TYMIMA Chapter 19

Zhan Pingchuan, under the strange gazes of the entire grade, accepted the stack of money. It was the belief in laying down the butcher’s knife and becoming a Buddha that made him squeeze out a smile: “Okay, thank you. The masses will remember your selflessness. Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”

 

Before leaving, Tang Li sighed and racked his brains to offer Zhan Pingchuan some encouragement: “You don’t need to feel inferior. Stealing bicycles is wrong, but that’s in the past. It’s never too late for your father to reform.”

 

Zhan Pingchuan, devoid of the will to live: “…I thank you on behalf of my father.”

 

After Tang Li left, Zhan Pingchuan, ignoring the discussions among other classmates, sat directly beside Lance. He rubbed his face for a long time before squeezing out a sentence: “Listen, my family’s financial situation isn’t that bad, I…”

 

Looking down, he found Lance secretly using his phone browser to search for “Desert City economic situation.”

 

Thanks to his sharp eyes and 2.0 vision, he immediately saw the encyclopedia clearly stating—

 

[Desert City is located in the western part of the Federation, and has been a barbaric, harsh, and cold place since ancient times…]

 

“Who the hell is writing this encyclopedia?” Zhan Pingchuan was instantly ignited, planning to engage in three hundred rounds of battle with that person in the encyclopedia editing records overnight.

 

Lance guiltily put away his phone, meeting Zhan Pingchuan’s judgmental gaze with an innocent smile: “It’s okay, I didn’t believe it.”

 

Zhan Pingchuan’s anger instantly subsided by half. He suspiciously confirmed again: “Really?”

 

Lance gave a meaningful glance at Zhan Pingchuan’s blue-dyed hair that hadn’t faded yet, and diplomatically said: “Really, judging by your clothing style, you can’t be that poor.”

 

Those hair dyes and that set of quality studs and chains—he probably stole electric bikes, not bicycles, which aren’t worth much.

 

Zhan Pingchuan finally breathed a sigh of relief: “Good that you don’t believe it.”

 

He didn’t care whether others thought his family was rich or not, but if Lance truly believed it, wouldn’t that mean Lance would think he couldn’t even afford a 100-square-meter bathroom?

 

Just then, the rustling sounds in the crowd suddenly rose in waves.

 

“Holy shit! Is that for real?”

 

“That can’t be possible!”

 

Zhan Pingchuan’s face darkened, becoming somewhat impatient.

 

In today’s world, so many Awakened ones kill people without consequences, yet stealing a bicycle is worth such a fuss?

 

Then someone said: “Isn’t the Star University Challenge Cup competition supposed to be at the end of freshman year? We haven’t learned anything yet.”

 

Zhan Pingchuan raised an eyebrow.

 

A misunderstanding.

 

He knew about the Star University Challenge Cup competition. It was held once a year, usually during the summer break between freshman and sophomore years. The school would specifically select some relatively safe underground cities for students to compete in.

 

The most ferocious creatures encountered in the competition were only B-level beasts. As long as students understood teamwork, they could safely return without problems.

 

Moreover, the team ranking first on the points leaderboard each year would not only receive a 100,000 yuan cash prize but also gain the precious opportunity to intern at the Federation government.

 

It was said that many high-level officials in the Blue Pivot inspection team and Hong Suo Research Institute had initially connected with the Federation government through this method.

 

Even among the resumes received by Ghost Eye Guild each year, many students would include their Challenge Cup rankings as proof of their abilities.

 

But in the gap left by the Blue Pivot inspection team’s consecutive failures, Star University suddenly organizing a Challenge Cup competition seemed to have impure motives.

 

Zhan Pingchuan remained expressionless, his fingers aimlessly tapping the table.

 

He sensed an invisible pressure, as if a cruel, cold-blooded predator had opened its eyes nearby and was staring fixedly at the center of the vortex.

 

“The notice said that starting this year, the rules have changed. Freshmen will enter an underground city upon enrollment, as a baseline test.”

 

“But I don’t know anything. I can’t even distinguish the levels of beasts. This should be content for the second semester’s ‘Beast Identification and Weaknesses’ course.”

 

“What are you afraid of? The underground city at Blue Hole Reservoir is only C-level, which means the difficulty is much lower this time. I’ve killed C-level beasts before.”

 

“Don’t boast. Many people’s families aren’t that well-off. They’ve never entered an underground city before, and some haven’t even synthesized a first-tier ability.”

 

“Could those with good conditions, who’ve been taken by their parents to build resumes since childhood, please shut up? Are you showing off?”

 

“Exactly. You’re just B-level, C-level, your ceiling is just that. Zhan Pingchuan, though his family picks up scraps, is an A-level. He has much more potential than you all.”

 

Zhan Pingchuan: “………………”

 

Is there no end to this?

 

Amidst the surrounding commotion, Lance narrowed his eyes, noncommittal.

 

He certainly knew that the purpose of this Challenge Cup competition wasn’t simple, but since the officials chose to have all freshmen participate, it meant they weren’t certain either—at most, they had some suspicions or baseless conjectures.

 

Moreover, undeniably, the rewards for the Challenge Cup competition were quite tempting—two weeks of internship at the Federation government.

 

It was extremely difficult to enter that restricted area surrounded by high walls. Without a legitimate identity, it would be challenging. He did want to take this opportunity to see what kind of person Oliver, who had sent the request, really was.

 

Thinking of this, Lance’s expression became quite playful.

 

If someone wants to die, why not commit suicide? Why borrow the knife of the Black Lantern Society?

