Back to Wushan Town

After awakening his system, Zhao Nan had spent some time figuring out how it worked.

The disciples he accepted were divided into four ranks: A, S, SS, and SSS.

These ranks weren't based on their supposed achievements in the future. If they were, then Linley, a transcendent being, would be SSS rank, and SS rank would have to mean at least an Overgod.

After looking into it, Zhao Nan understood that A-rank disciples were capable of reaching the Saint level;

S-rank disciples could become Lowgods;

SS-rank disciples could become Midgods;

and SSS-rank disciples could become Highgods.

Of course, they had to cultivate on their own, rather than refine Divine Sparks.

That was why, even among the students at the Ernst Institute, the continent's greatest academy, there were no students who met the requirements for S rank, and even A-rank students were rare.

This left Zhao Nan feeling rather helpless about his system's rules for accepting disciples.

Still, Zhao Nan wasn't too worried. Having read the original story, he knew that he might not be able to find any suitable students right now, but once he became a Saint-level or divine-level powerhouse, he'd have no shortage of disciples who met the requirements.

After taking care of his affairs, Zhao Nan got up and left the Ernst Institute.

Zhao Nan had kept a low profile at the Ernst Institute and hadn't caused any trouble, so none of the mishaps from the novel had occurred.

Ernst wasn't far from Wushan Town. Even though Zhao Nan traveled at an easy pace, he still arrived in Wushan Town two days later.

"Teacher!

I missed you so much!"

Zhao Nan had only just arrived at the Linley residence when Linley spotted him. He immediately ran up to Zhao Nan and called out happily.

Seeing Linley made Zhao Nan happy, too. He reached out and ruffled Linley's hair, then said with a smile, "Linley, I've missed you, too.

Have you been keeping up with your training?"

Hearing Zhao Nan's question, Linley lifted his head proudly. "Teacher, I've been training hard. I'm now a first-level mage and a first-level warrior."

After saying this, Linley's expression dimmed a little. "But I haven't awakened the Dragonblood Warrior bloodline in my family."

Seeing Linley's downcast expression, Zhao Nan reached out and ruffled his hair again. "Haha, so you haven't awakened it yet. That's all right.

I've already figured out how you can awaken your Dragonblood Warrior bloodline on your own.

Once you're a little older and stronger, I'll help you awaken it."

A glimmer of hope appeared in Linley's eyes. His gloomy expression immediately brightened, and he threw his arms around Zhao Nan. "Thank you, Teacher."

While Linley was hugging Zhao Nan to thank him, Hogg came over. First, he said to Linley, "All right, Linley. Let go of your teacher."

After Linley answered and released Zhao Nan, Hogg turned to him. "Mr. Zhao Nan, come inside. I've had a meal prepared. Let's eat first, then we can talk."

Zhao Nan nodded to Hogg and followed him into the Baruch family home to enjoy the meal.

After eating, Zhao Nan told Hogg he was going out, then took Linley into the woods to assess his current abilities.

Although Zhao Nan could check Linley's strength through the system, he still wanted to see it with his own eyes. That way, his student would feel a greater sense of urgency.

It would also let him teach his student more accurately through hands-on practice.

Once they reached the hills behind the house, Linley began showing the results of his training over the past six months or so.

There wasn't much to demonstrate on the warrior side. A first-level warrior was only a little stronger than an ordinary person.

Besides, Linley couldn't cultivate any other battle-qi techniques, so Zhao Nan had him run, lift some stones, and show how flexible his body was.

After checking Linley's physical condition, Zhao Nan taught him a fist technique to give him some more ways to attack.

Next, they tested his magic.

Zhao Nan first had Linley rest and recover before beginning the test.

Zhao Nan had known all along that Linley had affinities for wind, earth, and fire, so naturally he couldn't teach him only wind magic.

Although Zhao Nan was only a wind mage at the Ernst Institute, he had roommates. He knew the incantations for earth magic and fire magic, too.

He had already studied some of them before coming to Wushan Town to take Linley as his disciple. After returning to the Ernst Institute this time, he had learned all six other branches of magic up to level five, except for dark magic.

After resting for a while, Linley began demonstrating the results of his magical training.

First-level wind magic: Wind Blade;

first-level earth magic: Earth Spike;

first-level fire magic: Fireball.

After casting three first-level spells in a row, Linley's face turned pale. Still, he looked at Zhao Nan proudly, clearly hoping his teacher would see how strong he'd become and praise him.

Zhao Nan didn't disappoint him. After seeing Linley cast three first-level spells, he praised him with a look of satisfaction.

Once Linley had calmed down, Zhao Nan began explaining the fundamentals of wind, earth, and fire magic.

Zhao Nan knew that, in the end, cultivation was all about comprehending the Laws and Profound Mysteries.

That was why, from the very beginning of Linley's magical training, he had explained the fundamentals of magic to him.

At the same time, explaining those fundamentals to Linley had given Zhao Nan a deeper understanding of the Laws and Profound Mysteries himself.

For example, Wind Blade was simply a basic application of wind elements;

Earth Spike was a basic application of earth elements;

and Fireball was a basic application of fire elements.

Then Zhao Nan explained a few tricks for casting these first-level spells.

For example, compressing elemental energy made it more destructive;

adding soul force to a spell helped control it and use it against enemies...

After explaining these theories, Zhao Nan took Linley to eat. In the afternoon, he continued teaching him all kinds of knowledge about cultivation.

Zhao Nan didn't intend to stay long in Wushan Town. After all, the best way for him to cultivate faster was to take on disciples.

Since there were no suitable candidates at the Ernst Institute, he would go look for them elsewhere.

He could cultivate as he searched.

So, after teaching Linley various things for three days, Zhao Nan told him about the Visualization Technique he had created.

However, Zhao Nan didn't leave as soon as he finished teaching him. He wanted to see how well Linley did with his cultivation first.