CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 40: THE STORM HAS PASSED

"This, uh..."

Li Yi gulped nervously and said dryly, "I don’t know what Principal Yang is referring to, what could it be?"

Yang Zhou arrogantly replied, "First, all students involved in the siege will have fifty points added to their final exam scores; second, students who made outstanding contributions in the battle will have the right to choose their school independently, in addition to extra points; third, teachers from Datang Academy participating in the siege will have their salaries raised by one grade."

Looking at Li Shan, who looked like a plucked quail, Yang Zhou forced a smile and added:

"Of course, these are just my personal immature suggestions. Whether they can be implemented depends on the educational department’s leaders."

Yang Zhou thought: I’m giving you face, you better not reject it, dare to try and see what happens? I’ll have the Director’s head knocked off!

"Y-yes." Li Shan nodded like a pecking hen, "Principal Yang’s suggestions are excellent, I will definitely convey them to the educational department and pass them on to the Director for him to handle appropriately."

He’s just a messenger, better let the Director decide. If some small favor can appease Yang Yama without any harm, the Director will surely agree.

The inquiry concluded in a joyful and harmonious atmosphere. After Li Xing and Li Shan left, Yang Zhou asked Ning Ze, "How is it?"

Ning Ze shook his head and said, "Fire Elemental Spirit, didn’t measure spiritual power, senior, are you overthinking it?"

Every city’s Element Testing Instrument is managed and maintained by someone assigned by the Elder Council, so it’s unlikely to be wrong. I don’t understand why Yang Zhou is always suspicious of Li Xing’s test results.

Yang Zhou also knew that Ning Ze was using a simplified version, not as accurate as the Element Testing Instrument. He pinched the bridge of his nose, showing no evident emotion.

"If you knew Li Xing, you would also be suspicious."

This child has been frequenting the Star Beast Forest for ten years without ever being harmed by Spirit Plants; this can’t simply be explained by luck.

Even Wood Elemental Spirit Users can’t guarantee they can fully take care of Battle Pet Spirit Plants, yet the ugly flower she cares for is healthy, lively, and responsive to her commands, never showing aggression. Could all of this be luck too?

She has spent her spare time self-studying Healing Master courses and has achieved remarkable results. I’ve heard from Li Yi that their purification medicine has been provided by Li Xing for years and is more effective than the advanced purification medicine sold in stores.

All signs indicate that Li Xing has a natural affinity for Spirit Plants, which cannot be explained by being a Fire Elemental Spirit.

This is why Yang Zhou has always suspected the accuracy of her Elemental Spirit, but he had no concrete evidence.

"If you’re really uneasy, you could suggest she re-test her Elemental Spirit at a reserve military academy. The Element Testing Instruments at the four prestigious schools are more advanced than those sent to each city by the Elder Council and they’ll certainly provide the most accurate results."

Normally, a person only has one chance in a lifetime to test their Elemental Spirit, but if one can get into the reserve military academy, they can re-test their Elemental Spirit, though very few people choose to do so.

Because the Elder Council, as an organization founded by the Thirty-Six Sages, represents absolute fairness and authority, which is widely recognized throughout Qianyuan, few are willing to risk challenging such authority.

"Fine, I will have her re-tested, thank you."

With everything made clear, Ning Ze and Xue Ji stood to take their leave.

"Senior, it’s getting late, we should head back to the corps."

"Stay for a meal before you go."

"No, the Second Corps has suffered heavy losses, the Southern Fortress is now being reinforced by the First Corps. The Eastern Base Camp is short half of its troops, I’m worried and need to return promptly."

"Alright." Yang Zhou nodded, "Duty comes first. Next time you’re on leave in Datang City, I’ll treat you to drinks."

"Certainly!" Ning Ze and Xue Ji both saluted Yang Zhou; Yang Zhou didn’t return the salute, as he no longer held the right to military salutes, only nodding at them.

"Cough, Senior, when I came, the commander specifically asked me to send her regards."

Yang Zhou paused, asking after a long delay, "Is she... alright?"

"Rest assured, Commander has remained single all these years." Ning Ze grinned mischievously.

"Who asked you that!" Yang Zhou’s face turned dark.

"Commander said she misses you deeply, wondering when you’ll take her off the blacklist. She also mentioned that the friend request allows only fifty characters, which is not nearly enough to express her feelings for you."

Xue Ji’s eyes were bright, filled with a light of gossip, Yang Zhou’s old face mildly embarrassed, he covered Ning Ze’s mouth, still preparing to babble, and swiftly pushed him out, quickly shutting the door.

"Get lost!"

"Alright, goodbye, Senior!"

Datang City is remote and underdeveloped, only having a directional Teleportation Port to Oli City. To return to the Eastern Fortress, Ning Ze and the others need to first go to Oli City, then transfer at the Teleportation Port.

On the way back, Ning Ze asked Xue Ji, "What do you think of Li Xing?"

Xue Ji thought for a moment and responded seriously, "She’s hard to read."

"Oh?" Ning Ze was surprised, "There are actually people you can’t read? If she’s hard to read, just give me a simple take."

"Her psychological resilience is strong; throughout the inquiry, she showed no signs of tension, hardly even any emotional fluctuations."

"Isn’t that a good thing? It proves she has a clear conscience and isn’t dishonest."

Xue Ji frowned, unsure how to convey this intuition verbally.

"Maybe, but I feel she’s excessively calm, not typical of someone her age, so her words might not be reliably assessable by usual standards."

Xue Ji determines if someone is lying by sensing their heart rate, breathing, and micro-expressions, but with someone particularly resilient, even if they lie extensively, such indicators won’t change, making it hard to discern.

"Though Li Xing appears innocent and pure, seemingly without schemes, I believe these are just facades. Internally, she’s cautious and deliberative, very guarded against others probing."

"The moment I sat next to her, I clearly felt her displeasure because I breached normal social boundaries, invading her personal space, making her feel unsafe. Yet she didn’t show displeasure; instead, she smiled at me naturally. Had I not trusted my perception, I surely would’ve been deceived, thinking she didn’t mind my presence. This makes it evident that she is adept at concealing her true emotions, which is what frightens me the most."

"Li Xing is certainly no ordinary person; if nurtured well, she could become a great hero. If misguided, she could bring ruin to the nation. Chief, using a high-grade Energy Stone to win her favor, you’ve done a service for the Federation by potentially recruiting her into the First Corps early, kudos to you."

Unexpectedly, Xue Ji’s assessment of that young girl was so sharp...

Ning Ze pondered, stroking his chin, would she be a hero or a national traitor?

Hmm?

Wait—!

Given her cautious nature, would she voluntarily expose a downgrade in her Elemental Spirit? Was she not worried about affecting her choice of school?

As Ning Ze mulled it over repeatedly, he let out a sudden lament: "Ahhhhh, what do I do, Xue Ji! I-I seem to have been tricked!"

A million-value Energy Stone, ahhhhh!

That damn Yang Zhou, knowing Li Xing played him, yet not warning him; let’s see what obstacles I’ll set for him before the Commander!