Hu Yi glanced at Feng Wenhao and turned to ask, "Do you have any reliable information?"

Zhou Leng shook his head and said, "I've been cultivating, not really concerned about these things."

"I forgot, you're a staunch supporter of the foreign faction. Great, you focus on killing more demons, we focus on lying back, haha..."

Suddenly, the demonized watch gently vibrated.

Zhou Leng took a look; it was Zhao Nandi. He signaled to the two to go ahead while he stayed behind to answer the call.

"Hello, Teacher Zhao." After Zhou Leng spoke, he suddenly felt a bit awkward.

"Zhou Leng, I'll be going to Rucheng in a few days. Let's meet there." Zhao Nandi said.

"Okay, is there anything I need to prepare?" Zhou Leng asked.

"No need."

Zhou Leng suddenly recalled the incident at the Ancient River Ruins and said, "By the way, Teacher Zhao, you heard about the Blood of Tyranny snatching the Ancient River Jade Stele, right?"

"Hmm? When did that happen? I actually don't know, tell me about it."

Zhou Leng then briefly described the incident but didn't go into details, finally added casually, "I thought you were coming because of this."

Zhao Nandi sighed and said, "This time I'm going to Rucheng for several reasons. First, things have been unsteady in Xiongjing lately, so I'm lying low. Second, it does relate to the Ancient River Ruins; I'm planning to conduct research there for a while. Third, I'm helping the Divine Text Bureau with an assessment to establish a Divine Literature Academy in Rucheng."

"Divine Literature Academy?"

"Yes, currently, the West Sea Martial Arts Academy in Rucheng, Ruda, and East China Martial Arts Academy are all competing for the Divine Literature Academy."

"I see... Teacher, why don't you come to Ruda and give a Divine Text class? After all, whether you're teaching me or other classmates, it's all the same." Zhou Leng said.

"You kid..."

Zhao Nandi initially wanted to take Zhou Leng as a student, so hearing this opportunity, he nodded and said, "Alright, when your semester starts, I'll come to Ruda and give a lecture."

"Thank you, Teacher Zhao." Zhou Leng smiled slightly.

At that time, he planned to introduce Xu Qingjin to Zhao Nandi to help her go further on the path of Divine Texts.

"By the way, in a few days, take the Senior Researcher exam, I guess you'll pass on the first try."

"Alright."

The two chatted for a while longer, with Zhou Leng politely expressing that he would certainly extend hospitality when the teacher arrives.

Ending the call, Zhou Leng ran a few steps to catch up.

Hu Yi and Feng Wenhao were still arguing about Zhao Tong staying in Rucheng, neither willing to give in.

Zhou Leng remembered Zhao Nandi's words; she was an expert from the Divine Text Bureau and the teacher was an academician. She mentioned Xiong City was unsteady, which might be similar to what Hu Yi was saying.

Zhou Leng looked at the two, both reeking of alcohol, walking unsteadily, arms locked together, arguing heatedly.

As they argued, Hu Yi disdainfully said, "What, you've already advanced in Qi Blood, and now you want to follow Rao Mingxian for revenge?"

"Damn!" Feng Wenhao raised his middle finger at Hu Yi, but didn't say anything.

"What's going on?" Zhou Leng asked.

"During this year's New Year, Rao Mingxian joined a class reunion and then found many old classmates for a few matches. He struck with great force—at worst, causing a concussion; at best, breaking bones. Luckily, he paid for the medical expenses." Hu Yi said.

Feng Wenhao sighed and said, "Our old classmates secretly criticize him."

Hu Yi continued, "If those people bullied him years ago, we wouldn't say anything. Several were just much stronger than him in martial arts back then, and didn't offend him; they were simply compared to him by his grandfather and classmates, so he bore a grudge and took revenge this year."

Feng Wenhao said, "Right. Considering Rao Mingxian is the grandson of the principal, and teachers usually protected him, no one bullied him; at most, they disliked his small privileges."

"A few people we know were injured, though not seriously. It's irrelevant whether he acts arrogant or whatever, but injuring so many people is indeed over the line."

"It's said that Rao Mingxian got drunk, became very irritable, unstoppable, and injured many unrelated old classmates."

Zhou Leng paused for a moment, immediately recalling Rao Mingxian's poem.

Pine pressuring a thousand layers of snow, back never bending. New thunder sheds old guise, spring I receive first.

Only then did he understand why this poem was written.

Only then did he understand Rao Mingxian's sense of pride after beating old classmates.

Zhou Leng furrowed his brows and said, "Rao Mingxian didn't use to be like this."

Hu Yi said, "He wasn't like this before, but that doesn't mean he won't be in the future. Besides, when you drink, it's actually quite normal. Maybe back then his grandfather was too harsh on him, really hit him hard."

"At the time, everyone dared not say anything openly, but secretly laughed at him occasionally because his grandfather often hit him. I'm quite conflicted, feeling sympathy for him and yet thinking he struck too brutally."

"I hope he doesn't do this in the future."

The three chatted as they slowly walked through the night.

After sending the two home, Zhou Leng returned under the Frost Giant Tree, resuming his day-to-day cultivation.

Often spending consecutive days in the Fierce Beast Realm.

The Orange Blossom Fruit, unlike other fruits, remained in the intestines, taking three days to be completely absorbed.

If the body didn't feel anything, then eat one every three days.

Meanwhile, he crammed studying the Giant Language.

Since his improvement in Divine Text proficiency, learning other languages also became extraordinarily easy.

In just over two months since leaving the Dwarf World, he was able to communicate normally in the Giant Language, memorizing many words.

Occasionally, when he couldn't remember, a turn of Divine Text in his mind would clarify things gradually.

