Chapter 186: Wanderer’s Trials and Bonds

【In the past year or more, during your travels, you frequently encountered the Eldest Princess’s personal assassin trailing you, quietly watching your every word and action. Sometimes, she’d even serve you tea. At first, you suspected she wanted to kill you and had sinister intentions.】

【But later, you realized that wasn’t the case; she seemed to have no hostility, and gradually, your bond with this assassin girl deepened.】

【A month ago, you noticed the Eldest Princess and this assassin girl weren’t speaking, as if some internal conflict had arisen. The assassin was downcast and sought your help, so you told her she’d have to agree to one thing from you in return.】

【The assassin agreed to your request and shared the old conflict between her and the Eldest Princess, stemming from a massive war decades ago before the Human Empress ascended the throne.】

【The Eldest Princess had generously helped many friends and made allies she considered loyal, including the assassin organization where Fang Meng belonged. But when the palace faced an enemy invasion and nearly fell, only Fang Meng came to aid, leaving the Princess deeply scarred. This became her inner demon, turning her from kind to stern.】

【After hearing this, you gave Fang Meng some advice. The next day, the Eldest Princess approached you, shared her views on the matter, and offered to grant you one favor in exchange for your help.】

【Unlike the assassin, the Eldest Princess’s offer had almost no limits; she even promised to become your immortal partner and share a life together.】

【With your help, the Eldest Princess and the assassin girl reconciled completely, and your relationships with both deepened.】

【Later, the three of you joined Miss Jiang, Fairy He, and the Demonic Cult Enchantress to face the incoming demon invasion on the Imperial City, known as the Gaokao. The demon clan had declared war over a decade ago, and this attack was massive, darkening the skies.】

【You watched as millions in the city rallied to help, and together with your companions, you headed to the city outskirts to lead the Imperial City’s armies into battle.】

【Though the demon beasts were terrifyingly strong, numbering in the millions, and their leader’s power surpassed even the Eldest Princess’s,】

【you, seasoned from years of wandering the martial world, fought like an army of a hundred thousand alone. To protect the people, you charged ahead with Fairy He, Miss Jiang, and the Demonic Cult Enchantress, breaking through enemy lines, while the Eldest Princess and Fang Meng battled fiercely. After days of nonstop fighting,】

【covered in blood, you stood amid the corpses, before the city’s masses as the main force. With a single sword stroke that split the heavens, your might equaled a million soldiers, overwhelming the demon beasts and forcing them into retreat without any chance to fight back.】

【In the intense battle, you struck down the demon king with a precise shot from your Hundred Steps Piercing Yang technique, shocking the entire city! You returned in triumph, and your name will undoubtedly spread across the Lingqi Continent, etching a bold mark in its history.】

【In this event, you helped the Eldest Princess and the assassin reconcile, gaining abundant resources, a level increase, three points to stamina, and three to energy.】

【You slew a million demon beasts and repelled the Gaokao demon clan’s assault, earning four levels in spiritual power, one point to spiritual power attributes, five to stamina, and five to energy.】

【Your current attributes are】

【Spiritual Energy Level: Sixty-six, Core Formation Stage】

【Spiritual Power Control: Level Two】 【You can manipulate spiritual energy to control objects or walk on water across rivers】

【Stamina: Ninety-seven】 【Unlocked: Lifespan beyond limits, enhanced physical strength, and doubled cultivation ability】

【Energy: Ninety-eight】 【Unlocked: Strong offspring and the ability for seven encounters in one night】

【All Things Affinity: Level Two】 【You have an absolute talent with all things; any disciples you teach gain improvements, and those who sign contracts with you get triple enhancements】

The day after the Gaokao ended, Lin Zheng Ran arrived at school and listened as the system chattered on for ages.

His stats surged dramatically.

One Gaokao and his levels shot up so much.

Plus, with Spiritual Power Control reaching Level Two, Lin Zheng Ran wondered what the system meant by walking on water.

Since there was nothing much in the morning, he asked the teacher for a short break.

He headed alone to a small pond behind the school, a spot where hardly anyone went and the cameras couldn’t reach.

Lin Zheng Ran tentatively stepped onto the water and found that with focused attention, he could stand on the surface.

It felt like walking on solid ground.

He marveled, “It’s really starting to feel like true cultivation, but is it just for water?”

Lin Zheng Ran glanced back at the wall behind him.

Curious, he tried stepping onto the wall, sidestepping his way up toward the roof.

Sure enough, his feet stuck to the wall as if glued.

In the school bushes, a wild cat had been dozing when it spotted a human scaling the wall sideways and froze in shock.

It stared, mouth agape.

After rubbing its eyes to confirm, its mouth dropped even wider.

What a terrifying sight for a cat—that upright ape!

The vibration of his phone snapped Lin Zheng Ran out of his amazement on the wall.

Because he was sideways on the wall, the shaking phone slipped from his pocket.

Lin Zheng Ran grabbed it mid-air and saw it was Jiang Qian calling.

He answered.

Over the past three years, though they were class monitor and deputy, they rarely messaged or called beyond face-to-face talks.

Jiang Qian hadn’t sent many messages or made many calls to Lin Zheng Ran.

“Hello?”

The second miss’s usually cool voice softened when speaking to Lin Zheng Ran, though it still had a chilly edge, it was far warmer than with others:

“Class Monitor, where did you go? You’ve been gone so long, and the teacher said there’s a meeting soon.”

Lin Zheng Ran: “Yeah, I told the teacher I was stepping out for a bit.”

Jiang Qian sounded puzzled, recalling a time when Lin Zheng Ran was sick: “Are you okay? Feeling unwell?”

Lin Zheng Ran climbed down from the wall: “No, no, I’m fine. Heading back now.”

Jiang Qian relaxed: “Good, I’ll wait for you in the classroom.”

Lin Zheng Ran pocketed his phone and returned to class. Now that the Gaokao was over, everyone’s mood had turned mysterious—some were tense, others relaxed, and a few were babbling nonsense.

They were all discussing yesterday’s exam details and all sorts of random topics.

When Jiang Qian saw Lin Zheng Ran return, a faint spark lit her eyes.

Once he sat down, she asked, “How did you do yesterday?”

Lin Zheng Ran smiled: “Just like the practice tests.”

Jiang Qian sighed: “You’re never nervous. I think I did well too—let’s see if I can beat you when scores come out.”

It was the first time Lin Zheng Ran heard Jiang Qian openly say she wanted to surpass him.

Soon, the homeroom teacher arrived with a grin, clapping her hands:

“Alright, everyone quiet down. The thrilling Gaokao is finally over! We won’t dwell on results, but I hope you all get what you want.

Today’s meeting is about the graduation ceremony. It marks the end of three high school years, and the school requires each class to have at least a few performances. Sign up enthusiastically.

The class monitor and deputy will tally the program list later. Finally, I wish you all bright futures after graduation, whether scores are great or not—may everything go smoothly for you.”

Amid the students’ applause and laughter, the homeroom teacher added, “Okay, discuss the programs, but keep it down.”