Divine Wilderness Dragon Emperor

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Accidentally Became the Man of the Hour

Inside Celestial River Academy.

Within just two hours, Ling Fei’s name had spread throughout the entire academy.

Many of the female students rushed over after learning that Huang Xiaoman knew Ling Fei.

”Xiaoman, when are you going to bring that junior, Ling Fei, over for us to see!”

”Yeah, Xiaoman! Since you just got to the academy today, how about we throw a welcome party for you?”

...

Her entire dorm room was packed with the other girls.

The crowd of girls chattered endlessly.

Huang Xiaoman was speechless.

”Alright, when I get the chance, I’ll definitely introduce you,” she finally relented.

Otherwise, these girls would have refused to leave her room.

After the girls left, another wave of discussion stirred among the new female students.

”Did you hear? Young Master Pang Fei was knocked out of first place!” someone spread the news.

”SOB, my Young Master Liu Ming is ranked sixth now!” one girl said with a mournful expression after seeing the Human List rankings.

”My heartthrob, Young Master Zhou Feng, also dropped a spot!”

”Ugh, who is this Ling Fei? He’s so annoying! Because of him, my darling Young Master Liu Ming couldn’t even stay in the top three!”

Many of the girls complained.

Clearly, they had long harbored feelings of admiration for the young masters on the list.

Now that the objects of their affection had been pushed down the ranks, they were naturally a little indignant.

’I wonder what kind of person this Ling Fei is?’ Beyond their indignation, they also felt a strange sense of curiosity toward him.

”Hmph, it’d be one thing if he’s handsome. But if he’s not, I’m going to draw circles in a corner and curse him to get knocked off the list soon,” another girl said.

...

”Young Master, the Human List rankings have changed!” In a Cultivation Tower somewhere in the academy, a young man spoke to another youth in Fire Patterned Brocade Clothing who had just finished cultivating.

This brocade-clad youth was dignified and handsome. Although he still had a hint of youthfulness, his eyes radiated a sharp light.

This youth was none other than the prodigy of the Liu Clan, Liu Ming, who was just over fifteen years old.

”Oh?” Liu Ming stood up and walked out of the Cultivation Room. His gaze sharpened as he asked, ”What changed?”

He appeared quite calm, as if he wasn’t too concerned about it.

As a genius of the Liu Clan, he had absolute confidence in himself.

In his eyes, these rankings were merely temporary and didn’t represent anything significant.

”The person in first place changed. It’s a guy named Ling Fei now,” the young man said.

”Ling Fei? Who is he?” Liu Ming’s brow furrowed.

”I don’t know. It seems no one knows him!”

”Go find out,” Liu Ming said nonchalantly. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

”Yes!” The young man nodded.

...

”What? Someone took my number one spot?! Ling Fei?”

In a special Cultivation Room, Pang Fei’s eyes snapped open, revealing a hint of astonishment.

”Who is he?” he then asked the young man who had come to report.

”Young Master, I’ve already made inquiries. They say he’s from Longtan Town!” the young man said.

”Longtan Town?” Pang Fei’s brow twitched. ’A place like that can produce such a talent?’ A trace of curiosity flickered in his eyes.

...

”Brother Yuan, Brother Yuan, this is bad!” Within the academy, Liu Yuan was just about to head toward the Genius Area.

But just then, someone called out to him.

”What is it?” Liu Yuan turned to see four young men running toward him.

These were the same four youths who had been mocking Ling Fei with him just two hours ago.

The one who spoke was Tang Hai.

”Brother Yuan, the... the number one on the Human List has changed!” Tang Hai said.

”The number one on the Human List changed?” Liu Yuan’s brow furrowed in slight surprise. He then asked, ”Who is it?”

He wasn’t overly concerned about it, just asking out of habit to stay informed.

After all, he was an older student and didn’t have much competition with the newcomers.

”Well... that person... is... is Ling Fei!” Tang Hai said with a tight frown, stuttering slightly.

”Ling Fei?” Hearing this, Liu Yuan’s brow locked. He stared at Tang Hai, his eyes filled with questions.

Clearly, he too was astonished by this.

”According to my inquiries, it’s the same Ling Fei we saw at Noon!” Tang Hai said.

”What! It’s him!” Liu Yuan finally couldn’t help but show his shock.

”It’s absolutely true!” Tang Hai said.

He had also been completely astonished when he first heard the news.

He then went to verify it and received confirmation from the female students.

That was why he had rushed over to tell Liu Yuan as soon as he got the information.

’That kid actually managed to take first on the Human List?’ A storm brewed in Liu Yuan’s heart.

The Human List!

