Great! I'm surrounded by villains!
Chapter 95 - 15: The Road Unimagined

Chapter 95: Chapter 15: The Road Unimagined

Ning Ruyue was ready for the apprenticeship, knowing that even among the Extraterrestrials, those who could skillfully deploy a Barrier were the elite of the elite. Yet this "Evil Spirits Defense Class" teacher was more mysterious than anyone she had ever met; she simply could not see through Duan Mingyuan’s depths.

Barriers are an advanced application of Strange Gates and Devious Techniques. All the masters she knew that were adept at deploying Barriers had devoted unimaginable effort into a single Mysterious Technique, walking further down this path than anyone else. Only in this way could they construct their own Barrier.

But Duan Mingyuan was different.

Why was this outsider able to use the Fourfold Barrier set up by the Chess Institute’s founder?

Ning Ruyue felt that this man was like from another dimension, an existence completely different from theirs.

What was even more terrifying upon reflection was that after hearing about the Extraterrestrials and the Imperial Court’s coveting gaze, Duan Mingyuan showed no signs of unease or panic.

She also couldn’t see any strong emotions emanating from Duan Mingyuan.

No hatred, nor did he seem to be burdened with some kind of mission.

For him, everything seemed like casually solving an easy task in the process of teaching.

"Do you want to learn how to build a Barrier?"

Duan Mingyuan asked.

"I know this may sound a bit too demanding, but..."

"Not at all, actually, the overall situation at the Chess Institute is much better than I imagined. Although there is a lack of practical combat drills, training in Life Energy has not fallen behind."

If measured by Life Energy, even some students from the four institutes had broken through the significant threshold of 10, elevating their assessment from apprentice hunters to Official Hunters in his evaluation system.

However, constructing a Barrier was a relatively lengthy process, and Ning Ruyue was undoubtedly the student closest to reaching an intermediate professional title.

"Huh?"

Ning Ruyue was at a loss for words for a moment.

So, it wasn’t a big deal for the teacher to guide others in constructing Barriers?

She couldn’t help but doubt where Dean Mo Song had found such a person. Even in the elite-filled Imperial Court, no one was quite like Duan Mingyuan.

"It seems I need to move up the plans for the advanced class. Ning Ruyue, how would you like to be the class representative for the advanced class?"

"I would love nothing more!"

"Let’s leave it at that for now. Once I have drafted the list for the advanced class, I will come to find you. I will address all your questions during the course."

Ning Ruyue nodded, but she felt a little dazed.

She finally confirmed that Duan Mingyuan was not going to train her individually but intended to teach all students how to construct a Barrier.

Could it be she had been in the Chess Institute for too long, and Barriers had become commonplace outside?

She fell into deep thought, instinctively following Duan Mingyuan back to the Chess Institute along the path.

Until a stern voice pulled her back to reality.

"Ning Ruyue!"

Majestic and familiar, it made Ning Ruyue instinctively shiver.

Raising her head to follow the voice, Su Yunru, the Chess Institute’s Dean, was indeed glaring at her from a short distance away. When their eyes met, Su Yunru demanded, "What is this get-up you’re wearing? And where did you get that sword in your hand? Who allowed you to bring these dangerous items into the Chess Institute?"

Damn!

Ning Ruyue was shocked. She had been so preoccupied with thoughts of the Barrier that she had completely forgotten she was still wearing Night Travel Clothes.

With this outfit and the Flying Sword, she might as well have had "I am very suspicious" written on her face.

"This, this is cosplay,"

Ning Ruyue said stiffly, "It’s a popular activity outside recently."

"The Chess Institute has already issued a rule forbidding the wearing of exotic attire. You are the Chess Institute’s top student, who, instead of setting an example, is leading the charge in spoiling the atmosphere."

Su Yunru walked towards her imposingly, "I saw you coming from the back mountain. There’s no need for you to return to the Chess Institute, go straight to the punishment room and reflect on your actions for a day."

Defeated before even beginning.

For some reason, the sight of Ning Ruyue wincing in pain as Su Yun tugged at her arm conjured up a phrase in Duan Mingyuan’s mind.

However, a day of solitary confinement was not a big deal, and he could use this time to organize the lesson plans for the advanced class.

This trip was indeed worthwhile. The books in the library and the current situation at the Cloud Sea Academy had broadened his horizon. Having Tang Qianqian, an excellent subject for observation, by his side had resolved the confusions he faced these days.

According to his theory, the key to increasing Life Energy was "indulgence."

But a new problem emerged.

From his observations, Tang Qianqian’s daily life was all about indulgence—eating when she wanted, drinking when she felt like it, sleeping whenever she desired. So why hadn’t her Life Energy increased for so long?

The answer lay in the fact that Tang Qianqian’s subconscious did not have a clear hierarchical understanding of "indulgence," which resulted in most of her lazy behaviors being futile endeavors.

In this regard, the academy’s four branches were the best examples.

Among the arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, there was also a hierarchy, with the most obvious being in the Chess Institute, where repeated games led to the creation of a hierarchical understanding of skill.

As for student Tang Qianqian...

Duan Mingyuan suddenly stopped walking because he spotted a familiar figure not far away.

Today, Tang Qianqian was just as joyful as ever, holding a beef pastry she had taken from the cafeteria, smiling all the way.

What was more noticeable was the Life Energy above her head.

10.

Duan Mingyuan checked several times to make sure it wasn’t a malfunction of the Energy Detector. It was true that Tang Qianqian had increased her Life Energy by 8 points in less than a day since arriving at the academy, a rocket-like speed of improvement that could compete for the fastest progress award of the term.

He was certain that this morning, during the division ceremony, the number 2 was hovering above Tang Qianqian’s head, ranking her among the lowest in the entire academy.

"Tang Qianqian."

Duan Mingyuan stepped forward to stop her.

"Oh, senior, good afternoon."

"What’s going on with your Life Energy?"

"Life Energy?"

Tang Qianqian appeared confused, "Is there something wrong with my Life Energy?"

"Why did it increase to 10?"

"What!?"

Tang Qianqian’s eyes widened, looking even more surprised than Duan Mingyuan. It was obvious that she hadn’t done anything that appeared related to cultivation since arriving at the academy, "Really? Is that true?"

"What have you been doing since the division ceremony ended?"

"I haven’t been doing much."

Tang Qianqian murmured, then suddenly said, "Oh, I thought the Painting Institute was a nice place. Everyone there is skilled in painting. Since the academy doesn’t have internet access and lacks entertainment activities, I invited a few seniors and juniors to create a board game together. We’ve already finished creating ’Monopoly,’ and they have started playing it over there."

"How many people are there, specifically?"

Duan Mingyuan suddenly understood and asked.

"There must be eight or nine of them. This afternoon we plan to create ’Werewolf Kill,’ and afterwards, I’m thinking of collaborating with the academy’s seniors and juniors to create ’Script Kill’ games."

"Go ahead."

Duan Mingyuan waved his hand.

The miraculous Tang Qianqian had come to an unexpected understanding, but as she did so, the atmosphere of the Painting Institute suffered an unprecedented blow.

It seemed the advanced class would soon have an additional spot available.

But on this path filled with hardships and sweat, Tang Qianqian had become a disturbing presence.

She was like a roving pathogen.

The more people she "infected," the stronger her Life Energy grew.