59: Returning to the settlement, is this really not robbery?

Tianqiong War God Academy, Central Plaza.

The air was filled with an appetizing aroma of hotpot base, primarily spicy beef tallow mixed with a hint of refreshing aged vinegar.

This scent didn't come from an open cafeteria, but rather from the dozen or so top Prodigies of the academy who had just been "spit out" by the teleportation array.

If they were high-spirited young heroes before entering the Secret Realm, they now looked exactly like a plate of freshly cooked "poached prawns."

Their skin was a translucent red, steam rose from their bodies, and some were involuntarily burping, exhaling puffs of thick Spiritual Qi white smoke.

Gu Fan stood at the front of the line, the "plastic bottle" hanging from his waist still flashing frantically. He fanned himself with a palm-leaf fan he had produced from somewhere, looking leisurely at the dumbfounded Dean, Zhuge Qing.

“What’s wrong, Dean? Why is everyone staring at us like that?”

Gu Fan asked knowingly, pulling the slightly slipping plastic bottle higher on his belt. “Although we did return fully loaded this time, there’s no need for a ceremonial stare-down, right? It’s quite embarrassing.”

Zhuge Qing took a deep breath, trying to calm his heart that was nearly jumping out of his chest.

He pointed at the light cluster at Gu Fan's waist that was desperately slamming against the bottle walls, as if sending a "SOS" signal in Morse code, his voice trembling uncontrollably:

“Gu Fan... tell me honestly, is that really a firefly?”

“Of course.”

Gu Fan didn't bat an eye, even flicking the bottle with his finger, causing the light cluster inside to daze. “This is a mutant species, scientific name ‘Great Aurora Firefly.’ It has a bit of a temper and even grew two wisps of a mustache, commonly known as the ‘Old Man Firefly.’ What, Dean hasn't seen one? Perfect then, I'll write an observation diary and submit it another day.”

Zhuge Qing felt he might need to increase his dosage of blood pressure medication.

What the Hell is an “Old Man Firefly”!

That was clearly the core consciousness of the Secret Realm!

It was the ancestor that had guarded the academy for hundreds of years!

Just as Zhuge Qing was still organizing his words to roar, the grim-faced Dean of Discipline, Dean of Students, who had been standing aside, finally couldn't hold back anymore.

Dean of Students was known for being harsh and old-fashioned, and he despised troublemakers like Gu Fan who ignored the rules.

Seeing Gu Fan using the Secret Realm core as an accessory, he felt it was a massive provocation to his authority.

“Utter nonsense!”

Dean of Students stepped forward, his Grandmaster-level Aura erupting, making the surrounding air hum.

His square face was dark, and his eyes were sharp:

“Gu Fan! Do you think all the teachers and students present are blind? That is clearly the Spirit of the Secret Realm! It is the supreme treasure of the academy! You actually dare to imprison a deity privately; you are simply audacious! Lawless!”

“Now! Right now! Immediately! Hand it over!”

Dean of Students roared, and without waiting for Gu Fan to reply, he reached out with a large, palm-leaf-like hand, carrying a sharp wind, straight toward the plastic bottle at Gu Fan's waist.

This grab was called the “Dragon Capturing Hand,” Dean of Students's signature technique. Although he wasn't using a killing move, it was enough to leave an ordinary Huajin Martial Artist immobile.

The surrounding students let out a cry of surprise.

Lin Xue and Xiao Fan subconsciously wanted to step forward, but were stopped by a look from Gu Fan.

Gu Fan stood his ground, motionless, and even smiled.

He watched the approaching hand as the System radar in his mind flashed red.

【Ding! Detected strong predatory intent and malicious humiliation from ‘Dean of Discipline Dean of Students.’】

【Malice Level: B+ (Originating from arrogance of power and prejudice against the host).】

【Backlash triggered! Multiplier: Eightyfold!】

【Law of Karma loading: Physical counterattack is not even necessary; we will perform a dimensional reduction strike at the level of ‘Dignity.’】

【Random effect generating... Congratulations to the host! Triggered concept-level backlash — ‘Broken Fastener.’】

Just as Dean of Students's fingers were 0.01 centimeters away from the plastic bottle, seemingly about to touch the Spirit of the Secret Realm.

