Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Master, I’ve only managed to take control of half of the Yangtze River. I’ll need at least a year to complete the mission you’ve trusted me with,” said the Growing Brain solemnly.
“Good work. Keep it up,” said Gao Peng, nodding. He then asked the Growing Brain what had happened while he was away, as the Growing Brain had been on Earth all this time. Thanks to its soul-snatching ability, it was able to absorb the memories of those who had drowned or were drowned by it.
It began sharing its memories with Gao Peng, who watched as everything that had happened on Earth for the last three years unfolded before him like a silent film.
The Earth had changed a lot in his absence. In the first year, the ancient clan had begun their exodus back to the planet, which was an earth-shattering development. As they gradually adapted to their new home, skirmishes occurred between the ancient clan and the native Earthlings, with the former coming out victorious in the end. The name ‘ancient clan’ now hung over everyone’s heads like a huge mountain.
The next two years saw the conflict between the people of Earth and the ancient clan and the gradual assimilation of the former. A portion of Earthlings had become representatives of the ancient clan, while other powers were wiped out in the conflict. A number of new powers had popped up to take their place. This wasn’t unlike the power struggle that had occurred during the Five Hegemons in ancient China, where several political parties rose to contend for power.
Various tribes sent their representatives over, each of them vying for supremacy on Earth. Even the Southern Sky Group’s influence had dropped drastically. No longer was it at the top of the Huaxia region.
To some people, the Southern Sky Group had devolved into a large-scale organization, the influence of which seemed to be limited to the southwestern side of the region. Even though it still retained its influence, a couple of organizations whose reputations rivaled that of the Southern Sky Group had appeared in the Huaxia region in the past three years.
Gao Peng’s eyes lit up at the thought of this. Competition is always good for the company, I suppose. He also understood what the national high school championship was all about; it was a huge event held in the Huaxia region organized by the Huaxia government and various other powerful entities. Naturally, the Southern Sky Group was also part of the event’s organizing committee.
The high school championship was held for the first time the prior year, when Huaxia Junwu High School had come out on top. Huaxia Junwu High School, also known as Huawu High School, was backed by the Huaxia region’s military and the Northern Ridge Hushan Group.
Gao Peng had never heard of the Northern Ridge Hushan Group before. He only knew information that was already available to the public. No one knew who the Northern Ridge Hushan Group was, only that it had suddenly become one of the rising stars in the region overnight. It also seemed to have a close relationship with the military.
Gao Peng had also never heard of the schools who had come in second and third place in last year’s event until that day. They were also private schools that were backed by several influential entities in the region.
He couldn’t help but feel like something was off about this.
Back in the Southern Sky Group, Gao Peng summoned Li Junzong into his office. No longer the naive boy he had been three years earlier, Li Junzong now stood before him as a mature young man.
His body had grown stockier, and he now wore his hair in a ponytail. His eyes were filled with energy.
Behind him stood Teacher Guan. Now standing 30 feet tall, the latter had grown quite a bit shorter since the last time Gao Peng had seen him. His eyes were squinting slightly, and the wrinkles on his face, robe, and sword seemed to have become even more pronounced.
“Young Master,” said Li Junzong, evidently excited at the sight of Gao Peng.
Gao Peng nodded at him. “Long time no see. You’ve grown a lot.”
Li Junzong nodded furiously. Ever since he had signed a Blood Contract with the Guan Yu statue, he had received offers for it from various entities: other groups, the military, and even people from other countries. However, he had declined all of them. He wouldn’t have made it this far if it wasn’t for a certain someone. There was only one person in this world who deserved his unquestioning loyalty.
“So, how have you been? Have you gotten used to working here? Just tell me if there’s been any trouble.”
Li Junzong hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “No, sir, everything’s all right. Thank you for your concern, Young Master.”
“Good. I’ll give you a raise and a promotion as long as you keep up the good work. I always make it a point to treat my best employees well.”
Li Junzong glanced at Gao Peng, opening and closing his mouth a few times as if trying to say something.
“What is it?” asked Gao Peng.
Li Junzong said abashedly, “Young Master, I’ve already signed Blood Contracts with a Venomblood Rodent and Teacher Guan… I don’t really know how to tell you this, but Teacher Qin has also decided to become my familiar.”
Gao Peng looked Li Junzong in the eye. Just when Li Junzong thought the former was going to object, Gao Peng smiled and said, “Sure, why not? Looks like you’ve got two guarding gods on your team now.”
Li Junzong gave him a stupid grin.
“It’s all right. Since they’ve agreed to follow you, I can’t really say no, can I? I have a good grasp of the school’s situation. Don’t worry about the school’s security. I can always send a couple of Lord-tier familiars over to take care of it.”
“Thank you, Young Master,” said Li Junzong, bowing to Gao Peng a few times.
When noon came, Gao Peng invited Li Junzong to lunch. In the afternoon, he turned on the television. The first thing that came on was a live broadcast of the Yuzhou base city’s high school championship.
The host was explaining what was going on in the field over the crowd’s excitement. “We’re now in the second round of the semifinals, with Yuzhou’s Bazhong High School and Yuzhou’s Public Military School facing off against each other to see who will advance to the finals and challenge last year’s semifinalist, one of the eight strongest schools in the country—Tiange Academy!” The host made sure to yell the school’s name as loudly as possible.
The background music was played as the camera swept across the auditorium, where not a single seat was left empty. A deafening roar rose from the audience.
They’re already in the semifinals. Looks like Tiange Academy has safely advanced to the finals.
Gao Peng wasn’t too surprised by this. Even though the Southern Sky Group didn’t provide any of its familiars to the school’s students, the school was still under the group. Under the condition that the students remained loyal to the school, there was no way a private school backed by a large-scale organization like the Southern Sky Group could ever be beaten by a public school.
This didn’t mean that public schools were inferior to private schools, but unlike the Southern Sky Group, which only needed to channel its resources into one school, the government had to provide funding and resources for public schools throughout the region.
What he wanted from his school was quality. What the Allied Government wanted was quantity. This had always been the case when it came to education. Some of the top schools also seemed to be backed by huge organizations and people from the ancient tribes.
Gao Peng lay down on the sofa and closed his eyes.
Nan Ju walked up to Gao Peng’s sofa and began massaging his shoulders, while Bei Zhi knelt down on the ground to massage his legs.
After thinking for a while, Gao Peng took out his phone and called his grandfather. “Grandpa, I’ll be leading the school’s team in this year’s championship.”
