Bang!
The purple light expanded, and the air pressure in the office changed with it.
Hao Ren was forced three steps back, and his back touched the door.
Su Han exhaled deeply before opening her eyes in which a bright purple light flashed before vanishing.
She turned to look at Hao Ren at the door and said lightly, "You can go on with your cultivation while I take a rest."
"Did you make another breakthrough?" Hao Ren walked over and asked her casually.
Su Han didn't want to answer him, but she said after a moment of consideration, "It's not a breakthrough of realms but cultivation technique. I've just reached level 8."
In the Profound Cultivation Palace in the East Ocean Dragon Palace, Hao Ren had flipped through the Ice Frost Scroll that Su Han had been cultivating and knew that the technique was divided into nine levels. The cultivation technique was mainly water elemental while its offensive power was metal elemental; It was perfect for Su Han's Metal Water Body Type.
As a master of Qian-level, Su Han had only reached level 7 of the Ice Frost Scroll, which showed her indifference to techniques; she paid more attention to the elevation of cultivation realms.
Probably due to Qin Shaoyang's taunts, she advanced to level 8 of the Ice Frost Scroll.
"I'm in a good mood today. You may ask any questions you want," Su Han continued.
She stretched her long slim legs and put on a pair of pretty and elegant sandals with decorative engravings.
She was a cultivator but also a woman who loved beautiful things.
"Will you show up at Qin Shaoyang's art exhibition?" Hao Ren asked. It was four o'clock, and the cultivation session would end at six which was when the exhibition would start.
"Depends," Su Han said.
As if she was struck with a thought, she turned to Hao Ren and asked, "Regarding my class, how's your exam preparation going?"
"Ugh… I haven't begun yet." Hao Ren had not expected this question, but he had to admit that her class was the most difficult one this term.
"I see." Su Han nodded.
Hao Ren was disappointed since he had thought that Su Han would give him the answers to the exam.
"This exam will be very hard. You must prepare for it," Su Han said.
"Well, ok." Hao Ren broke into a sweat.
"Now that you have balanced the five elements, you can formally cultivate the Light Splitting Sword Shadow Scroll. In fact, after the breakthrough of the third level of the Spirit Concentration Scroll, the 108 acupoints in your body has been unblocked, which means that you have reached the realm of a martial arts master in the mortal world. If you want to continue to Kan-level and up, you must unlock the openings on the Dragon Core."
Hao Ren listened to Su Han's explanation now more attentively than during her classes because it concerned his life. A cultivator was, in fact, stealing the essence from nature which was an act against the natural rules. If the cultivator was not careful, he or she would be turned into ashes.
"By reaching the Kan Level, you will unlock the first opening in your Dragon Core. The higher your realm is, the more openings will be unlocked. Zhao Yanzi's Third Uncle has reached top-grade Qian-level and unlocked all 368 openings in the Dragon Core. Then, the next step is to pass the Heavenly Tribulation and become a Heavenly Dragon."
Hao Ren nodded. "No wonder Su Han said that I'm not at Kan-level yet. Although the Dragon Core in my body is silently absorbing the Nature Essence, the amount is not enough to unlock even one opening."
Only after he unlocked one opening in the Dragon Core would the Dragon Core be activated, and would he become a member of the Dragon Tribe.
"The more openings you unlock, the more Nature Essence the Dragon Core absorbs, and the stronger you will be. After you reach Dui-level and unlock 232 openings, you would have the ability to transform into a dragon!"
"Transform into a dragon!" Hao Ren was amazed.
"A golden-scaled dragon with four claws and five fingers on each claw?"
"If one can transform into a dragon, why does one need to pass the Heavenly Tribulation and become a Heavenly Dragon?" Hao Ren asked immediately.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Peak Qian-level is not the real end. Only after you pass the Heavenly Tribulation can you become a true Immortal Golden Dragon, which is the ultimate dream of us cultivators. You won't understand it," Su Han said.
Discouraged, Hao Ren remained silent. He felt the distance between him and Su Han was like that between humans and the ants. The humans could understand all the behavior of the ants, but the ants couldn't understand what the humans were thinking.
"I'd better turn my mind back to cultivation to reach the Kan Level." Without any more questions, Hao Ren sat up cross-legged and closed his eyes. Protected by the array formation, Su Han's office was an excellent place for cultivation.
