Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 127: Swordsman

Being requested to be a private tutor was the highest form of recognition a martial artist below the Martial Saint could receive from an Astral Cultivator. The Fang Family had shown enough sincerity by personally extending the invitation.

However, Li Pin wasn't staying in the Astral Hall to take up a teaching position. He was only here to improve his cultivation by fighting against Astral Cultivators. Additionally, he wanted to get accustomed to facing Astral Cultivators in advance.

To do so, fighting against one Astral Cultivator student wouldn't provide as much improvement as taking on dozens of them at once.

"I have no intention of taking up the position of a private tutor," Li Pin responded.

The woman was a bit surprised. "Hm?"

She wondered to herself. Is he really not interested in becoming a private tutor, or is he just holding out for a better offer?

With these thoughts in her mind, she revealed a dismissive smile and said, "Grandmaster Li, I understand your concerns. Why not hear out our offer? If you agree to become a private tutor for the Fang Family and help Xiaoyu achieve mastery of her Force within six months, we will reward you with a set of astral equipment, ten Astral Crystals, and 100 million in cash.

"If needed, we can arrange a position for you equivalent to at least a level-four official, the same level as the chairman of the local martial society, the deputy director of the education department, and the directors of both the public prosecutor office and the judging committee."

Li Pin shook his head and reiterated, "You've misunderstood. I really have no intention of taking up the position of a private tutor."

The woman looked at him again, slightly furrowing her brows. After a moment, she chose not to press the matter further.

Astral Cultivators had their own prestige to uphold. For a respected Astral Cultivator such as her, to personally extend the invitation to Li Pin, coupled with their generous offer, was already a significant gesture of respect. If he still refused, Xiaoyu could find a better teacher elsewhere.

Moreover, since she had cut to the chase and directly extended her offer for Li Pin to be Fang Xiaoyu's private tutor, he might not have had a chance to fully understand her identity. She needed to give him time to consider it.

She smiled and handed over a business card. "Grandmaster Li, there's no need to rush into a refusal. If you have any concerns about the compensation we're offering, feel free to mention them. There's no need to decide immediately. Take your time to consider our offer. There's hardly anything the Fang Family can't handle across the entire Jiang Province."

Li Pin politely accepted the card, maintaining proper etiquette.

"I look forward to your response," said the woman.

After that, she turned around and left.

Li Pin glanced at the business card.

General Manager, New Star Energy Holdings Ltd. Fang Yixue.　

"New Star Energy?"

Li Pin recognized the name. One of New Star Energy's subsidiaries provided their home with gas service. In fact, all the gas used in Jiang Province City and several other cities came from their subsidiaries.

The reason he remembered this company was because, during their expansion into Zanglong City, the gas meter replacement caused the consumption rate to skyrocket fivefold. What used to cost 500 yuan a year suddenly surged to 2,500 yuan. This created a huge uproar in Zanglong City, with numerous public complaints and media coverage

In the end, the issue was swept under the rug.

This incident highlighted New Star Energy's significant influence.

Li Pin shook his head and grumbled, "Wasn't it said that the information within the Astral Hall is highly confidential, with outsiders unable to learn what happens here? Yet, after just half a month, it seems that everyone already knows that I am teaching here."

As expected, only ordinary people could live their lives in secrecy.

Since he would only be staying in the Astral Hall for another half month before attending the World's Top Martial Competition, he thought these invitations would soon become irrelevant.

With this in mind, he left the Astral Hall.

***

Nighttime.

At the Candlelight Restaurant, a well-known establishment in Jiang Province.

Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu were full of joy. "Cheers!"

Li Yunyao said proudly, "I told you! Getting into Jiang Province University was a piece of cake with my grade!"

Since the three of them weren't in a private room and this restaurant was famous for its affordability and popularity among young people, there were many customers around. Li Yunyao's boastful words drew the attention of several nearby diners.

Additionally, her charming appearance coupled with her youthful double ponytails made her even more noticeable.

Li Pin nodded. "Well done. I thought I might need to pull some strings, but you got in all on your own. You haven't disappointed me."

"Of course! Just look at me! Beauty and talent combined!" Li Yunyao boasted.

"That is why I went out of my way to bring you to this popular place for a delicious meal as a reward," Li Pin said with a smile.

Lin Xiaolu was a bit puzzled. Yaoyao... did she really do that well?

At this moment, two bright and handsome young men walked over and struck up a conversation with them, smiling. "Did you also get into Jiang Province University? Impressive! We're new students there as well. If you don't mind, could we join your table?"

"You two?" Li Yunyao glanced at them, frowned, and said, "I don't talk to slackers. What were your scores?"

"We didn't perform very well this year. I only managed a 672. Sorry about that," one of them said.

