CHAPTER 162: CHAPTER 162: ASSIGNMENT

The faint scent of crushed petals and earthy roots filled the classroom, mixing with the chalky smell of the wooden desks and the faint perfume of fellow students.

Betty leaned forward with interest.

"So... how are you planning to take these? Or making a paste and spreading it all over your body?"

Having gone through many breakthroughs, Betty and others had vast experience.

Wade visibly shivered, rubbing his arm as if the memory of pain still lingered on his skin.

"Please don’t choose the paste. That method burns like your skin is peeling off..."

Betty rolled her eyes.

"Herbal baths hurt, too, genius. Don’t act like you didn’t scream your lungs out that day."

Wade hunched his shoulders, muttering something about dignity while Richard snorted behind him.

Lana exhaled slowly and admitted, "I was planning to take an herbal bath."

Everyone nodded almost immediately... Betty, Fay, Wade, Richard, and even Layla.

"That’s the safest option," Betty insisted. "The paste gives better absorption, but the pain is insane. With your pure energy, you won’t need to worry about getting left behind."

Lana blinked curiously. "What method did all of you use?"

The group suddenly fell silent.

The air thickened awkwardly; even the faint breeze fluttering through the open window couldn’t cool their embarrassment.

Lana raised an eyebrow and turned toward Mr. Crow.

"Is it something you can’t tell me?"

Betty gave an awkward laugh, scratching her cheek.

"It’s not that. It’s just... Most of us were pressured by our families. Some were sponsored, some expected to break through quickly. So we had to take harsher methods."

Wade nodded reluctantly.

"Half of us used herbal paste all over the body. And the other half... had to apply the paste directly on the meridian on their chest. It feels like liquid fire spreading into your soul."

Lana’s eyes widened. There were four methods. Not two?

She had only known direct consumption and herbal baths.

And now there were two: first was paste all over the body, and the next one was paste directly on the heart meridian

She leaned forward with genuine curiosity.

"So... which is more painful? Direct consumption? Or applying paste all over your body?"

In an instant, every student shot to their feet. Betty stared at her, horrified.

"Are you insane?! Of course, the paste is less painful! Never even think about consuming herbs directly. That pain isn’t something a human mind or soul can handle!"

Lana pressed her lips together and looked at Mr. Crow. "What do you think? Would I die?"

Everyone fell silent.

Just when Betty opened her mouth to give another dramatic warning, a cool, composed voice echoed from the doorway.

"No one has ever died from consuming the herbs directly. That’s misinformation."

All heads turned sharply toward Axel, who stood at the entrance with a calm expression. His boots clicked softly against the floor as he entered, the faint scent of sandalwood trailing behind him.

Faye practically swooned on the spot and gave him a bold wink. Axel ignored her completely as he approached Lana’s desk.

He looked at the herbs, then at Lana.

"Direct consumption is painfully intense. But it is the best method; your energy will become purer."

Betty frowned. "From what we’ve heard, it’s dangerous! There are stories about people losing their minds because of the pain..."

Axel lifted a hand, cutting her off gently.

"Those are exaggerations. ’Brain damage’ is simply a metaphor for the pain level. No mystic cultivator has ever died from it."

The room fell into stillness.

Axel turned to Lana.

"If you choose that path, be prepared not to walk for two days or longer. Your body will be too weak to function normally until the energy settles."

Lana clenched her fists. "How sure are you? That I won’t die?"

Axel’s lips curled into a faint, confident smile.

"A hundred percent. I took the same method. So did my colleagues. But..."

He paused, his gaze steady.

"As far as I know, no female cultivator has ever attempted it. Their families wouldn’t allow it."

The others nodded. Direct consumption had a terrifying reputation... enough to scare nearly every student’s family away. Even the students who are sponsored by other families are not forced to use that method.

Lana gazed at the herbs with deep contemplation.

Mr. Crow tightened his claws on her shoulder, feathers bristling.

"Don’t you dare do something stupid."

Lana laughed softly.

"Relax. I’m not that reckless. I’m thinking."

Axel cleared his throat and addressed the class.

"I also came to inform you about your teachers’ schedule. You all have the weekend free. You may accept missions if you wish. And don’t forget the homework assigned."

Lana blinked. "Homework? What homework?"

Everyone froze.

Betty slowly turned her head. Layla winced. Richard looked away. Faye coughed into her hand. Wade stared at his shoes as if praying for mercy.

Axel’s gaze zeroed in on Wade. A single raised eyebrow. His gaze was enough to get Wade talking.

Wade’s smile twitched painfully. "Ugh... I... forgot... I... I am sorry, Lana..."

Axel sighed and looked back at Lana.

"There is an assignment. The deadline is today. Wade was in charge of telling everyone. Since you left after the lectures were over, he had forgotten to inform you."

Lana froze, staring at Wade with silent speechlessness. They had interacted for the past few days, and he still didn’t remind her. What type of memory does he even have?

’Goldfish memory!’ Mr. Crow cooed, and Lana almost had the urge to smack him.

Axel folded his arms.

"Since Wade ’forgot’ to inform you, he will assist you with the assignment. The deadline will be extended for you."

Wade didn’t protest. He didn’t dare.

He knew exactly why: Axel had a soft spot for women and a protective streak sharp enough to slice steel.

Wade sighed dramatically, shoulders drooping.

"Fine... I deserve this..."

’I bet if it were Richard whom I had forgotten to remind, he would have asked Richard to stay up all night and submit the assignment by 4 am. What a sin!’