The vice principal of the Ancient Academy had spoken, causing all the new students to look at each other in dismay.

Bai Junran’s face was livid. He knew he couldn’t continue making a scene. Fixing his snake-like eyes on Tu Xiao’an, he said coldly, "You’re lucky today. But since you dared to enter the Ancient Academy, we can settle our score slowly. If you have the guts, get into the Super Genius Class. I’ll be waiting for you."

"Hmph... I doubt you’ll even qualify," he said, his face a mask of arrogance. Every gesture radiated an air of superiority.

Tu Xiao’an replied coolly, "If the Super Genius Class is filled with trash like you, then getting in should be simple."

"You’re courting death!"

Bai Junran was already furious. Pointing at Tu Xiao’an, he said, "Kid, get in if you’ve got the guts. You’re dead if you do."

"Alright then. I’ll come in and we’ll see who’s dead," Tu Xiao’an said, a playful glint in his bewitching eyes. He arched an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"We’ll see about that."

Bai Junran was about to turn away when he realized many people in the plaza were staring at them, watching the drama unfold.

He looked up, his brow etched with a deep frost. His gaze swept coldly across the crowd. Though they all stood on the same ground, his frost-like eyes made everyone’s hearts clench. "What are you looking at?" he said disdainfully. "You’re all trash. If you want to watch, come to the Super Genius Class—if you can."

Arrogant, conceited, utterly dismissive of others. With those words, he had offended every single new student reporting for duty. Many faces flushed red, their bodies trembling with indignation, yet not a single person dared to stand up and object.

Because in the face of a prodigy as gifted as Bai Junran, they really were just trash.

Besides, no new student dared to offend him; that would be suicide.

Seeing that no one dared to object, Bai Junran smirked in satisfaction. He shot Tu Xiao’an one last look, sneered, and turned to leave.

Tu Xiao’an watched Bai Junran’s retreating back, his eyes narrowing into slits.

"Ding... Bai Junran, exceptionally talented Martial Cultivator, Level 29 Peak, possesses..."

Bai Junran’s abilities weren’t scanned. Tu Xiao’an thought for a moment. ’It must be because he didn’t truly use his Awakened Ability, so the system couldn’t record it.’

"Ding... Devouring a Level 29 Peak Martial Cultivator will grant 4,800 Evolutionary Energy."

Tu Xiao’an glanced at the Devouring data, and his gaze on Bai Junran’s back turned predatory, his serpentine nature surfacing.

’He hasn’t even reached Rank 3, yet his combat strength surpasses it. This man is truly the strongest human I’ve met so far,’ Tu Xiao’an thought.

After all, the data from scanning a Rank Three Snake Flood Dragon showed it would only yield 3,000 Evolutionary Energy upon Devouring.

The amount of Evolutionary Energy gained from Devouring was an indirect measure of an opponent’s combat strength.

The stronger the target, the more Evolutionary Energy could be obtained.

Tu Xiao’an glanced over at Lin Fan, and the scan was instantaneous. Evolutionary Energy from Devouring: 900.

’It doesn’t even break one thousand.’

’And Lin Fan is a Level 21 Biological Controller, no less.’

He then glanced at Dongfang Yuan. The displayed Devouring data... 0.

Tu Xiao’an was speechless. Devouring someone like him who hadn’t Awakened would be a complete waste of effort.

Evolutionary Energy was a qualitative leap from the old Evolutionary Energy Value.

This "Energy" could also be called "Energy Essence." After a human Martial Cultivator Awakens, they can absorb nature’s spiritual energy to produce Elemental Power within their bodies.

It was similar to the Inner Strength found in martial arts novels.

’You’re the one who came looking for trouble. If I end up Devouring you, it’d be a waste of your noble birth,’ Tu Xiao’an thought to himself as he watched the spot where Bai Junran had vanished.

’What would Devouring Bai Junran get me? Just one Level up. And look how smug he is about his power.’

’Then again, even if I don’t go after him, he won’t let me off the hook.’

’The grudge over the Snake King Stone is too deep to be easily resolved.’

’Besides, that Super Genius Class sounds interesting. It might be fun to go check it out.’

The plaza grew quiet again, but a wave of murmuring rose and fell throughout the crowd. With Bai Junran gone, all eyes now focused on Tu Xiao’an.

This guy had gone head-to-head with Bai Junran without losing ground, even fighting him to a draw. What did that even mean?

He was an absolute beast!

And his most terrifying ability—shooting Divine Light from his eyes—was earth-shattering, enough to make ghosts and gods weep. This topic would likely be discussed at the Ancient Academy for a long time to come.

That was what it truly meant for looks to kill. It was a god-tier skill!

"What are you all gaping at? Get over here and register!"

The middle-aged instructor who’d been sent flying earlier had returned at some unknown point. His expression was as if nothing had happened as he stood coolly beside the white Crystal Stone, continuing to measure each new student’s strength and assign them to a class.

"You’re a god, man. A true god. I’m completely in awe," Lin Fan said. He was already aware of Tu Xiao’an’s strength.

But seeing him face Bai Junran so calmly, with such nonchalant grace, left him with an even deeper sense of reverence.

Lin Fan was an average student at the Ancient Academy. Like someone with mediocre grades, he wasn’t a lost cause, but he wasn’t a shining star either.

He wanted to get into the Super Genius Class but was always just one step short. That single step, however, was the difference between the heavens and the earth.

His Awakened Ability, Biological Controller, was considered low-tier. After all, he controlled rats.

If he controlled tigers, for example, it would be a completely different story.

"Brother-in-law! So you really are a legendary master! This is awesome! From now on, not only will I be safe at the Ancient Academy, I’ll be able to do whatever I want!"

Dongfang Yuan came scurrying up to Tu Xiao’an and went in for a big hug, which Tu Xiao’an easily sidestepped.

"Do you and Bai Junran have some kind of history?" Lin Fan suddenly asked, his tone serious.

Tu Xiao’an nodded. "You could say that. I took a treasure of his."

Lin Fan was dumbstruck. ’Only a true master would do something like that.’ Most people would run and hide from someone like Bai Junran, but Tu Xiao’an had actively provoked him.

Not only was Bai Junran incredibly strong himself, but his background was even more formidable. He had the entire Bai Family behind him.

The Bai Family was known as the number one Hidden Clan in Wencheng, and that was no joke.

That background was the most terrifying thing about him.

"Dongfang Yuan, let’s go register. No more wasting time."

Tu Xiao’an now had a new goal: get into the Super Genius Class.

With that said, he headed straight for the crowded part of the plaza. Thanks to his earlier confrontation with Bai Junran, which had showcased his outstanding strength, he didn’t need to push his way through. The crowd automatically parted, creating a path that allowed him and Dongfang Yuan to walk effortlessly to the front of the registration area. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Hey man, nice one! Fighting Bai Junran to a draw!"

"Bro, are you really a new student who just registered today?"

"My god, that was incredible! You really did us new students proud. How did you get so strong through your Cultivation?"

The people nearby gave Tu Xiao’an a thumbs-up, showering him with praise and even looks of admiration. If he was this strong as a new student, what would he become in the future?

He was bound to soar to incredible heights.