After parting ways with the group from Haiyun College, Xi Congqing leaned closer and quietly asked, "Second Uncle, when Minister Yan Hai mentioned 'the last incident,' was he referring to what happened two and a half years ago?"
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't," Xi Yan replied sharply, giving her a stern glare.
Xi Congqing muttered an obedient "Oh," and quickly fell silent.
Led by the receptionist, the group soon arrived at a tall building.
"This will be your lodging for the duration of your stay. Room numbers are from 301 to 315," the receptionist informed them politely.
"Thank you for your help," Xi Yan nodded.
With that, it was time to assign rooms.
There were twenty-two people in total—ten first-year students and twelve teachers. Since there were fifteen rooms available, it was an easy task. Some simply needed to share.
Smith ended up rooming with Wei Lin, while Zhao Mei shared a room with Xi Congqing. Boys with boys, girls with girls—problem solved.
Naturally, senior figures like Xi Yan and Dean Sun Shuyu were assigned single rooms.
---
There were still three days left before the official start of the college competition.
In the meantime, students and staff from the various academies were free to explore Jinghai City and familiarize themselves with the environment and the rules of the event.
On the second day, Smith and his companions took to the streets to look around.
Compared to Huaihai City, Jinghai was enormous. The streets teemed with people, though it was hard to tell who were locals and who were out-of-towners.
To Smith, the atmosphere felt like moving from a quiet, rural county to a bustling first-tier metropolis. The difference was overwhelming.
"This city really lives up to its name as the largest in the southeastern region. The scale is incredible," Smith marveled.
It was hard to believe that a city this grand still existed in a world where monsters ran rampant and the Holy Empire had long since declined.
"I never imagined I'd ever set foot in a place like this," Wei Lin said with a sigh. "If I die tomorrow, I won't have regrets."
"Pah, pah, pah! Can you not say such unlucky things?" Zhao Mei scolded as she grabbed Wei Lin by the ear. "Spit that out and start over!"
"This is your first time here, huh?" Xi Congqing said cheerfully, hopping lightly as she walked with her hands behind her back. "I've been here once before. Jinghai City wasn't always this lively—it only seems so now because so many students from other academies have arrived."
"Oh~" Smith dragged the syllable out thoughtfully.
At the center of Jinghai City was a massive public square. A huge display board was set up, showcasing the details and rules of the upcoming college competition.
---
ADVERTISEMENT
The competition was divided into three events:
1. Encirclement and Suppression – Each college enters a monster-infested forest outside Jinghai City and hunts beasts within a set time limit. Rankings are determined by the number and level of monsters slain.
Bonus: Anything recovered from the forest belongs to the participants.
2. One-on-One Duels – Students face off in turn-based combat. Points are awarded for victories, and the highest total wins.
3. Team Battle – Colleges compete in coordinated group combat. Accumulated team wins decide the victor.
At the end, all points from the three stages are added up to determine the final ranking. The rules were straightforward—but that didn't make the competition easy.
The entire tournament was expected to last at least one month.
"There's something interesting going on over there! Let's check it out!" Zhao Mei suddenly shouted.
She grabbed Wei Lin and rushed toward a bustling crowd nearby.
Smith sighed helplessly as he watched the two vanish into the crowd. He and Xi Congqing were about to follow when a group of students in blue-and-white uniforms approached. On their chests was the emblem of the Marine Academy—Jinghai College's very own.
"Xiaoqing, long time no see," said the leader of the group, a tall, handsome young man around the same age as Xi Congqing. He wore a radiant smile, sunny and confident.
Sunshine-type... cheerful and optimistic big boy, Smith thought as he watched the scene unfold.
But Xi Congqing's expression darkened. She frowned slightly, and a flicker of displeasure passed over her otherwise beautiful face.
"Lin Yun, what do you want?" she asked coldly.
"It's been so long since we last met. I came to invite you to dinner," Lin Yun said, his smile still bright and easygoing.
Many girls would've swooned at that smile—but Xi Congqing didn't look moved in the slightest. In fact, she looked downright annoyed.
"Sorry, I'm busy," she said bluntly, brushing off the invitation.
Unfazed by the rejection, Lin Yun turned his gaze toward Smith.
"Why don't you go have fun on your own? Xiaoqing and I need a little time alone."
While Lin Yun's tone sounded casual, the expressions on the faces of the two students flanking him were anything but friendly.
Intermediate level three, Smith quickly gauged their strength. And Lin Yun himself is at advanced level three.
"Sorry, our senior sister doesn't want to talk to you," Smith replied calmly as he gently reached out and pulled Xi Congqing behind him.
The moment Smith's hand made contact with Xi Congqing, Lin Yun's expression shifted. Though he kept a smile on his face, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"What's your name?" Lin Yun asked, his tone sharp despite the smile.
"I won't tell you my nickname," Smith answered coolly, "so I don't disturb Master Lin's peace of mind."
The smile disappeared from Lin Yun's face in an instant. His eyes narrowed. "It seems you Huaihai College students have quite the attitude. But this isn't Huaihai City. You might want to rein it in."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and reached out to grab Xi Congqing's arm.
"Excuse me," Smith said softly.
Lin Yun glanced over—just in time to look directly into a pair of scarlet Sharingan.
Boom!
It felt like his mind was struck by lightning. The moment their eyes met, Lin Yun's body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground like a rag doll.
Fast asleep.
It's good to be young—you can fall asleep the moment you lie down.
"Lin Yun?!" the two Marine Academy students shouted in alarm.
They rushed to his side and tried to shake him awake, but no matter what they did, he remained unconscious, snoring softly.
"Let's go," Smith said calmly, pulling Xi Congqing into the crowd before the others could react.
---
They didn't stop moving until they were sure they'd shaken off the other students. Blending into the crowd, Smith finally let go of Xi Congqing's hand.
"Did you use an illusion on Lin Yun just now?" she asked curiously.
"Yeah," Smith admitted without hesitation.
Xi Congqing blinked, visibly surprised at his honesty.
"You really don't know who Lin Yun is, do you? And you still dared to use an illusion on him?"
"Nope. Who is he?"
"He's the son of Lin Hai, the president of Jinghai College."
Smith paused for a moment. "…Oh."
It dawned on him that he might have just offended someone important.
"I could always undo the illusion and let him have dinner with you…" he added innocently.
Xi Congqing's expression darkened.
But before she could erupt, Smith quickly smiled and changed the subject. "I'm kidding! I'm not that kind of guy. Doesn't matter who he is—if he tries to push us around, I won't just stand there."
He said it with a smile and a twinkle of mischief—desperate to preserve his skin.
"Hmph, that's more like it," Xi Congqing said.
Then she looked down at their hands.
"Also... can you let go of my hand now? That's enough!"
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)