32: The Best of Times

During the final sprint for the National College Entrance Examination, the class teacher rarely takes up class time.

If they have something to say, it's usually something major.

Knowing this, the students quickly quieted down.

Teacher Wang walked to the podium and said with a serious expression:

"Just this morning, a violent murder occurred at Jiangnan Park."

"Three Private Rank 4 thugs went on a rampage in the park, killing several students who were out for a run."

"*Hiss*, thugs killing people?"

"How could that be..."

"The public security in Jiangnan City has always been very good. Why would something like this suddenly happen?"

The students immediately broke into a flurry of discussion, looks of horror on their Faces.

Su Yan was also surprised.

"So the victims were all students?"

His expression changed, a cold light flickering in his eyes, and he quietly clenched his fist under the desk.

Dammit, these people actually targeted students... Dying like that was actually too easy on them!

"The deceased were students from the neighboring No. 1 and Third High Schools. Some were even excellent students with very good grades. Sigh, what a pity, what a shame."

On the podium, Teacher Wang shook his head and sighed, his Face filled with sorrow.

"Teacher Wang, what about the thugs? Were they caught?" the students asked through gritted teeth.

"Fortunately, people from the Demon Slaying Institute arrived at the scene in time and killed the thugs on the spot, preventing further casualties."

"Phew, that's great. Those thugs got what they deserved. How satisfying!"

The students cheered.

Teacher Wang said solemnly, "But what I want to say is that things are not that simple."

"Because just now, the school received news that several similar incidents occurred simultaneously across the country. The victims were all high school students. This is no longer a simple case of murder!"

"What do you mean, Teacher Wang?"

"The school has preliminarily deduced that this might be a premeditated, organized, large-scale national terrorist operation targeting high school students. We cannot rule out the possibility of the Demon Race forces pulling the strings behind the scenes!"

"The Demon Race?!"

Exclamations immediately erupted in the classroom.

Teacher Wang said resentfully:

"Exactly. If it's true,"

"then the Demon Race's goal is self-evident. They want to use this method to find the Demon Slayer's identity and nip him in the bud!"

"That can't happen! The Demon Slayer is the hope of our Human Race. We absolutely cannot let him be found!"

"Of course."

Teacher Wang forced a small smile and said:

"Therefore, the Education Department has issued an urgent notice. Starting today, every student must wear a mask specially made by the Demon Slaying Institute in Divine Punishment to conceal their Faces."

Someone said, "Teacher Wang, is that really necessary? I've had plastic surgery on my Face in Divine Punishment. I guarantee even my own mother wouldn't recognize me!"

"Hahaha!"

The tense atmosphere eased, and the students burst into laughter.

Teacher Wang irritably threw a piece of chalk at that student and scolded him:

"Laugh, go ahead and laugh! You think everyone is as thick-skinned as you? Let me tell you, most students can recognize themselves and pursue authenticity."

"Don't believe me?"

"Come on, raise your hand if you've had plastic surgery in Divine Punishment. Let's see if there are more than five."

As soon as Teacher Wang said this,

Shua shua shua!

the students below the podium raised their hands one after another. Only Su Yan in the back row didn't, looking completely bewildered.

Silence spoke louder than words.

Teacher Wang glared, "You are the most shameless class I've ever taught! Learn from Su Yan. Why is he so confident?"

"Teacher, if I were even half as handsome as Su Yan, I wouldn't get plastic surgery either!"

The students roared with laughter, and the classroom fell into an uproar.

Su Yan felt helpless. For the first time, he felt like an outsider, and the reason was... he was too handsome?

But compared to that, he was clearly more interested in the fact that his seatmate Tang Xia had plastic surgery.

Turning to Tang Xia, Su Yan teased her on purpose:

"I didn't expect this, Xiao Xia. A narcissistic person like you actually got plastic surgery?"

