Chapter 29: Coordinates

Wang Mingyuan adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses: "Through our investigation, we've uncovered crucial intelligence - the Mist doesn't randomly appear in Daxia."The classroom immediately erupted in murmurs.

"They require coordinates."

Wang Mingyuan tapped lightly on the holographic map: "Just like missiles need targeting. So the question is..."

He scanned the room: "Who's providing coordinates to the Mist?"

After a brief silence.

The classroom exploded with heated discussions.

"Could it be some natural spatial rift phenomenon?"

"Or perhaps an ability of high-level Mist creatures!"

Liu Ziming suddenly slammed the table and stood up: "If you ask me, it's definitely those damn Aberrants!"

Wang Mingyuan nodded: "This student is correct. The answer is Aberrants."

Su Zhan's eyes narrowed at these words.

Aberrants providing coordinates.

Could it be... that disaster was caused by his own hands?

What did this mean?

Aberrants were already living like rats in the gutter, and now they had to endure this curse too!

Aberrants already lived pitifully enough.

Now they'd become accomplices of the Mist, traitors to humanity!

If human civilization perished, would there even be a place for Aberrants to exist?

When the lips are gone, the teeth will feel the cold!

"Su Zhan, what's wrong?"

Xu Hao noticed Su Zhan's unusual reaction.

Su Zhan smiled faintly and waved his hand: "Nothing, just thinking about that Aberrant wearing the Ultraman mask."

"Oh, that."

Xu Hao sounded regretful: "Personally, I don't think the Mist was brought by Ultraman."

"I can't agree with that."

Liu Ziming interrupted: "The Mist was brought by Aberrants. Aberrants have always been humanity's enemies, hunting humans. Daxia has been focusing on fighting the Mist, which is why we haven't dealt with them."

"Now look, they dare to pull this stunt. Do they really think us Awakened are pushovers? I believe Daxia will take measures against them soon."

Meanwhile.

On the self-media screen.

A humanoid creature covered in tumors knelt on the ground, carving eerie runes with its claws.

"This is an Aberrant we captured at a Mist site. He's confessed his method of providing coordinates to the Mist."

Wang Mingyuan's voice was icy: "As you all know, Aberrants were created by the Mist to combat humans."

"Some Aberrants have learned how to communicate with the Mist. They provide coordinates, the Mist descends, and in return..."

"First, Mist creatures won't attack them."

"Second, they obtain nutrients for evolution - essentially scavenging human corpses left behind by Mist creatures."

Su Zhan secretly sighed in relief upon hearing this.

So that's how it was...

Then it had nothing to do with him.

However, this meant that during his last Mist incident, there had been at least one hidden Aberrant.

They still hadn't discovered anything.

They were hiding well indeed.

Feng Jue said coldly: "Traitors."

"More accurately, turncoats."

Wang Mingyuan turned off the projection: "These Aberrants were originally human. Now, for power, they've betrayed their entire species."

The classroom temperature seemed to drop suddenly.

A wave of anger brewed among the students.

"Those damn traitors!"

A muscular boy slammed his fist on the desk, denting the alloy surface: "We should exterminate every last Aberrant!"

"Suggest an immediate city-wide search! Drag those trash hiding in the sewers out!"

"My uncle was killed by Aberrants!"

"Those Aberrants deserve hell!"

Liu Ziming kicked a chair: "Damn it! I almost got torn apart by a Snake-Tailed Beast, and it turns out it was these bastards' doing!"

Xu Hao asked: "Professor Wang, what about that masked one we encountered..."

Before he could finish, someone rudely interrupted.

"Isn't it obvious? He was marking the next target!"

"You're not actually grateful to an Aberrant, are you?"

"Those not of our kind must have different hearts!"

"Silence!"

Wang Mingyuan released his aura pressure, instantly quieting the classroom: "That's all for this lesson. If anyone has questions, raise your hands one at a time."

"Professor! What are the fastest ways to obtain cultivation resources?"

Someone raised their hand to ask.

Su Zhan's eyes lit up.

He wanted to ask this too.

Awakened cultivation was extremely resource-intensive.

Just look at the Awakening Serum before even awakening one's Life Soul.

The investment exceeded 300,000 before even awakening.

After awakening, cultivation resources became astronomical sums.

"The academy provides basic cultivation resources monthly."

Wang Mingyuan said slowly: "Details are on the academy intranet - I won't list them all. But honestly, those resources only cover basics. For anyone with ambition, they're far from enough."

