Days later, Wang Baole had memorized about seventy to eighty thousand inscriptions. The reason he was so fast had to do with the Crystal Memory Pills and the memory enhancement pills Liu Daobin had given him.
Although the effects of those pills were good, there were just not enough. It left Wang Baole depressed. Even as Head Prefect, there were not enough of these pills to go around even if he had Spirit Stones. Simultaneously, the students from the Inscriptions Hall had a high demand for them. Therefore, purchasing more was taking quite some time.
Even if he used his authority as Head Prefect, he was unable to match the speed at which he expended the pills. Most importantly, Wang Baole understood that it was not a long-term solution since the Qi Fostering Art had explained that pills were only effective in the early stages. Things related to memory would quickly result in a drug resistance, and ultimately, one had to rely on one's own hard work.
It was only worth it if he could obtain pills that were even more effective, ones that could aid him in memorizing more than a hundred thousand Inscriptions, even if they did have a limit. As such, he contacted Xie Haiyang, but even Xie Haiyang required time to obtain higher-quality pills. However, he did tell Wang Baole that Ethereal City had an underground black market that he might be able to obtain some from.
He also told Wang Baole the method to enter the underground black market. However, he finally warned Wang Baole that although Spirit Stones were a common currency in the black market, there were certain priceless treasures that one could only obtain through an exchange of goods.
Also, he needed to hide his identity as that place was filled with all sorts of characters. If he was not careful, he might attract trouble.
Just as Wang Baole was vexing over the problem of memorization, Liu Daobin came once again.
The moment they met, he immediately came forward and spoke politely.
"Head Prefect, Sun Qifang's case has been investigated thoroughly. There are indeed some problems with the case."
"What problems are there?" Wang Baole put down the inscription dictionary in his hand and pressed his burgeoning forehead. Just as he was about to take a bottle of Ice Spirit Water, he realized that Liu Daobin had already taken the initiative to hand him a bottle from his bag. Such a caring act left Wang Baole very pleased.
"This Sun Qifang is quite a pitiful person. It was only a trivial case of theft, and before he succeeded, he was caught. As a result, Jiang Lin used this as a way to exhort half his Sun family's fortune. Jiang Lin threatened to send Sun Qifang to the Dao College's courts for internal judgment if his request was not met. Head Prefect, now that their family has heard that you have reformed the department, they took the initiative to seek me. They asked if we could be merciful on this matter. Head Prefect, what do you think about it?" asked Liu Daobin with a whisper.
Wang Baole got a clearer picture of the situation after being briefed. He had a general guess about the case, and now that Liu Daobin had investigated and confirmed his conjecture, he came to a decision. Sun Qifang was indeed at fault, but Jiang Lin had gone too overboard. He sighed deeply and raised his head to speak to Liu Daobin.
"Sun Qifang is indeed at fault in this case. However, the punishment does not need to be so severe. Take disciplinary action on him and put him on probation in the college. He can be let off once he shows signs of rehabilitation."
"Head Prefect, you are strict and impartial! I'm impressed!" Liu Daobin marveled as he cupped his fists.
Liu Daobin's words delighted Wang Baole greatly. He slowly drank the Ice Spirit Water on the table.
Noticing that Wang Baole was in a good mood, Liu Daobin took a few steps forward and whispered into Wang Baole's ear, "In order to express their gratitude, his family is willing to donate half a kilogram of 90% pure Mystic Silver Sand to our College Discipline Department."
"Mystic Silver Sand?" Wang Baole blinked. He knew about it. It was a kind of material that was often required in the refinement of high-quality Dharmic Artifacts. He took another look at Liu Daobin and knew that Liu Daobin had received a form of bribery. However, Wang Baole had his own judgment of this case and knew that, even if Liu Daobin was biased, he would not dare twist facts.
In addition, the Sun family was skilled at navigating about interpersonal relations. They had not given it in private to him, but instead gifted the College Discipline Department. Furthermore, he had already decided on handling the case impartially, so it was not a form of bribery or extortion. Therefore, he picked up the Ice Spirit Water and considered his words before replying.
"Daobin, do you know the one thing I regret most in my life? It's becoming Head Prefect!
