I'm a genius, you're not

"Something on your mind?" Lin Guanhuo set down the blade in his hand, asking with some confusion.

Shen Yifan was the first to walk over, his attire clearly out of the ordinary.

One look and you could tell he was from a wealthy family.

Now that he'd joined the Demon Suppressing Division and was the most outstanding among this batch of apprentices, wherever he went, a crowd would follow.

Shen Yifan came before Lin Guanhuo.

His face still wore that gentle, humble expression: "I remember you're called Lin Guanhuo, right? Brother Lin, I saw you here alone practicing your Draw Sword—are you having trouble with the breathing technique?"

"We're all apprentices who came in together; in the future, we'll be brothers-in-arms in the Demon Suppressing Division. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask. Don't beat your head against a wall alone."

That said, as Shen Yifan spoke these words, his gaze casually—as if unintentionally—glanced over at Li Miaomiao beside him.

Seeing that she was watching him with a look of deep admiration and worship, the smile on Shen Yifan's face grew even more pronounced.

Especially since Li Miaomiao was wearing a small qipao, with a figure and face that were top-notch—it made Shen Yifan's heart itch.

At that moment, Lin Guanhuo's brow furrowed slightly. He could naturally see that this Shen Yifan was trying to elevate his own status by stepping on him, the "weakling," while also building himself a good image as someone who "helps the weak."

What a piece of work—trying to use him as a stepping stone to pick up girls.

In his past life, Lin Guanhuo had seen plenty of people like this. They loved to rub salt in others' wounds, then dress it up as "doing it for your own good," before condescending to offer help from a superior position.

"Too bad—I'm a genius, and you're not," Lin Guanhuo sneered inwardly.

But he didn't call him out.

Instead, he put on a simple, sheepish expression, scratching his head: "Brother Shen is right. Lin here is dull-witted and can't grasp the mysteries of this breathing technique. All I can do is practice Draw Sword to pass the time."

"Ah, how shameful!" Lin Guanhuo sighed helplessly.

Hearing this, the smugness in Shen Yifan's eyes deepened.

Wasn't this the perfect chance to show off?

"Hey, don't say that."

"Talent might be something you're born with, but hard work matters too."

Shen Yifan, with an air of "I'm doing this for you" and "I'm thinking of you," patted Lin Guanhuo on the shoulder.

Then he said: "Now that you're in the Demon Suppressing Division, you can't just give up. No talent? Then make up for it with diligence!"

"Come on, I'll teach you."

With that, Shen Yifan, in front of the gathered onlookers, began explaining loudly: "Sink your qi into the dantian, focus your mind on the spirit platform... The key to this step is rhythm! Watch closely!"

"Actually, getting started isn't hard—it's all about the rhythm of your breath and the technique..."

As he spoke, Shen Yifan took a deep breath.

Swish, swish, swish!!

Three white air vortices formed abruptly before him.

Small, but clearly visible, spinning without pause.

"See that?"

Shen Yifan pointed at the three vortices: "Being able to condense three—that's something only a genius can do. You don't have to compare yourself to me. If you can barely manage one, you'll pass. Got it?"

That said, on the surface, Shen Yifan was helping Lin Guanhuo, the odd one out.

But really, he was just showing off his three vortices in front of everyone.

"So that's how it is! I understand now. Thank you, Brother Shen, for pointing the way," Lin Guanhuo nodded repeatedly, looking like a student who'd been taught well.

He even went so far as to seriously discuss a few points about "the flow of qi" with Shen Yifan.

But Shen Yifan didn't think Lin Guanhuo actually understood. He figured Lin was just talking big—otherwise, why would he have been stuck in the corner practicing Draw Sword all these days?

Still, he didn't care. He hadn't really intended to help Lin Guanhuo anyway.

After this little performance, the other apprentices couldn't stop praising Shen Yifan, and many started coming over to ask for his guidance.

"Brother Shen is too kind. Even someone with poor talent, he's willing to lower himself to help!"

"To be joining the Demon Suppressing Division in the same batch as Brother Shen—what an honor for us~!"

"Brother Shen, teach me too!"

"Young Master Shen truly is a modest gentleman..." some female apprentices added, faces full of adoration.

To all this, Shen Yifan maintained a calm exterior.

