Please support the novel with your power stones, it motivates me. Thank you!
Chapter 64: Ji Juechen
According to Jing Ziyan, Ji Juechen was seventeen years old this year, yet his cultivation had only reached Level 41.
Outside the academy, that would already count as respectable talent.
But inside the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, that cultivation speed was nothing impressive.
The main reason was simple.
Ji Juechen was one of the very few soul masters in the Sun Moon Empire who refused to cultivate using drugs.
His main training method was to carry his sword on his back and constantly challenge outstanding students to sparring matches.
Over time, the students of the academy gave him a nickname:
"Sword Maniac."
For most students, he was someone they tried their best to avoid.
Not because they couldn't defeat him.
After all, Ji Juechen had only just entered the four-ring stage. A stronger Level 5 soul engineer could defeat him steadily.
What people disliked about him was his personality.
The man walked around with a cold face all day, and when he spoke to people it sounded like he was collecting debts.
Hardly anyone found him likable.
And once he targeted someone, a battle was almost inevitable.
Worse still, his fighting style was extremely sharp and aggressive.
Even people stronger than him would often break out in a cold sweat by the end of a match.
The most troublesome part was that he seemed to have a masochistic tendency.
The more he was beaten, the more excited he became.
Once he latched onto someone, he was like sticky gum—impossible to shake off.
As a result, aside from battle maniacs like Jing Ziyan, very few people in the academy could tolerate him.
Of course, those who disliked him were mostly the stronger students.
Among weaker female students, Ji Juechen was actually quite popular.
Most of that popularity came from his handsome face.
According to Jing Ziyan, she had never seen a man more handsome than Ji Juechen.
Maybe when Bai Chen grew up, he might have a chance to compete with him.
"Senior sister, could you let me watch a sparring match between you and him?"
Bai Chen asked.
"Hehe, of course."
Already somewhat dazzled by Bai Chen's flattery, Jing Ziyan smiled proudly.
After thinking for a moment, she said,
"How about this Saturday morning? Let's meet at the academy gate at nine."
"Okay!"
Bai Chen immediately agreed.
Afterward, Jing Ziyan informed Xuan Ziwen about the matter their teacher had assigned, then left.
Watching the laboratory door slowly close, Xuan Ziwen looked at Bai Chen.
"You're planning to approach Ji Juechen, aren't you?"
"Yes."
Bai Chen didn't bother hiding it from him.
Sitting down in a chair, he smiled.
"I'm from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect after all. I should help my sect recruit some talent."
Xuan Ziwen twitched slightly.
"You really don't treat me like an outsider, do you…"
"Of course not."
Bai Chen smiled lightly.
"And besides, I still haven't given up on recruiting you to my sect either."
"How straightforward."
Xuan Ziwen laughed.
He didn't dislike Bai Chen's blunt attitude.
In fact, he preferred this kind of direct relationship.
He also wasn't worried Bai Chen would suffer any losses when dealing with Ji Juechen.
Xuan Ziwen had interacted with Ji Juechen once before.
That man only cared about the sword.
His mind was even simpler than Jing Ziyan's.
Someone so single-minded could never outplay a little monster like Bai Chen.
Soon the weekend arrived.
Bai Chen showed up exactly on time at the agreed meeting spot.
"Ah, Bai Chen! You're here!"
As soon as he reached the academy gate, Jing Ziyan's voice called out loudly.
Looking over, he saw her waving enthusiastically.
Beside her stood a cold-faced young man.
The moment Bai Chen saw him, he immediately understood why this guy had fans despite his terrible personality.
If Bai Chen had to describe him—
Ji Juechen looked exactly like a classic stoic swordsman.
A heavy iron sword hung on his back.
His expression was cold, his aura distant, radiating the unmistakable feeling of "keep your distance."
Yet the girls passing by couldn't help glancing at him repeatedly.
Bai Chen walked over quickly and asked Jing Ziyan,
"Senior sister, is this the Senior Ji you mentioned?"
"Yes."
Jing Ziyan grinned proudly.
"See? I told you he's handsome."
Hearing her tone, Bai Chen's mouth twitched.
You sound like you're bragging about your crush, senior sister.
Her feelings were so obvious.
It was honestly impressive Ji Juechen had remained such a block of wood for so many years.
But Bai Chen had no intention of interfering in their relationship.
He simply smiled brightly and extended his hand toward Ji Juechen.
"Senior Ji really is handsome. Senior, nice to meet you. I'm Bai Chen, a student of Senior Jing's senior."
"…."
Ji Juechen looked at Bai Chen's extended hand.
After a moment of silence, he shook it.
Then—
His expression suddenly changed.
Bai Chen kept his innocent smile.
"Senior, after your spar with Senior Jing, could you give me a little guidance?"
"Wait, wait!"
Jing Ziyan panicked immediately.
"Little Bai Chen, I advise you not to fight him! This senior specializes in pure attack power. Sometimes he can't control himself—if he injures you—"
"Alright. I agree."
Before she could finish, Ji Juechen's cold voice interrupted her.
"Huh?"
Jing Ziyan blinked in confusion.
Ji Juechen was famously a man of few words.
Unless he recognized someone as a worthy opponent, he usually couldn't even be bothered to speak.
She had only managed to bring him here because she promised to spar with him.
He had shown zero interest in Bai Chen before.
That should have been the case.
But things weren't over yet.
Ji Juechen released Bai Chen's hand and said calmly,
"I look forward to fighting you."
After saying that, he gave Bai Chen a deep look.
Then he turned and walked away without another word.
"W-what? What?!"
Jing Ziyan became even more confused.
Ji Juechen was looking forward to fighting who?
Bai Chen?
Could he suddenly… want to kill someone?
Her mind filled with increasingly exaggerated guesses, all far from the truth.
The real reason was simple.
During the handshake, Bai Chen had subtly demonstrated his strength.
Even without using his martial soul, Bai Chen's physical power was already comparable to a strength-type Soul Ancestor.
In fact, it was already slightly above Ji Juechen's own strength.
Ji Juechen had always judged people purely by power.
He didn't care how young Bai Chen was.
If Bai Chen possessed strength worthy of attention, then he had no problem fighting a child.
In fact—
The fact that Bai Chen had such power at this age made Ji Juechen even more excited.