Chapter 63: As Long as It's Not for People, Anything Else Is Fine

After the beast tide was repelled, the students received their well-deserved rewards. In addition to the spirit beads he obtained from slaying monsters himself, Xiang Nan was also awarded an extra fourth-tier spirit bead by the Longyuan Army as a special commendation.

As they prepared to leave, the students waited one by one in the combat preparation room, and special vehicles dispatched by the Longyuan Army transported them back in waves.

When Xiang Nan arrived at the preparation room, he stirred quite a commotion.

“Damn, Nan’s here! Nan’s here!” someone cried.

Everyone paused what they were doing, focusing their gaze on Xiang Nan. Those students near the door automatically divided into two lines, leaving a clear path for him to walk through.

Welcoming him in formation, Xiang Nan felt perfectly at ease. Having served as the young master of the Eagle Alliance for some time, he was accustomed to such displays.

He strode forward with an upright bearing, each step confident and assured. His presence and demeanor drew the attention of everyone in the room, especially the female students whose eyes sparkled with admiration.

“Nan, you’ve worked hard! I’m Xu Qian from Class Three, Year Two. If you need anything, just say the word,” one greeted.

“Nan, have a cup of tea. I’m Zhang Han from Class Two, Year Three. I hope you’ll look out for me,” another chimed in.

“My name is Zhang Yu, also from Song City—so we’re hometown friends,” someone else added.

“Nan, I’m Li Xiang, cultivation third-tier, second star, my ability specializes in damage resistance. Would you consider me for your Lingxu expedition team?” Li Xiang asked eagerly.

“Lingxu expedition?” Xiang Nan stopped, puzzled.

Li Xiang, thrilled like someone chosen for a special honor, hurried to explain.

“Nan, you might not know yet, but the Lingxu expedition is scheduled earlier this year. It’s just days away now. As a new student, you wouldn’t have heard, but all summer, everyone’s been busy finding suitable teammates.

“The Lingxu expedition spans all grades. The school encourages upperclassmen to mentor underclassmen, so teams can mix grades. Most people try to form strong teams, and newcomers like you are in high demand.”

Xiang Nan pondered, “What are the rules for the Lingxu expedition?”

“The rules are simple: teams of four, bring whatever equipment you can carry. Teams are judged by the number and level of spirit beads they collect. Teams must cross grades; otherwise, groupings are completely free. Usually, there’s a shield, a controller, an attacker, and a support.”

Seeing Xiang Nan nod repeatedly, Li Xiang grew even more enthusiastic.

“With your strength, Nan, you’d be the core—the main attacker and team leader. Me, I have a third-tier ancestral ability: elementization. I can turn my body metallic at will, so I can handle damage resistance.”

As he finished, Li Xiang demonstrated. He channeled qi into his palm, and with a twist of his hand, a pure gold shield appeared on his arm, casting a golden glow throughout the room.

Xiang Nan couldn’t help but silently marvel. The abilities of a third-tier ancestral user were indeed powerful; in just a second, Li Xiang had formed a golden shield, and he was only at third-tier, second star—his potential was vast.

Li Xiang’s straightforwardness appealed to Xiang Nan, so he patted his shoulder, saying, “Li Xiang, right? Not bad.”

Those simple words sent Li Xiang nearly jumping with excitement.

“Thanks, Nan! I won’t let you down!”

Xiang Nan was bewildered.

Let him down? What had he even said?

Still, seeing Li Xiang’s joy, Xiang Nan let it be. After all, the Lingxu expedition required a team, and Li Xiang, with his cultivation, would make a solid damage-resistant tank.

As for the controller, Xiang Nan already had someone in mind: Su Yao would certainly join him. Her cultivation and mechanical techniques made her perfect for controlling the field.

With that settled, only a support was missing for his four-person team.

Others volunteered eagerly, hoping to join Xiang Nan’s team, but he declined them all. He wasn’t about to risk the expedition with teammates he couldn’t trust—such a team would crumble instantly.

On the other side, Lu Ming, uncharacteristically silent, watched. Usually, he’d be the one basking in glory, surrounded by admiration. But now, almost everyone’s attention was on Xiang Nan.

In the beast tide defense, Xiang Nan had undeniably been the top performer among the students. No one remembered second place.

Lu Ming understood this and wouldn’t embarrass himself by seeking attention.

Yet Xiang Nan walked over to him.

“Lu Ming, so? Do you admit defeat?”

Lu Ming turned away. “Who knows what tricks you used to stun those monsters? If it came down to real skill, I doubt you could kill so many fourth-tier beasts!”

Xiang Nan smiled lightly. “It doesn’t matter if you admit defeat or not. Just remember our wager—when we get back to school, meet me at the training grounds.”

The terms were clear: running a hundred laps around the training grounds with a lady’s underwear on his head—not one lap less.

Many students knew of their wager and began to tease them.

At that moment,

Footsteps sounded at the door—heavy, rhythmic thuds.

Everyone looked up.

Lone Wolf entered, accompanied by two female soldiers, both with delicate features and a hint of boldness. She scanned the room and finally fixed her gaze on Xiang Nan.

The three marched in step, boots thudding as they headed straight for Xiang Nan. Their aura was such that students instinctively stepped back, making space for them.

Arriving at Xiang Nan’s side, the three surrounded him from different angles, staring intently. Their scrutiny made Xiang Nan uneasy; he inwardly muttered, “Others are fine, but Lone Wolf—she can’t even be taken down by tier-five beasts. She’s not someone to mess with.”

But this time, he’d earned credit with her again.

“Sister Lone Wolf, I know you’re grateful, but such generous rewards—I really can’t accept them,” Xiang Nan said, his eyes darting toward the two striking female soldiers at her side.

Lone Wolf rolled her eyes. “What are you thinking? Always daydreaming!”

Xiang Nan grinned mischievously. “What, not giving me these two flowers of the barracks? Or is it you yourself, Sister Lone Wolf? Then I definitely can’t accept!”

Lone Wolf took a deep breath, restraining her urge to hit him. “You’ve earned merit with the Longyuan Army. It’s only right that you’re rewarded!”

Xiang Nan teased, “As long as it’s not people, anything else is fine.”

Then, remembering something, he added, “Of course, no role-playing injections either.”

At that, even Lone Wolf’s weathered face flushed slightly.

All around, whispers swelled. Many speculated that Xiang Nan and Captain Lone Wolf had an unusual relationship.

Yet Xiang Nan sensed he’d said something wrong, as if he’d fallen into another trap.

Sure enough, Lone Wolf steadied herself, a sly smile curling her lips. “That’s easy enough. I’ll reward you with the right to enlist in the Longyuan Army.”

Before her words faded, a contract appeared in her hand, which she thrust in front of Xiang Nan.

“You agreed yourself, no backing out. Go on, put your handprint here!”

Xiang Nan cried out in regret. Too many beauties had muddled his mind—he’d fallen right into Lone Wolf’s trap.

Without a word, the female soldiers produced a stamp pad, seized Xiang Nan’s hand, and pressed it onto the contract.