Chapter 65: The Final Routine - The Curtain Rises!

Upon returning to the teacher's apartment.

You didn't turn on the light.

In the darkness, you leaned against the door, slowly exhaling a turbid breath that had been suppressed in your chest for a long time.

The constant tension you had to maintain in front of Principal Liao Xianyu.

The oppressive feeling of playing a "hypnotized Puppet" finally dissipated somewhat at this moment.

But you had no time to rest.

Barefoot, you quickly walked to the desk and skillfully pulled open the hidden compartment at the bottom of the drawer.

Inside lay the old phone used for single-line contact.

You turned it on, and the faint light from the screen illuminated your stern face.

Your fingers rapidly tapped the virtual keyboard, composing a crucial intelligence message.

"Recipient: Cold Kite."

"Content: Principal Liao Xianyu is definitely problematic."

"After our contact tonight, I experienced a brief consciousness blackout, making it highly likely I was subjected to mental suggestion."

"He must be colluding with the Heart-Eroding Cult and is deeply involved. Please be extremely careful."

Click send.

Seeing "Sent Successfully" displayed on the screen, you turned off the phone, put it back in its place, and re-locked the compartment.

After doing all this, you subconsciously glanced at the shadow at your feet.

The black shadow extended quietly under the moonlight, without any abnormal fluctuations.

"Is Cold Kite still here?"

You secretly pondered in your heart.

"Or... did she track the Masked Man after seeing me 'controlled' and taken to the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce?"

You weren't sure. With Soaring Realm's stealth methods, if she deliberately concealed herself, you could barely detect her with your current perception.

"Whether she's here or not, the message has been sent."

You stopped overthinking and turned to walk into the bathroom.

Cold water washed over your body, rinsing away the smell of blood and dust from that underground demonic lair.

When you dried yourself and stood in the training room again, your eyes were as calm as an ancient well.

"There are still more than ten days until December 13th."

"The ritual is about to begin."

You gripped the combat knife in your hand, a bloodthirsty arc curving at the corner of your mouth.

"How exciting..."

"I can't wait to see those cultist brats who think they control everything."

"Display expressions of despair at the moment they believe their plan has succeeded."

"Clang!"

The blade gleamed, and you began your Cultivation for the night.

Conserving energy, quietly awaiting the storm.

...

In the following days, in your eyes, Longnan City fell into an eerie calm.

Cold Kite didn't reply to your message, nor did she reappear, as if she had completely vanished into the shadows.

As for Principal Liao Xianyu, he never sought you out again after that night's "stipend signing."

At school, he was still that amiable elder, whose beginning was seen but not his end.

"Everyone is acting, everyone is enduring."

Your heart was as clear as a mirror.

Time slowly passed amidst the monotonous Cultivation and teaching.

Finally, the calendar turned to December 13th.

Morning.

The sky above Longnan City was terrifyingly gloomy, with heavy dark clouds hanging low, and a cold wind swirling snowflakes in the air.

Inside the combat training hall, it was still warm like spring.

As usual, you arrived early, standing in a corner in a horse stance, refining your Qi and Blood.

At this moment, your state had been adjusted to its Peak.

The Qi and Blood within your body were like a sleeping Dragon, dormant within your Dantian Qi Sea.

You had cultivated the Hiding the Edge secret technique to its extreme, completely concealing your aura, with not a trace leaking out.

In the eyes of outsiders, you were just an ordinary, inexperienced high school student with slightly vigorous Qi and Blood.

That once sharp and formidable aura, capable of cutting through gold with a single strike, was perfectly hidden within its sheath.

"Ha!"

A clear, delicate shout interrupted your thoughts.

You opened your eyes and turned to look beside you.

Liu Xiyue was practicing her swordplay.

Today, she seemed exceptionally excited.

She was wearing a brand new, snow-white training uniform, her long hair tied up.

The soft sword in her hand danced like a nimble snake, its light flashing, carrying a biting chill.

Each sword thrust was lighter and more powerful than usual.

Even the frost attached to the blade was several times thicker than normal.

Her face held an undisguised smile, a yearning for the future, a desire for power.

You knew why.

Because tonight was the day her long-awaited dimensional secret treasure would descend.

