After the annual assessment, Mu Nianbing unsurprisingly claimed first place.
The top one hundred students were gathered into a large classroom. This time, their homeroom teacher wasn't Xue Musheng, but Zhang Jianguo.
Since both Mu Nianbing and Xu Zhaoting came from Class Seven, Zhang Jianguo's promotion was a natural result.
After a brief holiday, the new semester began.
Because of the large number of students, theoretical lessons were moved to a lecture hall, while Teacher Tang Yue was assigned to handle their practical lessons.
The Blessing of Thunder
On the first day of class, as Mu Nianbing walked toward the lecture hall, lines of golden text suddenly appeared on his retina—flashing with arcs of lightning.
[Gained the Blessing of the Thunder Emperor.]
[Ability One: Companion Contract — Gain the protection of a Lightning Elemental.]
[Ability Two: Enhanced Lightning Resistance — Immune to 90% of lightning-attribute damage.]
"Lightning Elemental?"
Mu Nianbing muttered softly, wondering if it was an elemental Holy Spirit like the Flame Fairy.
The moment the Thunder Emperor's blessing appeared, he felt his soul being tugged—connected to something distant and powerful.
A Soul Contract!
With just a thought, he could summon this Lightning Elemental to his side.
He didn't yet know how powerful it was, but if it had Commander-level strength, then even Mu He would no longer pose a serious threat.
However, Mu Nianbing decided not to summon it immediately. He didn't want the entire school to know.
Entering the lecture hall, Mu Nianbing quickly found his seat.
Zhang Jianguo had originally arranged the front-row seat for him, but Mu Nianbing refused and instead chose the back-row seat by the window.
As the saying went—"The back row by the window is the king's domain."
Cough… in truth, he simply wanted to stay low-profile.
Theoretical classes were too dull, and he wasn't particularly interested in them anyway.
Just as he sat down, a familiar voice snapped at him from the next seat.
"Mu Nianbing! I'm warning you—if you dare get close to Xin Xia again, I'll never let you off!"
It was Mo Fan.
Mu Nianbing had long since grown used to Mo Fan's temper.
"As long as Xin Xia's willing, what does it have to do with you?" he replied lazily.
"Bastard!!"
Mo Fan clenched his fists, his face twitching with anger.
He was itching to use his Fire and Lightning Elements to teach Mu Nianbing a lesson—but he endured it. He couldn't afford to waste energy before their duel two years later.
Mu Nianbing ignored him completely, folding his arms on the desk and drifting off to sleep before class began.
The Lightning Elemental Descends
After school, Mu Nianbing didn't return home. Instead, he went to the back mountain behind the campus.
From here, he could see the low wall where, in the future, the One-Eyed Magic Wolf would leap into the school during the Bo City Disaster.
That wasn't his concern right now—he was here to summon the Lightning Elemental.
Confirming that no one was nearby, he focused his thoughts.
Suddenly—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Golden lightning split the clouds as thunder rolled across the sky, shaking the entire campus.
A dazzling bolt struck down, so bright it nearly blinded him.
From within that light, a humanoid figure slowly took shape—its body woven entirely from golden lightning.
The sheer pressure made Mu Nianbing's knees nearly buckle.
This… this entrance…!
"When thunder rolls through dark clouds, when lightning illuminates the earth— I come with the storm, bringing the wrath of the gods…"
The line echoed in his mind.
He blinked. "No way… could this be that kind of Lightning Elemental?"
"Do you have a name?" Mu Nianbing asked cautiously.
"Ray."
Mu Nianbing froze. The name, the presence, even the aura—it was exactly as he'd imagined.
Could this really be the same Ray from another world?
"Where are you from?" he asked.
"Another plane."
Mu Nianbing rolled his eyes. "That's about as useful as saying nothing."
After several questions, he pieced together the truth—Ray had indeed come from a parallel plane, drawn into this world through the Thunder Emperor's divine contract.
What mattered most, however, was Ray's power.
A true Commander-level being—and one with Emperor-level potential in the future.
One month later—
"Cough, cough—quiet down, everyone."
Zhang Jianguo stood at the front of the hall, quieting the excited chatter.
Today was the day for the distribution of Star Dust Magic Tools.
Aside from Mu Nianbing, every student looked eager and thrilled.
Even the most basic Mortal-grade Star Dust Magic Tool could extend daily cultivation by an hour—small, but significant over time.
Mu Nianbing, however, looked indifferent.
He already had a superior Star Dust Magic Tool—enough to last until the Intermediate Level.
Combined with his two- to threefold cultivation speed, this school-issued one meant little to him.
"Mu Nianbing," Zhang Jianguo announced proudly, "as the top student in the annual assessment, you'll have usage rights to the Star Dust Magic Tool for one full month."
Gasps filled the room.
A whole month!
For most students, even a few days was a luxury.
Mu Nianbing accepted it calmly. He didn't need it—but perhaps someone else might.
"Remember to cultivate diligently," Zhang Jianguo said encouragingly. "With your talent, I'm confident you'll be admitted to a top academy two years from now."
Mu Nianbing only smiled faintly. If only they knew what's truly coming, he thought.
As soon as he sat down, he noticed Mo Fan glancing his way.
"If you call me 'godfather,'" Mu Nianbing said lazily, twirling the Star Dust Magic Tool between his fingers, "I might just let you use it for a month."
"Heh—keep dreaming," Mo Fan shot back, rolling his eyes. "I'm not that desperate."
Mu Nianbing chuckled softly. "Your loss."
Then he smirked to himself. Although… if Mo Fan really did call me godfather, wouldn't that make Xin Xia my niece?
He shook his head, amused at the thought.