Chapter Sixty-Two: An Unexpected Visitor

Without the pressure of final exams, Luo Chen actually felt a bit lost. He requested leave from the academy, hoping to work part-time every night, and his request was approved. Thus, Luo Chen’s daily routine became eating, sleeping, working, and of course, never neglecting his cultivation.

Ailijie and Joanna also successively accepted guaranteed admissions to Blue Emperor Academy, while Shi Feng, after a few days of deliberation, made a difficult decision: he reluctantly gave up the bold beauty from Dallas Academy and decided to join Luo Chen and the others at Blue Emperor Academy.

Ten days passed swiftly, and the graduation exams arrived as scheduled. However, this brutal storm had nothing to do with Luo Chen anymore. Still, on the day of the exam, Luo Chen went to class to accompany his classmates.

After the exams, there was only the matter of filling out applications and waiting for admission results. Another ten days passed, and the results were released. Those admitted to higher martial academies were naturally overjoyed, while those who failed were dejected and despondent. Many disappointed students started causing trouble again, and Joanna, as head of the disciplinary committee, was almost constantly on duty and hardly saw Luo Chen.

As the countdown to leaving school entered its final days, the class gathered one last time. Mentor Jason spoke earnestly: “My dear students, whether or not you are admitted to a higher academy, do not lose heart. I have always believed that hard work brings rewards; when you pour in enough sweat, you can work miracles. Leaving the academy does not mark the end of your growth. Society is an even greater stage for tempering oneself. There are indeed those who graduated from elementary martial academies and ultimately became strong. Remember this well: this is my final lesson to every graduating class—so long as you remain filled with fighting spirit and never lose faith, no matter which path you take, you can achieve success!”

But Jason’s words had little effect. The unsuccessful students remained crestfallen. Yes, some strong individuals did graduate from elementary academies, but how many? Even with effort, without guidance from famous teachers or enough luck, their achievements could never compare to those who could continue their education.

At this moment, Luo Chen felt truly fortunate, for he had survived this great purge. If not for Nicole, would he really have passed the admissions so smoothly?

Those who failed gradually packed up their belongings and left the academy, each seeking a livelihood elsewhere. Although Weston Academy allowed graduates to stay and train until the new students arrived, many took advantage of the rare month-long break before higher academies opened to return home and visit family, and the once bustling Weston Academy suddenly became much quieter.

That night, Luo Chen and Shi Feng were having a late-night snack when Shi Feng suddenly said, “Bro, it looks like we’ll have to part for a while.”

“Part for a while?” Luo Chen was surprised. “Do you have something to do?”

“Yes, I need to go home,” Shi Feng replied with a smile. “You know my hometown isn’t on the Canglan Continent, and it’s quite far from this region. A round trip will take at least half a month. The next time we meet will probably be at Blue Emperor Academy. So you’ll be on your own for a while.”

Thinking back, in his three years at Weston Academy, Luo Chen had never seen Shi Feng go home even once. He was used to this roommate’s company, and now, with his brother leaving so suddenly, he felt a little sad.

“Don’t worry, don’t miss me. It’s just half a month—not a lifetime!” Shi Feng laughed. “There aren’t many beauties in my hometown, but it’s been so long since I went back, I really should visit.”

Luo Chen snorted, “Go on, who’s going to miss you? I’m just worried about who’ll make my late-night snacks from now on!”

Shi Feng groaned, “Damn it, do you take me for your personal chef? Oh, I just bought a box of noodles and some dried meat. If you get hungry, make do with that until I come back and give you a proper feast.”

Luo Chen laughed and cursed, “Got it, you nag like a woman. You think I can’t feed myself?” Yet, he was deeply touched. When a grown man nags at you like a mother, it’s proof of the depth of his friendship.

The next morning, Luo Chen got up as usual, finished his breathing exercises, and went to the living room, only to find Shi Feng’s door wide open. Normally, his brother would never be up so early, especially during the break. Luo Chen thought for a moment and understood: Shi Feng must have left before he woke up to avoid a difficult farewell, which was not like his usual carefree manner—hence his silent departure.

Luo Chen gazed at the empty room, unable to help feeling a little lost. Only now did he realize that ever since he’d had Shi Feng as a companion, he was no longer used to being alone. The handful of big rats were already out early, foraging for food. Luo Chen muttered to them, “Looks like for a while, you guys will be my only companions.”

The several large rats squeaked a few times, perhaps understanding Luo Chen’s words, and seemed reluctant to see Shi Feng go.

