Huang Xiu decided to consult a professional.
“However, tomorrow was only Tuesday, and the next class wouldn’t be until Wednesday morning.”
Filled with considerable anxiety, she simply couldn’t wait that long.
That very evening, she made a series of urgent calls to Teacher Yuan Fei.
After Huang Xiu explained her situation, there was an inexplicable silence on the other end of the line for quite some time.
Finally, Yuan Fei’s voice drifted through, soft and reassuring: “There’s no problem; you don’t need to worry.”
Lying on her side in bed, Huang Xiu asked again, her face etched with suspicion, “Are you certain there’s no issue?”
“Rest assured,” Yuan Fei’s laughter echoed through the phone. “This is your Void Energy Affinity compensating for a weakness in your innate talent. One could even say it proves your potential in another way.”
“Is that truly the case?” Huang Xiu seemed to grasp the meaning.
Her innate talent might have been lacking, but her Void Energy Affinity was remarkably high.
This explained why her Tempering Method had broken through so suddenly, becoming unstoppable until it finally settled at the introductory stage.
“So, I once again achieved success through sheer brute force?” Huang Xiu felt a blush of embarrassment.
She recalled that during her last Void Energy Perception test, she had possessed too much Void Energy, once again overpowering the challenge to unlock new techniques.
Fortunately, the examiner at the time had accepted her unconventional method of passing, refraining from heavily deducting points for her refusal to follow the established routine.
“You could certainly think of it that way…” Yuan Fei mused. “Also, since you’ve called, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“What is it?” Huang Xiu inquired curiously.
“Do you wish to find your biological parents?”
Yuan Fei made an effort to soften his voice as much as possible.
Huang Xiu was an S-rank genius who had been adopted. The probability of her biological parents also being Awakened individuals was not low; they might even be high-level Awakened individuals.
The school wanted to trace Huang Xiu’s lineage to verify some crucial information.
However, considering her personal wishes, they ultimately decided to have him, her teacher, approach her first.
No one answered.
Only the faint, intricate static of electronic signal transmission emanated from the receiver.
Huang Xiu sighed softly within her heart, and after a long silence, Yuan Fei finally heard Huang Xiu’s unusually cold voice.
“No. Do not presume to act on my behalf!”
Huang Xiu finished speaking, then abruptly hung up the phone and tossed her mobile to the side.
In silence, she retrieved the pillow she had cast aside, curling her legs and clutching it tightly.
It was as if this simple act could offer her a modicum of security.
“Since they abandoned me… why should I go looking? I already have a family… I don’t need another,” Huang Xiu murmured.
She didn’t want to, and she didn’t dare to search.
The moonlight outside the window grew increasingly intense, its brilliant glow spilling through the window and bathing the young girl.
She held the pillow like that for a long time, until exhaustion finally claimed her, and she slowly drifted into sleep.
Listening to the sound of breathing from above her.
Huang Xiaoxian sighed, emerging from the flowerpot, and used a towel kept nearby to wipe the mud from his feet.
He crept out from under the bed, his footsteps muffled.
He first covered Huang Xiu with the quilt, then switched off the light.
****
The unpleasantness Teacher Yuan Fei had caused Huang Xiu only lasted one night; by the next day, she had temporarily cast it from her mind.
She had always been this way.
Joy was to be savored, while worries were to be forgotten with sleep.
Tuesday of the third week was a significant day for Huang Xiu, as it was for all her classmates.
That afternoon, the Basic Void Arts class teacher finally concluded all the fundamental Void Arts, speaking at a pace that had driven everyone mad.
The twenty-five basic Void Arts were now officially available for exchange in the teaching system.
Huang Xiu opened the academic system and checked the prices.
The first basic Void Art was free.
The second basic Void Art was discounted by 80% from its original price of 100 academic credits, making it only 20 academic credits.
One hundred academic credits, in terms of purchasing power, was equivalent to ten thousand yuan. Even with the 80% discount, it was still two thousand yuan.
To Huang Xiu, this price was truly cheap.
After participating in the urban village Touchpoint, most students had at least 20 academic credits.
Even if they were a little short, they could easily earn the remaining credits by doing part-time jobs on campus that offered academic credit as compensation.
Though it only yielded a few credits, they could accumulate enough within a week at most.
Once students successfully inscribed two Void Arts, they would possess the capability to undertake external missions.
Earning 100 academic credits would become much easier then.
It could only be said that the school was diligently managing their study progress, striving not to over-encourage premature advancement.
Huang Xiu did not rashly exchange for a Void Art.
Her Tempering Method had only just reached the introductory stage, and she was still two steps away from inscribing a Void Art.
These steps were forging a Chakra and mastering the Void Art’s脉络 (Veins/Pathways).
Each step was more challenging than the last.
Huang Xiu conservatively estimated that it would take her at least three weeks to inscribe her first Void Art.
After all, even the Void Arts teacher had not imposed a time limit for inscribing Void Arts.
