New Story Begins!

Topic: What's it like to take the cross-regional exam for Hualing Academy?

Main post: Grew up in a human-population area, attended human schools too. Now I want to cross regions and majors to take the Hualing Academy entrance exam. Heard there are a lot of non-human races over there, don't know if I can adapt.

1L: Hualing? Run.

OP: ???

3L: Why scare the OP? Isn't Hualing the first comprehensive academy to ban students eating each other on campus? They've kept that record for fifty years now. Honestly, it's more orderly than a lot of pure-Human Race schools.

4L: Student cannibalism is gone, but flesh wounds, you know? Taking a bite out of you a day doesn't count as cannibalism. And if you grew up among the Human Race, not adapting makes you an easy bullying target. I know a ghost-cultivation upperclassman who's been held back fifty years, the textbook's been revised eleven times, and he still hasn't graduated.

5L: ...That's probably just because he can't pass the exams himself!

6L: Don't believe me? Go ask around yourself. Hualing is brutal.

OP: QAQ

.

Zhou Mu carried his luggage through the gates of Hualing Academy, squinting against the harsh sun as he looked around. Unlike his old school, this place was built against mountains and beside water, occupying nearly an entire peak.

The first thing that faced him was an Erlang God Statue. Visitors bow first; below it sat fresh fruit offerings, incense and candles kept constantly lit.

Across the way, the nearest teaching building was visible through the trees, hung with golden characters: Master the Three Realms, Cultivate and Refine, Inclusiveness and Harmony.

To reach the registration office, he had to cross a large plaza. Zhou Mu, a fresh face, stood out a little at Hualing Academy, where outside students were rare.

Zhou Mu could clearly feel gazes from both sides... and above.

He slowly raised his head and saw a female ghost floating two meters off the ground, wearing Hualing's school robes.

The ghost cultivator locked eyes with Zhou Mu, let out a couple of 'hehe's, drifted down a bit, and volunteered to escort him to registration. As they walked, she kept complimenting him: 'Junior, your hands are so pale!'

'Which school did you transfer from, junior?'

'Junior, your legs are so long!'

Every word she spoke sent a chill of ghostly qi washing over Zhou Mu. In the dead of summer it was oddly refreshing, and amid the frank compliments, Zhou Mu, half-embarrassed, couldn't help leaning a little closer to the ghost cultivator.

The ghost cultivator cackled inwardly. Hahahaha! No classmate has ever refused her friendship in summer!

'Clang—'

A distant bell tone rippled out from the Clock Tower, startling birds into flight and ghost cultivators alike.

Then:

'Oh! Noon—'

Zhou Mu looked up again. Not even a ghost shadow remained beside him.

Noon had arrived, and the ghost-cultivation senior escorting him had simply vanished mid-walk!

'...' Zhou Mu stood alone in the center of the plaza, a little awkward.

He looked around and had to find his own way. The result: a moment's carelessness, stepping on a patch of grass covered in dead leaves, and he plunged through into a large pit.

Too ridiculous. It looked like it'd been renovated less than three years ago—how could a giant pit just appear in the middle of the road?

The opening was narrow but the inside was wide, a gourd-shaped belly. Zhou Mu figured no one had seen, this was too embarrassing for his old school, he had to climb out fast.

His Rune was also rubbed off in the climbing—this was the Stealth Charm Zhou Mu used to hide his Feral Race aura.

Half his body hanging from the pit's mouth, Zhou Mu turned back to fish for the Rune and caught sight of a pair of sneakers in front of him.

Zhou Mu looked up. The owner of those feet crouched down, hauled him out of the pit one-handed, leaned in close, and took a deep sniff almost nose-to-nose: 'What a fragrant classmate... why haven't I seen you before?'

...Oh no.

Four eyes met. Underneath, this person wore a T-shirt and jeans; over them, a mismatched dharma robe thrown together haphazardly. Long hair tied at the back of his head, a pair of luminous deep-green pupils.

Locked in place by those green pupils, Zhou Mu felt tears almost well up. He tightened his grip on his documents, swallowed hard, and said: 'I'm a new student who transferred in from an outside school this year.'

This green-eyed cultivator's dao-body was huge—a full two sizes bigger than Zhou Mu, as if he had Zhou Mu caged in his arms.

The green eyes swept over the documents in his hand, noting that his graduating school was an ordinary Human Race school with no cultivation background whatsoever, that he was barely twenty, and that there were bright red small characters beginning with 'Speci—' and ending with '—student,' with the middle obscured.

Special-need student? Special-talent student?

School rules include one that says students have the right, and the school has the responsibility, to protect their privacy—including race—unless they choose to disclose it voluntarily.

But even without saying it, those green eyes clearly belonged to an extremely vicious Feral Race member—possibly pure carnivore at that.

Hualing Academy lived up to its reputation.

The green eyes unconsciously licked his lips...

Whatever race of little demon, such a tempting scent.

Zhou Mu quietly reminded him: 'I think the school has a rule against eating classmates.'

