Seeing Xiang Ning’s boldness, Fang Rou grew more confident. Her father said that he wouldn’t interfere with her relationships, and since she had chosen Xiang Ning, she must walk down the path with courage.
Fang Zhenyuan, to be honest, did intend to test and observe Xiang Ning. He might have said that he wouldn’t interfere, but this was still his daughter, so of course he wanted to check the kid out. In the end, he was very, very satisfied. Xiang Ning’s background was of no issue to him. Xiang Ning held the potential to achieve much more than him, a tier seven Sect Master. It all came down to whether he wanted to do it; that was something Fang Zhenyuan didn’t doubt in the least. In just half a year, the kid had improved from the Physical Tempering phase to a tier three martial artist. He even had attained Peak Mastery in a few skills. One’s cultivation level could be forcefully advanced through vast resources, but advancements in skill required true capability. It required true comprehension and accumulation of experience, as well as many battles with death itself.
How many brushes with death and duels with stronger opponents had Xiang Ning experienced since he’d stepped onto the scene? During the past six months, Xiang Ning had received treatment in recovery capsules more times than many would in ten years. His mildest injury that required a recovery capsule was a broken bone.
Was there any space for doubt? For denial?
The kid had been independent since he was young, even raising a younger sister on his own. He’d never had an easy life. However, since his arrival at Qiling Academy, he had shocked everyone like a comet breaking through the night sky.
Fang Zhenyuan deeply understood Xiang Ning to the core. He was a child with a good heart, one who was never beaten down by his circumstances and always fought his way up despite being knocked down again and again until he became an icon of admiration that everyone wanted to be.
Therefore, Fang Zhenyuan had a very positive impression of the boy.
But as a father, he still had to say what needed to be said. “I know you’re a good kid, but the world is huge, far beyond your imagination. There’s still much for you to experience. I’m not asking for perfection, but I ask you not to do anything that would hurt Fang Rou. Her mother left us early, and I might not be able to give them everything they want, but I am still their father. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Xiang Ning nodded. After some thought, he decided to keep his answer simple as he felt no words could be better than action. “I understand, Uncle Fang.”
Fang Zhenyuan nodded approvingly. He was also in a tight spot as he couldn’t seem like he was easily giving his daughter away, but if he was too strict with crazy tests, what if Xiang Ning thought he wasn’t liked and misunderstood that Fang Zhenyuan was hinting at him to leave his daughter? If Xiang Ning really left, it would be a great loss.
He was a young man that Old Zhao approved of. Through the subtle operations he ran to protect Xiang Ning in secret, he knew that the higher-ups definitely had their eyes on such an outstanding kid. He knew the tempers of many big players well. Hmph, they were all snakes, too, and he would never let anyone take advantage of the boy!
This interaction was basically the official confirmation of the youths’ relationship. Fang Rou hadn’t uttered a single word, but from the smile on her face, she seemed quite happy.
They chatted about recent events for about ten minutes, then Fang Zhenyuan stood up and said, “Xiang Ning, follow me. I’ve got some matters to discuss with you in private.”
Xiang Ning nodded and stood up, then followed Fang Zhenyuan upstairs to his study.
Fang Rou and Fang Hao were left in a daze. That was sudden! Fang Zhenyuan never let just anyone enter his study—did Xiang Ning have a secret identity they didn’t know of?
......
In his study, Fang Zhenyuan gestured for Xiang Ning to have a seat, then made two cups of tea, smiling as he said, “Hmm, I’m sure you’re aware of your situation after the events of the past few days and you must know the status you hold here. To tell the truth, there’s very few people in your generation as strong as you are. I think only the prodigies of North Star City can compete with your talent.”
He put down his cup and Xiang Ning waited patiently for him to elaborate.
“However, you must understand the importance of keeping a low profile. You stand out too much, causing too many people to target you. If they find out that you’re a core member of the dimensional ring research project, you’ll be in even more danger. There’s a saying: any tree will fall if there’s enough wind!”
Xiang Ning licked his lips and felt slightly nervous. He understood that he had attracted too much attention lately. He wanted to live a quiet life and didn’t want to be watched; it would be fine if he was alone, but he had a sister to consider.
