other places?

The demon cultists might not be able to retaliate against the Security Bureau directly, but how could they possibly spare Cheng He, a student infamous for his association with their sect?

Li Zhen couldn’t help feeling sorry about that bottle of mid-grade Qi Guidance Pills. If only it were his—he’d finally be able to test the effect of having the Dragon Heart Space consume such spirit pills.

“Thank you, Principal! It’s my duty to deal with these demonic fiends!” Cheng He declared loudly.

He accepted the jade bottle containing the mid-grade Qi Guidance Pills from Principal Wang, then raised it high so all his classmates could see. With such a tempting reward before him, any trace of shame had vanished.

Principal Wang offered some words of encouragement to the class before leaving the classroom.

“Cheng He, you must be more careful in the future!” Teacher Zhang felt compelled to remind him one last time.

But how could Cheng He focus on her warning at this moment? Holding the mid-grade Qi Guidance Pill, he returned to his seat, his pride evident despite his best efforts to conceal it.

For the next few classes, he wore the same smug expression.

When it was time for combat basics, Li Zhen joined his classmates, each armed with their own practice sword, as they headed to the combat room for their lesson.

The combat room was vast, like a sports arena. Its floor was made from special materials that absorbed energy upon impact, reducing the risk of injury by more than half.

“Students,” Mr. Zuo began, his voice echoing across the expanse, “I see you’ve all been issued your practice swords. From this day forward, I shall instruct you in the foundational sword techniques of our Xian Nation.”

For most of you, he continued, close-quarters swordsmanship will be your lifeline—a means of self-defense you’ll carry with you throughout your lives. Do not dismiss its importance! Even if you ascend to the intermediate or late stages of Qi Refinement, mastery of close-quarters swordplay remains paramount!”

Li Zhen listened intently. He had done his homework; while flying swords were undoubtedly formidable, their limitations were equally clear. Once an opponent closed the distance, a flying sword lost much of its flexibility and effectiveness.

In the early stages of cultivation—specifically during the Qi Refining period—most battles took place at close quarters. Cultivators at this level found it challenging to maintain sufficient distance for effective long-range combat.

Mr. Zuo’s lecture was meticulous, starting with the basics of how to wear one’s sword. Drawing on his own practical experience, he imparted knowledge that was both fundamental and immediately applicable.

However, the students’ enthusiasm for theory waned as they yearned to draw their swords and begin practicing. They couldn’t wait to put these newfound skills into action.