The green eyes paused briefly, then burst out laughing, lifting Zhou Mu up again and pressing close to his face: 'Hahahaha, you really did transfer in from outside, memorizing the school rules so well. It says you can't eat—but it doesn't say you can't gnaw...'

He opened his mouth, his lips already approaching the snow-tender flesh of Zhou Mu's cheek.

Zhou Mu's pupils contracted slightly—

'Chun Shijiu!'

A sharp shout.

The green-eyed one reacted instantly—almost simultaneously, he set Zhou Mu down, turned around, straightened his robe, and said with an impudent grin: 'Hello, Director. I'm helping a classmate who fell into a pit.'

The teacher called Director tensed: 'Put him down right now!'

His words even lagged half a beat behind the green-eyed one's movements.

But without minding anything else, he held his breath and rushed over, pulling a new Stealth Charm from his pocket and sticking it onto Zhou Mu: 'Don't leak your Feral Race aura on campus unless you want everyone to know your origins, and get targeted in combat class for your racial weakness and beaten in turns!'

The words were blunt, but everyone knew it was for the student's own good.

Zhou Mu took the opportunity to hide behind him: 'Thank you, teacher.'

He was relieved inside. The social etiquette at his new school was too special—classmates you'd just met could pick you up and not let go. Following the teacher's shoulder with his eyes, he saw that 'Chun Shijiu' had already put on a relaxed face, but those green eyes were clearly still watching him...

Zhou Mu quickly lowered his head.

'Registration, right? I'll take you.' The dean of students put his hands behind his back, his tone leisurely now: 'Follow me.'

His tone was relaxed, but his pace was anything but—legs pumping wildly. Zhou Mu's reaction lagged a second; he broke into a run to catch up.

Chun Shijiu stood in place, somewhat amused, picking up Zhou Mu's Rune and luggage from the pit. Scared so badly he didn't even want his luggage?

Then he'd do a good deed and deliver it back.

Chun Shijiu savored Zhou Mu's scent again—he couldn't determine what race it was. There was another thing that caught his attention: the dean's deliberate attitude. The dean usually saw this kind of 'bullying' all the time, so why did he seem... especially concerned this time?

...

After finishing the procedures, it was time to move into the dorm. Zhou Mu, empty-handed, went with the teacher from the academic affairs office to the dormitory, a little regretting he hadn't held out longer and brought his luggage with him. Now look where that got him...

Zhou Mu followed the teacher to the dormitory building, full of regret.

Hualing Academy's dorms were two to a room—after all, they had a whole mountain to themselves, no shortage of land or resources.

The teacher, following the dean's instructions to look after this cross-regional transfer student, brought him all the way to the dormitory door and poked the door panel: 'This is it.'

The teacher's poke was light, but there was an immediate reaction from inside, as if they'd been waiting.

The door opened, and Zhou Mu froze.

What a coincidence—the person inside, leaning against the headboard reading, was none other than Chun Shijiu, whom he'd just met.

Chun Shijiu, however, didn't seem surprised at all. He waved the book in his hand: 'Your luggage is put away, Zhou Mu.'

Zhou Mu's face went pale. How did he even know his name? Was this coincidence really a coincidence?

This, this...

'I don't want to stay here. Can you arrange a different dorm?' Zhou Mu asked the teacher quietly.

The teacher frowned: 'We're tight on dorms too, this is all that's left. Are you dissatisfied with the accommodations?'

Zhou Mu gave Chun Shijiu a wronged look.

He wanted to state the reason outright, but it was too hard to say.

Chun Shijiu jumped down from the bed, crossed to the door in a few steps, and laughed down at him: 'What origins? Spoiled little rich kid?'

Zhou Mu was so startled by his movement that he stepped back two paces, bumping against the opposite dormitory door with a 'thud.'

He hadn't expected the previously careless escort teacher to panic all of a sudden, hurriedly pulling him back: 'Be careful!'

Was this concern? Zhou Mu hesitated: 'Thank you.'

Teacher: '...'

Chun Shijiu almost laughed again, drawling: 'You Qi isn't in the dorm.'

The teacher's expression calmed a little, then he caught himself, puffed out his chest and explained: 'Haha, I was just afraid of disturbing the student's reading.'

Chun Shijiu rolled his eyes.

Tap. Tap.

From the end of the corridor, footsteps drew closer. The backlit figure was very tall, carrying a potted plant in one hand. Only when he came closer could one see he seemed to be wearing a mask. He wore a dharma robe too, but his was buttoned up meticulously, very little of his body exposed.

Though his entire face was hidden, those eyes alone—black as if they could absorb all light—were striking enough.

Zhou Mu stared at him blankly, as if drawn by those eyes.

'You Qi.' Chun Shijiu greeted him.

You Qi casually raised a hand in acknowledgment, opened the opposite dormitory door. From Zhou Mu's angle, he could see it was a standard two-person room too, but only one bed was made up; the other side was empty.

In a flash, Zhou Mu blocked the dormitory door You Qi was about to close.

'Teacher, this dorm has a free bed too, right? Can I switch to here?'

