The Future of the Academies

The second level of the bunker.

The functional level was relatively spacious because no residential buildings could be constructed here.

However, for the common people on the lower levels, it wasn't a big deal. They could find a place to lie down and have a place to stay.

Humans are herd animals.

Even though there was more open space on the functional level, everyone spontaneously gathered together.

Outside the Level Six Hospital, a long queue had formed.

This was four hours after the Level Six Hospital arrived. Wen Xishu's story continued to be spread.

Some people had already begun to recover after taking the Level Six medicine.

Even if the medicine wasn't enough, the equipment within the Level Six Hospital would be mastered by the bunker's high-level medical scientists in the shortest possible time.

Solving this plague crisis, and even all future plague crises, was only a matter of time.

In a clearing somewhere outside the hospital, a teenager who looked about the same age as Wen Xishu was supporting a middle-aged woman.

It was his mother, her face was haggard, and her voice was very weak.

But after taking the medicine, her complexion slowly recovered.

This miraculous medicinal effect made the teenager marvel.

He lowered his head:

"I thought my aptitude would be excellent. In the entrance tests for the Tower of Slaughter Academy, I scored full marks in both the cultural and physical tests..."

"Even the teachers at the Three Towers Academy said my talent was rare..."

The teenager's mother, with some effort, raised her hand and stroked the teenager's chin:

"Child... you are of course excellent. To me, you are the most excellent in the world."

The teenager shook his head:

"No, Mom, that's not it. I only now realize that talent is just a stepping stone. Mr. Wen Xishu showed me that there's always someone better."

"I need to work harder. I can't be complacent just because of my talent. I can't let my end point be someone else's starting point!"

The teenager was Yue Yun, about to become a freshman at the Three Towers Academy. He was also a promising talent that the Three Towers Academy was paying close attention to.

In the simulation section, Yue Yun's courage and boldness, his methods and physical abilities, all received full marks, and even his academic scores were full marks.

Based on his results alone, he was the top prospective freshman. If he were to be cultivated with focus, he would achieve great things in the future.

Perhaps upon graduation, he would be recruited by the Bunker Security Bureau and entrusted with important responsibilities.

Although Yue Yun came from the lower levels, it could be said that he had already defied fate with his talent.

At such a young age, being recognized by the Tower of Slaughter Academy of the Three Towers Academy, he naturally felt a bit proud.

He had also thought about competing with people like Xun Hui and Wen Renjing in the future, and becoming a rising star among the younger generation of the bunker.

But life doesn't always go smoothly.

Not long ago, Yue Yun's mother contracted the plague, and Yue Yun knew very well what taking care of his mother would mean.

It meant he might be infected, his physical functions might be damaged. His talent might not be realized.

It was like in football; talent is important, but only those who avoid injuries over numerous long seasons can become true legends. And that is rarer than talent itself.

Yue Yun was in a dilemma, but the young man ultimately did not choose to abandon his mother. He continued to take care of her, even when he himself started to cough.

Originally, Yue Yun thought he would really miss the Tower of Slaughter Academy this time...

But he never expected that Wen Xishu's medicine would be a Level Six drug capable of treating all viral diseases.

Wen Xishu's deeds were continuously spread by the people of the bunker's lower levels, and they became increasingly exaggerated.

Eighteen years old. From the lower levels. Not yet admitted to an academy. First time ascending a tower, Tower of Deception, Level Six Completion.

These phrases combined together dealt a great shock to Yue Yun's heart.

He was very grateful for Wen Xishu's medicine, grateful that Wen Xishu gave him another chance to return to the academy.

But his inner pride had also been greatly impacted.

So there were geniuses like this. You thought you were a genius for getting first place in the academy simulation.

But you didn't realize that someone, in a situation countless times more difficult, had saved most people, including you.

"I will strive to emulate him. I wonder if the academy will find him. If they do, I will definitely find an opportunity to repay him during my time at the academy."

Yue Yun's mother was very pleased. She knew that her son was upright, righteous, and knew how to repay kindness.

"Good child, Mom is happy for you."

Mother and son embraced, happy to have survived the epidemic.

There were many such scenes.

Not far away, his sister's complexion began to gradually improve after taking the medicine brought by her brother.

Unlike Yue Yun, Jiang He and Jiang Xue, the siblings, attracted considerable attention. People would constantly approach them, asking if they needed any help.

The reason was quite simple: Jiang Xue's features were exceptionally beautiful.

If Jiang He hadn't been tall and strong, and experienced in protecting his sister, Jiang Xue might have been harassed many times.

