The classroom windows were crystal clear. The students were all savoring the few minutes of free time before class, chatting idly—until Luo Qingchuan walked in.

The notorious slacker, known for skipping class, was surprisingly on time. That alone was newsworthy.

He drew several cautious glances—curious, surprised—but those gazes quickly darted away.

Outside the window, the crown of the sycamore tree trembled lightly in the breeze. Luo Qingchuan sat at his desk and glanced at the blurry reflection in the glass.

…Someone’s got their eyes on me.

He recalled the feeling of that inexplicable gaze earlier.

It had come from the entrance of Class 7.

It was Zuo Tian, the protagonist blessed by fate.

Now that he thought about it, why was that guy still at Qi Refining Level 9...? Luo Qingchuan was genuinely surprised.

Failed his Foundation Establishment? Hiding his strength? The future was moving way too fast. Butterfly effect, maybe?

Luo Qingchuan didn’t feel nervous or afraid. In fact, he felt something like: If it’s going to happen anyway, let the storm come harder.

With the survival of the 73 people at the bar secured and Mudan’s death, Luo Qingchuan had successfully formed his foundation. He believed he now had both the power and the right...

Like one of those brave souls across the ages who refused to yield, Luo Qingchuan was trying to seize fate by the throat.

Round one went to him.

Class started.

The math teacher was a woman in her thirties. Her voice was soft, her gaze strict but not without warmth.

In his previous life, Luo Qingchuan had stellar grades—envy of his peers. He’d studied relentlessly, sacrificing sleep and rest, all to become a so-called “excellent adult.”

Now, he was a certified bad student. There was no reason, emotionally or logically, to pretend to pay attention.

Luo Qingchuan openly zoned out. When the teacher caught sight of his cold, sharp face from time to time, she could only sigh and turn away, too tired to bother.

He was organizing the new techniques in the Disaster Calamity Chaos Immortal Scripture that came with Foundation Establishment.

The Disaster Calamity Chaos Immortal Scripture had four branches: Shadow of Disaster, Sword of Calamity, Blade of Havoc, and Step of Chaos.

Shadow of Disaster was a divine art. With cultivation, it could manifest a hundred ghost shadows, spew fire or chill, mentally shake enemies, and magnify fear.

Luo Qingchuan had developed it for:

Concealing his body

Destroying corpses and removing evidence

Summoning shadow cloths to block enemy spells

Enhancing his own intimidation factor

Sword of Calamity was for long-range combat, capable of decapitating foes from miles away—pure ranged output.

The first technique, Sword of Calamity Overhead, was insidious and deadly, summoning a sword to drop straight onto a target’s head. Very effective.

Blade of Havoc focused on close combat—man and blade as one. After Foundation Establishment, every move became a lethal technique with terrifying destructive force.

Capable of sweeping wide with blade energy...

Or concentrating all power into a single peerless strike.

Chaotic Shadow Step was a ghostly movement technique, allowing traversal through shadows.

As expected of the Fate Reversal System.

Luo Qingchuan felt that, for now, he was absolutely safe.

But that calm didn’t last—Chen Yanyu messaged him soon after.

She said a girl named Lu Chuning had come looking for her...

Luo Qingchuan quickly pieced things together.

Lu Chuning had probably traced the threads and locked onto the “shadow” being him.

He furrowed his brow slightly, then smiled in quiet confidence.

What was there to fear?

Lu Chuning had no evidence.

Trying to lock me up in some little black room? Not happening.

“Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go”— Lu Chuning wasn’t the type to go that far. Otherwise, she would’ve taken me when she accepted me as her disciple... Luo Qingchuan sighed and smiled.

The era of spiritual revival was still new. This was still a time ruled by strict laws and regulations.

However—

Luo Qingchuan’s ease didn’t last long.

Around noon, he received a message.

Teacher Lu: [Come see me at the Seeking Dao class office.]

Lu Chuning provided the location—the office reserved for Seeking Dao teachers.

Though resigned, Luo Qingchuan had no choice but to go.

Under the bright sun, Luo Qingchuan arrived at the Seeking Dao office.

He raised his hand to knock—but paused midair.

He heard a girl humming inside. The melody was clear and lilting, dreamy and beautiful. Though soft, Luo Qingchuan heard every note.

…Lu Chuning.

He knocked on the door.

“Come in,” the girl’s voice said cheerfully.

Luo Qingchuan opened the door.

Inside the office were new, high-end desks and chairs. The only person there was a petite girl in a dress.

Lu Chuning was sitting cheekily atop the desk, her snow-white legs crossed. Her feet were still in little high heels.

Not teacherly at all—more like a mischievous girl.

She looked over at Luo Qingchuan.

“Luo tongxue, you came quickly. Were you expecting me to call you?”

Lu Chuning smiled—and in that instant, her beauty was like the most dazzling flower blooming in a bubble of light.

Her little face still had traces of baby fat, her skin so smooth and pale it looked like whipped cream. She was like a vanilla cake you’d want to hold, lick, and savor with everything you had.

The moment Luo Qingchuan stepped in, his breathing remained completely normal. Not a trace of emotion showed on his face.

It wasn’t class time for Seeking Dao yet. The other three teachers, including Lu Wu, weren’t present.

What Lu Chuning wanted to discuss was clearly classified. That’s why she chose this place.

There was no avoiding this.

Luo Qingchuan smiled. “I figured laoshi would be looking for me.”

He calmly closed the door and walked straight over.

Facing the youthful girl, Luo Qingchuan maintained the demeanor of a respectful student to their teacher.

Because Lu Chuning stood at the peak of humanity in this newly revived spiritual age.

If she wanted to arrest Luo Qingchuan, he doubted he could escape.

“Oh?” Lu Chuning looked up at him. Her eyes were crystal clear. “So you’re planning to confess?”

“I don’t follow,”
Luo Qingchuan feigned surprise. “I thought Lu Chuning laoshi thought I was slow and wanted to give me private tutoring.”

“You called me Lu Chuning laoshi?” She tapped her finger to her lips, slightly surprised.

“Well, Teacher Lu Wu has the same surname.”

Lu Chuning chuckled sweetly. She crossed her arms and smiled with crescent eyes. “Are you trying to get close to me?”

“Shouldn’t teachers and students be close?” Luo Qingchuan replied frankly. “Especially if it’s a direct disciple relationship.”

Lu Chuning laughed, revealing her little tiger teeth. Her petite body shook slightly, and she covered her mouth. “Still not planning to come clean?”

Luo Qingchuan sighed. “Lu Chuning laoshi, please just say what you want.”

She went quiet for a moment. “Sit. You’re too tall. I don’t like looking up at people.”

Luo Qingchuan obediently pulled over a chair and sat in front of her. From this angle, he got a full view of her fair, delicate legs beneath the dress.

She wore snow-white socks with black heels—a striking contrast.

Petite and delicate, innocent and lovely—but her eyeliner gave her a charm bordering on seductive.

Lu Chuning was beautiful in an utterly mismatched way.

But Luo Qingchuan knew—she was a monster you absolutely couldn’t provoke.

The girl seemed to blush slightly. Propping herself up on the desk, she stared at Luo Qingchuan and laughed softly. “You sure know where to sit.”

“I’ll move back, then.”

“No need.”

Lu Chuning shifted herself back a little. Her small calves now dangled freely off the desk, her skirt covering her knees.

Then, suddenly, she looked at Luo Qingchuan with great curiosity and asked:

“Is it true they had a strip show at Qinggang Bar?”
…