"I didn't want to become Head Prefect at all. That way, I would not encounter so many troubles. That way, I would have lots of time to study. Whatever, I'll leave the matter of the gifts to our College Discipline Department to you. However, make sure not to do it without thought. Everything has to be done justly!" Wang Baole said with a sigh, as he swept Liu Daobin with his gaze. These words were things he had learned from the high officials' autobiographies.
Liu Daobin hurriedly gave the affirmative to expression his loyalty, as well as indicate that he remembered Wang Baole's teachings.
Wang Baole smiled before having a short chat with him. Finally, he yawned, to which Liu Daobin immediately understood. He respectfully took his leave.
Once Liu Daobin was gone, Wang Baole sat there and finished the Ice Spirit Water in his hand in one gulp. His mind was still ruminating over Sun Qifang's case. Although the case was settled, Wang Baole realized that the four great Dao Colleges held a very high status in the Federation from this matter! The power a Head Prefect had over the students was enough to make a family clan enter a fix. Although it was not a big and powerful family clan, the general implications were enough to prove the extraordinary status the Dao College had!
In fact, Wang Baole had heard of some of these matters in the past and knew that although the four great Dao Colleges appeared separate, they were a complete system akin to the Federation. They were bound together for good or ill. It appeared like a massive entity and enjoyed an extremely high status in the Federation. Be it the former or present Federation President, they had come from the four great Dao Colleges. There were even innumerable official positions that were helmed by graduates of the four great Dao Colleges.
It could even be said that more than half of the Federation's positions were part of the four great Dao Colleges' system. However, there was another party that maintained a balance within the Federation; they were the seventeen-member Senate!
The seventeen City Lords of the seventeen main cities formed the seventeen-member Senate. They could decide on the main governmental policies of the Federation and could restrict the Federation President. Of course, this also was intrinsically tied to one's cultivation and the number of experts.
Although both parties seemed to balance each other, appearing united outwardly but divided at heart, there were other factions from all over the world that resembled nobles that forced them to be united.
The noble-like factions had formed an independent system among themselves due to the history of the beast wars as well as their retrieval of the cosmic ancient sword's fragments.
Wang Baole paid attention to the news and knew that they were the Trilunaris Corporation, Galactic Dusk Sect, Plume Manifestation Connate Sect, and the Five Generation Sky Clan!
These four factions seemed submissive to the Federation on the surface, acknowledging that they were part of the Federation, but in fact, they were highly autonomous and were part of a separatist regime!
Although any faction could not resist the Federation in its entirety, their combined forces were enough to make the Federation apprehensive.
Now that he was Head Prefect, Wang Baole finally got a deeper understanding of this power. After some thought, he determined that the way he had dealt with the situation was fine and that he had a clear conscience. With that, he patted his belly in satisfaction and picked up the inscription dictionary to continue memorizing the inscriptions.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. When Liu Daobin came again, he brought with him the Mystic Silver Sand. Each sand particle was resplendent and glaring to the eye. They appeared like gems when they caught the light and appeared extremely hard. After Wang Baole saw them, he felt that these items were extraordinary.
"Head Prefect, this Mystic Silver Sand is given by the Sun family to thank the College Discipline Department for being impartial. Head Prefect, I shall defer its handling to you."
Wang Baole took a look at the Mystic Silver Sand and then back at Liu Daobin. There was a deep, knowing look in his eyes that made Liu Daobin somewhat nervous. Sweat began dripping from his forehead, and only after some time did Wang Baole say coolly, "Just this once!"
Upon hearing Wang Baole's words, Liu Daobin immediately gave the affirmative. He did not notice that his back was already wet. Wang Baole's cold gaze had given him immense pressure. He knew that Wang Baole was acutely aware of the dealings he had with the Sun family. Although he had benefited from the Sun family, he had investigated the matter justly and did not show partiality for Sun Qifang.
He gradually understood Wang Baole's principles and knew that Wang Baole's principles were different from his father's judgment. He had made a mistake from the very beginning. Wang Baole's mention of propriety was that he had to go by established norms while doing the investigation and not ask for bribes.
When he came to this realization, Liu Daobin drew a deep gasp. He looked at Wang Baole with an even deeper sense of reverence. He knew how to act in the future.
Wang Baole did not take all of the Mystic Silver Sand; instead, he divided a portion for Liu Daobin so that he could give it to the rest of the College Discipline Department.
