School nurse? Teaching classes?
Ryan fell into confusion. In his memories, there had never been anything like this!
Oh no. Ryan's heart sank. It seemed this world had some notable differences from his original world.
He began to feel restless because he was not certain whether his home was still the same as before.
Lost in thought, the image of a gentle, refined man and a kind, virtuous woman involuntarily appeared before his eyes.
In this foreign world, though everything seemed familiarly unfamiliar, they were like the most familiar strangers.
For a moment, he felt unexpectedly melancholic.
[Detecting emotional fluctuation in host. Recommend staying calm.]
"Well, I have already crossed over. I can only take things one day at a time." Ryan shook his head, casting away his melancholic emotions.
At least for now, the changes were not too drastic.
At the same time, he grew more curious about this world. According to the system, Ms. Sullivan was a charm-type ability user who had calmed his energy.
But why... was she a school nurse?
This was something he could not figure out, so he chose not to dwell on it.
In this atmosphere, he finally made it to the end of the school day.
Ryan stretched comfortably as he stood up. The students around him were already packing up to go home.
High school seniors in this world were different from his original world they got out in the afternoon. If this were Ryan's original world?
Heh, if you thought you could leave before ten at night, you must be dreaming.
"Blacky, let's go!"
Danny had already finished packing and stood at the classroom door, calling out to Ryan.
When there were many people around, he called him Ryan. When it was just the two of them, he called him by his nickname.
As for the reason, when Ryan was little, he had been darker-skinned, so his childhood nickname was "Blacky."
"Coming!"
Ryan called back, grabbed his empty backpack, and instinctively prepared to leave. After hesitating a moment, he stuffed I Am the King of the Cultivation Realm into his bag as well.
Ryan and Danny lived very close to each other, so they always walked home together after school.
"Danny, do you have any good cultivation novel recommendations?" Walking on the road home, Ryan did not forget to ask.
After all, this was a crucial factor in becoming stronger. He had to prioritize it!
As for why he did not search himself based on his memories from the original world, Danny was also a hardcore novel enthusiast.
So rather than fumbling around blindly, he might as well ask Danny directly.
Danny pondered. "You mean cultivation novels? Let me think... aside from the ones written by Talking Shit, there really are not any good ones."
"Wait, you already finished King of the Cultivation Realm?" Danny looked shocked.
"Uh, yeah. Finished it." Ryan nodded awkwardly. Sort of finished it, anyway.
Danny continued. "Then just buy the next volume. King of the Cultivation Realm is serialized. The physical books are already up to Volume Eight."
"What we have in our hands right now is Volume One, also called Legend of the Immortal Realm."
"Honestly, I really admire the author. All these books combined have a full eight thousand chapters!!"
"It is truly a blessing for us novel enthusiasts. Huge quantity! Super filling!"
Holy crap. Ryan's face darkened. How did this author write so much? One book was not even the end? There were a full eight volumes!
Worth mentioning the copy of I Am the King of the Cultivation Realm in Ryan's hands was as thick as an encyclopedia.
"Come on, let's go check it out." Danny waved and pointed to a bookstore nearby.
After the two entered the store, Ryan's gaze immediately locked onto the cultivation novel section.
What he did not expect completely shocked him.
The cultivation novels occupied two entire walls. Every single one was I Am the King of the Cultivation Realm, from Volume One to Volume Eight. Everything was available.
With great difficulty, he managed to spot a few other cultivation novels wedged between them. But when he opened them, he immediately felt they were even worse than King of the Cultivation Realm. The system indicated it did not even want to record them.
What is this garbage?!
Ryan facepalmed. He quickly skimmed through them. Everyone in these books just stood around talking about how amazing they were. But there were absolutely no techniques or skills described. Everything relied on dialogue.
Ryan could not help but ask. "Danny, why are there so few types of cultivation novels?"
Danny replied. "Of course! Cultivation novels only appeared in the past two years. Aside from those authors churning out garbage, the leading figure in cultivation novels is Talking Shit."
At that moment, Ryan's expression became very complicated. In other words, if he had crossed over a few years earlier, there would not have been any cultivation novels to read at all.
He finally understood. This world's cultivation novel standards were still at the martial arts level, which was why they were written so... indescribably poorly.
By those standards, Talking Shit was actually quite talented single-handedly carrying the banner of cultivation novels.
However, what Ryan did not know was that this world never had martial arts novels to begin with.
Left with no choice, Ryan could only pick up Volume Two of King of the Cultivation Realm.
As for why he did not buy all of them—simple. He had no money.
His current financial situation was exactly the same as in his previous world. Aside from being able to afford a few novels, he was basically broke with nothing but a handsome face.
The two left the bookstore and walked down a small path for a short while before arriving at their respective homes.
They both lived in two-story townhouses that were very close together.
"Dad! Mom! I am home!"
Knocking on the familiar door, Ryan waited anxiously with a restless heart.
"Coming, coming!"
Then came footsteps. When the door opened and Ryan saw that familiar, warm smile, he immediately threw himself into his mother's arms.
Mrs. Hartwell looked puzzled. "Ryan, what is going on with you today?"
"Nothing. I just missed you, Mom." Ryan forcefully held back the stinging sensation in his nose and grinned carelessly.
Mrs. Hartwell shook her head with a helpless smile. "You silly boy. Come inside. Your father is still preparing his lecture. Do not disturb him."
Ryan froze in shock. "Preparing his lecture??"
In his memories, his dad was just a low-level office worker! What lecture was he preparing?
Mrs. Hartwell paused. "These past few days, many officials are going to Heaven and Earth University to attend your father's lecture, so he needs to prepare early."
Ryan stared blankly. "Wait, what does Dad teach?"
Ryan was completely confused. Everything had changed again.
Crossing Over: My Dad Is Actually a Professor?
Are you kidding? In his original timeline, his dad had only graduated middle school!
"Ryan is back? Come inside, both of you. Why are you standing at the door?" A gentle, warm voice called out. It was Ryan's father, Mr. Theodore Hartwell.
Mr. Hartwell smiled gently. "Come sit down. Your mother made you something delicious today."
"Great, Dad!" Hearing there was good food, Ryan's eyes lit up.
Mrs. Hartwell watched the father and son from the side, simply smiling softly.
Tonight's dinner consisted of marinated chicken, and as for the soup—it was very strange. It looked somewhat like a medicinal concoction, yet it gave off a rich, fragrant aroma.
"Dad, what lecture are you preparing?" Ryan asked while tearing the leg of the chicken.
"History & Philosophy. I teach in the National Studies Department. Son, why are you suddenly interested in my lectures?" Mr. Hartwell asked curiously while eating his ribs.
Ryan replied quickly. "Nothing, Dad. Just curious."
Holy crap. History? My dad understands that stuff? Ryan's worldview was completely shattered.
Mr. Hartwell smiled and said. "Ryan, do you want to study National Studies with your father now?"
"If you want to, just say the word. Your dad does not brag about much, but ever since I awakened the Soul of Ink and Brush, I have not lost to anyone in my field!"
Ryan's jaw dropped. "??!"