Somewhere.
Qiu Shuyi looked at the profile picture in her communication device which suddenly lit up.
On the screen, an adorable profile with the name 'Xiao-yanyan' was s.h.i.+ning brightly…
"This girl…"
Qiu Shuyi sighed.
If she did not guess wrong, Lu Yan was now in the middle of her a.s.sessment?
In the World of Darkness and Shadows?
Well… did that place have cell coverage?!
Who the h.e.l.l was she trying to fool?!
This girl…
Qiu Shuyi frowned.
Lu Yan, that child, regardless of the legacy, the first thing that she did each time she arrived at a legacy site was to connect her cell phone to a network… She was afraid that something would happen to her brother due to a slight lapse on her part!
In the past, it was still alright as she was slightly more restrained. However, since the Restart Array where something had almost happened to Lu Ming, Lu Yan was obsessed now!
She needed network connection 24 hours a day! There was not a single moment of time where she was disconnected!
What a mad woman!
However…
Perhaps this was a requirement of The First Academy?
Hence…
Qiu Shuyi paused for a moment. She then messaged someone from The First Academy and inquired, "Second Uncle, is there a cell network in the World of Darkness and Shadows?"
The other party took a long time to respond.
"Little girl, have your brains become damaged with all that late-night television watching?!
"You can't have a cell network in the World of Darkness and Shadows!
"You can't watch TV there!
"Neither can you do any software updates!
"Can't you focus on cultivating?!
"Look at that disciple of yours. She has self-destructed many times and yet, she didn't fall behind in her cultivation! That child is simply the most diligent one I've ever seen!
"Can't you learn from your disciple?!
"You watch those cancerous sister-brother amnesia sibling romances all day long…. Let me tell you. Little girl, if you continue like this, Lu Yan may catch up with you very soon!" he scolded.
Qiu Shuyi was speechless.
She had been cultivating everyday!
Clearly, Lu Yan was the one who was idling around…
She didn't even have time to date!
Why did the seniors always take her for a child….
She was already very powerful!
If she were to have had a child, he would be around Lu Ming's age, alright?!
After pondering her options, Qiu Shuyi gave up on the thought of arguing with her elder. It would be pointless. In his eyes, she would always be insensible, even when she was 80 years old.
"My wretched hands! Why did I text Second Uncle?"
Qiu Shuyi sighed.
Immediately afterward.
She glanced at Lu Yan's profile picture again.
Humph. This girl most probably did not know that she had found out?
She had modified her privacy settings to 'visible' the last time Lu Yan was sleeping!
Little girl, just you wait. Master will definitely press you on the bed… and smack your bottom!
…
Tian Du City.
The First Academy.
Looking at the screen suspended in the square, the students were discussing the few geniuses ranked in the first couple of places excitedly.
"Who do you think will clinch first place?"
"It'll certainly be Ye Liangfei."
"He's worth nothing! Zhang Xukun will definitely come out on top!"
"Gao Tianlang may clinch first place too."
"Unfortunately, Lu Yan re-cultivated…"
"True."
The students were discussing the results amongst themselves.
However…
At this moment.
Shus.h.!.+
The screen was flas.h.i.+ng.
Zhang Xukun, who was initially in second place, turned grey…
Zhang Xukun was eliminated.
Wow—
The crowd suddenly clamored.
Eliminated?
Zhang Xukun?
How is that possible?!
"What is happening?"
The teachers in the school were shocked.
They were well aware of Zhang Xukun's abilities. Regardless of the situation, he should not have been the first to be eliminated. Although the students entered the World of Darkness and Shadows for the a.s.sessment, in essence it was for them to gain some shadow force in the suburbs. It was unlikely that they would run into conflict with the characters in the World of Darkness and Shadows!
"How is Zhang Xukun now?
"Perhaps he is integrating with his shadow. I don't know when he will regain consciousness."
"Perhaps?"
"Yes, perhaps. No one will know what happened until he wakes up."
The teachers wore grave expressions.
This was their first attempt at the World of Darkness and Shadows. They could not allow any accidents no matter what. It was fine if he was eliminated normally. However, if a powerful figure had struck him…
…
Every student from The First Academy had been given a Shadow Combat Suit.
It was the black robe that they were wearing.
The seniors from some special vocations in The First Academy produced a large number of Shadow Combat Suits. This kind of clothing could enable one's shadow to be separated from their body. They could then enter the World of Darkness and Shadows!
The suit could protect them in the World of Darkness and Shadows.
In the occurrence of an accident, the Shadow Combat Suit would disintegrate rapidly and transform into countless particles. It would protect one's disappearing shadow and then forcefully bring it back to reality.
Afterward…
The shadow and body would integrate!
If one's shadow had already advanced to another realm, their actual body would also advance accordingly! This was the purpose of the Shadow Combat Suit!
If one's shadow were to suffer devastating harm, the suit would ensure that the energy inside of it would not be lost.
However…
If the shadow could not be protected in this way, the body's abilities would not advance. Additionally, the shadow would be damaged. As a result, the person would suffer a grievous injury!
Hence, they did not know what Zhang Xukun's situation was!
Shadow integration?
