Chapter 36: I'm Eighteen...

Yu Sheng quickly shifted his gaze to the bald man not far from him.

This bald man...

His figure seemed somewhat familiar, but Yu Sheng couldn't help but approach.

"Fortunately, Old Du is sensible."

"Most people at No.1 High School are still emotionally stable."

"Still, it's not enough."

"I always feel that the three Principals deliberately orchestrated this situation—it's too contrived!"

Zhao Zicheng was the only one who could withstand the pressure under Yu Sheng's various linguistic charms.

He quickly regained his composure and continued speaking.

Old Du...

Du Xu?

"Is your vision really that broad?"

Yu Sheng quickly grasped the crux of the conversation, looking at Zhao Zicheng with a hint of amazement for the first time.

A single assessment, and you're back analyzing the Principals' psychological journey.

"He heard it from his dad."

The bald man clenched his teeth, finally stood up, muttered something under his breath, and then stood in front of Yu Sheng, particularly conflicted: "Well, anyway, the schools are merging soon, and I want to join you!"

Yu Sheng scrutinized Du Xu seriously, his expression even more exaggerated than when he looked at Zhao Zicheng: "Shaving makes you look much younger, just about 30!"

"I'm 18..."

Du Xu responded in a muffled tone.

What he received in return was Yu Sheng's standard silence.

"Since they are bullying us right at our school gates, Yu Boss, you tell us what to do!"

"My idea is to take them on one by one, knock them all down."

"After the complete merger of the schools, the three of us in Mobei will be the big brothers!"

Zhao Zicheng spoke again.

It has to be said, he always had a burst of energy, constantly striving for the ideal in his heart, despite the ups and downs, but he kept an optimistic, upward, and fighting spirit, persisting in his struggles time and again.

"Being the big brother..."

"It often ends very badly."

Yu Sheng spoke with a trace of reminiscence, as if recalling people from his memories, finally giving a fair assessment.

"Forget it, it's time for class."

"Let's talk more later."

Zhao Zicheng felt a bit gloomy as he watched Du Xu walk into the school with them. Yu Sheng was puzzled: "Aren't you at No.1 High School?"

"Since they're merging anyway."

"I had him transfer early."

Zhao Zicheng explained.

"Now I understand why No.1 High School students came to No.2 High School to fight."

Yu Sheng said thoughtfully.

Zhao Zicheng's body stiffened for a moment at those words. Seeing Du Xu's puzzled look, he quickly changed the subject.

...

Back in the classroom, the classmates were the same, but the way they looked at Yu Sheng had changed.

There were looks of admiration, fear, and even... jealousy.

A small classroom, showcasing the myriad facets of life.

Liu Qingfeng, timing the start of class with the bell, appeared in the classroom on time. He glanced in Yu Sheng's direction and began today's lesson.

How to stay vigilant in the wilderness.

The best places to rest.

And after awakening, some ways to utilize the awakened item.

For instance, after awakening, the duration for which the awakened item maintains its form depends on your own energy.

Typically, an awakened item has nine indentations.

These indentations can hold crystals.

These crystals have a common name: demon cores.

Different from demon crystals.

Demon crystals are just the purified and solidified energy contained in the body of a demon beast after it dies.

Whereas a demon core is the most central part of a demon beast's body.

If your awakened item is a tiger and it's embedded with the demon core of an Eagle Demon, there's a chance that the awakened item could evolve to sprout wings and gain the ability to fly.

However, this ability is somewhat superfluous.

Generally, by the time a person awakens six times, they can fly using their own energy.

Each awakening only allows for the embedding of a demon core from a demon beast of the same level, although even within the same level, the quality of demon cores varies.

A Rabbit Demon's core is inherently weaker than a tiger demon's, and a tiger demon's is weaker than that of an evolved Divine Beast.

In the demon race, there are also levels of status.

To continuously awaken, demon races need to absorb a vast amount of energy, extracting and refining it through the awakened item into the demon core.

The moment the demon core is saturated with energy, the next awakening can occur.

The more patterns on the awakened item, the more energy it can convert, and the faster the absorption rate.

Even though these are concepts widely understood and repeated by many, Liu Qingfeng meticulously reiterated them from the podium.

"Just as it is commonly said, the higher the level of the demon core you absorb, the stronger you become."

"But what I want to say is... that's not always the case."

"What suits you is truly the best."

"If the demon core is not compatible with your awakened item, even if it comes from a young Divine Beast, it will only have an adverse effect on you."

"So, do not blindly pursue quality, letting desire cloud your vision."

"The path of awakening is long, and each step must be taken firmly and steadily!"

"Do you understand?"

Liu Qingfeng's tone was as serious as ever.

However, most of the students appeared listless.

Was it necessary to repeat knowledge that had been heard so often it practically caused their ears to form calluses?

Seeing the students' reactions, Liu Qingfeng felt somewhat helpless.

Everyone understood the principle.

Yet they didn’t realize that the hardest thing to control was their own desires.

Faced with a high-level demon core, everyone thinks... what if?

Even though the attributes might not be suitable, what if it unlocked a powerful skill?

Could that lead to a meteoric rise, setting them on an unbeatable path?

After all...

A divine-like ability has an absolute effect!

Liu Qingfeng had seen too many talents ultimately perish under such thoughts.

Fortunately, the one thing that reassured Liu Qingfeng was that unlike during combat lessons, where students typically drifted off, Yu Sheng was attentively listening throughout.

Perhaps that was why Liu Qingfeng saw potential in Yu Sheng.

He always felt he could see a reflection of his younger self in him.

Similarly... thin.

He had also wanted to boast about being decisive and prudent, but really, he had no face to claim so.

"In one week, the three schools will merge."

"At that time, the competition for college entrance exams will become even fiercer!"

"If your grades are at the bottom, what might await you..."

"Could be no college acceptance."

"Those who are lucky might join the Security Bureau or the Demon Exorcism Pavilion, earning a salary and bonuses while continuing their training."

"Those who are not so fortunate might end up serving others."

"You might think it's not as severe as I'm saying, but what I want to tell you is..."

"This is the only time in your lives when you can leap over the loong gate1 without spending a dime."

"I just hope that years from now, when you look back, you won't feel regret about the choices you made."

The classroom fell silent.

Although they were still young and unaware of the harshness of society,

at least...

there was a palpable sense of urgency.

Footnote:

Loong Gate(龙门): This term originates from the Chinese legend "Carp Leaping Over the Loong Gate," which tells the story of a carp transforming into a Loong after leaping over the Loong Gate. It symbolizes the idea that through effort and perseverance, one can achieve transformation and success in status.