Chapter 102: The Battle Qi Academy Instructor

Looking at the elderly man named Zuo Yuan who had just revealed his identity, Su Yi suddenly recalled Mo Ben's previous estimation of his strength. Only now did it click for him—indeed, in the Battle Qi Academy, every instructor possessed at least the strength of a Battle King!

"Since that is the case, Instructor Zuo Yuan, why have you traveled so far to the Gelan Empire instead of staying at the Battle Qi Academy? Do you have some important business to attend to?" Meiya, her expression returning to its usual composure, looked up at Zuo Yuan and asked the question that everyone present was curious about.

Zuo Yuan smiled naturally and said, "Actually, it is nothing particularly important. Miss Meiya, you know that our Battle Qi Academy's intelligence network has always been quite good. Naturally, I was sent out to conduct an investigation..."

Intelligence? Investigation?

Everyone was slightly startled. They all knew about the Battle Qi Academy's intelligence-gathering capabilities. The backgrounds of the students entering the academy could never escape their scrutiny; after all, if any incident occurred within the academy, it could easily trigger conflicts between various factions. But even so, there was surely no need to dispatch a Battle King to gather information, was there?

Meiya asked, "So, Instructor Zuo Yuan, your journey this time is merely to gather some information?"

"Of course. Miss Meiya need not worry that I will do anything to disrupt the stability of the Empire." Zuo Yuan cast a meaningful glance at Meiya and said, "Furthermore, the matter I am investigating will be wrapped up very soon. I expect to return to the Battle Qi Academy before long..."

Meiya smiled, acting as if she had not caught the deeper meaning in Zuo Yuan's words. "Instructor Zuo Yuan worries too much. Judging by yesterday's Martial Trials, you concealed your identity, Senior. At the time, only City Lord Chet and a few others probably knew about it, right?"

"Indeed. The first place I visited upon arriving in Changling City was the City Lord's manor. After learning of my identity, City Lord Chet treated me with great hospitality. However, I didn't intend to let too many people know... It was my own decision not to introduce myself at the Martial Trials." Zuo Yuan nodded, then let out a faint sigh. "But speaking of which, Miss Meiya, please do not address me as 'Senior' anymore. Compared to your talent in cultivation, I am truly ashamed..."

Indeed, in terms of sheer strength, Meiya was no match for Zuo Yuan. But when it came to age, Meiya held a massive advantage. By the time Meiya broke through to a level of strength comparable to Zuo Yuan's, she would likely still be very young. In such a comparison, the difference in potential was instantly clear. No wonder Zuo Yuan, who had spent most of his life cultivating battle qi, would sigh like this.

However, Meiya shook her head gently and said slowly, "Instructor Zuo Yuan, although cultivation talent is important, I believe that one's current strength is also vital. Compared to that somewhat illusory thing called potential, many people still value how strong a person is in the present moment..."

Meiya's words caused Su Yi, who was standing nearby, to freeze momentarily. Then, he nodded in silent, somewhat helpless agreement. It was true. No matter how great a person's potential was, if they were snuffed out while still in the budding stage, what use would it be? Compared to geniuses, many people still valued the strong. After all, the path and time it took for a genius to become a powerhouse were highly uncertain. Except for a few whose cultivation talents were monstrous to the extreme, many people still had to wait for the right opportunities.

In other words, geniuses are plenty, but what I want is your current strength!

Of course, this did not mean that so-called cultivation geniuses were useless. Everyone had their own views, and those with talent for cultivating battle qi on this continent were still highly valued. One could even say Meiya's words weren't entirely correct, because one's current strength was, to a large extent, determined by their cultivation talent. The more monstrous the talent, the stronger their current strength would naturally be!

Naturally, this so-called monstrous talent was largely related to the faction backing them. Just as Meiya had said before, although Su Yi's talent was also strong, he lacked a corresponding faction to support him. Therefore, his strength did not rise as fast as Meiya's. Thus, Meiya's words might have also implied that the backing of a faction was equally important...

Take Su Yi, who had reached the rank of a four-star Battle Practitioner at the age of fifteen. Although this talent was shocking, Meiya's family would likely not pay much attention to him. If they wanted to deal with Su Yi, it would be as easy as crushing an ant. Only after Su Yi grew into a Battle King or even a Battle Emperor would he be taken seriously or even feared!

Therefore, on this continent, the strong had the final say. Without strength, one would not be respected!

