Chapter 56: Monthly Exam

After Shu Han and Shen Shao left the dormitory, they returned to the Aspiration Club. Many members were waiting for them.

Shu Han told them about his encounter with Chen Chuan. The moment the others heard that Chen Chuan did not learn the Arcane Phase Force simply because he didn’t like it, and not because he’d been pressured or threatened into giving it up, they were shocked but also angry at Chen Chuan’s lack of ambition.

“We can’t let this matter end like this. As upperclassmen, we can’t just watch him waste his talent. We have the duty and responsibility to correct his path,” a senior club member said grimly.

“He only joined the university, didn’t he? And he managed to defeat Shu Han? He’s truly gifted!” Someone else gasped in surprise.

“That means that he has really good physical abilities and an outstanding talent. That’s why he can do such things before even learning how to generate refined force. Seriously, he’s about as gifted as

he

was in the past. How could he just give up on the Arcane Phase Force? That’s such a waste! If he learned it, I can’t even begin to imagine how far he would go.”

The other club members agreed. Such a gifted person was born to practice the Arcane Phase Force, just like

him.

How could he waste his gift like this? They had to think of a way to convince Chen Chuan to change his mind.

“But he doesn’t want to. What can we do about it?” one of the members said.

“That’s because he hasn’t seen the hope placed on his shoulders. Why don’t we invite him for a talk? If we reason with him, I’m sure he’ll understand,” a slightly older club member suggested.

“But would he come? According to Shu Han, he has been holing himself up in his dorm to train and seldom leaving. Considering the current situation, I don’t think we’d be able to see him even if we went to his dorm.”

Even though food and drink were not allowed into the dorm rooms, that was only a restriction placed on the students, not the mentors. So, in theory, if Chen Chuan did not want to come out and Cheng Zitong brought food to him, he could stay holed up in his room forever. The dormitory supervisor could also ban them from visiting him if he asked for it.

“But he can’t just keep staying in his dorm. I’m sure we’ll have a chance to catch him.”

“I have a plan. The monthly exam is drawing near, so he’ll have to step out of his room. Perhaps we can find time to talk to him then?” one club member suggested.

One of the key members thought about it and said, “That’s doable. I’ll talk to a lecturer about this and make arrangements so that we can talk to him. We’ve got to stop him from being so reckless.”

“But what if he still refuses to listen?”

“Then we will reason with him as martial artists,” another voice stated.

The members turned around and saw a built student standing at the entrance. They all greeted him.

“Hello, Senior.”

“Hello, Vice Leader.”

The built student walked over and said, “He has only just enrolled into the university and is lacking in experience. If we show him the difference in strength between him and us, I’m sure he’ll change his mind.”

***

Chen Chuan was completely immersed in his training. During the day, he used Principal Sanshou to practice his stances while using medicine in tandem with his breathing technique. At night, he practiced his breathing technique and used his second self to get rid of all the injuries and strain brought by the medicine, stances, and breathing technique.

As he continued training, he did not even notice the passing of time. Only when Cheng Zitong told him to stop for a while did he realise that it was already the end of the month.

Upon noticing that Chen Chuan was not quite ready to stop his training, Cheng Zitong smiled. “You’re so hardworking. Don’t be too eager. You’ve only just enrolled into the university, and you have the whole semester ahead of you. Take your time. It’s the end of the month, so all students have to take the monthly exam. The mentors also have to be present, so I’ll bring you to the examination tomorrow.”

“What’s the monthly exam like, Mr. Cheng?” Chen Chuan asked.

“Usually, mentors test each other’s mentees during the monthly exam. I have never been a mentor before, so I’m not familiar with the details. But don’t worry, all the lecturers in the university have to show me some respect, and you’re strong, so it won’t be difficult for you to pass the exam,” Cheng Zitong said.

Chen Chuan nodded in understanding. Shu Han had told him about this when he helped him settle in. Monthly exams were meant to ensure students didn’t slack off.

He had no reason to be worried about the monthly exam. Even if someone decided to give him a hard time, it would not matter. It was not as if he was going to be demoted for failing. Only the mid-term and end-of-term exams were important.