Watching Hao Ren cultivating, Su Han smiled lightly, thinking, "This guy doesn't like unrealistic dreams. With his diligence, he will no doubt reach Zhen-level, though his progress will be slow with the Light Splitting Sword Shadow Scroll."
Oblivious to Su Han's gaze on him, Hao Ren closed his eyes and calmly absorbed the rare essence in nature. By now, the five elements in his body had formed a small five elemental array formation around the Dragon Core. Each trace of the nature essence he absorbs would automatically be broken down into the five elements, and they would enter the five small spheres around the Dragon Core.
The traces of essence were weak, but the process continued without stopping.
Time ticked away, and Su Han, who had been staring at Hao Ren in a daze for two hours, suddenly saw that it was almost six o'clock.
Hao Ren also sensed that time was almost up, so he opened his eyes.
Seeing it was already six, he stood up and was ready to take his leave. He asked abruptly, "Will you go?"
Su Han turned to the window and looked at the sunset. After a moment's silence, she grabbed the key to the office, saying, "Let's go."
Hao Ren was surprised at her answer. He only asked to be polite, certain that she wouldn't like to go to such a crowded place. He was surprised that she agreed to go.
Hao Ren walked with Su Han out of her office toward…the cafeteria.
Although Su Han didn't need to eat mortal food, Hao Ren needed to have his dinner. And in the peak dining hour, the students were amazed to see beautiful Su Han walk into the cafeteria with Hao Ren.
"Wow! Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Is it really Su Han?"
"Is he the guy who had an arm-wrestling match with Huang Xujie at the bus stop?"
"He's also the guy who defeated Huang Xujie in the rock climbing competition…"
The gossiping voices began to buzz all over the cafeteria while guys and girls all looked toward Hao Ren and Su Han curiously.
Su Han didn't eat. She just quietly sat across from Hao Ren and watched him eat.
Being stared at by such a beauty, Hao Ren felt abashed and paid more attention to his table manners.
In fact, it was usually no big deal for a teacher and a student to have a meal together in the cafeteria. However, since Su Han was the famous No.1 Beauty in East Ocean University, her appearance in the cafeteria with a student was sensational.
Uncomfortable under the stares coming both from Su Han and the other students in the cafeteria, Hao Ren finished his meal quickly before walking toward the library with Su Han.
Wearing an elegant cupcake skirt, an exquisite chiffon top, and a pair of eye-catching high-heeled sandals, Su Han impressed everyone who saw her, as she did every other time.
Hao Ren knew he would become the common enemy of the guys sooner or later. But now he had no time to worry about that as he followed Su Han into the library.
In the hall on the first floor, the lights were positioned well, and the boards divided the spacious marble-floored hall into independent sections in which different styles of Qin Shaoyang's paintings were displayed.
It was only 6:30. According to the rules, the students were still not allowed in. But walking together with Su Han who as a teacher that could enter in the first group, he slipped into the exhibition with her.
There were all kinds of paintings on the walls, including oil paintings, gouaches, drawings, and sketches. And traditional Chinese paintings were displayed in another secluded section.
Qin Shaoyang was an Inspector in the Dragon Tribe, but in the mortal world, he was also a genius painter who was highly regarded around the globe. Having received some education from Zhao Yanzi when they visited the 1825 Art District a couple of days before, Hao Ren could see the excellence of the paintings.
Dressed in a black suit, Qin Shaoyang looked dashing. Right now, he was talking with some of the influential figures in front of one of his huge oil paintings. With his straight figure, handsome face, resonant and magnetic voice and especially his golden eyes, he was charismatic.
If Hao Ren hadn't known his identity as an Inspector, he would certainly have regarded him as a perfect man. Equipped with his great talents and eloquent speeches, it was natural he was worshipped by countless female fans.
And the rumors added to his mystery. It's said that he also had extraordinary talents in music and had amazed all the people present when he played a piano piece in a private party hosted by a famous international music master.
Seeming to have sensed Su Han's arrival or having glimpsed at her bright beauty, Qin Shaoyang paused in his conversation and turned abruptly. Spotting Su Han in the hall, he immediately left the great artists and hurried toward her.
"Han, you are here." His voice contained self-confidence.
