Chapter 17: Old Master Liu

Chapter 17: Old Man Liu

Upon entering the building, the process of enrollment went swiftly and smoothly—registering, receiving the student card, school uniform, school rules and regulations, and all other necessary procedures.

After leaving the admissions office, he followed the directions straight to the logistics department, the place where school resources were exchanged.

“Sir, I’ve come to collect the resources for new students. Here is my certificate.”

The exchange area had several counters, each staffed by an attractive worker, but Li Hongshen went directly to the staircase where an elderly gentleman sat.

Though his hair, beard, and eyebrows were white, his skin was taut and glowing with a healthy red. His eyes were half-closed, and despite his age, his features suggested a handsome middle-aged man. He wore flip-flops, a white tank top, and baggy beach shorts, waving a banana-leaf fan in his hand. His relaxed demeanor made “old man” an apt term for him.

“Well, look who it is—Little Honghong! Time flies, doesn’t it? Now you’re enrolling already.”

“Sir, could you not call me Little Honghong anymore? I’m grown up now. Just last week you met me and told me I had to get into First High. I listened to you, and now I’m here. Where’s the stuff you prepared for me?”

“Heh, what are you talking about? Who said I prepared anything for you? When did I, Liu Ruxu, ever promise you anything? If people hear this, they’ll say the old principal is abusing his power for personal gain. Don’t go around saying such things, boy.”

Li Hongshen smiled wryly at this mischievous elder. He was the old principal of Pengcheng First High, who, after serving as principal for a century upon becoming extraordinary, had gone to the front lines. Now, having retired honorably, he returned to Pengcheng First High as a logistics supervisor.

“All right, you’re not as fun as you were when you were little. Come with me. Let me reiterate—I, Liu Ruxu, am upright and honest, never taking shortcuts. You’re holding resources approved by the school, and I’m just following the rules.”

“Yes, yes, everyone knows your famous reputation.”

Li Hongshen followed Old Man Liu upstairs. The staff at the counters ignored them, their eyes glued to their screens as if something fascinating was happening there.

Though the school had approved one spiritual plant and one battle companion, it hadn’t specified which storeroom to collect them from. The downstairs counters dispensed items from the public storeroom, but upstairs housed elite treasure vaults—the real reason Old Man Liu brought Li Hongshen here.

“Here’s the menu. Everything’s roughly the same here, so pick what suits you. You must’ve thought about it already.”

“Thank you, sir. I have a few suitable options in mind, don’t worry.”

Li Hongshen took the menu and scrolled past special buildings and rule schematics, focusing on spiritual plants and battle companions. Rows of items appeared on the screen.

“Name: Bloodsucking Vine”

“Rank: First Tier”

“Description: Absorbs blood to upgrade, produces Blood Vine Fruit, which enhances the physical strength of subjects.”

—

“Name: Spirit Resonance”

“Rank: First Tier”

“Description: Slightly increases spiritual energy and soothes the mind. Combined with Spirit Bees, produces Spirit Honey, which restores energy and aids recovery for subjects.”

—

“Name: Fire Flamingo”

“Rank: First Tier”

“Description: Covered in fiery feathers, which provide wind and fire resistance. Upon reaching Second Tier, it can carry a rider.”

—

“Name: Giant Wave Turtle”

“Rank: First Tier”

“Description: Excellent defense, skilled in water combat, powerful bite; even at First Tier, it can carry a person across water.”

...

“Found it. I’ll take this one and that one.”

Liu Ruxu took the menu and glanced at Li Hongshen’s choices, his eyes narrowing as he looked at him.

“The spiritual plant is fine—just takes some effort to nurture. But for the battle companion, you don’t want something that flies or swims, but a land beast. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”

“Don’t worry, sir. I’ve thought it through before coming. No need to worry.”

“Hmm, all right. Once you’ve chosen, there’s no turning back. I’ll fetch them for you.”

“Thank you!”

Old Man Liu didn’t keep Li Hongshen waiting long. Soon, he returned with two glowing spheres and handed them over.

“Check them, see if they’re what you chose. Don’t say I tricked you later.”

“How could I? You’re the famously upright Liu Ruxu. How could you cheat anyone?”

Though Li Hongshen said this, his hands didn’t pause. Right in front of Liu Ruxu, he extended his mental power from the Heart of the Lord toward the two spheres, inspecting their contents.

Liu Ruxu watched Li Hongshen’s actions, his eye twitching, but he said nothing, simply waiting.

“Done. So, old man, you didn’t leave anything out, did you?”

“Yes, I finished checking... No, I didn’t, just touched them. It’s my first time actually holding these things, haha, ha, ahaha.”

“All right, small in stature, big in caution. I don’t know where you got such vigilance. As if an extraordinary lord would covet your little resources?”

“Go on, I’m annoyed just seeing you now. Get home and take care of your affairs. You have your items, but you can’t place them in your domain yet. Wait until you reach the Endless Wilderness—your current domain can’t support them. And remember to report to school tomorrow; the teachers will train you all day. The day after, you enter the Endless Wilderness. Be prepared.”

“Got it, thanks, old man. I’ll leave now—not to be an eyesore.”

“Go on, hurry up.”

Liu Ruxu finished speaking and lifted his foot, aiming to kick Li Hongshen’s rear. Li Hongshen nimbly dodged and rushed down the stairs.

Liu Ruxu didn’t mind missing; in truth, he never intended to connect. Otherwise, how could a new lord evade an extraordinary’s move?

“Sigh, these kids nowadays, guarded against everyone. Even my great-granddaughter’s like that. What’s there to be so wary of? Truly unlovable.”

Old Man Liu didn’t return downstairs. He wandered the corridor, fan in hand, leisurely waving as his body gradually faded away.

Leaving First High, Li Hongshen picked up his communicator, opened his contacts, and dialed Uncle Yu.

“Uncle, hey, it’s me, Hongshen. I passed the Lord’s Trial, yes, and finished registration. No need to pick me up—I’ll go home now. All right, let’s meet at the bank.”

After finishing his conversation with Uncle Yu, Li Hongshen wasted no time. He summoned his automatic hover car and headed straight for the agreed bank.

A humble request for recommendation votes and comments—these are the driving force for a new author. Seeing votes collected in the author’s assistant each day gives renewed energy to sit and write. Please, everyone, it truly matters.

(End of Chapter)