“But don’t worry, excellent talents often enjoy great privileges. Security involving information about you will be tightened so that anyone looking for information on you will be monitored by the government. It should smooth out your path, but you must understand that you’ll still have to deal with the dangers ahead on your own. We don’t want a person who’s strong on paper but helpless in real life.”
“I have a question.” Xiang Ning meekly raised his hand.
“Ask away.”
“I’m still a student and I’ve never agreed to join any organizations.” Xiang Ning nervously licked his lips. He instantly regretted his question when Fang Zhenyuan grinned, his eyes squinting. Xiang Ning remembered hearing somewhere that people who grinned with their eyes were monsters.
As expected, Fang Zhenyuan chuckled and said, “First of all, you’ve stepped aboard the Chaos, which is a tier eight battleship and a high-level secret project kept confidential by the Federation. Second, the Devourer sitting in your dimensional ring also belongs to the Federation.…” As Fang Zhenyuan went down the list, Xiang Ning had a bad feeling that he was part of an organization without knowing it himself. He was already part of whatever group Fang Zhenyuan spoke of.
“Your Uncle Zhao would be happy to see you joining the group, too. Of course, don’t worry about it. Everything’s still voluntary, and what I said earlier was just to scare you.” Fang Zhenyuan seemed to be making a rare joke.
But Xiang Ning didn’t take it as a joke at all. “I understand, uncle Fang. Even without this discussion, I would’ve entered the military and joined the Federation, too, because the resources I received were given by them. I wouldn’t have entered Qiling Academy without their scholarship, and I wouldn’t have met all these people I treasure.” He’d once been extremely poor after all. Even though he had earned almost everything he had today with his own two hands, he wasn’t an ungrateful person.
Plus he had also met several military personnel and members of the Federation that had helped him along the way. Based on his experiences, he didn’t have anything against them, and becoming one of them had been his plan since his enrollment into Qiling Academy anyway. If he couldn’t make it as a cultivator, he would become a scientific researcher with the Federation or join the military.
“Alright, let’s talk about something else. I have a task for you. I still need to test you a little, though I’m sure you’re up for it.”
“Hmm?”
“I need you to protect someone,” Fang Zhenyuan solemnly said.
Seeing Xiang Ning’s boldness, Fang Rou grew more confident. Her father said that he wouldn’t interfere with her relationships, and since she had chosen Xiang Ning, she must walk down the path with courage.
Fang Zhenyuan, to be honest, did intend to test and observe Xiang Ning. He might have said that he wouldn’t interfere, but this was still his daughter, so of course he wanted to check the kid out. In the end, he was very, very satisfied. Xiang Ning’s background was of no issue to him. Xiang Ning held the potential to achieve much more than him, a tier seven Sect Master. It all came down to whether he wanted to do it; that was something Fang Zhenyuan didn’t doubt in the least. In just half a year, the kid had improved from the Physical Tempering phase to a tier three martial artist. He even had attained Peak Mastery in a few skills. One’s cultivation level could be forcefully advanced through vast resources, but advancements in skill required true capability. It required true comprehension and accumulation of experience, as well as many battles with death itself.
How many brushes with death and duels with stronger opponents had Xiang Ning experienced since he’d stepped onto the scene? During the past six months, Xiang Ning had received treatment in recovery capsules more times than many would in ten years. His mildest injury that required a recovery capsule was a broken bone.
Was there any space for doubt? For denial?
The kid had been independent since he was young, even raising a younger sister on his own. He’d never had an easy life. However, since his arrival at Qiling Academy, he had shocked everyone like a comet breaking through the night sky.
Fang Zhenyuan deeply understood Xiang Ning to the core. He was a child with a good heart, one who was never beaten down by his circumstances and always fought his way up despite being knocked down again and again until he became an icon of admiration that everyone wanted to be.
Therefore, Fang Zhenyuan had a very positive impression of the boy.
But as a father, he still had to say what needed to be said. “I know you’re a good kid, but the world is huge, far beyond your imagination. There’s still much for you to experience. I’m not asking for perfection, but I ask you not to do anything that would hurt Fang Rou. Her mother left us early, and I might not be able to give them everything they want, but I am still their father. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Xiang Ning nodded. After some thought, he decided to keep his answer simple as he felt no words could be better than action. “I understand, Uncle Fang.”
