Old Acquaintances Reunited

"Brother Ran."

Wan Haihao had changed how he addressed Ma Ran at some point.

The nickname felt so natural that even he was surprised. "The seniors at Fulan Academy, they must have come into contact with the Black Rock Martial Way and superpowers earlier than us, right?"

"I wonder what level they're at now..."

Hearing this, Ma Ran stopped drawing the runes and turned his head, smiling. "It's true that they had earlier contact with Inner Qi cultivation."

"As for superpowers..."

"As far as I can see, Fulan Academy doesn't have any yet."

"Domestic supernatural organizations are just starting out, all in the stages of breaking through obstacles and pioneering new paths. Fulan Academy's conditions are different from Caolu Academy's."

"Therefore, everyone often exchanges resources and supports each other."

Although Wan Haihao didn't know where Ma Ran got his information, he didn't doubt its authenticity at all.

What was there to question?

The person saying this was Ma Ran!

"Among the people who came this time, there was a young man..."

While Wan Haihao was silently contemplating, Ma Ran suddenly spoke up. "He and Xiao Ming and Qiangwei have a lot in common."

Upon hearing this, Wan Haihao thought calmly for a moment, then suddenly felt his scalp tingle, and goosebumps rose all over his body.

Someone who had common topics with Dong Huaiming and Su Qiangwei...

Unimaginable!

Just as Wan Haihao was about to ask a few more questions, President Huang Weiguo pulled Ma Ran away.

Outside the small auditorium.

"Regarding the 'Black Rock Guidance Technique'..."

Old Huang had just begun speaking when Ma Ran interrupted him.

"I already know why you're here."

Ma Ran's eyes were calm, and his tone was sincere. "Actually, even if you hadn't come to find me, I would have compiled the 'Black Rock Guidance Technique' and submitted it to the academy."

"The value of the 'Black Rock Guidance Technique' largely lies in its 'accessibility'."

"When I return to the dormitory tonight, I'll organize it into a document and send it to you."

Ma Ran could write down the 'Black Rock Guidance Technique' and teach it to others.

He had already decided to do so.

In theory, anyone who reached the Second Stage of Inner Qi could learn this guidance technique. The threshold wasn't high, and the learning difficulty wasn't great either.

However, it was easy to learn but difficult to master, and it would also slow down one's own Inner Qi cultivation progress.

Not everyone was willing to learn this.

Ma Ran was different.

He didn't need to spend too much time cultivating. As long as he could act appropriately, he could skip the cultivation stages that consumed a lot of time and energy.

Previously, after "enlightening" thirty-one members in a short period, Ma Ran's Black Rock Martial Way rank dropped from the Second Stage of Inner Qi to Inner Qi Stage One.

These efforts were rewarded almost instantly, as he went from Inner Qi Stage One straight to the Fourth Stage of Inner Qi realm!

If anyone else were in his position, even with a higher rank, they wouldn't be able to act so recklessly like Ma Ran.

The ability to act, which was practically a cheat, was unique.

"Good! Good child!"

Huang Weiguo was overjoyed, a smile blooming on his face. "Just call me Old Huang from now on, no need to be so formal."

Ma Ran was very sincere.

Old Huang could tell.

But hearing the kid call him "you" (formal) repeatedly made him feel uncomfortable all over.

Ma Ran wasn't someone who hoarded his knowledge; he was willing to share what he had figured out with others for free.

In fact, Ma Ran's original intention for researching the 'Black Rock Guidance Technique' was to help those in the academy who were lagging behind in their cultivation progress.

What a kind young man!

Huang Weiguo felt that, as the president of Caolu Academy, he absolutely couldn't let Ma Ran be at a disadvantage.

But...

After thinking for a long time, he couldn't think of anything he could offer in return to Ma Ran.

Medicines that aid Inner Qi cultivation?

Sorry!

Caolu Academy didn't have anything like that!

Not even the entire country could find a single grain!

If there were any, Huang Weiguo would have gotten them for Ma Ran long ago. Why wait until now?

Cash rewards…

It's possible, but compared to Ma Ran's contributions, monetary rewards seem too insignificant.

A certificate of merit?

Forget it!

He's not a primary school student anymore. That wouldn't be an award; it would be an insult.

Old Huang slapped his thigh. His eyes, which had been slightly clouded with fatigue, cleared considerably.

"How about this!"

He thought of the most suitable way to reciprocate.

"Finally here. Long journeys are such a torment…"

"I don't understand why we have to take the high-speed rail. Isn't flying more convenient?"

Liu Huadie ignored the complaints from her two companions and pushed open the car door with a blank expression.

A gust of cool wind, carrying a fresh scent, washed over her, sweeping away the fatigue of the journey and invigorating her spirit.

"Gulunzhong, Caolu Academy…"

Liu Huadie took out her phone to check the time and casually unlocked the screen. She noticed that the supernatural discussion section of "Dajiang" had been flooded by an unfamiliar name.

Scanning from beginning to end, the only name in sight was his.

Ma Ran!

Ma Ran!

Still Ma Ran!

"The Black Rock Guidance Technique…"

Liu Huadie's bright red lips curved slightly upwards. "A talent for developing supernatural powers?"

"This trip was worth it."

Compared to inexplicable superpowers, she still preferred to believe in inner energy cultivated through one's own efforts.

Therefore, before even meeting Ma Ran, the creator of the Black Rock Guidance Technique, Liu Huadie had already developed a favorable impression of him.

With that thought, she rotated her neck and shoulders, her joints cracking audibly. Her gaze fell upon her two companions. "Let's go directly. Don't keep our friends from Caolu Academy waiting too long."

The equipment would be handled by the staff, so they didn't need to worry about it.

The young man named Xiao Di immediately followed. "Okay!"

"I'm going to show that Ma Ran and Su Qiangwei what I'm capable of!"

"Even among friends, we need to distinguish between primary and secondary relationships!"

Hearing Xiao Di's words, He Nanguang felt a headache coming on.

He shook his head with a wry smile, lit a cigarette, and followed slowly, exhaling smoke.

Ma Ran gazed into the distance, his eyes falling on three small black dots. He immediately recognized their identities.

Liu Huadie, He Nanguang, and Wu Di.

In Ma Ran's eyes, these people held many identities.

They were once seniors he admired, comrades he could trust with his back, loyal subordinates, and even like-minded close friends.

Unfortunately…

Earth's civilization was ill-fated, its destiny turbulent and fraught with disasters. Few of its guardians managed to live out their natural lives.

Among these three, only Liu Huadie survived until the moment Earth exploded. He Nanguang and Wu Di had both died on the battlefield long before, sacrificing themselves for their country.

If Liu Huadie and He Nanguang hadn't deliberately badmouthed Wu Di…

At this point in time, Wu Di hadn't experienced much sorrow or separation. He was immature, still a chuunibyo who was ostracized for his sharp tongue and peculiar worldview.

Before his rebirth, Ma Ran had passed the academy's trials and become a guardian of Earth four years later.

At that time, Wu Di was a senior he looked up to, an excellent, mature, and steady warrior.

Even now, Ma Ran vividly remembered the stern reprimand from his senior.

"Ma Ran, tell me…"

"Do you have the resolve to die with your enemies?"

"Do you have the strength to protect Earth's civilization?"

"No resolve."

"You don't have the power either."

"What qualifications do you have to be a 'Guardian'?"

I woke up especially, especially, especially early today!

So the update is also especially, especially, especially early today!

Hehehe...

Happy weekend!