Take Zuo Yuan's attitude toward Meiya, for instance. If Meiya were merely a Battle Practitioner or Battle Cultivator with monstrous talent, Zuo Yuan might admire and respect her talent, but he would not treat her with such equal respect. A dignified Battle King, when facing a young woman in her twenties, did not display any arrogance or air of superiority!

While it was undeniable that the faction behind Meiya played a significant role, the fact that Meiya already had one foot in the realm of a Battle King was also a factor that could not be ignored! In a way, this was the treatment reserved for the strong!

Thinking of this, Su Yi could not help but feel a trace of envy toward Meiya. At the same time, his thoughts uncontrollably drifted to the jade pendant he carried. What exactly did this jade pendant represent?

After hearing Meiya's words, Zuo Yuan could not help but show a look of admiration in his eyes. "Miss Meiya makes a good point. And speaking of strength and talent alone, there are not many who can surpass you. Even among the current students in the Battle Qi Academy, those who can defeat you are likely only... Miss Long..."

Hearing the words "Miss Long," Su Yi's body shuddered almost reflexively. A look of astonishment appeared in his eyes. Someone stronger than Meiya? Miss Long? Could this Miss Long be the one he met back then—

Long Zhimeng?!

Just as Su Yi was filled with both surprise and doubt, Meiya was also slightly taken aback. "Oh? Is that so? But the Battle Qi Academy has always been a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and its students are all talented individuals of the continent. It is not surprising that there are people more powerful than me..."

"But if that's the case, the Grand Martial Arts Tournament three years from now will probably be won by the Battle Qi Academy again, right?" Meiya said with a smile.

Zuo Yuan chuckled and did not speak, whether out of silent agreement or for some other reason...

Having noticed the strange look on Su Yi's face early on, Meiya's eyes flickered slightly. It was unclear what she was thinking, but she immediately changed the subject. "Instructor Zuo Yuan is a guest from afar. Is there anything Meiya can do to help?"

Meiya's words were merely polite pleasantries, but to her surprise, Zuo Yuan actually nodded and said, "In that case, could you allow me to have a chat with this young brother, Su Yi?"

As Zuo Yuan spoke, he turned his gaze toward Su Yi, who was standing to the side, his eyes carrying an indescribable look...

His words startled everyone present. Even Mo Ben, who had maintained a calm expression throughout, cast a surprised glance at Zuo Yuan. The two of them had noticed each other from the start but had not spoken. He did not know what Zuo Yuan, an instructor from the Battle Qi Academy, would have to say to Su Yi, a mere guard at an auction house in Changling City of the Gelan Empire. The two of them had absolutely nothing in common!

Meiya was momentarily stunned, but a charming smile quickly returned to her face. Looking at Su Yi, she said, "That shouldn't be a problem... right, Su Yi?"

Su Yi had not expected Zuo Yuan to seek him out either. For a moment, various thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind, but he still could not fathom the other man's intentions. Hearing Meiya's question, he could only stammer, "Of course..."

Zuo Yuan nodded, then slowly stood up. He said to Meiya, "Then how about Su Yi escorts me out of the auction house, and I discuss it with him in detail on the way?"

Hearing this, Meiya's eyes narrowed slightly. She glanced at Zuo Yuan, then slowly nodded with a light laugh. "In that case, Su Yi, please escort Instructor Zuo Yuan."

With a slight nod, Zuo Yuan took the lead and walked out of the hall. Seeing this, Su Yi hurriedly followed.

Once the two of them had left the hall, Meiya stretched lazily and asked Mo Ben beside her, "Uncle Mo Ben, do you know why Instructor Zuo Yuan wanted to talk to Su Yi?"

Mo Ben shook his head. "I was only watching his movements and didn't think about that... Miss, do you know?"

Meiya smiled and said nothing.

...

Walking along the bluestone path, Su Yi glanced at Zuo Yuan, who was walking slightly ahead of him. He kept guessing what the man's intentions were. After all, not just anyone could associate with a powerhouse like a Battle King, and he did not seem to have any connection with the Battle Qi Academy.

Of course, all of this was after Su Yi had crossed over. As for what the original owner of this body had done, he had no idea...

While Su Yi was lost in thought, Zuo Yuan suddenly stopped. He turned his head to look at Su Yi and smiled faintly.

"Su Yi, you know Long Zhimeng, don't you?"