Since the mentors were going to test the students, they had to be ready for their own mentees getting targeted if they deliberately tried to cause trouble for another mentee. This was not worth it, and it was also meaningless. Hence, there was a sort of tacit understanding between mentors to play nice.

“What time will the exam be held?”

“I’ll pick you up in the morning. It shouldn’t take too long,” Cheng Zitong said.

***

At the same time, on a grassy plain with trees offering loads of shade located among the villas in North Peak, a few artists were painting portraits for a few members of the Mutual Aid Group. Their retainers held trays of drinks, fruits, nuts, and snacks, while a musician played the violin.

A retainer went to Jiang Wei and bent down to whisper into his ear. Jiang Wei raised his eyebrow in amusement. “Oh? The Aspiration Club intends to convince him to change his mind?”

While they did not speak loudly, everyone within the vicinity had great physical abilities and heard everything. One of them grabbed a drink from a retainer passing by, took a sip, and went over to sit down.

“Jiang Wei, is the news about the kid not choosing the Arcane Phase Force accurate? Could they be lying and putting up an act for us?”

“It’s accurate,” another member said. “The Arcane Phase Force is unique. If you choose it, you need to make a record of it at the Operations Department and the chancellor’s own office, but Gao Ping and Cheng Zitong never went there. It means that he really didn’t choose the Arcane Phase Force. Oh, and it’s against the university’s rules to teach a student any refined force in secret. They wouldn’t do it.”

“When he rejected Yu Ruizhi’s invitation that day, I thought that he would be like

him

and pick the Arcane Phase Force. I wasn’t expecting this, but he seems to have some common sense,” someone else said.

The recommended student who had sat down next to Jiang Wei set down his cup and said in amusement, “Do you think he lost his courage after he heard about what happened two years ago? But if the Aspiration Club tells him to learn it, do you think he’ll agree?”

“We’ll know it after the show plays out tomorrow,” Jiang Wei replied with a smile.

***

The next day, Chen Chuan left the dorm in the student’s uniform. The sun was bright, and birds were chirping near the Spring-Autumn Lake.

After a while, Cheng Zitong drove over. Chen Chuan got into the car, and Cheng Zitong said, “The birds sure are noisy today. They’re usually pretty quiet. Did they bother you?”

Chen Chuan just smiled. “I’m really focused when I train, so I don’t hear them.”

“That’s good.”

Cheng Zitong started his car and headed to the south of the university. “It’s been decided that Ms. Ni will be your examiner. I’ve known her for a long time. She might look friendly, but no one ever knows what’s in her head. Be on guard.”

“Sure,” Chen Chuan promised.

Cheng Zitong drove to a training hall with trees casting their shade over it. The training hall had a pleasant atmosphere and occupied quite a lot of space. It even had a small library beside it.

Cheng Zitong brought Chen Chuan inside, where they were met by a tall, young female assistant with a high ponytail and sturdy legs. She greeted Cheng Zitong, “Hello, Senior Brother Cheng.”

“Hey, Xiao Qiu. Where’s your mentor?” Cheng Zitong greeted her back.

“Ms. Ni just woke up and is freshening herself up.” She then looked at Chen Chuan. “This must be your mentee. Should we let him take the exam first?”

Cheng Zitong felt uncertain about this, but Chen Chuan said, “Mr. Cheng, if you have other business to take care of, you should do it. I’ll go take the exam.”

After some deliberation, Cheng Zitong said, “Alright.”

He then patted Chen Chuan’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry,” Chen Chuan reassured him.

Xiao Qiu motioned for him to head to the corridor to the right. “This way, please.”

Chen Chuan followed her past two turns until they arrived at a corridor with green plants on both sides. When they reached the end, Xiao Qiu opened the double door, and Chen Chuan walked in after her. He was met by nearly twenty sophomores sitting and standing nearby. Some of them were wearing student uniforms, while some wore the university’s martial arts uniform. All of them were staring at him silently.

“This is your exam. You are allowed to use whatever means necessary to make them give up or leave the room. If you manage either one, you’ll pass,” Xiao Qiu told him and went over to the side to lean against the wall with her arms crossed.