After sending off Liu Daobin, Wang Baole did not look at the Mystic Silver Sand. He knew that such refinement materials were not of much practical use to him for the time being.
What I need the most now are some high-quality memory supplements. Wang Baole thought for a moment and decided to take some of the Mystic Silver Sand to exchange them for better pills at the underground black market.
To do exchanges in the black market, one needed to conceal one's identity to prevent any unnecessary trouble. Wang Baole was cognizant of such common knowledge. Therefore, he disguised himself and left the Dao College.
On the way, he looked down at his figure and scratched his head.
This won't do. My figure is too slim. It's easy for others to recognize me… The vexed Wang Baole gritted his teeth and found a store to buy a set of tight clothing. After putting it on, he felt that the effects were not particularly effective with his flesh bound tightly inside his clothes.
Sigh, it's time to lose weight… Wang Baole was somewhat vexed. He felt that he was the person hardest on himself when it came to losing weight, but he could not slim down for some reason.
No, I will continue to lose weight from tomorrow! Wang Baole's eyes effused a look of determination. He bought another seven or eight sets of clothes and wore all of them. Finally, he disguised his figure completely and finally wore a loose robe.
From his body's shape, even someone familiar would hardly be able to recognize him at a glance.
However, it was just so tight that Wang Baole found it difficult to breathe. But in order to prevent his identity from being exposed, he put up with it. He found a mask to wear as his entire person changed drastically, and he rushed for the underground black market.
From today forth, I will not eat meals. I'll be dieting! On the way, Wang Baole walked very stiffly, afraid that he would burst his tight clothes accidentally. Therefore, he resolved once again to lose weight. However, the moment he made up his mind, he could not help but pause when he passed by a snacks shop.
This is… Wang Baole licked his lips as he looked at the advertisement stand placed outside the shop. There was a poster hung on it that showed the latest snacks. He struggled for a moment.
Since I start dieting tomorrow, it shouldn't matter if I buy some more today. With this in mind, Wang Baole quickly bought a few bags. He walked as he ate, and when he finished it, the satisfied him had arrived at the underground black market.
The pill exchange process went smoothly. Soon, Wang Baole had exchanged for a sufficient number of high-quality pills and left the black market. As he walked in the bustling Ethereal City to find a place to take off his tight clothes, he suddenly heard a scream from further down the street he was on.
"Quick, dodge!"
"Heavens, how can you drive a cruiser like that?"
"It's falling!"
The shouts came from countless passers-by on the road. The yells in the sky were piercing to the ears as Wang Baole quickly looked over after recovering from his shock. He saw a cruiser emitting thick smoke and plummeting straight to the ground as though it had lost control.
The cruiser was too fast. Even though people fled in panic, there was still some people who failed to dodge in time. One of them was a seven or eight year old girl who was carrying a backpack. She stood rooted to the ground in fear. Before she could even cry, the cruiser had plummet right down at her.
Even though the young girl did not suffer a direct hit, her body was battered and bruised. Immediately, she was covered in blood as she flew out, and by the time she landed on the ground, she was barely breathing.
The bloody face made the hearts of everyone who saw her tremble. The crowd who saw the scene broke out into an angry uproar. When Wang Baole rushed over and saw all of this, his expression changed. Rage filled his eyes when he noticed the people walking out from the crashed cruiser.
Although the cruiser had plummeted to the ground, damaging several of the surrounding buildings and leaving a deep crater in the ground, its surface did not appear damaged. The door to the cruiser had opened and four youths walked out of it.
The four of them were wearing Ethereal Dao College student robes, and from the logos on their clothing, they were students of the Dharmic Armament faculty!
The moment they appeared, the angry mob around them drew gasps. None of them dared speak loudly. Instead, they murmured in discussion. After all, Ethereal Dao College was one of the four great Dao Colleges of the Federation. Furthermore, it was connected to Ethereal City. Many of the students who graduated would take up positions in the various departments in the Federation. Such a Dao College had an unimaginably strong heritage.
It would have been fine if the accident involved them, but now, with the accident having nothing much to do with them, the crowd did not wish to cross the students verbally. Also, it was clear at a glance that the four youths came from quite spectacular backgrounds.
The four youths who walked out of the cruiser completely ignored the crowd. They were even chatting jubilantly as though nothing had happened.
