Chapter 62: The Roster is Finalized

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: The Roster is Finalized

Li Heng left.

Lin Jiangang had a subordinate drive him back.

Even though Li Heng was no longer at the City Combat Hall, the minds of Wang Junde and the others were still replaying all of Li Heng’s recent words and actions.

A young man like that was bound to leave a deep impression.

"Lin Jiangang, so what’s the plan now?"

Wang Junde hadn’t tried to stop Li Heng from leaving. He had simply taken a stalk of Sword Qi Grass from his Space Stone and handed it to him.

He’d also stated that regardless of the process or the outcome, Li Heng was entitled to the Sword Qi Grass.

Although Li Heng’s performance was stunning and incredibly impressive, he had still given up the opportunity to go to the national targeted exam. The last spot couldn’t remain empty.

"Anyway... Li Heng has withdrawn, so the city’s last spot will go to Zhang Xue!"

’What else could be done?’

Lin Jiangang felt he had already done everything he could and said everything he could.

If it had been anyone else acting so headstrong in front of him, doing things their own way, he would have taught them a lesson they’d remember for the rest of their lives—a very profound one, guaranteed.

But Li Heng was different!

Because before Lin Jiangang had the chance to leave a profound impression on him, he was the one left with a profound impression by Li Heng’s performance and conduct.

’It’s been so many years since I’ve seen such an outstanding young man of the Sword Way! In every respect, this Li Heng is just too strong!’

That was why Lin Jiangang ultimately didn’t try to stop him. He knew that a prodigy like this could no longer be swayed by material things; he would always remain true to himself.

No amount of persuasion would work.

Hearing Lin Jiangang agree to let his niece take the spot, Wang Junde wasn’t sure whether to be happy or worried. He glanced over at Zhang Xue.

Her expression was also hard to read, neither happy nor sad. Wang Junde even thought he detected a hint of... ’admiration?’

"Zhang Xue! Get your head straight and rest well for a couple of days! Over the next few days, I’ll give you special training. Strive for a good ranking!"

"Thank you, Uncle! But... is it really okay for me to take the spot?"

"It’s fine! Just focus on recovering! We can use these two days to gather and study up on intelligence about Moye Forest. By the way, have one of the staff members here take you home first. I still have some things to attend to."

Heeding Wang Junde’s words, Zhang Xue tactfully nodded and slowly left the Combat Hall under the guidance of a staff member.

To be honest, Zhang Xue felt she didn’t deserve this spot. It wasn’t just guilt; there was also a faint sense of resistance in her heart.

She also wished she could be like Li Heng, coolly refusing the offer and walking away, but she knew she could never turn down this opportunity.

Because participating in the national targeted secret realm exam was a huge opportunity for her, a major turning point in her life.

It could be described as her chance to "leap over the dragon’s gate."

An opportunity like this, even if she felt she didn’t deserve it, was something Zhang Xue would never refuse. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come here in the first place.

But before leaving the Combat Hall, a question couldn’t help but surface in Zhang Xue’s mind: ’If Li Heng is so strong, why have I never heard any rumors about him before?’

When it came to Thirteenth Middle School, she had only known of Wang Zhipeng, and later, Lin Tao. There was absolutely no information about Li Heng in her memory.

’And why would someone so powerful tear up their Teleportation Talisman midway through the mock college entrance exam?’

’It couldn’t possibly be as simple as running into a pack of Cold Ice Pythons!’

’With Li Heng’s strength, even if he had to flee, he definitely could have gotten away if he wanted to!’

Zhang Xue was deeply puzzled, but there was no one to give her answers now. The name "Li Heng" was destined to run through her mind all night; sleep was already a lost cause.

Watching Zhang Xue’s slowly retreating back, Wang Junde turned to Lin Jiangang and said, "How does it feel to let a future Sword Dao Grandmaster slip through your fingers?"

"The truth or a lie?"

"Let’s hear the lie first, then the truth."

"The lie? I’m so happy I could play a couple rounds of ’Fight the Landlord’ with you! The truth? I hope that from now on, whenever you play, every time you get a 3-4-5-6 straight, you’re missing the 7!"

"Do you have to be so vicious?"

Lin Jiangang’s expression was clearly sour. He retorted irritably, "Then why did you ask if you already knew? If Li Heng had really gone, not only would he have gained numerous benefits, but I definitely would have gotten a promotion! But I just can’t bring myself to be angry about it! I... I even kind of admire him!"

"Yeah! How many years has it been? At our age, we can still admire a young student! But... that Li Heng is really something else!" Wang Junde added, also feeling sentimental.

As if remembering something, Lin Jiangang’s tone shifted, becoming cool and detached. "Director Wang, your niece’s spot is confirmed, and the Sword Qi Grass has been given away. The Soul Energy Alliance is usually so busy, so I won’t keep you for a late-night snack. See yourself out."

"Hey, now! Let me discuss something with you!"

"I’m busy with work. Goodbye!"

Lin Jiangang turned to leave but was immediately pulled back by Wang Junde.

"I’ll talk to you about anything except Li Heng. If you have something to say, spit it out!" Lin Jiangang frowned after being pulled back, his tone extremely blunt.

But Wang Junde didn’t retort at all. Instead, he kept a smile plastered on his face and said in a pleading, wheedling tone, "Look, we’ve been brothers for over twenty years..."

"Spit it out!"

"For any future recommendations for Student Li Heng, like for Grandmaster applications, declarations, resumes, and so on... count me in, will you!"

"Get lost!"

—

When Li Heng got home, he found his parents hadn’t gone to bed yet. They were waiting for him in the living room, their faces etched with worry. The old couple only breathed a sigh of relief when he returned safely.

After calming his parents down, Li Heng told them a slightly edited version of the events that had transpired at the Combat Hall.

"That semi-explored secret realm... I felt it might have unknown risks, so I turned it down!"

"Hengzi, good on you for refusing! My son is a Soul Apprentice! A standard Soul Master certified by the Alliance! You can get into a Soul Energy University on your own merit; you don’t need to take part in some targeted exam or whatever!"

Zhang Yu Yao affirmed Li Heng’s decision before Li Guobin could even speak.

Li Guobin didn’t speak right away. He was silent for a moment before asking Li Heng, "So you refused. Didn’t that Manager Lin say anything? Will this affect your future exams... or other prospects?"

Li Heng understood both his parents’ reactions. One was worried about his safety, the other was considering his future.

This warmed Li Heng’s heart. He smiled and said, "It’s fine! I’m just an ordinary student. Those big shots are so busy with their work, are they really going to fight over me? Don’t worry... Mom, could you make me a bowl of noodles?"

"Okay! I’ll fry two eggs for you, too!"

"Yu Yao, make one for me too."

"If you want some, make it yourself." Zhang Yu Yao shot Li Guobin a glare, then slipped into the kitchen, took out two bowls, and started making the noodles.

Li Guobin seemed used to his wife’s attitude and paid it no mind. He began giving Li Heng some advice, and then, for some reason, he mentioned one last thing.

"Hengzi, remember this! You’re a Soul Master now. In the future, when you’re picking a girlfriend, make sure you find a gentle one. Whatever you do, don’t find someone who’s..."

In the kitchen, Zhang Yu Yao, who was making the noodles, had been listening to the conversation outside. Just as she got to the crucial part, the voice trailed off.

So, after a moment of thought, she silently put one of the bowls away...