Chapter 191: The Cowardly Jiang Xincheng?

So that was it! Jiang Xincheng suddenly understood. He recalled that back at Autumn Moon Manor, Zheng Zhong and the others had schemed for precisely this Thick Earth Art. Now, he found himself entangled with the Thick Earth Art once more, which happened to be the primary research subject of Lin Anan’s father.

Fortunately, he had already sent Zheng Zhong and his gang down a permanent path. Otherwise, if the Thick Earth Art were stolen, Lin Anan’s father would undoubtedly shoulder the blame. Truly, good deeds brought their own rewards.

But Sister Anan was really too careless. The Thick Earth Art was a rare treasure in the world, yet she’d just casually told him about it. She was far too reckless.

However, a thought struck Jiang Xincheng. He looked at Lin Anan only to find her already looking back at him. Worry and anxiety flickered in her bright, sparkling eyes. He immediately understood. Gently holding her small hand, he smiled slightly. “Don’t worry. I won’t covet that third spot. I won’t do anything for it, nor will I flatter Sister Anan to get it. There’s no need for you to feel troubled because of this.”

“Sorry!” A wave of relief washed over Lin Anan, yet she offered a sincere apology to Jiang Xincheng. “I… I was afraid you were like that too. That’s why I wanted to test you, Brother Xincheng. Actually, I want you to cultivate the Thick Earth Art too. If you did, you could advance faster, go further, and not have to work so hard like you are now. I’ll try to convince my dad. I’ll ask him to give you the third cultivation spot for the Thick Earth Art.”

Seeing Lin Anan’s serious expression, Jiang Xincheng sensed her true feelings for him. He smiled and shook his head. “No need. The Origin Force Cultivation Method I practice now isn’t inferior to the Thick Earth Art. So, there’s no need for that.”

“Aren’t you cultivating the Primordial Ultimate Art?” Lin Anan asked, surprised.

Jiang Xincheng shook his head. “It’s not the Primordial Ultimate Art anymore. When I accidentally consumed that Mutated Yuan Crystal, the Primordial Force within me surged wildly. Unintentionally, I altered the circulation method using the Primordial Ultimate Art as a base. Surprisingly, the new method suited my body perfectly. So right now, what I’m practicing is an evolved version of the Primordial Ultimate Art. Its speed for absorbing Primordial Force is at least twice as fast as the original. That’s why my cultivation speed is so rapid now.”

“That amazing!” Lin Anan’s mouth fell open in astonishment. She hadn’t expected Jiang Xincheng’s mishap with the Mutated Yuan Crystal to yield such a fortunate outcome. His luck was truly incredible.

A flicker of apology crossed Jiang Xincheng’s heart as he nodded. “You could say misfortune brought fortune. So, I don’t need the Thick Earth Art. But Sister Anan, why did you say I was working too hard?”

A shadow crossed Lin Anan’s delicate face. She shook her head. “I didn’t know myself. Ningshuang told me. She said during the holiday these past months, you were constantly immersed in extremely dangerous missions for the Flourishing Tang Empire. You rose from a Preparatory Elite Soldier to a Centurion in such a short time, going through many fierce battles. You almost lost your life in Liangnian City. So, I wanted to help you a bit, to share your burden somehow. But Brother Xincheng, why are you pushing yourself so hard? You’re only a Sophomore. There’s no need to be so relentless. You could wait until your strength reaches the level of a Great Yuan Warrior in the Cloud Condensation Realm before taking on such missions. Wouldn’t that be much safer?”

“Time flies like an arrow, never resting day or night,” Jiang Xincheng replied with a slight smile. “I do this because I want to walk faster, fly higher, possess sufficient strength, obtain what I wish to obtain, and protect those I wish to protect. Everything that happened before has taught me the importance of strength. Strength alone might not decide love or friendship, yet there are times when without enough power, you cannot get what you desire, nor can you protect those dear to you. You can only watch helplessly, lose them, and be filled with regret. I don’t wish to experience that again. Besides, that Mutated Yuan Crystal gave me this chance. So, I want to fly faster and higher.”

Lin Anan stiffened, biting lightly on her lower lip. “Is it… because of Li Haiying?”

“No,” Jiang Xincheng answered, shaking his head once more. “She was just a catalyst, making me reflect deeply. The real reason lies with someone else.”

Saying this, he looked intently at Lin Anan, his expression earnest. “There’s a girl whose family background is very powerful. I want her to be mine. But before that, to avoid causing her trouble, to defeat her many suitors, and to gain her family’s approval, I must work extremely hard.”

“I… I…” Lin Anan’s jade-like face suddenly flushed crimson. Her words stumbled. “My family background isn’t that impressive. My Dad wouldn’t mind. You don’t have to push yourself so hard because of this. I can convince them to accept you. And Brother Xincheng, you are so outstanding. What family head wouldn’t approve of you?”

Lin Anan’s words almost explicitly implied her acceptance of becoming Jiang Xincheng’s girlfriend. A smile touched Jiang Xincheng’s face as he gently grasped her soft, small hand. “Silly girl, I was talking about Ningshuang, my first wife, not you, Sister Anan, my second wife.”

Hearing his teasing words, Lin Anan’s bright eyes widened instantly. She reached out to pinch Jiang Xincheng’s ear. “Stinky Xincheng! Do you want a beating?”

Jiang Xincheng laughed heartily, dodging immediately. The two quickly became entangled in a playful scuffle. Only after much ado did they quiet down. Lin Anan shot Jiang Xincheng a glare. “Brother Xincheng, a major incident happened at school last month when the semester started. Tsinghua University’s three ‘Prides of Heave’ in the Cloud Condensation Realm arrived at our Tianhai University and swept through all our students. Even the senior, that Cloud Condensation Realm genius in the third year, was defeated by them. Right now, they are sweeping through many prestigious universities in the North, boosting Tsinghua University’s reputation. Apparently, nearly all fifty-plus top-tier universities in the entire North have been swept by them. They’ll soon come down to the South for their sweep, aiming to cement Tsinghua University’s position as the strongest university within the Shenxia Alliance.”

“The strongest university?” Jiang Xincheng gave a faint, disinterested smile. “Let them take it if they want. What difference does it make? It won’t put food on the table, nor does it hinder my cultivation. It’s irrelevant.”

Lin Anan pursed her lips. “But it affects Tianhai University’s reputation. Plus, you weren’t around then. Many students at school said you were scared, that you were hiding from Tsinghua University’s Prides of Heaven. They said some really mean things. Tsinghua University intended to challenge you too, but you were missing. The Principal seemed to arrange an alternative time with them. He said to wait until you advance to the Cloud Condensation Realm before accepting the challenge. He’s hoping to rely on you to regain face.”

“It wastes cultivation time. I won’t go,” Jiang Xincheng stated firmly, shaking his head. Ever since the All-University Combat Exam, Jiang Xincheng had become one of Tianhai University’s brightest rising stars, second only to that Cloud Condensation Realm genius in his third year.

Tsinghua University’s challenge had placed high hopes upon him among the student body. They eagerly anticipated seeing him overcome disparities again. Yet he hadn’t appeared, dashing everyone’s hopes. The inevitable flood of criticism and malicious gossip naturally followed.