His aunt and Mo Xixi kept pressing him with questions, and he finally gave in.
Jiang Yuan admitted the truth.
"My awakened talent really isn't just E-rank, and the class I transferred into isn't an ordinary Assassin."
"For certain reasons, I thought it would be better to keep it hidden."
"I only became a warrior a few days ago. Killing that Abyssal Monster raised my level."
"I haven't told my parents any of this yet. They still don't know."
"As for the money, it really was the signing fee for joining a guild, so don't worry."
His aunt and the others fell silent for several minutes after hearing all that.
At last, Mo Lingfeng asked, "So what level are you now...?"
"LV9."
Jiang Yuan said sheepishly, "I went into the Abyss for a few days. I was afraid you'd worry, so I lied... I'm sorry for making you worry."
"..."
His aunt's family couldn't get a word out. They were so shocked that they didn't even know where to begin.
It had taken him less than half a month to go from having only 3 points of Qi and blood at his awakening ceremony to becoming a warrior. In that time, he'd also killed an LV7 Abyssal Monster.
He'd sneaked off into the Abyss, spent three days there, and returned as an LV9, peak first-tier Class-Transferred Warrior.
Since when had leveling up become this easy?
Ordinary novice hunters had to team up and spend days in the Abyss just to kill one monster, and then they had to split the experience.
After reaching LV6, hunters who lacked the necessary abilities often couldn't even gain a single level in a year.
And that didn't even include those who died to Abyssal Monsters on their first trip into the Abyss, or professional warriors who witnessed their companions' deaths, lost their resolve, and gave up going back. Their levels were set for life.
Someone had once done the math.
Over the course of ten years, only 10% of all humanity would keep venturing into the Abyss to kill ferocious beasts and steadily grow stronger. Those who reached Tier Three or above made up just 5% of that group.
Most people in human society who lacked outstanding talent still chose to live ordinary lives. Like his aunt and uncle, they worked at companies and enjoyed a peaceful life, spending their ordinary years under the protection of others and, at least, avoiding the risk of death.
With only one life to live, killing monsters and leveling up really wasn't as simple as it was in a game.
If you persevered, you either died or became one of the very few powerful people!
To ordinary people, Tier-Two and Tier-Three Class-Transferred Warriors already counted as formidable elites.
That was why Mo Lingfeng and Tao Yufeng were so stunned when they heard Jiang Yuan's current level.
Their own seventeen-year-old nephew.
Half a month ago, they'd still been worrying over whether he could get into a third-tier Martial Arts University and what his future prospects might be.
Half a month later, he'd transformed into a quasi-Tier-Two warrior, someone they could only look up to.
It was simply...
"Unbelievable...!"
Mo Lingfeng's voice sounded as if he'd forced the words through clenched teeth. "A quasi-Tier-Two warrior before the college entrance exams... If your parents found out, their legs would go weak with shock."
"Mine already have." Tao Yufeng gave a wry smile and dropped onto the sofa.
She wasn't the only one. Mo Xixi looked as if she'd drunk fake liquor, all woozy and unsteady, her feet sinking as though she were walking on cotton. She could barely stand.
"Y-you really are my Brother Yuan? You're not some monster in disguise?!"
"..."
Jiang Yuan had known this would happen.
He turned to Yan Runan and said, "Miss Yan, if there's nothing else, could you leave for today?"
Yan Runan was taken aback. Usually, she came and went as she pleased, while everyone else welcomed and fawned over her. This was the first time anyone had actually asked her to leave.
But she didn't mind.
"Sure."
"Uncle, Auntie, I'll be going, then. Little Sister Xixi, next time we'll have cake together again."
"Ah..."
Mo Xixi looked reluctant. "You're leaving already? Stay a little longer..."
Yan Runan smiled. "Next time. Next time I'll take you to Shangqingtian for some pastries."
Mo Xixi's eyes lit up at once.
"Really?!"
"Of course."
Jiang Yuan walked her to the door.
Before leaving, Yan Runan spoke to him seriously.
"Student Jiang, do you remember what I told you last time? With your abilities, you could definitely apply to Divine Martial University."
"Divine Martial University only admits fifty people from each province every year. You really think I can make it into the top fifty?"
Yan Runan smiled and pointed to her eyes, hidden beneath a strip of black silk. "I trust what my eyes tell me."
"From where I stand, the S-rank talents and Epic-class awakeners in Nanjiang City—the few who've drawn everyone's attention—still fall short of you."
