CHAPTER 157: CHAPTER 157: PROMOTED

"This is a new Star Martial Skill I’ve learned. Look at my eyes." Wang Lan opened his eyes, revealing a faint layer of golden light within them. This golden light was very subtle, but definitely visible upon close inspection.

"A Pupil Skill-type Star Martial Skill?"

"No, but it grants dynamic vision and farsightedness."

"Impressive!" Xu Xiangwen said, his voice deep.

"Again!"

"Again?"

"This time, I’ll let you create two clones... Huh? Xinyu, you’re here too?" Only then did Wang Lan notice Jiang Xinyu’s arrival.

"You’re sparring and didn’t call me?" Jiang Xinyu said with a smile, her eyes unintentionally sweeping over Xie Sisi. With her intelligence, Jiang Xinyu immediately deduced that Xie Sisi’s attire today definitely wasn’t for sparring.

But she knew better than to point it out. Instead, she immediately looked at Wang Lan. "Keep going."

Once again, Wang Lan struggled to defeat Xu Xiangwen, who had created two clones. Frustrated, Xu Xiangwen threw his hat to the ground, refusing to continue. He was at the Star Cloud Stage but still couldn’t beat Wang Lan!

However, Wang Lan knew Xu Xiangwen had lost because he’d held back on his damage output. If Xu Xiangwen had utilized his full speed and attack power, Wang Lan wouldn’t have stood a chance.

But dynamic vision was an ability tied to Crescent Arrow. Once he used it, Wang Lan’s offensive capabilities were reduced to only his Basic Skills. His only significant damage-dealing attack was the Inch Strength Fist.

This sparring session made Wang Lan fully realize the true gap between himself and the Star Cloud Stage. How long had it been since Xu Xiangwen broke through to the Star Cloud Stage? His strength was definitely on the weaker side for that level.

And if even a weaker Star Cloud Stage cultivator could exert such overwhelming pressure on him, Wang Lan realized he had been far too optimistic about the provincial martial arts competition a few months away. In a real arena, no one would hold back. Not being able to use two Star Martial Skills simultaneously was a fatal restriction for him.

After a break, Xu Xiangwen and Jiang Xinyu sparred again. Inside the electromagnetic barrier, Jiang Xinyu completely unleashed her power. At that moment, Wang Lan truly understood that the gap between him and Jiang Xinyu was still an invisible chasm.

Xu Xiangwen was practically pinned to the ground and thrashed by Jiang Xinyu. His Exploding Fist couldn’t break her Ice Armor; Jiang Xinyu could have just stood still and tired him to death. Combined with her Ice Snow Roar and chilling speed reduction, Xu Xiangwen had no fight left in him.

Today had perhaps been a fulfilling day for Wang Lan, a day of getting pummeled for Xu Xiangwen, and a day of venting for Jiang Xinyu. But for Xie Sisi, it was a day of frustration.

Xie Sisi had originally hoped to spend time alone with Wang Lan. Even if they did nothing but sit on the balcony, drink tea, and bask in the sun, that would have been fine. Instead, she had ended up watching the three of them spar all day.

"School is about to start. Wang Lan, how far is your Star Power from reaching the Star Cloud Stage?" After the sparring ended, as the four of them prepared to leave, Jiang Xinyu asked Wang Lan.

"I’ve only just reached the late phase of the Star Shine Stage. The Star Cloud Stage is still a long way off. It’s unlikely I’ll reach it before graduation."

Unless I get a few more chances to catch spies from the Demon Clan.

Wang Lan didn’t voice this thought, because even he found it unlikely. After the recent operations, the Demon Clan’s spy network in Suzhou City must have suffered a heavy blow.

Even the production lab for the Demonic Transformation Potion had been discovered by the Tianjian Bureau. They likely wouldn’t dare to cause trouble for a while.

"Without reaching the Star Cloud Stage, your chances at the provincial martial arts competition are slim. If advancing seems hopeless, just focus on showcasing your potential. As long as your potential is great, there’s still hope."

"You have so little faith in me?" Wang Lan said playfully. "What if I actually win the championship?"

"Then you’ll have to work hard. Good luck! Sisi, get in the car. Shall we go shopping tonight?"

"Huh? You’ve been sparring all day, aren’t you tired?"

"Sisi, as a woman, you should understand. For women, going shopping can make us feel fully energized again, no matter how tired we are."

"I... I rarely go shopping... so I wouldn’t know. Wang Lan, I’m leaving then?"

"Alright. Be safe on your way."

After the three cars had driven away, Wang Lan sat down on a bench, feeling somewhat dejected. Today, Xu Xiangwen had only yielded fifty skill points. *Sigh*... Sparring all day long wasn’t easy. Maybe it’s really time to buy some Soul Beads? I only need one hundred and fifty more now.

BEEP—BEEP—

His phone rang suddenly. Looking at the caller ID, it was Lige.

"Hello?"

"Are you home?"

"Yes!"

"I’m on my way to your place."

"Huh? What for? Is it a mission... Hello? Hello?"

The caller hung up right after speaking. What a temper, Wang Lan thought. No wonder she has no friends.

He went back to his room and took a shower.

Just as he had changed his clothes and was drying his hair, Xiao Ai informed Wang Lan that Lige had arrived.

He activated the elevator, and Lige walked in holding a stack of clothes.

She handed the clothes to Wang Lan. "Put these on. We’re going back to the bureau."

"A red uniform? Have I been promoted again?" Wang Lan asked instinctively.

"Yes!"

"Why are you the one picking me up?" Only then did Wang Lan notice Lige was also wearing a red uniform. "You got promoted too?"

"Thanks to you. Not only was my disciplinary action lifted, but I also got promoted. And it’s not just the two of us."

"Who else?"

"Xu Shiyun."

