Ch. 323 - Do You Know What You're Doing

New Novel - Read Here

The group got off the train and arrived in the bustling Capital City.

It was already evening by then.

But since it was sweltering September, the sky still hadn't darkened.

Outside the train station, signs stood everywhere bearing the names of various universities.

"Huaxia Academy, Capital Spirit Chef University, Huaxia Culture University..."

Outside the station, the place was packed — upperclassmen from countless universities were there to welcome the incoming freshmen.

"Everyone, this is where we part ways!"

Chen Shu grinned and said, "Huaxia Academy is way too far — not suitable for you guys!"

"Show-off!"

Everyone gave him a deadpan look and scattered to find their own universities.

Huaxia Academy's sign stood right at the front, so Chen Shu spotted it easily.

"Hey, are you from Huaxia Academy?"

A male student asked, seeing Chen Shu approach.

"Yeah."

Chen Shu pulled out his admission letter.

"Come with me. You're the last one we need before the car can leave."

The guy said this and headed forward.

A moment later, Chen Shu spotted a sedan with Huaxia Academy plates.

Two freshmen were already seated inside, curiously peering out the windows.

"Senior Ning!"

Chen Shu looked more closely and immediately spotted Ning Qingyi standing outside the car.

"Huh?!"

Ning Qingyi's expression jolted. A trace of panic flickered in her eyes.

She immediately shouted toward the person inside the car:

"Xiao Qiao, go on ahead! He's here! I'll hold him off!"

In an instant, the car started up and sped away, leaving nothing but dust!

"???"

Chen Shu stood there completely dumbfounded. What the hell was that supposed to mean?!

"Senior Ning, you—?!"

Chen Shu's mouth twitched. He hadn't expected to get special treatment — of this kind — the moment he arrived!

"Junior Chen Shu, please understand. Your senior is only thinking of the safety of the other students."

"..."

Chen Shu tilted his head toward the heavens and let out a deep sigh.

The senior who'd brought him over was dumbstruck. He instinctively put some distance between himself and Chen Shu.

"Sis Ning, I'm gonna go keep picking up freshmen!"

With that, he fled the scene in a fluster.

Ning Qingyi tried to console him: "Junior Chen Shu, it's fine. The next car will come just for you!"

"..."

Chen Shu sighed. He could only resign himself to his fate.

Before long, another car pulled up, and sure enough, it was there to pick up Chen Shu alone.

The driver was another senior, and he looked a bit uneasy, not understanding why Chen Shu warranted such special treatment.

With a heart full of trepidation, he finally drove them to a hotel near Huaxia Academy.

"Junior, registration officially starts tomorrow, so you'll have to stay at a hotel tonight."

The senior added, "Don't worry, it's all free."

"Free?!"

Chen Shu's expression instantly brightened. A smile crept onto his lips as he dragged his luggage into the hotel.

The hotel was already packed with geniuses from all over the country.

Chen Shu used his admission letter to get a room card and checked in.

He'd originally planned to find Fang Si, but it turned out she was busy with something.

"Forget it. I'll deal with it tomorrow."

Chen Shu was already thoroughly familiar with the area, so there was no need to wander around. With no one he knew around, he naturally turned in early.

---

Early the next morning.

Huaxia Academy's gates were no longer sealed. Anyone could come and go.

Normally, to ensure student safety, outsiders weren't allowed inside — unless accompanied by an academy student.

What could you do? As the nation's top institution, its students were the future pillars of society. No accidents could be permitted.

"So many people!"

Chen Shu arrived at the gates of Huaxia Academy with his backpack slung over his shoulder.

The entrance was already lined with all manner of top-tier luxury cars. People streamed back and forth — it was a lively scene.

Every year, Huaxia Academy's Beast Taming Department admitted five hundred students. Combined with the Cultural Academy and other specialized programs, nearly two thousand people enrolled annually.

And most of them hadn't come alone — they'd brought their whole families along, transforming the normally quiet university into a clamorous affair.

The students milling about were full of youthful vigor, their eyes brimming with pride.

Anyone who made it to Huaxia Academy was a top-tier genius from their school. As long as they graduated, they'd become someone of status in society.

"Let's get the registration done first."

Admission letter in hand, Chen Shu stepped through the gates.

"Today's a special occasion. Don't start anything!"

The gate guard — an older man who'd long since come to know Chen Shu — spoke up in warning.

For a moment, the passing students all turned to look, curiosity written plainly on their faces.

Chen Shu smiled, even nodding amiably at the people around him, looking as harmless as could be.

He made his way, familiar as ever, to the registration area.

"Holy crap, this many people?"

Chen Shu frowned. A massive line had already formed.

Especially considering this was the blazing heat of summer!

"Ugh, fine. I'll wait."

Chen Shu shook his head. To avoid getting expelled on his very first day, he opted to keep a low profile.

Time passed, and the temperature only climbed higher.

Chen Shu had been in line for an hour. Sweat kept streaming down his forehead.

Fortunately, it was almost his turn.

"Senior."

Just as he was about to hand over his admission letter, a figure forcefully cut in front of him.

"Hm?"

Chen Shu blinked, then his eyes narrowed.

"Sorry, classmate. It's too hot out here. I'm cutting in line."

A male student gave a mild smile and said, "My name's Yu Yi. If you ever run into trouble, you can just drop my name."

"Do you know what you're doing?"

Chen Shu spoke calmly. He couldn't believe someone actually had the nerve to cut in front of him!

"What about it?"

Yu Yi's smile vanished too. His entire gentle demeanor shifted in an instant — now he was all sharp edges, the kind that made people instinctively want to lower their heads.

"The rule at Huaxia Academy is that as long as no one dies, everything is decided by strength. Didn't you know that?"

His expression was cold as he said icily, "I am the top scorer of Beiyuan City. Would you like to test me?"

Instantly, both the senior handling registration and the students waiting in line were all in spectator mode.

Who would've thought conflicts between freshmen would break out on the very first day!

"Beiyuan City?"

Chen Shu's eyes flickered as he recalled something.

Someone had mentioned it in the freshman group chat — seemed like there was a genius there who'd awakened an SS-rank Contract Spirit.

Though very few people awakened SS-rank right from the start, China's population was what it was.

With ten million exam-takers every year, a few anomalies were bound to show up.

"Brother Yu! My apologies, my apologies!"

Chen Shu smiled and said, "By the way, you came alone, right?"

"With my strength, would I run into any danger?"

"Of course not. Brother Yu, go right ahead!"

Chen Shu smiled, as if he'd backed down out of fear of the other's reputation.

"You know your place. If you run into any trouble, you may invoke my name — once."

Yu Yi nodded with a smile. To him, the other party backing down was only natural.

With his talent, even at Huaxia Academy — crawling with monsters as it was — he could still secure a spot in the top five.

"Process mine."

Yu Yi's expression was indifferent as he pulled out his admission letter.

"Hm?"

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Chen Shu behind him — opening his backpack, as if searching for something.