C15 Meeting

In the early morning, Lin Feng reached out to General Ouyang Feng, hoping to make another trip to Warzone 509. This time, his motives weren't academic; he aimed to slay monsters, sell their materials, and gather funds. Ouyang Feng's guard answered the call and denied Lin Feng's request.

"Be cautious," the guard warned. "A man named Gu Xing has been snooping around your affairs. It's best to stay within the city limits for now."

A chill ran through Lin Feng. He didn't recognize the name Gu Xing, but it was clear there was a connection to Gu Chen. "Thank you, I'll heed the advice," he responded before ending the call, his gaze hardening with resolve.

Lin Feng knew that his clandestine actions against Gu Chen weren't as covert as he'd hoped. Anyone determined enough could uncover the truth, and General Ouyang Feng was undoubtedly in the know. Otherwise, his guard wouldn't have issued such a cautionary message.

The influence of those from the Otherworld was significant on Apus Calesius, and even with their powers curtailed in Lofreydor, they still had considerable reach. The world was rife with lackeys like the Zhang brothers, willing to betray anything for gain.

His plan was in ruins.

Lin Feng pondered his next move. "How can I raise the remaining 600,000 in a month?" he wondered, anxiety creeping in. Despite his best efforts, he was still just a regular young man, constrained by his humble origins.

"Should I resort to borrowing money again?" He dismissed the thought with a shake of his head. His pride wouldn't allow it, and constantly borrowing was a strain on any relationship, no matter how strong.

The ringtone of his phone broke his contemplation. It was Chiang Yu calling.

"Hello?"

"A get-together?"

"Sure, I'll be there," Lin Feng replied, then informed his mother and aunt of his plans before grabbing his battle blade and heading out.

"Stay safe," Lee Susu cautioned, nodding towards the TV. "Another fugitive has slipped into Zeffari."

Lin Feng spared a brief glance at the screen, where a stern-faced newscaster in professional attire was alerting the public to the danger.

Beside the female host, several photos of wanted criminals were displayed.

"Got it, Mom," Lin Feng responded nonchalantly.

He didn't really think much of it.

After all, he had seen this sort of thing far too often growing up.

There's an old saying: poverty breeds cunning, wealth fosters conscience. In this new era, some have gained power and become Warriors, but with that power, their inner darkness has grown too.

Robberies and murders were all too common.

On his way,

Lin Feng passed a shop and it suddenly hit him that he was out of energy points, which left him feeling somewhat vulnerable.

So, he stopped by several stores and purchased 100,000 origin stones, converting them into 1,000 energy points.

...

At the Treasure Cooking Pavilion,

Zeffari City's opulent five-star restaurant,

Lin Feng, battle blade in tow, arrived to find Chiang Yu and Liu Fei chatting by the entrance. They greeted him with enthusiastic waves.

"You two are here pretty early," Lin Feng greeted them with a grin.

But then he did a double-take.

He noticed the telltale signs of bruising on Chiang Yu's face.

"Which girl gave you that souvenir?" Lin Feng ribbed him.

"Don't even start," Chiang Yu grumbled, clearly not in the best of moods.

Liu Fei, spotting Lin Feng, couldn't help but let a smirk of schadenfreude spread across his honest face. "He got a whooping from his uncle and auntie when he got home yesterday!"

Liu Fei's 'uncle and auntie' were, of course, Chiang Yu's parents.

"Why's that?" Lin Feng asked, intrigued.

"Oh, he just got too cocky," Liu Fei burst out laughing.

Lin Feng got the picture.

Knowing Chiang Yu, he would've strutted around the house after getting accepted into the University of Norbury.

Imagining Chiang Yu getting a tag-team scolding from his parents, Lin Feng couldn't suppress a chuckle. Chiang Yu had his fair share of beatings growing up.

Chiang Yu let out a sigh, "Any other kid gets into Norbury, their folks would be thrilled. But mine? They just gave me a thrashing."

Watching his friend's woeful expression, Lin Feng laughed heartily.

