r18novel Chapter 41 Taking Xiao Wu in front of Tang 3
Chapter 41 Taking Xiao Wu in front of Tang 3
Time flies! In the blink of an eye, this semester at Notting College is almost over.
During that period, the lights in the special teaching assistant's office were almost never turned off. Li Fulan was like a tireless alchemy machine, spending her days teaching, selling medicine, and reaping money from students' wallets, and her nights holed up in the laboratory tinkering with pills, never stopping for a moment.
The money poured in, and in the blink of an eye, it turned into plump, round pills, which he then swallowed whole.
Honestly, this thing is fucking awesome.
Each time the pill entered my stomach, the feeling of its medicinal power dissolving was like a ball of fire rolling in my meridians, my soul power bubbling upwards, and every pore on my body opening up, bringing an indescribable sense of comfort.
Tonight, Li Fulan sat cross-legged on the carpet in her office, holding a pill the size of a pigeon egg in her hand.
The pill was dark gold in color, with fine patterns flowing across its surface, and emitted a rich, almost intoxicating medicinal fragrance.
This is the highest-grade elixir he refined this month—the Great Rejuvenation Pill.
The cost of the medicinal herbs alone was nearly two hundred gold soul coins, equivalent to two or three years' income for an average family.
"This is the last one."
Li Fulan took a deep breath, tilted her head back, and threw the pill into her mouth.
Gudong.
The moment the pill entered his stomach, a powerful medicinal force exploded within him like a flood bursting its banks.
It felt as if someone had lit a fire in his meridians and poured a bucket of oil on it, creating a raging, unstoppable blaze. Li Fulan trembled violently, veins bulged on his forehead, and cold sweat poured down his face.
"hiss……"
He gritted his teeth, enduring the impact, and guided the medicine's effects through his body.
One lap, two laps, three laps...
He didn't know how much time had passed, but he gradually tamed the violent medicinal power, turning it into a trickle that flowed into his dantian.
Click.
Li Fulan felt as if some shackles within her body had been broken, and a surge of power instantly coursed through her limbs and bones, making every cell in her body cheer with joy.
Level 20.
Great Soul Master.
He opened his eyes, feeling the surging soul power within his body, and couldn't help but smile.
In just one semester, he went from a level 10 newbie when he first transmigrated to level 20 through sheer resource accumulation. In the original story, how long would it have taken Tang San to reach that level? At least two or three years, right?
And it only took him a few months.
This is the power of spending money.
Li Fulan stood up from the ground and stretched her limbs.
Not only his soul power, but also his body, refined by countless precious medicinal herbs, underwent a complete transformation. His muscles became firm and explosive, and his skin subtly shimmered with a lustrous sheen. Just by standing there, he exuded a sharp and dangerous aura.
He clenched his fist, and the air crackled slightly as he squeezed it.
"That feels good."
Li Fulan nodded in satisfaction and walked to the mirror to straighten her clothes.
Today is a big day.
The results of the final exams are out, and the coveted "personal disciple" spot that has driven all the students in the school crazy with envy will be revealed today.
He pushed open the office door and walked calmly toward the first-grade classroom.
Along the way, the students they encountered all respectfully stepped aside, bowing their heads and greeting him, "Hello, Teacher Li." They were even more respectful than when they met the dean.
There was nothing he could do; after all, he held the school's "food supply" in his hands.
In this era where elixirs reign supreme, Li Fulan is their provider.
Pushing open the classroom door, I found it completely silent.
All the students sat upright, their eyes fixed intently on the doorway. Even the usually mischievous and unruly children were now as timid as quails, barely daring to breathe.
After all, today is the day their fate is decided.
That "unlimited supply" of personal disciple slots is an opportunity for someone to rise to the top in one step. Whoever is selected is essentially clinging to a powerful patron, and their future cultivation path will be smooth sailing.
Li Fulan walked onto the podium and scanned the entire audience.
His gaze was calm and profound, carrying the imposing presence unique to those in a superior position. The students who met his eyes instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze directly.
