55: Chapter 55 School Celebrities

Jianghai City Third High School.

Pushing open the back door of grade 12 class 2.

On the podium, a round figure was talking animatedly, spit flying everywhere.

"...So, our Myriad Treasures Pavilion is officially certified. Whether you want C-rank alloy gear or pills to break through a bottleneck, you can't go wrong looking for me, Zhang Hao."

The fatty, Zhang Hao, thumped his chest so hard it resounded like thunder, his oversized school uniform nearly bursting at the seams.

"As the Vice Pavilion Master of Myriad Treasures Pavilion, I can responsibly tell everyone that internal slots are limited. First come, first served. As long as you top up to become a regular member, I, Zhang Hao, will personally reserve a spot for you..."

"Vice Pavilion Master?"

A lazy voice interrupted the fatty's speech.

Zhang Hao's flab shuddered.

He whipped his head around, the arrogance on his face instantly switching to a supremely sycophantic smile; his face-changing speed rivaled that of a Sichuan Opera master.

"Brother Fan, you're here! Quick, quick, quick, I've wiped your seat three times. Not a speck of dust on it!"

Lin Fan tossed his backpack onto the desk and pulled out a chair to sit down.

"Keep bragging. Don't stop."

Lin Fan pulled a martial arts theory book from his drawer without looking up. "If today's turnover doesn't meet expectations, the Vice Pavilion Master is going to clean the toilets."

The fat on Zhang Hao's face squeezed into the shape of a flower as he leaned in and lowered his voice.

"Don't worry, Brother Fan. Business is booming. The reservation list is backed up until next month. Just now, Little Li from the next class almost emptied his dad's secret savings just for a reservation number."

The air in the classroom felt a bit frozen.

The students stole glances at Lin Fan, their eyes a mix of awe and envy.

Right then.

A cool, fragrant breeze drifted over.

Su Qingxue walked up to Lin Fan's desk. She wasn't wearing her school uniform today, but a well-tailored white trench coat that accentuated her cold and elegant temperament.

"For you."

A thick black notebook was placed on the desk.

Tutoring notes?

The entire class's jaws nearly hit the floor.

The cold school beauty Su Qingxue was actually taking the initiative to give a boy notes? Was the sun rising from the west?

Lin Fan reached out and flipped it open.

The first page wasn't martial arts theory or historical formulas.

It was a densely packed map of the power distribution within Jianghai City.

He flipped further.

Core industry analysis of the major families in the provincial capital, power level assessments of their experts, and even contact info for several secret underground black market channels.

At the header of every page, annotations and risk assessments were written in elegant handwriting.

These weren't just notes.

This was a 'letter of allegiance' from the Su Family, a priceless commercial intelligence network.

"The data is well-organized."

Lin Fan closed the notebook, his fingers lightly tapping the cover. "For the provincial Su Family's channels, Myriad Treasures Pavilion can offer a two-percent kickback. This notebook will count as your technical investment for a stake in the business."

A flash of bewilderment crossed Su Qingxue's exquisite face, followed by a hint of frustration.

This guy.

His head was filled with nothing but business.

"Suit yourself," Su Qingxue huffed coldly and turned back to her seat, leaving Lin Fan with only her cold back.

Bang!

The front door was kicked open.

The door slammed against the wall with a loud groan, sending dust fluttering down.

Chu Yaoyao rushed in frantically, carrying an exquisite rosewood gift box. Her twin tails swung behind her head like a pair of energetic little cannonballs.

"Lin Fan, take this!"

The gift box slammed onto Lin Fan's desk, making the black notebook jump.

On the surface of the box, four gold-stamped characters were particularly eye-catching: Thousand-Year Blood Ginseng.

"My dad told me to bring this!"

Chu Yaoyao stood with her hands on her hips, her voice loud enough for the entire hallway to hear. "He said you just finished a match and must be depleted of blood and qi. He wants you to nourish yourself well. This is old ginseng dug up from the Changbai Mountains, worth at least five hundred thousand."

Five hundred thousand.

Gasps rose one after another throughout the class.

This wasn't just nourishing the body; this was clearly throwing money around.

The Su Family sends intelligence, the Chu Family sends resources. Were these two great families in an open bidding war?

Lin Fan wasn't polite either, sweeping the gift box directly into his drawer.

"Thanks."

Lin Fan looked up at Chu Yaoyao, a professional-looking fake smile on his face. "I'll get you a Supreme VIP card later. 20% off blind boxes. Limited to personal use only."

"Hmph, who wants your stupid card!"

Chu Yaoyao curled her lip stubbornly, but a faint blush crept onto her pink little face. She stole a glance at Su Qingxue not far away, her eyes filled with a bit of smug provocation.

