The central main city lies at a lower latitude, so it rarely sees snow. However, it had been raining continuously for several days. Winter rain is bone-chillingly cold.
Three days had passed since the “Battle of the Century” in the central city. The injured boys had fully recovered by the next day and were already up and bouncing around.
Upon their return, stories about the event spread throughout the Spirit Ascension Academy. This time, unlike past rumors, much of it was actually true—especially Shen Ning’s move that took down more than ten enemies in a single blow, which became the subject of countless students’ admiration.
“I used to think second-tier was just punching with some wind effects. I didn’t know it could look so cool.”
“Absolutely badass.”
Cheng Li and Shi Lei, both second-tier spirit users, felt deeply aware of how poorly they had tapped into their abilities during the fight. Humbly, they asked Shen Ning for guidance. However, she really didn’t have much to teach them.
“Use more. Think more. Train more. Then you’ll naturally get it.”
“Oh, I see! That’s how you mastered your skills, right?”
“…”
Well… not exactly.
Compared to others, You Jia—who had truly brushed with death—came the next day bearing all her treasured collectibles to thank Xu Chuyao. But Chuyao bluntly said she wasn’t interested in BL (Boys’ Love) material.
“If it were GL (Girls’ Love), I might offer… ahem, I mean share. And again: you’re older than me, so stop calling me ‘Big Sis,’ or worse, ‘Mom.’”
As for the outcome of the battle at the commercial plaza three days ago: all 108 members of the Clown Gang were completely eliminated. In the chaos, there were 45 civilian casualties, including 8 deaths. Most of the injuries and fatalities occurred near the exhibition stage—the 8 dead had all come to watch the product launch.
Xu Chuyao specifically inquired about the foreign trade group. She was told that they had safely evacuated even before the battle ended, with no casualties. The academy wasn’t surprised; after all, they had their own security detail.
Only Chuyao, knowing the real story, gave a cold sneer but said nothing.
In the academy’s gravity training room, the white-haired girl finished a set of coordination exercises, sat down to towel off sweat, and took a drink to rest.
She used to find the gravity room unbearably heavy. This sealed room, enhanced with a special spiritual mineral, had double the gravity of the outside world—so much that even breathing and blood circulation were difficult. But now, she felt it wasn’t heavy enough.
Not because she had gotten stronger, but because…
“It’s raining again. I hear the raindrops fall on green grass, I hear the academy’s bell ring, but… I don’t hear her voice,” came a sorrowful voice. “Calling our names sincerely.”
Now that was heavy.
“Idiot,” said another voice. “If Chuyao ever seriously calls our names, it means she’s about to do something bad.”
“If that’s the case, I don’t care what she says. I’d be happy just hearing her voice.”
“You’re hopeless. If it were me, the moment she called my name like that, knowing trouble was coming, I’d strike first and just—bam!—take her down.”
Shen Ning sighed silently.
Ever since she got these two shadow personalities, things had been like this. You could say they were useless—but the first one had given her the courage and strategy to break through the enemy line. The second had taught her how to make flexible use of her skills, helping her shine in the battle at the parking lot entrance.
But if you called them useful, well, they were just way too unserious.
“Don’t talk about us—what about you?” asked the sexually repressed shadow. “What happened to that plan you and Miss Broken-down made? I keep coming by every day so I don’t miss your kiss!”
Shen Ning sighed again. “There’s a small issue with the plan.”
“What kind of issue?”
“The plan was set for the morning. But Xu Chuyao almost never wakes up early. The few times she does, it’s always for something urgent.”
“And it’s been raining for days,” added the broken-down shadow.
“Then just change the time! You can’t just wait around for her to sleep forever.”
Can’t you wake her up with a kiss? Can’t you wake her up with a kiss? Can’t you?
Shen Ning checked her phone. “The forecast says it’ll be clear tomorrow. I’ll invite her out in the afternoon.”
Then she opened her pink study app and began reviewing materials. As a diligent student who understood the importance of gradual progress, she had been studying… kissing techniques.
“Yes, yes, do it! Study hard and do your best!” encouraged the sexually repressed shadow. “Give her a surprise tomorrow!”
The broken-down shadow hovered nearby, glancing between them and the phone, clearly conflicted. Finally, she whispered:
“Can you… not use tongue?”
Otherwise, Chuyao might not be able to breathe. It’d be uncomfortable.
That night in the girls’ dorm, Xu Chuyao climbed into bed, tucked herself in, and looked at her roommate.
“Yes, there were over a hundred enemies. We only had seven on our side. It was always one against many, but they couldn’t break through. Shen Ning even launched her big move—yeah, the one everyone’s calling ‘Ultimate Death God Energy Blast’… I really did hit second-tier. When did I break through? Probably when I saw classmates in danger—an emergency-level awakening, I guess. Maybe I’m just built for the big stage.”
Mi Xiaolu listened attentively, occasionally letting out a “Wow!” Finally, she asked, “One more question. When you killed them, weren’t you scared? Or grossed out?”
Their ethics class had said feeling discomfort while killing was normal.
Xu Chuyao gave a soft hum, switched to a dramatic :з」∠) pose, and gazed at the window with a melancholy air.
“Would you believe me if I said—I’ve already died once? To me, death is just an old friend I haven’t seen in years.”
Three years ago, she was still a boy on Blue Star. Walking along one day, a giant truck came barreling toward her—massive front, blinding lights, a panicked driver’s face… And her? She flew so high.
Mi Xiaolu didn’t overthink it, assuming it was some kind of poetic metaphor.
“You want to hear more? Like the hidden truth behind the whole battle?” Chuyao leaned in and whispered, “I’ve got exclusive insider intel. Super juicy.”
“Nope! The juicier, the less I want to hear!” Mi Xiaolu instantly raised her hands to cover her ears. “I want to sleep!”
If she listened any more, she wouldn’t be able to.
“Fine, good night.”
Xu Chuyao returned to her sleeping position, closed her eyes, and thought to herself: she’d been slacking lately. Her villain points hadn’t increased at all. That was bad. People might say she lacked villainous professionalism.
So, after tomorrow morning’s meeting, she’d go see Shen Ning.
Yes—there was a very important meeting scheduled in the morning. Even the big shots from the central city would be there to discuss the commercial plaza incident.
No sleeping in tomorrow.
No more phone tonight. Time to sleep early. Zzzz.
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