"Isn’t he in Hainan?"

"Even if he were at the ends of the earth, he’d have to rush back."

"Oh, please wait a moment; I’ll go change." Wang Lan hugged the clothes and dashed into his room, kicking the door shut joyfully.

From the moment Lige had entered, her face had been stern. It was only when she saw Wang Lan happily kicking the door shut like an eager rabbit that a smile she herself found surprising touched her lips.

Her coldness to others was merely a disguise. She couldn’t stand men approaching, nor could she handle women getting too close. Thus, she resorted to projecting a ’stay away’ aura to repel anyone who tried to approach her.

But in front of Wang Lan, who knew her true identity, she could briefly lower her guard.

Picking up Wang Lan this time wasn’t actually her duty. But... at that moment, she had inexplicably wanted to see him, to share their mutual joy.

She had arrived, still wearing her metaphorical mask. Only when Wang Lan closed his door did her heart feel incredibly relieved, and a radiant, sweet smile blossomed on her face.

Right now, Wang Lan felt like bouncing on his bed and belting out a song.

This was exactly what he needed! The promotion itself wasn’t that important—lieutenant, captain, whatever—it didn’t matter. But skill points were tangible. The system feature that allowed linking Star Martial Skills had been nagging at him, an itch he desperately wanted to scratch.

He had originally thought he’d have to wait until the school term started to accumulate over a hundred skill points. He had even considered being utterly shameless: setting up a fighting ring on the playground and challenging the entire Star Martial Arts Campus.

Bullying first and second-years would do just fine. As long as skill points were coming in, anything was negotiable.

But surprises have a way of showing up when you least expect them.

He quickly changed his clothes and, striking a pose in front of the mirror, gave his hair a suave sweep.

"Wang Lan, how can you be so handsome?" he mused to his reflection.

PFFT—

Outside the door, Lige, who had just taken a sip of black tea, instantly spewed it out.

The door to his room opened, revealing Lige covering her mouth, trying hard to suppress a cough.

"What’s wrong?"

"At home... are you always this narcissistic?"

"No!" Wang Lan shook his head. "I’m merely making a professional and precise statement about an objective fact."

"Let’s go."

"Are we having a celebratory banquet?"

"No, it’s just a rank conferral ceremony for the three of us in the Director’s office."

He got into Lige’s car. The vehicle sped quickly and smoothly along the brightly lit overpass.

The car seemed to be Lige’s personal vehicle. Its interior was simple but high-end, and despite the speed, there wasn’t the slightest bit of turbulence.

It was too quiet. Wang Lan, unaccustomed to the silence, made a slightly awkward attempt at small talk. "Nice car."

"It’s alright."

"Why no music? Driving without music is soulless."

"I don’t like playing music when there’s someone in the back. The sound could mask noises from behind, and if an emergency arose, I wouldn’t be able to react immediately."

"Lige, you’ll have a hard time making friends like that," Wang Lan sighed.

"Hello, system—play some music."

"Huh? Why did you turn it on again?"

"I just realized... I think I can have one friend now."

Leaning against the backrest, Wang Lan suddenly smiled.

The car slowly stopped. Wang Lan pushed the door open, his breath forming a white puff in the cold air illuminated by the lights. He buttoned his collar tighter and smoothed the creases on his uniform.

Although the New Year had passed, the temperature was still minus two degrees Celsius. That was relatively mild; southern cities rarely dropped much further below freezing. However, it was said that temperatures in the coldest northern cities had plunged below minus fifty degrees Celsius today.

As soon as he entered the main building’s lobby, he saw a figure in the hallway, arms crossed, shivering violently. The frequency of his tremors made it look as if he were being electrified.

"Yo, Xu? What’s wrong with you?"

"Wang Lan, quick, pass me some Star Power! I’m freezing to death..."

"Wait, are you just wearing a vest under that military uniform? Xu, it’s minus two degrees Celsius out here, and you dare to dress like that? Man, if there’s anyone I admire, it’s you."

"Don’t even mention it... I was in Hainan eating barbecue just three hours ago. Director Wang called and told me to rush back immediately. Xiaoyao picked me up as soon as I got off the plane. That bastard just dropped me here and didn’t even leave me a coat!"

Seeing Xu Shiyun looking truly miserable, Wang Lan tried to pass a stream of Star Power to him. Unfortunately, Xu Shiyun’s own Star Power instinctively rejected it. Since the Star Power couldn’t be conducted, it couldn’t warm him up.

"Sorry, Xu. I want to help, but I can’t."

Who knew this guy was so brazen? He immediately opened his arms and hugged Wang Lan tightly. Wang Lan himself had a fire-attribute Star Power, and its circulation made him like a personal hot water bottle.

"Xu! What are you doing? Let go! If you don’t let go, I’ll scream!"

"Go ahead and scream. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will care!" Xu Shiyun laughed heartily, hugging Wang Lan and eliciting a groan from him that almost made Wang Lan resort to a Star Martial Skill.

"Ahem."

From around the corner of the hallway, Lige and Wang Qianfeng approached.

Wang Lan clearly felt Xu Shiyun’s body stiffen. He looked up and saw the strange, disdainful looks in Wang Qianfeng’s and Lige’s eyes, and he wanted the ground to swallow him whole.

"It’s not like that, Director Wang! I was just messing around with Wang Lan... It’s not what you think!"

"Stop fooling around! Don’t make a spectacle of yourselves in front of Director Zhang later."

"Yes, sir!"

TAP-TAP-TAP.

The sound of footsteps approached. A woman in a red uniform strode confidently towards them and saluted Director Wang crisply.

"Director Wang, I’ve been ordered to escort these three to Director Zhang’s office."

"Alright."

"Xu Shiyun, Lige, Wang Lan, please follow me."