Chapter Twenty-Six: The Biological Light Brain

All the scoring mentors were veterans, keen enough to spot the truth at a glance. They ultimately gave an average score of 7.83, which was remarkably high for someone who had just advanced to a Level Four Psychic Warrior.

After attaining Level Four, Luo Chen was eligible for the combat technique assessment. However, since he hadn’t learned any combat techniques yet, he didn’t participate.

When Luo Chen left the trial arena and walked towards the stands, he was still the focus of thousands of eyes. Yet, this time, the jeers were sparse, for his performance had been nothing short of extraordinary—more monstrous even than Shi Feng’s. Even those few who continued to mock him found their voices lacking conviction.

“How is this possible? Has that loser Luo Chen already become a Level Four Psychic Warrior?”

“Even if he managed a breakthrough, don’t forget—even Ellie and Kevin, when they reached Level Three in their second year, didn’t show such growth in their strength and sprint tests. Did Luo Chen take some kind of stimulant?”

“Heavens are blind! Luo Chen’s breakthrough is faster than mine, even though I am diligent and possess exemplary martial virtue!”

Amid the crowd’s discussions, Luo Chen returned to his class. The Breathing Art tutor, Hog, approached him with a kind smile. “Luo Chen, it seems you’ve broken through to Level Three Psychic Energy. Starting tomorrow, come learn the Qi Control Method with me.”

The other students looked at him with envy and jealousy. Now a Level Four Psychic Warrior, Luo Chen’s promotion to the Advanced Martial Arts Academy was a certainty.

Just then, the combat technique tutor Andrew arrived at Class Six. “Luo Chen, you’re now qualified to learn combat techniques. If you’re interested, come register with me after the tests are over—I’ll add you to the list of new students.”

Combat technique tutors at the Basic Martial Arts Academy were few—just five for the whole grade. After all, very few students broke through to Level Three at this stage, with each third-year class averaging fewer than ten. To conserve resources, one combat technique tutor served every three classes. Andrew was responsible for Classes Four, Five, and Six.

Combat techniques were essential tools for travel, survival, single combat, and group battles! Every Psychic Warrior dreamed of mastering them. Just imagine how spectacular Ellie’s Frost Strike was, not to mention its formidable power.

Of course, Luo Chen was an utter novice in combat techniques. He could not yet learn the powerful finishing moves like Frost Strike; he would have to start with the most basic techniques.

Still, he finally had the chance to learn something substantial—no more relying on disgraceful tricks like “Thunderbolt Invincible Super Savage Ruthless Soul-Chasing Powder.” Those tactics had no place in proper martial arts.

Without hesitation, Luo Chen replied, “Thank you, Tutor Andrew. I’ll be sure to register!”

――――――――I am the dividing line――――――――――――――――――――――

After the end-of-month tests, Luo Chen spent the whole day immersed in joy. So many good things had happened: his grades had soared, he could finally learn the Qi Control Method and combat techniques, and even the academy’s mocking voices had quieted; though people still pointed and whispered when he passed, their conversations had shifted from his internship scandal to his heroic feats during the tests.

When he returned to his dormitory, Shi Feng immediately grabbed him. “Damn, how did you improve so fast? Even I didn’t know about it! Come on, confess—or I’ll keep pestering you until you do!”

Luo Chen had no way to explain. He couldn’t very well say he’d been inexplicably rescued in the Ghoul Marsh and that some mysterious figure had pasted martial insights directly into his mind, causing his rapid progress. Shi Feng would certainly think he’d lost his mind.

So Luo Chen declared boldly, “Don’t make such a fuss. You have to understand—when you have good character, anything is possible. Ahahaha…”

“Good character?” Shi Feng sneered. “If you have good character, then I must be a saint!”

“You’re a freak! But honestly, I suspect you were a saint in your previous life; otherwise, why do you improve faster than this model student, even when all you do is sleep and chase girls?” Luo Chen glared at Shi Feng, feeling thoroughly aggrieved.

“That’s because I’m naturally brilliant.” Shi Feng grinned, but then added, “Wait a second, you’re changing the subject. Hmmm, you don’t need to explain—I already know the reason!”

Shi Feng looked at Luo Chen with a radiant smile that sent chills down Luo Chen’s spine. He thought, this guy must be up to something, but still asked, “What reason?”

“Dual cultivation—of course it’s dual cultivation! You got better right after you started dating. Every day you go out for rendezvous, must be dual cultivating, right? So heartless, did you drain that girl dry?”

Luo Chen: “…”

That night, Luo Chen didn’t go to the Thunderfall to practice as usual, because Shi Feng insisted on celebrating his progress and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Luo Chen, in high spirits, agreed for once.

Shi Feng was the happiest for Luo Chen’s achievement. Now that Luo Chen had advanced to Level Four Psychic Warrior and could move up to the Advanced Martial Arts Academy, the two could continue as brothers. Thus, Shi Feng sacrificed what was said to be his luckiest day for romance this year, somehow procured a few jugs of ale, and drank with Luo Chen until they were both thoroughly satisfied—ending the night in a drunken stupor.

Luo Chen had drunk before, but never so much. After hauling the thoroughly inebriated Shi Feng back to his room, Luo Chen, dizzy and disoriented, collapsed onto his own bed and quickly drifted into sleep.

Good mood brings good dreams. Luo Chen dreamed of mastering combat techniques as powerful as Frost Strike, slaying monsters in a single move—more dazzling than a beauty parading in nothing but underwear. Even in his dream, Luo Chen laughed aloud.

But his sweet dream was soon interrupted by a faint feminine voice: “Master, Master~~”

Luo Chen awoke with a start, but did not return to reality. Instead, he found himself in a pitch-black space—chaotic and boundless, with no borders. In the center, a cluster of white light floated.

The second time—this was not a dream!

Luo Chen’s awareness was crystal clear, a far cry from the muddled state of ordinary dreams.

But what on earth was going on?

“Wonderful! Our brainwave frequencies are finally perfectly synchronized. This place is your mental domain,” said the voice emanating from the cluster of white light, brimming with barely concealed excitement. “It’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time, my master!”

Luo Chen’s astonishment was beyond words, but he managed to control his emotions. The voice had warned him last time that too strong a reaction would break the connection. He needed to figure out what was happening.

“Who are you, where are you, and how do you know me?”

The voice belonged to a young woman, perhaps sixteen or seventeen, sweet and charming—a delight to the ear, easy to like. Her tone was lively, like a child who’d finally been allowed to go out and play after being locked away for ages. “Don’t worry, Master. All your questions will soon be answered. But first, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nicole, and I am a bio-neural computer from the era of ancient civilization.”