They had merely advised that it would be best to inscribe the first Void Art before military training concluded.
It was only June now, and military training, which ended in mid-August, was still at least two months away.
The difficulty of inscribing a Void Art was thus evident.
That evening, Huang Xiu sought out Teacher Yuan Fei to inquire about choosing a Void Art.
She showed no signs of being upset about the previous night’s conversation, which allowed Yuan Fei’s lingering apprehension to ease slightly.
He cleared his throat and began to answer Huang Xiu’s questions: “Hmm, Xiao Xiu, you’ve considered this very thoroughly. While Void Arts can be changed, it’s quite time-consuming. During your golden period of cultivation, any wasted time is regrettable.”
“Since you prioritize self-preservation, I recommend two Void Art lineages that focus more on survival.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Huang Xiu.
As if sensing his gaze, the young girl seemed to have imagined something.
She immediately picked up the water glass he had drunk from on the table and offered it to him with both hands.
It was as if her master was thirsty and she was offering water: ‘Hmm, she looks very well-behaved and cute, just like a disciple.’
But… the problem was… this was water from the day before yesterday!
Yuan Fei didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but he had to pretend to take a reluctant sip, then placed the water glass back on the table and continued: “One is the Shadow Flow, which focuses on concealment, and the other is the Clear Wind Flow, which emphasizes speed…”
After listening for a short while, Huang Xiu gained an understanding of these two lineages.
Both the Shadow Flow and Clear Wind Flow lineages could be applied up to the Turbid World Rank.
‘Applicable’ meant that the several Void Arts comprising the lineage could be perfectly replaced by their corresponding advanced Void Arts, evolving from basic Void Arts.
The effect would not be diminished.
Take the Shadow Flow, for example.
The core Void Art of this lineage was a basic Void Art called [Presence Reduction].
However, once the user advanced to the Turbid World Rank, they could replace it with the advanced Void Art—[Unseen Self].
Both of these Void Arts were weakened forms derived from a single ability, with the latter being the advanced version of the former.
These were all knowledge points that the teacher had not covered in class.
Huang Xiu listened, feeling a secret satisfaction, as if she were receiving private tutoring that others didn’t have.
She felt a sense of clandestine enjoyment that others lacked.
“The Shadow Flow combines the [Presence Reduction] Void Art with two other concealment-focused Void Arts, primarily emphasizing stealth, while the Clear Wind Flow is centered around…”
Huang Xiu fell into deep thought.
In her opinion, the Shadow Flow was primarily suited for assassins who needed to hide their position, or for long-range attackers.
Its core principle was a hit-and-run tactic.
Attack once, then hide before launching a second strike.
Of course, she might not need to flee, as she didn’t necessarily have to act personally when attacking.
However, this lineage could only ensure she wasn’t discovered by enemies.
Once engaged in close combat, she would be in trouble.
The applicable users and scope of the Clear Wind Flow were undoubtedly much broader than those of the Shadow Flow.
It could be used for escape, evasion, traveling, and even pursuing enemies.
Therefore, considering this, Huang Xiu had her answer: she intended to designate the Clear Wind Flow as her current Void Art lineage.
She told Yuan Fei her choice, and he showed no surprise, seemingly having already anticipated her decision.
“Given your personality, Xiao Xiu, I imagined you wouldn’t choose a deceptive lineage like the Shadow Flow.”
“Deceptive lineage…”
Hearing Yuan Fei say this, Huang Xiu almost burst out laughing.
‘He’s not wrong; this Shadow Flow, with its hiding and sneaking, truly seems like a lineage only a deceptive person would use.’
After asking her questions, Huang Xiu paused, then asked another matter that had brought her there today, her face stern.
“Teacher, why did you ask about my biological parents? Did you find them?”
Ultimately, she couldn’t suppress her curiosity.
“No…” Yuan Fei glanced at Huang Xiu.
“If you are willing, we can use the AI system to conduct another comparison across the entire nation; the probability of finding them is over 90%.”
“90%… that’s already a very high number.”
But Huang Xiu didn’t ponder; she immediately shook her head.
“There’s no need to look. They are merely relatives by blood, but I currently have no actual relatives.”
“Alright, if you yourself are unwilling, then so be it.” He waved his hand. “I will help you decline the school’s leadership.”
“The school?” Huang Xiu frowned, catching the keyword.
‘Why would the school suddenly want to help her find her biological parents?’
Yuan Fei shrugged, choosing to speak truthfully: “The school wants to trace your lineage.”
“Why?” Huang Xiu grew even more perplexed.
“The probability of ordinary people giving birth to an S-rank talented child is roughly equivalent to winning the lottery jackpot three times in a row—almost zero.”
Yuan Fei paused. “Do you understand what I mean?”
“Tracing your lineage could confirm some things, though they aren’t extremely important matters, at least in my opinion.”
“My parents might be Awakened individuals?”
Huang Xiu was already stunned when she heard the first sentence.
