Competition Rewards, Key Cultivation

When Xue Xiao Ran came to his senses again, it was already late at night.

He opened his eyes and felt the burns wrapped in bandages across his body, baring his teeth slightly.

The tearing pain had yet to fade, but after taking the medicine, it had clearly eased somewhat.

The sword he had casually tossed aside now lay beside him, its blade still covered in pitted marks—the proof of battle.

There was no one in the Infirmary. It was completely quiet.

After Xiao Hong Chen and Meng Hong Chen had helped him to the Infirmary, the teachers had ordered them to leave. If Xue Xiao Ran wanted to recover quickly, he needed absolute rest.

Nana Senior Sister had once brought him food from the Canteen to visit him. Though she had not been allowed inside, the food had still been brought in. It now sat beside him, still warm.

Xue Xiao Ran silently thanked Nana Senior Sister, picked up the food, and began eating and drinking quickly.

This battle had made his name within the academy.

Without realizing it, his classmates had already given him the title Poison King. After all, anyone who could crush every opponent with one hand possessed poison so covert and dangerous that many students both respected and feared Xue Xiao Ran.

Gold would shine wherever it went. The thing Yan Shaozhe of Shrek Academy had worried about had finally happened. Even if they wanted to poach Xue Xiao Ran, they would first have to ask Jing Hong Chen's fists.

But if Jing Hong Chen learned of Xue Xiao Ran's plans, he might kill him on the spot at Sun Moon Royal Academy.

His plan was to transfer to Shrek Academy after opening up his Sea of Consciousness.

That thought would probably make Jing Hong Chen, who had been trying so hard to recruit Xue Xiao Ran, cough up blood on the spot.

You wanted to recruit someone, yet they did not even think highly of you.

His Jade Eyes turned toward the window, toward the bright moon.

I wonder how you've been?

Have you been studying hard? You haven't been throwing your young lady's tantrums again, have you? Has your Soul Power improved?

He had too many questions hidden in his heart, and that curiosity brought a bitter smile to his face.

As Xue Xiao Ran watched the moon's gentle light, someone far away was also gazing at the moon.

"I miss you..."

His voice, originally in the midst of changing, softened slightly into a feminine tone. Only in the dead of night, alone on an empty rooftop, did he remove his mask.

"I won the Freshman Competition." He—also she—murmured, burying her pink-blue hair in her knees.

"I can't wait these next few years anymore. I want to be with you right now."

She frowned as she complained, her voice carrying a trace of grievance.

Her short pink-blue hair fluttered in the wind, along with words that drifted out as though she were confiding in someone.

"Xiao Ran, listen to me. Our Homeroom Teacher is way too strict. I seriously suspect she's never smiled before."

"Xiao Ran, I think a girl might be interested in me. What should I do..."

The stars blinked overhead, but what appeared before her were a pair of Jade Eyes carrying a calm smile.

In the end, no one noticed this beautiful scene.

"I now announce the champion of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Academy Freshman Competition. It is Xue Xiao Ran!"

Jing Hong Chen spoke in a clear voice, then took the lead in applauding.

The students seated in the Grand Auditorium likewise expressed their respect, as well as a measure of admiration and envy, for the young man. They began applauding wildly.

Xue Xiao Ran's injuries had not fully healed, and his shoulder was still wrapped in white cloth, but they were no longer serious. Last night, he had used Extreme Ice to cool the burned areas on his body, lowering the temperature. The results had been much better than he had expected.

Yet what he showed the outside world was the image of someone badly injured who had still insisted on attending the award ceremony.

Xue Xiao Ran rose to his feet and respectfully bowed to Jing Hong Chen and the other teachers.

No matter what, the Flame Demon King's Martial Soul Fusion Skill had still caused him considerable trouble. If he had not used Extreme Ice and Tang Sect hidden weapons, the only thing he could have used to forcefully break through those flames was his sword.

"Xue Xiao Ran, this is a leg Soul Bone personally hunted by the dean. It is your prize as champion. I hope you will continue to work hard and shine with your own brilliance in the Youth Soul Master Competition."

Old Zhou coughed and smiled kindly as he handed a wooden box to Xue Xiao Ran.

Xue Xiao Ran felt its weight and immediately clasped his hands in thanks.

"You deserve it." Old Zhou chuckled and patted Xue Xiao Ran on the shoulder. After Xue Xiao Ran returned to his seat, Old Zhou nodded at Jing Hong Chen.

"Next, I will announce this year's list of key cultivation candidates." Jing Hong Chen adjusted his glasses, then began loudly reading out the predetermined list.

"Xue Xiao Ran, Xiao Hong Chen, Meng Hong Chen, Yan Yuyan..."

Using the Amplifying Soul Tool, Jing Hong Chen proceeded to read out the names of students who had entered the finals or performed outstandingly during the competition. There were only ten groups in total, around twenty people altogether.

In Jing Hong Chen's eyes, all twenty-odd of them were talents worth cultivating.

Out of roughly four hundred and twenty students across five classes, only twenty had stood out. The world of cultivation was indeed cruel.

The students who heard their names rose with their chests puffed out. From then on, they would receive more cultivation resources and preferential treatment. The teachers would also occasionally give them extra instruction, while Mingdetang would be opened to them.

The Soul Tool Department would no longer be a mysterious place to them.

They could enter at any time and borrow Soul Tools.

For Xue Xiao Ran, however, this was good news. He would obtain more resources in Soul Tool Department classes, allowing him to open up his Sea of Consciousness even faster.

After Jing Hong Chen dismissed the assembly, the students returned to their classrooms in groups. Although the Freshman Competition had ended perfectly, cultivation had only just begun.

Many students prepared to grit their teeth and work hard, intending to advance to higher classes through their strength—for better educational resources and for their own pride.

It had to be said that Xue Xiao Ran deserved much of the credit. His calm and effortless manner of defeating opponents made many students' teeth itch with resentment. For a time, Xue Xiao Ran became a public enemy, and everyone wanted to surpass him to prove themselves.

Xue Xiao Ran, the public enemy, was currently sitting in the classroom, flipping through the Martial Soul Encyclopedia.

Especially the section on Martial Soul Fusion Skills.

The slight embarrassment he had suffered under the Flame Demon King's Martial Soul Fusion Skill drove him to push himself harder.

The atmosphere in the class had clearly improved compared to before. Through this battle, they had all understood the importance of a team. They began introducing themselves and chatting and joking around.

Only now did Class A truly resemble a real class.

Only Xiao Hong Chen kept shifting his gaze toward Xue Xiao Ran. Though he was still unconvinced, there was now a faint trace of admiration in his eyes.

This guy truly deserved to be the top freshman.

For the first time in his life, he felt wholeheartedly convinced by someone his own age.

Then Xiao Hong Chen's gaze shifted to Meng Hong Chen, whose cheeks were slightly red, and a fierce glint immediately flashed through his eyes.

If you try anything with my sister, I'll risk my life to challenge you to a one-on-one duel.