Chapter 311: Shi Lan’s Speech
Shi Lan had read plenty of novels, so of course she understood Xiao Du’s meaning.
But faced with everyone’s questions, she certainly couldn’t explain it that way.
After a moment’s thought, she stepped forward, her expression downcast. "Yes, I used to be F-level. Because of my F-level spiritual power, I was constantly mocked at school. After graduation, I couldn’t even find a decent job. Even for a position as a general doctor, hospitals would always prioritize someone with higher spiritual power..."
She began by speaking of her past. Most of the people present had high spiritual power and had led smooth lives; they had never experienced what she had. Only a scattered few males with B-level Spiritual Power nodded in empathy. "That’s right, it’s just like that. It’s the same for us males. Even with B-level, it’s really hard to find a respectable job."
"I’ve been on Capital Star for half a month, eating the cheapest vegetables every day without a job. I only got this temporary gig recording a video here to make a little cash. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even be able to afford vegetables for dinner tonight."
"You’re telling me, brother. Same here."
The few B-level males instantly struck up a conversation, their eyes nearly welling up with tears.
The men beside Shi Lan watched her with looks full of heartache. Jiang Xia, the emotional one, felt his eyes redden. His brilliant golden pupils gazed at her. "Lanlan, you’ve been through so much. I wish I had met you sooner."
Mu Tangfeng gritted his teeth, a fierce look on his face. "Lanlan, do you remember who it was that mocked you? I’ll go get revenge for you."
Ye Ming’s expression was frosty. Hearing Mu Tangfeng’s words, a harsh glint appeared in his eyes.
Yan Huoshui’s fists were clenched tightly. Thinking of the males they had punished before, he still felt they had gotten off far too easily.
Lu Dinfeng was already retired. He was so buried in his work at the library that he was practically oblivious to the outside world, so he was only just now learning about what Shi Lan had endured at school.
As for the Dean, she was a very busy woman. She had reprimanded the few males who had mocked Shi Lan and had even made a point to emphasize the school rules. She had assumed they would learn their lesson and hadn’t followed up. She never imagined they were still at it in secret.
Her gaze darkened. "It seems I need to have another serious talk with them about the school’s regulations."
The motto of Imperial Capital University had always been: Unity and Amity, Respect for Females, Striving for Excellence, and Reverence for Teachers and Principles.
Clearly, many students had not taken it to heart.
Shi Lan felt everyone’s concern and compassion, and the sad atmosphere she had worked so hard to build nearly vanished, especially when Jiang Xia’s tears dripped onto the back of her hand.
She had to first raise her hand to wipe away his tears before continuing, "Actually, all of that is in the past now. In fact, it was those experiences that set me on the path to becoming the Prison Director of Black Ming Star Prison. I’m very grateful that I got this job and met my five Beast Husbands..."
"Then, Miss Shi Lan, what does any of that have to do with the improvement in your spiritual power?" someone asked in confusion.
Shi Lan told them, "As everyone knows, there’s a chance for a person’s spiritual power to change after they reach adulthood. And while I came of age long ago, perhaps it was those experiences that made me realize the importance of being strong. Every single day, I wished my spiritual power could become S. I thought about it day and night. Maybe the heavens sensed my desire, because one day, I found that my spiritual power had changed."
"The heavens? Miss Shi Lan, this is an age of science."
"Yes, but what I’m truly trying to say is that no matter what difficult phase you’re going through, as long as you hold on to hope and work hard, another miracle might just happen. Besides, both my case and Miss Bai Rao’s prove it: spiritual power isn’t limited to changing only when you come of age. It can improve at any point in your adult life."
Shi Lan admitted to herself that her words were largely fabricated. ’But I’m not entirely wrong,’ she thought. ’In this world, Beastmen’s spiritual power can increase. Otherwise, why did Ye Yan’s spiritual power become 3S in the book?’
’Although he’s still S now, it’s just as the Dean said with her analogy about potential. Who knows? Maybe one day he’ll become 3S, just like in the book.’
Finally, she spoke with sincerity, "I’m honored to be the first 3S Female. From now on, I’ll be working at Zhenxin Hospital. If anyone has a severe issue that requires treatment, you can come find me at our hospital. What’s more, every Female at Zhenxin Hospital is more than willing to help."
"Just like Admiral He, you males have made great contributions in the war against the Insect Clan and in all your various posts. We females will also be there as your silent support, treating the afflictions caused by the Insect Clan and any other illnesses you may suffer."
"And whether I have 3S Spiritual Power or not will have no negative impact on any of you. In fact, I hope to always serve as a positive guide, helping everyone maintain greater faith in and passion for improving their own spiritual power. I may be the first 3S, but perhaps in a few years, a new 3S will emerge. Then, the world will have more and more outstanding females..."
Shi Lan’s words had taken the crowd on an emotional journey, from teary-eyed at the start to impassioned by the end. It was quite some time before the onlookers calmed down, remarking, "Miss Shi Lan, you’re right. You’ve shown us that spiritual power has so many more possibilities."
Shi Lan smiled, but inwardly, she let out a silent sigh of relief. ’It’s finally over.’
Heaven knew how nervous she had been.
Finally, the Dean added, "Rather than constantly focusing on others, you should focus on yourselves. Concentrate on your own improvement. Becoming stronger will give you the opportunity to attract more exceptional females and to destroy more of the Insect Clan."
The Dean’s words made the crowd look ashamed. They apologized of their own accord; after all, they had been the ones interfering with her work. However, some of the males looked toward Shi Lan with shining eyes, which were filled with admiration and desire.
’If I get stronger, maybe I’ll have a chance to become one of Miss Shi Lan’s Beast Husbands.’
This thought surfaced in the minds of many males. Ye Ming and the others were quick to notice their stares. As males themselves, they knew exactly how unique and exceptional Shi Lan was, and as romantic rivals, they instantly perceived what these men were thinking.
The men’s faces darkened as they stepped in front of Shi Lan, sweeping their cold gazes over the crowd.
’Hmph. As if they had any right to covet our wife.’
The male onlookers sullenly dispersed. The husbands also shooed away some who had wanted to interview Shi Lan.
However, despite their brief disappointment, these people were boiling with excitement deep down.
They had truly witnessed history in the making: the first 3S Female, and the first spiritual power scanner that could test both females and males.
And so, just when Shi Lan’s fame had finally been eclipsed by Bai Rao’s, she was suddenly thrust back into the spotlight, becoming the most talked-about and discussed person in the history of the stars. In a short time, she leaped past He Hanshi to become the entire Empire’s new idol.
Shi Lan had just returned to the hospital with the Dean and the others. They had barely sat down and taken a few sips of water when she felt her comm-chip vibrate. She tapped it open and saw her popularity online skyrocketing to the point that it was crashing the Star Network. At this point, she had become completely zen about it.
’Someone as outstanding as me, it seems, just can’t keep a low profile.’