Jing Hong Chen

Why had Nana lent Xue Xiao Ran her shoulder?

Perhaps it was because she had seen those calm eyes, utterly devoid of emotion.

As though everything had happened naturally, as though it had all been destined.

After helping Nana onto the bed, Xue Xiao Ran nodded to the female teacher beside them, whose face wore an ambiguous smile, then pushed open the door.

"Wait."

Nana spoke again.

Xue Xiao Ran turned sideways and looked at Nana lying on the bed.

"How did you defeat me just now?"

Nana could not help asking. She had been extremely careful just now and had not even come into contact with Xue Xiao Ran's body. Moreover, the wind had been blowing in her direction. No matter how Xue Xiao Ran used poison, it should not have drifted into her range.

"Senior Sister underestimated me." Xue Xiao Ran replied blandly. "When I threw my punch, the wind from it carried the poison into your mouth and nose."

"It was understandable that you lost to me this time."

Nana pondered for a while before nodding. "I've learned something. Thank you, Junior Brother."

Then she burst into laughter. "Do you always keep such a straight face, Junior Brother? You must look very handsome when you smile."

"Oh, really?"

A carefree curve appeared at the corner of Xue Xiao Ran's calm lips. Then he turned around and shut the door.

Nana's mind replayed the smile on his profile, and her face reddened slightly. "Did a junior just flirt with me?"

The female teacher beside her wore the knowing expression of someone experienced and chuckled as she tucked the blanket around Nana.

The assessment ended quickly.

Unexpectedly, it did not take much time. The new students' results, however, were not particularly impressive. Aside from Xue Xiao Ran, who had defeated an upperclassman by himself, only a few others had achieved the same result. Most had been defeated by their seniors.

Other than a few highly prideful scions of noble families, the rest of the new students were thoroughly convinced, and their anticipation for the courses at Sun Moon Royal Academy grew even greater.

Would they one day become as strong as their seniors?

On his first day at Sun Moon Royal Academy, Xue Xiao Ran had formed a good impression of the place. Nothing unpleasant had happened.

Only a few people knew of his strange poison. In that battle, Xue Xiao Ran had displayed more than merely the physical prowess of a Control System Soul Master. After that entire set of punches, even his breathing rhythm had not changed in the slightest. That alone said a great deal.

Of course, only those with discerning eyes could see that, such as the teachers who had watched the entire event from the side.

"Investigate this Xue Xiao Ran. Find out exactly where he came from."

Inside the faculty office, the old man spoke hoarsely.

The talent Xue Xiao Ran had displayed already made the old man feel threatened. If he were a spy planted in Sun Moon Royal Academy by another country or academy, that would be terrifying.

"There's no need, Old Zhou." A clear male voice rang out. At some point, a silver-haired middle-aged man had appeared behind the old man.

Though he was already middle-aged, he had clearly maintained himself well. Wearing gold-rimmed glasses, he exuded an elegant and refined air.

"But Dean Jing, Xue Xiao Ran's origins are unknown. I'm suspicious." Old Zhou frowned and said hoarsely.

"I've already investigated him."

Dean Jing clasped his hands behind his back and took an elegant step forward, his gaze settling on the academy outside the window.

"Xue Xiao Ran comes from the Carefree Sword Sect, and he is very likely the Carefree Sword Sect's most outstanding disciple."

He smiled faintly. "Although the Carefree Sword Sect is located within the Sun Moon Empire, it has never sworn allegiance to the Sun Moon Empire. Sword City is also governed by them alone. But that does not mean the Carefree Sword Sect will remain neutral forever."

"Do everything possible to win this boy over. He may be the key to bringing the Carefree Sword Sect closer to the Sun Moon Empire."

Dean Jing turned his head. "Since this boy performed so well in the entrance examination, place him directly in Class A. So long as his requests are not excessive, you may support him."

"If he wishes to learn how to make Soul Tools, provide him with materials and courses. The prerequisite is that he can handle them."

Dean Jing narrowed his eyes. "With this boy around, he can spur Xiao Hong Chen onward as well. It truly serves multiple purposes."

"Understood. This old man will get to work immediately."

Old Zhou chuckled a few times, bowed respectfully, and then left the faculty office.

"Extreme Poison, huh."

Dean Jing, Jing Hong Chen, took off his glasses and bathed in the sunset.

"If used properly, it will be a devastating weapon. Don't you agree, Tian Ran?"

The teacher's instructions to the new students ended after the last rays of the setting sun vanished. Most of the new students had neither entered their dormitories nor had time to eat.

What they wanted most right now was to quickly arrange their dorm rooms, head to the Canteen for a hearty meal, then face the next day's new courses in peak condition.

Sun Moon Royal Academy also assigned two students to a room. When Xue Xiao Ran pushed open the door to dormitory 1551, he discovered that someone was already inside.

"Are you my new roommate? Please take care of me from now on."

A brown-haired youth greeted Xue Xiao Ran with a smile, then let out a soft cry of surprise. "Aren't you that handsome guy who defeated a Senior Sister in the Soul Fighting Arena?"

"Handsome guy?" Xue Xiao Ran's face darkened as he sighed helplessly. He took the items from his ring one by one and swiftly placed them on his bed.

"Sorry, I got a little excited just now." The brown-haired youth scratched his head apologetically, then extended his hand toward Xue Xiao Ran. "My name is Nangong Ling. What about you?"

Seeing that the other person was not difficult to get along with, Xue Xiao Ran calmly shook his hand. "Xue Xiao Ran. Please take care of me."

"Come on, let's have dinner together. I'm starving today."

Nangong Ling naturally patted Xue Xiao Ran on the shoulder.

Xue Xiao Ran nodded. Nangong Ling was clearly the familiar sort, but he did not make Xue Xiao Ran feel annoyed. It could only be called personal charm.

"Mm."

After quickly finishing his preparations, Xue Xiao Ran left the dormitory with Nangong Ling.

Scattered laughter and cheerful voices filled the campus. Clearly, the new students were all immersed in the excitement of their first day at the academy.

"Did you know that the dean's grandson and granddaughter are in the same year as us?"

Nangong Ling said as he turned toward him.

"Who are they?"

To keep the conversation from falling silent, Xue Xiao Ran continued the topic.

"Xiao Hong Chen and Meng Hong Chen. They're both astonishing geniuses. I heard Meng Hong Chen has silver hair and blue eyes, and she's very beautiful and sweet. I really hope she'll be in my class tomorrow..."

Xue Xiao Ran gave a quiet acknowledgment, then entered the Canteen. He bought dinner from the automatic meal dispenser, sat down nearby, and began eating quickly.

He still needed to cultivate tonight. He could not waste too much time on trivial matters.

His second millennium soul ring had granted him a brand-new poison: Hundred Flowers Poison.

It was a Phantom Poison that could make an enemy fall victim to it in a short time. While feeling dizzy and weak, they would see a splendid sight of a hundred flowers blooming before their eyes.

And that beautiful sight represented death.

Why are all the soul skills my soul rings give me offensive skills?

What kind of Control System Soul Master am I, then?