Chapter 534 - 343: Heart Towards the Light (7)

Still, this outfit certainly did a better job of showing off her graceful, feminine figure.

"So, Zhao Chi, were you paying attention?"

Perhaps it was a habit from her time as an instructor, but the first thing she did was ask if he had been paying attention.

Zhao Chi nodded. "I was."

"The new policies and everything are acceptable, right? At least they’re much better than back when the nobles were in charge."

"Yes, they’re all pretty good."

"I took a look at your Combat Power. I didn’t expect it to already be close to 500. Seems like you’ve been developing quite well lately. Is there anything you’re lacking?"

’I’m lacking everything,’ Zhao Chi thought.

’Especially money.’

But he couldn’t actually say that.

"The main thing I’m short on is Time. I feel like my development period has been too short, and I rarely get large blocks of time to focus on it."

Li Ruanyu smiled. "Of course. You’re not the only one who feels that way; everyone feels like they’re short on development Time. But that’s just how it is. We all have to squeeze in time to develop amidst everything else. Your progress is already excellent. You’re one of the top one or two students I’ve ever trained."

’One of the top one or two, which means second place.’

Zhao Chi knew this world was full of hidden masters, with experts emerging one after another.

There were undoubtedly many people stronger than him.

Zhao Chi had no interest in hearing about anyone else.

But Li Ruanyu brought it up herself. "One of them is a female student four years your senior whose Talent is truly exceptional. She’s not in Snowfield City right now, but I can introduce you two later."

"Oh... okay."

Zhao Chi didn’t know why she was telling him this, but he nodded instinctively.

But he suddenly realized something.

’If Li Ruanyu taught a student four years his senior, then how old is she?’

The class had been guessing her Age for a while now, with all sorts of theories, but no one had any accurate information.

’In the end, everyone guessed she was twenty-four, but it looks like that was way off.’

"What is it? Did you want to ask me something?"

Li Ruanyu keenly guessed what was on his mind.

"Instructor Li, how old are you, exactly? You can’t be twenty-four, right? You just mentioned that you taught a student four years my senior... so I’m a bit curious."

Li Ruanyu pursed her lips into a smile, looking quite pleased. "Heh, who told you I was twenty-four?"

"We guessed."

"Is this what you boys guess about in your free time?"

"Uh... we were just curious."

"Hee hee, how old do you think I am?"

"I’m not very good at telling, but if you taught a student four years my senior... then you must be in your thirties, right?"

"Th... thirties?"

Li Ruanyu’s smile froze on her face.

Her pretty face tensed.

"Watch your mouth! Who’s in their thirties? How could I be in my thirties? Do I look like I’m in my thirties to you?"

Her brows furrowed as she looked at Zhao Chi with a hint of annoyance.

Zhao Chi knew he’d said the wrong thing.

Of course, Li Ruanyu didn’t look like she was in her thirties. At most, she looked like a young woman of twenty-five or twenty-six.

She seemed to be around the same age as Gu Qing, but lacked Gu Qing’s alluring charm.

Instead, she had more of a noble air, similar to Zhuang Ya.

Besides, Li Ruanyu always wore light makeup, making it difficult for Zhao Chi to guess her Age just from her appearance.

However, her professional demeanor was very mature. She was a competent Chief Instructor, and she had taught a student four years his senior.

That was the information Zhao Chi had used to conclude she was in her thirties.

’But apparently, I was wrong.’

"My apologies, Instructor Li. I was just making a deduction. If I were to go by looks alone, I’d say you look twenty-four."

"Hmph!" Li Ruanyu huffed. "That’s more like it. I don’t look like I’m in my thirties at all, honestly..."

"So, how old are you really?"

Li Ruanyu shot him a glare. "I’m not telling you... but I’m definitely not over thirty!"

"Oh..."

"But you can go ahead and keep thinking of me as twenty-four."

"Understood..."

After all that talk, Zhao Chi still had no idea why she had summoned him.

It surely wasn’t just to chat.

"Instructor Li, was there a reason you called me here?"

Li Ruanyu sighed. It seemed he had genuinely gotten on her nerves.

She shot Zhao Chi another glance before speaking. "I called you here to ask about your intentions. Do you have any plans for your future development?"

’I can’t believe I’m being asked this kind of question in this world... Is this a job interview?’

Zhao Chi shook his head. "To be honest, I don’t have one. I just want to develop my territory and become stronger."

"Mm. However, in your family’s current generation, you’re the only Village Lord. Although you’re developing quickly, the gap between you and the others is still quite large. So, I wanted to ask if you would be willing to come over to my side."

"Could you be more specific?"

Li Ruanyu nodded.

She sat up straighter.

"Yes, it’s like this.

"My Identity is the captain of the White Tiger Regiment’s Jade Team. I have many students from our academy under my command, including Lu Yi and her teammates.

"Everyone is around the same Level, mostly Village and Town Level Lords, so we all face similar problems and missions.

"If you’re willing to join, I can have your affiliation transferred over and assign you teammates who are closer to your own strength.

"That way, you’ll have more suitable teammates and be able to take on missions better suited to your current strength. You’ll also be able to play to your strengths during combat and accumulate your own Combat Experience.

"Otherwise, if you’re always being carried by higher-level Lords, it will be hard for you to train properly, and your rate of improvement will be very slow.

"Furthermore, the missions for High Tier Lords are much more demanding. While you are outstanding, right now, you’re just a liability to them.

"That’s not good for either of you.

"That’s why I’m suggesting you come over to my team.

"Besides, my team has higher clearance, which will make it more convenient for you to get things done.

"You don’t need to worry about your family, either. I’ve already spoken with your Clan Leader. All I need now is your agreement.