Chapter 35: Destiny Quest, Activated Once More! (Part Two)

Even someone as composed as Shi Tiexin could not help but exclaim, “What?!”

This was truly unacceptable. Wasn’t it the rule at Phoenix Song No. 1 High that students received treatment according to their exam results? This was a clear violation of discipline!

Zheng Kaiming’s keen observation pierced right through Shi Tiexin’s unspoken thoughts.

“Yes, I’m not exactly following the rules. But I am who I am—what can you do about it?” Zheng Kaiming’s voice was cold and sharp. “Shi Tiexin, the world always privileges the strong. If you can work hard in the trash class and make your way back to the elite class, I’ll admit you’re a strong one. I’ll personally come to your door—just as I dragged you out, I’ll send you back to the elite class myself.”

“But if you can’t, if you fail, or resign yourself to mixing with the slackers in the trash class, then you’re weak, you’re real garbage. From now on, I’ll make sure you live in the worst dormitory until you’re thrown out!”

“Besides, being thrown out doesn’t have to wait until graduation. Based on your actions this morning, I could already recommend to the school board that you be expelled. If anything like this happens again, Shi Tiexin, you may not last here much longer.”

“No matter how much you protest, it’s useless. Survival of the fittest—the strong survive!”

The force of Zheng Kaiming’s words brought a sudden calm to Shi Tiexin’s heart.

Because he realized that Zheng Kaiming was not wrong.

Survival of the fittest, the strong survive—it was the same at Tumubao. The weak had no right to bargain, no right to demand privileges. Rights were won, not given.

This matched Shi Tiexin’s own philosophy perfectly, so he said nothing more. Instead, a powerful, uncontrollable desire surged within him—a wish to return to the elite class by the end-of-term exam.

Amidst this burning wish, another consciousness trembled and resonated violently. Sparks crackled in the spiritual domain, and the familiar sensation returned. Huge emotions shattered the hardened blocks of consciousness, flooding Shi Tiexin’s mind with unforgettable memories.

He saw students overcoming adversity, fighting through hardship. He saw the struggle of sweeping streets and carrying bricks in winter just to scrape together tuition. He saw the discipline of tying his hair to the beam and stabbing his thigh to stay awake. He saw countless days and nights of persistence. He saw the joy of stunning everyone in the entrance exam, becoming champion of the district—a happiness born of years of effort finally rewarded.

But he also saw the anxiety when entangled with delinquents, his grades inevitably slipping. He saw the pain of dropping from the elite class to the key class. He seemed to hear the whispers all around him, the mocking voices calling him “Champion Shi,” the tone always ridiculing.

Then, Shi Tiexin heard the voice of another consciousness.

…Return to…

…Elite class…

—Return to—

—Elite class—

Return to the elite class—

Return to the elite class!

I must return to the elite class!

I am Champion Shi; I will not sink into mediocrity—I will return to the elite class!

These shouts echoed in the spiritual domain, finally condensing into an unbreakable obsession. A beam of intense light rose again, forming familiar words before his eyes.

[Activation: Destiny Mission!]

[Destiny Mission 2: Poverty Cannot Shift Your Resolve.]

[Description: Even if you fall into the abyss, you must keep soaring!]

[Completion Requirements: Explore for yourself]

[Completion Reward: Explore for yourself]

Another Destiny Mission—the second one.

At this point, Shi Tiexin had some insight: these Destiny Missions did not appear randomly, but arose from the original consciousness of this body—the persistence never abandoned, the wish never released, the dream never discarded.

This immense desire had broken through the frozen blocks of consciousness. Even though the mission description gave no specific completion conditions, as long as Shi Tiexin delved deep, understood, listened to the other consciousness, he would naturally comprehend what needed to be done.

Resonating with another consciousness, accepting him from the heart, he would accept you in turn. Fulfill his wish, and he would help you. This process, presented in the form of Destiny Missions—once all are completed, true integration would happen, and he would transcend his former self.

So, what else was there to say?

“Get ready,” Shi Tiexin said, looking at Zheng Kaiming, with neither hesitation nor doubt. Now that Champion Shi had resolved, he would press forward with all his might. Words came first: “When the time comes, you can pack my things for me.”

With that, Shi Tiexin turned and strode out of the guidance office.

Zheng Kaiming watched his departing figure, not caring about his bravado. In his view, youthful spirit was a useful thing—and he found himself looking forward to Shi Tiexin’s performance even more.

At noon, Shi Tiexin marched in, determined to complete the mission with all his strength, listening attentively and studying hard.

In the afternoon, Shi Tiexin came in dejected, heading straight for the cafeteria, deciding to use a mysteriously restorative meal to lift his spirits.

He couldn’t understand, not at all!

He had tried his best in the afternoon classes, but he simply could not grasp the material.

Well, not entirely. Sometimes, the other consciousness would send over vague signals, helping him understand some concepts. For the other consciousness, the subjects taught in the trash class were probably simple. But those signals were intermittent, fuzzy, broken fragments without context—barely helpful.

That afternoon’s studying was completely ineffective.

No, this can’t go on. He must obtain the foundational cultivation manual and supplementary records, catch up with the progress of these prodigies as quickly as possible—only then…

But how could he catch up? Everyone else was both talented and hardworking, studying for years ahead of him. How could he defeat them and rejoin the elite class?

Sigh, his head hurt; he didn’t want to think about it anymore. Exhausted.

No matter what, first take care of what’s in front of him—get the manuals, then think about the rest.

By the way, where did Zhou Nan go? Why haven’t I seen him?

Shi Tiexin was irritated. Although his face showed no expression, his aura was even heavier. The four brats obediently offered up dinner, standing in a row, not daring to sit. They believed that Shi Tiexin’s dark face meant he already knew they had gone to Zheng Kaiming to rat him out.

Now silent, he was probably considering which trash can to stuff them into later!

Damn it, it’s all Zhou Nan’s fault.

If it weren’t for him, why would they have gone to seek out Big-Head Zheng?

If it weren’t for him, why would they have provoked Shi Tiexin?

If it weren’t for him, how could they have lost the cigarettes?

Thinking it over, everything was Zhou Nan’s fault.

The four exchanged glances, malice brewing in their eyes.