Returning Home

Gao Junwei, a typical close-combat Awakened, possessed exquisite fist and foot techniques and mastery of the Tang Blade. He could cover his entire body, or his Tang Blade, in Scorching Flame, dealing continuous damage to Awakened who had not yet mastered fire-based Star Techniques.

For close combat, he could use "Charging" to become an unstoppable force with the speed of lightning.

As a ranged attacker, he wielded the "Exploding Flame" Star Technique, capable of releasing explosive Fireballs.

He could also let out a furious roar, Horizontal Blade held high.

His abilities were well-balanced, and at least within the high school stage, he had no obvious weaknesses.

With his tall stature and handsome looks, Gao Junwei had already become the campus heartthrob. Coupled with his formidable strength and affluent family, he was the dream guy for many girls in the school.

Alas, you can know a person's face but not their heart.

Xia Yan and Han Jiangxue both wanted to kick this selfish and vicious teammate out of the team. What happened during the last group mission was unforgettable.

Especially the conflict between Gao Junwei and another member, Li Weiyi, had become completely irreconcilable.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that although they were nominally teammates, the two had reached the point of mortal enemies.

What amazed Jiang Xiao was that even though their relationship had fractured so badly, neither of them left the team and they continued to be teammates.

Jiang Xiao didn't believe that two high school students, in the wild and ignorant years of their youth, could endure such humiliation. It was likely the result of a family power struggle.

According to Xia Yan's plan, Jiang Xiao's target was this handsome guy named Gao Junwei.

He was to be defeated in the most unexpected way, allowing Jiang Xiao to join Xia Yan's team with his precious Medical Awakened identity, leaving no room for criticism.

Jiang Xiao agreed to her request. Of course, Jiang Xiao wasn't foolish; he knew the consequences of doing so.

If he succeeded in replacing Gao Junwei in front of everyone, he would undoubtedly bring trouble upon himself, making enemies, and even provoking Gao Junwei's family.

But thinking of Xia Yan and Han Jiangxue's efforts for him, and thinking of Han Jiangxue's future, Jiang Xiao believed it was necessary.

Then again, Gao Junwei's family wasn't a prominent one. His family was slightly stronger than Xia Yan's. His mother seemed to work in a special unit, and his father was a businessman. Although his business was large, he was an ordinary person.

In this world, the vast majority of people were ordinary, and their families were unremarkable.

Given the current strength of Jiang Xiao and his companions, the chance of encountering hidden masters or powerful families was about the same as winning the lottery.

In other words, how could the descendants of those truly ancient and powerful families possibly attend Jiangbin No. 1 High School? Would Li Weiyi and Gao Junwei even have the chance to clash? If that were the case, Li Weiyi would have long since disappeared from this world.

The journey back was silent, with only one minor incident.

After encountering a lone White Ghoul hunter, Xia Yan didn't make a move. Instead, she had Han Jiangxue retrieve the corpse from the Space Coffin.

Jiang Xiao watched as the sexy and beautiful Xia Yan threw half of the Medical Awakened's corpse to the White Ghoul, as if feeding her own pets.

The White Ghoul didn't hesitate and devoured the prize whole. Jiang Xiao was once again enlightened by this method of destroying evidence.

Jiang Xiao found it difficult to apply the term "ruthless" to Xia Yan, yet her every action constantly refreshed his perception of her.

This world was truly fascinating.

Early September, the lingering heat of summer.

Even though the North River Land was located in the northernmost part of Huaxia, with a high latitude, the weather was still scorching due to climate anomalies in recent years.

Returning to the Earth world, Jiang Xiao felt as if he had been through a lifetime.

He couldn't even stand the bright sunlight or the clear sky.

At this moment, Jiang Xiao, with his tattered clothes, stood like a madman at the entrance of the Jiannan Town Government, head tilted back, eyes closed, arms spread wide, as if embracing the sun.

The soldiers on both sides silently watched the disheveled young man. There was no hint of amusement or mockery in their eyes. On the contrary, seeing Jiang Xiao like a savage, they looked upon him with newfound respect.

On that youthful face, the soldiers saw traces of hardship.

How long had this kid been training in the Snowy Plains?

Facing fierce White Ghouls day and night, in such harsh conditions, constantly facing the threat of death – it was indeed cruel for such a young child.

Emerging from that dim world, Jiang Xiao felt the beauty of life.

The fresh air, the warm sunlight, even the scorching heat were a hundred times better than the cold temperatures of the Snowy Plains.

Dying of heat was better than freezing to death.

Dying of gluttony was better than starving to death.

"You're not changing your clothes or taking a bath, and you're standing in this sun wearing winter clothes. Have I messed with your head too much?" Xia Yan's cheerful laughter came from behind him, as if she was in a good mood.

Jiang Xiao turned his head and saw Xia Yan's radiant smile, as well as her youthful and stylish urban attire.

A white V-neck T-shirt, blue denim shorts, and sandals on her feet.

Perhaps it was because she had just bathed, her small face was flushed. Her chestnut-colored short, curly hair was still a little damp, and in the breeze, her hairstyle was slightly messy, adding a touch of alluring charm.

"Where are you looking? My eyes are here." Xia Yan kicked Jiang Xiao's butt and held up two fingers, pointing to her eyes.

Jiang Xiao rubbed his backside and sighed, "I've been living in the Snowy Plains for too long. Even White Ghouls look good-looking to me, let alone you."

"You brat, comparing me to those ugly creatures." Xia Yan immediately became indignant and kicked him again.

How could Jiang Xiao fall in the same spot twice? He easily dodged, and the sandal Xia Yan was wearing flew off.

Coincidentally, the exquisite sandal landed directly on the face of the standing soldier.

The soldier remained motionless, his gaze fixed forward, like a statue, as if nothing had happened.

"Ah," Xia Yan said, bracing herself on one foot and covering her mouth with a hand. "Sorry, sorry."

As she spoke, Xia Yan shot Jiang Xiao a fierce glare. "Hurry up and pick it up for me."

Jiang Xiao chuckled and replied, "Dream on."

Xia Yan: "You—"

From behind, Han Jiangxue emerged after cleaning up and changing her clothes. Seeing Xia Yan bullying Jiang Xiao, she said irritably, "Stop messing around, let's go."

Xia Yan: "Mmm."

"Why haven't you changed your clothes?" Han Jiangxue frowned, looking at Jiang Xiao. At this moment, Jiang Xiao, looking like a Savage, was in tattered clothes stained with dried blood. His original Buzz Cut had grown out quite a bit. If his body hadn't been underdeveloped, he'd probably be covered in stubble by now.

"Oh, I'll go change." Jiang Xiao, craving the sun, had been standing here like a lunatic, embracing the sunlight, ever since they left the Snowy Plains.

"Don't bother changing, let's go," Han Jiangxue said, shaking her head. "We'll change and clean up when we get home, then get a haircut. I'll take you to school this afternoon."

Take me to school. Jiang Xiao scratched his head. The phrase sounded so awkward.