Chapter Thirty-Five: Difficulties

“Hey, beauty, you’ve broken through as well! I used a Wave Foundation Pill before, made things a lot smoother. Tsk tsk, you look even more beautiful after your breakthrough. Seems you really need to work hard to become powerful—rumor has it that once you’re strong enough, you can stay young forever…” Chao tossed an arm around Chu Qing’s shoulders, flicking her now softer, more delicate cheek with a finger.

To an outsider, it might have looked like some playboy was flirting with a pretty girl.

“You’re one to talk. If you put on women’s clothes, you’d have countless admirers too. You’d be even more alluring if you could stay young forever,” Chu Qing replied cheerfully. Nearly a month into university, after working, studying, and breaking through together with Chao, many who didn’t know them well already thought they were a couple.

“I’m not a beauty; I’d rather rely on my brains than my looks…” Chao bantered back, clearly in high spirits.

Though neither of them were top prodigies, the fact that they’d made it into Ocean City University marked them as rare talents. The Heartstring Realm’s Foundation Establishment—a stage most could only dream of—was something they were bound to reach, though sooner or later varied greatly.

Establishing their foundations and stepping into the Heartstring Realm before the freshmen’s practical trial wasn’t just a matter of honor. The Heartstring Realm trial was fundamentally different from the Phoenix Dawn Realm’s, with distinct rewards and benefits from the university and the Alliance.

A single step ahead meant every step ahead; a single step behind, every step behind. The impact was huge.

Having emerged from seclusion on the final day of registration, they headed to the Alchemy Department’s sign-up desk in high spirits, unaware that someone was watching them as they left.

The moment they came out, the observer hurriedly relayed the news.

At the Alchemy Department registration area, Mao Yiqiang lounged in a chair, legs crossed. With Zheng Haoyue appointed as vice president of the student council, both Li Daoze and Mao Yiqiang had landed positions as well.

Mao Yiqiang now held the title of deputy director in the Organization Department, responsible for training, development, event planning, and system construction. The authority to select new cadres rested with the third-year director, but Mao oversaw training, events, and, crucially, had snatched oversight of the first-year practical trial.

He was at the peak of his power, relishing every moment.

Of course, he hadn’t forgotten his near-month-long effort, side by side with Li Daoze, to suppress Chao, Lin Qingfeng’s lackey. So far, results had been unimpressive.

Yesterday, during a registration review meeting, Zheng Haoyue kept Mao, Li Daoze, and another core team member behind. The three formed the backbone of Haoyue’s team, serving as deputy directors of the Organization, Publicity, and External Relations departments, respectively.

The focus then was on Li Daoze’s External Relations work. Because of his feud with Chao, the student council had been forced to establish a second External Relations unit. Chao, aiming only for a deputy position, ended up its sole head—something the council greatly resented.

After all, the second unit operated with a degree of independence, handling only matters related to the Alchemy Department and Lin Qingyun’s medicinal affairs. It could leverage the student council’s name without being tightly controlled by it. This severely undermined the council’s authority, but the situation had escalated so much that the university itself intervened, leaving the council powerless.

Li Daoze had been criticized before, but at the meeting’s end, when Haoyue asked about Chao and Chu Qing, learning they were in seclusion trying to break through to the Heartstring Realm, she glanced at Mao Yiqiang.

“There are only two days left. If they really break through and try to register tomorrow, it’d be a shame if they missed the deadline. But actually, that might be for the best—they could go be leaders in the Phoenix Dawn Realm rather than nobodies here in the Heartstring Realm.”

Catching her meaning, Mao Yiqiang began making arrangements, instructing people to keep watch outside. He hadn’t expected those two women to break through at the last moment.

“Where is everyone? Haven’t there been two teams still trying to recruit members? Registration’s almost over—get it wrapped up so I can report upwards.” Mao Yiqiang checked the time and shouted out the door.

His staff, well-prepared, immediately sprang into action. The registration area became a hive of activity.

“This way, let’s hurry! I hear this year’s freshmen trial is the biggest ever, and at a new location…” Chao and Chu Qing hurried over.