“Pop!”

A crisp, loud snap that was enough to pierce through the noise of the entire square suddenly rang out.

This sound didn't come from an air burst, nor from a bone breaking.

It came from Dean of Students's waist.

It was the mournful cry of a metal zipper that had reached its limit under high pressure and completely snapped off.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Dean of Students's aggressive movement suddenly stiffened.

Then, under the irresistible physical Law of gravitational acceleration, his sharp black suit pants, specially tailored to show authority, slid down his legs with incredible smoothness until they hit his ankles.

And so.

In the middle of that sunny, high-profile plaza.

Under that solemn occasion where teachers and students gathered.

This Dean of Discipline, who was usually the most fastidious about appearance and the most sanctimonious, revealed his unknown "maiden heart" to the world.

Between those two hairy, thick legs, he was wearing a pair of... boxers printed with pink Peppa Pig patterns.

Moreover, that Peppa Pig was printed right in the center, facing the dumbfounded Gu Fan, as if giving him a smile full of street-wise charm.

Silence.

Total silence.

Even the wind seemed to stop, not wanting to disturb this awkward scene.

Thousands of teachers and students dropped their jaws, their eyes nearly popping out.

The clamor of discussing the Secret Realm gains stopped abruptly, replaced by a dead silence, as if everyone's brains had crashed.

Who could have thought?

Who would dare to think?

That “Demon Wang,” who sternly checked school uniforms and appearance every day, deducting points if a girl's bangs were even a centimeter too long, was actually wearing Peppa Pig underwear?!

“Pfft...”

Someone couldn't hold it back first, letting out a leaky muffled laugh.

This laugh was like lighting a fuse.

“Hahahahaha—!!!”

The next second, the entire plaza erupted in deafening laughter.

“Holy crap! Peppa! It’s Peppa!”

“Director Wang has good taste! Is this a tough guy's maiden heart?”

“I can't, my stomach hurts! Someone hold me! This gap moe is too much!”

“Is this the legendary ‘inner beauty’? I’ve learned something today!”

Dean of Students maintained that reaching posture, frozen in place.

The cold wind blew across his hairy thighs, taking away a bit of body temperature and all the dignity he had in this life.

His face turned from blue to white, looking hideous.

“Ahhh—!!!”

Dean of Students let out a roar full of despair and shame.

He hurriedly pulled up his pants, not even bothering to pick up the belt buckle on the ground. Covering his face, he dashed out of the plaza at a speed that broke the sound barrier, instantly vanishing around the corner of the teaching building.

That speed was three times faster than when he had used the Dragon Capturing Hand earlier.

【Ding! Detected extreme breakdown after ‘Dean of Students’s’ social death and overwhelming resentment toward the host.】

【malice points +2000!】

Gu Fan watched Dean of Students's retreating figure and shrugged somewhat helplessly.

He turned his head to look at the completely stunned Dean Zhuge Qing and spread his hands innocently:

“Dean, look at this mess. I told him it was my personal property, but Director Wang insisted on grabbing it. Now look, even his pants couldn't take it and went on strike. You can't blame me for this; his pants were just poor quality.”

Zhuge Qing's mouth twitched.

He looked at the harmless-looking student in front of him, then at the still-glowing bottle, and finally let out a long sigh.

He suddenly felt that Dean of Students running away might have been a wise choice.

If they kept tangling, the next person to lose face might be himself.

“Forget it...”

Zhuge Qing waved his hand weakly, as if he had aged ten years. “Since... since the Secret Realm has collapsed, keeping this thing is fine. As long as it doesn't explode or tear down the academy, you... temporarily keep it for the academy.”

“Got it! Thanks for the trust, Dean!”

Gu Fan patted the bottle with a smile. “Hear that, Lightbulb? This is your home from now on. Behave, or I'll flush you down the toilet.”

