Chapter 106 (3/3): Stellar River Medal, Paving Her Path

The next second, a thunderous roar erupted!

The ground shook, stones collapsed, and a black streak whistled from afar, crossing a thousand meters to land steadily in Tai Xuanzi’s hand.

It was the Divine Scale—the one that had struck and knocked away the Thunder God’s Spear.

Now it has returned to Tai Xuanzi, completely unscathed.

She handed the Divine Scale to Su Fu, instructing, “From now on, it’s completely yours. Once it gains a spirit, even I can’t take it back. It will acknowledge you.”

Su Fu accepted the Divine Scale, overwhelmed by the honor, and immediately felt a mysterious connection.

She could clearly sense the thing’s spirit—utterly different from before, profoundly marvelous.

Its personality, too, was unlike Tao Tao or Firefire—much less lively.

It was calm and taciturn, steadfast and loyal. 

Once it acted, it brought a solid sense of security—powerful and dependable.

“Wait,” Su Fu suddenly realized, “So Master, this Divine Scale isn’t a one-time defense?”

Tai Xuanzi finally showed a slight smile, arching a brow, “What your master gives you, how could it be a one-off?”

Su Fu was instantly moved to tears.

As expected of her Dragon Master—truly the best!

“Hehe, thank you, Master!”

She beamed, thinking happily, ‘Doesn’t this mean my defense is invincible now? And it’s a sentient, invincible defense!’

She hadn’t forgotten how the Divine Scale had turned into a shield, then copied the shape of the spear, directly sending the Thunder God’s Spear flying.

What is defense?

If you kill all your opponents, isn’t that the ultimate defense?

She pondered—the power she’d gained by accident this time was a bit different from her earlier Creation Power.

Before, her Creation Power would gain a spirit, but they’d all call her “Mother” and couldn’t be used by anyone else.

But this new, inexplicable power was different. 

Once recognized by it, she could become its master.

Su Fu thought, ‘If I can master this, maybe I can even craft a unique dagger for Teacher Tang!’

Her enthusiasm surged—she couldn’t wait to study it further. 

Now, all she needed was for that fifty million to arrive, so she could buy materials!

At that moment, Tai Xuanzi’s gaze landed on someone atop the high platform.

She waved her hand and said to Su Fu, “Go chat with your classmates. I have something to handle.”

Then Su Fu saw her master walking up toward the platform.

“Oh,” she realized, “she’s going to find Chief Examiner Murray?”

She silently mourned for Murray in her heart.

“Nothing more to say, wish you well. Farewell!”

As soon as Tai Xuanzi approached, everyone around Murray scattered in a heartbeat, swift and decisive.

Murray: “!!!”

He muttered, “Ahem, could we, maybe, talk somewhere else?”

Tai Xuanzi smiled, not quite a smile: “Fine.”

The next instant, the two disappeared from the high platform.

Fox Hart, witnessing this, nearly fainted from fright—he wanted to run away then and there, but Lina and others held him fast, dragging him in front of Su Fu.

Fox Hart: “…..” 

‘Help!’

Karisto’s been killed off, Achilles has fled in disgrace, and he just wanted to run too.

He wanted nothing more than to be as far from Su Fu, the God of Calamity, as possible!

But Kofman kept urging from the side: “Didn’t you say that once Su Fu showed up, you’d sign the agreement with her? Hurry up!”

Fox Hart was collapsing inside—the sky was falling.

Sign an agreement? 

Before, he’d wanted to sign it to scam her. 

But now, even with a hundred times the courage, he wouldn’t dare—wouldn’t Tai Xuanzi eat him alive?

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, his back already drenched.

Fox Hart wished he could go back and kill his past self for ever trying to trick Su Fu.

What a great life he’d had—why provoke this harbinger of doom?

He forced a smile, looking more miserable than if he’d cried.

It’s over.

Today, he was surely doomed.

At this point, the only thing he could do was find a way to make Su Fu stay far away from the Olympus Society—she must not join.

But the problem was, their earlier negotiations had gone too smoothly. 

What excuse could he use to make Su Fu change her mind?

