After the speeches, the teachers didn’t linger. They took a group photo with the students on the stage and then left one after another.

Li Qian saw this and assumed the graduation ceremony was moving on to the next segment. But just then, Teacher Chu, who had reached the doorway, suddenly turned back and singled him out. "Later, after the graduation ceremony, come to my office."

Li Qian was a bit puzzled. He shook his head, not quite understanding. He was about to graduate. ’Why would Teacher Chu suddenly single me out now?’

’Is there something else she needs to tell me in private?’

Though confused, Li Qian didn’t dwell on it. He simply nodded and agreed.

Whatever it was, he would find out once he got to her office.

After the teachers’ speeches and the group photo, the part of the ceremony in the classroom was finished.

Once the teachers left, the classroom erupted into chatter once more.

Graduation season wasn’t just a time for bittersweet farewells; it was also a time of great anticipation.

Right now, most of the students were discussing which Beast Taming University they planned to attend, or what their future plans were...

Before long, the classroom had returned to its usual state of boisterous, noisy chaos.

Fortunately, not too many classmates approached him with more bizarre questions or strange requests this time, and he was just about able to handle them.

Of course, a sense of exasperation was unavoidable, but it didn’t last long.

Because amidst the students’ noisy discussions, the classroom’s PA system crackled to life, instructing all students to gather on the athletic field.

To Li Qian, the announcement was music to his ears.

He pushed his way through the crowd of classmates and headed straight for the door, muttering nonstop, "Sorry, sorry, excuse me, excuse me, I have to go gather on the field!"

He finally managed to escape the classroom, only to be met with a familiar face.

Li Lanying, a radiant smile on her face, teased, "Li Qian, care to share what it feels like to be so sought after?"

Seeing it was Li Lanying, Li Qian gave a wry smile. "Please, don’t tease me. I’m already completely overwhelmed."

"So many people would kill to be in your shoes!" Li Lanying continued in a half-joking tone.

"That might be true for others, but not for me. It’s more trouble than it’s worth!" Shaking his head, Li Qian started walking toward the athletic field.

Li Lanying naturally fell into step beside him, as if they were old friends.

Fatty An squeezed his way out of the classroom just in time to see them. He couldn’t help but let out a gasp of admiration. "That’s... Li Lanying. Qianzi, you legend!"

Sun Shouhe, who was also lagging behind, saw this scene as well, and an ugly look crossed his face.

Though his primary crush was the class president, Tu Jiaojiao, he was also captivated by Li Lanying’s gentle, ladylike grace.

So seeing Li Lanying laughing and talking with Li Qian as they walked away, he could feel the flames of jealousy burning inside him.

Just then, the image of a figure in a black cloak from a few days ago resurfaced in his mind.

"Do you crave success? Do you long to escape the ridicule of others? Do you yearn to make the girl of your dreams bow before you? Join the Black Divine Teachings! The great Black God will grant you everything!"

At that moment, the robed figure’s words swirled in his mind like a demonic incantation, refusing to fade.

A twisted, insane thought took root in his mind.

’Instead of living such a pathetic life, I should just risk it all. Go for broke.’

Upon arriving at the athletic field, Li Qian saw that many students were already lined up.

They were lining up by class.

Li Qian scanned the area, quickly found his class’s spot, and walked over.

Li Lanying, who had walked beside him, also joined the girls’ line. Whether by coincidence or by deliberately changing her spot, she ended up standing in roughly the same row as him.

"Uh..." Li Qian quickly noticed this and gave Li Lanying a startled look.

Shaking off his surprise, he just smiled and turned his gaze toward the main stage on the field. A moment later, a bald old man walked up to it.

The bald old man was none other than the principal of their Lingshui City Beast Taming High School, Yin Hongcai.

Just like Lv Xinmin before him, Yin Hongcai droned on and on. It was plain to see that many students on the field were growing drowsy.

Li Qian was letting it go in one ear and out the other when he suddenly seemed to hear his own name. "...Our school has produced many outstanding students. For instance, Li Qian, who has already been accepted through special recruitment by one of the Eight Great Universities!..."

He froze for a second before it registered, a look of bewilderment on his face. On the stage, the bald principal was still talking, his gaze now fixed on Li Qian’s spot. "Li Qian, come on up and share your insights on studying with your fellow students."

The request left Li Qian utterly baffled.

’Insights?’

’What insights could I possibly have?’

’I got here by using a cheat!’

’This principal sure knows how to cause trouble!’

Beside him, Li Lanying smiled and nudged her chin toward the stage. "Go on!"

Li Qian couldn’t help but mutter, "Seriously? A little heads-up would have been nice."

He walked up reluctantly, forcing a smile that he hoped would meet everyone’s expectations.

’I may not have any experience with this, but at least I’m a transmigrator.’

’In my past life, I saw plenty of inspirational platitudes online, and I still remember a few.’

So he generously dished out some vapid, feel-good advice.

He lasted less than five minutes before fleeing the stage.

After all the speeches from the school leaders came the speeches from the outstanding student representatives. Li Qian was just one of many, and compared to him, the other students were clearly far more eloquent.

Finally, there were various student-organized performances—mostly singing and dancing, but there were also some Skill demonstrations performed with Pet Beasts.

Li Qian actually quite liked these performances and watched with great interest.

The main reason was that the girls were dressed in rather light outfits. The pairs of pale, slender thighs beneath their short skirts were easy on the eyes.

As it approached noon, the performances ended. Li Qian didn’t hesitate and went straight to the academic building.

Knocking on the door, he stepped into Chu Xiran’s office. "Teacher Chu, you wanted to see me?"

Chu Xiran pointed to a nearby seat, motioning for Li Qian to sit. "It’s nothing major," she said. "I just hope that if you see any of our school’s graduates at Shazhou Beast Taming University, you could look out for them a bit, if it’s within your power."

Li Qian didn’t hesitate to agree. "Of course!"

"Beyond that, there’s one more thing, and I hope you’ll take it seriously!" After a pause, Chu Xiran continued.

"What is it?" Li Qian asked.

Chu Xiran chose her words carefully before speaking in a solemn tone. "With your talent, more and more girls will surely take the initiative to approach you in the future. I hope you’ll treat this matter seriously. If you don’t love them, please, don’t hurt them!"

"Of course..." Li Qian subconsciously started to agree, but when he processed what she was actually saying, he let out a cry of disbelief. "Wait, Teacher Chu, what are you trying to say? Are you taking me for some kind of player?!"