Chapter 164 - 163: Good News, Speak Up; Bad News, Keep It to Yourself

Hearing this, Shen Han slightly furrowed his brows, "Personal tutelage?"

"In the academy, most students are guided by one tutor among many.

Personal tutelage students are individually guided and nurtured by a tutor in the academy.

Of course, this arrangement is primarily set because the potential of such students is exceptionally outstanding.

Training with other students would only hold them back."

Mr. Zhong Nan patiently explained, recalling the previous events in the secret realm, and spoke again.

"Take the previous secret realm training for instance, we tutors painstakingly set the stage, but you saw through it at a glance...

For you, the secret realm training was a waste of time.

Your cultivation and experience did not benefit at all.

If you become a personal tutelage student, we will tailor specific training based on your situation."

Hearing these words, Shen Han indeed grew a bit more interested.

The previous secret realm training had already seemed meaningless to Shen Han.

If there were a second time, he would probably refuse.

If he were a personal tutelage student, he wouldn’t visit such simple secret realms.

"In addition to this, you can freely read the rare books stored in the academy.

It’s heard that whenever you have free time, Shen Han, you always head to the Book Collection Pavilion.

It should be highly beneficial for you."

Mentioning two benefits indeed made Shen Han slightly more expectant.

"Mr. Zhong Nan mentioned the benefits of being a personal tutelage student, but what are the costs involved?"

Shen Han has always believed that the results are proportional to what is given.

It’s unlikely that someone would help without reason.

"The cost, well, the first is that you must reveal your true strength.

In Tianyi Academy, to become a personal tutelage student, you must reach the Sixth Grade First Snow Realm before the age of twenty.

After turning twenty, you must reach the Sixth Grade Half-Step Realm.

Many are eyeing the personal tutelage qualification, so there’s no way to hide one’s strength.

Besides, you don’t have to worry about the Shen Family threatening your safety.

Here in the Capital City, under the jurisdiction of the Forbidden Army.

It’s not Yun’an City, nor the eastern border where the Shen Family holds sway."

Mr. Zhong Nan paused for a moment after completing his statement, and upon seeing no strong resistance in Shen Han’s expression, continued speaking.

"Moreover, after becoming a personal tutelage student, you will have to contribute to the academy.

The Capital City academies have competitions every year.

Which academy is more powerful, is essentially a contest among the strongest students in the academy?"

Mr. Zhong Nan cut to the essence.

The heritage and history of an academy are only one aspect.

The most straightforward is achieving first place in competitions.

If the top students of the Mountain Sea Academy perform terribly and end up last.

Then, would anyone still boast about how superior the Mountain Sea Academy is?

"Additionally, Tianyi Academy is backed by the Imperial Family, and in the future, it will need to lean towards the Imperial Family.

Luckily, the Shen Family already has thin relations with you, so you don’t need to align with them."

Mr. Zhong Nan said a lot in succession, very candidly, putting down his chopsticks a while ago.

Looking at him, he genuinely hoped Shen Han could become a personal tutelage student.

"Shen Han, you’ve already stepped into the Sixth Grade, you should know how difficult it is to grow beyond the Sixth Grade.

Every step forward requires talent, resources, and training without exception.

Becoming a personal tutelage student is definitely a good choice for you.

Your elder brother from the Shen Family is a personal tutelage student at the Mountain Sea Academy."

After hearing Mr. Zhong Nan’s words, Shen Han thought for a moment.

Raising his eyes past the towering trees before him, full of lush growth.

The branches bear traces of being blown by the wind.

Trees like this, so are people.

Hidden behind walls, one might avoid the ravages of storms and enjoy peace.

But without extending the branches and withstanding the wind and rain, growth is impossible.

Suddenly, a firm look appeared in Shen Han’s eyes.

"Mr. Zhong, I am willing to become a personal tutelage student. Please continue to guide me in the future."

He stood up and performed a respectful gesture towards Mr. Zhong Nan.

With his current strength, he could be considered outstanding.

Sufficient to make Tianyi Academy pay attention to him and provide him the protection he deserves.

Perhaps in the future, he wouldn’t need to hide anymore.

Hearing Shen Han’s acceptance, a smile appeared on Zhong Nan’s face.

"Great! I will inform the dean of this today, and perhaps the addition of another personal tutelage student will make the dean so happy that he can’t keep his mouth shut."

After lunch, Shen Han didn’t stay long and walked towards his courtyard.

And Zhong Nan wasted no time, immediately looking for the dean of the academy.

The requirements for personal tutelage students were indeed quite strict.

No choice, since each personal tutelage student requires a tutor.

Even the teaching resources require a significant investment.

Furthermore, cultivating these top students’ resources also costs a lot.

Plus, searching for new secret realms, mysterious places, and novel classics...

Such a large expense means Tianyi Academy has to be stricter with personal tutelage students.

Standing at the door of a small courtyard on the northeast side of the academy, Zhong Nan was waiting.

"What is the dean doing, it’s been almost a quarter of an hour already..."

Hearing Zhong Nan’s complaint, the attendant in front could only nod and smile, "Please wait a little longer, Mr. Zhong, at most another quarter of an hour..."

As he spoke, the courtyard door opened by itself.

Zhong Nan immediately ran inside to find his dean still hoeing in front of the small courtyard.

"Dean, you..."

"What, can’t the dean of an academy farm?"

Though he said this, the dean put down the hoe and returned to sit in front of the stone table.

"Why the hurry, what news do you have for the old man?

If it’s good news, say it fast, if it’s bad, keep it to yourself, don’t disturb the old man anymore."

In recent days, the dean was extremely annoyed and didn’t want to hear any bad news.

"Good news, certainly good news.

I’ve discovered a promising talent, the student Prince Qingyuan recommended earlier, Shen Han from the Shen Family!"

"Shen Han?" The dean slightly hesitated.

"I’ve heard he once defeated Qianmu Fan and even knocked Dugu Tian to the ground during the end-of-month assessment.

Seems he does have some skill?

But just for these feats, it’s not enough to become a personal tutelage student—"

Before the dean finished, Zhong Nan interjected, "He is already of Sixth Grade strength..."

Upon hearing this, the dean immediately looked kindly and benevolent.

Prior to this, Shen Han’s performance was already commendable.

Judging by that, Shen Han’s strength was thought to be at the Peak of Grade Seven.

The difference between Seventh Grade and Sixth Grade is a barrier in the Mortal Realm.

Lacking talent, some people remain stuck at Seventh Grade their whole lives.

Simply reaching Seventh Grade wasn’t enough to attract the dean’s attention.

But stepping into Sixth Grade, surpassing the Mortal Realm, indicates a young talent with an extraordinary future.

The dean picked up a teapot and gently poured a cup for Zhong Nan.

Zhong Nan inadvertently showed dark lines on his face.

Familiar with his dean’s swift change in expression, Zhong Nan was always speechless, though accustomed to it.

Bring good news? Great, personally pour you tea.

Bring bad news? Sorry, turn over some soil here before you leave.