Just then, Su Fu smiled sweetly at him: “President Fox Hart, I’ve proven myself, haven’t I?”

Fox Hart nodded frantically, “Proven, proven!”

“So,” Su Fu crossed her arms, “can we discuss the terms of that A-class contract?”

Fox Hart: “…..”

He nearly blacked out at her words.

‘Still talking terms? What terms!’

That contract was just a giant, tempting bait—he never intended to fulfill it.

But if he signed it now, he’d have to deliver, because he didn’t dare renege or cause trouble.

Yet if he delivered, he was finished.

Who stands behind the Olympus Society? 

The Olympus Family.

If he dared devote so many resources to a Chinese Pantheon student, he’d be dead for sure.

It was a dead end—neither advance nor retreat was possible.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and stammered, “You’re excellent, excellent, but… but we’re full up…”

He hadn’t even finished when Su Fu’s gaze instantly chilled, her voice dragging, “So you were lying to me before?”

She turned, acting as if to call her master.

Fox Hart’s scalp went numb, his vision blurring as if he saw Tai Xuanzi’s despair-inducing figure walking toward him, and then—

“Wait!” he blurted out, “Wait! We can talk!”

‘Oh heavens! Su Fu, could you not threaten to report me every time?’

But Su Fu just acted utterly upset, her expression unfriendly: “Don’t try to cozy up now.”

“Now that you want me, I don’t want to go anymore!”

Fox Hart: “???”

‘What! There’s such a good thing?’

The next second, the devil’s voice sounded: “But you must compensate for my emotional damages.”

“I want N+1!”

Fox Hart: “…..”

‘You didn’t even join the society, you haven’t done a thing, and you want N+1?’

His eyes flickered, and at last, he understood. 

This Su Fu had been pretending to be naïve all along!

He’d thought she was a harmless bunny, but now it was clear—she was a rascal, an extortionist!

Fox Hart cursed her viciously in his heart, but outwardly he said,

“Fine, fine…”

He admitted defeat.

He couldn’t beat her, what else could he do?

“That’s more like it.” Su Fu grinned. 

“Let’s part on good terms.”

As she spoke, she sent a friendly negotiation agreement to Fox Hart via her optical computer.

Fox Hart opened it and saw—sure enough, it stated that, due to a mistake on the part of the Olympus Society, they would voluntarily compensate Su Fu and so on.

But scrolling further to the specific compensation terms, his eyes nearly rolled back.

[1. Compensation: 500,000 contribution points for joining.]

[2. Rare divine artifact ‘Tears of Aphrodite.’]

[3. An independent suite in the academy’s core district, with a dedicated butler and customized meals.]

[(…)]

Good grief, what a poison pill!

All the promises he’d made to Su Fu before—she’d made him fulfill them all by force.

He wanted to haggle, but Su Fu acted like she was about to call her master again.

Fox Hart signed immediately.

“Happy now, Su Fu?” he managed a strained smile, though his heart was bleeding.

“Pleasure doing business, President Fox Hart.” Su Fu patted him on the shoulder, her smile radiant.

Fox Hart looked utterly hopeless. 

He wanted to die.

But it seemed the one who was doomed wasn’t him after all.

At this moment, Zhou Yu, president of the Lingshan Society, seized the chance and stepped forward: “Su Fu, the Lingshan Society sincerely invites you to join! With your ability, you’ll definitely be a core member of our society!”

Lina and the others beside him: “???”

‘Wait, was this what he’d said before?’

They exchanged glances, then began exposing him in rapid-fire: “Zhou Yu, didn’t you say Su Fu was blinded by greed?”

“Yeah, and that she had no vision and would regret it soon?”

“All she cares about is chasing money and influence…”

Su Fu: “…..”

‘Hiss—Zhou Yu really saw through people, huh?’

Zhou Yu: “…” 

‘vicious!’

These people were truly ruthless, just to stop him from recruiting Su Fu.

‘What to do?’

He kept a straight face and smoothly apologized, “Sorry, Su Fu, I was narrow-minded before.”

