The Bright Yang Tower's instructions, a declaration to reach the top--

--Everyone in the school, from the principal down to the upper-year students, was collectively sucking up to a first-year freshman from an orphanage.

And all of it was because of his talent and the value it represented.

Standing where he was, Lü Yuan quietly watched the scene.

Lü Yuan couldn't help but marvel that something like this could only happen in a society as warped as the Capitalist Immortal Cultivation Realm.

He actually felt like laughing.

Who could see this scene and not laugh?

But in the end, he didn't laugh out loud. It wasn't because he was modest, though; he wasn't the modest type.

The only reason he remained unmoved by honor or disgrace was what Qin Huai had said that day.

Perhaps, at this very moment, the one in the Bright Yang Tower was looking down and observing him.

Lü Yuan didn't know what that Purple Mansion expert was thinking, but he knew it couldn't hurt to act a little calmer.

Everyone was watching Lü Yuan at that moment.

Each felt something different--

The scene before them was unprecedented. No Pseudo Spirit Root had ever been treated like this upon enrolling.

When Sima Mingli had reported to school, for instance, the principal had merely patted him on the shoulder and said, "You must strive to do your best."

But Lü Yuan was different. He only had to stand there, and even the principal treated him with the utmost respect.

The upper-year Pseudo Spirit Roots who paid Sima Mingli no mind only dared to clench their fists in private when facing Lü Yuan. They didn't even dare breathe too loudly.

And as for the teachers and the dean of discipline, that went without saying...

Sima Mingli watched Lü Yuan calmly face it all, jealous, feeling that he had stolen the life that should have been his.

I should have been the one chosen in advance as the first-year head student. I should have been the one who shone brightest among my peers...

But heavens, why did you give the life that should have been mine to this factory-recommended student?!

But the sad thing was, for all his jealousy, Lü Yuan hadn't so much as given him a proper look.

Or rather, Lü Yuan didn't take anyone present seriously, yet everyone present thought that was only natural.

Because Lü Yuan was a Top-Grade Pseudo Spirit Root.

Because he was a future junior college student--

"Student Lü Yuan, you're finally here. Come on up. The students are waiting for you, the freshman representative and first-year head student, to give your speech..."

The principal, normally as mechanical as a machine, spoke in a voice so gentle it sent chills down the spine.

At that point, Sima Mingli's jealousy began to fade. Even a fool could see from this that they belonged to entirely different dimensions.

You should count yourself lucky he doesn't kick you to death, and you still dare to be jealous of him?

And so jealousy turned to envy, and under the warped ideology of the Capitalist Immortal Cultivation Realm, it slowly began to change into something else--

Lü Yuan slowly took a step forward, and Sima Mingli's heart trembled at the grace of that step.

I really want to be his dog... Sima Mingli sighed inwardly.

And countless others shared his thought.

But Lü Yuan really had just taken a casual step--

One could only say that society had trained people well. With a single thought of becoming a lapdog, heaven and earth suddenly seemed boundless.

The distance from the entrance to the stage wasn't actually long, but as Lü Yuan walked, he felt a chill down his back.

Is there something wrong with these elementary schoolers?

Why is each one's gaze more burning than the last?

Lü Yuan couldn't help quickening his pace. He stood before the principal and, amid his attentive concern, accepted the microphone.

What he had to do today was simple.

In fact, the principal, who was at the Foundation Establishment Peak, had added him on Immortal Chat not long ago, and they had arranged it in advance.

All he had to do next was go onstage and deliver a boring speech.

--It was the same every year, except that in previous years it had been divided into three parts: speeches by a student representative, a teacher representative, and the principal.

This year, he was the only one going onstage.

That was against the rules, of course. Normally, even the student representative was chosen from the top students in sixth grade...

But for a Top-Grade Pseudo Spirit Root, any rule could take a back seat.

Besides, it was also the most reasonable choice--

After all, if you gave a speech before Lü Yuan, wouldn't that mean you didn't take him seriously?

And if you gave one after him, wouldn't that mean you thought your speech was more important than his?

Just as Lü Yuan prepared to deliver the speech he had memorized, Lin Qi had already taken a seat in the front row.

Whether as big bro's girlfriend in name or as an influencer with a million followers on a short-video platform, her social standing went without saying.

Even the upper-year students didn't dare go near her.

But unlike the others, she wasn't looking forward to Lü Yuan's upcoming speech.

