After being utterly floored by Xu Tianxi, Lin Jiayi remained frozen in place. Around the classroom, the onlooking students began chattering excitedly, each offering their own opinions on the future of soul tools. For Lin Jiayi, their enthusiasm was a small comfort.
Who would've thought? the usually stern-faced Director of Education had finally been put in his place. That transfer student really was a god-tier figure.
Every word Xu Tianxi spoke was insightful and eloquent—and he could even discuss high-level soul tool theory with two of the school's most legendary students. No one could figure out why someone like him would bother joining the first-year class.
Maybe he just wanted the joy of steamrolling weaker students for fun?
Well, Lin Jiayi should be a big enough fish to make that satisfying, right?
Up on the roof, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen exchanged glances. Both could see the shock mirrored in each other's eyes.
After a moment of silence, Meng Hongchen broke it with a grin of schadenfreude.
"Xiao, I think your title as the Sun Moon Empire's number one genius of the millennium might not be safe anymore."
"Don't say stuff like that, Dream!" Xiao Hongchen snapped. "You think I'm that easy to beat?"
He threw his head back and stared at the sky—but the hands hidden inside his sleeves trembled. He clenched them tightly, then relaxed, sweat silently soaking the back of his shirt.
Xu Tianxi's words had rattled far more than just Lin Jiayi. Xiao had stood up here in the cold air for a long time just to clear his mind—and only just managed to avoid losing face in front of his sister.
Meng Hongchen's smirk deepened. She said lightly,
"But when you were his age, I don't remember you ever saying anything this profound."
"I was focused on building a solid foundation through crafting practice. A tower ten thousand feet high starts with the ground floor!"
Xiao Hongchen's hand clenched tighter inside his pocket, and his neck flushed red with stubborn pride. Sweat trickled down his collar.
"But Grandpa also said," Meng continued, her eyes twinkling, "that at this stage, your technical level back then might not have been any higher than his."
Xiao had a sinking feeling. He knew where this was going, and chose to say nothing. Instead, he waved his hand dramatically and groaned,
"Fine! I get it! You're trying to say my crown as the Sun Moon Empire's top prodigy is about to be taken, right? Well, as you wish—starting today, I'll devote myself entirely to soul tool cultivation. I'll show you and everyone else who's really stronger!"
Meng's eyes lit up and she clapped with delight.
"That's the spirit! That's the ambitious genius of our Hongchen Clan! Avoiding reality gets you nowhere. I love it when you guys get serious—it's so fun to watch!"
"Don't worry," Xiao Hongchen huffed. "I won't let you down!"
Just then, a flash of memory returned to him. A vow he had once whispered to himself years ago suddenly surfaced:
"Back when his elders first sent over that batch of Profound Water Pills, I swore I'd defeat him and reclaim my pride in front of Dream…"
"Well, looks like that time has come."
Meng Hongchen heard her brother muttering and her eyes brightened instantly.
"Oh yeah! Remember when you asked me if that genius from the Three Nations ever came to our school, whose side I'd take? I told you if he was good-looking, I might help him beat you…"
"Now look—Little Xu is very good-looking. Isn't that funny?"
Xiao Hongchen / Meng Hongchen: Everything we said back then is coming true!
Meng's face suddenly turned serious. "Xiao, as the number one prodigy of the Sun Moon Empire, you need to have pride. Don't bully a first-year junior who just transferred in."
"Of course not!" Xiao replied immediately. "He's still weak. I'll wait until he's in the fifth year—then I'll hit him with the ultimate despair!"
Meng's eyes narrowed. "You mean you'll challenge him then, using your superior cultivation as leverage?"
Xiao Hongchen chuckled coldly. Standing up on the rooftop, he looked out over the vast campus, arms crossed arrogantly as he declared:
"No. When he becomes a fifth-year, I'll be a sixth-year. I'll get into the Mingde Hall for advanced study—and let him know what it really means to be the top genius of the Sun Moon Empire! Ahahaha…"
"Who's the idiot cackling on the classroom roof? I'm reporting this to the Dean! You're getting written up!"
Inside the classroom, Lin Jiayi's ears twitched. He could clearly hear the howling laughter above. Rage surged through him. If nothing else, this would be his chance to reclaim a little dignity as Director of Education!
"Xiao, you idiot! Shut up and run!"
Meng Hongchen smacked her brother hard and activated her flight-type soul tool with practiced ease. In an instant, she vanished into the sky.
"Wait—Dream! Don't leave me!"
Still spinning from the slap, Xiao Hongchen scrambled for his storage ring, fumbling for his flight tool as he tried to leap off the rooftop like a cartoon burglar.
But before he could equip it, a shadow appeared before him.
It was Lin Jiayi—his face like thunder—who had jumped straight from inside the classroom to the rooftop. He blocked Xiao's escape with arms crossed and a wicked grin:
"Well, well, if it isn't our regular visitor, Young Master Xiao Hongchen. What's this? Decided to move on from stealing soul tools from the warehouse and try a little rooftop loitering instead?"
Xiao Hongchen wilted. He slowly lowered his flight tool and muttered, "Director… can I explain?"
"Oh, you'll explain," Lin Jiayi sneered. "Right after we log your rooftop stunt in the disciplinary ledger.
Don't worry—you'll have all the time in the world to explain yourself.
Isn't there a private student dorm just for you? Full set of living supplies, lab equipment, soundproofed for your genius studies... very convenient for quiet reflection."
Xiao Hongchen lowered his head in defeat and obediently followed Lin Jiayi to face the music.
That evening, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy issued a campus-wide announcement:
New school regulation:
It is strictly forbidden for any student to climb onto classroom rooftops without authorization.
Offenders will be referred directly to the Disciplinary Office and face official punishment.
The Next Day – A quiet corner of the Sun Moon Academy library.
Xu Tianxi was flipping through a thick copy of "Complete Practice Test Book for Level One Soul Engineers" when he looked up in surprise.
Across the table from him, someone had just sat down and set a stack of books on the desk. A pale pink cheek peeked out from under a baseball cap and oversized sunglasses—a suspiciously disguised Meng Hongchen, who was smiling and waving at him.
"Senior Meng? Are you here to study too?" Xu asked, puzzled. "Did you need something?"
"Shhh~! Keep it down!" Meng whispered conspiratorially. "Little Xu, doesn't your second spirit ability create illusions and provide stealth? Quick—activate it. I've got something good to show you."
Xu Tianxi was instantly struck by how much she resembled a secret agent. She kept scanning the room like a spy.
What on earth is she scheming, dressed like this in her own grandfather's school?