CHAPTER 135

Chapter 135

Happy times were always brief, though the last two days weren’t that joyful. School started, and Su Bei, free of the [Dream Bubble] debuff, took a cab to the academy.

Before entering the classroom, he heard lively chatter. No surprise—Mo Xiaotian was already there, leaning over Mu Tieren’s desk, talking.

Many desks had small gift boxes.

Seeing Su Bei, Mo Xiaotian’s eyes lit up. He returned to his seat, pulled a gift box from his desk, and ran to Su Bei: “Bei-ge, this is for you!”

Su Bei raised a brow: “What’s this?”

“Grandpa said you all worked hard looking after me last semester. This is a small gift he had me bring,” Mo Xiaotian said, placing it on Su Bei’s desk. “I picked these specially for you all! Everyone can use them!”

“No reward without merit,” Su Bei said, eyeing the gift. “I don’t think I helped you much.”

Mo Xiaotian turned serious, but his baby face made it look like a kid playing adult: “How can you say that? You helped me a lot! Just take the midterm exam—I owe you all a gift for that.”

He wasn’t wrong. During the midterm, everyone had worked hard to help Mo Xiaotian pass, so they deserved this gift.

But the issue was, when did Mo Xiaotian speak so logically?

Something off meant trouble. Su Bei glanced at the gift again, wondering if opening it caused issues, accepting it did, or using it did.

Since Mo Xiaotian said it was usable, it might only activate when used.

Still, Su Bei doubted it. Not everyone used gifts—many treated them as keepsakes or symbols of friendship, displayed proudly.

After thinking, he nodded: “Just leave it there.”

He didn’t accept it, only let it stay. He wouldn’t open it. If that still triggered something, he was out of options.

He could dodge risks with foresight, but unavoidable dangers were beyond him.

Mo Xiaotian didn’t comment, happily greeting the next arrival.

This at least proved the item didn’t require verbal acceptance, but that wasn’t great news for Su Bei. The worst possibility wasn’t ruled out, and it was now a coin toss.

Soon, Zhou Renjie arrived, not forgetting Su Bei’s request. He approached, pulling a stack of photos from his bag: “These are good, renovated one-bedroom units near the academy. See any you like?”

Since it was just for occasional use, they needed move-in-ready places.

Su Bei studied the photos. Zhou Renjie had put in effort—the units looked great. Preferring minimalist style, Su Bei picked one with mostly black-and-white furniture.

He paid Zhou Renjie via transfer, trusting his family’s status meant no scams. The payment drained his savings.

But Su Bei wasn’t worried. Last semester, he’d earned most of the house’s cost, even with time spent studying instead of in Different Spaces.

He was confident he’d earn it back next semester. His goal was modest—enough for a hardware store and retirement savings, then he’d stop.

If he couldn’t save the world, retirement savings were pointless.

Others, lacking his god’s-eye view, opened Mo Xiaotian’s gifts without hesitation. Su Bei watched Zhao Xiaoyu, newly arrived, ask Mo Xiaotian before opening hers.

It was indeed universally usable—a U-shaped pillow.

The pillows matched everyone’s hair colors, looking comfy. Zhao Xiaoyu tucked it behind her neck, smiling: “Thanks, it feels nice.”

“It’s imbued with a permanent ability, said to ensure good sleep!” Mo Xiaotian beamed at her praise.

But Su Bei wasn’t pleased. He’d guessed the item’s issue: either it caused endless sleep or tampered with dreams.

Logically, such a gift would trigger when used, dragging the user into a dream or eternal sleep. But not everyone used U-shaped pillows—Su Bei didn’t.

Whatever. He’d store it far away at home. If that still triggered it, it was an unavoidable plot point.

As he pondered, Feng Lan entered, scanned the room, and, seeing everyone present, stepped to the podium to update on the prior incident: “First, thank you all for helping me through that crisis. All moles in our family have been caught. The red wine antidote is still in development, but there’s progress.”

Next came compensation: “For this mistake, our class' thanks are 20 million each, plus a five-day training trip for the whole class to Vixi Holy Land.”

The 20 million shocked only a few; the wealthy or unbothered weren’t impressed. But the “Vixi Holy Land training trip” surprised even them.

“‘Vixi Holy Land’? What’s that?” Mu Tieren asked, puzzled. He’d never heard of it. Nor had Su Bei, Jiang Tianming, or Zhao Xiaoyu.