That was because the guy had already told her about the boring script.

Reading through that script will probably take half an hour...

If the principal hadn't privately paid him extra, a guy like Lü Yuan probably wouldn't even have gone up there--

Lin Qi yawned, already wondering how to pass the next half hour.

But the next moment, she froze. She wasn't the only one; the principal froze too.

Because Lü Yuan's very first sentence didn't follow the script.

He said, "I'm actually not very clear on what counts as being arrogant."

"So, to keep you students from mistaking what I'm about to say for a joke, or for being as gentle as flirting, I need to make something clear first--"

"What I'm about to say is meant to mock you."

Why had he said that?

The principal was the first to be confused, but before long, words coming from the bottom of his heart made him understand.

Wiping away his cold sweat, he walked backstage. From beginning to end, he didn't dare say another word.

Watching this, Lin Qi also guessed something. Did the one in the Bright Yang Tower give some instruction?

Indeed, the reason Lü Yuan had suddenly changed his speech was that, just as he had been about to read the original script, a voice had suddenly appeared in his heart.

It was cold and unquestionable.

She said, "Be more arrogant"--

After receiving that instruction, Lü Yuan took just 0.01 seconds to accept it, then rewrote his speech on the spot.

He would do whatever made his financial backer happy.

As for the principal, forget him. If he had anything to say, he could take it up with the Bright Yang Tower!

His words naturally also stirred some confusion among those below. They didn't understand why this Top-Grade Pseudo Spirit Root had suddenly attacked everyone.

But Lü Yuan didn't stop. He simply continued, "To be frank, you've disappointed me greatly--"

"Pay attention. I mean all of you."

"From first grade to sixth grade, apart from Lin Qi, there isn't a single one of you worth my notice."

"Is this really all you're capable of? Am I supposed to spend my six years of elementary school with the likes of you?"

Under the gazes of some of the crowd, Lin Qi signaled with her eyes for big bro not to drag her into this too.

But Lü Yuan paid her look no mind and continued without stopping. "Before coming here, I looked over the list of every student. Among the first-years who cultivated for three years in the preparatory class, the highest cultivation is only at the Embryonic Breathing Fifth Layer."

"And the strongest sixth-grader hasn't even reached the ninth layer--"

"You're so weak..." This was a sigh from the bottom of Lü Yuan's heart.

"It took me less than a month to reach the Embryonic Breathing First Layer. In three years at most, I'll surpass the fruits of your nine years of toil, day and night."

"No wonder so many people online say it serves you right that the resources that would originally have been allocated to you will all end up in my hands--"

"Because you really are useless..." Lü Yuan sighed again.

"Your talent is lacking, your cultivation is unrefined, you have no opportunities, and you take out loans to cultivate--and you think you're worthy of being in the same grade and school as me?"

"I really feel insulted."

Lü Yuan held up three fingers, then thought about it and lowered one. "But I think even useless people like you can give me a little amusement, one way or another."

"So I'm giving you a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity--"

"Within two years, if any of you can make me lose in any exam or competition, whether inside or outside school, I'll give you twice the resources you would have received out of my own share."

"If you want to improve, then come and challenge me to your heart's content..."

Lü Yuan spoke casually, paying no attention to the crowd below the stage, who were growing increasingly excited.

Yes, excited, not angry.

Because what Lü Yuan had said was practically like giving them another chance to compete.

It let some of them see a future again.

If the occasion hadn't been inappropriate, they would practically have cheered for Lü Yuan.

Of course, Lü Yuan wasn't merely giving those who dreamed of challenging him an opportunity. He continued speaking, offering them another kind of future as well.

"Of course, you actually have an easier choice."

"That is, come be my dogs instead--"

"After all, the resources of Mingyang City for the next few decades will basically be concentrated in my hands. In other words, your room for advancement is in my hands too."

"Want to continue living the resource-rich lives you have now? Then try wagging your tails and begging me for mercy. If you make me happy each day, I might just reward you with a few bones to gnaw on."

"That's about it..."

Lü Yuan gave a faint, nonchalant smile. "That's all I have to say. I look forward to your choices and your performance in the future."

When he finished, he turned around, leaving everyone with a view of his back.

And before long, Lü Yuan's performance received a response from her. She seemed very satisfied--

She said softly, "Three months from now, I'll come take a look at you. I hope your performance during that time won't disappoint me..."