Chapter 189 - 162: Joining

Chapter 189: Chapter 162: Joining

"What’s wrong?" Liang Jin asked calmly. He sat behind his spacious desk in his office, holding a cup of hot tea as he looked at Zhou Mu, who seemed a bit distracted.

Zhou Mu was his student and had been with him for quite a few years. Looking the way he did today, something was clearly on his mind.

"It’s that Ji Zhixing," Zhou Mu replied. Hearing his teacher’s inquiry, he took a deep breath to suppress the turbulence in his heart. "He has broken through to become a Tier Three Genetic Cultivator.

"Furthermore, he caused a huge commotion in the Spirit Ruins Treasure Land this time."

"Oh?" Liang Jin set his teacup down, his expression instantly filled with interest. "Tell me, what kind of commotion did he cause?"

Zhou Mu didn’t hide anything and immediately relayed what Bai Yuan had told him.

"He developed a five-star quality genetic ability?" A hint of surprise flashed in Liang Jin’s eyes as he listened. He then nodded. "Not bad. This is a good thing.

"This shows that the little guy truly has hope of evolving his genes to the Morning Star Level."

He paused, sighing with emotion. "It seems that when he chose not to take the Six-armed Moon-devouring Demon Ape genes back then, it might have really been just as he said—he was fully confident in himself."

"Teacher," Zhou Mu said, a bit of unwillingness in his voice. "Even if he really can evolve his genes to the Morning Star Level, so what?

"Can it compare to the Tier Six Blazing Sun Level Six-armed Moon-devouring Demon Ape genes? There’s still the Radiant Moon Level standing between the Morning Star Level and the Blazing Sun Level!"

Liang Jin shook his head, looking at Zhou Mu with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"And how do you know he won’t be able to evolve his genes to the Tier Six Blazing Sun Level in the future?" he said slowly. "Remember this from now on: as teachers, we shouldn’t easily dismiss our students.

"Especially when a student has their own goals and ideals."

He paused, picked up his teacup, and took a sip. "Although, personally speaking, I also believe his chances of reaching that step are slim to none.

"However, we shouldn’t voice such thoughts. Even if we do, we can’t let them reach the ears of others."

Zhou Mu remained silent for a moment before finally nodding. "Yes, Teacher."

But in his heart, he still didn’t believe Ji Zhixing could go very far. Going from Tier Three to Tier Four was a massive hurdle, and moving from Tier Four to Tier Five was another. Each of these hurdles could stop ninety-nine percent of people. Why should someone like Ji Zhixing, who started by fusing with Tier One genes, be able to break through all the way?

Liang Jin looked at Zhou Mu’s expression and didn’t say anything more. Some things required time to prove. He actually hoped Ji Zhixing would prove that he had misjudged him.

Meanwhile, just as Ji Zhixing was getting a little excited, Xiao Mingyue stood up and looked at him with a beaming smile. "Alright, whatever it is you want to do, it will have to wait until tonight.

"While we still have time, let’s go exchange for the resources you need first."

Ji Zhixing felt helpless. He could only do as she suggested, changing into a clean set of clothes before walking out of the villa with her. Together, they headed to Yu City University’s Resource Building.

"Hello, I’d like to exchange five million points for Earth Core Stone Marrow," Ji Zhixing told the staff member.

"Five million points worth of Earth Core Stone Marrow?" The staff member paused, looking up at Ji Zhixing as if recognizing him. "Sure, please wait a moment." He nodded and operated the screen in front of him.

A few minutes later, someone from the back brought over ten porcelain bottles and handed them over.

After inspecting them, the staff member handed the bottles to Ji Zhixing. "These are the items you requested. You can check them before you leave."

"Alright." Ji Zhixing nodded, then checked the Earth Core Stone Marrow alongside Xiao Mingyue.

"No problem," Xiao Mingyue confirmed with a nod.

Hearing this, Ji Zhixing immediately stored the Earth Core Stone Marrow into his Genetic Melting Furnace. This was exactly what he planned to use to develop his Innate Stone Embryo ability. For his Boulder Physique to transform into the Innate Stone Embryo, it required absorbing a massive amount of stone-attribute natural treasures. Earth Core Stone Marrow was one of the more effective ones.

Of course, five million points worth of Earth Core Stone Marrow definitely wouldn’t be enough. Therefore, he was only buying a portion this time to test the effects. If the results were good, he would continue buying more later. If not, he would switch to other high-quality stone-attribute natural treasures.

"Let’s go. Next, we’ll take a trip to Teacher Yang Manni’s place." After securing the Earth Core Stone Marrow, Xiao Mingyue turned to Ji Zhixing. "Both of your genes have evolved to Tier Three. Barring any accidents, you should be able to join the Genius Class now.

"Joining the Genius Class—if nothing else—comes with excellent benefits and treatment."

"Alright." Ji Zhixing nodded, and the two of them headed toward Yang Manni’s office.

On their way to the staff building, Ji Zhixing glanced at Xiao Mingyue. He got the distinct feeling that she was nervous, so she wanted to do things with him to help herself relax. However, he didn’t point it out. He simply held her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Upon arriving at Yang Manni’s office, Ji Zhixing knocked on the door.

