Chapter 33 (continued)
Li Yang's vision went black. It was estimated that it would take 99 years to upgrade the Invincible Sun Shield to level 2, and the Willow God’s Binding would take about the same amount of lifespan.
Is it worth trading nearly 200 years for two Star Skills that need to be forgotten?
Killing Star Plant would presumably also grant lifespan gains; if her cultivation level is at the Peak First Grade... then each plant would likely have a lifespan of 10 years, but she might not be able to kill all 20 Star Plant.
Despite Li Yang's current good fortune, after harvesting the next batch of wheat, he didn't earn any money for the next four months.
If we waste it now, how will we survive the next four months?
"I'll upgrade the Sun Shield!" Li Yang made up her mind. She only needed to upgrade one. Although this hundred years was like throwing money down the drain, if all went well, she could earn it back in the Tree Tower. Anyway, her lifespan was almost up, so rather than being squeezed out, she might as well use it to protect herself.
After investing 99 years, the Invincible Sun Shield finally reached Tier 2. Li Yang then went to the Astral Realm Appraisal Interface and spent a year appraising Star Skill.
Star Skill Name: Invincible Sun Shield.
Star Skill Rank: Tier 2.
Tier 1 effect: Upon use, a Sun Shield will be created, which can block all damage from the same level. The Sun Shield is maintained by the Power of Starlight.
Second-tier effect: The Sun Shield has the effect of absorbing Starlight, converting a portion of the damage received into Power of Starlight.
This century has been absolutely worthwhile! The effects of Phase Two are incredible!
In this way, Li Yang can not only use the Invincible Sun Shield for a longer period of time, but also save up a little bit of Power of Starlight. When the Star Plant is low on health, he might be able to rush over and finish it off!
-
Niu Qianqian went to the Star Magic Department and found Dean Shen Binghua.
They were old acquaintances. Although Shen Binghua was now at the Seventh Grade Peak, Niu Qianqian had actually enrolled earlier.
Shen Binghua was dressed in a white robe, and his appearance was that of someone in his thirties or forties. He was neither too old nor too young, but at the most elegant age, with a polite smile on his lips.
However, Niu Qianqian was not fooled by her appearance. She was a notorious smiling tiger, seemingly calm and collected on the surface, but ruthless and cold-blooded in the shadows. If you believed her bodhisattva-like appearance, you were just waiting to have your heart ripped out.
"Director Niu, what brings you to the Star Magic Department?" Shen Binghua's voice was also very pleasant, gentle and measured, neither hurried nor slow.
Niu Qianqian sighed and immediately launched into a sob story, "The board members have been urging me to find a student for Dean Si. I've been trying every year, but I never expected that a student would actually get into the Agronomy Department this year."
Shen Binghua said calmly, "The top scholar from Donghua Province is quite a good kid."
"Of course! Dean Si it like his precious jewel, coming all the way here to ask me for the 'Tree Tower'..."
She deliberately slowed her speech, observing Shen Binghua's attitude. Shen Binghua maintained his elegant and relaxed smile, as if he didn't see anything wrong with it.
Niu Qianqian cursed under her breath, calling him an old fox, and continued, "I said this is inappropriate. The Tree Tower has been supported by the Star Magic Department for years, consuming a lot of resources and taking a lot of effort from the Star Magic Department teachers. How can it just be given to the Agronomy Department for 'use' like this?"
Shen Binghua maintained his faint smile.
Niu Qianqian continued to play the victim, "You know Dean Si's temper. One slap from her on the Academic Affairs Office office and I'd be out of a house! God, if I hadn't dodged quickly, I would have been turned into mincemeat by her slap!"
Shen Binghua said gently, "Director Niu is joking. This is the Zhongdu Military Academy. How could Dean Si kill indiscriminately?"
"Others wouldn't dare, but who has Dean Si ever been afraid of? Especially after what happened back then, she's become even more ruthless."
Niu Qianqian observed Shen Binghua's expression and said, "I coaxed and pleaded with her until she calmed down! Dean Shen, I don't think Dean Si really loves that child. He's probably just using this as an excuse to stir up trouble."
Shen Binghua's expression shifted slightly.
Niu Qianqian continued, "My cultivation level is too low, and I dare not get involved in those matters. I just wanted to stabilize the person first. Since Dean Si wanted to train students, I went along with her wishes, promised her a spot in the 'Tree Tower,' and assured her that Dean Shen would definitely take good care of her student..."
Shen Binghua said, "Of course, they are all students of Central Capital. I will not show favoritism to students because of their different departments."
"Yes..." Niu Qianqian said with a wry smile, "But Dean Si was still very angry, and in the end, he threw a childish tantrum, insisting that Li Yang take half of the Star Core."
Shen Binghua frowned. She didn't care about the First Grade Realm Star Core, but rather Si Kui's domineering personality...
Niu Qianqian quickly added, "I thought to myself, what's a few First Grade Realm Star Core? I'll make up for it! Dean Shen, don't worry, we'll give them to Li Yang openly first, and I'll replenish the Star Magic Department later!"
Shen Binghua immediately said, "There's no need for Dean Niu to make up for it. It's just a few First Grade Realm Star Core. The Agronomy Department finally has new students, so consider it a friendly donation from the Star Magic Department."
Niu Qianqian sneered inwardly. How could the head of an academy offer a few First Grade Star Core as a friendly donation?
