A World Worth Protecting

Everyone’s attention was on him, which filled Wang Baole with pleasure. With Liu Daobin’s father recognizing him, it would be much easier for him to rise up the ranks in the future. He was extremely gleeful as he looked at his classmates, and just when he was contemplating what to say, Huang Gui let out a light-hearted laugh.

“Wow, Baole, I have belittled you. You have the capability of arranging for someone to enter the College Discipline Department, which is not an easy feat. However, having gone through similar experiences, I understand how it works as well. You know, since I am the Head Prefect, I am in charge of the Discipline Department in my college as well. There are always people asking me to transfer someone there, and it is difficult for me to reject them as well,” Huang Gui said calmly, letting out a long sigh after that, as if the words weighed heavily on him.

“But Baole, you shouldn’t ask for favors from your Head Prefect in the future. I heard that every college is reforming the Head Prefect system into one that’s based on votes. I am still considering how to communicate with the other two Head Prefects. If you make too many requests, it will sour the relationship between you and the Head Prefect you’re close to.”

Huang Gui spoke as if he had been in the same situation before. As he finished, the tense feelings of everyone seated around the table, which had built up due to the arrival of the City Lord, seemed to considerably lessen.

Very quickly, everyone was in high spirits again. Everyone seemed to treat Wang Baole in a different way, although not overtly. To them, Huang Gui’s words had already provided a clear explanation.

Wang Baole cleared his throat. He had the urge to reveal that he was a Head Prefect and did not need the help of others. Furthermore, he was not concerned about communicating with the other Head Prefects, simply because there were no other Head Prefects in his faculty since he was responsible for their demise.

It was just that Wang Baole felt that it would lower his status if he said that himself. He was thinking of how he could get the message across in an acceptable manner before someone exclaimed from afar.

The noise emanated within the gathering hall of the hotel, catching the attention of Wang Baole and his classmates. As they turned their attention toward it, they immediately noticed that there were a number of burly men emerging rapidly from the depths of the VIP lounge. After the burly men secured the major areas of the hotel, a muscular man with an imposing presence emerged from the lounge with dozens of lackeys.

The muscular man was wearing a purple cape. Liu Daobin’s father also appeared respectful to him as he carefully positioned himself slightly behind the man. Even the owner of the hotel followed him cautiously toward where Wang Baole and his classmates were seated.

Before he even arrived at the table, his laughter could be heard.

Chen Bing was suddenly put on high alert, his mind on overdrive as he stood up instantly, almost falling due to instability. He spoke loud and clearly, his tone carrying a never before heard level of respect.

“Greetings, City Lord!”

Hearing Chen Bing, everyone seated was astonished as they scrambled to stand up.

There were differences between a City Lord and a Deputy City Lord. To become the City Lord in the Spirit Inception Era, he had to be exceptional even in a small city. A person like him had to be extremely learned, have an illustrious background, and possess extraordinary skills in order to live up to the title of a City Lord in the Spirit Inception Era that followed after the beast war.

The arrival of the Deputy City Lord merely brought surprise to everyone; however, the appearance of the City Lord resulted in emotional chaos, as everyone was astonished and even a little fearful, out of respect.

“All of you are the future of the Federation. I have interrupted your gathering, so there is no need for all of you to rise. Please sit down, everyone.” The City Lord of Phoenix City smiled as he approached, and a tide of authority spread as he waved his hand, causing everyone who stood up to take their seats immediately.

“Wang Baole.” After everyone was seated, the City Lord of Phoenix City looked at Wang Baole amiably. Though he was not loud, his words could still keep one on alert.

This imposing manner was similar to what Wang Baole felt from the cultivator who slew the ferocious monster during his journey back home. He instantly felt it again upon meeting the City Lord.

“Greetings City Lord, I’m Wang Baole from Ethereal City Dao College!” Wang Baole rose and, in a manner that was neither obsequious nor arrogant, greeted the City Lord with cupped fists.

“What an outstanding youth!” The City Lord of Phoenix City laughed heartily, his admiration obvious.

“I just heard from Old Liu that Wang Baole was here. Wang Baole, I visited your residence previously, but you weren’t around. You are the pride of Phoenix City!” the City Lord stated as he glanced at the rest of the people nearby.

“Everyone should get acquainted with this outstanding chap here. He is Wang Baole, a student who has emerged out of many to gain admission to the four major Dao Colleges. That shows his talent, and the fact that he could enter the Dharmic Armament faculty makes him even more exceptional. Furthermore, out of all the exceptional students, he could emerge top as the Head Prefect. That makes him the cream of the crop!

