Chapter 112: Ascension

Chapter 112: Ascension

Early the next morning, Li Hongshen rose at dawn and made his way outside New Hong City. He looked up at the nearby Reception City and the floating islands drifting in the distance.

For five years, he had been observing those islands. Li Hongshen knew that these were resource islands—none belonged to any lord. The lords’ islands were located far higher and farther away.

Over the past few years, he had often seen the brothers Li Fugui and Li Fugui piloting their floating islands to deliver supplies to him. He had even imagined what it would be like for him to pilot his own floating island someday.

Today was the day of his official departure. In the days ahead, he would formally enter the Inner Domain, preparing to attend the Lord University. He would cooperate and compete with others, ultimately striving to earn an acceptance letter from the Lord University.

By nine in the morning, the sun hung high in the sky. Teacher Wang strolled leisurely out of Reception City, holding a wooden staff in one hand and a steel sword in the other, his wine gourd hanging at his waist.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Mm.”

The two fell silent for a moment. Although Teacher Wang had yet to reveal his full name or acknowledge Li Hongshen as his student, the deep bond between teacher and disciple was unmistakable through their interactions.

“Keep working hard from now on. Aim to get into the Central Lord University. Don’t rush your development; think things through carefully. This Endless Wasteland is your foundation—build it solidly and steadily. Don’t try any reckless moves, like skipping grades or leaving early. It won’t help. You’ll still gain special admissions and preferential policies from the university without such risks, so don’t waste energy on useless schemes.”

Li Hongshen listened with a smile, showing no impatience. These were the earnest words of a mentor, meant to ensure his pupil’s good future.

Near the end, Teacher Wang clicked his tongue.

“That’s enough. No more nonsense. You know what you need to know.”

“Alright, Teacher. I’m leaving now.”

“Go ahead.”

Li Hongshen stepped back as Teacher Wang drew a dividing line on the ground between them with his sword. Then, Teacher Wang nodded at Li Hongshen and plunged his wooden staff fiercely into the earth along the line.

“Yoo~ sha~ na~ te~ pa~ si~.”

With that strike, the ground began to crack along the line, fissures spreading across the connection until the entire island split apart.

The island supporting New Hong City slowly drifted away before rising into the sky.

Seeing this, Teacher Wang waved to Li Hongshen and turned back toward Reception City. Li Hongshen watched until Teacher Wang’s figure vanished before turning to enter New Hong City.

He then began organizing the city’s defenses, instructing warriors to prepare for aerial combat and to guard against attacks from vicious birds. Given his strength, his island would be in flight for a long time, until it reached a location appropriate for his level.

…

“That’s your disciple’s grandchild, isn’t it?”

Old Wang returned to Reception City, standing atop the pavilion, watching the floating island ascend into the distance. A woman’s voice came from behind.

Turning around, he saw a white-haired, regal woman leaning against the railing. She had an oval face, a beauty mark, and wore a cheongsam. One hand held her chest, the other held a slender cigarette as she slowly exhaled a smoke ring.

“No.”

Golden light rose from Wang’s feet as he transformed from a scruffy old man into a tall, dark-haired, square-jawed, handsome middle-aged man.

“Heh, if you say no, then no. That kid must be the son of that student couple of yours. I’ve never seen you so attentive and gentle in guiding a new lord.”

“I’m merely doing my job conscientiously, as always.”

“Mm-hmm, sure, sure. Old Wang, you’re going to get laughed at for saying that. If you don’t claim him, why not give him to me? I like that kind of fresh-faced guy—handsome, well-built, a sexy voice, responsible personality, not stubborn or arrogant, decent talent, and no airs with his people. A fine prospect.”

If one heard this from just anyone, it might seem like a student rivalry. But combined with this white-haired lady’s sarcastic tone, it felt more like a pointed taunt.

Old Wang ignored her and stared at the floating island, now a tiny dot in the sky, his form gradually fading.

Just before disappearing, he turned to the woman.

“He’s my student.”

“Tch. Men and their denial. Hmph.”

Watching Old Wang vanish, the woman kicked the ground with her toe and looked up at the still-rising floating island. In her eyes, a mark invisible to ordinary people was clearly stamped over New Hong City.

If Li Hongshen could see it and compare, he would recognize it as the emblem of the Central Lord University. This marked the newcomer as claimed by the university, publicly declaring that this talent belonged to the Central Lord University.

The white-haired woman’s eyes flickered as she stamped another invisible mark on Li Hongshen’s floating island.

“Don’t blame me, okay? I didn’t mean to. I just happened upon a promising talent and tagged him. Heh-heh. Let’s see what the little guy chooses in the end.

Ahhh, can’t blame me. Who told him to show up so early? It was supposed to be Old Wang on duty, but now it’s me. I’m just giving you one more option. Either way, you’re not losing out. Heh-heh-heh.

Sigh~ Still no one else coming? How about a little sister or brother...”

Ignoring the white-haired woman, who had gone a bit wild due to the shift schedule at Reception City, the scene shifted back to Teacher Wang in the main world.

When Teacher Wang opened his eyes again, he found himself in a magnificent study, filled with countless books and tools, each radiating intense energy waves, clearly no ordinary objects.

He stood and approached a sturdy bookshelf displaying many framed photos of him with various people.

Selecting the fifth frame from the end in the student section, he saw himself standing in the center, flanked by a man and a woman, all smiling brightly—an image of happiness.

He gently touched the photo without a word, placed it back, and returned to his seat, closing his eyes once more.

…

Li Hongshen stood in the hall of the city lord’s residence, observing the sky and the city below, cautiously guarding against possible attacks from flocks of vicious birds.

He was completely unaware that he had already been marked by the top universities of two great civilizations, still pondering his future and how to gain admission to Lord University.

A bit of good news, a bit of bad news:

The good news is that I’ve finished most of my homework and now only await the exam at the end of April.

The bad news is that today I experienced a negative growth in my collection for the first time. Crying softly.

(The End of this chapter)