Or…
Had the shadow already disappeared and he was in the midst of recovering?
n.o.body knew.
"I hope the a.s.sessment is still ongoing and normal."
The teachers were filled with worries.
"Keep a tight watch on the rest!
"If anyone returns to reality, report to me immediately!"
"Yes."
"In addition… Inform the dean about this. If anything happens, simply cut off the connection and force all the students to return!"
"Understood."
Undoubtedly, Zhang Xukun's return had shrouded the graduation season with a lingering fear… Be it the teachers or the higher-ups of the school, they were on pins and needles.
However, the dean could only take a deep breath when he received the news.
Zhang Xukun… He was a genius in the same cohort as Lu Yan!
These children had been beaten to a pulp by Lu Yan ever since the latter joined the school… It was the same situation all the way until their graduation… They admired Lu Yan, but at the same time, they bore some unspeakable thoughts toward her.
Therefore, did this guy go looking for Lu Yan?
Do you guys really think that that girl can't beat you now that she's a five-star?!
The dean sighed deeply.
According to his guess, it was highly possible that this guy went to look for Lu Yan to settle a score and then became a goner…
However… He could not be that open about this matter. If he were to expose this, it would be embarra.s.sing for Zhang Xukun. It was also hard to give an explanation about Lu Yan. Why would he do that?
After pondering the situation, the dean simply could not be bothered anymore.
Forget it.
It was also good for the teachers to be more vigilant.
…
At this very moment…
In the square.
Some people were cultivating and some were discussing the a.s.sessment.
Lu Ming was not that interested in the compet.i.tion. He told Li Haoran to note down the names of the geniuses and then left along with the crowd. However, just at this moment…
Buzz—
Buzz—
His wristband communication device vibrated.
Lu Ming took a glance and was somewhat shocked to discover that the messages came from the school!
Yes.
This was Lu Ming's matriculation number after he had graduated from the school. He had secured the matriculation number during his enrollment to The First Academy but he never expected anyone to contact him.
"Senior, what were the rules of the a.s.sessment last time?"
"Senior, was the previous a.s.sessment similar to this one?"
"Senior, my sister's daughter is on very good terms with the dean. They say that some problems may have occurred during the a.s.sessment and Zhang Xukun has been eliminated because something happened to him! I'm very worried. Do you know what is happening?"
"Senior, was anyone eliminated right from the beginning in the past?"
"Senior, please help!"
A few students messaged him constantly.
The graduation season…
Zhang Xukun…
Lu Ming's initial nonchalant expression instantly turned grave. Was something really going to happen to the graduation season?
Shus.h.!.+
He opened the contact list and called the dean without any reservation.
"Is this Lu Ming?"
"There is a problem! What is happening to the graduation season?!"
"You can rest a.s.sured!
"Just come to the on-campus job fair."
The dean hung up the phone after telling Lu Ming not to worry and that nothing major had happened. He had no choice. What else could he say?: 'The main culprit is your sister?!'
Besides…
Although Lu Ming had already graduated, it was better for him to not know about the World of Darkness and Shadows.
He was merely a four-star now!
He was too weak.
However…
He was unaware of something.
Lu Ming, who was on the other side of the phone, was already feeling nervous.
The dean…
His tone was not right!
He was stammering!
This kind of tone resembled very much the female protagonist of a certain 'small movie'[1.movie with s.e.xual content] series… Therefore, he was certain that, unless the dean was in the midst of an unspeakable act… something was definitely wrong!
It was likely that something was going to happen to The First Academy's graduation season!
Buzz—
Buzz—
His wristband vibrated.
Some people continued to message Lu Ming rampantly.
Everyone found Lu Ming's matriculation number from the school website. He was the most recent student who graduated. Although his profile page was blank, this did not stop them from inquiring.
Hence…
Lu Ming received countless messages from the students.
"Senior, I heard from the conversation of two teachers that Zhang Xukun might have been attacked by a black monster! His Shadow Combat Suit is damaged and there is a huge hole in it! What is the black monster? Where did you guys go the last time?"
"Senior, my friend heard from the two teachers that Zhang Xukun had been rounded up and beaten up by black tentacle monsters! He has holes all over his body! Why are there tentacle monsters in the a.s.sessment?"
"Senior! My friend heard from the two teachers that Zhang Xukun was ravaged by the tentacle monsters! All the holes on his body had been penetrated! Oh my goodness! I hope nothing has happened to my sister?"
"Senior…"
"Senior…"
The students messaged him crazily.
Some were even repet.i.tive.
Hence…
Lu Ming watched on helplessly. From a hunt down by a shadow monster, the description of the graduation season a.s.sessment had been distorted into some unspeakable and censored anime.
d.a.m.n! A tentacle monster!
Lu Ming looked at the messages sent to him.
The more the students described it and the more the story went around, the stranger the situation sounded. In the end, Zhang Xukun, who had been eliminated, became the bottom[1] in a juicy BL[2] story…
"What a mess!"
Lu Ming was between laughter and tears.
He had to say that these students were extremely gifted. They could retrieve some information despite the school's effort to conceal the matter, even though the information was neither fish nor fowl…
However…
Regardless of the information, there was no doubt that something had happened during the a.s.sessment!