Soon after, other classmates began to arrive, approaching Lin Feng and the others with warm smiles and greetings.

Lin Feng gave a slight nod, acknowledging each of his old classmates in turn. Yet, he couldn't help but notice the eager, almost ingratiating looks they gave him. It's said that good news seldom goes beyond the gate, while bad news spreads far and wide. Despite this, the news of Lin Feng, Chiang Yu, and Liu Fei getting into the University of Norbury couldn't be kept under wraps. After all, Lin Feng had slain the snow wolf king, saving numerous students' lives.

It was inevitable that people would look into who Lin Feng was. Soon enough, his information would be circulating on the school's forum. In this new digital age, secrets were hard to keep.

"Some are already mentioning you in the same breath as our school's Hsu Ying, Zhang Chaohai from No. 65 Middle School, and Wang Pingzhi from No. 67," Zhang Bo said, grinning.

"Really?" Lin Feng replied with a casual smile.

Hsu Ying, Zhang Chaohai, and Wang Pingzhi were the renowned prodigies of Zeffari, having made their mark since junior high. Lin Feng's reputation paled in comparison to theirs. Yet, being compared to such esteemed peers was quite the compliment, though Lin Feng wasn't one to dwell on fame. After all, reputation wasn't something you could easily turn into cash, and Lin Feng was nothing if not practical.

"I heard Hsu Ying and her class will be at the Treasure Pavilion for a gathering later," Zhang Bo hinted with a wink. "You'll have a chance to mingle."

Lin Feng just smiled. Hsu Ying was the star of their No. 66 High School, not to mention strikingly beautiful. Some even hailed her as the school's top beauty, the undisputed campus belle. Rumor had it that she came from a distinguished family with considerable influence—a classic case of beauty and wealth.

For boys Lin Feng's age, in the throes of adolescence, the allure of such an ideal figure of the opposite sex was irresistible. It was no wonder that many of his male peers harbored a secret affection for Hsu Ying. Unfortunately, there had been no whispers of her showing any preference in return.

Their conversation was interrupted as a large group approached the Treasure Cooking Pavilion. Amidst the throng, a tall woman stood out, encircled by admirers like a moon surrounded by stars.

It was indeed Hsu Ying.

Lin Feng took her in with a few glances. With her long hair billowing, Hsu Ying was strikingly beautiful, exuding an ethereal grace reminiscent of an orchid in a secluded valley.

"Bro, I'm counting on you to sweep her off her feet," Chiang Yu said, clapping Lin Feng on the shoulder and giving him a conspiratorial wink.

His face was already a mess of bruises, and the wink only served to make him look both comical and sleazy.

"Get lost," Lin Feng retorted, laughing off the comment.

For the time being, he had no interest in romantic entanglements; his priorities were himself and his family.

He was confident that with enough strength, he could attract any beauty. So, during these prime years of youth, he was determined to strive for success, not squander his time on dalliances.

After all, what's more important – love for one's country or for a beauty? Without a kingdom to call his own, what beauty would there be to cherish?

And would a true beauty, a celestial goddess, ever deign to look upon mere mortals with favor?

"Let's head out for a meal," Lin Feng finally said, glancing one last time at the distant crowd.

Hsu Ying appeared to notice his gaze, lifting her eyebrows and looking his way. Her deep, captivating eyes held a serene calm.

A girl nearby murmured, "Hey, Hsu Ying, isn't that the guy from Class Six, Lin Feng?"

"The very same Lin Feng who slew the snow wolf king?" Hsu Ying's eyes sparkled with a flicker of interest.

"Yes, indeed. People are starting to mention him in the same breath as you, Zhang Chaohai, Wang Ping, and the others," the girl chattered with enthusiasm.

"Really?" Hsu Ying responded noncommittally.

As a young woman accustomed to adulation, she was naturally proud. Lin Feng's sudden rise had piqued her curiosity, but it quickly faded.

After all, it was just a grown snow wolf king.

She, Hsu Ying, was capable of the same feat. It was hardly a remarkable achievement.