Meditation Methods, Bai Qian's Identity, and Tang San's Challenge?

Jiang Hao's eyes widened the moment he heard that.

"The Silver Moon Meditation Method? The Blazing Sun Soul Gathering Technique?"

He was startled.

Weren't those the meditation methods reserved for the royal family of the Sun-Moon Empire in later generations?

According to rumor, both methods were closely guarded secrets even within the royal family. Only core members were allowed to practice them.

More importantly, the two methods could be practiced together. Sun and moon complemented each other.

Practice the Blazing Sun method by day and the Silver Moon method by night. With yin and yang in balance, cultivation speed could double, while the quality and resilience of Soul Power would improve as well.

Had the system brought someone from the Sun-Moon Empire's royal family here?

At that thought, Jiang Hao asked again, "You're sure it's those two methods?"

Bai Qian nodded. "I'm sure. If you need them, Young Master, I can write them out now."

"Yes! Of course I do!"

Bai Qian wasted no words. He fetched paper and a brush from the table, then swiftly wrote out both meditation methods in full.

Jiang Hao took the sheets while the ink was still wet and skimmed them. The more he read, the more pleased he became.

"Damn. If these got out, they'd cause a sensation across the entire continent."

Jiang Hao carefully folded the two sheets, tucked them against his chest, and looked up at Bai Qian.

"Got anything else? Some peerless cultivation technique, maybe?"

Bai Qian thought it over, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, Young Master. These are the only two meditation methods I remember in full. The rest are mostly fragments, too incomplete to practice."

"Fair enough. These two are already a great find."

Jiang Hao waved a hand. He wasn't about to get greedy.

Seeing that, Bai Qian bowed slightly. "If you have no further orders, Young Master, I'll take my leave."

"Go on."

Bai Qian flashed through the doorway and disappeared.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Jiang Hao took out the two meditation methods and read them again. He couldn't stop smiling.

"Silver Moon and Blazing Sun. Day and night... That's cultivation around the clock!"

The next day.

Jiang Hao woke from meditation, a silver gleam flashing through his eyes.

After cultivating all night, he felt not the least bit tired. If anything, he felt refreshed.

"High-end stuff really is different."

Jiang Hao got up and glanced outside. It was already noon.

After a quick wash, Jiang Hao headed toward the classroom.

With Xiao Wu away, wandering the streets alone felt like something was missing. He might as well take the chance to experience school life again.

He arrived just as class ended, and students were leaving the classroom in small groups.

"Hello, Senior!"

A passing student suddenly nodded to Jiang Hao in greeting.

"Hm?"

Jiang Hao froze for a moment, then answered with an absentminded "Mm."

I've never even been to class, and someone's already calling me Senior...

Jiang Hao had developed early, and after obtaining his Soul Ring, his bones had grown stronger and he had shot up even more.

The Five Elements Qilin also lent him an approachable air.

As a result, quite a few passing students instinctively greeted him as "Senior."

With greetings following him all the way, Jiang Hao entered the first-year classroom under the other students' stares.

He stepped through the doorway, swept a glance over the roomful of little kids, and walked straight to his seat by the window in the back row without a change in expression.

Just then, a thin, dark figure came in through the door.

It was Tang San.

Tang San stopped short when he saw Jiang Hao in the classroom, then strode toward him.

Jiang Hao glanced at him. "What do you want?"

Looking at Jiang Hao's handsome, carefree face, Tang San felt his disgust deepen.

It was as though a voice deep inside him kept urging him to kill Jiang Hao.

"If you've got something to say, spit it out. Otherwise, get lost."

Jiang Hao's impatient voice snapped Tang San back to his senses. He stared at Jiang Hao and said grimly, "I came to tell you one thing. You must stay away from Xiao Wu, starting now!"

Ever since Tang San had seen how close Xiao Wu and Jiang Hao were on the first day of school, he had barely been able to eat or sleep.

Then, not long ago, his father had written to him, telling him to make sure he got along with a girl dressed in pink.

Who else could that be but Xiao Wu?

[Article Thirty-Five of the Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record: Always trust your instincts!]

Tang San had a feeling that Xiao Wu would become someone extremely important to him.

Whatever it took, he would separate Xiao Wu from Jiang Hao.

"Stay away from Xiao Wu?"

Jiang Hao raised an eyebrow, amusement on his face. "Are you close to her? Are you family? Why should I do it just because you say so?"

"Tang San, didn't your parents teach you how to respect people?"

"Or did your mother give birth to you and then leave you to grow up without one?"

That last line struck Tang San where it hurt most.

"Jiang Hao! How dare you insult my mother!"

Tang San lunged a step forward, eyes bloodshot and breath coming hard.

He glared at Jiang Hao and said, each word distinct, "I challenge you to a Spirit Fight!"

"Only the winner gets to be with Xiao Wu!"

At that, the corners of Jiang Hao's mouth lifted.

The kid had finally taken the bait.

Jiang Hao had wanted to see Tang San's Tang Sect techniques for ages, but he had never found a chance to make Tang San use them against him.

Now the chance had come.

If he pushed Tang San into using something capable of suppressing him, the system would likely give him a corresponding reward.

"Fine. I accept your challenge."

With that, Jiang Hao rose and headed for the training ground without looking back.

Tang San followed, his face dark.

Classes were in session, so there were few students on the training ground, apart from a dozen or so upper-year students taking a physical training class.

But when Tang San's fellow Working Students heard that he was about to have a Spirit Fight, they skipped class and rushed over to back him up.

They called their friends over, drawing an even bigger crowd. Even the academy teachers heard about it.

"Hey, isn't that blue-haired guy this year's Innate Full Soul Power student? I think he beat Xiao Yuchen not long ago."

"Innate Full Soul Power!? Doesn't that mean he's already at level ten?"

"More than that. From the looks of it, he's probably obtained a Soul Ring and become a Soul Master!"

"That's incredible! I'm in my sixth year and my Soul Power's still stuck at level eight. I might not even graduate!"

Listening to the surrounding students talk about him with envy, Tang San smiled faintly.

Just wait. I'll show you what a real genius looks like.

Jiang Hao found Tang San's smug expression almost funny. The kid probably had no idea he had already absorbed a thousand-year Soul Ring.

"What are you looking at? If we're fighting, let's get on with it. Don't make me miss lunch."

Tang San snorted. He curled his hands into fists and assumed the opening stance of Black Jade Hands. "Jiang Hao, today I'll show you just how far apart we are!"

"Listen to you."

Jiang Hao stood there lazily, not even bothering to take a stance. He merely crooked a finger. "Come on, then. Show me what you can do."

More and more students gathered around them, soon packing the edges of the training ground.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded in the distance.

"Move! Everyone, move!"