The storm began to brew...
A senior high school student scored 9,978 points on a strength test... setting a new school record! Senior Rong Bufan...
No one knows when his reputation and legend began—not even he himself.
He doesn't know when the students started seeing him as a bully.
…Was it two years ago? Or perhaps when he went through his first heartbreak?
Whatever the case, he doesn't care right now. Since others see him as such a powerful bully, he might as well go with the flow and have some fun.
Ever since becoming a bully, he's found he can enter the school restrooms whenever he pleases. The students wouldn't set foot in that damn place until after he'd finished peeing. The cafeteria ladies would pile the most meat onto his plate, and everyone feared him… even the teachers and Principal Yue were no exception.
To be honest, he used to really hate it when the students avoided him.
But now, Rong Bufan had gotten used to it—he'd even started to enjoy the feeling…
When Zunhao came looking for him, he was actually quite surprised. This man, who had driven both teachers and students to the brink of madness during the previous exchange match with No. 72 High School, was now humbly seeking him out on behalf of this group from Fenghuangling (Phoenix Ridge)
…
"So, these are the students?" In the agreed-upon men's restroom, Senior Rong stared at the files and photos of the six Fenghuangling students while crushing his cigarette butt hard into the floor.
"Yes, that's right…" Zunhao replied with a sigh. Xie Zhenyu and Baiye peeked from behind him, not daring to make a sound… This senior was just as terrifying as those damn rumors!
"I recall Phoenix Ridge sent six students to represent the school in this exchange match. Did you cross Su off the list? Hey, are you looking down on me? Think I can't handle it?" Senior Rong looked at the list, a confident smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Uh…"
This made Zunhao shudder…
Seeing his expression, Senior Rong chuckled softly and patted him on the shoulder: "Haha! Bro, don't tuck your balls in so tight. After all, she's the daughter of the Qionghua Galaxy Cooperation; not many people dare to mess with her."
"I guess you're right…"
"I don't have that much time on my hands. I'll teach one of them a lesson at most, yeah?"
Senior Rong held up two photos. "These two—Lianhua and Xu Yutong—can be spared. I don't usually pick on women; I have my moral limits."
"Wow! You're so considerate, Senior…" Xie Zhenyu flattered.
"…"
Next, Senior Rong pointed at Hao Zhen in the photo. "Let this guy off too. His family runs a pet store, and he's got some political connections and influence."
"..."
Finally, he pulled out Ling Xian's photo. "This guy looks like an easy target… Let's go with him!"
"..."
Senior, are you sure you want to do this?
…
After finishing his spirit sword training, Ling Xian was free to do as he pleased. Elder Shi accompanied Xu Yutong as she read Dark Mage, Su Xinyi took the opportunity to run up to the school rooftop to practice maintaining her sword spirit; and Lianhua was busy practicing drawing in her room. As for those two, Zhao Ming and Hao Zhen, they headed straight back to the boys' dorm to play video games.
Ling Xian didn't need to train, and he didn't play games often anyway—because all it took was a light tap from him to break the console.
Of course, the Xiaomi smartphone Ling Xun had customized for him might be an exception, and the game store was updated regularly from Monday through Thursday.
However, he still didn't play any games on his phone, because the numbers displayed while gaming might compromise the system… and he didn't want those number-obsessed idiots to set their sights on him.
Ever since he was a child, he had always considered himself a boring person.
This was also related to the philosophy of life his parents had instilled in him. Often, Ling Xian felt that if he didn't possess this power, he would be the most ordinary person imaginable.
God grants everyone equal opportunities. Ling Xian was reborn with his godly, divine power, but the price he paid was exorbitant.
He couldn't make close friends. He couldn't high-five friends to celebrate a victory—he had to be extra careful even when coughing or sneezing. He had to control his power at all times to avoid triggering unexpected crises. This was not only a responsibility to himself, but also to those around him.
In his youth, loneliness was his constant companion, but as he grew older, he gradually grew accustomed to this state of being.
Yet since arriving at Phoenix Ridge, he has always been surrounded by people, especially during off-campus activities… For the first time, he experienced what it felt like to be among a crowd. Though it felt unfamiliar to him, even a bit uncomfortable.
These rare moments of freedom, however, gave him a sense of the tranquility and peace found in solitude.
…
Whether at No. 72 or No. 71, there were spots on campus similar to that small garden at Phoenix Ridge.
After the Circumcision, the principal of No. 74 Ziyang Starcraft High School allocated additional funds to expand the campus. In addition to that scenic, tree-lined, wide path, there was a backyard planted with magnolias and cherry blossoms.
It was practically a forest where magnolias and cherry blossoms intertwined.
It was cherry blossom season, and the blooming trees were bathed in a pinkish-purple glow.
After class, couples from Starcraft High would come here to exchange vows of love.
A gentle breeze swept through, and magnolia petals drifted from the trees, dancing across the ground. A few cherry blossom petals gently landed on Ling Xian's hair and shoulders…
Beside the quiet young man, the blooming magnolias and cherry blossoms… created a beautiful scene.
...