"I've seen everyone's hard work this semester."
His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly penetrated everyone's ears.
"Now, I will announce the soul power rankings for the final exam."
He picked up the register on the table, turned to the first page, and slowly read aloud:
"First place, Zhang Wei. Soul power level: Level 15."
wow——
Although it was expected, the audience was still in an uproar upon hearing the result.
Level 15!
Keep in mind that at the beginning of the semester, Zhang Wei was only in the twelfth grade. In just a few months, he jumped three grades—that's an astonishing speed.
Zhang Wei sat in the most conspicuous spot in the front row, waving his signature folding fan, a reserved yet smug smile on his face, enjoying the envious glances from those around him.
His pointed head reflected the sunlight, looking even sharper than before, almost like a human spinning top.
But he didn't care at all; instead, he thought it was a sign that his "skull had opened."
This is the power of money. This semester, he practically treated Li Fulan's pill shop like his own canteen, feeling restless if he didn't take a few pills every day. The money he spent on pills alone was enough to buy two houses in Nottingham City.
"Second place, Xiao Wu. Soul power level: Level 15."
The moment the name was uttered, another commotion erupted in the classroom.
Xiao Wu?
That little girl who's always bouncing around and seems to only know how to play?
She's also level 15?
All eyes turned to the middle of the classroom.
Xiao Wu blinked her big, watery eyes and sat innocently in her seat, her legs swinging back and forth under the chair, as if that terrifying level had nothing to do with her.
She didn't go to the medicine shop every day like Zhang Wei.
But she has a good foundation.
With the inherent strength of a 100,000-year-old Soft-Boned Rabbit, she could easily defeat a group of people with just a little practice. In addition, after a certain "office coaching" session, Teacher Li occasionally gave her extra help, which allowed her to easily catch up with the top tier.
Of course, only she knows the specifics of that "office counseling" session.
Li Fulan paused, then turned his gaze to the boy in the corner of the classroom.
"Third place, Tang San. Soul power level: Level 14."
Tang San clenched his fist tightly on his knees, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
Level 14.
In previous years, this achievement would have been absolutely groundbreaking. A genius with innate full soul power, he trained day and night, putting in more sweat than anyone else.
But under the onslaught of this year's "drug-using army," this genius was actually squeezed down to third place.
Third place!
Even though he eventually compromised and started taking pills, starting late is starting late, and once you fall behind, you can't catch up no matter what.
Just a tiny bit more, just a tiny bit more and I could catch up with Xiao Wu...
Tang San lowered his head, staring intently at his white knuckles, feeling a mix of emotions he couldn't quite describe.
Li Fulan closed the roster, and the atmosphere in the classroom instantly froze.
Everyone held their breath, awaiting the final judgment.
Who will ultimately win the spot as a personal disciple?
Zhang Wei straightened his back, his eyes burning with fervor. He felt confident he had it in the bag; first place! Who else would they choose but him?
Although Tang San kept his head down, his ears were perked up, not missing a single word spoken on the stage. He knew his chances were slim, but he still held onto a sliver of hope.
Xiao Wu, on the other hand, was idly playing with her scorpion braid, a faint smile playing on her lips, looking completely confident.
"After comprehensive consideration..."
Li Fulan's voice echoed in the classroom, each word seeming to strike a chord in the students' hearts.
"Whether it's talent, temperament, or how well they align with my teaching philosophy..."
He deliberately dragged out his words, looking at the tense, distorted faces below the stage, and secretly found it amusing.
Zhang Wei stopped waving his fan and was tied up like a pillar.
Tang San's breathing stopped, and his hands, gripping his knees, trembled slightly.
I've decided—
Li Fulan stretched out her hand and slowly pointed in a direction.
"I will accept Xiao Wu as my personal disciple."
Dead silence.
The classroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Three full seconds passed before thunderous applause erupted.
But the applause contained a multitude of complex emotions. Some were genuine congratulations, some were sour grapes, and some were simply there to watch the drama unfold.
