C16 Returning to School

Chu Yingxue had hoped to invite Ling Yifei to dinner, but he declined, citing the start of school the next day as his reason. However, the truth was that Ling Yifei was eager to return home to focus on his cultivation, seeking to enhance his abilities as quickly as possible. With the future unpredictable, he had made cultivation his utmost priority.

Once home, Ling Yifei quickly organized his school materials for the following day before delving into the study of the Clear Origin Technique.

Early Monday morning, Ling Yifei awoke before dawn, anxious not to be late on the first day of school. Realizing he had time to spare, he practiced his cultivation a bit longer, grabbed breakfast, and joined the throng of commuters on the public bus toward school.

Having recently returned from the Cultivation Realm, Ling Yifei initially struggled to readjust. He had spent two millennia in cultivation, but now he not only adapted to contemporary life, he had grown to love it.

The bus soon reached the entrance of Hai Bin High School. This prestigious institution in S City was known for its high college acceptance rates and as a gathering place for the city's most promising students. Rumor had it that each year, several graduates went on to attend the nation's renowned Light Capital University.

The student body at Hai Bin High School was a study in contrasts, with some students hailing from affluent families. These individuals often led lives of leisure, contributing little to the school's academic environment.

Standing at the school gates, Ling Yifei was struck by a wave of nostalgia, inhaling the scholarly ambiance. Students filed past him in their uniforms, making his lack of one all the more conspicuous.

As he approached the entrance, the school's security guard confronted him. "What's your business here? Hold it right there," the guard demanded, eyeing Ling Yifei with suspicion.

With a friendly smile, Ling Yifei responded, "Sir, I'm here to attend classes."

"Where's your school uniform? Why aren't you wearing one?" the old man inquired once more.

It was then that Ling Yifei realized he was without his school uniform, while all the other students around him were properly dressed. "I apologize, sir. I'm a new student and just arrived today, so I don't have a uniform yet."

"Alright! Just wait here, I'll check with the Education Office," the old man said. Being a top-tier high school, the gatekeeper was understandably cautious about his responsibilities.

"Thank you, sir. I'll wait right here. Please go ahead and ask," Ling Yifei responded with a smile.

A short while later, the old man returned, slightly out of breath. "You can go in now. Take a right after entering the gate, and you'll find the administrative building. The principal's office is on the top floor," he explained helpfully, knowing that Ling Yifei was new and unfamiliar with the campus. Ling Yifei expressed his gratitude and hurried off to the administrative building.

As a cultivator, Ling Yifei had no trouble locating the principal's office on the top floor at a glance. Without any hesitation, he made his way to the principal's office door.

After ensuring there was no activity inside the principal's office, Ling Yifei knocked lightly. A prompt invitation to enter followed.

Upon entering, Ling Yifei saw a man engrossed in a book at his desk, surrounded by shelves brimming with books. Ling Yifei concluded that the principal was undoubtedly a bibliophile.

"Good morning, Principal. Mrs. Zhao sent me to report in," Ling Yifei stated his intention.

"Oh? You come recommended by Yuqin, is that right? Very well, come in," the principal gestured for Ling Yifei to enter, indicating a warm relationship with Mrs. Zhao. Ling Yifei pondered this as he stepped into the office.

"Just a moment, I'll call to sort out your class schedule. Afterwards, the head of guidance will take you to meet your homeroom teacher," the principal said, reaching for the desk phone and dialing.

After a brief conversation, he asked Ling Yifei to wait, then returned to his book. Ling Yifei, using his clairvoyance, noticed the principal was studying a tome on ancient medicine—a surprisingly old book, revealing the principal's interest in the subject.

Footsteps echoed down the corridor, soon followed by a knock on the door. A man entered after receiving permission. His hair was thinning, forming a receding pattern that hinted at his intellectual labors. The principal quickly briefed him before leading Ling Yifei away.

"You must be Ling Yifei, correct? Later, you'll need to pick up your books. Remember, you must follow the school's rules and regulations. Otherwise, no matter who you are, you'll face strict consequences!"

"Understood, Director," Ling Yifei replied, surprised by the director's stern demeanor. This school truly seemed to be top-notch.

With the enrollment formalities complete, the director escorted Ling Yifei to Class Three of the second year, a class known for its high academic standing. Zhao Yuqin had taken great care to ensure Ling Yifei would be immersed in the school's learning environment.

The director rapped on the door and pushed it open. "Teacher Liu, could you step out for a moment?" The teacher, who had been lecturing, stepped out to receive instructions from the director, who then promptly departed. Teacher Liu then ushered Ling Yifei into the class.

"Let's have a moment of silence, everyone. We have a new classmate I'd like to introduce."

"Come on up and introduce yourself," Teacher Liu beckoned to Ling Yifei.

Stepping forward to the podium, Ling Yifei cleared his throat and greeted, "Hello, everyone. My name is Ling Yifei. I look forward to getting to know all of you." He finished with a respectful bow.

The class erupted into a round of warm applause, except for one person—Jiaang Xueer. She was visibly shocked, her mouth agape in disbelief.

"How could this happen! How could my mother put him in the same classroom as me? I refuse to share a classroom with this nobody! This is infuriating!" Jiaang Xueer fumed to herself.

As Ling Yifei looked up, he too was taken aback to see Jiaang Xueer. He sighed internally. Mrs. Zhao had entrusted him with looking after Jiaang Xueer, but being in the same class seemed unnecessary. It was bound to lead to future conflicts.

"Just take a seat over there," Teacher Liu suggested, gesturing to an empty chair. Without a second thought, Ling Yifei settled into the vacant spot. Envious eyes from around the room followed him, but Ling Yifei paid them no mind.

"Better to blend in for now; it's less conspicuous that way," he mused, his thoughts drifting to the Cultivation Realm, his master, and his father. A glint of icy resolve flashed in Ling Yifei's eyes. "Chen Xinghai, you and your cronies better brace yourselves for my wrath."

*Beep! Beep! Beep!* Ling Yifei's phone buzzed. He checked the message: "Brother Yifei, your shift starts at 7 PM tonight. Please arrive at the bar 30 minutes early. Confirm receipt of this message." With a smirk, Ling Yifei quickly typed a response, "Thanks, Ms. Chu. I'll be there on time, without fail!"