Three days before school started, Zhou Leng emerged once more, reconnecting communication signals, hoping to check if there was any notice about school start in the class group.

Martial Faith was flashing all sorts of notifications, with many people contacting him.

"Zhou Leng, a bunch of Steel Dwarves are looking for you on campus."

"They've become quite popular at Ruda, and seniors from junior and senior years often challenge them."

"You better hurry back to Ruda, they've been looking for you for three days already..."

Even Instructor Deng Zhijue sent a message.

"Handle it as soon as possible, although it's not a big deal."

Zhou Leng contacted Deng Zhijue to inquire about the details.

It turned out it wasn't a big deal; it was just that a few people from Molten Hammer were wandering around Ruda, causing a lot of interesting stories.

Zhou Leng opened the Martial Arts City app, and sure enough, Molten Hammer had left many comments inside.

It turns out that the latest Giant Trial is about to start.

This time, all the two hundred participants in the Giant Trial are eligible for Ancestral Protection. With good luck, they can absorb ancestral power and gain a Giant identity.

Even better luck might trigger the Giant Body.

Poor luck could mean returning empty-handed.

Molten Hammer repeatedly stated that the Giant Trial is different from the Dwarf Trial, extremely dangerous, with encounters with Demons and even Giant Dragons being commonplace.

The mortality rate for humans in the Giant Trial is extremely high, often exceeding 80%, so fewer and fewer humans participate in later Giant Trials.

Zhou Leng used a voice call to contact him and arranged to meet at Ruda.

Then, he called Zhang Xinglie, telling him the Giant Trial was about to start and it would be best to return to Rucheng within three days, then go together to the Giant World.

Zhang Xinglie booked a flight back to Rucheng the next day.

Entering Ruda, Zhou Leng found where Molten Hammer and the others were located.

Some senior students from Ruda were having friendly exchanges with Ban Chui and Black Barrel.

"Zhou Leng."

Molten Hammer jogged over, chatted with Zhou Leng for a while, and then kept taking things out of the Magic Spirit Bag.

"Your stipend, I brought it directly from the tribe."

"This is Magma Beer, strong, but can enhance the body. Don't drink too much, just a small sip at a time..."

"This is Divine Marrow Blood Bone, ten of them, their use diminishes if you have too many."

"This is a good thing; I can't get a few even in a year. Dragon Blood Mushroom, a great tonic. It's originally for strengthening blood, but because it's potent... you're a man, you understand. Ten of them. I suggest you consume three and sell the rest at a high price or exchange for important Pills. This item is highly sought after across all worlds."

"This is also wine, but it's made from the honey of the 'Wind Blade King Bee', called 'Wind Blade Honey Wine'. It's extremely rare, and I don't have any. The effect is simple, exorcism. No matter what kind of Spell or Curse you have, as long as it's not particularly powerful, a sip will dispel it."

"Gem Salt, a treasure unique to our Dwarf Race. Especially when paired with Meat Herbal Cuisine, it greatly enhances its effects. Eating it long-term can turn your muscles into iron lumps..."

Like offering treasures, Molten Hammer presented the stipend of a Dwarf Duke.

Zhou Leng noted down these treasures while receiving his own Magic Spirit Bag.

The surrounding students at Ruda watched this scene, puzzled as to why this Dwarf gave so many good things to Zhou Leng, quietly amazed.

After giving the treasures, Molten Hammer enthusiastically recounted stories from recent days, like sparring with friends at Ruda, sightseeing in Rucheng with school officials, and using various Demonized Equipment.

"Oh, I sent you a list of precautions, everything's ready."

Molten Hammer finished speaking and sent a document to Zhou Leng via the Martial Arts City app.

Zhou Leng read it while Molten Hammer babbled beside him.

"This trial of ours is one of the most important trials for the Giant, called the 'Stone Carrying Festival Trial', limited to the Body Refining Stage, the Vitality Stage has its own trial."

"The Stone Carrying Festival is the most important festival for the Giant Race because, in their legends, the sky was dark, with no sun or stars."

"It was the Giant Divine Spirits who carried bright stars, climbed into the sky, and brought sunlight and stars."

"Then the Giant Divine Spirits carried out mountains and everything, hence the name Stone Carrying Festival."

"The first trial of the Stone Carrying Festival is stone carrying..."

"Make sure to prepare pills, as the environment in the Giant World is particularly harsh, but they might not allow usage..."

"Also, don't forget to bring a few new sets of clothes, at least a meter taller than your current size."

"If you complete the Giant Trial, after consuming the ancestral ashes, your body will grow rapidly. If you grow too much, you might even get a meter taller."

"Wait, what ancestral ashes?" Zhou Leng asked.

"The power of the Giant Ancestors' Protection. Just like when you were in our Lava Hall, but with a mouthful of ashes."

"That's a bit hardcore in taste."

"It's said to be the ashes of Giant Demigods and Divine Spirits; who knows what's mixed in. Don't worry about it."

"The taste just got heavier."

The two chatted for a while, and Zhou Leng forwarded the document to Zhang Xinglie, asking him to prepare.

"I've been cultivating this whole time, haven't entertained you. Is there anywhere you want to go?"

"I've been to all the places I could. After all, I've been here before. I'll just stay at the school dorm to rest and rejuvenate for the next two days, then head to the Giant World the day after."

Zhou Leng accompanied Molten Hammer and the others for sightseeing and cultivation.

The next day, Zhang Xinglie joined the group.

Zhou Leng subtly inquired about the girl in red, Zhang Xinglie asked about Xu Qingjin's recent situation, and then both tacitly switched to new topics.

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