CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 39: INVESTIGATION (PART 3)

Looking regretfully at the simple Element Testing Instrument, Ning Ze said to Li Xing:

"Li Xing, after excessive use of the Primordial Spirit, there will be a period of weakness, during which the Primordial Spirit level will temporarily drop, but it will... recover later."

"Can it really recover? Do you guarantee it?"

Ning Ze really didn’t know how to answer. Isn’t that what people usually say when comforting someone? Typically no one would press that further! Besides, he wasn’t sure if Li Xing’s situation was temporary, so how could he make any guarantees.

Seeing Li Xing’s eyes full of anticipation, Ning Ze felt a pang of compassion.

There was no denying it, Li Xing was a rare talent. In terms of aptitude, combat power, and leadership, she was a standout among her peers. If she really got downgraded because of this incident and developed a psychological shadow, it would be like the Four Major Corps losing a potential talent.

Ning Ze thought it over and over, then took out a box and handed it to Li Xing.

"This is a high-grade Energy Stone, containing a large amount of Elemental Power. If you can absorb the energy within for your own use, I guarantee that the recovery of the Primordial Spirit level is very likely."

This Energy Stone was initially meant for Ning Ze’s nephew to enhance himself, yet somehow, it ended up in Li Xing’s hands. It shows that some things aren’t really yours until the last moment.

Receiving this precious high-grade Energy Stone, Li Xing’s eyes suddenly brightened.

An artificially made premium Spirit Stone, rumored to be valued at a million star coins. If converted to low-grade Crystal Stones, how big of a pile must that be? Enough for her to indulge for a while!

Li Xing was overjoyed. She was about to grin when she caught sight of Yang Zhou’s half-smiling expression out of the corner of her eye, quickly adjusting her facial expression and weakly but sincerely thanking Ning Ze.

Yang Zhou lowered his eyes, cursing internally, "Little fox."

Over the years, he had been deceived countless times, developing some resistance. He didn’t believe a word Li Xing just said.

Dizzy and nauseous? Nauseous yet able to eat nonstop? Seeing her demotion to B-level without a trace of panic, anyone could tell she hadn’t taken the testing seriously at all!

Ning Ze is still too naive, deserving to be tricked out of an Energy Stone.

"Li Xing, I heard you carry a large pot with you, and used it to catch quite a few Wolf-headed Bats, is that true?"

Due to the camera angle issues, Li Xing’s heroic act of throwing the cauldron wasn’t recorded, but almost all her classmates mentioned Li Xing’s miraculous pot during inquiries, saying she used it to turn Wolf-headed Bats to ashes, leaving no Crystal Stones behind. Such crucial information was hard for Ning Ze to ignore.

"Mm, it’s true."

"Can I take a look?"

"No!" Yang Zhou really knew how to protect her when necessary, "That is Li Xing’s personal belonging; no one has the right to inspect it."

"I’m not inspecting it, I’m just curious to see what kind of pot can roast Wolf-headed Bats to ashes."

"That’s still not allowed!"

"Elder, a pot isn’t a weapon; it shouldn’t be protected by privacy laws."

Yang Zhou was speechless, simply closing his eyes, leaving it up to Li Xing to decide.

The people of Qianyuan Continent lived under the threat of Star Beasts for generations, hence had rich martial virtues and ancestral lineage. Anyone’s weapon could have a significant background, passed down from an ancestor who was a famous hero within the Federation, inscribed with some impressive enchantments or talismans.

To ensure weapons’ exclusivity and privacy, and to reduce occurrences of killing for weapons, the Federation Government specifically issued a statute, to punish those who peek at others’ weapons without permission, as it threatens personal safety.

A pot really isn’t protected under that law.

Li Xing didn’t take this seriously; having received a high-grade Energy Stone, she had to cooperate fully. Generously, she brought out the Shennong Cauldron and placed it in front of Ning Ze.

The Shennong Cauldron was a Spiritual Treasure grade Medicine Cauldron. Li Xing wasn’t bluffing; with the spiritual power of the people present, they wouldn’t have been able to discover its special attributes at all.

