"Transcendence 2025"? S-rank? What the hell?
Inside the Combat Hall, the students looked at each other in confusion.
Yunyang took out his phone and quickly searched, only to discover that it was an online fighting game.
His brows furrowed.
He had asked how to become stronger, but why did Jiang He bring up a game?
Could it be that what he meant was: "Becoming stronger is too easy. I can casually raise my combat power, and in the meantime even have spare time to play games and rank up…"—was he just trying to show off?
No, Jiang He could not be that shallow!
His words must contain a deeper meaning, something only another S-rank like himself could understand!
Yunyang racked his brains.
When his eyes landed on the game's slogan—"The most realistic, the most faithful, the most comprehensive transcendent battle"—a sudden spark of realization struck him.
"Last time Jiang He mentioned that when choosing a Transcendent Profession, one mustn't just look at skill strength, but must also understand the creative concepts behind Transcendents…"
"Could it be that he uses this realistic game to immerse himself into the roles of those high-level Transcendents, so he can further comprehend their patterns and ways of thinking?"
"Role-playing method?"
Yunyang's eyes suddenly cleared.
He clenched his fist.
To think he could even come up with such a method.
As expected of my rival!
Unfortunately, even if Yunyang figured it out, he had no way to imitate it.
Just like with Jiang He's last explanation of profession concepts—he had studied in the library for half a day but still failed to come up with any good strategies…
Clearly, his comprehension was not as outstanding as Jiang He's.
That was why, after the exotic beast attack ended, he chose to set aside his pride and arrogance, and took the initiative to seek guidance from an instructor, finding for himself a suitable mentor—
You Chunsheng.
At this moment, Yunyang tapped on his phone screen and sent a message to You Chunsheng.
"Teacher, I need stricter training."
His gaze was resolute.
With his teacher's help, he would definitely catch up to Jiang He's pace!
The next moment, he vanished from where he stood.
…
Meanwhile, beneath the Abyss, in the lightless depths.
A crimson-haired girl was brandishing a blazing spear, locked in fierce combat with the monsters lunging from the shadows.
In the distance, Zhong Honglian stood hidden, silently watching it all.
Although Jiang He had also advanced into the Sunflame Wielder path, he was clearly closer to the mysterious Old Bai.
By comparison, Du Lingwei was her true inheritor.
At this moment, Du Lingwei had already used S-rank resources.
Under Zhong Honglian's watch, she had entered the bottom of the Abyss, where she digested the power of those resources in life-and-death battles.
Watching her fight in the flames, Zhong Honglian murmured softly.
"Keep burning…"
"Only by burning everything away can fire shine with brilliance."
"You will not be inferior to anyone."
In her pupils, the reflection of the red-haired figure blazed—just like she was gazing at her younger self.
…
Elsewhere, at Central State First High School.
In order to keep the special training running smoothly, especially to ensure the functioning of the Combat Hall—
The school infirmary remained open at all times, staffed with professional Doctor-class Transcendents to treat the injured students.
In fact, those doctors had already worked in the infirmary beforehand.
The same went for the employees in the cafeteria, library, and resource warehouse—most of them were the original staff of First High School.
That was why Jiang He felt so at ease.
To him, the training was not all that different from going to school.
If anything, the only real difference was that the "teachers" were gone.
Wei Sheng and the other former teachers, along with the original students of First High, had all been reassigned to several other high schools.
As for the specifics, Jiang He did not know too well.
He only knew that Wei Sheng had complained to him several times via phone, clearly quite bitter about losing such a top student.
To this, Jiang He could only offer his deepest sympathy.
At this time, Jiang He was in the infirmary, enjoying free mental supplements.
After replying to Wei Sheng's message, he looked up and saw Chi Zhilei sitting opposite him, her bright eyes quietly fixed on him.
"…Is there something on my face?"
Jiang He instinctively touched his cheek.
These past two days, he had been diligently honing his techniques, while also sparing time to team up with Chi Zhilei and Xiao Xue—his two designated battle teammates—for a couple of 3v3 challenges.
In team battles, the Metal Knights displayed far more attributes and skills, and the fights were much more complex.
Jiang He found it rather interesting, and he had grown more familiar with both Chi Zhilei and Xiao Xue.
His impression of Chi Zhilei had also changed a little—
She was indeed a very cheerful girl, warm and straightforward, always speaking her mind, making it easy for others to feel good about her.
Very much like Old Jiang, always smiling, and almost never seen in low spirits.
As for her being especially warm toward Jiang He…
Jiang He was no longer the gloomy boy of last week.
His mindset had shifted, with less rebelliousness, allowing him to better understand this.
Admiring the strong was human nature, and pretending otherwise was just hypocrisy.
Even Jiang He himself wanted to reveal a "stronger" future Heroic Spirit.
At its core, it was the same thing.
By comparison, what he hated most were those who bullied the weak while groveling to the strong…
This change in mindset made him less resistant to others and a bit more understanding.
Now, seeing Chi Zhilei stealing glances at him, a thought popped up.
Could it be that she liked him?
At that moment, Chi Zhilei spoke: "It's already past five, Jiang He. How are you planning to deal with dinner?"
Could it be she wanted to have dinner with him?
Sure enough, she liked him!
A glimmer of light flashed in Jiang He's eyes.
In the futures Old Jiang had experienced, the mature Chi Zhilei had seemed close to Old Jiang, most likely more than friends.
Even if she wasn't the same person, it still showed there was compatibility between them.
Spending more time together and developing feelings was only natural.
ε=(ο｀*)sigh, being too excellent really did bring these kinds of troubles.
Seeing through it all, Jiang He shook his head.
"I'm not hungry. I plan to challenge the Metal Knights a little longer and eat later."
"Oh?" Chi Zhilei narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Isn't it dinner with me and my father?"
What did dinner with Chi Zhilei have to do with the mayor, Chi Zhenshan?
Meeting the parents already? That was way too soon!
Jiang He frowned, suddenly sensing something off.
Why did this sound so familiar?
In a flash of memory, he suddenly recalled something.
Maybe, just maybe… on Saturday night, he had agreed to Chi Zhenshan's invitation to have dinner with them on Tuesday?
"Eh?"
"Ha, I knew you'd forgotten!"
Chi Zhilei roared in anger, grabbing Jiang He by the wrist and yanking him up from the chair, dragging him out of the infirmary.
"It's already nearly six. You've rested enough, so hurry and change your clothes. We need to get going quickly!"
The boy, still in his tattered combat uniform, looked awkward as the girl shoved him into the changing room.
Old Jiang, sitting in the hallway, witnessed the scene.
He had wanted to lift the corners of his mouth into a smile, but no matter what, he couldn't.
Somehow, this scene felt just a little heartbreaking.
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(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) ‹ (TL : More Chapters @patreon.com/c/Gooberilla)