 

Outside the window, a wind rose unexpectedly, a thick cloud enveloping half of the sun’s figure.

 

The shadow, like a breached dam’s water, flooded over both their brows and eyes.

 

In the Star University principal’s office, Si Hongche casually wore his military leather coat. His broad shoulders stretched the coat wide open. On his elaborate, magnificent dark blue uniform were embroidered medals of honor he had earned over the years.

 

His brow showed some traces of age, but these small wrinkles didn’t diminish his charm at all; rather, they carved out that cold, solemn quality.

 

Among the Blue Pivot high-level officials of his age, his appearance was exceptionally striking.

 

Si Hongche had a high nose bridge, deep-set eyes, and lips that weren’t particularly thin—at first glance, a passionate profile, but it was diluted by his overly defined jawline.

 

Just sitting there without saying a word, he exuded an unshakable intimidation.

 

At this moment, his expression was gloomy, obviously somewhat distracted.

 

“Director Si, I still think this matter needs further discussion. Most of the recovery system Awakened ones among these freshmen haven’t even mastered first-tier skills. In emergency situations, they won’t be able to provide aid in time. I’m concerned there will be immeasurable casualties among the students.”

 

After He Jing’en finished speaking, he looked at Si Hongche. He was still smiling, appearing as a peacemaker, neither provoking nor getting angry.

 

But Si Hongche seemed lost in thought, not having returned to his senses.

 

The principal’s gaze swept back and forth, and finally, he moved his chair, using the noise to remind Si Hongche: “Director Si?”

 

Only then did Si Hongche’s gaze return. He seemed to recall He Jing’en’s voice, then looked at him scrutinizingly, saying with an unclear meaning: “The outside world says Dean He lacks ambition, but in my view, you have genuine care for the students.”

 

He Jing’en waved his hands repeatedly, his face creasing into a smile: “As you know, our college already has few people. If another batch dies, who will I teach?”

 

Si Hongche’s gaze was sharp, his tone threatening: “Dean He needn’t worry. Have you forgotten? Blue Pivot still has your outstanding student.”

 

He Jing’en’s aged eyelids drooped, but at these words, they jumped slightly. His expression froze momentarily before he smiled again: “I haven’t yet thanked Director Si for his magnanimity in sparing the life of that unforgivable criminal.”

 

Si Hongche sneered: “After all, he was my classmate. Dean He is being too polite.”

 

He Jing’en nodded vaguely, but his eyelids didn’t lift again.

 

After arranging the Challenge Cup competition matters, Si Hongche stood up to leave. As soon as he went out the door, the Blue Pivot inspection team members waiting outside hurriedly followed.

 

Si Hongche strode forward, his gaze murderous, not even pausing for a moment when passing the outstanding alumni list hanging on the corridor wall.

 

If he had tilted his head slightly, he would have seen a photograph from eighteen years ago, still well-preserved in the glass interlayer.

 

In the photo, Oliver smiled brightly, his golden hair soft, his arms firmly hooked around Si Hongche’s neck, hanging on him like a koala.

 

And Si Hongche gently indulged his mischief.

 

Returning to his car, Si Hongche saw the quietly curled-up figure inside, and the gloom on his face slowly dispersed.

 

“Back to Blue Pivot,” he ordered his subordinates, raising his hand to open the car door.

 

As the door opened, Oliver instinctively trembled.

 

Si Hongche looked down at him, forcefully gripping his chin and pressing him down onto the seat. As he unbuckled his pants, Si Hongche deliberately humiliated him: “Your mentor asked how you were doing. I said I’ve been feeding you very well.”

 

Oliver’s face instantly drained of color. He trembled violently, his teeth biting deep bruises into his cracked lips.

 

Boom!

 

The engine suddenly roared to life. The black bulletproof four-wheel-drive official car started, and Si Hongche leaned back in his seat, looking indifferently out the window.

 

At the same time, Lance and Zhan Pingchuan were passing through the heavy patrols of the Blue Pivot inspection team, walking toward the cafeteria.

 

Both harbored their own thoughts.

 

Zhan Pingchuan appeared outwardly lazy and relaxed, but his eyes were alert and sharp, searching for that threat.

 

There’s a subtle sensing between S-level powerhouses. He instinctively felt that person was nearby. He wanted to know who that person was and what their next purpose would be.

 

Lance’s gaze swept over the inspection team members, who were orderly despite the chaos, and noticed they were furtively watching a certain central point.

 

The number of patrol personnel had increased again, which was unusual—unless an important figure had come to campus, and this important figure was the key to initiating the Challenge Cup competition.

 

Thinking this, Lance steeled himself, his finger sliding to the bridge of his nose, pushing his glasses up slightly, and asked with feigned shyness: “Classmate Zhan, did you get hard last night?”

 

Just then, the official SUV pulled out of its parking space, kicking up dust, speeding past Lance.

 

In that moment of passing, through the Outer God’s eye, Lance clearly saw a Death Oath Curse emanating golden light on Si Hongche’s body!

 

In a flash, Si Hongche suddenly looked up. He sensed some extremely threatening S-level Awakened aura right beside him!

 

He immediately pushed Oliver away and straightened up, but the previously strong S-level aura suddenly became chaotic and disorganized.

 

Zhan Pingchuan: #%&*&#@&……

 

It took Si Hongche a long while to finally lower his guard.

 

It seemed it wasn’t some S-level powerhouse, just an Alpha about to enter his susceptible period going crazy.

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)