The Shennong Cauldron in Li Xing’s hands was like a pearl covered in dust, suffering abuse, blown up into an oven every day, or used to cook all sorts of odd stews. Recently, it was even used for cremating Wolf-headed Bats; luckily, it hadn’t yet given birth to an Artifact Spirit or gained consciousness, otherwise it would have surely packed up and left.

Ning Ze looked at this big pot in front of him; its material resembled refined steel, particularly substantial, with the bottom of the pot covered in black soot from smoke and flames, forming a patina, likely highly heat-resistant, no wonder it could turn Wolf-headed Bats to ashes.

Ning Ze suddenly recalled a comment from an A-grade Earth Elemental Spirit student about Li Xing: both abnormal and a big eater, simply abnormal in appetite.

Hmm, judging by the wear and tear on the pot, it seemed like it’s been in long-term use, able to eat yet staying so slim, truly anomalous.

"Alright, put it away. Li Xing, I have one last question."

"Commander, please go ahead."

"Do you have any intention of joining our First Corps in the future?"

Reserve military academies have a five-year program. However, starting from the third year, students have to intern in military units, and those units usually become the ones they formally serve in the future.

The Four Major Corps begin scouting to recruit talent as early as the first year of reserve status, so Ning Ze’s question was not too early.

Li Xing turned her head: "Principal, which corps were you originally from?"

Yang Zhou glanced at the smiling Ning Ze, answering solemnly, "First Corps."

"Oh. Then do you think the First Corps is good?"

Ning Ze and Xue Ji seemed even more eager for Yang Zhou’s response than Li Xing, their eyes intently fixed on him.

"...Good."

Ten years gone, he still dreamed of that place every day, how could it not be good?

"I mean, is the food good?"

Yang Zhou: ... You glutton facing retribution!

Yang Zhou’s sorrowful emotions lasted only a few seconds before Li Xing completely disarmed him, glaring at her fiercely.

"Hahaha, the cuisine of our First Corps is top-notch among the Four Major Corps, you surely won’t regret coming over."

Seeing the former unspeaking and strictly principled superior being yanked around by this little girl, Ning Ze felt a sort of vindictive pleasure.

"Then I will join the First Corps."

Ning Ze was overjoyed: "Li Xing, on behalf of all soldiers of the First Corps, we welcome you to join us!"

Yang Zhou smirked slightly, inwardly thinking, you better lower the food standards over the next couple of years, otherwise, her lone presence could drive you into a famine.

"Alright, that concludes the Military Department’s inquiry. I wonder if Vice Director Li has anything to add?"

Overwhelmed by the honor, Li Shan quickly shook his hands: "No, no, Major General Ning has asked very thoroughly. After returning, I will make a detailed report on this inquiry’s outcome to the Director."

Though it was a joint inquiry by the Military Department and the Education Bureau, it was mainly the military investigating something, but since the person being scrutinized was a student from a basic school, the Education Bureau was dragged along as a mere formality. Li Shan understood well, knowing he was just there as a backdrop today, was it his place to add anything?

Yang Zhou: "Since Major General Ning is done, I’ll add a few words. Vice Director Li, teachers and students from Datang Academy intercepted the rampaging Wolf-headed Bats, ensuring Datang City residents’ safety. Doesn’t the Education Bureau owe some recognition for this achievement?"

Li Shan began to perspire again. Over the past few years, due to parental complaints, the Education Bureau had many dealings with this military-trained principal.

Initially assuming he was a mere roughneck, unable to articulate any profound logic, and could be intimidated into submission with policies. But turns out, he had a better mind than them, easily quoting rules and regulations, refusing to yield an inch. Every discussion ended with the Education Bureau top to bottom being scolded harshly by him, yet they dared not protest.

Why didn’t they dare? Because Principal Yang was both learned and skilled in martial arts, angering him would lead to beatings. Their director was a living example, having been hospitalized several times.

After several confrontations, no one in the Education Bureau dared to provoke Principal Yang anymore. Upon hearing of the joint inquiry at Datang Academy, everyone avoided it like the plague. Li Shan, merely being slow to react with his words, was forcefully appointed by the director, leaving him to brace himself and go.