Chapter 1116: Chapter 114: Internship Salary

Ah? Ah!

Beneath the amber spire, because of Fu Qian’s words, both Lisa and Ji Liushuang let out a cry of surprise, although their meanings differed.

Lisa was stunned, furrowing her brows in clear expression of worry over your troublesome meddling, while Ji Liushuang’s face showed a touch of being flattered by the unexpected favor.

“Don’t be reckless, she’s still just a student and might not be able to withstand the consumption.”

“Moreover, the Swordsmanship Department always places the utmost importance on mental state. If she suffers backlash and ruins her potential as a rising star, not even Cass can protect you.”

As expected, Lisa was the first to speak up, strongly urging Fu Qian to abandon this idea.

“That statement is obviously contradictory.”

Fu Qian merely shot her a glance.

“You yourself said that Sword Dao places the utmost importance on mental state, and the path to transcendence is full of hardships. If one stops at the slightest challenge and gives up, are you sure that won’t have an even larger impact on her?”

Are you kidding? That’s just a ‘slight challenge’? Why not have her challenge a demigod!

Lisa, of course, was no match in a verbal duel, so she gritted her teeth and looked at Ji Liushuang.

“I’ve heard more than one teacher say you are exceptionally talented and discerning, always remember to make your own decisions, don’t let this guy lead you astray, understand?”

“Um, I’ve already made up my mind, Professor Lisa.”

Ji Liushuang nodded earnestly.

“This is a rare opportunity to take on a challenge, and I have a lot of confidence in myself.”

…I knew it!

Although unclear about the relationship between these two, for Ji Liushuang, Fu Qian’s words were obviously much more effective than her own!

Sensing the resolve in Ji Liushuang’s tone, Lisa suddenly regretted indulging in that bit of mischief earlier.

“It looks like our contestant is very confident.”

At this moment, Fu Qian made a praising remark on the side, then slightly frowned as he looked over.

“Professor Lisa isn’t hoping to avoid being replaced, right? After all, there are only two spots.”

“Remember to act within your capabilities.”

Lisa chose to ignore that, looking seriously at Ji Liushuang and instructing her.

“I will be right by your side, and if necessary, I will find a way to help you.”

“I’m here too.”

Fu Qian, not minding being snubbed, positively chimed in from the side.

“I will prevent Professor Lisa from any act of assistance. Your power is enough, as long as you don’t get distracted elsewhere, you can certainly do it.”

“Okay.”

Ji Liushuang listened solemnly, showing no objection to the two completely contradictory statements.

And without waiting for the others to say anything more, the next moment she had already walked up front, as if afraid of being too late to start fighting.

…

Weakness and negligence came like an endless tide, wave after wave beating against her.

The movements of her hands, therefore, became mountain-heavy.

Having not felt such negative emotions for many years, Ji Liushuang felt as though all the unpleasant memories buried deep in her mind were stirring up silt from the bottom, converging into shouts telling her to give up.

Even the comfort and relaxation after retracting her efforts seemed to have prematurely seeped into her will.

Such negative emotions, Ji Liushuang had experienced too many times during her cultivation, she was well-practiced in suppressing and eliminating them.

However, the dial had only turned halfway thus far, and just dispelling those voices in the battle of attrition was nearly depleting her strength.

The power of will is never unlimited. When she first grasped Sword Intent, the dean had sought her out to give a special reminder, worried she might be as impulsive as she was now.

But Professor Fu said my power is enough…

Not to be distracted elsewhere…

The next moment, Ji Liushuang realized something, no longer opposing those weak calls, letting them echo within her will.

Pursuing a clear and transparent mind also seemed to be a distraction.

Amidst many distracting thoughts, the only thing left in Ji Liushuang’s eyes was that golden needle.

The almost stalled hand began to move again at not a particularly fast speed, until it circled back to the starting point.

…

Sigh…

A few seconds after the tide receded, a long exhale from Ji Liushuang could be heard.

“Thank you both, professors.”

And she quickly turned around, earnestly expressing her gratitude to Fu Qian and the other.

“Well done.”

With somewhat mixed feelings and after hesitating, Professor Lisa ultimately praised with a sigh.

For a moment there, she had almost been unable to refrain from intervening.

Unexpectedly, the guy next to her really was watching her closely, seemingly ready to react at the slightest change, just as he said he would.

Although she couldn’t fathom his thought processes, she eventually suppressed the urge to prevent chaos.

It turns out, his judgment was indeed correct; the girl truly did it.

“Very good, you’ve grasped it quickly.”

Professor Fu was also generous with his compliments at this time.

“It seems you are now qualified to serve as a laboratory research assistant.”

…Huh?

When he said this, not just Professor Lisa, but Ji Liushuang, who was still savoring her recent experience, was also taken aback.

“Otherwise, why would I grant you management access?”

Fu Qian seemed not to understand their astonishment.

“As I won’t be here often in my role as the supervisor, I’ll rely on you to take charge of the routine management tasks. Don’t worry about funding at all, and for more detailed processes, you can consult Professor Lisa.”

Without even asking for her consent, Fu Qian had already started delegating work responsibilities.

“In addition, you’re free to use the facility whenever you’re off duty… Oh right, this is your internship compensation.”

Fu Qian handed over the short sword he had been carrying.

“This, isn’t it too valuable…”

Having barely processed this information, Ji Liushuang was surprised and instinctively wanted to refuse.

As a student of the Swordsmanship Department, she had naturally paid attention to the weapon that Fu Qian held.

And precisely because of this, she could fully recognize the extraordinariness of this sword.

She had just been wondering where Professor Fu, who never used a sword, had obtained this trophy; it turned out to be her “salary.”

I…

Even Lisa beside her was dumbfounded.

As a professor, her judgment was naturally superior; despite the shortness of the sword, in her view, not many instructors at the Swordsmanship Department possessed a weapon of such ranking.

You’re just giving it away so casually? As internship pay?

Does our lab happen to be hiring?

“This sword is called Weaver’s Tip.”

Ignoring their reactions, Fu Qian turned the sword around and handed it to Ji Liushuang while giving a brief introduction.

“Besides being a bit short, its performance is excellent. Of course, there’s one thing I must remind you.”

“Please go on…”

Ji Liushuang stopped with the unnecessary politeness and took the sword, listening intently.

“This sword is imbued with a magical effect known as the Curse of Oblivion, which can devastate the target’s psyche.”

“Understood, you’re saying this sword is too ruthless, and I need to use it cautiously?”

Ji Liushuang caught on at once.

“Of course not, I just wanted to remind you not to overly rely on its special effects; you still need to swing it as many times as necessary.”

“Alright…”