Data Vision

Moments passed, and the Tai Chi symbol in Ethan's pupils began to dissipate. It didn't vanish completely, though; the white light sank deep into the recesses of Ethan's crimson eyes, transforming into tiny, dust-like silver symbols that orbited his irises. After a second or two, the ring of symbols settled into place and ceased to change. The white light receded, and everything returned to normal.

Ethan was momentarily stunned, sensing that this had something to do with the diamond-shaped white jade he had absorbed on the way. That jade had also displayed the same pattern. With his mind clouded with uncertainties, he could only set aside his questions for the time being.

Leaving the dormitory, Ethan saw many students marveling at their rooms—some with exclamations of joy, others with wry smiles. Walking along the edge of the corridor, intending to head to the logistics department, he suddenly stopped. Ahead was the bulky silhouette of Bennett, the same burly student Ethan had caused to hit his head during the academy test. Bennett, who had barely scraped by with 83 points, had also seen Ethan. Remembering how Ethan had used his blood to bait the Wolf Tick, anger flared within him. He managed to restrain himself, shooting Ethan a venomous glance before ducking into his own dorm room.

The dorm was a four-person room with two bunk beds. Bennett threw his luggage onto the top bunk but sat on the lower one, clearly intending to claim both spaces for himself. His roommates, Zelio and Yuande, entered. With scores close to each other, the three were assigned to the same room. After introductions and closing the door, Zelio volunteered, "Bennett, want to meet a big shot?"

Bennett was in a foul mood and replied irritably, "What big shot?"

"Bryce, the son of the owner of Qiming Heavy Industries."

Bennett's head shot up. In Guangling City, no one was unaware of Qiming Heavy Industries, the construction conglomerate responsible for most of the underground city's infrastructure. Moreover, Lionel, the owner of Qiming, was pouring resources into running for the city lord against his biggest competitor, Victor, the commander of the Ground Exploration Corps!

Realizing the significance, Bennett immediately stood up, plastering on a smile, "Then what are we waiting for?"

Moments later, in a double room, Bennett met Bryce, who promptly offered fine liquor as a welcome. After three cups, Bryce said with a smile, "Yong Song, I need your help with something."

Bennett was flattered, "Brother Luo, what do you need?"

"I want to teach that Ethan a lesson," Bryce said calmly.

Bennett immediately guessed this had to do with Lionel's campaign for city lord. After all, Ethan was introduced by Victor, Lionel's main rival!

"Brother Luo, what do you want to do?" Bennett knew this was a rare opportunity. Although he had been lucky to be admitted, standing out in the academy would be no easy feat. If he could do this for Bryce, he would be looked after in the future—at the very least, he wouldn't have to worry about food and clothing.

Bryce raised his glass, his eyes cold, "Cripple him, or even 'accidentally' kill him, either is fine."

Bennett gasped, not expecting Bryce to be so ruthless.

"Scared?" Bryce looked at him indifferently.

Bennett forced a laugh, "Brother Luo, is this really okay?"

"Don't worry. As long as you don't rat me out afterward..."

"Even if you end up in prison, I'll get you out."

"You don't think I can do it?"

Bryce chuckled softly, sipping his wine. Zelio and Yuande chimed in, "Yong Song, that kid Ethan used you during the academy test. You haven't forgotten, have you?"

"He used your blood to lure the Wolf Tick to suicide, while he easily passed the test."

"But do you know what people are saying about you?"

"They're calling you a fool, used by a savage, and you still have the face to attend the academy."

Bennett, stung by the reminder, downed his drink and said firmly, "Brother Luo, I'll do it!"

And so the plan was set. After the trio left, Bryce's roommate, a delicate-looking young man, tentatively asked, "Brother Luo, should we inform the old man about this?"

Bryce swirled his wine glass, "Ethan was recommended by Victor."

"He also scored the highest on the academy test."

"Why do you think Victor did that?"

"He wants to show everyone that he has vision, that he can lead Guangling to glory."

"That's why I want to deal with that savage Ethan."

"To boost my father's campaign."

"Besides, killing a savage from the surface..."

"What's the difference between that and stepping on an ant?"

"Would you tell your parents if you stepped on an ant?"

With that, he gave his roommate a look. The young man quickly complimented him, not daring to bring up notifying Lionel again.

...

