Chapter 9: All That Glitters Is Not Gold

In the classroom, the homeroom teacher was guiding the students through the Basic Cultivation Method.

"Never underestimate the word 'basic'," the teacher said sternly. "It forms the foundation of all cultivation, indispensable to even the most powerful cultivators. Even if you've studied ahead or hired a private tutor, practicing in a real Spirit Power environment for the first time is far from easy."

The teacher's explanations were patient and efficient. Most students listened intently, their pens scratching across their notebooks as they strove to capture every word.

Ke Jie, however, had already mastered this knowledge long ago.

On the podium, the teacher's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. This was the fifth time Ke Jie had drifted off during the lesson.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, the teacher reminded him, "Student Ke Jie, focus on the lesson."

Ke Jie tilted his head, meeting the teacher's gaze. "What you're teaching is far too simple. I learned all this at home ages ago and have completely mastered it. Listening here is a complete waste of my time."

The teacher pushed up his glasses. "Student Ke Jie, understanding the theory is one thing, but mastering actual cultivation is entirely different. In cultivation, impatience and arrogance are fatal flaws. You must remain calm and focused, solidifying your foundation."

Sensing the teacher's skepticism and reprimand, Ke Jie's lips curled into an even more defiant smirk.

"Since you don't believe me, Teacher, I'll demonstrate right here and now."

He swiftly formed the hand seals with clean, decisive movements. Instantly, the surrounding particles of Spirit Power seemed to be drawn by an invisible hand, slowly converging toward him and seeping into his skin.

Success on the first try!

A collective gasp rippled through the classroom:

"So powerful! Is this what A-Rank looks like?"

"First time practicing and already successful?"

The homeroom teacher was baffled. He had taught A-Rank Talent students before, but even they had repeatedly stumbled at first, struggling to familiarize themselves with Spirit Power while practicing the "Basic Cultivation Method."

To achieve such mastery on his first attempt... Could Ke Jie truly possess such extraordinary Talent?

Though incredulous, the undeniable truth lay before him. The homeroom teacher nodded reluctantly. "My judgment was mistaken. You have indeed mastered it."

Far from backing down, Ke Jie sneered. "No problem. It's not the first time you've misjudged someone."

He deliberately drew out his words, his gaze sweeping across the class. "Just like how you once favored Ke Lu, who turned out to be nothing but an F-Rank waste."

The homeroom teacher's expression darkened instantly. His lips moved as if to retort, but he swallowed the words. The Ke Family's Faction was not one he could afford to provoke.

"And you lot," Ke Jie turned, his arrogant gaze sweeping over his diligently practicing classmates. "If you can't even grasp something this simple, what's the point of coming to school? You might as well go home early."

A deathly silence fell over the classroom. The students, seething with anger but too afraid to speak, could only lower their heads. Ke Jie's family held immense power and influence, and with his A-Rank Talent, no one dared provoke him.

Meanwhile,

The bell rang, signaling the end of class. The homeroom teacher, seething with indignation, gathered her belongings and stormed out of the classroom.

Several of Ke Jie's lackeys immediately swarmed him, their voices dripping with flattery: "Brother Jie, how did you do it? Teach us your secret!"

"Ke Lu can't even compare to you! She's utterly unworthy!"

"Alright, it's not that difficult," Ke Jie said with a scornful smirk. "The tutors my family hired teach far more advanced material than the school does."

"Teacher Li? She's only good for teaching average students. My goal is to be the top scorer on the College Entrance Examination."

His words drew another wave of fawning praise:

"Exactly! Brother Jie, you're destined for the top universities!"

"Don't forget about us when you make it big!"

Just as Ke Jie was basking in the adoration, a student suddenly gasped, "Isn't that Ke Lu?"

A glint flashed in Ke Jie's eyes.

Since childhood, Ke Lu had always outshone him, the illegitimate son, forever living in her shadow. Now that the tables had turned, how could he resist flaunting his triumph?

He straightened his clothes, a cold smile curling his lips. "Perfect timing to pay my dear sister a visit."

