The periods were somewhat uneventful but effective. Li Fenshuang wrote down everything he could write, ensuring not a single thing would be left out.
His enhanced physique and senses brought by the 1st Martial Realm increased his efficiency even more. As the bell rang, the last teacher bid farewell and wished the students good luck for their upcoming Final Examination.
Li Fenshuang smiled and waved at his classmates as he left the class, in extreme contrast to what he had experienced yesterday. His face turned serious as he carefully put his notes in his bag.
"I'll review everything at home. If I lack something, perhaps I could ask for advice from the teachers."
Usually, students would exercise using the previous exams shared by the government with their mobile phones. But as he said, he was too poor to buy books, not to mention a mobile phone.
Li Fenshuang didn't let that fact get into his head. He sprinted to the usual corner where he would take a sharp turn, as it provided the best and most efficient way of going home.
But he soon froze.
"It's you from yesterday. It seems like you often took this road."
A familiar cold yet graceful figure greeted him. Li Fenshuang unconsciously started to sweat as he slowly backed away.
Zhu Xueyan creased her eyebrows as he backed away. Is she that scary? To the point where someone would slowly back away from her as if she was a wild animal?
Obviously not. So the problem lay on this guy.
Actually, Zhu Xueyan did not specifically come here to disrupt Li Fenshuang's home trip. She's just coincidentally passed here after doing her business.
Turned out, her wild deduction was right.
"Uh, sorry about yesterday."
Li Fenshuang felt somewhat embarrassed. He was mentally over 30 years older than her, but he still acted like a naive high-schooler. It was really unbecoming of him.
"Why are you apologizing? It's just a few weak burglars."
Seeing her nonchalantly brushing off those dangerous men, Li Fenshuang was reminded once again that she was no longer a weak woman who only had a pretty face. She was a fierce woman with the reputation of an Empress in the future!
Li Fenshuang wanted to say a few more words, but he realized what he wanted to say seemed inappropriate, considering her bottomless strength and future. In the end, he nodded at her stiffly and offered a polite smile.
"If that's the case, I hope we can meet again. It seems like I've wasted both of our times, so let's part ways."
He tried to normally walk away, but his muscles just felt so stiff.
As his figure gradually disappeared in the distance, Zhu Xueyan showed a look of curiosity in her cold, indifferent eyes.
"He was just a mortal yesterday, but now, he has already reached the middle of 1st Stage Martial Realm."
She considered the scenario where he intentionally did it to show off, but his face had no trace of pride, only a sense of reluctance, hope, and nervousness. Besides, he took the same path as yesterday. So the chance that he expected them to meet was close to zero.
"Have we met before?"
Zhu Xueyan softly cupped her chin. She could do some investigations.
After arriving at home, Li Fenshuang did not hesitate. He placed all of the notes he wrote and placed them one by one on the only table in the house. He grimaced at the number, but he could not give up!
He was given a chance, and there's no way he will waste it!
From 3 pm all the way to the next morning, Li Fenshuang didn't stop. He used half of the time to practice the Basic Scripture while the rest was used to study the notes.
Thankfully, the elderly people were very kind, giving him enough rations to last him a month. Without them, he would probably died years ago.
It seems like he's wrong. He does have something from this cruel alternative reality.
In the middle of his studies, he also noticed a new interface on his face.
| The Future Zero Sword Empress showed her grace, prompting you to chase after her despite your insufficient existence. Your heart was driven to improve!
| You received a talent, Dedicated Grinder (White)!
| Dedicated Grinder (White): For every hour you used to improve, your efficiency will be increased by 10% multiplicatively! Reset when the streak ended.
"Let's go!"
With this, the expected second stage would probably be mastered before the competition even starts! If he practiced for 8 hours, his training efficiency would be increased by over 80%!
That's 41.4 times his original training speed!
Unfortunately, it was not additive. If it was, it would soar even higher.
"Don't be so greedy. This talent is like a godsend."
After he finished his practice, he was just a breadth away from the second stage. Li Fenshuang could confidently say that he would break through tomorrow!
Another morning came seamlessly. Without his realization, the competition is just two days away. Li Fenshuang cupped his chin in contemplation. He does have an idea, but he feared it would be too shameless to do.
"So what? I've got nothing to lose anyway!"