When Ethan returned to his dormitory, he carried a new backpack. At the logistics department, he had exchanged credits for a 'Crimson Poison' relief agent and various other items like steel wire and a handheld grinder. The former cost him 2 credits, while the latter assortment only cost 1 credit. The relief agent could suppress the 'Crimson Poison,' preventing it from worsening or acting up for a month. Ethan found it a good deal to spend 1 credit each month to keep the 'Crimson Poison' at bay.

Back in his room, Ethan began to work. He used the grinder to sharpen the edges of the steel wire. It was a tedious process, but after three years on the surface, Ethan had done far more monotonous tasks. As long as it kept him alive, he was willing to do anything.

As time passed in repetitive labor, Ethan suddenly noticed a series of numbers appearing on the steel wire he was grinding: 86. As the wire's edge reddened and thinned, the number rose: 90... 94... 100. He stopped immediately and looked around. When his gaze fell on the floor-to-ceiling window, data appeared: width 5 meters, height 2 meters. He saw more numbers for other furniture.

Ethan's eyes filled with increasing data, including length, width, height, incline, and thickness. The influx of data from unknown sources made his eyes burn uncomfortably. He closed his eyes to rest.

After a while, he opened them again. This time, no numbers appeared. Ethan tried to activate his 'Gaze of Qi.' Soon, his eyes warmed slightly, and everything became transparent, leaving only outlines made of lines, with various data points emerging around them.

Ethan was both shocked and delighted. He was sure his 'Gaze of Qi' had undergone some change. But he didn't know where it came from. Suddenly, he remembered the Tai Chi symbol. He quickly found a mirror. Looking at his reflection, he saw a circle of silver dots around his crimson irises, an anomaly he hadn't had before.

And as he looked at himself in the mirror, Ethan also saw his life's gray aura. Unlike before, it now contained other colors: a ring of fiery red and a ring of bright yellow. When Ethan focused on the red glow, a number appeared: 108. When he looked at the yellow light, another number emerged: 97.

What did these two numbers represent? Or rather, what did the red and yellow glows signify? Ethan closed his eyes, turning off the 'Gaze of Qi.' He could now confirm that his vision had mutated. It retained its previous functions and added the ability to see through obstacles and a numerical vision, especially the latter, which provided detailed and accurate numbers.

Additionally, his life's gray aura now had two different colored glows, which must symbolize something important. Well, he could ask his teacher after class tomorrow. But...

The diamond-shaped white jade, the Tai Chi symbol, the mutation of his vision... these three must be connected. It seemed his vision had mutated because of the white jade. What exactly was that object?

Ethan shook his head, accustomed to setting aside questions he couldn't answer. He secured the sharpened steel wire near the floor-to-ceiling window and set up other 'safety measures.' He kept busy until late at night.

It was deep into the night when Bennett, Zelio, and Yuande cautiously left their dormitory. They circled around to Ethan's dormitory. Bennett took out a bottle of alcohol, gulping it down before pouring the rest over himself, reeking of liquor.

"I say, are you sure about this?" Bennett asked his roommates uncertainly.

Zelio assured him with a grin, "Guaranteed no problem."

"After you take care of that guy, we'll 'timely' appear."

Yuande nodded, "We'll say you were drunk and went crazy. Hurting someone wasn't intentional."

Convinced, Bennett steeled himself, approached the floor-to-ceiling window, and charged, crashing through it! The sound of shattering glass echoed as Bennett burst into the room. But as he entered, he felt a chill on his neck as if something had swept across it.

Without thinking, he lunged for the bed next to the window, raising his dagger to stab down. But then, his vision plummeted. He saw the floor, the underside of the bed, and...

A pair of eyes.

A pair of crimson eyes.

Ethan wasn't on the bed; he was under it!

Bennett's scalp tingled, and he tried to shout, but no sound came out. His vision froze and then slowly faded until it lost all life.

Lights flickered on in the dormitory, and footsteps echoed in the corridors. Outside, Zelio and Yuande hurried toward the broken window, shouting, "Bennett, are you okay? We told you not to drink so much. Now you're drunk, aren't you?"

They stepped over the scattered glass, and under the dim light from the street lamps outside, they saw Bennett's figure with his back to them. Then, his hefty body thudded to the ground, a fountain of blood spraying out in a crimson arc.

Only then did Zelio and Yuande see Bennett's head lying beside the bed, staring straight under it. And right in front of them, a thin wire glistened with dripping blood.

Moments later, two shrill screams rang out from Ethan's room!