Chapter 75: Psychic Power

At the Research Institute, when the white-haired elder returned, he happened to encounter a group of people.

It was Cheng Yi and his party!

They were in a wretched state, their auras weak to the extreme. There were only six of them left, each a formidable figure among high-level martial artists—including Du Lin and Shen Yuan, both of whom had reached the eighth tier. Not a single seventh-tier martial artist remained.

The white-haired elder stopped in his tracks, stunned at the sight of them.

“Elder Bai!” Cheng Yi’s eyes lit up with joy when he spotted the old man. He hurried over and said anxiously, “Fang Qingyun has left the Poisonous Miasma Marsh. Now is the best chance to capture him.”

Elder Bai looked at him coldly, saying nothing.

Cheng Yi, puzzled, glanced at the elder. “Elder Bai, what’s wrong? Fang Qingyun, he left the marsh because we forced him out. He may have snuck back into the city. Before the City Lord’s Mansion and the First High School make any move, we must capture him first.”

He looked at the wounded men, sighing. “To force him out, we lost three of our brothers. The rest have all been poisoned, but for the honor of the Research Institute, we are ready to die at any moment!”

His expression was resolute, his voice firm and powerful.

But the white-haired elder’s mouth twitched, a dark line forming on his face.

His mind was filled with Cheng Yi’s recent words... For the honor of the Research Institute.

You did it for the Research Institute’s honor—how admirable!

As for me, I’ve brought shame to the Research Institute!

I’ve let you down!

“Elder Bai, why aren’t you saying anything?” Cheng Yi asked, confused.

The high-level martial artists accompanying the elder were already trying not to cover their faces. Cheng Yi was usually a clever man—how could he be so dense now, not seeing what was wrong? Had the marsh’s poison addled his mind?

Finally, the white-haired elder spoke, his tone calm. “You’ve rendered a great service, but there are some flaws. I’ll give you a chance to make up for them. Fang Qingyun is at his home right now. Go and bring him back; I’ll see that you’re credited with the highest merit.”

Having said that, he ignored Cheng Yi and turned into the Research Institute.

Cheng Yi and his companions were dumbfounded.

What?

Fang Qingyun is at his home?

How do you know?

Has Fang Qingyun lost his mind, actually going home? He dares to return? And if you know, why haven’t you gone to capture him?

Cheng Yi looked toward the high-level martial artists who had come with Elder Bai. All of them lowered their heads and followed the elder inside. One even shut his eyes as if refusing to see Cheng Yi at all.

Finally, Cheng Yi sensed something was off, though he couldn’t figure out what. Could it be that someone powerful was helping Fang Qingyun?

Who?

The Department of Education? The City Lord’s Mansion? Would they really oppose the Research Institute for the sake of Fang Qingyun?

He didn’t know.

But Elder Bai seemed furious!

Shen Yuan and Du Lin exchanged glances, seeing the astonishment in each other’s eyes.

Fang Qingyun had actually gone home? The Research Institute seemed to be taking action, yet had done nothing. That fellow really was something else!

The group hurried into the Research Institute—they needed to detoxify themselves.

...

At Fang Qingyun’s home.

Principal Sun was explaining to Fang Qingyun the things he needed to be careful about after becoming a martial artist.

What interested Fang Qingyun most was spiritual energy.

“The more spiritual power you have, the stronger you’ll be as a martial artist—not just because of the quantity, but the quality as well. The more spiritual power, the higher the quality once it’s converted to spiritual energy. That’s also why it becomes harder and harder to gain spiritual power as you progress.”

Principal Sun’s explanations weren’t particularly detailed, even rough one might say. But Fang Qingyun listened intently.

This was exactly what he needed—the path forward after becoming a martial artist.

Old Li had told him everything about the process up to becoming a martial artist, including how to take that step. But what came after was a complete mystery.

Bang!

A loud crash sounded at the doorway. Zhao Junhong, out of breath, appeared.

“Hey, just because you’re rich doesn’t mean you can act like this! Aren’t you going to pay for kicking down the door?” Fang Qingyun frowned. “Or have you just gotten used to kicking down your girlfriend’s door?”

“Shut up!” Zhao Junhong glared at Fang Qingyun. “You’re gutsy, coming back like this—and right in front of the Research Institute, no less, you took out one of their high-level martial artists. What were you thinking?”

Heavens knew his jaw had nearly dropped when he heard the news.

Fang Qingyun spread his hands. “At least, for now, things are settled.”

Only for now—the Research Institute would not let this go. And neither would Fang Qingyun. There were still a few enemies left unaccounted for.

“Hm?” Fang Qingyun suddenly looked at Zhao Junhong in surprise. “You’ve become a martial artist?”

“Of course!” Zhao Junhong snapped. “Otherwise I’d have come sooner. I thought you’d be in hiding for a few days.”

Fang Qingyun caught the implication. “Even if I hid for years, you wouldn’t be able to intervene in the Research Institute’s affairs.”

“You—” Zhao Junhong fumed. “Want to spar with me?”

Fang Qingyun sneered. “Don’t you know I just took out a high-level martial artist?”

“So what!”

Zhao Junhong sounded confident.

This time, it was Fang Qingyun’s turn to be surprised.

He looked at Principal Sun, who nodded slightly.

Fang Qingyun exclaimed, “This kid’s gotten that strong already?”

“Get lost!” Zhao Junhong grumbled, taking a seat. “My spiritual power was already over 50, and I’ve cultivated the family’s most powerful technique. While I can’t beat a high-level martial artist yet, I’m no pushover for those at the first or second tier.”

Most powerful technique?

Fang Qingyun narrowed his eyes.

He suddenly remembered something Zhao Junhong had mentioned before. The Zhao family had once been a great clan but had fallen on hard times, a fate that often befell prominent families. Some even became grand ducal houses, only to eventually lose their titles.

No family flourishes forever.

The main reason for the Zhao family’s decline was that no one had succeeded in cultivating their most powerful techniques.

And Zhao Junhong had succeeded?

Damn, could this be because of me, the transmigrator?

There’s always something special about people around a transmigrator. They’re bound for all sorts of adventures.

Thinking about this, Fang Qingyun’s gaze at Zhao Junhong grew a bit smug.

Kid, you should thank me! If it weren’t for me, you’d probably still be playing in some dusty corner!

“What are you thinking?” Zhao Junhong eyed him warily. “It feels like you’re imagining something disrespectful.”

He sighed. “Actually, my success was only natural. The family’s worked so hard and paid so much—if we’d failed, the Zhao family would really be finished.”

Silly child, the key is that you have me by your side! With a transmigrator and a cheat code—what’s there to worry about?

Fang Qingyun snorted softly, taking all the credit in his heart.

“All right!” Principal Sun interjected. “You two, pack your things. I’ll send you to Northwest Military Academy. It’s too dangerous here.”

“No!” Fang Qingyun refused instantly, not even thinking. You want me to give up the Poisonous Miasma Marsh’s toxins? Dream on!

Absolutely not!

That miasma is so alluring, its fragrance so refined and noble.

No—I can’t take it! My tears are about to start flowing from the corners of my mouth again!