Chapter 109: Chapter 110: Don’t Always Be So Suspicious

On Earth Element Star, students who managed to get into the Four Great Daoist Schools could already be called geniuses.

After all.

They were the ones who had distinguished themselves after countless Xianmen High School students went through grueling examinations.

And while this happened every year, with a considerable number of students, no less...

...it was undeniable that before the Calamity of Heaven’s Fall, any Cultivator who could reach Foundation Establishment before the age of eighteen was a figure capable of dominating an entire era.

What made Chen Che particularly curious, however, was:

’What are the prodigies of this world, Yunzhou, like?’

He had never seen them, nor had he ever heard of them.

Because information in this world was far less accessible than on Earth Element Star.

In the eyes of a simple village woman, a child prodigy who could read ten lines at a glance, possessed a photographic memory, and spoke with poetic fluency was a genius.

In the eyes of Hu Yao and Ding Fei, a Foundation Establishment Ancestor was already a one-in-ten-thousand genius. If it was a Golden Core True Master, they were an unparalleled existence in the world.

’Perhaps.’

’One day, I’ll probably only be able to meet them when I reach that level myself.’

Chen Che knew.

Every world, no matter which, was divided into countless circles and social strata.

If you never stepped into that circle, never reached that class, you might never meet such people.

...

「Winter passed, and spring arrived.」

The old trees on campus sprouted new buds. The school, quiet all winter, bustled with life once more. Students with backpacks were everywhere. The school gate was packed with vehicles, and the air was filled with the endless sounds of car horns and bicycle bells.

Huang Zhongfei, deliberately flaunting his aura, strode with vigor and purpose.

After a winter of bitter cultivation, he had finally broken through to the Mid-stage Sixth Layer on the night before school started. He drew many gazes as he walked.

"This aura... Mid-stage Sixth Layer!"

"That’s not just strong, that’s incredibly strong. I’m so envious."

"Such a strong aura, he must be a third-year, right? Only third-year seniors would..."

Hearing the students on the path shift their conversations from winter break anecdotes to him made him feel a sense of profound satisfaction.

However, that girl who said he was a third-year was rather annoying, even feigning a serious analysis.

Frowning, Huang Zhongfei turned his head to correct her:

"I’m a second-year!"

"Whoa!"

"A second-year, and his Cultivation is that high?"

As cries of surprise rang out, Huang Zhongfei became even more smug and quickened his pace toward the classroom.

’A whole winter break has passed. What’s Chen Che’s Cultivation at now? Maybe he’s already at the Late-stage Sixth Layer... or perhaps he slacked off and is still in the Middle Stage. Heh heh, if so, the gap between us has finally narrowed a bit...’

Ever since being thrashed by Qi Tianhai, he had spent the entire winter break in closed-door bitter cultivation, just to prove himself.

Cultivation was like that, after all!

It was just like running or swimming—a constant race to catch up and overtake one another. Perfectly normal.

The classroom was a chaotic buzz of activity.

Some were chatting, some were finishing up homework, others were sleeping or scrolling through videos...

Spotting Chen Che and Lin Yi chatting by the window, Huang Zhongfei threw his bag down and rushed over eagerly:

"How about a match?"

"Forget it!"

Before Chen Che could speak, Lin Yi declined on his behalf. "Old Chen has already reached the Seventh Layer!"

"Whoa!"

That one sentence sent a shockwave through the classroom. Every student in the class whipped their heads around to look.

!?

His Cultivation was growing way too fast. Huang Zhongfei was completely dumbfounded.

’How am I supposed to catch up to that?’

He hadn’t taken a single break the entire winter, yet not only had he failed to close the distance, the gap between them had grown even wider.

Soon, the news reached Li Xiaoshuang’s ears. In class, he tested Chen Che in front of everyone and immediately praised him publicly. After class, the first thing he did was call Chen Che to his office.

"What’s wrong with him? Heartbroken again?"

