Jiang Yan had gained greatly from this battle. Not only had his realm improved somewhat, but more importantly—his Blade Momentum.
With every battle, he could feel his saber technique improving.
Without any flashy martial skills as embellishment, merely the chops, draws, slashes, and smashes of the "Basic Saber Technique" could benefit him endlessly.
In pure saber combat, his understanding of the saber was edging toward an inconceivable realm.
He might not even need to learn any so-called high-level saber techniques!
Crack—
The Alloy Long Blade that had accompanied Jiang Yan through countless slaughterings finally could not bear the strain any longer. It shattered completely, scattering fragments across the ground.
Jiang Yan picked up those fragments and placed them into his large black sack as a keepsake.
Glancing at Ai Ning, who was kneeling on the ground, Jiang Yan stopped while he was ahead and said nothing. He turned around and, under the watchful eyes of the students, headed toward Linjiang City. After that, he decided to continue deeper into the Wilderness.
Battle!
Battle Fierce Beasts in the Wilderness.
Battle elite bosses in the Divine Martial Space.
Battle the Prodigies from across Blue Star in the College Entrance Exam.
Then, after entering university, battle teachers and students whose skills stood a cut above his own.
This was the keynote of Jiang Yan's life. Heaven Rewards Diligence was a good thing, but without hard work, one would gain nothing.
Destination: Wilderness Area 56 Ruins City.
Once humanity's territory on Blue Star, it was now a steel wasteland and a slaughtering paradise for Fierce Beasts.
Third-order Fierce Beasts and even stronger ones might appear there. Ordinary Wilderness Hunters would never dare enter and leave it freely.
Fierce Beasts beyond the second order rarely lingered around Linjiang City anymore, so Jiang Yan had no choice but to explore more dangerous regions.
"I should go to the Exchange and replenish some supplies first."
"Wait!"
More than ten minutes later, a booming voice came from behind him.
Jiang Yan turned around and saw a streak of meteor light chasing after him at an incomprehensible speed. In the blink of an eye, it crashed down in front of him.
He took a slight step back and secretly activated the Battle Saint Armor. This man's display—was even stronger than his, and not by just a little.
Someone capable of flight was at least a Fifth-Rank Profound Comprehension Martial Artist. Jiang Yan could not understand why such a person had come to trouble him.
Has Chu Ming's family come to take revenge on me?
No. They can't afford to hire a Fifth-Rank Martial Artist to kill me, he thought.
"You're Jiang Yan, right? Don't worry, I bear you no ill will."
Shen Donglin forced out what he believed was a very kindly smile. Yet on his square, stern face, that smile looked exceptionally jarring.
Still, those words put Jiang Yan much more at ease.
At least he had not come to kill him. A martial artist above the fifth rank would not need to waste words if he intended to harm Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan asked, "Senior, what is it?"
Shen Donglin did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point. "I saw your performance against Ai Ning through the surveillance footage."
"Oh." Jiang Yan suddenly understood, then asked with a strange train of thought, "I smashed your drone, so did you come to make me pay for it?"
"Cough, cough..." Shen Donglin nearly choked on Jiang Yan's train of thought. Waving his hand, he said magnanimously, "How much is a drone worth? I haven't fallen so low that I'd demand compensation from you."
"Chu Ming died. You have no objections?" Jiang Yan raised an eyebrow.
"Everyone in the conference room saw with their own eyes that Chu Ming provoked you first. You needn't worry about that."
"That saves me a great deal of trouble." Jiang Yan forced out a smile. "Senior, what exactly did you come to see me about?"
Shen Donglin's eyelid twitched. He always felt this kid had a rather unserious air about him.
He asked solemnly, "I'm from the Southeast Province Education Bureau. I'm deeply puzzled by your expulsion from Linjiang First High School. Could you tell me the details? Don't worry—with me backing you, no one will be able to bully you."
Right now, in Shen Donglin's eyes, Jiang Yan was a pitiful child oppressed by power. He possessed talent but had nowhere to vent it, and in the end could only throw himself into the Wilderness, utterly disappointed in human society.