They had also seen the girl that their cruiser had sent flying, but they thought nothing of her. One of them casually lifted his voice transmission ring and gave a few instructions after making the connecting call.
"Something happened. Help us deal with it." With that said, he looked at the students beside him and sighed.
"Huang Jing, do you know how to drive a cruiser? That is Han Lu's graduation work. What do you think about this matter, Han Lu?"
"Zhang Lan, isn't it all because you nudged me? But then again, Han Lu, I'm sorry about this…" The youth named Huang Jing shrugged his shoulders with a wry smile.
The youth named Han Lu, who was being looked at by the other two, had a dark and heavy expression. He quickly walked to the cruiser, where he examined the damage, before he turned his head in contempt to look at the barely breathing girl.
"It's nothing major. It just got stained by a bit of blood. Rubbing it off will do."
They pretended as though the crowd didn't exist, and their attitude toward the bloody girl was of complete indifference. Immediately, the surrounding crowd fumed, but they could only put up with it when they saw Ethereal Dao College robes they donned.
All of this was seen by Wang Baole. The anger in him grew. From Jiang Lin's case, he knew that the college was not some safe space, but he had never imagined that Ethereal Dao College students thought so little of innocent lives. In addition, they placed themselves above ordinary people because of their status as Dao College students. This scene added an addition coldness to Wang Baole's fuming gaze.
Just as he was about to take a few steps forward, a spectator beside him held him back out of good will, and murmured, "Don't go over. They are people from Ethereal Dao College. Once they graduate, each one of them will be an elite. Furthermore, from how they appear fearless, it's clear that their family clan is powerful. They are not people we can provoke."
Wang Baole's expression was grim and solemn underneath his mask. He gently struggled free from the person and continued walking straight forward. He did not walk toward the four Ethereal Dao College students and instead came to the girl. As he looked at her blood-covered face, his body trembled slightly. He pressed down on the barely breathing child, directed Spirit Qi into her body, and said gently, "Little girl, don't be afraid. You will be fine."
With that said, Wang Baole took out some of the pills he had bought from the Alchemy faculty back then and fed them to her.
"Brother, I'm in pain… I'm so scared… I want Mommy…" The girl had been in shock previously, but now, having seen Wang Baole and heard his gentle voice, she immediately cried. Her voice was weak, as though she could not last much longer.
"Little girl, don't be afraid. You will be fine." Wang Baole stroked the girl's head and increased the amount of Spirit Qi he injected. While treating the girl's wounds, he placed even more pills in her mouth.
Although her injury was heavy, the Recuperation Pills the Alchemy faculty refined were very miraculous for ordinary mortals. Soon, the girl's injuries took a turn for the better. Under Wang Baole's nourishing Spirit Qi, she gradually fell asleep.
Meanwhile, the four youths who had alighted from the cruiser smiled when they saw this happen, as though they felt that the matter had been settled. Therefore, they began engaging in banter while planning to turn and leave. Even Zhang Lan, who had previously sent a voice transmission for manpower, took out his voice transmission ring and said that there was no need for their presence.
This contemptuous act, to the point of not even apologizing, made all the spectators burn with anger. Although none of them dared berate them in public, it was obvious from their eyes.
This scene similarly infuriated Wang Baole. His fury was set alight as he carried the girl closer to the spectating crowd and put her down gently. He turned to look coldly at the few Ethereal Dao College students and said in a deep voice, "Stop!"
Wang Baole's voice was ice-cold. There was no courtesy in his words as he shouted what the crowd did not dare say. "When has Ethereal Dao College admitted such scum that are devoid of conscience?"
The moment Wang Baole said that sentence, the four students who were prepared to leave came to a halt. They turned to look coldly at Wang Baole. Zhang Lan, who had sent a voice transmission to his family clan, clearly had the hottest temper. He immediately walked toward Wang Baole.
"Who are you? Do you have a death wish? How dare you scold me? I'm Ethereal Dao College's Dharmic Armament…" Zhang Lan's tone was unfriendly. As he grumbled, he approached to push Wang Baole.
But before he finished his sentence, Wang Baole instantly raised his right hand and grabbed the youth's finger. While fuming in anger, he showed no mercy and bent the finger before raising his foot to aim at his knee and kicking it.