Zhang Wei's smile froze, and he almost dropped the fan in his hand.
The light in his eyes quickly dimmed, replaced by a deep sense of loss.
The first place winner wasn't selected?
On what grounds?
But he was, after all, a young master from a wealthy merchant family, and his ability to control his expressions was something he had honed since childhood. After a brief pause, he quickly composed himself, put on a bitter yet polite smile, and led the applause.
Losing to that terrifying Little Dance Sister doesn't seem... so hard to accept.
Anyway, his family is rich, so they can just keep buying pills.
Tang San froze in his seat.
He suddenly raised his head, looking incredulously at the pink figure, then at Li Fulan on the stage.
How could it be Xiao Wu?
She usually seems so playful, and she doesn't seem to be as diligent in her cultivation as I am... Why is that?
A bittersweet and turbid emotion surged in his chest.
It wasn't hatred, nor was it simple jealousy; it was a more complex impact, mixed with loss and resentment.
Xiao Wu was his friend, his closest person. He should have been happy for her to see her gain this opportunity.
but……
Why was it Li Fulan who gave her the opportunity?
Why wasn't I the one chosen?
The feeling was like having your most treasured possession suddenly held in the palm of someone you despise. And you could only be a bystander, watching them reach some kind of agreement from the sidelines, unable to do anything about it.
suffocated.
This is so damn frustrating.
On the stage, Xiao Wu skipped and hopped onto the stage, her skirt swaying back and forth, her long braid swinging behind her.
"Hello, teacher!"
She called out sweetly, her voice as clear and melodious as a silver bell.
Li Fulan smiled and reached out to pat her head.
"From now on, study hard according to the teacher, okay?"
"Okay!"
Xiao Wu nodded obediently, her eyes curving into crescents.
But just as Li Fulan was touching her head, his gaze went past Xiao Wu's shoulder and gave a meaningful look to Tang San, who had a complicated expression in the corner.
Eyes facing each other.
Tang San's eyes were filled with suppressed anger and resentment.
But in Li Fulan's eyes was a kind of smugness that was almost playful.
It's as if it's saying—see? The person you care about most is now my disciple.
Tang San looked away and lowered his head.
His fists were clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into the flesh of his palms, causing excruciating pain, but he couldn't feel it.
Or rather, that little bit of pain is nothing compared to the pain in my heart.
Xiao Wu...
He silently repeated the name in his heart, feeling as if a wad of cotton had been stuffed into his chest, making it hard to breathe.
Why?
Why her?
From Holy Soul Village to Notting Academy, she was the first person to genuinely care for him. Everyone else looked down on him because he was an orphan, because he was poor, and because he was gloomy and quiet. Only Xiao Wu, like a little sun, skipped and hopped into his life.
He thought they were friends.
He thought they were the closest people to him.
He thought... no matter what happened, she would be on his side.
But now?
She stood on the stage, next to Li Fulan, laughing so happily and carefree, as if... as if she was completely unaware of what she was doing.
Do you know what kind of person that is?
Tang San roared inwardly.
How many people have his elixirs killed? How many people have he deceived with his hypocritical facade? Weren't you there when he publicly humiliated me?
How could you... how could you become his disciple?
How could you let him touch your head?
How could I smile at him so sweetly?
A bitter, almost suffocating emotion welled up from deep within his chest, choking him until his eyes reddened.
He couldn't tell if it was anger, jealousy, or... the feeling of betrayal.
He was clearly the one who worked the hardest.
He is clearly the one with the most talent.
He clearly put in more effort than anyone else, endured more hardship than anyone else, and gritted his teeth and persevered through more nights than anyone else.
But what happens in the end?
In the end, he got nothing.
The master is dead, but the murderer is still at large.
Xiao Wu was taken away and became someone else's disciple.
He could only sit in the corner of this dilapidated classroom, like a stray dog, watching helplessly as all this happened, unable to do anything about it.
Useless.
That's fucking useless.