This was no challenge for Huang Ye. He hadn't actually listened to the old man's last sentence, but he had the System.

The System recorded every word the old man said, not only with visuals but also automatically generated subtitles.

Huang Ye immediately had the System replay it and then answered perfectly. In his excitement, he almost read out the punctuation marks generated by the AI.

Seeing that Huang Ye's answer was flawless, the old man couldn't find fault with him.

"Sit down. Note down anything you don't understand, focus during the lecture, and think about unresolved questions after class."

Huang Ye sat down with a gloomy expression. He didn't mind getting hit, but being mocked by everyone made him feel very uncomfortable.

As a cultivator being laughed at by a bunch of ordinary people, if he were to become a revered deity in the future and other immortals learned of his embarrassing past, it would be a huge disgrace.

He was actually conflicted about how to survive in the academy, as he still didn't understand it well.

The students here were too weak; he didn't even have the desire to bully them.

He decided to observe first. If he could obtain cultivation techniques by keeping a low profile, he would hide himself deeply.

If anyone was foolish enough to provoke him, he wouldn't mind killing a few chickens to scare the monkeys.

He decided to endure the first class since this place wasn't safe, and the City Lord's influence would soon infiltrate.

Exposing himself too early would only bring trouble.

Patience is key to a great plan, and his main focus should be on finding cultivation techniques.

He could also add some martial arts courses to his studies. Even the System knew this knowledge was useful, so he should learn as much as possible before being exposed; that's the hard truth.

After calming himself, Huang Ye re-entered the class mode.

Meanwhile, he observed the other students and found them all very attentive, which explained why the old man had ambushed him.

After class, Huang Ye respectfully approached the old man.

"Instructor, I'd like to buy your textbook."

"Fifty taels!"

"What!" Huang Ye jumped in shock.

The students around him burst into laughter at his reaction; they hadn't left after class just to watch this spectacle.

Dressed in coarse cloth, he looked like a pauper.

The instructor's textbook was the most expensive in the academy; it would be a miracle if he could afford it.

A pauper wanting to study martial arts, did he think the Martial Arts Academy was a charity?

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Huang Ye hadn't expected this price; fifty taels was no small amount.

He had proposed coming to the Martial Arts Academy, but neither the City Lord nor the First Madam had mentioned tuition fees, as if they had all forgotten.

He could understand the City Lord; perhaps in this world, women managed finances, and as the lord of a city, money matters were surely handled by the First Madam.

But why hadn't the First Madam mentioned it either?

Huang Ye later figured it out; the First Madam had specifically reminded him to visit her often.

At the time, the First Madam's gaze had a hint of heat, much like how older women in his past life looked at young men.

She deliberately didn't mention it, banking on him having no money, wanting him to seek her out, likely more than once, forcing him to grovel.

Naturally, Huang Ye wouldn't ask them for money; he could only continue living off a maid.

Qing'er, however, was very supportive, giving him all the more than a hundred taels she had saved.

Huang Ye was embarrassed to take it all, only accepting twenty taels, but Qing'er insisted on giving him fifty.

Now, with a textbook costing fifty taels, his wallet would be empty after buying it, which he couldn't accept.

Head Zhou had mentioned earlier that everything here, from eating to sleeping, required money.

Even using the restroom would accumulate charges, with ten visits costing a tael.

He had thought attending classes was all he needed, but he hadn't expected it to be so realistic here.

"Instructor, may I ask if I can attend the class without buying the textbook?" Huang Ye tried to save some expenses.

"No, to attend my class, you must buy the textbook," the old man replied mercilessly.

Huang Ye was speechless. What kind of situation was this? A single course cost fifty taels, and the money he had was only enough for one subject.

"Poor guy, what are you doing at the Martial Arts Academy without money?" a sharp voice came from the side.

"Exactly, who comes here without a few hundred taels? Can't even afford fifty taels and still has the face to haggle," this time, it was a woman's voice.