A crack sounded instantly as a sharp cry that did not sound human was uttered from the youth's mouth. He felt an excruciating pain as he stumbled more than ten hops away on one foot before collapsing to the ground.
This scene left the hearts of the surrounding crowd stirring.
"Heavens, he actually dared attacked Ethereal Dao College's students…"
"This masked guy is in big trouble!"
"It's so rare to see people rising gallantly to the occasion these days. This person is too foolish…"
The crowd gasped one after another.
The expressions of the three Ethereal Dao College students changed as they immediately drew their weapons and circulated their cultivation.
"Who are you?"
"How gutsy you are. We are from Ethereal Dao College."
"We are Dharmic Armament faculty students. If you dare resort to violence, we will make you regret living in this world!" The trio was alarmed and furious. As they bellowed angrily, Wang Baole sneered. Others might have been afraid of Ethereal Dao College students, but he wasn't!
Just as he was about to attack, a shout was heard nearby. The crowd quickly parted as more than ten strongmen in combat attire charged forward. In front of the men was an elder. He had a Pulse Enrichment cultivation level, and his eyes had a sharp glint to them.
Just as he was about to speak, he noticed Zhang Lan wailing on the ground. Immediately, his expression changed.
"Young Master!" the elder yelled as he rushed forward to help him up. The strongmen behind him looked menacingly at Wang Baole as they quickly surrounded him.
They had almost arrived back when they received the voice transmission; therefore, they did not return but instead continued rushing over. As the elder saw that his young lord's finger was purplish-black and twisted, obvious that it had been snapped, he immediately raged. He looked up with killing intent and shouted coldly, "How dare you to resort to violence in broad daylight!"
After the elder said that, Zhang Lan, who had his finger broken from Wang Baole's bending, shouted at his subordinates with a distorted expression while sweating profusely from the pain, "What are you waiting for? Beat him to death… It hurts so badly!"
When the four strongmen heard that, they charged straight for Wang Baole fiercely.
The three Ethereal Dao College students also heaved a sigh of relief. They had been alarmed by Wang Baole's attack as well. Now that their schoolmate's family was here, they looked at Wang Baole with derision.
Wang Baole's fury was not appeased. Be it in the Dao College or at the freestyle fight club, he had held back when he fought apart from fighting the fight club's young mistress, but now, in his rage, a cold glint flashed in Wang Baole's eyes when the men approached him. He suddenly took one step forward.
He gave a direct punch that seemed to tear space itself. It landed on a strongman's body, and he spewed out blood. His body bent like a shrimp as his entire being was sent flying.
Wang Baole did not stop. He raised his right foot and swept it. With two thuds, another two strongmen spewed out mouthfuls of blood before landing unconscious from receiving a direct kick.
It was this moment that the other men had come close, but Wang Baole was just too fast. Turning around, he grabbed a person's wrist and cleanly twisted it before raising his right foot to kick another person in the crotch ruthlessly.
As Wang Baole walked forward, not one of the ten strongmen managed to last more than a few seconds. Amid the shock of the crowd, they collapsed to the ground, groaning incessantly in pain.
A cold glint flashed in the Pulse Enrichment realm elder's eyes. He charged forward at the instant Wang Baole turned around. He raised his right hand, which produced a tiger's roar. It even appeared as though a ferocious black tiger had appeared around the elder.
But at the instant the elder came close, Wang Baole's devouring seed instantly activated even though his body was sideways. A stunning suction force immediately influenced the surroundings, forming an invisible vortex. The elder's expression changed as his body changed direction involuntarily. By then, Wang Baole had already turned around, his right hand raised to grab the elder's wrist.
With a crack, the elder's wrist was suddenly snapped as he cried out in pain. Wang Baole kicked the elder in the crotch, using extreme force. With a boom, the elder spewed out a mouthful of blood. Even his crotch bled as he was sent flying before he landed on the ground convulsing.
This scene left the onlookers holding their breaths. They were shocked stiff. Wang Baole had been extremely fast in his battle with the elder. It was also very straightforward and extremely ruthless. They could not help but be stunned.
The three students widened their eyes as well. As for Zhang Lan, who had his finger broken, he was pale in the face. His eyes were filled with horror as he was crawling backwards. However, Wang Baole appeared next to him in one step. He stepped on the youth's twisted finger, and as the youth cried out, Wang Baole said lightly, "Apologize!"
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