-

Ke Lu, radiating an aura of dominance, strode into the classroom. Two stern-faced police officers, their uniforms immaculate and gazes piercing, flanked her.

Under the astonished gazes of the entire class, Ke Lu walked directly to the podium and calmly took her seat.

Crossing her legs, she swept her icy gaze across the room, finally settling on Ke Jie's face.

"I heard," her voice cut through the silence, cold yet clear, "you were planning to come looking for me?"

The two officers stood silently on either side of the podium, their presence exuding an undeniable aura of authority.

For students of this age, the mere presence of the police carried immense weight.

The classroom fell so silent you could hear a pin drop; no one dared to breathe too loudly.

It was break time, and the corridor outside was usually bustling with activity.

The commotion inside the classroom instantly drew the attention of every passing student like a magnet.

In a matter of seconds, the front and back doors, as well as the windows, were swarmed by students clamoring to see what was happening inside.

Curious, shocked, and excited faces pressed against the glass, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening inside.

When they realized the visitor was Ke Lu, a collective gasp swept through the classroom and even the corridor outside:

"Ke... Ke Lu!"

"Is that... the police following her?! What's going on here?!"

"What major incident happened? Why are the police here?"

This morning, Ke Lu Awakened an F-Rank Talent and didn't even show up at school. Many assumed she was completely demoralized, too ashamed to face anyone.

Now, she had returned—not just suddenly appearing, but doing so with an unprecedented air of authority.

Ke Lu strode forward with the regal bearing of a queen surveying her domain, her aura radiating overwhelming authority. Behind her followed two stern-faced police officers in crisp uniforms.

This bizarre combination was utterly shocking!

Ke Jie, already burdened by guilt, was thrown into further panic by this spectacle. Yet he couldn't afford to show weakness:

"Sis, what's all this about?"

Before Ke Lu could reply, he suddenly realized something. He knew his father's abilities well; there was no way she could have discovered his cheating on the College Entrance Examination.

She probably didn't even know that her original S-Rank Talent had been destroyed by their actions and reduced to F-Rank.

Even if she did know about her ruined Talent, Father Su must have told her.

Ke Lu must have been resentful of being outshone by me, which is why she's causing trouble.

But she has no evidence. All the evidence—both witnesses and physical evidence—has long been destroyed.

So, he declared smugly:

"Ah, I get it now. Are you upset about Awakening an F-Rank Talent and just want to vent your frustration?"

The lackeys had initially been intimidated by the police Ke Lu brought.

But seeing Ke Jie's confident demeanor, they began to waver.

Seeing their hesitation, Ke Jie glared at them menacingly, the warning in his eyes unmistakable.

The lackeys immediately understood: if they didn't side with Ke Jie today, they'd never get another chance.

"Y-yeah, exactly! Don't think bringing the cops here will scare us! Brother Jie's right—you're just jealous because your Talent sucks and you're trying to stir up trouble! This is a school!"

"F-Rankers should just stay put! What's with all this drama? Who do you think you're scaring?"

"Our Brother Jie is an A-Rank genius! He even successfully circulated the Basic Cultivation Method just now..."

Sensing the terrifying aura radiating from Ke Lu, the speaker's voice grew fainter with each word, until it was barely a mumble. He instinctively shrank behind Ke Jie.

Ke Lu found their blustering bravado laughable. Her gaze swept calmly over the silent, trembling underlings before settling on Ke Jie's livid face.

"Ke Jie," she said, her voice flat, "you're such a joke."

At this, Ke Jie could no longer contain himself. He leaped up, his face flushed with anger. "Don't be so ungrateful! I'm trying to save you from embarrassing yourself and disgracing our family!"

Two police officers swiftly stepped forward to block him.

"Student Ke Jie," the lead officer stepped forward, his voice calm yet imbued with unquestionable authority, instantly silencing the commotion.

His hawk-like gaze locked onto Ke Jie's face as he stated clearly:

"We've received a verified report and conducted a preliminary investigation into certain leads. We need you to come with us for questioning regarding allegations of using unconventional methods to participate in the National College Entrance Examination. Cooperate with us."