Su Chen woke up full of energy, looking refreshed.
[Candle Fire Spirit Training Method — Mastery: 50%]
His progress toward becoming a Secret Artifact Master was advancing steadily.
After washing up, he didn't continue his tedious training. Instead, he prepared to head to the cafeteria to buy a few more Nutritional Potions.
However, as soon as he stepped out of the dormitory building, he felt that the atmosphere was a bit off. There were many more patrolling guards on the academy's paths.
Moreover, they weren't the academy's internal security. They were all burly, dressed in dark blue, form-fitting combat suits as a base layer. Thick Metal Armor protected their shoulders, chests, and thighs, and they carried black submachine guns.
Their expressions were hard, and they radiated a dangerous aura. Su Chen even sensed that there were many Professionals mixed in among them.
"Why are there so many Inspector Guards? Did something happen?"
Many students on the path had the same question.
"I don't know. They showed up yesterday afternoon and supposedly took over all security duties for the school," a student whispered.
"Yesterday afternoon?" Su Chen's expression flickered. 'It couldn't be because of Zhou Zhong, could it?'
"I heard the academy was attacked."
A mysterious-sounding voice suddenly came from behind him. Su Chen slowed his pace. 'It's not because of Zhou Zhong?'
"Attacked? For real?"
The students who had gathered around gasped in astonishment.
"Of course it's true. Why else would they make such a big show of force?"
Su Chen was listening intently when he was abruptly stopped. It was a dark-skinned Inspector Guard who, without a word, took Su Chen's student card and scanned it on a handheld device.
He then reached out and rubbed Su Chen's cheek. After confirming there was no issue, he waved him through.
Although a Tier One Warrior's body was enhanced, it wasn't beyond the scope of a normal human. Such a simple inspection wouldn't reveal anything unusual.
"You, back there. Stop spreading rumors..." he warned.
Su Chen glanced back. 'The academy was attacked? For real?'
On the way to the cafeteria, he heard more news. Some said something had been stolen from the school, while others claimed several high-level teachers had died, all of them Tier Two Professionals.
All sorts of rumors were flying around.
"Bai Fengxi?" After buying his Nutrient Liquid, Su Chen turned and saw Bai Fengxi coming up the stairs.
Zhou Zhong was probably still racking his brain over who knocked him out yesterday, so he wasn't with Bai Fengxi.
After a moment's thought, Su Chen walked straight up to her.
"Old Bai..." he called out.
What kind of weird nickname was that? A few girls nearby looked completely baffled.
"Ah, it's him. Jiang He's 'Xiao Bai'... uh... handsome guy..."
Su Chen's face was quite memorable, so one of the girls recognized him right away.
Bai Fengxi's gaze, however, fell on the small bag Su Chen was carrying.
'He has money already? Teacher Jiang He is certainly generous.'
She looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated, while Su Chen said bluntly, "I have something to tell you."
Bai Fengxi thought for a moment, then followed Su Chen to a table in the corner.
"Zhou Zhong has his eyes on you. He was asking me about your identity," Su Chen couldn't help but lower his voice. "It seems he doesn't know your background."
"Zhou Zhong..." Bai Fengxi frowned and nodded, whispering, "Yes, Teacher Yuan altered my records. I'm now officially the orphan of one of his friends."
As Bai Fengxi spoke, she didn't show the slightest hint of embarrassment.
"No wonder. He probably wants to use your background to control you," Su Chen said with dawning realization.
Usually, when an ugly duckling becomes a swan, they don't want anything to do with their old self.
For example: "Bai Fengxi, you wouldn't want your friends to find out you're actually an inferior refugee, would you?"
"You'd better be careful then," Su Chen reminded her. He seemed about to get up but then sat back down and asked curiously, "Who is your teacher?"
"Teacher Yuan. It's Yuan Chenyang," Bai Fengxi's phrasing was a bit strange.
"The Vice Principal? The Minister of Inspection?" Su Chen froze, looking Bai Fengxi up and down. 'Where did she get such insane luck?'
