After everything had calmed down, Du Cheng (杜承 - protagonist's name) found a secluded spot to examine the tattoo on his butt (屁股上的纹身 - a unique element related to his cultivation, introduced in Ch 43), then felt stifled (憋闷 - feeling frustrated or suppressed) for a long time.
Before "stopping conflict" (止干戈 - referring to resolving the conflict, introduced in Ch 44), the first lotus on the "Upper Broken Dui Hexagram" (上缺兑卦 - a concept from his cultivation method, introduced in Ch 44) had bloomed to about one or two tenths (十之一二). But after Du Cheng saved the commoners of Antwerp Port, he only gained the blooming of a little more than half a lotus. Now, the first lotus on the "Upper Broken Dui Hexagram" had bloomed to seven or eight tenths (十之七八).
Daoist Grape (葡萄道长 - a character's title, possibly related to the earlier invocation "葡萄保佑") said that The Lotus Scripture (《莲花宝鉴》- his cultivation technique, introduced in Ch 43) became harder to cultivate the further one progressed. Du Cheng had already realized the gains from this good deed wouldn't be huge, but he hadn't expected the harvest to be so small.
It seemed that by the last hexagram, he might genuinely need to save all of humanity to make the lotus on his butt show a significant change.
However, Du Cheng mused to himself, this was The Scripture pushing him to do more good deeds, to compensate for quality with quantity. In the later stages, if saving one city couldn't make the lotus change, then he would save a few cities, dozens of cities!
The key to The Lotus Scripture lay in "accumulating" immortal's vows/wish power (仙家愿力 - power gained from fulfilling benevolent wishes or vows)!
There was also another stifling matter. After Du Cheng asked Steve (史蒂夫 - a character's name, introduced in Ch 42), he confirmed that his lotus inner energy was currently equivalent to Level 3 Dou Qi (斗气 - spiritual energy used in this world, introduced in Ch 45). However, the strength of a Level 3 Fighter (斗士 - a rank in the combat system, introduced in Ch 46) wasn't just about power and speed; they focused more on the application of techniques. This made Du Cheng, who was completely ignorant (一窍不通) of techniques, question his own strength.
But thankfully, he was about to enter the God of Combat Academy. There, plenty of techniques awaited him to learn.
The day after the city was besieged by pythons, the teachers from the God of Combat Academy who had come to support Zig also arrived at Antwerp Port. However, what they received was an extremely shocking piece of news—Zig's captive had escaped, and his sacred artifact had been forcibly recognized as a new master!
An unimaginably powerful God of Combat (斗神 - introduced in Ch 43) had fiercely slapped the God of Combat Academy and given Zig a huge humiliation!
What these teachers thought, or how Zig would handle this matter, were no longer concerns for Du Cheng. He shuttled back and forth between the port and the refugee camp each day, investing himself in helping the disaster victims rebuild their homes. Not a single piece of the treasure he had stolen from the nobles' camp was kept; he sold it all to help the disaster victims.
Half a month later, the disaster relief work was on the right track, and the opening of the God of Combat Academy was also approaching. More and more students came to the port to report. Du Cheng's second older brother, Charley (查理 - a character's name), also arrived at Antwerp Port on the day of reporting.
At the port, ten giant ships resembling islands were moored at the distant deep-water pier. They were all multi-masted sailing ships with a strong ancient European style and, without exception, the figureheads were all statues of Zig—these were the ships welcoming the new students. Only these ships could enter the waters around God of Combat Island (斗神岛 - the location of the Academy).
On the pier, small boats shuttled the new students, and Norton was also bidding farewell to the three Saint Kane brothers (圣凯因三兄弟 - referring to Du Cheng, Steve, and Charley, indicating their family name).
"Work hard once you enter the Academy. Uncle will see you off here. If you encounter anything at the Academy, just send a message through someone. After all, God of Combat Island is only a few hundred li (五百里 - approx. 250 km or 155 miles) away by sea."
"Thank you, Uncle, for taking care of us these past few days," Steve said on behalf of the three brothers.
"Alright, board the ship!" Norton waved goodbye, and before leaving, he laughed at Charley, who had just arrived today, "Charley, when you graduate, Uncle will be waiting to fight alongside you again! Last time at Seaway Heaven Pass (蹈海天关 - a place name), I took down several more than you!"
"Uncle Norton, I'm also waiting to fight alongside you on the battlefield. However, just make sure you don't get chased by Behemoth Beasts (比蒙巨兽 - a type of powerful creature) like last time! Heh heh."