“What’s more, Wang Baole even managed to become the first ever Head Prefect of the Three Halls of the Dharmic Armament faculty of Ethereal Dao College, a never before seen achievement!”

The City Lord’s voice was loud and clear as he introduced everyone to Wang Baole.

His followers were all high-ranking officers of Phoenix City. When they heard the City Lord, their expressions were filled with astonishment as they rained praises on Wang Baole.

At the same time, the classmates seated around the table heard the City Lord and were thrown into a daze, their jaws dropping with shock. This was especially true for Huang Gui, whose breathing quickened. His face turned aghast as his expression changed to a look of disbelief. He knew extremely well what it meant when one became the only Head Prefect of a faculty, but he could not reconcile it with the fact that Wang Baole had achieved that status.

Very quickly, the City Lord gave Wang Baole a toast, and everyone else immediately followed. In that instant, the attention of everyone in the hotel was on Wang Baole.

All this made Wang Baole exhilarated. It was fortunate that he had read the autobiographies of high-ranking officials in depth and knew how to carry himself as a Head Prefect. His demeanor gained the approval of the masses in Phoenix City.

Liu Daobin’s father played a significant role as well by introducing Wang Baole to all the officials. Although the meeting was brief, a lasting, positive impression was made.

In the end, before the City Lord took his leave, he patted Wang Baole’s shoulder and spoke to him with a bright smile.

“Baole, I heard that the Rainbow Spirit Stones that you refine are of exceptional quality. You must remember to refine one for your hometown. We will display it in the museum so that it can be a reminder for the future generation of students to look up to you as a role model.”

Following his sentence, everyone seated around the table was overflowing with envy. This level of glory far exceeded their imagination. Even after the City Lord and his entourage left, everyone remained silent, their eyes fixated on Wang Baole.

Huang Gui could not control his curiosity, so he said in a quivering voice, “You… You are the Head Prefect of the Three Halls?”

The status of the Head Prefect of the Three Halls alone left Huang Gui astonished. The others might not have a complete grasp of the meaning and difficulty in achieving that role, but as the Head Prefect of the Vegetation Hall of Holy River Dao College, he was well aware of its significance and power.

The news was groundbreaking. Since the beginning of the Spirit Inception Era, in Holy River Dao College, no one had been capable of become a Head Prefect of that status. Even in the four major Dao Colleges, in the Spirit Inception Era, there were less than five who had attained the role of Head Prefect of the Three Halls.

It was natural for him to be shocked and astonished, as it was undoubtedly a position that was difficult to achieve.

Not only Huang Gui, but Chen Bing was flabbergasted as well. Although he was not completely clear what it meant to be the top Head Prefect, he could understand that the prominent City Lord’s enthusiasm only meant one thing—Wang Baole’s future was going to be extremely well paved.

As for the other classmates, they had long been thrown into a state of shock with everything that had happened so far. They were all dazed, as if what had just happened would stay etched in their minds forever.

Seeing the reactions of everyone, Wang Baole laughed happily. He had no intention of boasting in the first place and had purposefully kept a low profile, but he had still been recognized, which proved that everything was fated to happen.

However, he still recognized his relationship as classmates with Huang Gui. Although he had been offensive just now, Wang Baole did not want to overreact and decided to remain humble.

“Actually, it wasn’t anything significant. I just happened to become the Head Prefect of Spirit Stones. I met with the problem of reform that you mentioned just now, but as you know, I am a stubborn person, too lazy to communicate and become chummy with the other two Head Prefects. Therefore, I chose the simpler option of outperforming them so that I could become the Head Prefect of both the Inscriptions and Spirit Kernel Halls as well. That simplified things greatly, as it meant that I only have to consult myself with regards to any matter.”

When he finished, Wang Baole was very pleased with his humility, and the people around him were also reeling in the humble words that Wang Baole had said. Du Min, on the other hand, was seething with anger, as she never imagined that Wang Baole could obtain the opportunity to show off this time round. Huang Gui, who was beside her, had fallen silent, looking at Wang Baole with mixed feelings as he smiled bitterly.

Wang Baole was cheerful and happy. Before long, the gathering ended. He stood up with dignity and left the hotel under the muddled gaze of Huang Gui.

The holidays flew by, and yet another month passed. There were only several days left before the new semester started. Within the month, Bunny had visited Wang Baole’s residence and become a new favorite of his mother.

Liu Daobin visited regularly, too, bringing with him many gifts and accompanying Wang Baole on fun-filled trips around Phoenix City. Wang Baole had thought that the last few days of his holiday would be as carefree, but out of the blue, he received an emergency call-back from Ethereal Dao College!

“Wang Baole, return to the Dao College immediately!”