Lian Qiguang was not arrogant. In this world that was unfamiliar to him, he had no idea what might happen in the next second. Right now, he was too weak. Even though he had recovered his former strength, after witnessing Xiahou Shaoxuan’s Sky-rank power, Lian Qiguang still could not determine how many experts like Xiahou Shaoxuan were hidden in this unfamiliar world. He only knew one thing—he had to become stronger. He must become stronger.
The date of his appointment with Qiying was drawing near. With the experience of his previous life and the crystal cores in his space, Lian Qiguang vaguely felt that he was about to break through.
Understanding that what he needed now was a quiet place, the first person Lian Qiguang thought of was Dean Qing Murong. Qing Murong was fairly reliable. Without another word, he directly requested leave from Jin Anqi, then brought Lian Qiguang to his private apartment within the academy. After leaving enough nutrient solution behind, he departed.
Lian Qiguang did not know how long he had stayed there.
The energy inside his body was circulating wildly.
He could not stop, nor did he dare stop.
The moment his focus wavered even slightly, the power within him began tearing outward uncontrollably, as if ripping apart his body. The pain was heart-wrenching.
This feeling made Lian Qiguang somewhat tense.
In his previous life, this situation had never happened.
Had something gone wrong?
In a daze, Lian Qiguang seemed to return to his previous life.
A filthy, chaotic refugee district.
A skinny little boy knelt on the ground, staring blankly at the woman lying on a wooden plank. His dirty little face was filled with panic and helplessness.
Lian Qiguang floated in the air, expressionless as he watched this scene, yet his chest suddenly ached with a dull pain.
He did not know how much time passed.
It became dark.
Then bright.
Then dark again.
The boy remained in the same position, staring blankly at the woman on the wooden plank.
But the woman never opened her eyes again.
Later, a group of men dressed in identical clothing entered the tiny mud hut. Aside from the wooden plank beneath the woman, there was nothing else inside.
Cursing under their breath, they stuffed the woman into a sack.
Then, just as quickly as they had arrived, they hurried away, as if afraid of being contaminated by something.
Inside the dark hut, silence was suffocating.
There was no sunlight.
No sound.
It felt as though the place had been isolated from the entire world.
The boy knelt on the ground, curling his thin body into himself, blankly staring at the now-empty wooden plank.
No one knew how long passed.
A tear slowly slid down from the boy’s eye.
Soon, the boy’s cries echoed through the small dark room.
Panic.
Helplessness.
And deep despair toward an unknown future.
Lian Qiguang floated in the air, expressionless as he watched the boy curl into a ball and cry uncontrollably.
He reached out, wanting to touch the boy.
But a force pushed him back.
Lian Qiguang pressed his lips together and silently withdrew his hand.
The pain in his chest made it hard to breathe.
His fingers lightly brushed the sore corners of his eyes.
But there was only dryness.
This year, the last and only beam of sunlight in his life had permanently left him.
He had been forever imprisoned in darkness.
“Mom…”
A soft murmur slowly dissipated.
The surrounding space began to twist.
Inside the room, Lian Qiguang, who had been lying there with tightly shut eyes and a restrained expression, suddenly opened them.
A streak of white light flashed through his eyes.
Looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, Lian Qiguang remained silent for a long time before slowly regaining full awareness.
Expressionless, he lowered his head and silently stared at his own hands.
Wood element: Human Rank Level 2.
Fire and Ice elements: Soldier Rank Level 9.
Scene Transition
The day of Lian Qiguang and Qiying’s match had arrived.
Early in the morning, people began filing into the training grounds in groups of twos and threes. They claimed favorable spots and chatted happily.
Not a single person thought well of Lian Qiguang.
Every conversation carried disdain and contempt toward him.
“Where’s Kumu? Why isn’t he here yet?”
Qingyi stood at the entrance of the training grounds, craning her neck anxiously.
“He didn’t run away, did he?”
Feng Qingyang leaned lazily against the wall, casually playing a game.
“No. Kumu isn’t that kind of person.”
Mi Xiaobao glared at Feng Qingyang and answered firmly.
Feng Qingyang glanced at Mi Xiaobao and snorted, saying nothing more.
Yet his eyes quietly stayed fixed on the entrance of the training grounds.
He did not even notice his game character had died.
“It’s better if he doesn’t come.”
Lan Qi spoke up.
“Qiying’s hostility toward him is obvious to everyone. If they really fight, who knows what dirty tricks Qiying will use. After all, accidents are allowed in the training grounds.”
“If that happens, that’d actually be great.”
Qingyi snorted.
“That guy’s so arrogant. There’s no way he’d run.”
“By the way.”
Feng Qingyang had completely lost interest in gaming. He tucked away his device and casually hooked an arm around Mi Xiaobao’s neck.
“Where the hell did Qiu Limuo disappear to? It’s been over two months since anyone saw him.”
“Who knows where that annoying guy ran off to.”
Qingyi curled her lips.
“He’s always so mysterious. Every time I’m around him, I get goosebumps.”
“If Limuo were here, things would be easier.”
Lan Qi said quietly.
“If he were here, Qiying definitely wouldn’t dare come to Class One and provoke us.”
Lan Qi’s words made everyone fall silent.
That was true.
If Limuo were here, with his strength, he definitely could resolve this trouble.
Scene Transition
“Senior Ji.”
The moment Qiying saw Ji Renlin, her eyes lit up, and she happily ran over.
“Junior Qiying?”
Ji Renlin looked somewhat surprised, as though he had only just noticed her.
“Senior, what are you doing here?”
“I heard junior is having a match today, so I came specifically to cheer you on.”
Ji Renlin smiled gently as he looked at Qiying.
“Senior…”
Qiying blushed and shyly lowered her head.
Watching her tug at her clothes bashfully, disgust flashed through Ji Renlin’s eyes, though it disappeared just as quickly.
“I heard your opponent today is Lian Qiguang from the support department?”
“Yes. That useless trash.”
At the mention of Lian Qiguang, the shyness vanished from Qiying’s face, replaced by complete disdain.
“Lian Qiguang…”
A trace of helplessness and pity slowly surfaced on Ji Renlin’s gentle face.
“Junior, I know this may not be appropriate to say, but I still hope you can show some mercy. After all, Lian Qiguang once…”
“Huh?”
Qiying froze, staring at Ji Renlin in shock, as if unable to believe what she had heard.
“Junior, can you?”
Ji Renlin looked at Qiying gently.
His slightly furrowed brows carried three parts sorrow and seven parts difficulty, as if he were suppressing humiliation to plead for someone.
“Senior, don’t say that. I promise you—I’ll go easy on him.”
Qiying grabbed Ji Renlin’s hand, her face full of concern as she made her promise.
“Then thank you, junior.”
Ji Renlin’s brows relaxed slightly, and a gentle yet forced smile curved his lips.
“It’s nothing. For you, senior, I’m willing.”
Qiying nodded firmly.
But the moment she lowered her head, all warmth and tenderness vanished.
What replaced it was a face full of coldness and vicious malice.
Lian Qiguang! Lian Qiguang!!!
Originally, I only planned to cripple you and spare your life.
But you shouldn’t have made senior remember you! He even pleaded for you!
I want you dead!
Senior belongs only to me!!!
Looking at Qiying with lowered head, Ji Renlin subtly withdrew his hand from hers.
The disgust on his face vanished.
A flash of vicious ruthlessness streaked across his eyes.