"There's only half a month left before the exams. Which school are you planning to apply to?"
At the dining table, Jiang Che posed a soul-searching question.
To be honest, given Jiang Che's current capabilities, whether or not he continues his education isn't that important. The main concern is that the girls around him still need to attend school!
With so many girls by his side, it would be ideal if they could all attend the same school.
However, it shouldn't be too far from Hangcheng, as this is his base after all. Gu Lingfei, Leng Ningqiu, and Wang Yanran are all here. If Jiang Che were to go too far... wouldn't that be a bit too irresponsible?
Bai Qiangwei chuckled, "I'm flexible. My teacher said I could pursue a music career and could be recommended to any music department in the country."
"Wherever Brother Jiang Che goes, I'll go. Wherever I go, my teacher will follow."
Hepman is an internationally renowned piano master. If she were to express interest in joining a school, all the top institutions in Dragon Country would likely welcome her with open arms.
It's akin to the scenario if a pianist like Lang Lang were to apply for a professorship.
Eventually, they all settled on a decision!
They would apply to a local school, and it's quite straightforward—so easy that they could pass the exams without much effort!
Chen Ningshuang, who had been quietly eating at the table, felt a pang of inferiority for the first time. As a girl from the ancient martial arts Chen Family Village, she had never attended school and wasn't the type of refined lady skilled in the arts.
She was, in fact... just a martial arts enthusiast, a bit of a tomboy.
This topic of college entrance exams... was never relevant to her.
It was frustrating; her personality meant she could never be a gentle and virtuous lady.
It was really, really frustrating, to the point where even the delicious food prepared by Jiang Che's divine culinary skills seemed tasteless.
She left the table halfway through the meal.
"Jiang Che, what's wrong with Sister Ningshuang?" Ye Mengyao asked, resting her chin on her hand.
"Don't worry about her."
Jiang Che glanced thoughtfully at Chen Ningshuang.
Having many women around can sometimes be a burden!
The girls aren't robots; they all have their own thoughts and insecurities. Managing each girl's feelings is truly an art.
Although Jiang Che claims to be passive, non-committal, and irresponsible, once he gets involved with them... how could he not take responsibility?
Fortunately, with the title of 'Harem Master,' things could have easily spiraled out of control.
Thinking about the fate of Brother Cheng and his own past life, Jiang Che couldn't help but shiver.
...
Jiang Che had a breakthrough!
It must be said, this spiritual field is an excellent place—rich in spiritual energy and home to three thousand-year-old vermilion fruit trees.
Jiang Che's cultivation consumes a lot of energy. When tired, he can lean on the trees, and when hungry, he can pick the good fruits to eat.
His cultivation speed was astonishingly fast; overnight, Jiang Che had a breakthrough!
He leapt from being a quasi-master to a true master!
Although Jiang Che's cultivation foundation is somewhat weak, the internal energy bestowed by the system is exceptionally pure.
At the half-step to Gangjin, his internal energy could already be emitted outward, forming a tough protective aura. Now... this protective aura is incredibly solid.
"No wonder they say becoming a master is a watershed moment; the difference is indeed significant."
Jiang Che clenched his fists, feeling the surging internal energy within, a slight smile curling his lips.
The protective aura is like a suit of armor, adjustable in size and strength. Some masters can extend their protective aura dozens of meters, capable of killing across rivers!
Of course, there are also some unorthodox master-level experts who choose to concentrate their aura in certain parts, extending phantom limbs to make themselves appear a few centimeters taller!
There are many such tricks.
"Jiang... Jiang Che, you've finally broken through to master level. It's exhausting."
Chen Ningshuang leaned against a vermilion fruit tree, a bright red fruit in her mouth, its ruby-like juice staining her lips red.
For some reason, seeing Jiang Che break through to master level filled her with more joy than when she herself had achieved it.
Jiang Che looked at Chen Ningshuang with a smile in his eyes. Since becoming a martial artist, he had never truly fought with anyone.
He slowly assumed a Tai Chi starting posture towards Chen Ningshuang.
Chen Ningshuang's eyes narrowed instantly. Tai Chi... she was all too familiar with that!
"Ningshuang, I'm feeling quite inflated right now. Want to give it a try? This might be your only chance to suppress me."
"You... sure?"
A glimmer of desire flashed in Chen Ningshuang's eyes. Suppressing Jiang Che... she had always wanted that!
It had always been her being suppressed by Jiang Che!
But when it comes to martial arts, she's quite confident. Suppressing this rogue Jiang Che should still be relatively easy.
"Of course, I'm sure. Feel free to strike; don't worry about my safety."
Jiang Che laughed.
After hearing Jiang Che's words, Chen Ningshuang couldn't help but feel a bit skeptical.
She wasn't the naive martial arts enthusiast she used to be.
If she won against Jiang Che, he would surely say: "You really fought me? I don't eat beef!"
If she lost, well, it would be straight to the defeat scene.
Wait... she couldn't lose. She was at the mid-master level, nearing the late stage, while Jiang Che was just a novice at Gangjin.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, she could only think of a way to go easy, ending in a draw.
But soon, Chen Ningshuang's expression changed.
After sparring with Jiang Che, she discovered a terrifying fact: Jiang Che's understanding of Tai Chi was even deeper than hers, a descendant of the Chen Family Village's martial arts lineage!
There are many branches of Tai Chi martial arts, and what the Chen Family Village practices is just one of them. Many Tai Chi techniques have been lost.
But Jiang Che knew them all!
Apart from having slightly weaker internal energy, he was superior to her in every other aspect.
Chen Ningshuang got serious. She knew clearly... if Jiang Che were at the same level as her, she would have lost from the start.
This was almost unacceptable for a proud girl like her.
"Ningshuang, it seems you're not quite up to it."
Jiang Che grabbed Chen Ningshuang's wrist, a smirk on his lips.
"Ningshuang, I told you not to go easy, or you'll soon run out of steam."
"......"
Chen Ningshuang was utterly defeated, completely overwhelmed!
Jiang Che's Tai Chi techniques were exquisite, seemingly embodying the essence of all Tai Chi branches. He had not only mastered them but also integrated them perfectly, forging his own martial path.
She even saw her own shadow in Jiang Che's techniques.
Chen Ningshuang's defeat was inevitable!
Yet, she wasn't disheartened by her loss; instead, she was exhilarated.
She had never imagined that Jiang Che, who seemed so carefree and unruly, could forge his own martial path?
Most importantly, Jiang Che knew Tai Chi!!!