However, it was obvious he was very pleased to see her.
But Su Han ignored him and turned to another small section. She looked around at the paintings, as Ren followed her.
Qin Shaoyang's expression changed due to the cold treatment he received, but he regained his composure quickly. He quickened his steps and stood before Su Han. "Han, if you are interested in the paintings, I will be your guide."
"I'm here to check if there's anyone who is not supposed to be here. I have no interest in your paintings," Su Han said coldly.
"I know this is your territory, but you don't have to treat me so coldly. Don't you know that the purpose of me holding this exhibition here is to show you the achievements I have made in the past two years?" Qin Shaoyang pleaded.
He glanced at Hao Ren who was standing beside Su Han and found him such an eyesore. However, he didn't want to anger Su Han right now by attacking Hao Ren.
Su Han didn't answer; instead, she continued to walk forward. Seeing Qin Shaoyang blocking a beauty, the some of the influential figures in the art circle all looked toward them curiously.
Qin Shaoyang held his fury in check and forced himself to step away graciously, allowing Su Han and Hao Ren to walk into the depth of the hall.
"You'd rather stay with a guy who isn't even on Kan-level than speak to me! I can kill him like an ant. And I still need to repay him for the six slaps…" Looking at their backs, Qin Shaoyang's golden eyes had a gleam of cold hatred.
In one of the inner sections of the exhibition, Su Han turned her head abruptly and asked Hao Ren, "Aren't you afraid?"
"Of what?" Hao Ren asked.
"Of his revenge," Su Han said.
"I have offended him already, so it won't hurt to give him another reason to hate me. Anyway, the arrogant people always think others are in the wrong instead of blaming themselves," Hao Ren said.
With a smile, Su Han turned to another section with elegant steps. As Su Han was smart, she knew what Hao Ren had meant. In fact, had Qin Shaoyang not been disgustingly arrogant, she wouldn't have made this Patrolling Inspector her enemy.
She liked to take things slow and didn't like Qin Shaoyang's arrogant attitude thinking he was the center of the world due to his perfection.
They turned to the section of traditional Chinese painting when Hao Ren suddenly sensed a 'huge wall' moving toward him. He looked up and saw Xie Wanjun and his basketball team.
Today, the players of the basketball were all wearing black suits instead of jerseys. Although Bai Zhixiong and the others were obviously uncomfortable in suits, Xie Wanjun looked majestic in his formalwear.
With his square face, tall figure and broad shoulders, he was a born fashion model. It was the first time Hao Ren saw Xie Wanjun wear a suit, but he found him quite dashing.
"Why are you here?" Hao Ren asked. Having worked with Xie Wanjun once, he was not afraid of this big guy.
"They train all day in the stadium, and I'm afraid they will fall behind the times. So, I asked for some tickets from the Principal and brought them to have a taste of the arts," Xie Wanjun explained in his rough voice.
Arts… Hao Ren was surprised, unable to imagine the sweaty basketball players and arts in the same picture.
"This is called gouache which has different characteristics from the oil paintings since gouache is opaque. Besides the difference of painting methods, the oil paintings give people a thick and heavy feeling while the gouaches have a brighter touch," Xie Wanjun began to explain to his teammates.
Hearing Xie Wanjun's professional explanations, Hao Ren was even more surprised.
"Now I received another blow. Even the basketball player Xie Wanjun is more artistic than me…" Hao Ren was mortified, wondering if the world had progressed too fast for him or he had lagged behind too much.
"Our captain does oil paintings," seeing Hao Ren's mortification, Little Fatty, who was friends with Hao Ren, came over and told him.
"Oil paintings…" Hao Ren was dumbfounded. He imagined the two-meter tall Xie Wanjun sitting on a small stool putting fine strokes on an oil painting with his huge body blocking the whole canvas board… Excellent academic performance, a full scholarship from an American university, superb basketball skills and talented in oil painting… Xie Wanjun was an all-rounder.
"Has Yujia bothered you recently?" Xie Wanjun turned his head abruptly and asked Hao Ren.
"Oh, no. The mid-term exams are only two days away, and she puts all her attention on preparations," Hao Ren answered.
"Ok…" Xie Wanjun nodded. "And you are her Little Older Brother."
