"Tsk, what's the point? When does the cycle of revenge ever end?" Wang Daochuan sighed, his tone full of helplessness. "Even if we set aside who's right or wrong in this matter—let's say you do help your son get revenge—you know what Jiang Lei is like. That violent temper of his will never let it go."
"By then, won't killing have to be answered with more killing?"
"Kill him if you want! You think I'm afraid of Jiang Lei?!" Lin Hai snapped, his voice sharp with fury. "Wang Daochuan, listen to me. If you or Huaihai College dare to shield Smith, my Jinghai College will cut ties with you completely!"
He was completely enraged now. In his quest to avenge his son, he no longer cared about politics, alliances, or consequences. Anyone who dared to speak for Smith would be his enemy!
"Lao Lin, talking like that is pointless," Wang Daochuan said, his smile finally fading.
Lin Hai sneered, "Pointless? I think you're the one playing games here, Daochuan. Don't think I don't know what you're planning. I'll say it again: anyone who helps Smith is standing against me."
Wang Daochuan stood silently for a moment before his tone grew heavy. "The beast tide crisis is approaching fast. Are you seriously willing to jeopardize the lives of tens of thousands in Jinghai City for the sake of vengeance?"
"Don't try to guilt-trip me with such cheap words." Lin Hai scoffed. "You should be worrying about your own people. If you can't hand Smith over, don't expect any cooperation from Jinghai City."
He narrowed his eyes. "Actually, to be precise, there won't be a single academy in the Southeast willing to stand with you."
"By then, Huaihai City will be all alone when the beast tide hits. I wonder—can you survive it?"
A twisted smirk spread across Lin Hai's face.
In a crisis like the beast tide, it wasn't Jinghai College that needed to worry—it was Huaihai College.
Even if Huaihai had a better reputation, strength mattered more than reputation in times of survival. No academy would choose Huaihai over Jinghai. After all, Jinghai was the strongest academy in the Southeast Region.
Without Jinghai's support, Huaihai would be isolated.
"Then there's nothing left to say." Wang Daochuan stood up, his voice flat.
Lin Hai snorted. "There never was."
Neither man said another word. They simply turned and left in opposite directions.
---
Starry Forest.
This vast forest straddled the borders between the Eastern and Southern Districts. Known for its danger, Starry Forest was home to countless monsters.
Most creatures here were Level Three beasts. Level Fours were not uncommon, and Level Five monsters also roamed these woods.
No sane person dared enter this place—at least, not unless they had a death wish.
But now, there was an uninvited guest.
Smith.
He had been wandering alone through Starry Forest for weeks. Not because he was lost, but because he had nowhere else to go.
Ever since that bounty was placed on his head, no formal city would dare shelter him. And with Jinghai College's influence, the news had surely spread across every academy and every city in the region.
Only rebel strongholds like Sin City or Dusk City might accept him—but Smith had never been to either. Outside those, the only refuge he had was this dangerous wilderness.
So, he stayed.
Even surrounded by ferocious monsters, Smith never flinched. None of the beasts in this forest could threaten him now.
Jinghai College would never expect him to be hiding in a place like this.
---
Bang!
A Fourth-Level Starfall Wolf collapsed to the ground, twitching as the last of its life faded away.
Smith walked over and expertly pried open its skull with a dagger. He extracted the demon core and offered it to his system.
> [Ding! Fourth-level primary demon core absorbed. Energy Points gained: 600!]
Around him, the ground was littered with the corpses of slain monsters—more than a dozen.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Smith glanced up at the darkening sky. He grabbed the fresh wolf corpse to use as dinner, then quickly formed a seal with one hand.
"Flying Thunder God Technique!"
With a flash, his figure vanished.
Moments later, he reappeared in a hidden cave, concealed behind a roaring waterfall. From the outside, it was impossible to detect. This had been his sanctuary for the past two months.
Smith set the wolf carcass down and began preparing it. His hands moved quickly, skinning the beast, removing the meat, and chopping the bones. He added the cuts to a stone pot on a makeshift stove, along with water and handpicked spices.
Firewood crackled to life beneath it.
Crude though it was, it was far better than eating raw meat. For a fugitive, Smith had managed to carve out a surprisingly decent life.
As the stew simmered, he checked his current stats.
---
> [Host: Smith]
Age: 18
[Realm: Level 3 – Elementary]
[Spiritual Energy: 1000]
[Superpowers: Wood, Spirit Eye, Wind, Water, Earth, Thunder, Fire]
[Talent Level: S]
[Bloodline Limit: Wood Release, Sharingan]
> Abilities:
Sage Mode, Flying Thunder God Technique, Unsealed Healing,
Wood Style: Tree World Advent,
Wood Style: Grafting Technique,
Illusion: Magical Shackle Technique... (Expandable)
> Eye Techniques:
Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, Susanoo
> [Energy Value: 8000 Points]
---
After two months of relentless monster hunting, Smith had accumulated 8,000 energy points.
It wasn't a fortune, but it was a solid sum.
"System, exchange 3,000 points for a basic Water Style Ninjutsu pack."
> [Ding! 3,000 points deducted. 'Basic Water Style Ninjutsu Gift Pack' obtained.]
"Open it."
> [Ding! You have obtained:]
Water Style: Water Shock Wave
Water Style: Water Array Wall
Water Style: Water Clone
Water Style: Large Explosive Water Shock Wave
Smith nodded with satisfaction.
"With this, I've finally collected all five basic elemental ninjutsu."
Over the past two months, Smith had focused heavily on building up his ninjutsu base. He'd already gathered basic techniques from Wind, Fire, Earth, and Thunder. Now, with Water complete, his elemental arsenal was full.
He did notice something odd, though. Most of the jutsu available for exchange were basic B- and C-ranked techniques—nothing too advanced.
Maybe it was because he'd gained his elemental affinities through fragmented demon core stones. Whatever the reason, the system wouldn't allow him to redeem higher-level jutsu just yet.
Still, Smith didn't let that stop him. Even basic techniques, when combined and used creatively, could become deadly.
And now, he had 5,000 energy points left.
"Let's gamble it all."
Smith opened the lottery system, heart pounding.
> [Lottery System: 5,000 Points Per Draw]
"Only cowards hoard points," Smith muttered. "A real man rolls the dice!"
He activated the draw.
The screen lit up with spinning images:
> [Possible Rewards:]
Summoning Beast: Ten Thousand Snakes
Summoning Beast: Three-Tailed Fox
Wood Style: Wooden Man Technique
Puppet Technique
Demonic Fushin
Uchiha Fan
50 Bowls of Random Flavor Ramen
The Only Copy of Uncle Ichiraku's Cooking Secrets
Smith blinked.
"...Why are there weird things mixed in again?"
Still, he didn't hesitate.
"Let's do this!"
The pointer spun wildly, colors flashing, images flickering. Smith stared hard, his eyes unblinking as it slowed... and finally stopped.
Golden light erupted from the system screen.
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