She had always been told she was a ‘second-generation Awakened,’ but she had never considered that she might also be one herself.
‘So, could I possibly be the descendant of some Awakened family? Some reclusive Awakened family that hasn’t appeared in a hundred years?’
‘What a clichéd plot!’
Huang Xiu silently complained.
“It’s fine, they could also just be ordinary people!” Yuan Fei’s voice grew a few decibels louder. “After all, the bloodline of Awakened individuals doesn’t just disappear; perhaps it’s an atavistic phenomenon.”
“Alright, let’s not talk about those unpleasant things.” He patted Huang Xiu’s shoulder. “As my student, your teacher here wants to point you towards a bright path!”
“What bright path?” Huang Xiu was utterly bewildered.
“Do you want a Void Armament?” Yuan Fei asked with a smile.
“Yes!” Huang Xiu’s eyes lit up.
“Teacher, are you going to help me customize a Void Armament? My requirements aren’t high; as long as it’s from the Tiangong Group, that’s fine. Of course, it would be best if its effect was for self-preservation,” she rattled off quickly.
“Wait…” Yuan Fei made a stopping gesture.
“Wait, wait!” Yuan Fei made a stopping gesture, his face lined with dark exasperation. “How could I, your teacher, customize a Void Armament for you? I don’t even have enough money for myself.”
‘Oh.’
Huang Xiu’s mouth drooped, her disdain visibly apparent on her face.
“What’s with that expression?”
Yuan Fei pointed at Huang Xiu, huffing, “I originally wanted to tell you how to get a Void Armament for free, truly. Ah, never mind, never mind.”
He feigned a look of disinterest. “Since my disciple looks down on her master, then her master will just…”
Before he could finish speaking.
Huang Xiu’s expression instantly did a complete one-eighty, becoming enthusiastic.
Holding the water cup above her head with both hands, she respectfully and loudly declared: “Please enlighten me, Master.”
“You brat, you even know about the Tiangong Group.”
Yuan Fei tapped the teacup. “Over here, I happen to have a task related to the Tiangong Group. As for the reward… I think it was a Void Armament.”
“What kind of task?” Huang Xiu’s eyes gleamed.
“I can’t recall,” Yuan Fei said with a regretful look. “Last time, I went to the Dragon’s Den for you and fought against that Emperor-rank Dragon Abomination. I was too severely injured; now my back aches, my legs cramp, and my memory has suffered.”
“If…” He glanced at Huang Xiu, whose expression rapidly shifted. “If someone could give me a massage, perhaps I could remember what that task was!”
‘Endure… I must endure!’
Huang Xiu repeated this to herself several times, deciding to transform into a ninja turtle.
She put on a gentle smile, walked over to Yuan Fei, and began to massage his shoulders.
“Teacher, you truly work so hard!” Huang Xiu said softly.
“Yes, yes, use a bit more force.” Yuan Fei’s face was filled with enjoyment. “Isn’t this why I sought a female disciple? After fighting so many times to the death, it’s time to enjoy myself.”
Black lines appeared on Huang Xiu’s forehead, and gritting her teeth, she increased her strength as Yuan Fei requested.
After massaging for nearly ten minutes, Miss Xiu’s anger was almost at its limit.
Yuan Fei finally spoke again, “Have you heard of the Hundred Battles Void Realm, or rather, the Martial Arts Tournament?”
“No,” Huang Xiu honestly shook her head.
Yuan Fei gave her a look of disdain. “You’re always browsing the Void Web, yet you don’t even know this.”
“Please enlighten me, Teacher.”
Huang Xiu’s hands applied a little more pressure, and Yuan Fei’s expression stiffened.
He continued speaking.
“The Hundred Battles Void Realm is a super-large Void Realm where combat is the only rule. Within it, there has always been an ancient tradition: the Martial Arts Tournament.”
Yuan Fei raised two fingers, a hint of nostalgia on his face. “Every two years, the Hundred Battles Void Realm hosts a Martial Arts Tournament open to all intelligent beings, all Void Realms, including the Present World. The rewards are astonishingly generous.”
Huang Xiu was somewhat surprised. “The Present World can also participate? Is the Hundred Battles Void Realm a neutral or friendly Void Realm?”
Void Realm Knowledge Theory class had covered the classification of Void Realms, not only by size but also by their degree of affinity with the Present World.
Examples included hostile Void Realms, neutral Void Realms, and friendly Void Realms.
Dragon’s Den and Monster Academy were undoubtedly hostile Void Realms, and this type was also the most common.
“The Hundred Battles Void Realm can only be considered a neutral Void Realm when the Martial Arts Tournament is being held,” Yuan Fei replied.
“At all other times, the creatures in this Void Realm are maniacs; they will fight anyone they meet.”
He cleared his throat.
“Alright, back to the main topic. For this year’s Martial Arts Tournament, the Hundred Battles Void Realm recently released a preview of all the rewards across its various tiers. In the Mercury Rank tier, there is a prize that is very important to the Tiangong Group.”