But inside, he was thoroughly enjoying it.

Night fell, and the Martial Arts Arena was brightly lit.

"Fall in!"

Instructor Zhou Cang gave the order, and dozens of apprentices quickly assembled.

"A day has passed. Let me see your results."

Zhou Cang's gaze swept over the crowd. "Those who haven't grasped the basics yet, step forward."

Rustle, rustle.

In an instant, over twenty people stepped out, a full half of them.

Zhou Cang issued them an ultimatum: "I'll give you three days."

"If within three days you still can't comprehend this Demon Suppressing Breathing Technique, then it only means you have no fate with the Demon Suppressing Division."

"The rest of you, display your air cyclones!"

At Zhou Cang's command, the remaining twenty or so began circulating the breathing technique.

For a moment, the sound of breathing rose and fell across the field.

Most had only managed to condense a single air cyclone, barely qualifying as having entered the gate.

Only Zhao Ming and a few others had condensed two air cyclones, showing decent progress.

Barring any surprises, this batch would become the first Division Servants.

"Not bad." Zhou Cang nodded, his gaze finally landing on Shen Yifan.

It was clear that Shen Yifan had condensed three air cyclones, the only one among the Apprentices present.

A glint of approval flashed in Zhou Cang's eyes. "Condensing three air cyclones in one day—at this rate, you have hope of reaching four, even five, within half a month."

"Thank you for the praise, Instructor." Shen Yifan clasped his fists.

"Hm?"

But just then.

Zhou Cang noticed that Lin Guanhuo was also standing on this side.

"Lin Guanhuo, have you also entered the gate of the breathing technique?" Instructor Zhou Cang looked at Lin Guanhuo across from him, frowning as he asked.

Lin Guanhuo nodded.

Seeing this, Shen Yifan and Li Miaomiao, who had been chatting and laughing, suddenly froze.

Their expressions stiffened, and then one by one, their gazes turned toward Lin Guanhuo.

But those looks were filled with doubt.

Clearly, they didn't believe Lin Guanhuo had truly entered the gate.

After all, Lin Guanhuo had practiced for less than a quarter of an hour before heading to the corner to Draw Sword.

"Go ahead, show us." Instructor Zhou Cang didn't waste words and said directly.

Then the scene fell into silence.

Lin Guanhuo stepped forward and closed his eyes tightly.

His body even trembled slightly.

He looked very strained.

"Can he really do it?" Some other Apprentices saw Lin Guanhuo like this and looked speechless. Lin Guanhuo didn't seem like someone who had successfully entered the gate at all.

Shen Yifan, Li Miaomiao, and the others also frowned, unsure what Lin Guanhuo was playing at.

In their eyes, Lin Guanhuo appeared utterly awkward and forced.

But in truth...

Actually...

Lin Guanhuo was trying his best to control himself.

To not reveal all his air cyclones at once. After all, he had just arrived at the Demon Suppressing Division—it was better to keep a low profile.

Finally!

Under everyone's gaze, in front of Lin Guanhuo, a single air cyclone abruptly materialized!

"This..."

Seeing this, Shen Yifan and the others were completely dumbfounded.

What the hell was going on??

The Apprentices looked from Lin Guanhuo to Shen Yifan.

Could Shen Yifan's guidance really be that effective?

In such a short time, he had gotten Lin Guanhuo through the gate?

Feeling the stares around him, even Shen Yifan himself was puzzled.

Because when he had instructed Lin Guanhuo earlier, he hadn't put any real effort into it—he had simply rattled off the steps.

"Alright, since that's the case..." Instructor Zhou Cang saw this and was about to speak.

But then, an even more surprising scene unfolded!

Just after Lin Guanhuo had condensed one vortex.

Whoosh!!

Accompanied by a faint sound of airflow, the second vortex successfully condensed!

And it didn't stop there!!

Then came the third!!

The fourth!

The fifth!

Finally... right before the utterly bewildered gazes of the crowd.

A sixth vortex condensed in front of Lin Guanhuo, and only then did it stop.

"Six vortices, huh..."

Lin Guanhuo felt a bit helpless inside.

He had originally planned to show off just four or five—that would have been enough.

He hadn't expected to fail to hold back...