Opening Ceremony

"Uh..."

Chen Yan held the small black card and silently slipped it into his pocket. (I should tuck it into my heart, not my pocket. Doge.JPG)

"That was the principal just now, right?"

"What do you mean, 'right'? That was the principal! Were your six years of schooling for nothing?!"

"You might not recognize soul beasts, or soul guidance formations, but isn't it a bit much not to recognize the principal?!"

"Those two definitely have extraordinary backgrounds!"

"Well, duh. Even the way they look is extraordinary!"

Listening to this, Chen Yan found it rather amusing. What the hell did they mean, even the way they looked was extraordinary? As expected, they were all pillars of the nation who really knew how to talk.

"Hey, do you think they might be a couple?"

The moment he said that, several people around him immediately turned to glare at him.

Was that even human language? They were obviously siblings—siblings, understand?! If you don't know, don't spout nonsense!

Chen Yan felt rather awkward now. It wasn't like he had meant to eavesdrop; the voices had insisted on drilling themselves into his ears. There was nothing he could do.

Gu Yuena looked at Chen Yan, a trace of amusement flashing through her eyes before she quickly returned to her calm expression.

"Alright, don't mind what they're saying." Gu Yuena tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and said softly, "We only need to be ourselves. There's no need to care about such gossip."

Chen Yan looked into Gu Yuena's violet eyes and nodded.

After dinner, the two decided to take a walk around campus. They did not return to the dormitories until who knew how long later, when moonlight had spilled across the paths and the trees lining either side swayed gently in the night breeze, their leaves rustling softly.

"Good night." Standing at the door, Gu Yuena's voice was like a silver bell in the night wind, soft and pleasing.

"Good night," Chen Yan replied. His gaze lingered for a moment in Gu Yuena's violet eyes before he turned to enter his room.

Suddenly, Chen Yan felt something soft press against his back, followed by a pair of arms wrapping around his waist. His body stiffened slightly at the sudden intimate gesture, but he soon relaxed, warmth rising in his heart.

She leaned against Chen Yan's back and let out a string of bell-like laughter. Then, reluctant to part, she released him, stepped back, and waved. "See you tomorrow morning."

He nodded lightly before turning and entering his room. Behind him, Gu Yuena's violet eyes shimmered with a gentle glow in the night.

After returning to his room, Chen Yan sat cross-legged on the bed, but no matter what he did, he could not settle into cultivation.

Sighing, he flopped helplessly onto the bed. Beauty truly muddled the mind!

Music began to play.

The Opening Ceremony was held as scheduled the next day. Teachers and students from the entire school gathered together to take part in the opening proceedings.

"Welcome, students, to your safe arrival at the school. I am very pleased to see you all here at school once again, and I am also deeply grateful that the new students present have joined the big family of First High School." (But I'm not very pleased.)

The person speaking onstage was precisely the one they had encountered in the cafeteria yesterday. Now, standing atop the platform in his black robe, he looked solemn and dignified.

"Here, you will receive the finest education and face unprecedented challenges." The principal's words were filled with passion and anticipation. "First High School is not merely a place to study—it is where dreams set sail. We believe that every student possesses limitless potential, that every one of you may become a powerhouse of this world and possess the strength to change it." (I don't know whether you're strong or not, but you're certainly good at turning black into white.)

"Here, you will meet friends who share your ambitions, and you will also encounter powerful rivals," the principal continued. "But no matter what you face, I hope you will remain true to your original aspirations and persist in pursuing your dreams." (Sorry, but I have no dreams.)

As the principal finished speaking, the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause. Chen Yan joined in as well, though not as fervently as those around him. After all, listening while constantly snarking internally was quite tiring.

The applause from the area where Gu Yuena stood at the front was especially enthusiastic.

Chen Yan stood at the back of the line. Logically speaking, he was already nearly 155 centimeters tall, yet there was always someone stronger—there were even people taller than him. Why had he grown so quickly?

Moreover, their class had an unusually small number of students—only ten in total, three girls and seven boys. Standing in the center, they were far fewer in number than the other classes around them.

A special class?

"Alright, each grade may dismiss in order. Class One of the first grade, stay behind."

Chen Yan had been just about to leave when he was stopped halfway through taking a step. The other members of Class One also looked curiously at the principal.

Once the students on the Sports Field had dispersed, only ten students and three teachers remained in the empty space.

The principal looked over the students in the class, his gaze resting briefly on each of them before he finally spoke. "You are Class One of the first grade. This is no ordinary class. Every one of you was assigned here only after undergoing strict selection."

"And the reason the school established this class is also for the sake of your future prospects. I trust that all of you know about the Young Talent Rankings!"

"One of the original purposes behind establishing this class was for that ranking. I hope you will study diligently and prepare seriously. Win honor for yourselves and for the school!"

As the principal spoke, all the other students of Class One, aside from Chen Yan and Gu Yuena, held their breath.

"You will receive stricter and more in-depth education. You will face more challenges, but you will also have more opportunities." The principal's words seemed to carry magic; Chen Yan felt that his future classmates were practically being talked into limping. "I hope you will cherish this opportunity and work hard to learn and grow. Do you understand?"

"Understood!"

The other students shouted in unison, their voices brimming with determination and fighting spirit, their momentum shooting into the sky.

The principal nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the teachers beside him. "Beginning tomorrow, you will receive specially arranged courses. The teachers will tailor study plans for each of you, and I hope you will cooperate actively."

The teachers all nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"Alright, go back and rest well. Starting this afternoon, your classes will officially begin as well. I hope you will be prepared to face new challenges," the principal said in conclusion.

After returning to the dormitory, Chen Yan casually slumped onto the sofa. Gu Yuena sat beside him, flipping through a book.

"What are you reading?" Chen Yan asked curiously.

"The Young Talent Rankings. Do you want to see?"

Chen Yan paused. He really had not looked at the rankings since his rebirth. He did not know who held first place, above even the Light Sacred Dragon and the Hell White Tiger with its Self Martial Soul Fusion skill.