Some in the class were knowledgeable. Zhou Renjie, eager to show off, explained: “It’s an Ability User’s holy land. Everyone there can awaken abilities with naturally high Mental Energy. But it’s been sealed off, an independent nation. Only a few enter yearly, at great cost.”

“What happens inside?” Wu Mingbai asked curiously.

Zhou Renjie snorted at him: “Hmph, can’t figure it out? It’s full of opportunities. At minimum, you boost Mental Energy. With real luck, you gain even more.”

Qi Huang, annoyed by his smugness, glanced at him and explained: “An example: an Ability User, stuck at a bottleneck, spent everything to enter Vixi Holy Land for a week and broke through. That was Principal Wu Di. Within a year, he became the strongest Ability User.”

This example convinced everyone, sparking longing. They knew Vixi wasn’t the main reason for Wu Di’s strength, but it was a major boost.

He was already strong, yet Vixi still elevated him significantly, showing its potential.

Qi Huang turned to Feng Lan, curious and envious: “How’d you get so many slots?”

So many slots were incredibly valuable, likely worth several Feng Family open days’ profits.

Moreover, slots were rare and coveted. Those who got them rarely sold, making 15 slots nearly impossible to gather.

Feng Lan said lightly: “My family has long cooperated with Vixi Holy Land.”

Everyone understood. Such a holy land feared trouble, so partnering with a prophecy family was logical. Prophecy could foresee dangers, allowing preemptive avoidance.

This explained why the Feng Family, despite weak combat power, stood firm and influential.

Every faction needed them, and their neutral stance ensured longevity.

After Zhou Renjie and Qi Huang’s explanations, Zhao Xiaoyu eagerly raised her hand: “When do we go? Summer break?”

From the fact that only the class' rich knew of it, she knew Vixi Holy Land was extraordinary. Boosting Mental Energy alone was something she desperately needed.

Though Meng Huai had enrolled her in the academy’s sponsorship program after her new ability awakened, it required repayment. Free benefits were always better.

She wasn’t dissatisfied with the sponsorship—she felt she’d hit the jackpot. The contract had the academy fund her growth, and she’d work at Endless Ability Academy for 20 years.

It seemed like forced employment, but it suited her perfectly. Growing stronger and securing a job—what could be better?

Her ability was potent against Nightmare Beasts, viable at any of the three academies, the Ability Government, or other families. But her nurturing academy was more trustworthy.

Besides, her original plan was to be a teacher, so this was a fitting path.

Back to Vixi Holy Land, Feng Lan answered Zhao Xiaoyu: “Not summer—after the midterm. It aligns with Revival Festival, when Endless Ability Academy traditionally gives a week off.”

Seeing no more questions, he added: “If anyone can’t accept this compensation for personal reasons, tell me, and I’ll arrange another.”

Feng Lan stepped off the podium, bowing slightly: “Thank you again for your help! I hope this compensation satisfies you.”

Satisfied? How could they not be? They hadn’t expected anything for helping, so this was a delightful surprise.

Though Su Bei hadn’t heard of Vixi Holy Land, Zhou Renjie’s reactions showed it was highly beneficial for Ability Users.

Especially Mental Energy boosts—this excited Su Bei. His Advanced Mental Energy was heavily taxed by his ability.

He shuddered to think how powerless he’d be without the manga boosting his Mental Energy early.

Take his simplest small-pointer adjustment—without Advanced Mental Energy, it’d consume three-quarters of his Mental Energy per use.

Other abilities? They’d require life force at minimum.

For someone with Advanced Mental Energy like him, even a slight boost was massive.

As for the opportunities mentioned, Su Bei knew the protagonist group would encounter them, but he wasn’t sure about himself. Opportunities were often personal—like in the mine, where he gained nothing despite being there.

He’d asked about that gain: Mental Energy boosts. Everyone facing the explosion got varying increases, more the closer they were.

Hearing this, Su Bei had been heartbroken. He wanted Mental Energy boosts! Nobody wanted it more. Missing that chance hurt his young heart deeply.

Since then, he’d found no other Mental Energy opportunities. Mental Crystals didn’t count—they only restored energy and were incompatible with him.

He’d learned in practice: using an Invisibility Charm, he could hide, but Mental Crystals couldn’t. Taking one out exposed him.

Humans couldn’t detect Mental Crystals’ signals, but detection devices could. In places with mental or ability fluctuation detectors, he’d be caught instantly.

For Su Bei, who loved stealth with Invisibility Charms, this was a total mismatch. He sold most of his Mental Crystals, keeping a few for emergencies.

Selling them funded his house purchase. Otherwise, having a house but no money would’ve been awkward.

