Chu Zihang

At night, Lu Mingfei crawled through the iron fence leading to the roof and sat down beside the humming air conditioner.

This was his secret base; usually, only he came here.

Invisible Cities says that for you, this city seems to be everything, no desire goes unfulfilled, and you yourself are a part of it. Because it appreciates everything you do not, you have no choice but to settle within desire and feel satisfied.

He used to sit here often, gazing out at the city and feeling everything it had to offer.

Today, Lu Mingfei came here because he discovered some changes in his body; he could feel a power emerging within him that was different from his Shinigami Power.

Was this the strange power that the Zanpakuto said would help him reopen the path to his Shinigami Power?

Lu Mingfei fell into deep thought, pondering how to guide this energy.

Lu Mingfei sat cross-legged on the roof, closed his eyes, and carefully sensed the changes in his body.

Using his Shinigami Power to communicate with that energy, Lu Mingfei felt in the depths of his consciousness that this seemed to be the power of bloodline.

Just as a child born to a Quincy is born with Quincy power.

This power also felt like something he had possessed since birth.

Opening his eyes, Lu Mingfei saw the sky was an iron-blue mixed with the color of flames.

A single Giant Tree stood tall, its withered branches extending in all directions, weaving a dense net that supported the cracked sky.

The Wasteland was littered with dry bones, and a Black Giant Beast was rising from the depths of the skeletal pile, its wings draped in skulls. After spreading its massive membrane wings, it tilted its head and spat black flames toward the sky.

One could see swarms of people climbing up the Dragon's wings; those who reached the peak gathered around the Dragon's head, driving sharp iron awls into the Dragon's skull and hammering the ends with all their might.

Every time a hole was drilled, white fluid gushed out like a fountain, evaporating into thick white mist in an instant. Those people cheered and jumped for joy, their shouts shaking the heavens.

Lu Mingfei stood on the Wasteland watching all this; he knew this was an illusion.

Is this the source of this power? What a magnificent war.

Suddenly, the black Dragon turned its head and looked at Lu Mingfei, its golden pupils forming vertical slits.

A heaven-shaking roar erupted, as if it were enraged by Lu Mingfei's existence.

Lu Mingfei narrowed his eyes. A mere creature of an illusion dares to roar at him?

He drew his blade and slashed forward, and the illusion shattered instantly.

In the dark night, his golden pupils lit up, scorching and bright.

Kassel College, Lionheart office.

Chu Zihang sat at his desk, expressionless, handling paperwork.

Not long after arriving at this school, he had become the president of the Lionheart.

He still remembered the previous president patting him on the shoulder and saying, "The Lionheart lost to the Student Union on Freedom Day this year. Although it's because I was away interning as a senior and didn't participate, that is no excuse for our failure."

Then, the former president changed the subject: "I look at the people in the Lionheart now, and they're all lacking something. In my opinion, you are the most outstanding among them. I'll leave the Lionheart to you from now on, and I'll arrange for Suzy to assist you!"

Just like that, Chu Zihang had inexplicably become the new president of the Lionheart, and he was still a freshman—an unprecedented feat.

Although some within the Lionheart were dissatisfied at first, all that discontent vanished under Chu Zihang's brilliant performance.

Because among this group of geniuses, Chu Zihang was the most gifted. Not only did he receive an A-grade evaluation in every practical subject, but he also aced all his academic courses.

The school's teachers and professors also praised Chu Zihang highly, calling him a model student.

The members of the Lionheart were also deeply convinced by him.

Student Union president Caesar also acknowledged that Chu Zihang was enough to be his formidable rival.

"Beep, beep, beep." His phone rang.

Chu Zihang took out his phone and glanced at the message.

"Suzy, I'll leave the Lionheart in your charge for the time being," Chu Zihang said suddenly to the girl beside him.

"Understood, President. May I ask if something has come up?"

A girl with short black hair, a slender figure, and a beautiful appearance asked.

"The school has notified me to carry out a mission. The location is in my hometown, so I need to go there. I'm leaving tomorrow."

"A mission? You've only been at the college for a few months; how could the school arrange a mission for you?" Suzy was somewhat surprised.

"This was requested by my mentor, Professor Schneider. He said the mission location happens to be in my hometown, and I'm more familiar with that area," Chu Zihang said.

Suzy agreed.

As Chu Zihang's right-hand woman, the daily operations of the Lionheart were basically handled by her and Lancelot. Chu Zihang, as president, was more like a figurehead, only responsible for major decision-making.

Chu Zihang saying this now was just to notify her that he would be away; there was no other meaning.

The next day.

When he got off the plane, it was already morning.

No one came to pick him up. He had sent his mother a message yesterday saying he was coming home today, but he hadn't seen a reply.

However, Chu Zihang hadn't intended for her to pick him up anyway; he just notified her in advance because his mother had always been unreliable. In his memory, the most reliable thing she had ever done for him was giving birth to him.

Chu Zihang walked out of the airport and hailed a taxi.

"Driver, take me to Peacock Mansion in the east of the city."

Chu Zihang got into the car and told the taxi driver the destination. It was a very famous villa area in the city.

"Got it!" the taxi driver responded briskly.

After arriving home, Chu Zihang took out his key and opened the door.

He saw his mother and several aunts lying haphazardly on the living room sofa, their entire thighs exposed boldly, their clothes full of wrinkles.

Walking past the sofa, he could still smell a strong scent of alcohol.

He guessed they had been out partying late last night and only came back this morning. No wonder his messages last night went unanswered.

"Oh! Zihang is here!" one of the aunts woke up and saw Chu Zihang standing beside the sofa.

Chu Zihang had been watched by these aunts since he was little. Seeing that Su Xiaoyan had such a handsome and considerate son, everyone was envious and wanted to take Chu Zihang away to raise as their own son.

"What, Zihang is here? Come here and let Auntie have a look. We haven't seen you for a long time since you went to college." Hearing this, the aunts also woke up one after another.

"Zihang, I'm thirsty!" Su Xiaoyan also woke up, looking at her son pitifully.

"Please wait a moment."

Amidst their clamor, he got a few blankets and covered them.

Then Chu Zihang went to get a few boxes of milk, put them in the microwave on low heat for five minutes, and poured them into cups.

He brought the warm milk over, giving one cup to his mother and each of the aunts.

"Zihang is so considerate, come and be my son!" Aunt Annie shouted at Chu Zihang.

"That won't do, he's my son. If you want one, you can just have another one yourself."

Su Xiaoyan spoke up to refuse on Chu Zihang's behalf, looking very serious.

Chu Zihang felt a little helpless.

"Where's Aunt Tong?"

"She had some family matters, so I gave her a few days off," Su Xiaoyan said with a giggle.