Chapter 84: SS-Class Power Type?

Time on the train was far from dull. Although Lin Xiao wore headphones and an eye mask, he simply couldn't fall asleep. The reason was simple—he had rested more than enough the previous night.

Most of his journey was spent taking stock of the items in his spatial ring. The more he sorted, the more astonished he became. Had he not known he drank too much last night, he would have thought he’d ransacked an old folks’ home. What puzzled him most was the presence of several unfinished items among his belongings. It soon became clear: the elders hadn’t wanted him to grow bored on the road, so they’d left him half-completed projects to finish when idle.

Those old-timers were truly thoughtful on his behalf!

...

As it turned out, there was no spirit beast attack during the journey.

“Dear passengers, we are now approaching Capital East Station. Please gather your belongings and prepare to disembark in an orderly fashion.”

Hearing the announcement, Lin Xiao finally removed his eye mask and headphones. So soon—he had arrived in the Capital. The anticipation swelled within him.

He didn’t bother looking back at Ji Boxiao and Liu Ruyan; even a glance at them was enough to sour his mood, and he had no intention of courting trouble. The moment the train stopped, Lin Xiao was quick to step onto the platform.

Capital, here I come!

The sheer splendor of the city left him stunned. Xuncheng was prosperous, but compared to the Capital, it was insignificant. The Capital’s brilliance was like a galaxy of dazzling stars—skyscrapers piercing the clouds, glass facades glittering in the sunlight. The streets bustled with endless traffic and throngs of people, their energy weaving a unique urban symphony from the clamor of engines and the hum of voices.

Since coming to this world, Lin Xiao had spent most of his days in the retirement home. Suddenly thrown into such a sea of urban life, he felt a sense of unreality. Perhaps he truly was out of touch with the world.

Following the flow of travelers, he soon found the exit. Just outside the station loomed a prominent sign for Capital Spirit Martial Academy.

The new semester was about to begin, and naturally, the academy had sent upperclassmen to greet the incoming students.

Lin Xiao headed straight in that direction. Ji Boxiao and Liu Ruyan did the same. Seeing Lin Xiao ahead of them, Ji Boxiao couldn’t help but sneer again.

“Heh, does someone really think that just because he ranked first in the secret realm assessment, he’s guaranteed a place at Capital Spirit Martial? What a joke!”

Ji Boxiao’s words weren’t without reason. Lin Xiao’s performance had indeed drawn the attention of many spirit martial academies, but upon learning that his ability was only F-rank, they all lost interest. His entry into the Capital Spirit Martial this time wasn’t through official recruitment but thanks to the elders of the retirement home pulling strings. After all, two former principals of the academy lived there, and slipping in one more student was a trivial matter. Even the current principal wouldn’t dare object.

Lin Xiao ignored Ji Boxiao—he’d let his actions speak for him. He strode up to the welcoming committee of the academy.

As soon as Lin Xiao took his place in the line, a beautiful upperclasswoman stepped forward.

“Hello, I’m Wu Ling from Capital Spirit Martial. Are you one of our new students? If so, please show your admission letter.”

At the sight of Lin Xiao, Wu Ling’s heart couldn’t help but race. She’d thought, if only such a handsome boy could be her junior. To her delight, here he was at their welcome station.

“Hello, Senior, I am a new student this year. My name is Lin Xiao. Please take care of me from now on.” As he spoke, he handed over his admission letter.

Wu Ling glanced at the letter and the information printed on it.

“Lin Xiao, SS-rank Strength Type. Not bad. I’ll take you to the academy bus—it’s missing just one more passenger to be full.”

Lin Xiao had no objections; this meant he wouldn’t have to share a bus with Ji Boxiao and Liu Ruyan—a relief indeed! But when had his ability become SS-rank Strength Type? He hadn’t examined the letter after receiving it, and only now did he realize his ability had been changed. It must have been the elders’ doing. In truth, it wasn’t incorrect—his current strength truly rivaled that of an SS-rank.

Just then, Ji Boxiao’s voice rang out, “Senior, we’re also new students. Maybe you should check his admission letter carefully. We’re from the same town and we know his ability—it’s not SS-rank Strength. It’s F-rank. We suspect he forged his letter!”

Wu Ling immediately turned toward the speaker. Seeing it was Ji Boxiao, she frowned—not out of prejudice, but because, next to Lin Xiao, Ji Boxiao seemed painfully ordinary, even unattractive by comparison.

“Are you doubting me? Do you think someone entrusted with welcoming new students here wouldn’t recognize a genuine admission letter?” Her tone carried a hint of annoyance; she was one hundred percent certain Lin Xiao’s letter was authentic.

“Senior, I’m telling the truth. We’re all from Xuncheng. We know what his ability is. Ruyan, isn’t that right?” Ji Boxiao pressed.

Liu Ruyan, still puzzled by Lin Xiao’s admission, nodded automatically at Ji Boxiao’s words.

Seeing both of them so insistent, Wu Ling wavered for a moment. But the letter itself was flawless—so what was going on?

Lin Xiao sighed. These two really were persistent.

Glancing at a stone bollard beside him, inspiration struck. He walked over and, with ease, lifted it off the ground. Sometimes, actions spoke louder than words.

Wu Ling broke into a smile. Those bollards weren’t light—only someone with the strength type could lift one so casually.

“You two, stop making trouble. Lin Xiao, let’s go to the bus.”

Ji Boxiao wanted to protest further, but Liu Ruyan tugged at his sleeve.

“Brother Boxiao, I don’t think the letter is fake. If it were, he’d be exposed as soon as we reached the school, wouldn’t he?”

Ji Boxiao thought it over—she had a point. What was Capital Spirit Martial thinking? Why admit Lin Xiao, and how had he become a strength type? It didn’t make sense.

Lin Xiao paid them no further mind. Under Wu Ling’s guidance, he boarded the academy bus.

Inside, two or three dozen new students sat, their faces alight with youthful vigor. Surrounded by their energy, Lin Xiao felt oddly out of place. Had his time among the elders left him prematurely aged?