"Brother, this medicine really works... I've gotten better, it's incredible!"

Jiang Xue's complexion had become a bit more rosy, her eyes full of vitality, and the smile on her lips grew more pronounced.

Jiang He, however, merely smiled without speaking.

Jiang Xue noticed Jiang He's expression and sighed softly:

"Brother... I'm better now, you should be happy for me. Today is a day worth celebrating for the entire first and second levels."

Jiang He shook his head slightly:

"Sister, now that you're well, you'll be going to the Tower of Desire Academy again, won't you?"

Jiang Xue hesitated for a second, but then nodded.

The recent plague had made her think she might no longer have the chance to become a new student at the Tower of Desire Academy within the Three Towers Academy.

Unlike the Tower of Slaughter Academy, the Tower of Desire was a place everyone wanted to go, so the Tower of Desire Academy had many connections.

Jiang Xue was beautiful, possessing the kind of beauty that could topple cities.

But the plague would rapidly make her gaunt. To compete with those with connections, Jiang Xue needed to be in her best condition.

Appearance was also a form of wealth, especially prominent in the Tower of Desire Academy. For an ordinary person to enter the Tower of Desire Academy, the hard requirement was their external presentation.

Jiang Xue knew very well that if she contracted the plague, let alone whether she could recover, her sickly appearance would likely make it difficult for her to stand out.

Originally, she had thought fate had blocked that path entirely.

Jiang He said:

"Little sister, I can go to the Tower of Slaughter Academy and fight desperately, and I can support you your whole life!"

"My failing this time doesn't mean I'll fail next time! I'll constantly train my body, and I believe I'll get into the Tower of Slaughter Academy next time. Promise me, don't go to the Tower of Desire Academy, okay?"

"That place... it's really not good."

Jiang He was genuinely concerned, tears welling up in his eyes.

Jiang Xue lowered her head, her voice soft yet firm:

"Yes, I know you'll definitely fight desperately for me, and I know that place isn't good."

"What can the women in the Tower of Desire Academy learn? How to charm people, how to please people, how to seduce people?"

"The Tower of Desire Academy is full of nobles. A girl with only good looks and no family background going there... who knows what she might encounter."

"Perhaps it would be more dangerous than the Tower of Desire itself?"

"And even after graduation, sigh, she might be assigned to some... special agencies for high-level personnel."

"Brother, I know all of this, I know all of this, I know everything."

"But our family... is poor!"

Jiang Xue slowly raised her head. The usually gentle young girl's eyes were filled with ferocity. Jiang He felt his sister's hand grip him tightly:

"We are people from the bottom. Our lives are cheap. We are the existence that those in power try their best to stay away from. If it weren't for Wen Xishu, my sister and I might have just quietly laid on the ground at some point, dying from illness."

"We wandered, we gathered, we shouted and protested, wanting the people in power to save us... but they closed the passages."

"We are people who can be abandoned at any time! In their eyes, we are nothing!"

"Brother, I don't want this! I can endure all humiliation, but I don't want to grasp nothing after being humiliated."

"Being insulted, being bullied, accepting their mockery, even... it doesn't matter if I have to give more, I want to climb up!"

Tears welled up in Jiang Xue's eyes.

She thought of how, over the years, her brother had endured beatings and humiliation to protect her.

How much oppression he had suffered to survive. How much hardship he had gone through to afford her education.

Children from poor families mature early. Jiang Xue had realized long ago that beauty alone was actually a burden.

"I want to climb to the very top of the Bunker! I want to step on those who bullied me! I want to do everything I can to become someone who can stand on her own. One day, no one will dare to talk about my past humiliation."

"Brother, I want to protect you too. I won't let anyone who hurt you go unpunished. I want to possess power and authority, even if it means doing the most despicable things!"

Jiang Xue spoke each word softly, but each word carried boundless hatred, spoken through gritted teeth.

Jiang He's tears fell. He knew he couldn't dissuade his sister, so he could only hold her close.

He could only pray that his sister's path would be smooth.

Countless people were embracing, countless people were crying.

Wen Xishu didn't know how many lives he had changed.

He only knew... if no one came to save him, his fate would probably end today.

On the fourth level of the bunker, Wen Xishu's interrogation was still ongoing.

Xie Changfeng had beaten Wen Xishu severely for a long time.

Wen Xishu's consciousness was already a bit hazy. The drugs hadn't been used on him yet, but he figured...

If he passed out without talking, Xie Changfeng would use the drugs.

The effect of provoking Xie Changfeng was steadily weakening.

Especially... he was truly weak, so weak that he couldn't even think of any sharp insults in his mind.