Celestial Human Diagram

Chapter 164 - 144: Yin Yang Drink, Guardian of the Heavy Mandate

At almost the exact same time Chen Chuan received his application’s approval, Tai Dong and the others also received a notice from the review committee, forwarded by the school. It required them to report to a designated location within half a year for the Unlimited Defense Certificate assessment.

However, they were testing for a C Certificate this time, which wasn’t as complicated. The assessment location would be decided ad hoc based on the time they chose to go.

It didn’t matter much to Tai Dong. They were just chaperoning the test this time, waiting for the Mutual Aid Association to tell them when to go, take the assessment together, and then find a way to fail. After all, the Mutual Aid Association had paid them in advance, so they had to do the job right, didn’t they?

On the bright side, the fact that they were asked to do this was a sign of trust. Having one more or one less Unlimited Defense Certificate wouldn’t close the gap between them and the powerful disciples. In fact, it might even be more dangerous. As a third-year student, he knew full well what had happened two years ago.

’Senior Brother Shen...’

He involuntarily let out a sigh. Back then, he had also received help from Shen Zheng. Even though he had already joined the Mutual Aid Association, Shen Zheng never looked down on him for it. As an orphan, that was when he had truly felt kindness from another person.

At that time, a sliver of hope had even flickered in his heart—the hope that Shen Zheng could lead everyone to break free from this cage. But even a man like him couldn’t accomplish such a feat; instead, he fell on the road to success. Sometimes, he would think, ’If Senior Brother Shen had managed to get to Central City back then, maybe everything would have been different?’

But that was ultimately just wishful thinking.

He gave a self-deprecating laugh, casually tossed the notice onto the table, and got up to head for the training room.

Meanwhile, at the Nian Residence, after looking through all the test materials, Chen Chuan called Cheng Zitong. "Teacher, I got the documents."

Cheng Zitong was silent for a moment before saying, "Good. I’ll give you an address. Head over there first. We’ll talk when you get there. Write this down..." He then recited a location.

After Chen Chuan wrote it down, Cheng Zitong added, "Just give them my name when you arrive."

Chen Chuan agreed.

After hanging up, he went back, took out a map to check the location, and then rode his bike toward South City. Half an hour later, he arrived at the address and discovered that while it looked like a teahouse on the surface, it was actually a private training hall.

There were many such places in South City. Wealthy Fighters would often set one up, just like the training hall belonging to Senior Sister He Nan that he had visited before. They were all semi-private, generally only inviting familiar or acquainted Fighters to come spar and exchange techniques, while also enjoying tea and the scenery.

After parking his bike, he walked to the entrance and gave Cheng Zitong’s name to the security guard. The head of security said, "You must be Brother Chen. Manager Cheng has already informed us. Please, go upstairs."

Chen Chuan entered the training hall, changed his shoes, and went upstairs. The layout was quaint and elegant, full of natural charm. An Incense Burner was lit. He walked over to the side overlooking the river, where there was a long couch with soft cushions.

He sat down. The room was quite high up, and through the round, open archway, he could see green bamboo and the flowing river outside. A breeze blew in, gently rustling the bamboo leaves and the curtains. The tassels on the curtains swayed softly. He felt completely relaxed; sitting here quietly, he could let go of all his thoughts.

It felt like only a moment had passed when he heard familiar footsteps approaching. He looked at his watch and was surprised to see that, without realizing it, a quarter of an hour had gone by.

Cheng Zitong walked in, a briefcase tucked under his arm. Chen Chuan greeted him, "Teacher." Cheng Zitong smiled. "So, what do you think? Not a bad place, is it?"

Chen Chuan said, "The atmosphere is wonderful."

Cheng Zitong went to a couch on the side and sat down, leaning back against the soft cushions and settling into a comfortable position. "I’ll be coaching you here for the next few days," he said. "You only need to return to the school occasionally."

Chen Chuan could sense his intention. He picked up the teapot and poured him a cup of tea, asking, "Is this to provide cover for the assessment?"

"We have to be careful." Cheng Zitong gestured downward with his hand. "Don’t trouble yourself, I’ll be leaving in a bit. Sit."

Once Chen Chuan was seated, Cheng Zitong continued, "The assessment will take quite some time. If you suddenly disappear for a while, it will draw attention. This is especially true since many high-level Recommended Students are graduating this semester, and they’re paying close attention to any potential competitors. Even though you’re only a first-year student, we still need to be cautious.

"During this time, you can disappear periodically, then show your face at the company and the school. We’ll tell people I’m giving you special training. That way, no one will suspect a thing. What do you think?"

Chen Chuan replied, "Your arrangements are very thorough, Teacher. I have no objections." He took out his documents and handed them to Cheng Zitong. Cheng Zitong took them and glanced through them, quickly getting the gist. He looked up and asked, "How much longer do you think it will be before you can begin training for the Second Limit?"

Chen Chuan thought for a moment. "I feel it will be about half a month to a month."

"That’s not long. In that case, I’ll coach you here. The Second Limit..."

Cheng Zitong slapped his knee and said emotionally, "To think that I, Cheng Zitong, would get to teach a student like you. Some mentors just keep their students cooped up for private instruction, never letting them attend the school, claiming the current rules aren’t suitable for them. If that’s the case, why even send their students to Wuyi in the first place?"

He took some documents out of his briefcase. "These are reference materials for before and after entering the Second Limit. You can start by looking through them.