Competition between great families was often just this plain and simple.

The bell for morning self-study hadn't rung yet.

The class teacher, Old Wang, appeared at the door.

This middle-aged man, who usually had a stern face and seemed harsh due to his balding head, now wore a gentle smile.

"Student Lin Fan, come out for a moment."

His voice was so tender it gave people goosebumps.

In the hallway.

Old Wang was actually holding a thermos with thick goji berry tea steeping inside. He handed the cup to Lin Fan, his movements as natural as if he were serving a superior.

"Lin Fan, have some water to moisten your throat."

Lin Fan didn't take it, merely leaning against the railing. "Teacher Wang, speak plainly if there's something."

"Great news, wonderful news!"

Old Wang wasn't embarrassed, holding the cup himself as he said in a low voice, "Kyoto Martial Arts University contacted the school just now. The special recruitment and early admission slot has been approved."

Kyoto Martial Arts University.

A top-three institution in Huaxia, a holy land that countless martial artists dreamed of.

"The conditions are very generous."

Old Wang gestured with his fingers. "Full scholarship, direct entry into a master's and doctoral program. And... the school has specially authorized family members to move in with you. Your sister is still in middle school, right? The university has agreed to handle her transfer into the Affiliated High School of Kyoto University."

Bringing family.

Lin Fan's eyes narrowed slightly.

This was the key point.

His sister's illness had just recovered, and she needed rest. If he could take her to Kyoto, both the medical resources and security would far exceed Jianghai City.

Kyoto Martial Arts University had clearly done their homework, accurately grasping his weakness.

"So fast?"

Lin Fan raised an eyebrow. "I thought the process would take ten days to half a month."

"Special cases get special treatment," Old Wang smiled so wide his teeth were visible but not his eyes. "You're the face of Jianghai City now, and the pride of our First High. The principal said that even if we have to carry you in a sedan chair, we will get you into Kyoto Martial Arts University."

This was the treatment of a genius.

Rules always make way for the strong.

"Alright, Teacher Wang, I understand," Lin Fan nodded. "I'll go report to Kyoto later."

With that, he turned back to the classroom.

Old Wang watched Lin Fan's back, rubbing his bald head with emotion. This kid was likely going to soar to the heavens in the future.

Lunchtime.

The cafeteria was buzzing with people.

But when Lin Fan appeared with his tray, the noise instantly dropped by half.

He walked up to the window.

The cafeteria auntie, famous throughout the school for her Parkinson's-like hand tremors, had hands as steady as a rock today.

"Little Lin, eat more. Look how thin you are."

The auntie looked kind, piling the braised pork like a small mountain, even specifically picking out the lean parts.

"Have a chicken leg too, it's on me."

A glistening, large chicken leg was placed on top of the braised pork.

Lin Fan turned around with his heavy tray.

The once crowded aisle instantly cleared into a wide vacuum zone.

The surrounding students consciously backed away two meters. No one dared to speak loudly, and certainly no one dared to cut in line. They held their trays, eyes darting away, as if looking at a tiger that had stumbled into a flock of sheep.

Lin Fan found an empty seat and sat down.

The space within three tables was completely empty.

Everyone would rather eat standing up or squeeze into a corner than get close to this malevolent star with his overwhelming aura.

"Brother Fan, this chicken leg smells great!"

The fatty mindlessly leaned over, trying to snatch a piece of meat from Lin Fan's plate.

...

The rooftop.

The wind was strong, making his school uniform snap in the air.

Lin Fan stood by the railing, overlooking the entire campus. The running figures on the playground looked as tiny as ants in his eyes.

He pulled a coin from his pocket and flipped it between his fingers.

The morning's experiences had made him even more clear-headed.

The Su Family's intelligence, the Chu Family's resources, the special recruitment from Kyoto Martial Arts University, and the awe of the entire school's faculty and students.

All of this was built on the foundation of his ability to 'fight'.

If he were to lose one day, or if the blind box system failed, those smiles would instantly turn into fangs.

"Making money is important."

Lin Fan murmured to himself. With a flick of his thumb, the coin flew high, shimmering with golden light in the sun.

"But strength is the foundation."

He caught the coin, and a translucent light blue panel appeared before his eyes.

【Host: Lin Fan】

【Realm: One-Star Martial Artist】

【Talent: A-rank Glazed Golden Body, S-rank True Sight Eye, S-Rank Divine Ember Flame】

【Available Assets: 150 Million in Liquid Funds】

This was all the profit brought by yesterday's city-wide queuing.

It was enough.

Now he lacked neither talent nor resources. As long as he was given time to break through to Grandmaster, even the legendary Martial King wouldn't be a problem.