"I did a bit better with 681. But I don't think that qualifies as underachieving," his companion added with a smile.

"681!?" Li Yunyao stared at Lin Xiaolu in disbelief. "That's higher than your score?"

"Liuchuan County isn't really well-known for great education," Lin Xiaolu explained. "Only a handful made it into the top ten universities nationwide this year."

Li Yunyao looked at the smiling young men and said, "I don't talk to brainiacs."

Her blunt refusal left the two men feeling a bit embarrassed. "Uh..."

They could already tell that Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaoyu were uninterested in sharing a table with them. Anyone with thin skin would have backed off by now, but considering that these two dared to come over to flirt with the two girls, it was clear they were confident.[1]

One of them smiled and said, "It doesn't matter if you're a top student or not. We are all starting on the same level once we're at Jiang Province University. We can study and improve together."

Li Pin noticed that Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu seemed unwilling to be disturbed. Not wanting their meal to be interrupted by strangers, he said, "You can leave now."

One of them smiled and asked, "You must be our senior at the university. What's your name?"

Li Pin didn't respond. Instead, he pointed at Li Yunyao and asked, "Do you want to know her test score?"

"Hm?"

The man hesitated for a moment before making a guess. "660?"

He threw this number out because this year's enrollment cutoff for Jiang Province University was 655 points.

"408. Just two points above the passing score," Li Pin replied calmly.

The man was stunned. "408?"

How did she manage to get into Jiang Province University with 408 points?!

However, his companion seemed to have realized something, judging by his stiff expression.

"Sorry for bothering you," he said quickly and then dragged his still-puzzled friend away.

Noticing that his friend seemed unhappy, he lowered his voice and explained, "408, that's two points above the passing score for the standard enrollment cutoff for martial arts special admissions students."

The man's pupils dilated with shock as soon as he heard those words. "Martial arts special admission?"

For Jiang Province University to grant her special admission implied that she had at least reached the level of Overt Force. In other words, she was clearly someone not to be messed with.

For a moment, he looked at Li Yunyao with a hint of astonishment.

***

Being flirted with by strangers was just a minor incident. It was the man's gaze in the end that caused a noticeable shift in Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu's mindsets.

Previously, they had avoided both crowded, lively places and quiet, remote paths. Today's experience made them acutely aware of the changes martial arts practice had brought them.

On the way back, their spirits were noticeably high, and they felt their decision to practice martial arts was wise.

They hadn't taken the car to the restaurant, so they enjoyed the night and the evening breeze as they leisurely arrived at Riverscape Marvel. However, just as Li Pin was about to open the gate, he paused.

He turned to the two and said, "I left some documents at the Candlelight Restaurant. You two, drive over and fetch them for me. I have something to handle here."

Li Yunyao felt somewhat reluctant but still nodded. "Oh, what document?"

"I'll send you a screenshot in a moment," Li Pin replied.

At this moment, a voice came from inside the yard. "Grudges should be settled with the right person. We won't harm innocents."

Two figures slowly emerged from the shade of the night. Their sudden appearance startled Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu.

Seeing them, Li Pin said, "Just watch from a distance. Since you've entered the martial world, you'll need to deal with situations like this sooner or later."

"Brother...."

Li Yunyao wanted to say something, but at that moment, Lin Xiaolu quickly pulled her away and moved them both far from the scene. She knew that the only thing they could do now was to avoid interfering with Li Pin's performance.

Li Pin looked at the two and asked calmly, "What's your surname?"

One of the men seemed a little surprised. "You don't recognize me?"

Li Pin turned his attention to him briefly. "Should I?"

The man fell silent for a moment before speaking again, "My surname is Zhang. My name is Hengqiu."

Li Pin nodded, his gaze fixed on the middle-aged man next to Zhang Hengqiu. He appeared to be in his forties and carried a long sword.

The man, a seasoned swordsman in his mid-forties, emanated an aura of sharp, unrelenting power.

Li Pin felt a cold dread creep into his bones, a stark reminder of the man's immense strength and danger.

"A swordsman?" mumbled Li Pin tentatively, puzzled by the man's identity.

This dismissive attitude made Zhang Hengqiu's eyes flash with frustration and anger. However, thinking of Li Pin's impressive record, he repressed his feelings and dared not show them.

"My name is Qi Feng," the middle-aged swordsman said, slowly unsheathing the sword from his back with the care one would give a beloved partner. "Under someone's orders, I'm here to take your head."

"Alright." Li Pin smiled slightly. "A master swordsman. Good."

"Hm?" Qi Feng paused, seeming a bit surprised. "Aren't you curious who sent me to kill you?"

"It's not important," Li Pin replied, looking at him. "What matters is whether your sword is sharp enough to take my head."

1. Thin skin refers to someone who is not confident in himself. ☜