Translator: CinderTL
The train bound for life's final destination passes through countless stations, and Star City High School had already become a part of Feng Qi's past.
He bid farewell to six years of youth, yet carried with him cherished memories.
With the blessings of his classmates, he embarked on his journey back to Star City Academy.
As he stepped off the bus and prepared to walk toward the academy gates, the driver's voice called out from behind:
"Young man, don't disgrace Star City High School! Even if you're weak, you can't have a zero win record!"
Hearing the driver's shout, Feng Qi felt a pang of helplessness, but he turned to wave and replied:
"Alright, Uncle. See you around!"
The driver grinned, gave Feng Qi a thumbs-up, and started the bus, hurrying away.
At the academy gates, Feng Qi underwent a full-body scan, and his detailed information appeared on the security guard's tablet.
After confirming his status as a new student, he was granted entry.
He walked along the marble path flanked by towering statues, surrounded by other freshmen dragging their luggage as they arrived to register.
Their faces beamed with smiles, their eyes darting around with curiosity as they took in the surroundings of Star City Academy, clearly eager for their new life at the academy to begin.
Ahead, lotus flowers bloomed in the pond, while nearby willow trees swayed gently in the breeze, creating a lush green vista.
The new student registration point was located in the office building east of the dormitory. There, they would receive their school uniforms, first-year textbooks, and other materials.
As Feng Qi walked along the marble path, a figure caught his eye.
The newcomer wore patched-up clothing and carried a large cloth bundle on his back. His cloth shoes were tattered and worn, but what stood out most was his gleaming bald head, which reflected the sunlight in a blinding glare.
Feng Qi also noticed that the newcomer's head bore the distinctive marks of a Buddhist monk.
Based on these features, he was almost certain that this was a Buddhist disciple.
As if sensing Feng Qi's gaze, the monk suddenly turned his head and grinned, approaching him with a cheerful demeanor.
"Esteemed benefactor... ah, I mean, classmate! Do you have any food on you? I'm starving!"
Feng Qi: ...
"Once you've finished registering, you can go to the academy cafeteria. They offer a 24-hour buffet."
Hearing Feng Qi's words, the monk looked slightly embarrassed and asked, "Is the food here expensive?"
Realizing the monk was financially strapped, Feng Qi smiled and replied, "The food here is free."
"Even the meat is free?" The monk's face lit up with surprise.
Feng Qi: ...
"You're a monk, yet you eat meat?"
"Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but the Buddha remains in the heart. Besides, I'm a cultivator. How can I get enough nutrition without meat? My family can't afford to live on energy supplements every day."
"So, the meat is free?" the monk pressed eagerly.
"Free."
"Then this is truly a wonderful place," the monk said, his face beaming.
After studying the monk again, Feng Qi asked curiously, "Why are you dressed like this? There are so many relief stations in the city. Getting you a brand-new set of clothes wouldn't be a problem at all, would it?"
The monk sighed, his face clouding with worry. "I'm an Ascetic Monk. My master believes the world's suffering is finite. By enduring more hardship ourselves, we can lessen the suffering of all living beings. That's why I look like this."
Hearing these words, Feng Qi felt a profound respect.
Spiritual faith, whether real or illusory, can indeed grant people strength.
Especially in dire circumstances, the mental fortitude derived from faith might be the very thing that allows one to muster the courage to break through despair.
However, the Monk's next words shattered Feng Qi's admiration.
"But my master can't control me anymore. I'm changing into the academy uniform later."
Looking at the Monk's beaming smile, Feng Qi couldn't help but think he must have been terribly repressed before entering Star City Academy.
During their casual conversation, they exchanged phone numbers and arrived at the admissions office building.
From a distance, they saw two rows of Star City Academy students standing in formation, their faces lit with welcoming smiles.
Seeing this, the Monk couldn't help but exclaim, "The senior brothers at Star City Academy are so enthusiastic! They even came to greet us!"
Hearing this, Feng Qi pointed to a sign standing to the right of the office building.
"Look at what that sign says."
Upon hearing this, Monk immediately turned to look. When he saw the words on the sign, his expression shifted.
The sign read:
New students wishing to pass this point must prove their strength and courage. Star City Academy accepts neither the weak nor the cowardly.
"No way! They're giving us a hazing on our first day?"
Seeing Feng Qi's calm smile, Monk felt confused.
"Maybe it's just a formality. Why don't you go first and see what happens?"
Realizing Monk wanted to use him as a guinea pig, Feng Qi nodded.
"Sure, why not?"
He then pushed his luggage toward the office building.
Monk didn't follow. Instead, he hid behind and began observing the situation.
If things got rough, he planned to pad himself for protection. If it was just a formality, he'd jump right in.
As Feng Qi pushed his luggage into the group of senior brothers, Monk held his breath.
But the beating he'd imagined never materialized. The senior brothers standing on either side greeted Feng Qi with smiles.
Though he couldn't hear what they were saying, Monk sensed no malice in their demeanor.
What Monk didn't know was how exceptionally special Feng Qi's status was at Star City Academy.
Students from every class had attended his lectures. The trainees were too busy trying to curry favor with this erudite teacher to ever dare offend him.
In Monk's eyes, the first hurdle for new students was purely ceremonial.
The senior brothers and the newcomers would simply exchange formalities and greetings before moving on.
But just as Monk was about to follow Feng Qi toward the administration building, a freshman stepped into the "welcome zone" ahead of him.
Then, to Monk's utter astonishment, the newcomer was beaten to a pulp, rolling around on the ground in agony.
Monk: ...
Witnessing this, Monk quickly retracted his foot. Puzzled, he pulled out his cracked-screen phone and dialed Feng Qi's number.
As soon as the call connected, Monk blurted out, "Hey, how did you get through without a scratch? What's going on?"
"Oh, the senior brothers were all very friendly."
"That's impossible! I just saw them beat a freshman to a pulp. They avoided vital spots, but it looked incredibly painful."
"Are you, an Ascetic Monk, afraid of pain?"
"Scared? Absolutely terrified!"
"Maybe I was a bit too arrogant when I went through this. You should act arrogant too. Senior brothers despise cowards. Give them a fierce glare, swagger with a bow-legged gait—whatever it takes to maintain your imposing presence."
Monk: ...
After hanging up, he took a deep breath, slung his cloth bag over his shoulder, and strode toward the administration building.
Though his heart pounded with panic, his eyes blazed with feigned ferocity, and his swagger was exaggerated to the point of absurdity.
The senior brothers who had come to "welcome" him froze in surprise at the sight.
They'd seen arrogance before, but never had they encountered such brazen defiance on a freshman's first day.
They felt utterly provoked by this newcomer.
If they didn't teach him a lesson, how could they maintain their senior brother status?
"Get him!"
Amid Monk's horrified expression, the senior brothers swarmed him.
What was meant to be a symbolic hazing ritual quickly devolved into a real beating.
Moments later, Monk lay sprawled on the ground, bruised and battered, gasping for breath.
Even now, he couldn't figure out where he'd gone wrong.
Was I not arrogant enough?
(End of the Chapter)
Translator's Corner:
UPDATE❗❗ New book [Cultivator in a Wizard World] has been launched. It's a really well written story with in depth explanation of concepts and research, a relatively fast paced and disgustingly powerful wizards. Highly recommended. If you have enjoyed reading HTT, you will absolutely love that as well.
🔓 𝐰𝐰𝐰.𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 — 13 Series (7 Ongoing) | 14+ New Chapters Daily | 6,100+ FREE