C18 Classes

In the afternoon, with no classes to attend, Aotian casually grabbed a bite in the cafeteria before heading up the mountain behind the school in search of a secluded spot for his cultivation practice.

"This is it!"

After a lengthy search, Aotian finally stumbled upon the perfect site deep within the northern side of the mountain. Surrounded by dense trees and tall wild grass, he was certain it was a place seldom visited. Otherwise, the grass wouldn't have reached such heights. Besides, considering the treacherous mountain paths, he figured no one would bother coming here to train, especially when most students preferred the academy's martial arts field.

With plenty of time to spare, Aotian summoned his spear and cleared the area of trees and underbrush. Before long, he had fashioned a circular clearing roughly five meters across. Pleased with his handiwork, he seized the moment to practice his Earth-Splitting Spear technique. Wielding the weapon with all his might, the move was executed with tremendous force and swift strikes, the whooshing of the spear through the air adding to its impressive display.

"Phew," Aotian exhaled deeply after completing the routine, driving his spear into the ground with a satisfying thud.

"Using a spear sure feels different than those days with just a wooden stick."

As dusk approached, Aotian packed up and sprinted back to school, relishing the breeze against his skin and the sound of the wind in his ears. Life felt incredibly good at that moment.

Upon his return, Aotian underwent his master's training before retiring early, drifting off into a peaceful slumber.

"Sigh, Loong Aotian, why did you ditch me and run off yesterday?"

"Rohlin, Elton, you're such a pest. It's late; just get to class already!"

The next morning, on his way to class, Aotian ran into Rohlin Elton again, the very person who never failed to give him a headache. Truth be told, Aotian wouldn't mind giving him a thorough thrashing if he had the chance.

"Hey, what class are you in? Let's walk together! And from now on, just Rohlin is fine."

Unfazed by Aotian's growing impatience, Rohlin Elton droned on tirelessly.

Aotian rolled his eyes at Rohlin, ignoring him and making a beeline for the classroom.

Noticing Aotian picking up the pace, Elton hurried to match it, sticking close behind.

"Wow, we're in the same class? Why didn't you tell me?"

Elton grumbled as he watched Aotian enter Year 1 Swordsman Class 3.

Aotian paid no mind to his complaints, scanning the classroom filled with over 50 students before heading to a corner to claim a seat for himself.

No sooner had Aotian settled in than he noticed Rohlin Elton plopping down right next to him, leaving Aotian utterly speechless at his persistence.

The school bell chimed urgently. Just then, a woman in her early twenties entered the room, setting the class abuzz. Her slender frame, porcelain skin, light blue hair, and striking features made her an undeniable beauty. It was no surprise the students were abuzz; even Aotian was taken aback by her stunning presence.

"Cough, cough! Let's settle down, everyone," the teacher called out as she approached the podium.

"Hello, everyone! I'll be your Continental History teacher and also your class advisor moving forward. My name is Yang Ruobing. I'm looking forward to spending a joyful time with all of you! Shall we start with some introductions?"

After briefly introducing herself, Yang Ruobing invited the class to do the same.

"Sure!"

The students eagerly chimed in.

"My name is Cole Laura, and I'm 13 years old..." As the introductions went around the room, it quickly became Aotian's turn.

"Hi, I'm Rohlin Elton, a 13-year-old male, single, and my hobbies are..."

The class erupted into laughter at Rohlin's introduction. Even Aotian couldn't suppress a chuckle. At this point, he was beyond words with Rohlin.

"I'm not wrong, so why is everyone laughing?" Rohlin grumbled, feeling dejected as he noticed his classmates chuckling at him. He returned to his seat and let out a resigned sigh.

"Okay, let's give Rohlin a break. His introduction was unique and accurate. No more laughing, everyone! Now, let's hear from our final classmate," Yang Ruobing said, quelling the laughter and turning her gaze toward Aotian.

"Hello, everyone! I'm Loong Aotian," he announced. Aotian stood up reluctantly, delivering a brief introduction. He quickly sat back down before the class could even process it.

Yang Ruobing paused, a bit taken aback by Aotian's brevity, and asked, "Loong Aotian, could you give us a more detailed introduction, please?"

"I've said all there is to say. Nothing more to add," Aotian replied, having heard his teacher's request.

Yang Ruobing shook her head with a hint of frustration at his response.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the period. "Ding dong... That's all for this class, everyone. Let's wrap it up here. I'll see you next lesson," Yang Ruobing announced.

"Wow, Aotian, that was quite the introduction. I should've taken a page out of your book. Maybe then I'd have grabbed more attention," Rohlin remarked with a smirk as the class dispersed. Aotian ignored him completely. Little did he know, his attempt to avoid drawing attention with a quick name drop had ironically piqued the interest of many, especially Yang Ruobing.

The following period was a combat qi class, taught by a middle-aged man whose attire suggested he possessed the prowess of an eighth-level Sword King. Aotian couldn't help but admire the caliber of the faculty. "Truly, this is the premier academy," he thought, "where even the ordinary teachers are of King Level—a gathering place for the truly skilled."

"Students, today I'll be discussing battle qi with you all. You're probably aware of its significance to a martial artist. On our continent, battle qi is categorized into five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, each with its own hierarchy of levels. While high-quality battle qi can amplify the power of your martial arts and prolong its effects, remember that the fundamental principles of cultivating battle qi remain consistent across the board."

He paused briefly, then added, "In our practice of Dou Qi, we draw upon our own intuition to absorb elements from the air that resonate with us. We channel them through our pores and into our meridians. Over time, we nurture these elements, gradually bolstering them to enhance our strength."

"To absorb these elements, you must establish a rapport with them, treating them as friends. As I listened to the teacher's fervent lecture, I realized how much I had to gain. This class clarified many concepts that were previously murky to me and deepened my understanding of the elements!"

With that, the lesson concluded. "I hope you all will diligently continue your cultivation at home!"

Before I knew it, the class had flown by!

Once school was out, I shook off Rohlin and headed back to my dorm alone. The academy scheduled classes only for the morning, leaving us free to practice on our own in the afternoon. So, after a quick lunch, I sprinted up the mountain, eager to start today's training.

Reaching the peak, I, Aotian, having already tempered my body, swiftly drew my spear and began to practice.

"Earth-Splitting Spear!" I bellowed, thrusting my spear into the ground with all my might. Instantly, fissures erupted from the point of impact, spreading outward.

"It's still not right," I said to myself, observing the result.

Clearly, I needed to amplify my power and improve my physical coordination. Time was of the essence to perfect this technique.