Chapter 80: The Mentor’s Admonition and the Spoils of Battle

“Ye Xingchen, although the rules for practical training do not explicitly forbid alchemical creations, this is, after all, a contest between mages.

I still hope that in the future, you will use such alchemical products with greater discretion, as in the eyes of others… it inevitably appears to be a form of clever trickery, if not outright cheating.”

The Black-robed mentor’s voice was calm, yet imbued with an invisible sense of authority.

Listening to the Black-robed mentor’s words, Ye Xingchen naturally understood their underlying meaning.

The magitech gun, in its current state, was indeed still imperfect; for these mages, a weapon like a pistol completely transcended their realm of understanding.

Humans instinctively fear the unknown, and it seemed that if he wished to continue using the magitech gun, he would at least have to wait until it could fire magical or spiritual energy.

If it could shoot magic, then in their eyes, the magitech gun might appear more akin to a specialized staff.

“Mentor, rest assured, this student will pay much closer attention in the future.”

Ye Xingchen responded respectfully.

As a transmigrationist from Earth, he naturally remembered the traditional Chinese virtue of respecting teachers and valuing their wisdom, as taught by Confucius to future generations.

If others respected him, he would naturally reciprocate that respect.

This deeply ingrained etiquette and upbringing had long transcended mere distinctions of age and status.

The Black-robed mentor nodded slightly, yet felt a subtle surprise in his heart.

Indeed, just as the Dean had stated, this student named Ye Xingchen was truly unique.

With a light flick of his staff, a streak of light shot forth from Zhao Yan and Lin Mo’s storage rings, and five glistening magic cores settled firmly into Ye Xingchen’s palm.

“Since Zhao Yan and Lin Mo’s squad was defeated by yours, their magic cores are, naturally, now yours.”

Ye Xingchen lowered his head to examine them, secretly astonished.

There were two Silver-tier magic cores and three Bronze-tier magic cores!

It was only the second day of practical training, yet they had already collected so many?

Either they frequently engaged in preying on others who had just finished their own hunts—after all, two strong teams ganging up on a recently hunted squad would be effortless—or their luck was simply overflowing, allowing them to successfully ambush two Silver-tier magical beasts together?

Normally, a Silver-tier magical beast would require a four-person squad to defeat.

“Thank you, Mentor.”

Ye Xingchen bowed respectfully.

The Black-robed mentor nodded slightly, then with a gentle sweep of his sleeve, a pentagram magic array suddenly illuminated the ground, enveloping the four unconscious figures, including Zhao Yan.

In the blink of an eye, they vanished along with the light.

Once the mentor’s figure disappeared, the remaining four squad members’ faces had turned ashen.

Who dared to linger in battle?

They immediately fled in disarray, scattering in all directions, scrambling and stumbling like frightened rabbits.

Chixiao watched their disheveled backs, his sword-like brows subtly arched.

“Should we pursue them?”

Ye Xingchen gently shook his head, his gaze calmly fixed on the distant horizon:

“Our purpose was never conflict.

Since the magic cores are already in our hands, let the others go.”

As the battle concluded, the trio who had been hiding in the corner naturally emerged.

Chixiao hurried forward to support Lin Yueyao, who was clearly struggling to walk, and the young woman instantly blushed, lowering her head in flustered embarrassment.

Ye Xingchen handed the confiscated magic cores to Su Liyue; as the nominal leader of the squad, the right to distribute them naturally rested with her.

After a brief discussion, Su Liyue and Mu Wanqing decided to allocate one Silver-tier and three Bronze-tier magic cores to Chixiao’s squad.

“This… we cannot accept.”

Chixiao shook his head in refusal.

“We barely contributed to the battle just now.”

Ye Xingchen replied, “That’s not entirely true.

If they hadn’t initially been targeting you, we wouldn’t have had this opportunity.

Consider it a share of the spoils.”

He said, a hint of amusement in his tone.

Su Liyue picked up the thread of conversation, her voice clear and cool, yet sincere:

“If you truly feel uncomfortable accepting, why not consider cooperating with us instead?

We’re preparing to challenge a Gold-tier magical beast.”

Ye Xingchen added, with a knowing understanding, “That’s right, and points will be allocated according to contribution, of course.

Moreover, moving as a larger group can also guard against ambushes from other teams.”

Chixiao exchanged glances with his teammates, and after receiving their affirmation, he responded thoughtfully:

“Cooperation is fine.

However…”

He looked at his injured teammates.

“We need to rest and recuperate for a while.

Gold-tier magical beasts normally require four strong teams to join forces, but since you already possess a Gold-tier magic core, you naturally have the commensurate strength and experience.”

As he spoke, he secretly felt a sense of wonder.

The unspoken understanding between this man and woman was akin to that of intimate friends who had known each other for years.

Were it not for the unexpected incident during the summoning ritual, it was unlikely anyone would have openly discovered the subtle connection between Su Liyue and Ye Xingchen.

“Naturally.”

Su Liyue nodded slightly.

The group found a secluded rock cave, and Su Liyue waved her magic staff, casting a concealment barrier.

Everyone sat cross-legged, meditating to restore their magic power.

Chixiao took out a brand-new pair of deerskin ankle boots from his storage ring, thoughtfully changing into a new pair of shoes for Lin Yueyao.

As the young woman softly thanked him, the tips of her ears flushed crimson.

As the last vestiges of magic power returned to their bodies, everyone opened their eyes, finding the sky already nearing dusk.

Chixiao looked at the darkening sky, and frowned, saying:

“Is it too risky to act after nightfall?

Not only do Gold-tier magical beasts become more ferocious at night, but we must also guard against ambushes from other squads.”

Su Liyue and Ye Xingchen exchanged a knowing glance, their mutual understanding so profound that Chixiao and Lin Yueyao couldn’t help but exchange another glance.

To say they had no special relationship—even a ghost wouldn’t believe it!

“Indeed, nocturnal hunts are ill-advised.”

Su Liyue suggested, “Why not use this time to collect more magic cores?”

“Points are the crucial factor.”

Ye Xingchen naturally interjected, “If you can reach a high rank, it will be more beneficial for us to secure a top-three position.”

“In previous years’ practical training, bonus points from resources like herbs were far less reliable than those from magic cores…”

Listening to this perfect pair conversing in such perfect harmony, Chixiao’s conviction grew stronger.

Su Liyue’s vast knowledge was understandable, but Ye Xingchen, the bottom-ranked student in his year, displayed a familiarity with the training rules that was in no way inferior to Su Liyue, the third-year’s top student.

Unless… they frequently had such intimate conversations in private?

Lin Yueyao secretly tugged at Chixiao’s sleeve, mouthing silently:

“’There’s definitely something going on!’”