"Come in," Yang Manni’s voice called out from within.

Ji Zhixing pushed the door open and entered with Xiao Mingyue.

Seeing them, Yang Manni’s eyes lit up. She joked, "What’s this? Ji Zhixing, you reaped such a massive harvest in the Spirit Ruins Treasure Land this time; shouldn’t you be properly celebrating? Why did you come looking for me?"

"Teacher Yang, I’m here to apply to join the Genius Class," Ji Zhixing stated.

"Apply to join the Genius Class?" Yang Manni paused before asking in disbelief, "I heard you developed the five-star quality Size Manipulation ability.

"Don’t tell me your Staff Soldier Stone Monkey genes evolved straight into Tier Four Morning Star Level genes?"

"It’s not that exaggerated," Ji Zhixing quickly shook his head. "My Staff Soldier Stone Monkey genes did indeed evolve, but they only evolved into the Tier Three Ten-foot Stone Monkey genes.

"The reason I came to apply for the Genius Class is that my other genes, the Five-Colored Willow Tree genes, evolved into the Tier Three Thunder-Silent Willow Tree genes.

"So, I wanted to ask you, Teacher Yang, to see if I could enter the Genius Class."

"Are you saying that both of your genes are now at the Tier Three level?" Yang Manni asked in disbelief.

Although this answer wasn’t as exaggerated as him evolving his genes to Tier Four, it was still shocking to her. After all, before entering the Spirit Ruins Treasure Land, Ji Zhixing had only just evolved his Willow Tree genes into the Five-Colored Mutant Willow Tree genes and had only recently entered the Elite Class. And yet, his Willow Tree genes had already evolved again?

"Yes," Ji Zhixing nodded. "I just got lucky and came across quite a few treasures in the Spirit Ruins Treasure Land that were useful to me."

"Forget it, I won’t interrogate you." Hearing his response, Yang Manni waved her hand dismissively before telling him, "Give me your student ID. I’ll get this sorted for you right now."

Ji Zhixing hurriedly handed over his student ID.

Yang Manni took the ID card and operated her computer, inputting his information and confirming his qualifications.

"After joining the Genius Class, you get an additional bonus of three million points every semester. I’ll transfer that to you in a moment," she said, looking up at Ji Zhixing.

"Thank you very much, Teacher Yang," Ji Zhixing quickly expressed his gratitude.

"Keep up the good work. I truly have high hopes for you now." Yang Manni handed his student ID back with a smile. "I hope that someday in the future, you really will be able to evolve your genes to the Tier Four Morning Star Level."

"That day will come," Ji Zhixing nodded with certainty.

He couldn’t guarantee anything else, but Tier Four Morning Star Level genes were no longer far off for him. Once he developed the Innate Stone Embryo ability, the Ten-foot Stone Monkey genes would be able to evolve into the Ruyi Stone Monkey genes. When that time came, he would be a Cultivator fused with Tier Four Morning Star Level genes.

"Alright, off you go." Yang Manni waved her hand.

After bidding Yang Manni farewell, Ji Zhixing and Xiao Mingyue left the office.

By the time they walked out of the staff building, it was already getting late. The two didn’t return directly to Xiao Mingyue’s villa. Instead, they walked aimlessly through the Yu City University campus hand in hand. The tree-lined avenues of the campus were quiet, flanked by towering parasol trees whose leaves rustled softly in the breeze.

They walked until the sky had completely darkened. Ji Zhixing turned to Xiao Mingyue and asked, "Are you still nervous?"

Xiao Mingyue’s breath hitched. She turned to look at him. "Are you not nervous?"

"I’m a guy. Guys only feel anticipation for this kind of thing."

Xiao Mingyue shot him an eye roll. Then, she silently turned around and started heading toward the villa.

"Ming Yue!"

Upon entering the villa, Ji Zhixing immediately wrapped an arm around her waist, looking at her with a burning gaze. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Xiao Mingyue didn’t evade him. Meeting his gaze, she nodded gently.

Ji Zhixing didn’t say anything more. He lowered his head and kissed her.

Xiao Mingyue’s body tensed slightly for a moment before slowly relaxing. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she returned his kiss. The soft light in the living room cast their intertwined shadows on the wall.

A long while later, Xiao Mingyue gently pushed him away, her cheeks flushed and her breathing somewhat ragged.

"Take me upstairs. Carry me," she murmured softly, her voice carrying a hint of shyness. "Tonight, everything I have belongs to you."

Ji Zhixing nodded, scooping her up into his arms and carrying her upstairs.

The night passed in silence.

The next morning, sunlight spilled into the room through the gaps in the curtains. Ji Zhixing slowly opened his eyes, feeling invigorated all over. He turned his head to look at the woman beside him. The fair-skinned Xiao Mingyue was lying on her side, one arm draped across his body. There were still a few lingering marks on her skin from last night.

Ji Zhixing smiled. Rather than waking her up, he closed his eyes and sensed the changes within his body.

Right after the two of them completed their most intimate exchange last night, she had shared one of her abilities with him. At the time, Xiao Mingyue didn’t mention what ability she was sharing. Ji Zhixing had no idea, either. But after a night had passed, with a stir in his heart, he immediately sensed the information regarding this ability.