Chapter Twenty-Two: Registration Day

After Li Qingyun finished signing the cooperation agreement with Hong Weimin, the representative from Haicheng University, he still needed to handle another matter as Lin Qingyun’s full representative. There was also Chao, who needed to complete his employment paperwork. Of course, all she needed to do was sign the contract with Qian Shanming and his research institute.

Qian Shanming was exceptionally enthusiastic. After taking care of all the legal formalities, he personally gave Lin Qingyun and the others a tour of his institute, even guiding them through some areas of the Alchemy Department. If Lin Qingyun hadn’t stopped him, Qian would have insisted on escorting Lin Qingyun, Chao, and Chu Qing to complete their registration himself.

Lin Qingyun didn’t need to go through the traditional registration process—Qian Shanming had already arranged everything on his end. However, both Chao and Chu Qing had gained admission to Haicheng University through regular channels and still needed to complete the standard procedures.

“Phew...” Exiting the Alchemy Department’s research institute, Chu Qing let out a long breath, patting her chest. “Professor Qian is just too enthusiastic. I almost feel embarrassed. Thankfully, most of his attention was directed at you both; otherwise, I’d have no idea how to handle it.”

Chao laughed. “Don’t be so modest. In their eyes, Lin Qingyun was only able to attend Haicheng University because of you. Of course, they’re going to treat you well.”

Though all three of them knew the real reasons, Chao’s candid comment made Chu Qing’s cheeks flush. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Lin Qingyun.

Lin Qingyun paid no mind to any of this. He was simply enjoying this rare moment of youth, strolling leisurely through Haicheng University’s campus.

In truth, having lived two lifetimes, this was the first time he’d ever wandered so freely in a university setting. The campus teemed with young people, vibrant with the energy and vigor of youth. Today, being freshman registration day, the atmosphere was even more lively and bustling.

In the decades following the revival of spiritual energy, wild beasts had mutated, and the seas teemed with monsters, leading to decades of unrest. But as human cultivators grew stronger, the last few decades had seen increasing stability.

Modern, refined philosophies and a stable environment for cultivation had taken root. True danger was only to be found in certain opened ruins. Even then, with coordinated efforts, most major threats were contained, and only a portion of the ruins remained open at varying levels of risk for exploration.

At this time, humanity faced little apparent pressure, though only those at the highest levels knew the true situation.

With the passage of time, however, the wars of the following twenty years would grow ever more brutal. This generation of young people—thirty years from now—would become the backbone of society, but also suffer the heaviest casualties. No one would be able to escape it: either fall under oppression, or rise up to fight in one last desperate revolt.

As Lin Qingyun bathed in the atmosphere of the university’s opening day, lost in thought, they had already arrived at the registration area. Each department had its own staff to welcome new students.

Currently, the most popular department at Haicheng University was undoubtedly the Combat Arts Department. With a few exceptions, most major institutions focused on combat disciplines. Next came the Alchemy Department, followed by the Formations Department, Technology Department, Herbal Botany Department, Daoist Studies, and Ancient Literature Department.

The brief era of human technological civilization was inevitably overshadowed—after the spiritual revival—by a civilization where individuals could attain great power, extended lifespans, and soaring strength through cultivation. Technology had largely become an auxiliary to daily life.

The Alchemy Department’s registration area was particularly bustling. Though Lin Qingyun was technically a special admissions student, Qian Shanming was handling all his paperwork, so he was free to simply accompany Chao and Chu Qing.

Even in the crowd, the trio drew attention wherever they went.

Many girls were eyeing Chao, and some upperclasswomen even came forward to offer their help. Likewise, many boys were looking at Chu Qing. Already the most beautiful girl in her class, the recent events had only added to her allure, making her even more attention-grabbing.

However, since the three stayed together, it discouraged most people from approaching.

“President, Young Master Li, look over there—isn’t that…” Just as Lin Qingyun and his companions were drawing attention, another sizable group also noticed them. They were the members of their high school’s alchemy club.

Led by Zheng Haoyue and Li Daoze, the group included not only familiar faces from their old club, but also several others who had gathered around them through connections. Even as freshmen, they had already formed a formidable clique.

“That’s really Lin Qingyun and his group. How did he end up here, too?”

“Look, Chu Qing is with them. Could it be that she’s with Lin Qingyun now? I always thought she was keen on helping him.”

Familiar faces began whispering among themselves, still unable to forget the events of that day.

“Daoze, that’s Lin Qingyun—the guy who ruined your family’s project with the school. If I were you, I’d have gotten rid of him long ago,” said a long-haired youth, fanning the flames.

“Hmph!” Li Daoze shot him a glare. The young man was Mao Yiqiang, whose family had assets in the billions, mainly in herbal cultivation, with thirty percent of their output supplied to the Zheng family. So even though they hadn’t attended the same high school, they often mixed in the same circles.