Qi Fengzhu, returning from the restroom, glanced at Huang Zhongfei slumped in his seat and asked quietly.

"Probably crushed by Old Chen’s Realm!" Lin Yi said.

Qi Fengzhu thought for a moment, then ran over to comfort him. "Class President, honestly, you’re actually really awesome too..."

"Don’t try to comfort me. I feel like I’m about to develop a Heart Demon."

Huang Zhongfei sighed in despair.

Several people tried to cheer him up, but nothing worked. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Finally, Zong Yudao made his move.

"Class President, let me tell you something."

Huang Zhongfei raised his head and said irritably, "If you’re here to comfort me, just shut up. I want to be left alone."

"I’m not here to comfort you."

Zong Yudao shook his head. "During winter break, my dad locked me at home, wouldn’t let me leave, and forced me to cultivate all day. I’ve finally reached the Qi Refining Second Layer."

"Hahaha..."

Huang Zhongfei was stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter. "Damn it, you have an Upper Spirit Root and you’re only at the Qi Refining Second Layer in the second semester of our second year. I have a Middle Spirit Root and I’ve reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer. What the hell do I have to be depressed about!"

"How about that?"

Zong Yudao turned his head to look at the dumbfounded Qi Fengzhu and Lin Yi. "See? Happiness can only be found through comparison!"

...

"Seventh Layer! It looks like you didn’t rest at all this winter break! I can understand being hardworking and diligent, but you must take care of your body. Don’t damage your foundation."

Li Xiaoshuang gulped down two mouthfuls of water, but his throat still felt parched. His face was flushed with excitement.

With a year and a half left, Foundation Establishment was a sure thing.

Usually, he only hated it when students slacked off, but now he was only worried that Chen Che was overdoing his Cultivation and hurting his body. It wasn’t as if there weren’t such examples; the consequence of advancing too ferociously was inevitably an unstable foundation, which would lead to difficulties and obstacles during Foundation Establishment.

That was why he had specifically called Chen Che over to give him a few words of advice.

"Don’t worry, Teacher Li. I’ve always balanced work and rest in my Cultivation."

Chen Che nodded.

"That’s good!"

Li Xiaoshuang didn’t doubt him; Chen Che had a steady temperament.

"By the way, how is your studying ahead coming along? The provincial tournament is in April, and the opponents you’ll face have likely already finished the second-year, or even third-year, curriculum."

"I’ve basically finished, but there are still some difficult points that I should be able to clear up by following the lessons."

Chen Che answered honestly.

Next, the two discussed some more matters regarding the provincial tournament. With only about thirty-some days until the start of the competition, there were many details that needed to be prepared. Of course, the other competing students were surely preparing as well.

"This bunch of students, they’ve all been slacking off during winter break..."

Yan Jun walked in, grumbling. When he saw Chen Che, he was momentarily stunned.

"I haven’t seen you for one vacation, and your aura has suddenly become much sharper."

"It’s probably because I just broke through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer," Chen Che explained, rubbing his nose.

"Seventh Layer?!"

Yan Jun was stunned.

"He just got there yesterday."

Li Xiaoshuang helped explain, then waved his hand.

"It’s getting late. Go on home."

"Goodbye, Teacher Li, Teacher Yan."

Chen Che said his goodbyes and turned to leave.

Watching Chen Che leave, Yan Jun turned to discuss it with Li Xiaoshuang.

"His aura gives me a very fierce feeling. Normal students are gentler. But Chen Che’s aura reminds me of those from the Xianmen Law Enforcement Department, specifically, the front-line members who frequently battle and capture criminals."

"Don’t be so paranoid!"

Li Xiaoshuang listened and unhappily tapped on the table.

"My student already said it, the sharp aura is because he just reached the Seventh Layer. He couldn’t have killed a bunch of people over winter break, could he? If he really killed that many people, the Law Enforcement Team would have shown up at his door long ago. How could he be standing here in front of us?"

"Hahaha! That’s true!"

Yan Jun laughed heartily.