"The mission hall has tasks. Completing them earns contribution points to purchase resources in the academy. Of course, you can buy them externally with money too - depends on your financial ability."

"Additionally, outstanding performance in assessments also earns contribution points."

The questioner nodded and sat down.

Su Zhan calculated silently.

Currently he had nearly 800,000 in his pocket - 300,000 from his parents' inheritance, 500,000 from his high school principal.

It should suffice for now.

But once he broke through to Dew Realm, this amount would be far from enough.

"Professor!"

A clear female voice suddenly rang out.

At the classroom center, a tall girl stood up briskly.

Her hair was tied in a practical high ponytail, black training clothes accentuating her slender figure.

The beauty mark beneath her left eye added sharpness to her heroic demeanor.

"It's Xie Xi!"

"The campus belle of our freshmen!"

"Earlier several seniors asked for her contact info, but all were rejected without exception."

Wang Mingyuan raised his hand for quiet: "Your question?"

Xie Xi scanned the room: "Can we challenge others?"

The classroom immediately buzzed with whispers.

"That's so like her! Rumor has it she sent several classmates to the infirmary in high school!"

"They say she comes from a martial arts family. Both parents are Awakened - trained since childhood with solid foundations."

"Guys, I've thoroughly investigated her background. Don't let her looks fool you - she's a battle maniac! In high school, she paid so much in fight compensation."

"Uh... why did you investigate her specifically?"

"Hahaha... isn't it obvious? Wanted to pursue her but backed off after learning the truth."

"SS-ranked Life Soul - Scythe of Destruction. Top-tier among offensive Life Souls."

Wang Mingyuan adjusted his glasses: "Yes. The academy has a combat rankings board, but..."

He meaningfully scanned the room: "Considering Life Soul type differences, the rankings are just for motivation without substantial rewards."

Xie Xi curled her lips: "Perfect."

Her gaze suddenly locked onto the back rows: "Su Zhan, I heard you're the only SSS-ranked Life Soul among freshmen? Training grounds after class?"

The classroom erupted.

"Damn! Challenging an SSS-rank right away?"

"What do you know? Xie Xi specializes in tough nuts!"

"You know even less! Though Su Zhan has an SSS-rank Life Soul, it's not offensive-type. Against Xie Xi, I doubt he'll have any advantage."

Su Zhan raised an eyebrow slightly and said politely: "Classmate Xie, have I offended you in some way?"

Xie Xi shook her head: "Neither. You're the highest-ranked Life Soul among freshmen - naturally the presumed strongest."

Her eyes burned with fighting spirit: "I just want to defeat you... or be defeated by you."

"Then you've chosen wrong."

Su Zhan spread his hands: "Vermilion Bird Academy has hidden talents everywhere. I'm just a nobody. If you want to be top-ranked among freshmen, pick someone else. I must decline."

This kind of fight - with no benefits or personal stakes.

He wouldn't participate.

Right now he only wanted to advance to Dew Realm.

Xie Xi froze, eyes widening slightly.

Clearly not expecting this response.

How could... he refuse?

In her experience, any Awakened at Vermilion Bird Academy.

Especially an SSS-rank genius, would never remain indifferent to a public challenge.

Youthful passion, pride, competitiveness - shouldn't these be ingrained in geniuses?

That's how it always went before.

Didn't he care about reputation?

Not crave to prove himself?

Xie Xi searched Su Zhan's face but only found calm.

No anger, no disdain - just slight impatience.

This reaction confused her more than outright refusal.

Or did he simply consider her unworthy of fighting?

This thought only fueled her fighting spirit further.

Xie Xi frowned slightly, pursing her lips: "Su Zhan, are you afraid?"

"Think what you want."

Su Zhan spread his hands again.

"You!"

Xie Xi was momentarily speechless.

"Classmate Xie."

Wang Mingyuan watched them with amusement: "Su Zhan here has a bad habit - he loves gambling, and not small bets either. Tsk... bad habit. I've advised him many times, but he never learns."

Xie Xi's eyes brightened: "Su Zhan, I can put up stakes - how about 300,000?"

300,000 just like that? Rich girl!

Su Zhan's eyebrow twitched as he looked at Wang Mingyuan.

Wang Mingyuan smiled back at him.

His expression seemed to say: Kid, your teacher's got your back. Since you wouldn't say it, I helped out.

Su Zhan smiled wryly and turned to Xie Xi: "Fine, I agree."