Tang Xia seemed to feel she was losing Face, her Face turning red as she defended herself:

"So what if I got plastic surgery! Is it not allowed, or is it illegal?"

Su Yan stroked his chin and blurted out:

"Although your Face is still a bit lacking, there's probably no difference whether you get surgery or not."

"Su Yan, what do you mean! Are you saying your 'father' is ugly?" Tang Xia got anxious.

"No, I'm saying I quite like it."

"...Go to hell!"

Tang Xia's Face turned even redder.

Su Yan leaned in and asked with a smile, "So, I'm quite curious, how much did you change?"

Tang Xia looked at him and held out her pinky finger, "Hehe, just a little bit."

...After the uproar lasted for a while, Teacher Wang told everyone to be quiet.

His expression became solemn again as he said:

"You need to understand that making you wear masks isn't about hiding your looks, but about protecting the Demon Slayer's identity."

"This is the top priority for our Human Race!"

"Whether the Demon Slayer can grow up safely concerns the future of the Human Race and is closely linked to your own destinies."

"The masks will be delivered via the Teleportation Array this afternoon. The Demon Slaying Institute spent a lot to make these masks. I'll say it again: everyone must strictly follow the rules."

"Just as the Principal said at the Awakening ceremony, this is the worst of times, but also the best of times."

"Students, being in the same year as the Demon Slayer means you've already surpassed 99% of people. This is an advantage that even an SS-Rank Talent cannot enjoy!"

"But opportunity always favors the prepared. I hope you can seize this chance and soar to great heights."

"Perhaps one day in the future, one of you might be the companion standing by the Demon Slayer's side."

Teacher Wang's words

left the students feeling fired up, as if they could already see themselves being brothers-in-arms with the Demon Slayer in the future.

"By the way, you've all heard about the Demon Slayer shattering the Novice Village boundary wall last night, right?"

"One dungeon sword seal, one Novice Village boundary wall. Truly, you were born in a great era."

Teacher Wang didn't hide the envy on his Face, his smile deepening.

"However, you still need to work hard for the National College Entrance Examination. Don't think that just because you don't need a Breakthrough, everyone can get into university."

"I might as well give you a heads-up. I've heard that universities across the country are urgently formulating new admission standards. The threshold will definitely be raised, and this year's competition will only be more intense."

"Ah, no way!"

Wails of despair immediately echoed in the classroom.

"Also, it's been decided that the Principal will invite students from prestigious universities to come to our school for guidance tomorrow."

"This is a very rare opportunity, so you can look forward to it."

At this point, Teacher Wang checked the time and gave a final warning:

"It's dangerous outside during this period. It's best if you don't go out alone recently, especially at night."

"Remember to protect yourselves. This world is far less safe than you imagine."

After finishing his warning,

Teacher Wang put his hands behind his back, glanced at Tang Xia in the back row, and turned to leave the classroom.

The classroom gradually became quiet.

The students seemed to be reflecting on what was said,

but soon they consciously touched their link crystals and entered the Land of Divine Punishment to work hard on leveling up.

In the back row,

Su Yan's brow was slightly furrowed, his Face covered in a layer of frost.

Originally, he thought the park murder was just a simple case of thugs killing people,

but he didn't expect it to be aimed at him.

"They want to kill me?"

Su Yan clenched his hand, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes. "Then we'll see just who kills who!"

Regarding the deaths of the students in the park and the similar incidents across the country today,

Su Yan felt very guilty, but there was nothing he could do.

The only thing he could do now was to increase his strength as quickly as possible.

"Wait for me, it won't be long!"

Thinking this, the light in Su Yan's eyes became exceptionally determined.

This instead stimulated his fighting spirit.

Right now,

just as he was about to reach out and touch the link crystal, Su Yan noticed Tang Xia staring blankly at her desk, her Face slightly pale.

"What are you dazing off for? Hurry up and get into Divine Punishment to level up!"

Su Yan nudged Tang Xia's arm and reminded her.