Without Shi Feng’s daily morning howls and having to eat midnight snacks alone, life truly became much duller. Luo Chen could only throw himself into cultivation to keep loneliness at bay.

That night, Luo Chen was still training beneath the Thunderfall Waterfall. The massive column of water plunged down from over a hundred meters, pounding against his body. One step, two steps, three steps... enduring the intense pressure, Luo Chen advanced to about a quarter of the way across the falls before being swept into Dragon Pool by the torrent.

Not bad, he thought. That distance should be about thirteen and a half meters—quite a significant improvement. Climbing out of Dragon Pool, he again approached the Thunderfall. This time, he didn’t train until completely exhausted; instead, he saved a bit of energy. Bending his knees, he leaped onto a protruding rock four or five meters above, and from there, he vaulted higher and higher, eventually reaching a ledge sixteen or seventeen meters up. Continuous leaps—Light-Body Technique was improving nicely, Luo Chen thought with satisfaction.

Back at the dorm, Luo Chen took off his outer clothes as usual, cooked a small pot of noodles, and began to eat. As he chewed, he thought, “Damn, eating midnight snacks alone just isn’t as tasty.” Even with a few big rats for company, they couldn’t talk, and it was still boring.

Just then, the doorbell suddenly rang. Luo Chen was puzzled—apart from Shi Feng, he really didn’t know anyone else well at the academy. Who could be visiting?

Setting down his bowl, Luo Chen went downstairs and opened the door. Standing outside were Ailijie and Joanna. He hadn’t seen them since the last time he treated them to dinner.

Luo Chen was taken aback. “Um, Ailijie, Joanna, haven’t you gone home yet?”

Ailijie didn’t answer, only turned her head shyly. “Luo Chen, could you please put on some clothes first?”

Joanna scolded, “You exhibitionist! Are you some kind of pervert, running around without any clothes on?”

Only then did Luo Chen realize why he felt so chilly—he was wearing nothing but underwear. No wonder Ailijie was embarrassed. Flushing with embarrassment, he hurried upstairs, got dressed, and rushed back down. “Er... since no one ever visits, I usually...”

“Enough, we don’t need your excuses,” Joanna interrupted, giving him a sideways glance. “Are you going to make us stand outside all night?”

Luo Chen quickly said, “No, no, please come in, but I have to warn you, it’s a mess inside. Hope you don’t mind.”

He brought them up to the second floor. Joanna spotted the big rats at once and screamed, “Rats! Rats!”

Luo Chen had never expected the dignified head of the disciplinary committee to be so afraid of rats, just like any ordinary girl. He laughed, “Don’t worry, they’re my friends.”

“Your friends?” Joanna was speechless. “You make friends with rats? I give up on you!”

Luo Chen joked, “Joanna, I don’t think the disciplinary committee has any rules about this, right?”

“I could still report you for illegally keeping pets on campus!” Joanna scoffed. “But I just stepped down as committee head, so I have no authority over you anymore. Consider yourself lucky.”

“Seems my luck isn’t so bad,” Luo Chen said to the rats. “Hey, come greet Joanna and Ailijie.”

The rats seemed to understand and squeaked a couple of times, perhaps in greeting.

“All right, just have them go away. They give me the creeps!” Joanna shuddered.

Luo Chen hushed them, and the big rats sensibly each grabbed a piece of dried meat and scampered off. It seemed that the aura of this otherworld made even lesser creatures smarter.

Ailijie glanced around the tower, noting clothes and smelly socks strewn everywhere in a chaotic mess. She chuckled, “Luo Chen, it’s a bit messy, isn’t it?”

Joanna wrinkled her nose. “A bit messy? It’s a pigsty—no, a rat’s nest!”

Luo Chen laughed it off. “That’s a boys’ dorm for you—can’t compare to your elegant rooms, with potted flowers and all.”

Joanna was surprised. “Wait, how did you know about that?”

Luo Chen hesitated, “Uh, well...”

Seeing his embarrassment, Joanna suddenly remembered: that time she got drunk and insisted Luo Chen take her back to her dorm—he must have seen it then. The usually fearless disciplinary committee head actually blushed, and she thought to herself, “Why do I always get into embarrassing situations when this guy’s around?” She glared at Luo Chen again, leaving him bewildered—how did he offend her this time? He was a victim too!

Sensing the awkwardness, Ailijie changed the subject. “Luo Chen, Joanna and I are helping the academy with the holiday registration work, and we saw your name on the list of graduates who extended their stay.”

[When I posted the first chapter this morning, I actually forgot something very important—asking for votes! Ah, all those fresh votes gone to waste. If you still have any left, please throw a couple my way!]