Zhou Yu looked sincere, “I realize now how wrong I was. I truly misjudged you. I hope you’ll give me another chance.”

Su Fu: “…..”

He was really flexible—was this why Lingshan Society was the number one club?

Seeing Su Fu didn’t immediately refuse, Zhou Yu’s eyes lit up. 

He solemnly promised, “Let me tell you, Lingshan Society has abundant Lingshan Map resources you’ll find nowhere else.”

“And,” he said seriously, “I personally think highly of you, and intend to groom you as the next president.”

Su Fu was curious, “President? What’s the use?”

Zhou Yu: “You’ll have access to the Lingshan Map.”

Su Fu understood immediately—so, she could enter whenever she wanted?

Of course, entering didn’t mean sneaking in to hack the maps—that would be stealing.

But with permission, she’d have access to the whole Lingshan Map series, because they were interconnected.

That meant she could take on bounties like the Bull Demon King and… well, smuggle and access all kinds of resources…

That was way more valuable than a simple reward.

Lingshan, being the main stage of the Journey to the West Five Saints, connected to countless smaller maps.

With access, she could hunt for endless resources.

Shen Yan’s test rewards were always instances—it was like giving her a fish.

But if she became president, it was like owning the fishing rod herself.

Su Fu’s eyes sparkled.

“President Zhou Yu!” She grabbed his hand, excitedly said, “Since your society values me so highly, how could I not accept it?”

“I’m honored beyond words! I’ve drifted so long without meeting a true friend—now, President Zhou, it’s three lifetimes’ good fortune to meet you!”

Zhou Yu: “…Ahaha, that’s great.”

He scratched his head, embarrassed—was she exaggerating?

Su Fu was full of energy, making grand promises—”President Zhou, rest assured, if I become president, I’ll carry on the traditions of Lingshan Society and keep us at number one!”

Fox Hart nearly choked on his blood when he heard that.

It was over. 

Now that Su Fu was heading to Lingshan Society, Olympus Society would be stuck in second place forever.

Damn it.

The Newborn Joint Entrance Exam ended, and everyone boarded the school bus to return to Tianqiong Path Academy.

This also meant that university life was finally about to begin.

At the same time, the course selection system had opened. 

Su Fu instinctively logged in, ready to snap up classes.

Just one glance—there were so many courses, as vast as the sea, more than she could ever want.

No wonder they called this the university with the richest curriculum in the Second Ring.

Look at these: [Divine Bestiary Course], [Anomalous Records Course], [Divine Training Course], [Sacred Practice Course], [Divine Communication Course], [Divine Beast Training Course], [Divine Artifact Forging Course], [Mythology History Course]—

A whole row of awe-inspiring classes filled her optical computer’s screen.

The good news was, she wanted to take them all.

Ahem, especially the Sacred Practice Course—did that mean she could visit the Saint Land of other pantheons?

Eden? 

Paradise? 

Apocalypse?

But the bad news: she’d never studied any of them. 

If she enrolled, she’d be starting from scratch.

The pressure rose instantly—she couldn’t afford to fail.

Just then, someone in the bus suddenly exclaimed, “Oh my god! Check the campus forum—someone’s transferring to our school!”

“What?!”

“For real?”

“Can you transfer?”

Everyone was shocked, clicking in, curiosity abuzz. 

“Which school are they from? Glorious Ring Academy? Or Eternal Gate?”

Su Fu couldn’t resist opening the forum too, and saw a trending topic.

But the moment she saw it—she froze.

It wasn’t the Glorious Ring Academy. 

It wasn’t the Eternal Gate.

Not even Second Ring University.

She couldn’t help but mutter, “They’re transferring from one of the Central Star System’s Three Genesis Academies?!”

Instantly, everyone was stunned, gossiping up a storm.

Su Fu was puzzled too—since ancient times, people always strive upward, so who would move down?

That’s Genesis Academy! 

How many people dream of squeezing in—it’s a temple countless geniuses would do anything to enter.

Who would give up a place like that to come to Second Ring University?

She suddenly became curious: ‘Why did this person come down?’