Although the geniuses on it couldn’t be compared to those on the Celestial List for the time being, their potential was immense, and their futures were just as limitless.

Liu Yuan knew very well how powerful the top three geniuses were, in particular.

Once they fully matured, they would be far beyond his level.

Because the one who had been ranked third, Liu Ming, was his younger cousin.

He knew his cousin’s potential all too well!

But now, that Ling Fei, the one he had called a country bumpkin, had exploded into first place!

This...

’Does this mean this person’s talent is even more terrifying than his cousin, Liu Ming’s?’

At this thought, Liu Yuan’s nerves tensed up.

He wouldn’t care if it were someone else.

’What does the strength or weakness of others have to do with me?’

But it just so happened that he’d had a conflict with Ling Fei today.

He had once said he would make it impossible for Ling Fei to survive in the academy.

He had also called him a country bumpkin and told him to stay away from Xiaoman.

But now, the situation seemed to have been completely reversed.

Who was it that couldn’t compare to whom?

At this moment, Tang Hai and the others beside him also had their brows tightly furrowed, feeling a massive headache coming on.

’Seems like we were a little too arrogant today, huh?’

’One wrong move and we’ll be the ones getting slapped in the face!’

”Go and find out what kind of background this Ling Fei has,” Liu Yuan said after a moment of deep thought.

At this point, he was feeling incredibly frustrated.

”Yes!” Tang Hai nodded.

...

In the academy, atop a tall building, several elders were gathered together.

”Number one on the Human List, a Cold Essence Spirit Body... hehe, Rainbow Grand Patrol Envoy, you’ve really unearthed a genius for our academy this time!”

Beside him, a man in a tight-fitting green outfit smiled and glanced at Shangguan Hong.

Clearly, they had also received the news of Ling Fei taking first place on the Human List.

”This Ling Fei is indeed someone special. If we cultivate him well, he will surely make a name for himself in the Empire in the future. Perhaps he can bring Celestial River Academy the glory it hasn’t seen in many years.” A glint flashed in Shangguan Hong’s eyes, and he looked into the distance with a face full of anticipation. The very thought of such a scenario was exciting.

”Oh?” Beside him, an elder with a full white beard narrowed his eyes and said, ”You have that much confidence in him?”

The other three elders present also narrowed their eyes.

Although a Spirit Body was rare, one or two geniuses possessing a Spirit Body would appear in the various major academies each year.

This Ling Fei was just one of them. Could he really bring the academy glory it hadn’t seen in years?

Everyone was still a bit skeptical.

These people were all major figures in the academy.

The elder who had spoken was none other than Dean Han of Celestial River Academy.

Therefore, they were very interested in what Shangguan Hong had to say.

”Hehe, you’ll all find out in the future,” Shangguan Hong said with a smile. ”As for the matter of resources?”

”Rest assured. Regardless, a Cold Essence Spirit Body is a rare genius. The academy will naturally do everything in its power to cultivate him,” Dean Han said with a laugh.

One had to understand that there were many great clans in the Empire.

However, the number of Spirit Bodies that appeared each year was extremely small.

Furthermore, the Empire had three top-tier academies, and they were all in competition with one another.

”Excellent!” Shangguan Hong smiled.

...

In the academy, Ling Fei’s name was already known by all.

He, however, was completely unaware of this.

「Nightfall.」

Shangguan Hong came to visit.

”Your enrollment procedures and arrangements have now been finalized. You’re in the Genius Class, the same one as Yurou. In addition, a Cultivation Land has been reserved for you in the academy’s Cold Qi Primordial Vein. You can use this to enter and cultivate. These are the academy’s rules and regulations. You should familiarize yourself with them so you don’t break any.”

Shangguan Hong smiled, handing a Waist Token and some documents to Ling Fei.

The academy had its rules, such as no malicious fighting.

Students also had to complete one academy mission each month.

And so on.

”Thank you, Lord Shangguan,” Ling Fei said, accepting the documents and clasping his hands.

”You’re welcome,” Shangguan Hong laughed. ”I will be staying at the academy for a while, until the Evil Qi is dispelled. If you run into any trouble, you can also look for me.”

In truth, he had already taken care of everything for Ling Fei at the academy.

As long as Ling Fei didn’t do anything too outrageous, he would face almost no trouble.

If any trouble did arise, it would likely be a personal matter.

”Mm,” Ling Fei nodded.

”In that case, focus on your cultivation here,” Shangguan Hong said as he stood up. ”The future world belongs to young people like you. As long as you work hard, the vast Martial Arts World will unfold before you.” At the mention of the vast Martial Arts World, a look of longing appeared even in his own eyes.

Unfortunately, his own talent was just a little lacking, and he was unable to advance any further.