The Spirit of the Secret Realm inside the bottle trembled violently again, emitting a weak and humiliated glow, clearly resigned to its fate.

“Alright, everyone disperse! Disperse!”

To prevent any more trouble, Zhuge Qing quickly waved to disperse the crowd. “For this competition, the top ten will each be rewarded with five hundred credits, and Gu Fan... two thousand. Go back and rest well, don't wander around!”

With that, the Great Grandmaster oiled his feet and left the scene at a power-walking speed that didn't match his status... On the way back to the dorm from the plaza, Xiao Fan had been in a state of extreme excitement.

“President! You’re too amazing! Even Demon Wang was taken down by you! Did you see his underwear just now? Hahahaha, I can laugh about this for a year!”

Xiao Fan gestured as he walked, the swelling on his face hadn't subsided yet, making him look a bit comical.

“Low key, keep it low key.”

Gu Fan held a popsicle, licking it slowly. “That was just an accident. It’s mainly because Director Wang works too hard and neglected the quality control of his clothing. As students, we should take this as a warning: always buy high-quality pants.”

Lin Xue followed behind the two, remaining silent the whole time.

She looked at Gu Fan's lazy back, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

In the Secret Realm, she had personally experienced that hellish “Boiling Powder” Cultivation. Although the process was so painful she wanted to die, the results were real.

The Bottleneck she had been stuck at for three years actually loosened, and she even had faint signs of a Breakthrough to the Huajin Middle Stage.

This Gu Fan... was he a demon or an angel?

Or... a monster disguised as a fool?

Back at Dormitory 404.

Gu Fan casually tossed the bottle containing the Spirit of the Secret Realm onto the table, using it as a real desk lamp, and then

threw the Storage Pouch onto the bed.

“Alright, these past few days have been exhausting. Xiao Fan, go get some hot water. Lin Xue, sweep the floor. I’m going to catch some sleep.”

Gu Fan stretched, didn't even take off his clothes, and fell onto the bed, soon falling fast asleep.

Xiao Fan dutifully headed out with the thermos.

Only Gu Fan and Lin Xue remained in the dorm.

Lin Xue held the broom, mechanically sweeping the floor, but her gaze occasionally drifted toward Gu Fan's defenseless neck.

Just then, the smart bracelet on her wrist vibrated slightly.

It was a signal on an encrypted frequency.

Lin Xue's heart tightened. Taking advantage of turning to dump the trash, she quietly opened the message.

There was only a short line of text, but it made her blood run cold: 【Codename Succubus: Your mission progress is seriously lagging. The organization's patience is nearly exhausted. You must obtain a blood sample of the target ‘Gu Fan’ (at least 500ml) tonight for genetic comparison. If the mission fails again, by tomorrow morning, your true identity and all your files will be made public across the entire Tianqiong City network. —— Eden · Viper.】

Lin Xue's hand trembled violently, and the broom almost fell to the floor.

Publicly expose her identity!

That would mean she would have no place left in this world.

Not only would she be hunted by the academy, but she would also be seen as a mortal enemy by the Gu Family, the Martial Arts Alliance, and even all Righteous Path forces.

She had no way out.

Lin Xue took a deep breath, turned off the bracelet, and the hesitation in her eyes vanished, replaced by resolve.

She turned around and looked at the youth on the bed who was sleeping soundly, even talking in his sleep and smacking his lips.

“Gu Fan... I'm sorry.”

“I don't want to kill you, I just want your blood. Don't blame me.”

From the bottom of her tool bag, she pulled out a black metal box.

After opening it, inside was a set of sophisticated high-tech equipment — the 【V3 Silent Tactical Blood Pump】.

This thing was Eden's black technology. The needle used nanomaterials, making insertion into the skin painless, and it could drain an adult's entire body of blood within ten seconds.

Of course, she only wanted to draw 500ml.

But for an unsuspecting person, it was still a fatal threat.

Night fell outside the window.

A "blood-drawing operation" targeting Gu Fan was quietly unfolding in this dorm room filled with the sound of snoring.