Southwind Academy had several vice principals, but this Yuan Chenyang was undoubtedly one of the most powerful. He controlled one of the city's enforcement agencies, the Inspectorate, which was responsible for internal city security.
"What are his requirements for taking on students?" Su Chen asked, quite curious. "How did you get noticed by him?"
"I don't know..." Bai Fengxi glanced at him, looking somewhat troubled. "I'm not too clear on it either."
"Be careful. You might've run into a pervert," Su Chen said, his tone dripping with jealousy.
Bai Fengxi just said, "Oh," not minding his joke. She then added, "Don't worry about Zhou Zhong. I'll warn him."
"Besides, he won't have time for anything else for a while. Zhang Hengyu is keeping him busy."
"Hm?" Su Chen raised an eyebrow.
Bai Fengxi whispered, "Yesterday, Zhang Hengyu made a move on him and snatched Zhou Zhong's Blood Circulation Potion. He's furious about it."
"Zhang Hengyu?" A strange look appeared in Su Chen's eyes. "Why does he think it was Zhang Hengyu?"
"Because of a spot, a spot to go to Yingfeng Giant City..." Bai Fengxi said casually.
'A spot? Yingfeng Giant City?'
Su Chen was surprised. He hadn't expected such a misunderstanding.
A suppressed flame of gossip flickered in Bai Fengxi's eyes. "I heard he was also stripped stark naked, and someone recorded it with a projection device. Now he's running around warning everyone."
'Why are you so excited about this?'
Su Chen's expression was odd as he asked, "How's Xiao Gezi?"
Bai Fengxi's expression softened. "She's doing well. I've already started her on a basic education. She mentions you often."
"That's good." Su Chen got up to take his leave.
"You... want to become Yuan Chenyang's student?" Bai Fengxi asked hesitantly.
"Yes." Su Chen sat down again and sighed. "Jiang He isn't a long-term solution."
"True. Sooner or later, he'll get tired of you," Bai Fengxi nodded. She wasn't some naive, sheltered girl; she had clawed her way up from the mud, too.
Su Chen didn't explain further. Bai Fengxi simply said, "Yuan Chenyang looks for Talent."
"Talent?"
'Didn't you just say you didn't know why he took you in?'
Su Chen could see that Old Bai was very guarded. Her attitude toward him was only slightly better than it was toward others. He figured she hadn't planned on bringing this up, but for some reason, she had changed her mind.
"Physical Talent, Spirit Talent... If you have Talent, you can progress faster and better than others," Bai Fengxi explained.
Su Chen was lost in thought. 'So the reason I'm learning the Candle Fire Spirit Training Method so quickly... is because I have a Spirit Talent?'
"Hmm..." He looked at Bai Fengxi and said seriously, "I think I have a Talent, too."
"You?" Bai Fengxi subconsciously sized him up, looking like she wanted to say something but stopped herself.
"Can you help?" Su Chen asked.
"It's hard to say. I can put in a word, but he..." Bai Fengxi hesitated.
Su Chen noticed her strange way of referring to Yuan Chenyang but didn't ask about it. He just said, "Alright. In any case, thank you."
...
As he returned to his dorm, Su Chen was still mulling things over. 'If only I could get in with Yuan Chenyang...'
'Then, Jiang He wouldn't be a problem, Qi Chuan wouldn't be a problem, and I wouldn't have to be cooped up in my dorm all day, worrying about my next meal.'
...
「Deep within Southwind Academy」
In a high-level office, Bai Fengxi entered without a sound.
Yuan Chenyang was massaging his temples, his bald head gleaming. Glancing at Bai Fengxi, he said, "You're here."
"How's the investigation going?" Bai Fengxi asked.
"No clues. The perpetrator is very experienced. However, I've trapped them within the academy..." Yuan Chenyang opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them for an instant. "I suspect it was an inside job."
"...We were only halfway through deciphering the item when it was stolen. Ying Feng is already demanding answers and will probably send someone over."
Bai Fengxi couldn't help but ask, "What exactly was stolen?"
Yuan Chenyang's face tensed. "An undeciphered special Profession..."