His sudden words, for some reason, plunged the scene into dead silence.

You Qi raised an eyebrow.

Chun Shijiu leaned his head back against the door frame, his shadow stretching longer in the corridor. He couldn't stop laughing: 'You mean, you don't want to live with me, you want to live across the hall?'

Zhou Mu could also see that Chun Shijiu's smile was very subtle. He said warily: 'Ah, yes...'

Chun Shijiu kept that smile, but glanced at You Qi.

Zhou Mu followed his gaze to look at You Qi's eyes.

You Qi looked back. After a breath, he slowly raised his hand and removed his mask.

Zhou Mu's breath hitched—under You Qi's mask was a Mouth Cage gleaming coldly.

The leather straps were inscribed with Runic Script drawn in Cinnabar. Based on Zhou Mu's self-study of 'Selected Ancient Huaxia Runic Script,' he couldn't read all of it, but the rune's core was definitely of the Banishment type. The leather casing connected to a grid of cold metal, trapping You Qi's mouth and nose within it.

With just this small change, You Qi's meticulous attire seemed to take on new meaning—not meticulousness, but a sense of being restrained, just like the Mouth Cage...

You Qi's mouth corner lifted coldly, even with a hint of malice, bracing the door: 'You want to move in?'

Zhou Mu: '...'

Chun Shijiu crossed his arms, gleefully: 'Want me to help you move your luggage?'

Zhou Mu looked at Chun Shijiu's mischievous grin, then at You Qi's cold, vicious look. He held it in for three seconds, then, under the teacher's horrified gaze, rushed into Chun Shijiu's dorm, dragged his luggage out, walked to You Qi's dormitory door: 'I'll move it myself! I'm living across the hall!'

You Qi didn't move, just lowered his head, the Mouth Cage brushing Zhou Mu's hair as he sniffed him.

Of course, with the Stealth Charm on, there was no scent at all.

But this action still made the back of Zhou Mu's neck prickle—the feeling of a beast directly overhead. He swallowed dryly again and, looking up, repeated woodenly: 'School rules say you can't eat classmates...'

You Qi was still looking down. Zhou Mu's upward motion was more like offering his face to him.

Zhou Mu's slightly naive words were laughable—he hadn't seen this kind of Feral Race member at Hualing yet.

'You, you want to live with You Qi, this...' the teacher hesitated. He'd hinted so obviously, how was this student so unafraid of death.

Although Hualing's School Creed was Inclusiveness and Harmony, to prevent friction in daily life, they usually paid attention to racial traits when assigning rooms.

On one hand, they now advocated integration and mutual aid between races; on the other, there were genuine concerns. Truly difficult.

'Wait, let me make a call to the director.' The teacher remembered Zhou Mu had been brought over by the dean of students—a chance to pass the buck. He quickly made a call and explained the situation.

The dean of students, hearing this, shook his head repeatedly through the phone: 'How is this acceptable!! Zhou Mu, didn't I arrange for you to stay in Building 3? How did you end up over there!'

'Huh?' The teacher scratched his head. What he'd seen clearly was an arrangement at Chun Shijiu's place.

The teacher's call was on speaker; everyone heard it.

Zhou Mu glanced at Chun Shijiu: '...'

After two seconds of silence, the dean of students clearly realized Zhou Mu had been targeted. Even forcibly changing rooms probably wouldn't help. He sat stunned for a while, sighing repeatedly: 'No good, no good.'

Chun Shijiu, hearing that the dean had specially arranged a place for Zhou Mu, became even more interested. He leaned toward the phone: 'Director Cui, why are you taking such special care of Zhou Mu? Did his family bribe you?'

The dean of students nearly fainted from anger: 'You—shut up!!!'

'And I'm not afraid to tell you,' the dean of students composed himself and warned, 'Chun Shijiu, Zhou Mu's identity is special. I don't care where he lives—if you dare touch him, you'll face the consequences. The school's Banishment isn't just for show.'

Then he hung up without another word.

The teacher and Zhou Mu stared at each other for three seconds. He'd expected Zhou Mu to seize the chance to ask for help, but this student from the Human Race side was just that bold, that stubborn—he really did drag his luggage into You Qi's dorm.

You this...

Forget it. After spending some time at Hualing, he'd realize this place was different from a Human Race school.

The teacher sighed and left, muttering.

You Qi was about to close the door when Chun Shijiu called out to him.

'You Qi, then he's temporarily in your care.' Chun Shijiu said.

You Qi looked at him for two seconds and said crisply: 'Get lost.'

Meanwhile.

At his computer, Dean of Students Cui Jue pecked at the keyboard with two index fingers as clumsily as a T-Rex, opening the room assignment page. Sure enough, Zhou Mu's name was already listed alongside You Qi's under Room 1203 Dormitory in Building 5.

'Sigh... this is too dangerous.'

Cui Jue's finger moved and accidentally clicked Zhou Mu's name. A student information sheet appeared on screen—one of the documents Zhou Mu had submitted during registration.

Behind Zhou Mu's name, three bright red characters were marked:

Special Hunger Student.