Chapter 37: The Academy of Extraordinary Abilities

Longcheng, the capital of Yuancheng Province, boasted a prosperity unmatched by any other city. Its population alone exceeded ten million, while elsewhere, cities held merely four or five million at most, some as few as a paltry ten or twenty thousand. Rarely did Shen Xin have a chance to visit Longcheng, and he was in no hurry to return. He wandered alone through its bustling streets, admiring beautiful women and sampling delicious foods, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Suddenly, he caught sight of a familiar figure. Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, he scrutinized the person closely, and only after repeated confirmation did he realize it was He Xuantong, who had vanished for months.

Shen Xin hurried over, blocking He Xuantong’s path and demanding, “He Xuantong, why did you bite Yu Yanan? What’s your purpose?”

He Xuantong, upon seeing Shen Xin, paused for a moment, then flashed a wicked smile. “You should be thanking me.”

“Thank you? For what?”

Shen Xin punched He Xuantong squarely in the face.

He Xuantong merely tilted his head, dodging the blow. He laughed, “Shen Xin, you’re such a fool. You know nothing. You don’t understand this world at all! Ha! Pitiful idiot.”

The more He Xuantong spoke, the more agitated he became, ending in a frenzied, wild laughter.

“Since we were classmates, I’ll let you off this once. Get lost. Next time I see you, I won’t be so polite!”

He Xuantong stared at Shen Xin with utter disdain, as if looking at an ant. He sneered, “Soon enough, you’ll realize just how stupid you are. Right now, you bore me, I have no interest in talking to you.”

With that, He Xuantong’s figure blurred and melted into the crowd.

Though street quarrels usually drew attention, Shen Xin looked around and saw the throng of people passing by, but not a single soul paused to watch. It was as if nothing had happened.

Steadying himself, Shen Xin murmured, “Was it just an illusion?”

The encounter had drained his interest in wandering, so he hailed a cab straight back to Niucheng.

Upon returning, Sister Dan greeted him with a steaming bowl of fragrant soup.

“Drink up—it’s a tonic. This bowl costs hundreds of thousands.”

Shen Xin accepted it gratefully. “Thank you, Sister Dan.”

“No need to thank me. I’ve always treated you like my own brother.”

He drained the soup in one go. Truth be told, he was deeply grateful to Sister Dan; for the past month or two, she had prepared soup for him nearly every day. Though the taste was nothing remarkable, after drinking it, he always felt invigorated and warm, especially his eyes, which grew ever brighter.

At dinner, Shen Xin ate with Yu Yanan. Since renting their apartment, the two dined alone, enjoying their three-person world.

While eating, Shen Xin tried to sound casual. “Yanan, I saw He Xuantong today.”

Yu Yanan couldn’t hide her shock. “Where did you see him?”

“In Longcheng. But I’m not sure if it was real or just an illusion. We exchanged a few words, then he disappeared.”

Yu Yanan let out a barely audible sigh. “As long as he’s not in Niucheng, we’re safe. Otherwise, things could get dangerous.”

“Dangerous? Surely not,” Shen Xin replied skeptically. After all, he was an awakened superhuman, more than capable of dealing with vampires.

Yu Yanan explained, “Vampires are ranked. The kind he is—he’s extremely powerful.”

“How do you know that?”

Yu Yanan hesitated before answering, “I saw it online.”

Shen Xin breathed a sigh of relief, chuckling, “You can’t trust everything online. Let’s eat. I still have training at the compound tonight.”

“Alright.”

After Shen Xin left, Yu Yanan hurried into the dusk.

By now, Niucheng had lifted its curfew. After two months, any longer would have crippled business, and the townsfolk couldn’t bear it. Niucheng was an industrial city, factories everywhere, with machines running nearly twenty-four hours a day. Yet, its economy was not particularly advanced, since most factories only did basic processing—labor-intensive enterprises. Fortunately, Niucheng’s people were diligent and tireless, which attracted more factories.

With school reopening, Shen Xin entered his senior year. When the teacher took attendance, he noticed two classmates were missing.

It was the same in other classes. Upon inquiry, he learned they had transferred schools. To transfer in senior year was highly unusual, but even after asking several classmates, no one could explain.

Returning to the compound for lunch, Chen Jiawang shared explosive news: Niucheng had founded a Superhuman Academy. Anyone who awakened superpowers could enroll for free, with a monthly stipend of thirty thousand.

Even Shen Xin was tempted—no missions, thirty thousand a month, who wouldn’t be?

He immediately thought of the missing classmates, guessing they’d gone to the Superhuman Academy.

Sister Dan remarked calmly, “With more and more people awakening superpowers, your advantage is fading. Soon, missions will get much harder.”

Old Mo replied confidently, “Don’t worry, we awakened earlier, so we still have some edge.”

Chen Jiawang asked, “Sister Dan, do you think spiritual energy is returning? Otherwise, why are so many superhumans appearing like mushrooms after the rain?”

Sister Dan shook her head. “I don’t know. Too many superhumans isn’t good. Corresponding monsters will also increase.”

Shen Xin wasn’t concerned. He had over ten million in savings—not much, but enough for his satisfaction.

So he wasn’t keen on taking bounty missions.

His greatest worry was his parents in the countryside. He felt it urgent to capture a beast, though the location Sister Dan gave was far. Still, a train ride would only take a day.

He said, “Sister Dan, I want to catch a beast.”

“You want to catch a beast? Monsters have likely evolved now. It could be dangerous for you.”

Shen Xin’s face was resolute. “Compared to my parents’ safety, a little risk means nothing.”

Sister Dan hesitated for a long time, her expression changing repeatedly before she finally said, “How about this, Shen Xin—I’ll lend you a beast first. When you’re stronger, you can go catch one yourself. How does that sound?”

Shen Xin was overjoyed. “Really? I can borrow any one?”

“Yes, any.”

“Then I’ll borrow the Cloud-Piercing Bird.”

Shen Xin thought the Cloud-Piercing Bird, although the weakest among the five beasts, could fly. If his parents were in danger, they could ride it to Niucheng quickly.

Sister Dan nodded painfully and agreed without hesitation.

This astonished Chen Jiawang and Tang Ziran. After all, Sister Dan’s favorite beast was the Cloud-Piercing Bird, and it was her mount for long journeys—fast and convenient.

Shen Xin finished his bowl of rice, dragged Tang Ziran along, and went to find the Cloud-Piercing Bird.

The two rode the Cloud-Piercing Bird, returning to their hometown in mere minutes.

When Sister Dan returned to her room, Old Mo followed close behind. He asked bluntly, “Captain, you know you can’t hide this for long.”

Sister Dan smiled. “If I can delay, I will. Shen Xin is growing fast, but it’s not enough yet. Maybe in two or three months, he’ll be ready.”

“Are you really going to do it?”

“Old Mo, silence is golden. I hope you’ll keep quiet. Don’t say what shouldn’t be said.”

Old Mo’s expression struggled, but in the end, he nodded and left the room.