A New Cultivation Method

This second path looked simple enough.

But it was not that easy to accomplish.

After all, the school was not his home, and cultivation methods were so precious. How could they simply be given away?

To obtain a cultivation method, one had to pay some sort of price.

The most common price was returning to the school to teach after graduation, giving back to the school in turn.

This was also a commonly used method among Martial Arts High Schools.

Of course, if one did not want to return to teach, that was fine too—one simply had to pay a different price.

As for what that other price would be, it would have to be privately negotiated by both sides.

"I'll ask Teacher Song later and see whether I can get a decent cultivation method."

"As for the price..."

"I should choose something that takes as little time as possible and does not restrict me."

With that in mind, Lu Chuan went to find Song Qing.

"Lu Chuan, what is it?" The moment Song Qing saw Lu Chuan approach, his face broke into a smile.

Over this period of time, Song Qing had become increasingly satisfied with Lu Chuan.

Especially after Song Qing discovered that he could no longer sense Lu Chuan's cultivation, he became even more pleased.

What did that mean?

It meant Lu Chuan had completely stabilized his cultivation and was steadily advancing toward the second rank.

It had only been ten days, yet Lu Chuan had already stabilized his cultivation.

With such cultivation speed, not a second person like him could be found in all of Third Middle School. How could Song Qing not be satisfied?

The only regret was that Lu Chuan's comprehension was too low.

Still, at this stage, it did not matter much.

"Teacher, I want to apply for a cultivation method." Lu Chuan got straight to the point.

"Apply for a cultivation method?" Song Qing froze, then asked, "Is Oceanic Embrace no longer enough?"

"Mm."

Lu Chuan nodded. "After breaking through to the martial artist realm, I could clearly feel my cultivation speed slowing down."

"That makes sense. Oceanic Embrace is only a basic cultivation method. At most, it can support a martial artist until the second rank. It is time to find a new method."

"It's just that, Lu Chuan, your comprehension..."

Song Qing hesitated.

As astonishing as Lu Chuan's Martial Arts Talent was, his comprehension was equally disappointing.

Even with Oceanic Embrace, the most basic cultivation method, Lu Chuan had needed two years just to barely get started.

Wouldn't a higher-grade cultivation method take him ten years to learn?

With that level of comprehension, how could the school possibly approve Lu Chuan's application?

Still, Song Qing did not refuse. "I'll help you submit the application. As for whether it succeeds, I can't guarantee it."

Lu Chuan understood Song Qing's unspoken meaning: the school was very likely to reject his application.

But Lu Chuan had no choice. He could not exactly tell the school that he possessed the Simplification System.

He could only take a gamble.

With a restless heart, Lu Chuan waited patiently.

About half a day later, Song Qing found Lu Chuan. "Lu Chuan, the school has approved your application. Come with me."

Lu Chuan was delighted to hear that.

He had not expected the school to approve his application so quickly.

He just did not know what price he would have to pay.

Following Song Qing, the two made their way to the Principal's office.

Quite a few students had already gathered there.

Seeing this, Song Qing explained softly, "They are all students applying for cultivation methods."

Lu Chuan nodded and paid them no further attention.

However, upon seeing Lu Chuan, the other students began whispering among themselves.

At Third Middle School, Lu Chuan was rather well-known.

He was the only one with fourth-rank talent, yet he possessed extremely poor comprehension.

Such a contradictory combination was bound to draw attention.

"Isn't that Lu Chuan? He's applying for a cultivation method too?"

"With that comprehension everyone despises, he wants to switch to a new cultivation method? Isn't he afraid he'll never learn it in his lifetime?"

"Has the school gone mad? Isn't this like throwing a meat bun at a dog—once it goes, it never comes back?"

"You can't put it that way. Lu Chuan's Martial Arts Talent is right there for all to see. As long as he can get started with the new cultivation method, his future will be limitless."

"That still depends on whether he can get started at all."

The discussions around him contained doubt, curiosity, disdain, and ridicule.

But Lu Chuan did not care about any of it.

Once he got started with his cultivation method, these people would learn just how foolish their words were.

"Students, quiet down."

Not long after, the Principal appeared in the office.

At once, the students fell silent and arranged themselves into three orderly lines.

The Principal swept his gaze over the students, his eyes full of gratification.

These were all the hopes of Third Middle School.

"I have reviewed all of your applications."

"However, cultivation methods are precious, and the school cannot give them to you for free."

"By the usual rule, those willing to return to Third Middle School to teach after graduation, stand to my right."

As soon as he said this, around two-thirds of the students moved to the Principal's right.

These students did not come from particularly wealthy families. Though becoming school teachers would limit their freedom, it was still a way out.

Once they became teachers, it would almost mean their entire families would no longer have to worry about food or clothing.

"Next, those willing to purchase cultivation methods with money, stand to my left."

At those words, quite a few more students moved to the Principal's left.

These students had one thing in common: their families were fairly well-off, but lacked the necessary foundations and connections to purchase high-quality cultivation methods.

After making this simple division, the Principal gave the teachers a look.

Teachers immediately led the students on both sides out of the Principal's office.

After the students left, the Principal looked at those remaining. "Since you are unwilling to become teachers and do not wish to purchase cultivation methods with money..."

"Then let us sign a wager agreement."

"A wager agreement?"

As soon as he said that, a student immediately asked, "Principal, what are the specific terms?"

"Very simple."

The Principal smiled. "The school will set certain requirements based on your talents and comprehension."

"For example, your college entrance examination results."

"If you fulfill the wager, the school will not charge you a cent. If you fail, then whether you are willing or not, you must come teach at Third Middle School."

"The specific teaching term will depend on the quality of the cultivation method."

"Next, we'll discuss it batch by batch."

After saying that, the Principal called over three students and took them to the side room for detailed discussions.

Before long, those students left satisfied. Then the Principal called over several more students.

Time passed little by little, and fewer and fewer students remained in the Principal's office.

In the end, only three students were left in the office.

Lu Chuan was one of them.

The other two were Third Middle School's acknowledged goddess, Xiao Ruoyan, and Lin Xuan, who came from a prominent family.

With only three students left, the Principal could not be bothered taking them into the side room. He said directly, "Do you know why I saved the three of you for last?"

"Because the three of you are special enough."

The Principal called them out one by one. "First, Xiao Ruoyan. You possess the special physique known as the Profound Ice Physique, which is only suited to ice-attribute cultivation methods."

"As it happens, Lin City's most precious ice-attribute cultivation method is here at Third Middle School."

"I presume you joined Third Middle School precisely for that cultivation method."

Xiao Ruoyan nodded.

The Principal then looked at Lin Xuan. "I do not wish to involve myself in the disputes of the Lin family.

"But I know that the reason you came to Third Middle School is partly because of your family, and even more because of that cultivation method, isn't it?"