Jiang Yuan neither agreed nor disagreed.
"Trust me. What you can gain at Divine Martial University is beyond what the other three top Martial Arts Universities can offer. One of the three Demigods of Great Xia was the former principal of Divine Martial Academy."
"Whether it's the number of secret realms or the quality of its experts and students, Divine Martial University is undisputedly number one. It also offers its students the very best benefits."
"Give it some serious thought."
Divine Martial University was Jiang Yuan's first choice too, but he kept his expression neutral.
"Let's talk about it after the college entrance exams."
After Yan Runan left, Jiang Yuan had to endure another round of questioning at the table.
Only after that did he finally dispel Mo Lingfeng and the others' doubts. They were sure the boy in front of them was indeed the nephew—and cousin—they'd watched grow up, and that no monster had taken over his body.
"Thank goodness. Thank goodness."
"If your mother knew how successful you'd become, Xiaoyuan, she'd be so happy."
Tao Yufeng wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, grinning from ear to ear, both delighted and relieved.
Mo Lingfeng nodded, then asked Jiang Yuan, "When are you planning to tell them?"
"After the college entrance exams. I want to surprise them during the exams," Jiang Yuan said with a smile.
He had another plan he'd kept to himself.
His dad was a sentry in the army, while his mom was a nurse in the Beijiang City hospital system. They lived apart and could only see each other once in a long while.
If he could get into a top Martial Arts University, he might be able to use its connections to help them stop working or transfer to new jobs, so they could both move to Nanjiang City.
Then he could feel more at ease, too.
Mo Lingfeng nodded. "Whatever you decide, as long as you've thought it through. Your aunt and I will support you."
"Thanks, Uncle. There's one more thing. I'm planning to move out soon," Jiang Yuan said.
Tao Yufeng blurted out, "How can you? You're not even an adult..."
Mo Lingfeng put a hand on her shoulder, cutting her off. "He may not be an adult yet, but in terms of strength, he's already reached a level we can't hope to touch."
He turned to Jiang Yuan. "You must have a reason for wanting to move out, right?"
"I'm worried I'll be a bother."
Tao Yufeng hurriedly said, "How could you be? You've lived here for three years. We're used to having you around."
Mo Xixi nodded hard. "Yeah, yeah."
Mo Lingfeng smiled. "That was before. I've heard that even a little effort from a quasi-Tier-Two Class-Transferred Warrior can shatter rocks, even steel. You'd need a training ground the size of a basketball court."
He looked at Jiang Yuan with a sigh. "Our place really is too small for you."
Jiang Yuan smiled awkwardly.
Tao Yufeng didn't know what else to say.
"I'll head back to my room, then. Auntie, remember to take these supplements. These Gene Potions are for Xixi. She's at the age when her Qi and blood are growing."
Holding the Gene Potions Jiang Yuan had pressed into her hands, Mo Xixi felt as if she were in a dream, floating on air.
Who would've thought that one day Mo Xixi would be rich, with all the Gene Potions she could want...
It felt like a dream.
Unlike Mo Xixi, Tao Yufeng kept waving her hands. "These supplements are too precious. Keep them for your parents..."
"I sent them some too, so don't worry," Jiang Yuan said with a smile. Only then did the two of them reluctantly accept them.
Once he'd finished, Jiang Yuan went back to his room to pack.
Looking at the supplements in her hands, Tao Yufeng sighed. "I never imagined we'd be this lucky... People would be green with envy if they heard about it."
"Yeah..."
"This is amazing!! I have a genius cousin who's a quasi-Tier-Two Class-Transferred Warrior! I have a genius cousin who's a quasi-Tier-Two Class-Transferred Warrior!!!"
"Brother Yuan is incredible!!"
"If Qingqing and the others found out, they'd be so jealous!!"
"Hahahahaha! From today onward, I, Mo Xixi, have someone powerful backing me up!!!"
Mo Xixi bounced barefoot on the sofa, practically beside herself with excitement.
Tao Yufeng gave her a disdainful look. "That little lunatic. She should try learning a thing or two from her cousin."
But even as she spoke, she couldn't stop herself from smiling.
Beneath the warm yellow lights, everyone in the living room wore beaming smiles, full of pride.
Through the crack in the door, Jiang Yuan saw them and couldn't help smiling too.
Though they were his aunt's family, they had long since become his family as well.
He hoped he could be reunited with his parents soon, so they could all be together like this.
Before you continue