"You brat (臭小子)! Go on now!" It was clear that Norton was closer to Charley than to the other two, even able to make harmless jokes.
Because they were not only uncle and nephew but also former comrades-in-arms.
Charley bid farewell to Norton and boarded the small boat first. "Big Brother, let's go too." He didn't seem to see Du Cheng in his eyes.
Second Brother is still so arrogant! Du Cheng coldly chuckled inwardly and didn't pay attention to Charley.
The small boat carried the three brothers to the giant ship at the deep-water pier. As soon as they boarded, Aliza (阿里扎 - a character's name, introduced in Ch 45) and the other attendants were led away—they and the students' luggage would be arranged in other cabins. A middle-aged man dressed as a priest (教士 - clergy) came forward and said to the three new students, "Three new students, please present your admission notices, and I will verify your portraits!"
"Okay!" Du Cheng reached into his怀里 (implies inside his clothes or pocket). But just then, a tall elf beauty walked onto the deck. She wore a striking, tight-fitting red armor, her light green long hair fluttering in the sea breeze. The occasional glimpse of her pointed ears made her seem very alluring.
"Hi, leave their inspection and verification work to me!" the elf beauty smiled at the priest.
"Oh, esteemed Professor Mina (米娜 - a character's name, the elf beauty), how can you do such work?" The priest politely declined with difficulty.
"It's stuffy in the cabin; I came out for some air. Alright, hand the work over to me, you go inspect the other students." As she spoke, she pushed the priest aside. "Are you going to make me order you as a professor?"
"Wow, an elf beauty teacher!" Steve winked at Du Cheng. Although his voice was very soft, it was heard by Professor Mina. She chuckled charmingly, "Little handsome man, are you perhaps trying to hit on me?"
Mina's bold words were a bit much even for Steve, who was a seasoned flirt. He gave an awkward smile, stuck out his tongue, and lowered his head.
But in his heart, he was thinking, "Oh gods, if all the teachers at the God of Combat Academy were like this, that would be great, heh heh!"
"This little handsome man with golden hair is your brother, right? Very handsome. If I had to choose, I'd rather he was the one who said that just now!" Mina's slender fingers reached out to Du Cheng's chin and lightly flicked it.
Damn it, were all the teachers at the God of Combat Academy this lewd?!
Du Cheng unhappily dodged away.
"Heh heh, the little fellow is quite shy! Alright, hand over your admission notices!" Mina inspected the notices while leading the three brothers into the cabin. "Francis, is it? (弗朗西斯 - Du Cheng's assumed identity, introduced in Ch 45) Your notice has a note on it saying you don't have Dou Qi. Tsk tsk, how interesting! How many gold coins did you bribe the examiner with to get in?"
Du Cheng had a very poor impression of this loose-mannered beauty teacher, and his expression was very serious. "Professor Mina, the note already explains my examination process. I was just quite lucky."
"Well, let's just say you were lucky then!" She personally tucked the notice back into Du Cheng's怀里 (inside his clothes/pocket).
Thanks to the massive size of the ship, the cabins were also very large. When Du Cheng entered, there were already many students inside. These students were lined up, undergoing some kind of test one by one at a crystal ball.
Mina smiled, "Your identities have been verified. Now, come with me for the enrollment check. This test is to measure your sensitivity to natural elemental force (自然原力 - a source of power/magic in this world), and based on the test results, your class and teacher will be arranged."
As she spoke, she stared into Du Cheng's eyes and smiled alluringly, "Francis, even though you don't have Dou Qi, you still have to be tested. There's nothing to be done, who told us we have a rigid old Headmaster!"
She didn't wait in line but went directly to the front of the test recording personnel, pointing at a student who was being tested and said fiercely, "Kid, I'm Professor Mina. I'm threatening you now. Let us cut in line immediately, or your days at the Academy will be very difficult later!"
Although that student had a thousand grievances, he didn't dare offend a professor before even starting school. He glanced at the three brothers and obediently moved aside.
"Little handsome man, please proceed!" Mina gestured for Du Cheng to step forward for the test.
What was there to test? He had already been tested once at St. John's Cathedral (圣约翰大教堂 - a place name). This body couldn't sense natural elemental force at all.
Du Cheng placed his hand on the crystal ball and was suddenly startled again. No, he had undergone bone transformation (脱胎换骨 - introduced in Ch 43) already...
ns3.17.162.15da2