Huang Ye, with eyes that could see around corners, had already spotted the two speakers, but he still turned his head and glared at them fiercely.

The two glared back at him.

Oh, they dared to glare back, damn it, they were asking for trouble.

They should count themselves lucky that he didn't understand this place yet. Once he figured it out, if they dared to provoke him again, he wouldn't mind making them cry.

Turning back, he continued speaking to the old man, "Instructor, can I owe you for now and pay you back when I have the money?"

"No."

Huang Ye smacked his lips; the old man had completely blocked his path, giving him no face at all.

"Young man, I see you're eager to learn. Here's the deal, I'm not a stickler for rules; you can owe the textbook fee for now."

"But from the moment you get the textbook, the fifty taels will accrue interest. The interest isn't high; outside it's nine out of thirteen, I'll calculate it as nine out of twelve for you. Pay me when you have the money."

Damn, this old man was too ruthless, not only selling the textbook at an exorbitant price but also loan-sharking.

Nine out of twelve, did he think I was stupid? I'd probably be unable to pay it back even if I sold myself after the course.

"Instructor, your suggestion is reasonable, but the interest calculation you mentioned is beyond my means. I'll attend this course when I have the money."

The old man was also taken aback. This kid dressed plainly, but he was brought here by Head Zhou.

For Head Zhou to personally escort him, his family background must be extraordinary.

He thought he was an undercover second-generation wealthy kid, but it turned out he was truly a pauper.

"Suit yourself. Anyway, if you want to attend the class, pay up. There's no free lunch in the world!"

"My principles can't be broken; even the dean's son has to pay to attend my class," the old man said coldly.

With that, the old man turned and walked back to the rear hall.

Huang Ye's ears were filled with the disdainful voices of the students behind him.

"Ha, a pauper wanting to learn martial arts, doesn't he know the saying 'poor in literature, rich in martial arts'?"

"Exactly, look at his outfit, he's clearly a poor kid, only starting martial arts at his age."

"Probably a janitor's kid, given a chance by the academy to learn martial arts."

"With his appearance, he should go home and farm; at least he can survive."

"Not necessarily, maybe he's a martial arts prodigy who can become a master through self-study."

Various voices came from behind, some whispering, some openly discussing.

Huang Ye stood there with a grim expression, internally conflicted.

One voice said, you're a powerful cultivator, and they're mocking you like this, can you endure it? Go and beat them all down.

Another voice immediately opposed, no, you're new to the academy, unfamiliar with the place, starting by beating up the whole class might get you expelled.

You already decided to endure at least the first class; you also need to consider the consequences of revealing your strength.

Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself.

Fine, I'll endure for now. One day, I'll show you the plot twist.

He turned and strode out of the hall without looking back.

Damn it, that Head Zhou didn't explain things clearly, making me look foolish.

If I had known it was this expensive, and my money was only enough for one subject, why bother?

No, I need to find someone to ask about the specifics here. If it's really this expensive, I still need to attend classes, just find a way to get money.

If worse comes to worst, borrow from some rich family, and pay them back when I have the money.

Looking around, he saw a playground not far away, with many students practicing martial arts.

He decided to check it out and leisurely walked over.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up; he saw a woman walking towards the playground from a diagonal direction.

Wow! She's stunning! The woman's figure was perfect.

She wore a royal blue outfit, her chest full, her waist slender like a willow, and her hips shapely.

Below were long legs, and she was at least 1.7 meters tall.

Seeing her side profile, she was definitely a beauty, at least a 90, comparable to Qing'er. She was the one.

Taking three steps in two, he caught up.

"Hey! Beautiful!" Huang Ye greeted.

The woman didn't respond, continuing towards the playground.

No choice, Huang Ye shouted again, "Hey, beautiful! Wait!"

The woman still ignored him.

Left with no option, Huang Ye ran directly in front of her.

"Beauti..." The "ful" part got stuck in his throat.