With a fire burning in his heart, any hesitation was dumped by him. He stood up in his casual clothes and sprinted to the school. The elders haven't woken up at this hour yet. Thus, he didn't get estranged on his way.
The security was surprised when a person in casual clothes came running, but after showing his student card, he merely nodded. Soon, Li Fenshuang came across the table in the middle of the corridor where the teacher in charge usually sat.
He slipped in a letter to state his absence for today and ran again to his home. After dressing up in a more appropriate set of clothes, Li Fenshuang came out as the sun began to rise.
He soon saw the elders basking in the sun, minding their business. He took a deep breath. His eyes littered on them before they landed on an amicable old man, currently tending his garden.
"Elder Ji, I'm sorry for disturbing you, but can this Junior ask for something?"
Elder Ji, who was tending his courtyard, widened his eyes at the sight of Li Fenshuang's comfortable figure. He narrowed his wrinkled eyes,
"Young man, you're supposed to be in school, right?"
"Ah, I was preparing for the competition in the square town two days away. So I asked for a day off."
"So that's how it is. It's good to have a plan for the future. So what do you want to ask?"
The elders didn't treat him like a stranger at all. The way Elder Ji treated him is like that of a grandfather tending his grandson. Li Fenshuang's heart warmed at the thought of it.
"Elder Ji, I wonder if you have any battle skills? Or perhaps anything I could do to get it?"
Li Fenshuang braced himself as he asked respectfully. He had no other choices. These elders are the only people he truly knew. He also could trust them enough to not be suspicious of them.
If Elder Ji doesn't have them, he could just ask others. Shame has long been dumped by him.
Elder Ji cupped his chin as he watered the flowers. His eyes paused for a moment as if reminiscing the past.
"You know, Little Ang. I had a son like your father. He was a very talented young man who could master the Basic Scripture in just a decade, becoming a respected 4th Stage Martial Master."
His eyes reflected his inner thoughts, staring straight at Li Fenshuang. His heart skipped a beat. Inwardly, he was shocked.
He didn't expect his father's best friend to be so talented in this alternative reality.
"Unfortunately, a bright star often invites uninvited guests. A certain organization began to target him, and my son, who only had me as his background, could only shoulder it all on his own. In the end, he fell disgracefully."
Elder Ji's usual grandfather next door countenance seems to distort, showcasing a fearsome look of anger and rage. His hands trembled, affecting the watering of his flowers.
"Back to your question, I do have those damned battle skills. But they are the legacy my son left behind to me before he met his demise. So Little Ang, I want to ask you, are you capable enough to continue his legacy?"
Elder Ji's raging eyes glared at him as if testing whether he was worthy or not. Li Fenshuang went silent for a moment.
He did not expect this. To think his father's best friend was dead because he was too talented.
He wondered, perhaps his parents suffered the same fate.
As soon as this thought appeared, it began to spread. Li Fenshuang tried to calm down, but he couldn't help but tremble. If it's true...
"Elder Ji, there's something this Junior wanted to ask."
Elder Ji just nodded in affirmation. Li Fenshuang slowly asked, "My parents... Did they suffer the same fate?"
"I'll tell you about it if you reach the 4th Stage."
His heart trembled. Elder Ji's statement basically confirmed his theory. But Li Fenshuang quickly understood something.
Being in a workspace, he understood that there are just some things better left unsaid. He shouldn't know unless he has enough strength and self-assurance to remain calm.
Noticing this, Elder Ji inwardly gives him a thumbs up. He sighed in his heart. So that little kid has already matured to this extent...
"So how about it? Do you think you could handle it?"
Li Fenshuang smiled wryly. What's there to hesitate about? To defy his original talent, this is the least he could do, right?
As for that mysterious organization?
He wanted to see whether they could catch up to him by the time they realized his existence or not. If not, well, they could only suffer under his wrath.
To think he encountered this kind of situation by randomly asking one of the elders... Perhaps the heaven is helping me! Li Fenshuang chuckled dryly.
With a smirk, Li Fenshuang bowed his head and cupped his fist, "Thanks for the gift, Elder Ji!"
Elder Ji froze for a moment. But soon he laughed out loud and pat Li Fenshuang on the back.
"Very good!"
To regard this heavy legacy as a gift was enough to show his courage! As expected of their son, there's no way he could be ordinary! Elder Ji exclaimed in his heart with a wide smile.