He’d thought he was temporarily broke, needing to scrimp. Feng Lan’s 20 million turned him back into well-off family territory.

Before the homeroom teacher arrived, Su Bei searched “Vixi Holy Land” on his phone. Baidu had nothing, but the Ability Users’ official site should have info.

He found what he wanted. Vixi Holy Land was briefly introduced on the site.

It was an independent island at sea, unaffiliated with any nation but not a country itself. Rich in ability resources, only a few Ability Users could enter yearly for training.

The island’s secrecy was tight—the site’s info was minimal, the rest repetitive fluff.

As he finished, the class bell rang. Meng Huai entered on time, demanding homework: “Most importantly, the Different Space reflection—everyone must submit it. With only 15 in the class, I’ll notice if you try to sneak by.”

He worried needlessly—everyone knew and dutifully submitted, even Mo Xiaotian, the worst student, who miraculously completed everything.

Meng Huai rarely praised Mo Xiaotian, knowing his academic struggles: finishing was already impressive.

Seeing Mo Xiaotian submit, Su Bei glanced at Mu Tieren. Dark circles under his eyes made him look like a panda, too tired to keep them open, utterly listless.

Then at Mo Xiaotian’s “teacher’s kindness, student’s filial piety” scene, Su Bei shook his head. No such thing as peaceful times—just someone bearing the burden.

After collecting homework, Meng Huai didn’t check it or plan to do so, tossing the pile aside as if to sell it as scrap. Who’d want to read kids’ break diaries? Pure time-wasting.

He outlined the semester’s plan: “Second semester’s like the first. Key exams are the first monthly, midterm, and final. Other times, I don’t care much, but you must score well on these three…”

He glanced at Mo Xiaotian: “The minimum to stay in this class is passing the academic exams.”

Mo Xiaotian’s face fell. He loathed academic classes. For his cheerful self to hate them showed how bad he was at them.

He’d been thrilled to become an Ability User, thinking no more college entrance exams or hated academics. Who’d have thought an ability academy still required math, physics, and chemistry? It was torture.

But Su Bei, in the back, thought he needn’t worry. From his plot-rhythm sense, Mo Xiaotian might not stay in S Class all semester.

That he hadn’t been exposed as a mole last semester already shocked Su Bei. Whether he’d last another, Su Bei doubted.

Meng Huai continued: “This semester continues last semester’s later teaching model—more Different Space training. You’ll also take more missions. The school’s Mental Energy training methods were mostly taught last semester; practice privately to improve. This semester starts physical training.”

Due to varying progress, he addressed those like Su Bei, who’d started physical training last semester: “For you few, we’ll adjust. First, Zhao Xiaoyu, you’ll catch up on last semester’s Mental Energy training.”

Since her ability changed, boosting Mental Energy was Zhao Xiaoyu’s priority. She knew this, nodding earnestly, eyes expectant. The school’s focus on her likely started here.

“Mu Tieren, keep up physical training. Reach the baseline strength you showed saving people at the final exam, and you’re good.” Meng Huai referred to Mu Tieren’s super transformation. Teachers who saw it were stunned.

They accepted his explanation, as no other made sense.

Mu Tieren gave a wry smile. That strength wasn’t easy to achieve. But he didn’t argue—he was the good student who rarely defied teachers, even if the goal was tough: “Teacher, I’ll try my best.”

Finally, Meng Huai looked at Su Bei. Honestly, Su Bei sometimes stumped him. Top-tier Mental Energy, excellent physical skills—the school could teach him little, at most offering combat experience.

But Endless Ability Academy, with its deep roots and history of prodigies, had methods for such students.

“For Su Bei, our initial plan is precision Mental Energy control training. The goal is to let you finely manage every bit of Mental Energy, using it optimally.” This was standard for Advanced Mental Energy users.

Ordinary Ability Users studied it as an advanced course; for advanced users, it was basic.

Meng Huai wasn’t sure Su Bei needed it, adding: “If you think your Mental Energy control is already good, we can switch training after an assessment.”

But this was exactly what Su Bei needed. His Mental Energy was boosted by wild, unreplicable means. He needed systematic training.

He’d tried refining his Mental Energy use, but through methods, not the energy itself. The academy’s offer was perfect.

He shook his head: “No need, this is fine.”

With everything said, as class neared its end, Meng Huai mentioned tomorrow’s schedule: “Since you’ve all encountered High-Level Nightmare Beasts, tomorrow’s a special lecture on them. The school caught one for study. If you’re worried about safety, prepare protective items.”