Chapter 2324: Transaction

“Watch my lips,” Jiang Luofu said next, "S-C-R-A-M."

Zu An: “……”

“Principal, using such crude language doesn't suit your position.”

Jiang Luofu stretched, and in that instant, her slender figure was perfectly showcased. “Who heard me? I certainly didn’t hear anything.”

Zu An was speechless for a moment. He hadn't expected this woman to be so shameless. However, he then realized that her earlier comment about Shang Liuyu being her "wife" was probably just a joke between close friends.

In his previous life, his female classmates often called each other "wife" and "husband." He had never quite understood it. For instance, if two men called each other "husband" and "wife," uh…

Jiang Luofu tapped the table with the pencil in her hand. “By the way, tell me how you escaped from the Grandmasters. And don’t give me any nonsense about having a sudden burst of power because you were thinking of me.”

Zu An’s face flushed. Clearly, his flirtatious remarks to Shang Liuyu outside the door hadn't escaped her notice. He could only give her a rough account of the events, similar to what he had told the Chu family.

Jiang Luofu fell into thought. After a moment, her crimson lips parted. “I believe I’ve crossed paths with one of the Grandmasters you mentioned. At the time, I found it strange why he would cause trouble at the academy. Now that I think about it, he was most likely investigating someone close to you.”

Zu An immediately launched into a torrent of flattery. “Principal Jiang, to think you can contend equally with a Grandmaster! My admiration for you flows like an endless river, overflowing like the Bright Moon River…”

“Alright, alright,” Jiang Luofu’s face flushed as she immediately interrupted him. “The other party clearly held back that time; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to defeat him.”

Zu An quickly changed his tune. “Our beautiful principal is as honest as can be, never claiming even a speck of credit that isn't hers. Truly a paragon among women, a role model for our generation…”

He went on for quite a while, but noticed that this time, she didn't interrupt him. Instead, she watched him with an amused expression.

Eventually, he ran out of words and quickly found an excuse. “My throat’s dry from all this talking; I need a drink.” Saying so, he picked up a teacup nearby and took a big gulp.

Jiang Luofu was too late to stop him. She said with a half-smile, “That was Little Yu’s cup just now. So, in a way, you've had an indirect kiss. I don’t know how many men in the academy dream of getting close to her. Who would’ve thought you’d get such a bargain?”

“Uh…” Zu An froze. Only then did he notice a faint lipstick mark on the teacup. What surprised him even more was that there was another, much more vivid lipstick mark beside it. The color seemed very similar to the lip gloss Jiang Luofu was wearing.

“Beautiful Principal, now I'm really starting to wonder about your relationship with Sister Shang.”

Jiang Luofu snorted. She snatched the teacup from his hand. “Such an unromantic man! To have an indirect kiss with your principal and react like that!”

Zu An: “……”

“Sigh,” he thought, “it’s so much fun teasing girls like Ji Xiaoxi and Chu Huanzhao on a regular day. A little joke is enough to make them blush crimson. But when facing a mature woman, the one being teased turns out to be me.”

“Oh, you’ve already reached Fifth Rank?” Jiang Luofu suddenly looked at him with surprise. In that brief moment, she had sensed a change in his aura. “Indeed, a cultivation speed like that, stemming from transcendent aptitude, is truly enviable.”

One must remember, when she first met him, he had only just embarked on his cultivation journey. How long had it been, and he was already Fifth Rank? Many recognized geniuses in the academy, who had been cultivated by their families regardless of cost since childhood, still had only a few reaching Fifth Rank by now.

“Too bad I haven't awakened any elemental abilities,” Zu An said with a wry smile. Previously, Mi Li thought he was a spirit-type, but he knew that was merely due to the 'Hundred Chirps' skill.

“No elemental abilities at all? How is that possible?” Jiang Luofu also put away her playful smile and immediately sat up straight.

“It's true. I can’t sense which element I have a natural affinity for at all.” Zu An described his sensations.

Jiang Luofu pondered for a long time. Finally, she said, “Normally, everyone becomes aware of their elemental ability right after breaking through to the Fifth Rank. I’ve never heard of a situation like yours. It’s possible that because you have transcendent aptitude, your cultivation path is different from others. Ordinary people can awaken at Fifth Rank, but transcendent aptitude might require more, perhaps up to Sixth Rank.”

“What do I do then?” Zu An was dumbfounded. Shouldn't transcendent aptitude quickly lead him to the peak of his life? How did it feel like it was having the opposite effect now?

“Just let nature take its course,” Jiang Luofu said. “Perhaps one day you’ll suddenly awaken. Remember, there’s always a way out. Since transcendent aptitude exists, it must also be possible to awaken.”

