After briefly explaining the definition of the Ninth Layer of the Mysterious Pass, Jiang Ning'an hesitated. "But..."
"But what? Senior Jiang, don't leave us hanging," Fang Can grumbled.
"Although the Ninth Layer of the Mysterious Pass is the strongest realm of the Mortal Shedding Body, most martial arts in the world don't meet the requirements for reaching the ninth layer. Shedding seven or eight tenths of the old body is already the limit."
"And your technique, with its eighty-eight acupoints, is probably the same..." As she spoke, Jiang Ning'an looked at Fang Can regretfully, as if she felt that a genius's potential was going to waste.
"What about your technique, Senior?" Fang Can asked.
"Naturally, I shed ninety-seven percent of my old blood, matching the third-generation sect master." Jiang Ning'an sounded a little proud as she said this. After all, even the founding patriarch had only managed ninety-five percent.
"Then if someone shed all of their old blood, would they be the strongest person of their generation in the Mortal Shedding Realm?" Fang Can continued.
"That would require a top-tier technique and peerless talent. Ancient texts do mention the Mysterious Pass Tenth Layer, but no one has ever reached it."
Jiang Ning'an explained, "After all, the lower abdomen, the internal organs, the inside of the skull, the bone marrow, the eyes, and even the hair are difficult to train. Shedding everything is incredibly difficult."
"Then I guess it's been waiting for me." Fang Can sounded confident. The way he took it for granted that he was destined for greatness left Jiang Ning'an speechless.
After washing up briefly in the morning, Fang Can's eyes were still bright and alert, despite not having slept all night.
He had Jiang Ning'an hide inside the room, then gently pushed open the door. The crowd that had previously stretched as far as the eye could see outside had completely disappeared.
Only a handful of people remained outside the door, including the New Nation police officers on guard.
"Welcome, Young Master Fang Can, to your inspection."
As soon as he opened the door, four young women with flawless faces and figures smiled and bowed in unison to Fang Can.
They all radiated youthful energy, making it hard not to savor the sight.
Fang Can: ...Corruption! This is far too corrupt!
"Ah, so you're Lord Fang Can." A voice, so ingratiating it was almost obsequious, came from nearby.
Fang Can turned and saw a middle-aged man in a suit hurrying over.
"You are... the mayor of Z City?"
Fang Can recalled who he was. Back when he was in school, he had occasionally seen the man giving speeches on the local TV station, though he hadn't been nearly so deferential then.
"Ah, Lord Fang Can, don't be so formal. I'm Li Zhenxian. Just call me Little Li." Mayor Li smiled and rubbed his hands together, looking almost embarrassed.
"Did you evacuate all these people earlier?" Fang Can asked.
"That's right. Except for essential personnel like doctors, police, and the military, I had everyone else stay in nearby buildings until Carnival Day is over and they can return to work."
"We're also doing our best to deal with the food situation and make sure everyone gets through the next few days safely," Li Zhenxian explained.
As he listened, Fang Can looked into the distance. Sure enough, countless people in the surrounding buildings were staring this way.
Li Zhenxian had wanted to send everyone home, but they were too afraid to split up and only wanted to stay near Fang Can. It was as though the whole city had become Fang Can's devoted filial children.
"You've done a good job," Fang Can said with a nod. "You'll have to work hard to keep things in order over the next few days."
"Not at all. It's our duty." Li Zhenxian smiled and waved his hands. "If Lord Fang Can needs anything, just tell the people at the door. We'll do everything we can to meet your needs."
"Oh... right." Li Zhenxian slapped his forehead. "I nearly forgot that you're still taking your exams this year, Lord Fang Can. Even in these extraordinary times, we can't let your studies suffer."
"So?" Fang Can looked at him. Surely the man wasn't going to tell him what he ought to study.
Li Zhenxian gave him a knowing smile and pointed to the four women standing nearby.
"To make sure your studies don't suffer, Young Master Fang, I specially found several study companions to tutor you."
Seeing the look in Fang Can's eyes, Li Zhenxian assured him, "Don't worry, Young Master. They all have at least bachelor's degrees. I guarantee they'll help you absorb knowledge while also enriching your cultural education."
Fang Can said, "...Study companions, huh? I can't even bring myself to call you out on it. What official could resist that kind of temptation?"
Seeing Fang Can fall silent, Li Zhenxian assured him, "They all volunteered. They genuinely want Young Master Fang to improve his grades."
The truth was just as Li Zhenxian had said. So many people had volunteered to be Fang Can's study companions that he'd spent all night poring over photos.
In the end, he could only pick a few of the most highly educated candidates from among dozens.
So, brothers, studying really can change your fate!
The only problem was that Li Zhenxian had been away from his studies for too long, which had left him with some misconceptions.
Having people with bachelor's and master's degrees tutor Fang Can, who was in his final year of high school, was pretty ridiculous.
After all, if those college and graduate students took the college entrance exam again, they'd be lucky to score well enough to get into a vocational college. That would mean they'd learned something during their three years of high school and hadn't forgotten it all.
"All right, I can tell you mean well."
Fang Can waved his hand. "But I'm practicing martial arts lately, so I don't have time to study. Save those study-companion opportunities for me for now."
Seeing Li Zhenxian's surprised expression, Fang Can felt a little regretful too. Unfortunately, there was a senior staying in his room, and he couldn't reveal her presence. Otherwise, he would have gladly pretended to refuse before accepting.
Besides, they said that guarding one's vital essence could help one advance faster when cultivating the Mortal Shedding Body. For now, he'd have to let his little brother suffer for a few more days.
Looking at Li Zhenxian, Fang Can thought for a moment, then said, "Old Li, there are a few things I need you to help me with."
"Of course. If it's something I can do, I won't hesitate." Hearing that Fang Can needed his help, Li Zhenxian thumped his chest so hard it boomed.
"I need some basic self-defense weapons. Oh, and get me some poison too. Also, have a custom energy-generating device made for me..."
Fang Can told Li Zhenxian everything he needed.
He might be going to another world in a few days, so he needed to prepare everything as quickly as possible. Luckily, he had a ready-made channel at hand.
Li Zhenxian agreed to Fang Can's requests without hesitation, promising to do everything he could.
After all, gathering these things wouldn't be difficult. All the resources in the city were now at Fang Can's disposal.
He could also call on the mechanical and chemistry PhDs at the universities, so fulfilling Fang Can's requests really wouldn't be hard.
Whatever poison or device he wanted, as long as they had the materials, they could make it that very day.
Throughout the whole process, Li Zhenxian acted like a lackey. He never questioned Fang Can's status, believing in him without reservation.
After all, things were already going well enough. It was better not to question anything—what if they really did uncover something they shouldn't?
Before you continue