Knowing the secret was out, Hao Ren smiled in embarrassment.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmNodding, Xie Wanjun threw his arm around Hao Ren's shoulders. "After the National College League, I will go to the U.S. for my postgraduate degree. I entrust Yujia to you."
His words were meaningful, and the strength of his arm was heavy. Feeling the big brother's sincerity, Hao Ren gritted his teeth and nodded.
In the past, Xie Wanjun would take care of Xie Yujia at school. Now that he was in his senior year and about to graduate early, his greatest concern was his younger cousin who seemed to be quite excellent but actually a bit naive.
Patting Hao Ren's shoulder twice, Xie Wanjun didn't say anything more. He led the basketball team to the next section.
The players dressed in suits were all uncomfortable to be here, but they had no choice since their captain insisted they improve themselves with arts.
"This Xie Wanjun would be close to the Connate Realm of martial arts if he lived in the past," Su Han said abruptly.
"Connate Realm? The realm equal to the third level of the Spirit Concentration Scroll?"
Astonished, Hao Ren turned to look at the majestic back. "Was it possible for one to reach the highest realm for the body by only practicing basketball?"
"With his powerful air and strong focus, he could have entered the cultivation world with martial arts. However, for a mortal being, he has reached his limit," standing beside Hao Ren, Su Han said lightly.
"Ms. Su!" A crisp voice sounded abruptly.
Hao Ren turned his head and saw Xie Yujia and Ma Lina walking toward them from another direction. It was Xie Yujia who called out to Su Han.
Seeing Xie Yujia coming over to her, Su Han smiled, an unusual act for her.
"Why are you here?" With Xie Wanjun's words still in his ears, Hao Ren asked Xie Yujia.
"My brother got me two tickets otherwise I would be still outside in the long line. Ordinary students are not allowed in until eight o'clock. I got the tickets and came here on our way back from night study so we can relax a bit," Xie Yujia told him.
In her white T-shirt and soft black long jacket, she looked simple and elegant.
"Your brother just passed us," Hao Ren said.
"Ok. I'll go find him later." Since it was no longer a secret that she was Xie Wanjun's younger sister, she didn't bother to cover it up. She looked from Hao Ren to Su Han. "Ms. Su, did you come with Hao Ren?"
"Yes." Su Han nodded.
Xie Yujia pursed her lips, and her eyes looked complicated. She had heard that Su Han and Hao Ren were close, but it felt different when she witnessed them together.
"Ms. Su, will the exam be difficult?" She continued.
"You are the best in the class, so you don't have to worry about it," Su Han said with a smile.
Xie Yujia felt humbled at Su Han's dazzling smile. After a moment of consideration, she said, "You go on. I'll go find my brother."
"Ok." Su Han nodded slightly.
"Sister Su!" Another crisp voice sounded abruptly.
Hao Ren turned again and saw Zhao Yanzi coming towards them hand in hand with Zhao Hongyu.
Zhao Yanzi let go of Zhao Hongyu's hand before running toward Su Han.
Resigned, Su Han smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her from throwing herself into her arms. After all, she was an Inspector and was supposed to keep her distance from East Ocean. But she couldn't rebuff Zhao Yanzi when the latter was always so enthusiastic to see her.
"Sister Zhao, here you come." Qin Shaoyang came over with a few influential figures in the art circle. In a polite manner, he introduced, "This is Zhao Hongyu, the boss of LOM Design Studio."
The people in the art circle obviously had heard about LOM studio since they all looked very impressed.
"Hehe, I'm here to see the exhibition. Mr. Qin's skills are getting better and better," Zhao Hongyu said with a smile.
She came today for two reasons. One was to bring Zhao Yanzi to visit the show and have fun while the other was to take this opportunity to meet Qin Shaoyang. After all, East Ocean was their territory, and it was necessary for her to meet the Inspector informally using her identity in the mortal world.
"My brother has left. I couldn't find him." At this moment, Xie Yujia returned.
Qin Shaoyang was still incensed by Zhao Kuo's threat from a couple of days before. He was going to give Zhao Hongyu his domination of an Inspector but stopped at the approach of Xie Yujia. He exchanged some polite remarks with Zhao Hongyu before leading the some of the influential figures to the other sections.
Looking at Qin Shaoyang, Zhao Hongyu had a bad feeling about him.