Fang Zhenyuan nodded approvingly. He was also in a tight spot as he couldn’t seem like he was easily giving his daughter away, but if he was too strict with crazy tests, what if Xiang Ning thought he wasn’t liked and misunderstood that Fang Zhenyuan was hinting at him to leave his daughter? If Xiang Ning really left, it would be a great loss.
He was a young man that Old Zhao approved of. Through the subtle operations he ran to protect Xiang Ning in secret, he knew that the higher-ups definitely had their eyes on such an outstanding kid. He knew the tempers of many big players well. Hmph, they were all snakes, too, and he would never let anyone take advantage of the boy!
This interaction was basically the official confirmation of the youths’ relationship. Fang Rou hadn’t uttered a single word, but from the smile on her face, she seemed quite happy.
They chatted about recent events for about ten minutes, then Fang Zhenyuan stood up and said, “Xiang Ning, follow me. I’ve got some matters to discuss with you in private.”
Xiang Ning nodded and stood up, then followed Fang Zhenyuan upstairs to his study.
Fang Rou and Fang Hao were left in a daze. That was sudden! Fang Zhenyuan never let just anyone enter his study—did Xiang Ning have a secret identity they didn’t know of?
......
In his study, Fang Zhenyuan gestured for Xiang Ning to have a seat, then made two cups of tea, smiling as he said, “Hmm, I’m sure you’re aware of your situation after the events of the past few days and you must know the status you hold here. To tell the truth, there’s very few people in your generation as strong as you are. I think only the prodigies of North Star City can compete with your talent.”
He put down his cup and Xiang Ning waited patiently for him to elaborate.
“However, you must understand the importance of keeping a low profile. You stand out too much, causing too many people to target you. If they find out that you’re a core member of the dimensional ring research project, you’ll be in even more danger. There’s a saying: any tree will fall if there’s enough wind!”
Xiang Ning licked his lips and felt slightly nervous. He understood that he had attracted too much attention lately. He wanted to live a quiet life and didn’t want to be watched; it would be fine if he was alone, but he had a sister to consider.
“But don’t worry, excellent talents often enjoy great privileges. Security involving information about you will be tightened so that anyone looking for information on you will be monitored by the government. It should smooth out your path, but you must understand that you’ll still have to deal with the dangers ahead on your own. We don’t want a person who’s strong on paper but helpless in real life.”
“I have a question.” Xiang Ning meekly raised his hand.
“Ask away.”
“I’m still a student and I’ve never agreed to join any organizations.” Xiang Ning nervously licked his lips. He instantly regretted his question when Fang Zhenyuan grinned, his eyes squinting. Xiang Ning remembered hearing somewhere that people who grinned with their eyes were monsters.
As expected, Fang Zhenyuan chuckled and said, “First of all, you’ve stepped aboard the Chaos, which is a tier eight battleship and a high-level secret project kept confidential by the Federation. Second, the Devourer sitting in your dimensional ring also belongs to the Federation.…” As Fang Zhenyuan went down the list, Xiang Ning had a bad feeling that he was part of an organization without knowing it himself. He was already part of whatever group Fang Zhenyuan spoke of.
“Your Uncle Zhao would be happy to see you joining the group, too. Of course, don’t worry about it. Everything’s still voluntary, and what I said earlier was just to scare you.” Fang Zhenyuan seemed to be making a rare joke.
But Xiang Ning didn’t take it as a joke at all. “I understand, uncle Fang. Even without this discussion, I would’ve entered the military and joined the Federation, too, because the resources I received were given by them. I wouldn’t have entered Qiling Academy without their scholarship, and I wouldn’t have met all these people I treasure.” He’d once been extremely poor after all. Even though he had earned almost everything he had today with his own two hands, he wasn’t an ungrateful person.
Plus he had also met several military personnel and members of the Federation that had helped him along the way. Based on his experiences, he didn’t have anything against them, and becoming one of them had been his plan since his enrollment into Qiling Academy anyway. If he couldn’t make it as a cultivator, he would become a scientific researcher with the Federation or join the military.
“Alright, let’s talk about something else. I have a task for you. I still need to test you a little, though I’m sure you’re up for it.”
“Hmm?”
“I need you to protect someone,” Fang Zhenyuan solemnly said.
