C45 The Special Training Camp

Skyhaven, while one of the many cities within the Stardragon Federation, didn't particularly stand out. Each year, during the college entrance exams, roughly forty thousand students from Skyhaven would vie for a chance at higher education, yet only about forty would secure a spot in the prestigious Six Great Academies. At times, the number was as low as eight.

The number of students admitted to the Six Great Academies was often seen as a benchmark for a city's educational quality. Thus, city officials paid close attention to these figures and highly valued the special training camp designed to prepare students.

This year, the caliber of students from Skyhaven had improved. Initially, around a hundred students were expected to qualify for the special training camp. However, due to Lu Lixing's decisive victories at the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform, only sixty-four remained.

Including Lu Lixing himself, the count was sixty-five.

Upon Wen Shanmei's arrival at the special training camp, piloting her sleek Flying Shuttle with Lu Lixing in tow, they were greeted by dozens of expectant figures in the plaza. The pair's entrance drew all eyes, though it was Wen Shanmei who captured the crowd's fascination with her youth, beauty, and the undeniable allure of her Flying Shuttle.

Lu Lixing, despite his renowned name, was less recognizable in person. It wasn't until Wen Shanmei dropped his name that the crowd had their aha moment, realizing the unassuming student before them was the illustrious Lu Lixing.

"Lu Lixing, wait here for a moment while I make some preparations," Wen Shanmei said.

Truth be told, Wen Shanmei had nothing to prepare. Her mention of Lu Lixing's name was intentional, a ploy to gauge his reaction in front of the onlookers.

Oblivious to Wen Shanmei's ulterior motive, Lu Lixing took her at her word, nodding in agreement as he watched her depart. Once she vanished from view, he turned to face the others in the plaza, only to be taken aback. The intensity of their stares was almost palpable, their eyes burning with a fervor that seemed to devour him whole.

What's the matter?

Lu Lixing was frightened, an unpleasant sensation creeping over him.

"So, you're Lu Lixing."

A slight girl approached Lu Lixing with a beaming smile. "Allow me to introduce myself," she said. "My name is Jian Huichen, from East Shores School. I wanted to attend the match that day but couldn't get a ticket. I never imagined I'd run into you here."

Lu Lixing, slightly embarrassed yet maintaining his politeness, offered a strained smile. "Hello, I'm Lu Lixing, just an average guy."

"You haven't even reached the Qi Refining Stage, yet you can set up arrays and have battled a hundred opponents. You're the first victor of the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform, and you've caught the attention of the Six Great Academies all at once. If you're just an average guy, then what does that make the rest of us?"

Just then, a tall, imposing male student strode up and positioned himself before Lu Lixing. His voice was cool as he introduced himself, "I'm Yu Hongzhuo, also from East Shores School. Jian Huichen is the girl I like."

Lu Lixing, confronted with Yu Hongzhuo's hostile demeanor, was initially baffled—he hadn't wronged this person. But upon hearing Yu Hongzhuo's admission of affection for Jian Huichen, everything clicked. Jian Huichen's friendly overture had sparked Yu Hongzhuo's jealousy.

"I understand," Lu Lixing said with a smile. "I'm devoted to my cultivation; I'm not interested in romance."

Yu Hongzhuo's features softened at these words. He gave a nod of acknowledgment and said, "We're friends from now on. If you ever need anything, just let me know."

To Yu Hongzhuo, friendship with Lu Lixing was possible as long as there was no romantic interest in Jian Huichen—a straightforward concept.

Off to the side, Jian Huichen shot Yu Hongzhuo a look of annoyance. She couldn't fathom why her grandfather was so set on arranging her marriage when she didn't even have a single male friend to speak of.

After the brief interlude, the mood among the group lightened considerably. Of the twenty or so individuals gathered, all hailed from East Shores School except for Lu Lixing, who was from Forest Lake Academy. It wasn't long before another person from Forest Lake Academy joined them.

Sha Xiufen, clad in simple jeans and a denim jacket, tied her glossy black hair into a ponytail and made her way to the square. Lu Lixing's face took on a complex expression at her arrival.

Sha Zhenghao had brought up Xiufen the previous night. She had purchased two tickets and sought out Zhenghao, inviting him to join her in watching the battle. Xiufen had been visibly anxious during Lu Lixing's fight, but after the outcome was determined, she slipped away quietly from the venue.

Zhenghao had been quite inebriated when he mentioned this to Lu Lixing, his speech slurred, but Lu Lixing remembered his words distinctly. "We three have known each other since childhood, growing up together. It tore me up to see Xiufen agree to be Zhang Tu's girlfriend just for access to cultivation resources. I wanted to kill Zhang Tu."

Lu Lixing resonated with Zhenghao's sentiments. Yet, some things had transpired that couldn't be undone or ignored.

As Lu Lixing's gaze met Xiufen's, she too was aware of him. She had contemplated whether she might encounter Lu Lixing here today and, despite her reservations, chose to come. Her reluctance to forgo the advanced cultivation resources offered by the special training camp was the deciding factor.

On this matter, Xiufen and Lu Lixing were in strong agreement.

Xiufen was well-known to everyone present, not only for her youth, beauty, and exceptional talent but also as the catalyst for the Battle of the Hidden Dragon Platform!

Lu Lixing's enmity with Zhang Tu and the subsequent retribution from the Zhang family were closely linked to Xiufen.

The onlookers' gazes shifted between Lu Lixing and Xiufen, filled with intrigue and curiosity.

With Zhang Tu out of the picture, the question hung in the air: could they find their way back to each other?

They thought the story was absolutely thrilling!