In her view, after tonight, she would obtain the legendary mystic ice twin lotus.

She would use it to Breakthrough the Ninth Stage of Qi and Blood, complete the secondary Awakening of her ability, completely escape the Family's shadow, and be reborn.

She thought she was going to embrace hope, unaware that she was going to a date with death.

You paid no attention, withdrew your gaze, and continued to adjust your breathing, nurturing the "momentum" within your body.

Morning practice ended.

Students successively left for their cultural classes.

Liu Xiyue sheathed her sword and wiped the fine sweat from her forehead.

She didn't leave immediately as usual but deliberately walked up to you.

She looked up, her beautiful eyes sparkling with unprecedented confidence.

"Li Ang."

She called your name, a slight smirk playing on her lips, radiant and imbued with the unique haughtiness of a Young Miss from a prominent Family.

"Don't forget our agreement on the twentieth."

"I've kept your words in mind, swinging my sword ten thousand times every day, not once less."

"By then, don't lose too badly."

Looking at her confident demeanor, you felt a little emotional.

At this moment, Liu Xiyue, after nearly a month of Hellish sword training, had made rapid progress in her sword skills.

Coupled with the psychological expectation of acquiring the dimensional secret treasure, she felt capable again.

The shadow you had left in her heart with that one strike seemed to have been completely dispelled by the impending bright future.

"Don't worry, I won't forget."

You smiled gently, like a true teacher looking at their proud student.

"Hmph, just you wait."

Liu Xiyue snorted lightly and turned to leave.

Her ponytail swung in a graceful arc behind her head, her steps light.

You watched her retreating figure, a trace of pity flashing deep in your eyes.

"Enjoy this last bit of happiness..."

"After tonight, this world will be completely different for you."

...

The day passed quickly, yet also slowly.

You sat in the classroom, listening to the teacher's lecture, but your thoughts had already flown to Changlin Park, a few kilometers away.

Finally, night fell.

Evening, dismissal time.

The sky had completely darkened, and heavy snow fell, blanketing the entire campus in a world of silver.

You arrived at the Senior Year Class 1 classroom and found the homeroom teacher, Wang Heng.

"Teacher Wang, I'd like to ask for leave."

You said with a normal expression.

Because Wu Changhe was not in the office today.

If nothing unexpected happened, this Origin Opening Realm expert should now be with Principal Liao Xianyu.

Heading to Changlin Park for the final deployment.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Wang Heng asked with concern; he treasured you as a student.

"No, it's just a personal Family matter that I need to go home early to handle."

You casually made up an excuse.

"Alright, go ahead. Be careful on the way, the roads are slippery in the snow."

Wang Heng didn't ask further and readily signed the leave slip.

Holding the leave slip, you didn't leave school directly but first went to the combat training hall.

Inside the hall, students who had purchased VIP packages were warming up, awaiting tonight's special training.

You clapped your hands, attracting everyone's attention.

"Attention, students, I have an announcement."

You wore an apologetic smile.

"I have an urgent matter tonight, and Group Leader Wu is also absent. Therefore... no class tonight!"

"Wow! Really?!"

"Long live Assistant Instructor Li!"

"Finally, a night off! I've been practicing so hard my bones are almost falling apart!"

The students erupted in cheers.

During this high-pressure exam preparation period, stealing half a day of leisure was the greatest happiness.

They were happy to be free; after all, under your devilish guidance, their grades had already improved greatly.

Missing this one day of practice was irrelevant; it was a good chance to rest and have a nice meal.

Looking at these carefree, cheering students, you smiled.

"Alright, everyone, you're dismissed. Be careful on the way."

You waved your hand and walked out of the noisy training hall.

As soon as you stepped out, the biting cold wind mixed with snowflakes assailed your face.

The entire campus was very quiet and empty.

You pulled up the collar of your assault jacket, covering half your face, leaving only your eyes exposed.

You walked against the flow of students leaving school, step by step towards the school gate.

"Principal Liao Xianyu, Wu Changhe, Liu Xiyue... and the Heart-Eroding Cult."

"Everyone is rushing to that place."

"The stage is set, the actors are in place."

You walked out of the school gate, your figure gradually disappearing into the swirling snow.

"The climax of this grand play is about to begin."