Now, at Haicheng University, Mao Yiqiang naturally gravitated toward them. His family had no business overlap with the Lin pharmaceutical group, so he didn’t need to be cautious.

“Tsk, even if that one’s a tomboy, all dressed up she’d have her own charm. A dragon with two phoenixes—you see how close Chu Qing and that tomboy are to this guy? Maybe they’re already together. I bet you’re only in this mess with Chu Qing because she wanted to be with Lin Qingyun,” Mao Yiqiang said, careless whether Li Daoze was pleased or not. In Zheng Haoyue’s circle, he was a core member.

Those who would normally side with Li Daoze pretended not to notice and offered no support. Li Daoze’s face was sullen; he’d suffered plenty at home in recent days, and if not for Zheng Haoyue’s help, he might not have even made it to registration day.

As they gossiped, Zheng Haoyue suddenly smiled, drawing everyone’s attention.

“I don’t know if they’re together, but there’s something you all probably don’t know…”

He paused, pulling them in with curiosity.

“You’ve all heard about the incident with Nangong Lingyue a few days ago, right…”

At this, everyone’s eyes lit up—they certainly had heard the rumors.

Zheng Haoyue smiled faintly. “There are things you at your level might not understand. When the Desert Wind King, Nangong Aoshi, was down on his luck, he received help from Lin Qingyun’s father, Lin Kunlun. The Lin and Nangong families have a special relationship. It’s said that Lin Kunlun played a major role in Nangong Aoshi joining our alliance. According to high-level sources, plus what Nangong Lingyue said that day and some corroboration, after Lin Qingyun humiliated you all, he took those two girls straight to Cloud Mist Immortal Palace…”

Cloud Mist Immortal Palace was the hotel where Lin Qingyun and Nangong Lingyue’s confrontation had occurred.

Though he didn’t spell everything out, nor did they know about the arrangements between the Lin and Nangong families, Zheng Haoyue had deduced this much from what happened that day.

“No way… Are you saying it was him…”

“If that’s really the case, it makes sense. No wonder he hasn’t shown up these last few days—probably nursing his wounds after Nangong Lingyue took him down…”

“This is explosive news! So Nangong Lingyue’s ‘family joke’ was aimed at him…” The crowd buzzed with excited speculation, with Mao Yiqiang especially animated.

“Serves him right! Good for her…” Li Daoze clenched his fists, feeling vindicated at the thought that Lin Qingyun had been beaten by Nangong Lingyue.

Watching this reaction, Zheng Haoyue frowned slightly, cursing these fools inwardly. He had dropped such a clear hint, yet they missed the point entirely.

Especially Li Daoze—he was clearly afraid of Lin Qingyun now, and that wouldn’t do…

“Daoze, this is your chance. Last time, Lin Qingyun humiliated you. Now’s the perfect time to get back at him,” Zheng Haoyue prompted.

“Huh… Get back at him? How?”

Mao Yiqiang’s eyes sparkled. “Li Daoze, you idiot, don’t you get it? You probably have no idea how popular Nangong Lingyue is now, or how many fans she has. She’s our age and coming to Haicheng University too. If her fans find out Lin Qingyun is the one who tried to force her into marriage, what do you think will happen? Lin Qingyun might not even make it out of Haicheng University today, and even if he does, his life will be hell afterward.”

Li Daoze shot Mao Yiqiang a glare. “You’re the idiot…”

He’d disliked Mao Yiqiang for a while, but in the past the guy hadn’t dared cross him. Now it seemed he was treating Li Daoze like just another lackey.

“Can’t you understand good advice? I’m giving you a chance to save face and you won’t even take it,” Mao Yiqiang retorted gruffly, but in truth he was deliberately stoking the flames, having caught on to Zheng Haoyue’s intent.

Li Daoze was tempted, but memories of his recent beating at Lin Qingyun’s hands made him hesitate.

“Don’t worry. What happened last time won’t repeat itself. That was a fluke. I’ll have my family send some business your way, and introduce you to more opportunities. Once you’re on the Zheng family’s ship, what can Lin Qingyun do to you? Look at Mao Yiqiang—he’s not afraid of the Lin family. I’ll have him back you up,” Zheng Haoyue’s voice sounded in Li Daoze’s ear.

Previously, Li Daoze had knelt and begged Zheng Haoyue for help, and Zheng had only spoken to his family to prevent them from punishing Daoze too harshly. But now, he was offering real benefits, welcoming Daoze into the Zhengs’ Tian Gang Group.

The weight on Li Daoze’s shoulders suddenly lifted. With the Zheng family’s backing, he no longer feared the Lin family’s suppression.

Fueled by anger, and with Mao Yiqiang egging him on, Li Daoze’s confidence returned. Setting his jaw, he strode toward Lin Qingyun, Chao, and Chu Qing.