“Only our beautiful principal could phrase ‘I don’t know’ so elegantly and uniquely,” Zu An couldn’t help but quip.

Jiang Luofu’s face flushed. “What do you expect me to do? No one in history has ever had transcendent aptitude before, so there’s no experience to draw upon.”

“Alright,” Zu An had no other options if even she didn't know. Remembering the two fire-element secret manuals he had acquired, he hastily asked, “By the way, if I wanted to awaken a fire-element ability, is there any way?”

“Fire element?” Jiang Luofu was a little puzzled. Chu Chuyan was ice-element; why would he want to awaken fire-element? Were the couple going to fight? “Generally, elemental abilities are naturally determined after breaking through to Fifth Rank. You can’t choose them yourself. Of course, throughout history, there have been exceptions. For example, some individuals with profound blessings can acquire specific elemental abilities directly through ancient inheritances or by obtaining skill scrolls from fortuitous encounters. This allows them to awaken a particular element.”

“However, these situations are extremely rare. Only those with immense luck can achieve them.”

To her surprise, Zu An actually breathed a sigh of relief. “That puts my mind at ease. As long as it’s possible, I’m fine. The one thing I’m never short on is luck, hahaha.”

Jiang Luofu was speechless. She had no idea where this guy got his confidence.

“Right, don't go spreading word about what happened between you and those two Grandmasters. You should know that every Grandmaster has many connections behind them. It’s not something you can contend with right now. I’ll find a way to contact the Chu family and help you cover it up, hoping there won't be any further issues.” As she spoke, a hint of worry colored her expression. She had a premonition that this matter wouldn't end so easily.

Zu An couldn't help but gaze at her. “Beautiful Principal, you’re truly too kind to me. I don’t even know how to repay you. After much thought, I realize I have nothing of value to offer, so I can only offer myself to you.”

“Scram!”

“Right away!”

Emerging from the principal’s office, Zu An felt significantly lighter. Although he still didn't know how to awaken fire elemental abilities, he at least knew it was possible, which was enough.

Walking along the shaded paths of the campus, Zu An clearly had no interest in attending any more classes. After all, he had just been chatting and joking with a Grandmaster. These classes held little meaning for him now.

So he decided to return to his dorm for a nap. However, on his way, he bumped into a striking figure.

“Zheng Dan?” Looking at the beautiful woman before him, Zu An secretly nodded. She seemed a little fuller than before. At this moment, she perfectly combined the shyness of a maiden with the allure of a young married woman.

No wonder the students passing by couldn't help but glance at her.

“Hmph,” he thought, “all these guys have lustful hearts but no guts. If you like her, go talk to her! Although these guys don't have my charm, and they probably wouldn’t get anything even if they did speak up, at least they'd get to say something to a goddess.”

“Greetings, Teacher Zu.” A faint blush flashed across Zheng Dan’s creamy complexion.

“Student Zheng is as polite as ever; your teacher appreciates it.” Zu An also enjoyed this act of presenting different personas with her in public and private.

“We heard something happened to Teacher earlier. Now that we see Teacher has returned safely, all the students are completely relieved.” Even if overheard by passing students, Zheng Dan's words were impeccable.

“I wonder if Student Zheng was worried?” Zu An asked with a smile.

“Of… of course.” Zheng Dan’s face turned red. She glanced around nervously. “By the way, I have some arithmetic questions I’d like to ask Teacher about.”

Zu An knew she had something to say to him in private. He nodded. “Let’s talk as we walk.”

The two strolled along the shaded paths of the academy. To others, it only appeared that Zheng Dan was holding a book and asking questions.

Everyone secretly admired her. “Miss Zheng is so diligent! Not only does she keep up with her cultivation, but she also delves deeply into the art of arithmetic.” Of course, some scions of major families secretly sighed, feeling that Miss Zheng was still being held back by the Zheng clan. The Zheng clan had many business matters to handle, which forced her to invest a lot of energy into minor subjects like arithmetic. Otherwise, her cultivation level should be far higher.

Little did they know that the hands of the two, leaning close, were secretly intertwined. They weren't discussing any academic problems at all; instead, under the cover of the book, they were engaged in a moment of intimacy.

“Ah Zu, I actually came to you this time on behalf of my future father-in-law to make a deal.” Zheng Dan was almost instantly flushed by his actions, but she didn't forget the purpose of her visit.

“What kind of deal?” Zu An was taken aback.

“He wants to ask you for a bottle of spiritual medicine.” Zheng Dan’s watery eyes gazed quietly at him.