Janet Being PUA'd?

Zhou Ze quickly pushed Janet away, though as he did, a hint of regret stirred within him.

Janet, however, remained perfectly composed, covering her mouth with a small hand as her eyes crinkled with laughter. "Teacher, I'm sorry, I just got too excited..."

Sensing Zhou Ze's embarrassment, Janet realized for the first time that he didn't look that old—around thirty, appearing quite young, with an aura more like someone in his twenties.

Because of Luo Feng's influence, she had imagined Zhou Ze as a venerable elder, but now he seemed more like an older brother from next door.

She also noticed that Zhou Ze was extremely handsome. As a warrior who had tempered himself in the wilderness, his features were sharply defined, and his physique as a martial artist went without saying.

"Ahem..." Zhou Ze suppressed the flutter in his heart, secretly taking a deep breath, and put on a calm facade. "As a warrior, you must always maintain a calm heart—neither arrogant nor impatient..."

"Getting this flustered over a little excitement—Janet, you need to strengthen your composure and cultivate your mental fortitude."

"I understand, Teacher Zhou." Janet replied seriously, then added with a playful, coaxing tone, smiling brightly:

"Teacher Zhou, could I..." She paused mid-sentence, a strange thought crossing her mind, and changed her words, her voice turning soft and sweet: "I just came back from a life-or-death adventure in Australia, and I have some time off. Could I ask you to guide me during this period?"

There was no denying that Janet instinctively knew how to use a woman's charms. That expression alone could unsettle any man and short-circuit his brain.

"I'm retired now—I don't teach anymore..." Zhou Ze said with a wry smile. "For Luo Feng's sake, I already guided you once. Isn't that enough?"

"Please, please..."

Janet stepped forward, grabbing Zhou Ze's right arm, her voice so syrupy it made his scalp tingle.

"Fine, for the Water of Life you gave me, I can guide you a few times during this period." Zhou Ze subtly pulled his arm free from her full, law-like curves.

Women could only be a distraction—otherwise, they'd affect his speed in drawing his blade.

Elite Training Camp.

Candice had just emerged from the Trial Room, his expression cold and unchanged, though his lackey William greeted him with a smile:

"Congratulations, Candice. This life-or-death adventure has pushed your strength further. This time, you have a high chance of breaking into the top thirty in the rankings."

"Mm." Candice glanced indifferently at William, his vampire-pale face showing no joy.

"Candice, I know you're unhappy, but that Luo Feng was just lucky—he probably found some heavenly treasure. Otherwise, how could he have become an Undefeated War God so fast!" William grumbled.

"Luck is also part of strength." Candice didn't say much more. He didn't think he'd never catch up to Luo Feng.

William hurried after him. "Did you know? According to rumors, Janet went straight to Luo Feng's hometown, Jiangnan Base City, as soon as she got back."

"Mm." Candice nodded coldly.

Stimulated by Luo Feng, he had lost all interest in arranged marriages or even the position of head of the Porenas Family. As long as he was strong enough—like Luo Feng—power, status, and beautiful women would all come naturally.

Everything was a mere accessory to strength. He didn't believe he lacked the potential. If Luo Feng could do it, so could he!

Seeing Candice's disinterest, William didn't stop. "I heard Janet visited Luo Feng and asked him to introduce her to his teacher. Now she's training with him every day, and it seems she's even staying at his place."

William grew more animated. "I suspect Janet's been brainwashed. A mid-level Warrior Level fighter who's practically useless—how could he possibly help her?"

"Luo Feng's talent is his own. What does his teacher have to do with it? Everyone knows that as a warrior, you rely on yourself, not on how impressive your teacher is. At most, they provide some resources."

Candice frowned but said nothing. Still, he felt William had a point. A warrior always depended on himself; everyone else was just support.

Luo Feng had become an Undefeated War God because of his own talent and hard work. His trip to Australia was pure luck. What did anyone else have to do with it?

"That Janet, tsk tsk. There's an old Chinese saying: 'Long hair, short vision.' She'd better not get brainwashed and end up in bed with some old man—that would be hilarious..."

Female trainees in the Elite Training Camp were already scarce, and truly beautiful ones were even rarer. Since Janet entered the camp, countless male trainees had set their sights on her, Candice among them.

He wasn't just after her looks. More importantly, Janet was destined to become a War God. With a War God as his wife, he'd gain far more support within the Porenas Family.

But then Luo Feng arrived, and Janet set her sights on him, constantly pursuing him. That infuriated Candice, but he couldn't afford to offend Luo Feng—after all, Luo Feng had been a top-ten presence in the camp from day one.

If his family found out he'd crossed Luo Feng, who would still support him? But now, he no longer cared about any of that. He believed that as long as he had strength, everything else would come easily.

"What she does has nothing to do with me. But you're right—a warrior relies on himself, not others." Candice said flatly, then strode ahead.

Yangzhou City, Bright Moon District, in the Training Hall of a villa, Zhou Ze stood with arms crossed, quietly observing Janet's blade technique.

Soon, Janet finished her drill and stopped, her gem-like eyes fixed on Zhou Ze with hopeful anticipation. "Teacher Zhou, how was I?"

Zhou Ze snapped back to reality. "So-so..."

"But I thought I was pretty on point..." Janet pouted.

"I don't care what you think—I care what I think." Zhou Ze had no intention of brainwashing her. "You're putting on a dance for me. The movements are graceful, but you lack a warrior's decisiveness and efficiency. Especially since you're practicing the Ninefold Thunderblade—I don't even know how you managed to learn it..."

"Your artistic conception is lacking, and your blade work isn't crisp. Is it too late to get a refund on my teaching fee?" Zhou Ze sighed.

"Teacher Zhou, don't be mad. I may be a bit slow, but I'll work hard. I can't compare to Luo Feng, after all."

Drenched in sweat, Janet ran a hand through her damp golden hair at her temples, then cheerfully walked up to Zhou Ze, showing no discomfort at being called a "bad student."

"You really do work hard. Keep practicing..." Zhou Ze covered his nose, deliberately making a disgusted face.

Watching Zhou Ze stride away, Janet sniffed herself left and right, then huffed in mock anger. "There's nothing bad-smelling at all—I even put on special perfume!"