Chapter Seven: Condemned by All

When Luo Chen slowly regained consciousness, he immediately leapt to his feet.

Didn’t I die? How am I still alive?

Could this be heaven?

But he quickly realized he was still within the Forest of Dread. Not far below him was the Hungry Ghost Marsh, now reverted to an ordinary grassy field.

Surviving such a disaster left Luo Chen utterly bewildered. He distinctly remembered falling into the Hungry Ghost Marsh—so how was he now suspended in a tree?

Could it be that a master was hiding at the bottom of the marsh and had rescued him?

It was said that certain experts on the continent liked to train in desolate places, such as deserts or wilderness, but to choose the Hungry Ghost Marsh as a training ground seemed beyond reason. The environment there was anything but conducive to cultivation.

Luo Chen puzzled over it for a long time, unable to make sense of the situation.

No matter what, I should first report today’s incident to my instructor.

He climbed down from the tree and returned to the training camp, only to find it eerily deserted—not a soul in sight.

Where were the instructors and the other students? Where had everyone gone?

Today was certainly full of bizarre happenings. Helpless, Luo Chen decided to return to the academy first.

The merging of the otherworld and Earth had brought cataclysmic changes to humanity’s blue planet. The oceans had greatly receded, and the landmass had expanded accordingly. The once-familiar continents—Eurasia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Australia—had been divided into even more complex terrains, with dozens of plates of various sizes.

The Canglan Continent was a massive plate on the eastern side of the planet, its area roughly equivalent to the former Eurasian continent before the reshaping of Earth’s geography.

Located on the outskirts of the coastal city of Slo in the far west of the Canglan Continent, Weston Academy was one of the oldest elementary martial arts institutions in the world. Established at the dawn of martial arts, it boasted a history approaching four centuries.

Weston Academy had been far from peaceful these past two days. The cause was an accident during an internship assignment in the Forest of Dread: a high-level demon beast had suddenly burst from the depths of the woods and knocked out the school beauty, Ellie. Fortunately, another student with formidable strength—Kevin, hugely popular on campus—was nearby on a mission. Hearing the commotion, he rushed over in time and, using his family’s famed Fist of Honor, scared off the beast. Thanks to him, Ellie was spared the beast’s jaws, though Kevin suffered internal injuries as a result.

In stark contrast to Kevin was Luo Chen, Ellie’s partner, who had been so terrified upon seeing the beast that he abandoned the beauty and fled alone. Such disgraceful conduct was nothing short of outrageous, quickly becoming a scandal at Weston Academy. Both male and female students expressed their strong condemnation of Luo Chen’s actions.

“A coward like Luo Chen has no right whatsoever to be a psionic warrior—he’s a disgrace to the honor of the title!”

“Exactly! He could even abandon a beauty like Ellie—good grief, I wonder if he’s even a man!”

“Thank goodness for Kevin, otherwise we’d never see Ellie again. They’re simply made for each other. Kevin even saved her life—maybe he’ll finally win her heart.”

“Well, I don’t want Ellie to be someone else’s girlfriend either, but if it’s Kevin, I have to accept it. He’s so strong, so handsome, and such a good guy—I could never measure up!”

Several students strolled together, animatedly discussing the events, but Luo Chen, one of the central figures in this campus news, was nowhere to be seen, leaving many puzzled.

“I heard Luo Chen still hasn’t come back—where do you think he’s gone?”

“Who knows? My guess is he’s too ashamed to return to the academy.”

“Maybe he was eaten by another demon beast while running away. Someone like that, perishing in a beast’s belly, hardly deserves pity!”

Suddenly, one of the students noticed someone standing behind them. Turning around, they saw a boy covered in mud, staring blankly at them. “What…what were you saying?”

It was Luo Chen, just returned to the academy. Many at Weston recognized him, thanks to his notorious greed.

He once caught fish from Dragonfly Pond to sell at the market—he was the only one in the academy bold enough to do so. And this time, the nature of his actions was even worse.

“What were we saying?” one student sneered. “You’ve got some nerve coming back, Luo Chen. Honestly, your skin must be thicker than a city wall!”

Their companions chimed in, “Luo Chen, you’d better just get lost—no one wants you here!”

“No need to rush—he’ll be gone soon enough. The administration has already issued an order: if Luo Chen returns, he’s to report immediately. I bet they’re going to expel him!”

Luo Chen’s face darkened, but he ignored the mockery and walked straight toward the administration office. Along the way, many people pointed at him and whispered insults. Some even brazenly cursed and spat at him.

When he reached the office, Director Henry summoned him at once.

Henry, sporting a pair of drooping mustaches, looked at Luo Chen with open displeasure. “Luo Chen, where have you been these past two days?”

Luo Chen was stunned by the question.

These past two days?

Had two days really passed since the incident? No wonder the instructors and students at the training camp had all vanished. That explained it. Yet, he distinctly felt that only a short time had passed. Besides, if he hadn’t eaten for two days, he should be starving, but he felt no hunger at all.

“I’ll let your truancy slide for now,” Henry continued. “But your behavior during the internship was appalling. As a member of Weston Academy, we should stand together and support each other in times of crisis. How could you abandon your partner and run for your life alone? However, after a meeting of all the instructors, it was agreed that the appearance of a high-level demon beast capable of psychic attacks was an accident, and its abilities far exceeded your own. Your fear and escape, while regrettable, are not entirely unforgivable. Therefore, the academy has decided not to expel you, but you will receive a major demerit, and this incident will be entered into your permanent record. Luo Chen, do you accept this?”

Luo Chen nearly jumped up. “I do not accept!”

Henry frowned. He felt the administration had already shown great leniency, yet this student remained stubborn. He tried to keep his patience. “Luo Chen, do you have any objections?”

“Yes, Director Henry,” Luo Chen replied loudly. “I want to know—who said I abandoned Ellie and ran away?”

“It was Kevin. He’s the only eyewitness. Could he be mistaken?”

“Kevin?”