Era of Mist

Even with Shi Tiexin’s composure, he couldn’t help but blurt out, "What?!"

’This was truly unacceptable. At Fengming First Middle School, aren’t your privileges supposed to match the level you test into? This is a clear violation of the rules!’

Zheng Kaoming’s powers of observation were quite sharp; he saw right through what Shi Tiexin wanted to say.

"That’s right, this isn’t exactly by the book. But this is how it is. What are you going to do about it?" Zheng Kaoming barked coldly. "Shi Tiexin, in this world, it’s always the stronger people who have more privileges. If you can manage to study hard in the trash class and test your way back into the elite class, then I’ll acknowledge you as strong. I’ll come personally, and I’ll escort you back to the elite class the same way I dragged you out."

"But if you can’t, if you fail, or if you resign yourself to mediocrity and fool around with the punks in the trash class, then you’re one of the weak—a real piece of trash. From now on, I’ll make you live in the worst dorm until you’re kicked out!"

"Also, ’kicked out’ doesn’t necessarily mean after graduation. Based on your actions this morning alone, I could report you to the school committee for expulsion. If anything like this happens again, Shi Tiexin, you might not be hanging around here for very long."

"It’s useless to argue. Natural selection, survival of the fittest!"

Hearing Zheng Kaoming’s roar, Shi Tiexin’s heart suddenly grew calm.

Because he felt that Zheng Kaoming wasn’t wrong.

Natural selection, survival of the fittest. It was the same back at Tumu Castle. The weak have no right to bargain, no right to talk about privileges. Privileges were things you had to fight for yourself.

This was perfectly in line with Shi Tiexin’s own philosophy of survival, so he didn’t want to say anything more. He just suddenly felt a strong, irrepressible desire to get into the elite class during the final exams.

Within this intense desire, the other consciousness suddenly trembled violently, resonating with him. A crackling sound echoed in his mental domain as a familiar feeling appeared once more. A huge wave of emotion shattered the solidified block of consciousness, rushing into Shi Tiexin’s heart along with a torrent of unforgettable memories.

He saw a student overcoming all sorts of difficulties through sheer effort. He saw the hardship of sweeping streets and hauling bricks in the dead of winter just to scrape together tuition money. He saw the incredible diligence of studying day and night. He saw perseverance through countless days and nights. He saw the joy of stunning everyone on the high school entrance exam and becoming the First Guard Champion Scholar—it was the bliss of seeing years of hard work and sacrifice finally rewarded.

But he also saw the anxiety when his grades inevitably slipped after being harassed by delinquents, and the pain of dropping from the elite class to an honors class. He could almost hear people pointing fingers at him, saying things like "Champion Scholar Stone," their voices dripping with mockery.

Then, Shi Tiexin heard the voice of the other consciousness.

...Test back...

...to the Elite Class...

——Test back——

——To the Elite Class——

Test back, to the Elite Class—

Test back to the Elite Class!

I must test back into the Elite Class!

I am the Champion Scholar Stone! I will never resign myself to rotting away in the trash class! I must test back into the Elite Class!

These cries echoed in his mental domain, finally coalescing into an absolutely indelible conviction. A brilliant beam of light rose once more, forming familiar words in his field of vision.

[Activation: Heavenly Mandate Mission!]

[Heavenly Mandate Mission 2: Unbowed by Humble Circumstances.]

[Description: Though I fall into the abyss, I will strive to fly ever upward!]

[Completion Conditions: To be discovered]

[Completion Reward: To be discovered]

’Another Heavenly Mandate Mission. This is the second one.’

At this point, Shi Tiexin had a dawning realization. These Heavenly Mandate Missions didn’t just appear randomly. They stemmed from the original consciousness’s unyielding convictions, lingering desires, and unforsaken dreams.

This immense desire had broken through the solidified block of consciousness. Although the mission description didn’t provide specific completion conditions, Shi Tiexin knew that as long as he delved deep to understand, feel, and listen to the other consciousness, he would naturally come to comprehend what was required.

Resonate with the other consciousness, accept it from the bottom of his heart, and it would accept him in return. Fulfill its wishes, and it would help him. This process manifested in the form of Heavenly Mandate Missions. Completing all these missions would allow them to truly merge into one and completely transcend the past.

’So, what else was there to say?’

"Get ready." Shi Tiexin looked at Zheng Kaoming, all his hesitation and doubt gone. ’Since the Champion Scholar Stone has made his decision, I just need to forge ahead. A little trash talk to start things off can’t hurt.’ "When that time comes, you can be the one to pack up my things."

With that, Shi Tiexin turned and left, striding out of the Dean’s office.

Zheng Kaoming watched Shi Tiexin’s departing back, not paying any mind to his trash talk. In his view, this kind of youthful bravado wasn’t a bad thing at all—it was quite useful. Moreover, his anticipation for Shi Tiexin’s performance grew.

At noon, Shi Tiexin went off to class, full of fighting spirit, determined to go all out on his mission and study hard.

In the afternoon, Shi Tiexin returned, dejected and disheartened. Without a word, he headed straight for the cafeteria, deciding to use the meal set that mysteriously accelerated his recovery to change his mood and boost his morale.

’I don’t get it. I don’t get it at all!’

’In my afternoon classes, I, Old Tie, really tried my best to pay attention, but I understood almost nothing!’

’No, it’s not that I didn’t understand a single thing. Sometimes the other consciousness would send over some vague information to help me understand the material. For the other consciousness, the stuff being taught in the trash class should be very simple. But the information was intermittent and vague, just little fragments without any context, so it wasn’t much help.’

’The afternoon’s studies were completely ineffective.’

’No, this can’t go on. I have to get the Foundation-First Level cultivation manual and the supplementary records. I need to catch up to the cultivation progress of these prodigies as fast as possible, only then... But how can I possibly catch up to them?! They’re all talented and hardworking, and they started studying years before me. How can I possibly beat them and get into the elite class?’

’Ugh, my head hurts. I’m not going to think about it. I’m just so tired.’

’Whatever. I’ll focus on what’s in front of me first. Get the manuals, and then I’ll figure out the rest.’

’Speaking of which, where did that kid Zhou Nan run off to? How come I haven’t seen him?’

Shi Tiexin was irritated, and though his face was blank, his aura grew even more oppressive. As expected, the four brats had obediently presented his dinner as tribute. They stood in a line, not daring to sit down. They believed that Shi Tiexin’s dark expression was because he already knew they had snitched on him to Zheng Kaoming.

His silence now meant he was probably just deciding which trash can to stuff them into next!

’Fuck, it’s all that Zhou Nan’s fault.’

’If it weren’t for him, why would we have gone to Zheng Big Head?’

’If it weren’t for him, why would we have provoked Shi Tiexin?’

’If it weren’t for him, how could we have lost the cigarettes?’

No matter how they looked at it, it was all Zhou Nan’s fault.

The four of them exchanged glances, a vicious look building in their eyes.