“I heard that too. Thank goodness we broke through in time. Two hours left, we’ll make it…” Chu Qing checked her watch.

“Come check out the Longwind Team—they’re awesome, I’m rooting for them…”

“Get out of here, come look at Wolfpack! Our captain is way tougher than yours.”

“Talk is cheap, let’s settle it on the field…”

As soon as Chao and Chu Qing entered the hall, they saw thirty or so people clustered in two groups, voices raised in lively debate—a scene completely unlike the orderly registration process they’d expected.

It was clear there was excitement to be had, but with registration as their priority, Chao and Chu Qing didn’t have time to watch. Instead, they spent ages searching for a staff member, but found none.

“Excuse me, where do we sign up?”

“I’m not sure…”

“Excuse me…”

They asked several people, but none had any idea.

“Isn’t it here?” Chu Qing was puzzled and stepped outside to look. Student council staff were indeed present, but just packing up or cleaning, with some promotional banners still around.

But upon inquiry, these were just student council volunteers, unaware of the specifics.

“Chao, something doesn’t seem right,” Chu Qing said. Having spent a month as a double agent, she was now quick to sense trouble.

“Hmph!” Chao snorted. “There’s definitely a problem. Mao Yiqiang is now deputy director of the Organization Department and in charge of registering for the trial. This is obviously aimed at us. Come on, let’s go find them.”

With that, Chao marched straight for the conference room.

“Registration is about to close, but remember, the final wrap-up must be thorough. We’re here to serve our classmates, so we must absolutely—”

Bang!

The door was forced open. In the meeting room, twenty-some people sat listening to Mao Yiqiang, who was mid-speech. All eyes turned to the door.

“Mao Yiqiang, what are you playing at? Chu Qing and I want to register for the Heartstring Realm trial. Sign us up now!” Chao was done with formalities, having clashed with Li Daoze and Mao for weeks.

“Zhao Chao, you’re a student council minister yourself. Don’t you know any rules? We’re having a meeting—try to have some decorum,” Mao Yiqiang sneered.

Chao stared coldly at him. “Rules are for people who act like humans. Cut the crap. Just answer me: will you let us register, or do I go straight to the council presidium and the university to complain?”

Mao Yiqiang shrugged dismissively. “Go wherever you want…”

He gestured toward the door.

“See for yourself—those people were here first. They’re registering as teams and are still finalizing their lineups. We’re waiting for them to finish before taking new registrations, so you’d better wait.”

“Oh…” Mao took a sip of coffee, then suddenly added, “By the way, even after team assignments, the Organization Department has the right to assess students who just broke through to the Heartstring Realm. To prevent the newly advanced from making reckless decisions with unstable foundations, we can advise them to withdraw. Frankly, your states seem awfully unstable. Instead of killing yourselves for a spot here, why not go to the Phoenix Dawn Realm? Isn’t there a saying about being a big fish in a small pond?”

Mao Yiqiang made no effort to hide his intentions, using this flimsy excuse to block Chao and Chu Qing from registering. Chao clenched her fists, her urge to punch him nearly overwhelming.

“Mao Yiqiang, this is personal revenge. We know our situation—we’re perfectly stable. We can go straight to the professors or the administration. We don’t need your assessment.” Sensing Chao was about to lose it, Chu Qing tugged gently at her sleeve.

“You can. Go ahead,” Mao replied indifferently. His goal was simply to delay them. Once the time was up, things would be settled. Even if they complained, the student council could claim it was simply following procedure.

Staring at Mao’s smug expression, Chao wanted nothing more than to flip the table, but knew better. Chu Qing, worried she’d act on impulse, hurriedly pulled her away. Since Mao was intent on making things difficult, the best option was to consult a professor or Dean Qian for advice.

“What the hell—!”

“Ah!”

“Watch out!”

Suddenly, shouts erupted outside, chaos breaking out. Through the window, flames could even be glimpsed.

As the person in charge of registration, Mao Yiqiang sprang to his feet, joined by the rest of the student council staff, all rushing out to see what was happening.

Chao and Chu Qing hurried after them, eager to find out what had gone wrong.