Although she cursed Shen Binghua a hundred times in her heart, she still smiled and said, "That's great! I'll go tell Dean Si right away, and I'll have Li Yang go in with us after the Tree Tower opens tomorrow."
Shen Binghua's expression changed, and he said, "Tomorrow?"
Niu Qianqian feigned ignorance, saying, "What? Wasn't it tomorrow? Oh dear, did I make a mistake? Dean Shen, please help me! I told Dean Si it was tomorrow. If it's not tomorrow, she'll really tear me apart!"
Shen Binghua: "..."
Niu Qianqian added, "I've noticed that there are quite a few outstanding talents among this year's freshmen in the Star Magic Department. I imagine the resource allocation for the Star Magic Department will be even better this year."
Shen Binghua smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Director Niu."
The two people, whose combined age was at least 1,000 and whose combined wisdom amounted to about ten thousand, finally reached a brief consensus.
After leaving the Star Magic Department office, Niu Qianqian sent a message to Si Kui: "Sister Kui, I did my best! Don't blame me if your little apprentice fails!"
Si Kui didn't reply to her.
Niu Qianqian wasn't annoyed. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, thinking to herself, "What a bunch of troublemakers! If I hadn't injured my Star Bone, I would have quit long ago!"
When you're weak, you get bullied. Niu Qianqian, at the Sixth Grade Peak, is a big shot among ordinary people, but in the eyes of these true masters, she's just a peacemaker.
Star Magic Department, Dean's Office.
Shen Binghua leaned back in the rosewood chair, frowning and pondering for a while.
A man in a white robe walked in. "Dean, may I ask what brings you here?"
"The Tree Tower will be opened tomorrow."
The man was startled, but immediately replied, "Yes, student, I'll arrange it right away."
"Add one more student, Li Yang from the Department of the Agronomy Department."
The man was increasingly astonished, but still dared not ask any more questions, and simply bowed his head in agreement.
Shen Binghua deliberately instructed, "Tell your student that she is someone that Director Niu of the Academic Affairs Office values. The Tree Tower is fraught with danger, so remember to protect Li Yang and prevent her from getting hurt in any way. Also, don't let her deal with Star Plant."
The man was taken aback, but quickly understood the meaning and said, "I understand."
"Get out."
Shen Binghua could easily see through Niu Qianqian's intentions; she wanted to help Si Kui rightfully reclaim the Tree Tower.
Shen Binghua vaguely Dao Yi the specific ways to use the Tree Tower; only those who had inherited the mantle of the Nature Department could trigger it, but he didn't know the specifics of how to operate it.
But she didn't need to figure it out; she just needed to cut it off at the root—if Li Yang was under constant surveillance and couldn't do anything, then nothing would happen.
-
The next day, Li Yang was full of energy. After leaving the house, she didn't see her teacher, but greeted the Fifth Grade Blood-Devouring Lotus in the pond.
The Blood-Devouring Lotus had already gotten to know her, and it jumped out and let out two howls.
Li Yang smiled and looked at it, "Grow up quickly! When I reach the Fifth Grade, I'll use you as a test subject, and make you want to eat me!"
Blood-Devouring Lotus: "Awooo~ Awooo~ Awooo~" It spun around in the water three more times.
Li Yang the navigation and still ran to the Star Magic Department. Although she had managed to swindle 400,000 yuan from her master, she had to be frugal and not waste money if she could rely on her own two legs.
The Star Magic Department is located next to Moon Square, which is the central area to the left of the Zhongdu Military Academy. It is not only the headquarters of the Star Magic Department, but also the headquarters of the Spirit Department.
Li Yang had a fairly good impression of the Star Magic Department before, after all, the dean, who was like a fairy in white, was truly elegant and charming. However, after learning that the Star Magic Department had monopolized the Agronomy Department's secret treasure and had no intention of returning it...
Completely lost any goodwill!
The Star Magic Department has successfully become Li Yang's most hated department, bar none for now.
Hmm, Fang Chuyun is in the Star Magic Department...
I wonder if she'll go to the Tree Tower.
As Li Yang was thinking, Fang Chuyun walked towards her and called out, "Li Yang, over here!"
Li Yang was pleasantly surprised to see her. "Were you waiting for me?"
Fang Chuyun asked, "Senior Chu told me to pick you up. Is there something you need from the Star Magic Department?"
Li Yang understood; Fang Chuyun, who was also from Huangcheng, had been specially sent to pick her up.
Li Yang stated bluntly, "I'm going to the Tree Tower."
Fang Chuyun assumed Li Yang was there for a visit and asked, "How do you know Senior Chu?"
Li Yang was filled with questions. "Who is Senior Chu?"
Fang Chuyun asked in surprise, "Don't you know Senior Chu? He's the one who asked me to pick you up."
Some things don't need to be explained in detail, and Li Yang didn't want to involve Fang Chuyun, lest she cause her trouble.
Li Yang changed the subject, asking, "Are you going into the Tree Tower this time?"
Although Fang Chuyun was full of questions, she still answered Li Yang's question first, "I can't go. Only Shen Shangchi and Ying Qi are qualified to enter among the freshmen."
Li Yang had heard these two names at the opening banquet. Both of them had opened three Star Aperture, and the Shen Family and the Ying Family were both "major surnames" in the Star Magic Department, so they must be descendants of these two families.