After listening to Wang Mingyuan's account.
Su Zhan suddenly understood Qin Bai's nearly obsessive approach.
That man who wouldn't hesitate to use Truth Serum in the interrogation room.
That high-ranking Aberrant Purge Division official who would rather mistakenly kill than let any aberration escape.
Was simply a soul remolded by hatred.
Su Zhan recalled his own despair when facing the public opinion pressure from Doberman.
If he hadn't awakened his SSS-grade Life Soul back then, what would he have become now?
Perhaps, even more extreme than Qin Bai?
This world never had born executioners—everything was shaped by circumstances.
Capable, immensely powerful, and filled with boundless hatred toward aberrations.
Without attachments, he had no weaknesses.
How could aberrations not fear such a killing machine?
"Su Zhan."
Wang Mingyuan spoke up.
"What is it?"
Su Zhan emerged from his thoughts and responded.
"Tomorrow noon, class reunion."
Wang Mingyuan said slowly: "Come with me, meet your old classmates."
Su Zhan was taken aback.
Only then did he remember Wang Mingyuan mentioning that one reason for returning to Jiang City was to meet his students.
But he had no emotional connection to these so-called classmates.
In his original body's memories, he hadn't been particularly close with anyone.
Not to mention he wasn't that original person anymore—there were simply no feelings involved.
However, going alone without Wang Mingyuan wouldn't be safe either.
But going with Wang Mingyuan... might not guarantee safety either.
They were too conspicuous.
This kind of class reunion, with a pre-arranged location.
Wasn't that practically announcing their whereabouts to the aberrations?
If he went with Wang Mingyuan and encountered The Mist again, especially if orchestrated by aberrations, who could he complain to?
Last time the aberration-planned Mist Incident failed to kill them because they underestimated Wang Mingyuan's strength.
They wouldn't make that mistake again now...
"Teacher..."
Su Zhan voiced his concern: "This class reunion... we won't encounter another Mist Incident, will we?"
Wang Mingyuan paused momentarily, then a smile touched his lips: "What? Worried the Transcendence Society will orchestrate another Mist Incident to kill us?"
"Yes."
Su Zhan nodded, not feeling embarrassed about his concern.
"Du Shanhe is already being tracked by Qin Bai, probably hiding somewhere like a rat right now."
Wang Mingyuan laughed: "He can't spare any effort to deal with us now. With Qin Bai still in Jiang City, he wouldn't dare do something like that."
"What if he actually dares?"
Su Zhan countered.
Perhaps in other young awakeners' eyes, Su Zhan's rebuttal after Teacher Wang's assurance might seem cowardly.
But in Su Zhan's mind, his concern was completely justified.
He only had one life—he couldn't afford to gamble.
"Don't worry."
Wang Mingyuan patted his shoulder, comforting him: "Qin Bai's first mission in Jiang City is to root out the aberrations targeting us, and his second mission is to assist me in protecting your safety."
"That's good then."
Su Zhan finally felt relieved.
"Alright, just rest easy."
A trace of loneliness flickered in Wang Mingyuan's eyes: "Let's go, back to the hotel."
Even though that hint of loneliness vanished instantly.
Su Zhan still caught it.
His chest suddenly felt like something had gripped it tightly.
Only then did he realize how hurtful his words had been.
He only felt truly secure when Wang Mingyuan mentioned Qin Bai's protection.
Didn't that explicitly say he didn't believe his teacher could keep him safe?
Wang Mingyuan had been injured while protecting Daxia, his strength greatly diminished.
Watching his power decline, seeing those who were once beneath him rise above him.
Even young people slowly surpassing him.
For a former genius, this was the most, most, most painful thing.
But now, even his own student no longer trusted his strength.
Even the student he personally taught showed dependence on a stronger protector right in front of him...
Su Zhan admitted he had some of that thought.
It was purely out of concern for his own life's safety.
But he shouldn't have said it that way.
Since transmigrating here, Wang Mingyuan had consistently helped him—saving him from Doberman, teaching him cultivation knowledge, accompanying him to the exchange meeting, protecting him.
Even though Su Zhan couldn't bring himself to fully trust Wang Mingyuan due to identity reasons.
These actions were undeniably real, and he truly felt grateful.
"Teacher..."
Su Zhan said sincerely: "That's not what I meant."
"I'm not that fragile."
Wang Mingyuan turned and walked toward the hotel, his back appearing particularly thin: "These things... I've long grown accustomed to."
The last three words were light as a sigh, yet they struck heavily on Su Zhan's heart.
Su Zhan suddenly felt like an ungrateful wretch.
Sigh, something everyone clearly knew.
He had to bring it up openly.
Wasn't that equivalent to publicly exposing someone's weakness?
When did his emotional intelligence become so low?
Su Zhan immediately realized the "trump card" matter had left him distracted.
He'd even made such a basic mistake.
Sigh...
Forget it, forget it.
He'd definitely be more careful next time.
No, there absolutely wouldn't be a next time.
Returning to the hotel.
Su Zhan sat cross-legged on the bed.
Sigh...
He still hadn't figured out a perfect solution for the trump card matter.
Might as well stop thinking about it.
First, absorb the remaining medicinal energy in his body.
The accumulated medicinal energy within him melted like snow and ice, transforming into countless warm currents surging through his meridians.
Some burned like molten lava.
Others chilled like icy springs.
Yet under Su Zhan's control, they maintained a delicate balance.
The last trace of medicinal efficacy was refined.
A pale golden energy vortex suddenly manifested around Su Zhan.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Moving his neck, joints emitting crisp popping sounds.
Dew Realm sixth stage peak!
More condensed and pure than before.
All medicinal residue completely digested—what did that mean?
Meant he could take more medicine again!
This was also one of the few pieces of good news these past days.
Su Zhan took out three syringes glowing with faint blue light from his tactical backpack.
These were also among his limited cultivation medicines.
Once used up, he'd need to restock again.
Su Zhan neatly rolled up his left sleeve, revealing well-defined veins on his forearm.
The first injection entered the elbow vein.
Cool medicinal liquid flowed into blood vessels, instantly transforming into millions of fine needles stabbing with bone-deep agony.
Cold sweat immediately beaded on Su Zhan's temples, but his fingers remained steady as rock, slowly pushing in all the medicine.
The second injection chosen for the neck vein...
The final injection directly pierced a vital point near his heart.
This was the most dangerous injection method.
Su Zhan's pupils suddenly contracted.
His heart stopped beating for three full seconds, then began pumping wildly under the medicine's stimulation.
Pale blue energy ripples spread from his body surface, the spiritual energy in the room suddenly forming visible vortices.
...
Dusky sunlight penetrated the curtains.
The spiritual energy vortex in the room finally dissipated.
Su Zhan exhaled a turbid breath.
Dew Realm seventh stage—successful breakthrough!
Checking the time—6:00 PM.
These past two days had been busy with cultivation and aberration matters.
He'd only slept three hours.
Su Zhan felt his eyelids growing heavy.
Lying comfortably on the bed...
Rest for one night... tomorrow, go meet those old classmates he had no feelings for.