Volume One, Chapter Two: The Power of Class

The old neighborhood, with its low, dilapidated houses, peeling walls, and piles of clutter, unmistakably bore the mark of a slum.

Chen Tianming’s home was nestled right within this very place.

“Brother Tian, you’re back!” A boy, lively and mischievous like a little monkey, suddenly bounced out as soon as Chen reached his doorstep, his face alight with joy. “I’ve got great news for you!”

This little rascal was Hou Longtao, also a child of the neighborhood. He and Chen Tianming had grown up together, their bond fairly close.

“What good news?” Chen Tianming asked, curiosity piqued.

“The Little Angel is back! I saw her today right at the entrance of the estate. Wow! You have no idea how stunning she’s become—she’s practically glowing with beauty,” Hou Longtao said, his cheeks flushed with excitement.

Chen Tianming glanced toward the end of the street, where the estate lay.

The greenery there was enviably lush—verdant trees and creeping vines entwined gracefully, casting a dappled shade. Yet now, the beautiful estate was surrounded by a high iron fence.

He remembered that when they were kids, before the fence was erected, he and his friends often played within the estate’s grounds.

Several exquisite villas stood inside, which to those unruly children seemed like castles from a fairy tale. But now, they were like insurmountable mountains.

At the far end of the estate lived a remarkable young girl—the so-called Little Angel. She was about their age, and Chen Tianming often managed to coax her out to play with them.

But at some point, high iron bars appeared, and the adults forbade children from venturing into the estate. The Little Angel, once a playmate, became a true angel, their meetings growing increasingly rare as time went by.

“You know what? I heard the Little Angel is now a top prodigy at one of the empire’s most prestigious schools for Gu Masters. She’s got an unrivaled affinity for fire-type Gu insects and can already cast Fireball at just sixteen,” Hou Longtao whispered conspiratorially.

Chen Tianming was momentarily stunned. If Hou Longtao had told him she’d won some nationwide contest, he might not have cared much. But a fire-type Gu Master? That was something extraordinary.

Most people only received their first Gu insect after entering a Gu Master high school and awakening their powers.

However, merely obtaining one didn’t make you a Gu Master—you had to endure long, arduous training to master your first skill.

Only by mastering a skill could one be considered a qualified “apprentice Gu Master.”

This Little Angel was truly exceptional; at just fifteen, she had already mastered her first skill. Was this what they called a prodigy?

“Brother Tian, I really pity you!” Hou Longtao raised his eyebrows. “If you’d put in a little more effort back then, maybe you could have won over that innocent Little Angel. Just imagine… how many years of struggle you’d save yourself, how many dead ends you’d avoid!”

“Bah! That was all in the past. There’s nothing to say about it,” Chen Tianming retorted.

“Cough, cough.”

Chen Guozhong, overhearing their conversation, couldn’t help but clear his throat twice to interrupt, then gently pulled Chen Tianming aside.

As soon as he got home, Chen Guozhong said, “I’m going out for a while. Yuqing’s at her aunt’s place; she probably won’t be back.”

“All right, I understand.”

Chen Guozhong hurried out, while Chen Tianming inspected the house. Nothing had changed—still empty and bare, the drafty walls with holes exactly as before.

Damn old heavens! After all he’d been through—crossing worlds, mastering Gu arts—he hadn’t even managed to fix this leaky hole. Looks like he’d have to do it himself.

The only consolation was that his appearance remained unchanged—still strikingly handsome.

Staying home bored him, so Chen Tianming decided to take a walk, curious to see if anything else had changed.

Walking along the narrow path, just about to turn onto the main street, he spotted his father’s pickup truck.

His father used to drive for the masters in the estate, but somehow got reassigned to tending their gardens, causing their family’s income to plummet significantly.

“Ah Zhong! Your demands are a bit much,” a middle-aged man said calmly. “I’ve treated your family fairly well, you know. But since your son did something like that, I’ve already given you a light job trimming the plants—that’s being generous. If it were someone else, I’d have kicked them out a long time ago, right?”

“Brother Li Hai, this is the last time I’m asking for your help. Getting into Cloud Peak High School costs so much money. You know our family situation—it’s just impossible for us to afford it,” Chen Guozhong’s voice was low, even servile.

“Tch! Why are you making excuses for that good-for-nothing son of yours? If he can’t get into a Gu Master high school, then just let him fend for himself.

You know what they say—poor kids grow up fast. It’s better he starts working early and helps support the family, don’t you think?

Besides, from what I know of him, even if he got into the school, what difference would it make?

He’d still shirk his duties, slack off whenever possible, and waste time pretending to work.

Frankly, he’s just afraid of hardship. Why bother so much?” Li Hai took a deep drag from his cigarette and exhaled a small smoke ring that lazily drifted toward Chen Guozhong’s face—a gesture dripping with mockery.

“He really has changed this time. Brother Hai, if you’re willing to help, I swear we’ll move out immediately if Manager Li insists. That way, the master won’t have to worry about my damn kid going after Miss Li Rouxue,” Chen Guozhong pleaded, feigning ignorance of the sarcasm.

“Oh? If that’s what you say, then maybe this can be arranged. I happen to have a friend teaching at Cloud Peak Academy. A word from me should smooth things over,” Li Hai’s interest was piqued upon hearing they were willing to move.

…

A young man leaned against the wall, the howling wind whipping his coat about. His silent face was etched with bitter frustration.

He clenched his fists and slammed them against the wall, venting his inner dissatisfaction. He wanted to roar aloud, yet reason held his vocal cords captive.

He dared not raise his voice—for fear of disturbing those above.

…