"Mr. Fengying told me this morning... next month, he's leading a group of juniors to assist in the Middle East. He asked if I wanted to go, and I agreed," Jiang Xinyu said, stirring her drink and looking at Wang Lan with some apprehension.

"Mm, you're always cautious, and your strength isn't bad. I don't have much to worry about. Go ahead. Today, Yu Ruoyun also invited me to team up to enter the Nine-layer Pagoda, and I agreed."

A sharp gaze, like a knife, shot towards him.

"Why didn't you discuss it with me?"

Wang Lan had a retort ready. You agree to go abroad without discussing it with me, and now you're reacting so strongly to me participating in a school trial? Talk about a double standard...

But under Jiang Xinyu's intense gaze, Wang Lan didn't try to argue much.

"She values my medical abilities. I'm going as medical support, and she has specifically arranged for people to protect me. Besides, this is a school trial ground, with teachers supervising. The danger level is far lower than you going abroad. Yu Ruoyun is at the peak of the Galaxy Stage, but I've discovered her true strength is likely far greater. Her real strength should be at the Star Sea Stage."

"Yes! I know that. She has the Azure Dragon Skill and a Star Martial Skill similar to your Phoenix Form, called Dragon Emperor Form." Jiang Xinyu's expression softened considerably after Wang Lan's explanation.

"You're different now. You're not just an ordinary warrior; you're also a globally renowned scientist..."

"Wait a minute! Me? A scientist?" Wang Lan always felt that title was far removed from him. Besides, he was just a freshman. Without a doctorate or a professorship, how could he be called a scientist?

"Yes! Your contribution to the Star Martial Toxin Vaccine is irreplaceable. Therefore, you're naturally considered one of the great scientists who have influenced human history. There's significant international acclaim for your work. So, no matter what, you cannot put yourself in danger."

"You're overthinking it. I am who I am; I was before, and I will be in the future. These empty titles mean nothing. I'm a scientist now, and soon enough, they'll call me an inventor. Isn't it all a bit much?"

"An inventor? What have you come up with this time?"

"I invented a type of Soul Bead grenade. It involves imprinting a Star Martial Skill onto a Soul Bead. When you throw the Soul Bead, it activates the Star Martial Skill, just like a grenade... Wait, are you done eating?"

"Hm?" Jiang Xinyu struggled to keep up with Wang Lan's scattered thoughts but nodded nonetheless.

"Come with me."

Holding Jiang Xinyu's hand, Wang Lan hurriedly rode the electric scooter back to the university. Looking at the school gate, Jiang Xinyu felt a little dejected.

She had finally managed to get some time with Wang Lan, planning for it to be a date. And what does he do? After one meal, he drags her right back here?

But seeing Wang Lan's excited expression, Jiang Xinyu became somewhat curious about where he was taking her.

The university's laboratory building was primarily for students' lab classes. Of course, it was also where some professors and scholars conducted their research. To have a private laboratory in this building, one had to be a world-class scientist. And Wang Lan, as it happened, had one.

Although not large, less than seventy square meters, it still made Jiang Xinyu look at him in a new light.

This laboratory had been specially approved for Wang Lan by Dean Nangong after he invented the Soul Bead grenades. The purpose? To have Wang Lan produce more Soul Bead grenades—ideally, a hundred S-level Soul Bead grenades a day. The more, the better. Of course, it wasn't pro bono work. Besides a salary, he also received Academic Credits.

"This is where I make the Soul Bead grenades. Come, I'll show you some good stuff."

Saying this, he opened a safe and took out three aluminum alloy briefcases.

"These briefcases contain Soul Bead grenades I made. The fire-attribute, medium-quality Soul Beads are imprinted with the S-level Star Martial Skill, Earth Surge Fire Sea. The non-attribute, medium-quality Soul Beads are imprinted with Purple Flame Arrow, and the blue ones contain Thunder Snake Drill.

And these white ones—I made a few extra. They contain my Medical Star Martial Technique, Song of Life. Medium-quality Soul Beads can heal fatal injuries. The smaller ones are for minor injuries.

Use the small Soul Beads for non-fatal injuries. These are all for you."

"For me? But this is school property! You're giving them to me? No, I can't!" Jiang Xinyu quickly waved her hands.

"I've already submitted the ones made for the school. These were made from leftover materials, so they're mine."

"Soul Beads don't have leftover materials, do they?"

"Soul Beads themselves might not have 'leftover materials,' but their creation process has failure rates. Do you think making Soul Bead grenades is easy? It's precision work. A Level Seven Spiritual Engraving Master achieving a thirty percent success rate is already impressive. My success rate is fifty percent, and the school is thrilled."

"Fifty percent?" Jiang Xinyu's brow twitched slightly. "So, the other fifty percent—the 'failures'—are all here?"

"Yeah. Since Soul Bead grenades are handmade, this is all I could accumulate in a week. Anyway, you're not going abroad until next month. I'll make more for you after I come out of the Nine-layer Pagoda."

"This... Is this really okay?" Jiang Xinyu still felt uneasy. Although these were valuable items, and it would be a lie to say she didn't want them—especially the medical Soul Beads. With Wang Lan not by her side, Jiang Xinyu felt insecure, but having these made her feel as if she were still fighting alongside him.

"What's not okay about it? Would it be better to let Professor Zheng waste them?"

Jiang Xinyu's eyes darted. "Wait, does this mean your skill in Spiritual Engraving has surpassed Professor Zheng Gong's? I remember you only started learning Spiritual Engraving after you came here, right?"

"Probably. Actually, Spiritual Engraving is just like Star Martial Art; once the Ren Du meridians are cleared, learning it is very fast."

"The Ren Du meridians?"