…
He returned to the a.s.sociation.
Lu Ming sorted out his thoughts and understanding about the World of Darkness and Shadows seriously. He could roughly guess the content of these students' a.s.sessment…
But, what had happened?!
In the World of Darkness and Shadows, the town area consisted of people who had entered the same way. It was a common spot for crimes and evil and also a paradise for outsiders!
And those people who had eternal life…
They were living in the suburbs of this vast, s.p.a.cious and endless world!
Amid the endless darkness!
What were the suburbs?
What did they contain?
Lu Ming had no idea.
He had intended to lead a boring and idle life, diligently cultivating, improving his ability and the compet.i.tiveness of the a.s.sociation. That would be enough. However, what was happening right then…
"Phew."
Lu Ming took a deep breath and entered his Sea of Consciousness.
"Brother Cat!"
Lu Ming wore a grave expression. "I want to enter the World of Darkness and Shadows!"
The black cat stared at Lu Ming, its golden pupils reflecting Lu Ming's figure. After a long time, it meowed.
"Brother Cat is asking what you will exchange for this?"
Xiao-Xiaojian, the multi-purpose tool, translated and said.
Lu Ming was speechless.
Exchange…
He thought for a moment and looked at Brother Cat gingerly. "I'll find a female kitten for you?"
The black cat's gaze gradually turned cold and aloof.
I was wrong?
Lu Ming pondered for a moment.
He took a closer look at Brother Cat and then contemplated for a while. Earlier on, he addressed it as Brother Cat out of respect but Brother Cat was not necessarily a male?
Since that was the case…
"I'll find you a male cat?"
Lu Ming tried to say.
Shus.h.!.+
The black cat's expression turned even uglier.
Lu Ming was speechless.
A male cat will not do as well?!
Fine.
He had confirmed his thoughts that it was a eunuch!!!
Brother Cat must have been a eunuch cat that had been castrated… Oh no! Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law[4.Core socialist values] …
Cras.h.!.+
A black shadow flashed.
Lu Ming was blasted out and dangled off the wall!
Before his eyes…
The black cat's s.e.xy and permed whiskers were shaking.
"Haha!"
Xiao-Xiaojian almost died of laughter.
Lu Ming, this moron. Doesn't he know that Brother Cat can hear him? He actually dares to mock Brother Cat?! Doesn't he know that this is Brother Cat's sore spot? Look, I've never brought up the word 'eunuch'…
Cras.h.!.+
A black shadow flashed.
Xiao-Xiaojian was sent flying out too, dangling beside Lu Ming off the wall.
Xiao-Xiaojian was speechless.
Fine.
Brother Cat is infuriated…
After a long time…
The duo wrestled themselves out of the wall and stood before Brother Cat obediently.
"Brother Cat!
"I really want to go to the World of Darkness and Shadows," Lu Ming said earnestly.
He knew that the current Brother Cat could definitely send him there.
The black cat looked at Lu Ming coldly and seemed to have sensed his sincerity. After a long time, it gradually lifted its little paw and stretched it in front of Lu Ming.
Lu Ming looked dazedly at Brother Cat as the latter stretched out its little paw.
Well…
Black fur.
However, the tender flesh in the middle of the paw was pink and chubby. This meant that Brother Cat…
"I'll Google it?"
Lu Ming pondered deeply.
The black cat was silent.
It paused for a moment and withdrew its little paw at a strange and mysterious angle. The pink and tender little paw was pointing upwards…
Lu Ming glanced above him.
There was nothing above the Sea of Consciousness?
The black cat was silent.
"Something is wrong?"
Lu Ming took a closer look. Brother Cat had gestured number one.
What does this mean? Don't tell me it wants a kitten to keep it company?
The black cat was silent.
"Something is wrong?"
Lu Ming was in tears.
Brother, you're not an odd professor. There is no need to gesticulate the number one… The last time Dr Strange did this, Tony Stark died!
"Meow!"
The black cat looked at him as if he was an idiot and meowed once.
"Brother Cat says to exchange it with an unconditional promise from you!"
The intelligent and s.e.xy Xiao-Xiaojian translated in real-time.
"Sure!"
Lu Ming agreed without any hesitation.
He had long integrated with Brother Cat. Although Brother Cat always stuck to its principles, Lu Ming no longer regarded it as an outsider!
Ten promises was also fine, much less one!
Brother Cat had saved him that many times. If it really wanted something, could it not give it to him?
The black cat cast a perplexed gaze at Lu Ming.
Obviously…
It had heard Lu Ming's thoughts.
This child…
It got up and lifted its tender little paw.
Shus.h.!.+
A beam of light and shadow broke through the void and mysterious powers spread in the Sea of Consciousness. When Lu Ming came to his senses, he had already entered that mysterious world.
Shus.h.!.+
Lu Ming clenched his fists.
"The World of Darkness and Shadows…
"I am here!"
…
[1] A bottom is usually the receptive partner during s.e.xual intercourse between two men
[2] BL is a genre of fictional media originating in j.a.pan that features h.o.m.oerotic relations.h.i.+ps between male characters