Chapter 118: Three Conditions

"Indeed," Douglas said, "but they are merely similar; certainly not of the Heavenly Realm."

"Nonsense!" Reize exclaimed. "Even if the kid started training from his mother's womb, it would be impossible to reach the Heavenly Realm at seventeen or eighteen!"

"However, Luo Chen is indeed unconventional. Sean has investigated him; he possesses only Level 5 psychic energy, and it appears he broke through quite recently. Not long ago, during a brawl with another Level 5 upper-tier student at Blue Emperor Academy, he used a Great Hand Seal to overcome that student's family martial art, the Tiger Radiance Break, which, if graded, falls into the Level 4 Grade B category. Even more," Douglas paused, "later, the student, in a fit of rage, consumed a Berserker Pill and unleashed the Tiger God's Fury—a technique that could be classified as Level 5 Grade B—yet he still lost to Luo Chen!"

Lude was stunned. "If he took a Berserker Pill, his strength should have increased significantly. Since that student was already stronger than Luo Chen to begin with and possessed a higher-grade technique, he should have been invincible. There is no reason he should have lost!"

Reize chimed in, "Who says there's no reason? If Yuqing were to fight that student with Level 5 psychic energy, she could finish him off just the same!"

Lude replied speechlessly, "Old Reize, how many Yuqings are there in this world? She was cultivated by our collective efforts. As for that Luo Chen, I heard he is just an orphan who entered the primary martial arts academy as a special admission student. The education he received was quite mediocre."

"It was a mediocre education, but Luo Chen created his own martial art. When he defeated that enraged student, he used a technique we have never seen before, one that also carried a sacred attribute. Sean has also sparred with him; if it weren't for the fact that Luo Chen's power level is still too low, even Sean would have suffered a loss."

"A sacred attribute—that happens to be the nemesis of Sean's dark attribute!" Lude was deeply puzzled. "To think he could create his own technique. How could Luo Chen have progressed so rapidly?"

Douglas said, "Sean also looked into his situation at the primary martial arts academy. Shortly before graduation, Luo Chen was still an unremarkable student. But starting from a mid-month strength test, he began to improve continuously. The data was quite astonishing, which is why the Blue Emperor Academy, a top-tier martial arts institution on the Canglan Continent, broke its rules to guarantee his admission."

Byerwen frowned. "Could it be that Luo Chen has had an 'epiphany'?"

"Preliminary estimates suggest this is the most likely possibility. There is no other logical explanation. Perhaps that aura of the Heavenly Realm he displayed was also a result of this epiphany. Those who experience such awakenings always possess unique traits that even we cannot fully comprehend," Douglas said. "Regardless, that Luo Chen is worth our attention. I have already asked Sean and the others to keep an eye on him. Hopefully, we will discover something."

As high-ranking members of the Sacred Martial Hall's research department, these individuals of the Heavenly Realm were naturally interested in any special cases related to martial arts, so this decision was hardly surprising and received unanimous approval.

At this moment, Luo Chen had no idea that by being placed on the Sacred Martial Hall's watchlist, his destiny had already begun to shift in ways he could not foresee.

Two nights later, at Blue Emperor Academy, Zhuo Yuqing was walking along the path by the maple grove after finishing her cultivation with her roommates, Sarah and the round-faced fangirl Lulu, when a faint aura emanated from the woods. Others might not have sensed it, but she was able to detect it.

"Ah, I suddenly feel like taking a walk. Sarah, Lulu, you two go ahead!" With that, Zhuo Yuqing darted into the maple grove.

Sarah asked with concern, "It's so late, where are you going, Yuqing?"

The fangirl pouted, "I bet she's going to find that Luo Chen again. I really don't know what's so good about him. Kevin is the school heartthrob—handsome, gentlemanly, and sunny—yet she doesn't even pay him any mind. But that's fine; it gives me a chance!"

Sarah said helplessly, "Lulu, I really can't stand you. You talk about Kevin all day long. You're the opposite of Yuqing; you're such a fangirl!"

"Who can help it when Kevin is so outstanding? Tee-hee..."

As they chatted, Zhuo Yuqing had already reached the depths of the woods. Only when she was out of sight did she stop. "Come out."

The hunchbacked old man, the holy servant Sean, stepped out from the darkness. "Congratulations, Miss. Your wish has been granted. From today on, you will have your own independent life and freedom. However, the masters have their conditions."

Zhuo Yuqing was overjoyed, but she forced herself to remain calm. "What are the conditions?"

"First, continue practicing the mental cultivation technique imparted by the masters. Second, undergo regular physical check-ups. Especially when you feel your condition is abnormal, it is best to contact me proactively; this is for your own good. Although your current state is stable, the potential hidden dangers of this technique could erupt at any time. Professor Jenny, who usually examines you, has already set off from the Sacred Light Continent. She will arrive in Miracle City in a few days and be stationed at the Council Mansion."

"Third, and this is the most important: you may make male friends, but you must not engage in intimate relationships with any man! If you violate this, the technique you have cultivated will be ruined, and it will be impossible for you to grow into the perfect new human the masters aim for. You know the consequences!"

Zhuo Yuqing certainly knew. Those old immortals had poured their life's work into this research; if she lost her value, it would surely enrage them, and that would be the moment they would take her life.

However, these were all acceptable, because she had gained what she wanted. "Just these three conditions?"

"Yes, just these three," Sean said, his figure already fading into the darkness. Yet his voice still reached Zhuo Yuqing's ears: "Miss, as long as you do not violate these three conditions, you will lead a very happy life. We will not interfere in anything else you do. So, please, enjoy your life!"

Until Sean departed, Zhuo Yuqing still could not believe it. She had truly succeeded; she had attained the freedom she had dreamed of. From this day on, she would be able to live like an ordinary girl. Although she had not completely broken free from the Sacred Martial Hall, this was enough. Zhuo Yuqing was satisfied; she could not ask for more. The three conditions set by the Sacred Martial Hall were absolutely the limit of what they could tolerate.

Zhuo Yuqing was almost delirious with joy. That silly kid was right: when you crave something and fail to obtain it, it is not because it is too hard to get, but because your efforts have not been enough!