"It's about fundamental conditions. Think about it: if someone with a photographic memory enters a memorization contest, isn't that like cheating? Others need to memorize, but he just needs to glance at it.

Similarly, there are only three conditions for Spiritual Engraving: exceptional spiritual power, exceptional control over one's mind and Star Power, and understanding and mastering the methods of Spiritual Engraving.

I was naturally at the maximum level for the first two conditions. As for the last one, I understood it just by reading some books. So, learning it wasn't difficult at all. I think Xie Sisi is also excelling in Spiritual Engraving. You two must have been in contact."

"That's true. Sisi is progressing very quickly. In just two months, she seems to have reached the peak of the Star Shine Stage. Don't change the subject!" Jiang Xinyu's gaze swept over the Soul Bead grenades, and a cunning smile suddenly appeared on her face.

"The academy suddenly raised the graduation standard for Spiritual Engraving to Level Seven. That was because of you, wasn't it?"

"That wasn't me. I didn't do it. Don't spread rumors."

"You just gave the classic three denials. It must have been you. So, that means the production of Soul Bead grenades will soon be part of the curriculum. And passing Level Seven actually means being able to make Soul Bead grenades, right?"

"As expected of Jiang Xinyu. You figured it out so quickly."

"Hmph! Do you know how many upperclassmen have sworn to find the person who caused their graduation to be delayed, or even made it impossible for them to graduate? One senior student even offered a reward of five mid-grade Soul Beads."

"You wouldn't sell me out, I'm sure."

"Oh, you're so sure? That's not just money; that's five mid-grade Soul Beads. With five mid-grade Soul Beads, I might be able to break through from the middle Star Cloud Stage to the late Star Cloud Stage. You're already in the late Star Cloud Stage, and I'm still not."

"There are twenty right here in front of you. Besides, how could you bear to see me hunted down by the upperclassmen? Oh, right, I prepared these especially for you."

Saying this, he pushed three mid-grade Soul Beads towards Jiang Xinyu.

"What? More Soul Bead grenades?"

"No, these are Crescent Arrow, Star Cloud Sword Dance, and the Phantom Tracer Star Martial Skill. As soon as I learned Spiritual Engraving, I immediately crafted these three Star Martial Skills. They're all non-attribute, so you can cultivate them."

"I..." At that moment, Jiang Xinyu was truly moved.

The man before her, though frustratingly dense and never having explicitly confessed his feelings, showed his affection for Jiang Xinyu in such a direct and pure way.

Wang Lan had given her almost everything he could! No amount of sweet talk could compare to what Wang Lan had given her today.

"Thank you..."

"Why are you thanking me? Since it's just the two of us here in Modu City, of course, we should support each other through thick and thin."

"I'll just take these three Star Martial Skills then. You keep those Soul Bead grenades for yourself."

"What use would they be to me? They're all Star Martial Skills I already know. Why would I need Soul Bead grenades? Can't I cast them myself? Besides, I won't have to worry about running out of Star Power in the Nine-layer Pagoda, so I don't need them at all. Don't be so hesitant; that's not the Jiang Xinyu I know."

"Hmph! Then, thanks!"

"Attagirl!"

Just as he and Jiang Xinyu left the laboratory building, his phone rang. Seeing it was Sun Li calling, Wang Lan had to part ways with Jiang Xinyu and head to the medical department.

In Sun Li's office, Wang Lan felt somewhat apprehensive.

His eyes kept darting to Sun Li's unpredictable expression. Her expression was a clear signal: *I want to get angry, but I can't find a reason. Quick, give me a reason to lose my temper!*

Faced with Sun Li in this state, Wang Lan tried to remain as still and unresponsive as a statue, focusing intently inward.

But clearly, Wang Lan's strategy failed. It wasn't that Sun Li lacked a reason to be angry; rather, she had too many and couldn't decide where to start.

SMACK!

Sun Li slammed her hand on the desk. "Wang Lan, what were you thinking? What kind of place is the Nine-layer Pagoda? Even fourth-year students face immense danger there, yet you, a mere freshman, dared to sign up? Are you tired of living?"

"Teacher, my strength isn't inferior to most fourth-year students..."

"What about combat experience? Can your combat experience compare to theirs? They've been to Pioneer Space, helped the military carry out missions, and even gone abroad to fight for other countries. Do you think it's like playing house in the training grounds?"

"Teacher, you're underestimating me, aren't you? I'm an elite captain in the Tianjian Bureau, after all. No matter how ferocious Exotic Beasts are, can they be more dangerous than spies from the Demon Clan?"

"..."

Sun Li was rendered speechless by his retort and couldn't think of a comeback. Exotic Beasts, no matter how ferocious, are certainly no match for the Demon Clan. It seems this young man actually has as much combat experience as a fourth-year...

"That's still unacceptable! What do you think your status is? Don't you realize your own value? If I had known, I would have made you follow Professor Zheng Gong and focus on Spiritual Engraving."

"That's not what you said back then, Teacher. You said..."

"Well, I regret it now! Can't I?"

"Fine! You're always right."

"Who's in your team?"

"Yu Ruoyun, Yue Jifeng, and Bai Ji."

"I know Yue Jifeng; he's quite capable. Who is Bai Ji? Well, never mind. With Yu Ruoyun and Yue Jifeng, the team's strength should be adequate."

"Thank you for your concern, Teacher. I'm joining the team as a Medical Star Martial Warrior this time."

"Hmph! The decision is made, so saying more is useless. Anyway..."

As she spoke, Sun Li slowly unfastened the spatial storage item she wore. "This contains a synthesis device, the type we often use, but it's a miniature version. There are Poisonous Beasts in the Nine-layer Pagoda, so you might need it."

"That's too valuable, I..."

"You have to return it! Did you think I was giving it to you as a gift?!" Sun Li glared and snapped.

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