Shen Donglin had hated evil his entire life. He absolutely could not stand to see such a thing happen.
He had climbed step by step from a small place to his current position. He knew clearly just how difficult it was for ordinary people to rise. Meeting a youth with such an experience today, he could not help recalling his former self.
Jiang Yan scratched his head, wondering whether this uncle from the provincial Education Bureau was being a little overly sensitive.
Forget it. Only a fool would refuse power when it was available.
Jiang Yan cleared his throat and, from beginning to end, recounted the crimes Liu Hair-Ren had committed against him.
After hearing it, Shen Donglin replied indignantly, "Hmph! The Blue Star government permits every student to use the auxiliary equipment in the Martial Arts Field. Liu Hair-Ren, a mere high school principal, actually dared to violate that provision on his own! Don't worry. Once I return, I'll personally send people to investigate Liu Hair-Ren's conduct and give you justice."
"Then many thanks, Senior."
Jiang Yan replied with a smile. In truth, Liu Hair-Ren had not affected him much. Whether or not that principal interfered, Jiang Yan, with Heaven Rewards Diligence, would have chosen to throw himself into the Wilderness. That would not change.
"By the way, will you still take the College Entrance Exam?"
Shen Donglin asked the question that concerned him most.
"Of course. I look forward to sparring with Prodigies from every region," Jiang Yan answered candidly.
"Hahaha! With those words from you, I can rest easy."
Shen Donglin laughed happily, believing that he had saved a child who had lost hope in human society.
It could only be said that his inner drama was far too abundant. Perhaps it had something to do with his experiences—maybe empathy? Only he himself knew.
"You've grasped Blade Momentum and possess talent no less than S-rank. Have you considered coming to study in a city in Southeast Province?"
"Changchuan City has a Prodigy Training Camp established every year for geniuses from the province taking the College Entrance Exam. I can make the decision to let you enter the camp for training. You'll experience military-style training there, and I guarantee you'll advance by leaps and bounds before the College Entrance Exam."
"The resources and training plans are all at Blue Star's very highest level."
Jiang Yan's talent would place him in the first or second tier anywhere. Shen Donglin had developed a fondness for talent and could not bear to see such a genius drift into the Wilderness, so he tried to persuade him.
Jiang Yan actually had a favorable impression of this uncle who had suddenly appeared and promised him so many benefits, but he still shook his head and refused.
"I think the Wilderness suits me better. Before the Martial Exam, I don't plan to go anywhere else."
With one sentence, he stated his decision. Shen Donglin could not say much more. Everyone had their own choice, so he chose to respect it.
"Alright. Stay safe."
Shen Donglin transformed into a streak of light and flew elsewhere, coming quickly and leaving just as quickly.
That morning, Jiang Yan sold Fierce Beast materials one last time and looked at the balance in his bank card.
200,0000 Star Coins
"Sigh, looks like I have no choice but to be a nouveau riche for once."
"Explosive Step" advanced movement technique—"Nine Vertical Consecutive Actions."
Mysterious Grade High Rank martial skill. Greater bursts of speed, lower consumption. Official website price: 700,000 Star Coins.
Jiang Yan had once asked Shorty whether there was a pirated copy of this martial skill. The answer had been deeply disappointing.
Privately selling such an advanced martial skill was an offense punishable by beheading if discovered. Almost no one dared to do it.
"Money doesn't disappear. It only changes into another way of staying by my side."
Jiang Yan gritted his teeth and directly chose to purchase it from the official website.
Before long, his martial artist account had gained permission to use "Nine Vertical Consecutive Actions."
Martial skills above Earth Grade were monopolized by forces such as the military, Lineages, and universities. At Jiang Yan's level, he could only dream about them.
Casting aside those unrealistic thoughts, Jiang Yan bought some additional supplies, entered the city, and planned to use the remaining money to get himself a good saber.
Before you continue