Chapter 24: Are You Really Li Jiayu?

These Awakened individuals with infinite potential had a great chance of growing into the high-end forces of humanity: Flame Dancers, Sword Saints, Dragon Knights, Magisters, Blizzard Warriors, Light Priests, Half-Dragon Berserkers...

They were fortunate to receive nature's favor and were themselves outstanding beings, a whole level above those non-self-awakened combatants, making others envious and hateful. They could be called the most outstanding heaven-gifted talents among the human race, and also humanity's last hope!

Within three or four years after the apocalypse descended, those Awakened with infinite potential either became city lords, leaders of powerful Demon Hunting Groups, military district commanders, free-spirited lone wolves, or globally renowned guardians...

In short, compared to ordinary struggling masses – they were the darlings of heaven! For the struggling masses to catch up to them... difficult!

As difficult as ascending to the heavens!

To stand on equal footing with them...

That was almost impossible, the probability even smaller than winning the lottery!

Meaning, only one extremely hardworking struggler out of a hundred thousand might break through after countless trials of blood and tears, barely achieving the same accomplishments as those geniuses.

One in a hundred thousand! That meant the other ninety-thousand-plus people could only eat dust behind the geniuses forever!

And to surpass those geniuses...

Don't even think about it; that's practically defying heaven!

Even a late-blooming genius summoner like Li Jiayu didn't dare claim to be the number one expert under heaven. In his country alone, there were probably three people whose strength was comparable to his. If looking at the world stage, Li Jiayu probably wouldn't even rank in the top ten. South Asia, West Asia, Europe, America, Japan – they also had many astonishing super powerhouses who weren't necessarily inferior to Tianchao's experts!

Even that brain-damaged Sword Saint Ran Hongxia, who loved to spring into righteous action and hunted Li Jiayu whenever she had nothing better to do, possessed at least seventy percent of Li Jiayu's strength. Countless times Li Jiayu was almost minced into meat paste by this woman!

Historians of the previous life were very puzzled. According to the data they possessed, Li Jiayu's aptitude wasn't particularly good. He neither awakened at the first moment nor showed any astonishing talent. Yet they just couldn't figure out why, after three years of silence, he would suddenly rise to fame, stir up a bloody storm in Tianchao, defeat countless geniuses, slay the Abyss Bone Demon, and even silently guard Tiannan Province despite being misunderstood...

Don't just look at Li Jiayu's achievements. If he had to do it all over again, it would likely be very difficult to reach that height again. If it weren't for Li Jiayu accumulating strength over time and surviving countless near-death experiences, he probably would have faded into mediocrity long ago, let alone become one of Tianchao's top ten powerhouses and contend with those super geniuses – but, who knew the bitterness he endured? Li Jiayu's path to power was incredibly arduous, filled with blood and tears, while those geniuses enjoyed glory and wealth, achieving kingship without needing to exert too much effort... It truly made one resentful!

In this life, Li Jiayu didn't know what attitude to adopt towards those self-awakened geniuses. Should he kill them off early, making it difficult for them to oppose him later? Or maintain good relations with them, looking out for each other?

Or perhaps, subdue them and cultivate them into his own faction?

But Li Jiayu's temperament, though seemingly peaceful, was actually free and unrestrained. Could someone like him manage a faction?

Unconsciously, Li Jiayu had already swung his last sword strike, killing the final remaining Acid Bug. After finishing this, Li Jiayu felt completely drained, panting incessantly, likely having used up most of his strength – after all, Hyorinmaru only granted double strength; his stamina hadn't increased at all. Continuous fierce battles naturally took a toll on Li Jiayu, whose body hadn't been physically enhanced.

Beside him, the Dark Octopus was in a much more miserable state. It was already covered in scars: severed tentacles, bowl-sized corrosion holes, half-meter-long gashes – all indicating it was nearing collapse. With such heavy injuries, any other summoned beast would likely have already fallen.

However, the Dark Octopus didn't feel any pain at all. Instead, it felt supreme glory because it had saved so many beautiful and eye-catching females... In the dark void rifts, it never had the luck to see so many pretty girls, let alone protect them with its life – sigh, this easily satisfied dead pervert!

"You... Sir, uh, no, Benefactor, thank you so much for everything you've done for us... Excuse me, are you injured?"

In the fourth hall, while all the students were still staring dumbfounded at the insect corpses littering the floor, looking incredulously at the panting Li Jiayu, a graceful young woman had already walked up to his side, asking cautiously.

She looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, tall and slender, wearing a black OL office attire for women, revealing a large patch of fair, delicate skin on her chest. Most stunning was her breathtakingly beautiful face and the faint smile hanging on her lips. She possessed such mature charm, seemingly fresh, yet enticing like a ripe peach.

She was Vice Principal Xiao Wanqing!

The big sister who made Li Jiayu feel both love and hate, unsure what attitude to take towards her!

In his previous life, after the apocalypse crisis erupted, Xiao Wanqing led the students to escape. But before even leaving Xijiang City, she was abducted by an evil faction that had long coveted her beauty. Li Jiayu didn't know how she escaped, but two years later when he encountered her in Yang City, she was already the esteemed Vice City Lord of Yang City, wielding significant power. Furthermore, due to her identity as a Light Priestess, she had almost become the symbol of light for Tianchao's southern provinces, radiating brilliance!

Li Jiayu met her again by chance. The two hit it off immediately, disregarding the principal-student relationship, and addressed each other as brother and sister. Xiao Wanqing cared for Li Jiayu meticulously, letting him taste the warmth of the human world, slightly soothing the sorrow of losing all his relatives.

Unfortunately... Xiao Wanqing had early on sensed Li Jiayu's certain feelings. She seemed to truly only regard Li Jiayu as a younger brother, with no other intentions.

To prevent Li Jiayu from falling deeper, Xiao Wanqing sent him away, cutting off all contact.

But Li Jiayu still knew. Many times when he suffered fatal injuries and lay unconscious in the wilderness, it was Xiao Wanqing who silently appeared, quietly healed him, awakened his vitality, and then silently left, fearing Li Jiayu would know what she had done for him.

Actually, Li Jiayu knew very well why Xiao Wanqing suddenly became so cold towards him on the surface, yet secretly protected him. Because he was Tianchao's most wanted criminal, the number one anti-human demon! Anyone associated with Li Jiayu would face great disaster!

Later, Xiao Wanqing, forced by the siege of Yang City by the "Black Knight Legion" and the city's insufficient forces, had no choice but to agree to the conditions of a certain young powerhouse, marrying him three months later and joining his 'crystal palace' [harem]...

When Li Jiayu heard this news, he felt the only spiritual pillar in his life had also collapsed... because that young powerhouse was Li Jiayu's greatest mortal enemy from his past life!

Crash the wedding!

Absolutely cannot let Big Sister fall into the hands of that disgusting guy!

Even if it triggers irreversible consequences, he wouldn't hesitate!

Li Jiayu, filled with grief and indignation, planned to crash the wedding when Xiao Wanqing married that nemesis. But regrettably, before the three months were up, Li Jiayu had already died in some tree hollow!

Who knew... what Xiao Wanqing's final fate was in the previous life. Li Jiayu didn't blame her. Who asked her to be the guardian of Yang City, forced to sacrifice certain things to protect it?

Or perhaps... who asked Li Jiayu to be alone and powerless?

If Li Jiayu commanded great forces and possessed formidable strength, why would Xiao Wanqing need to draw a clear line with him, and why would she need to agree to be with someone she didn't love?

"It's nothing, I'm fine... just a bit tired, you don't need to worry."

Li Jiayu averted his gaze, his voice slightly choked.

Big Sister, since parting ways in Yang City, I haven't spoken to you in so long, haven't even seen you again... You don't know how much I miss you.

"Tired? Heh, right. Benefactor, you are a young hero, fearless in the face of danger, saving all of us... On behalf of all the teachers and students on the thirteenth floor, I thank you. You probably find excessive pleasantries tiresome, so in short, if you have any commands, I, Xiao Wanqing, will definitely not refuse... Heh, enough said. Benefactor, please rest. The crisis isn't over yet; I hope Benefactor can recover your combat strength soon."

Xiao Wanqing spoke calmly, appearing graceful and composed, not at all like the others who were still shaken. Truly worthy of being the god-level figure who would later become a Light Priestess.

"That's natural. Acid Bugs are nothing to fear. The truly difficult ones are still the Red-Crested Beetles!"

Li Jiayu nodded lightly. In his eyes, this beautiful woman with a mature charm possessed an indescribable allure in every gesture, elegant, composed, even carrying a hint of casual laziness. All this constituted a natural beauty.

Xijiang City, known for its beautiful mountains and clear waters, was famous nationwide for producing beauties. It was often said, "Heaven above, Xijiang below." The girls of Xijiang City were all radiant and watery, a cut above those from other places. Xiao Wanqing was already thirty-two, yet looked twenty-seven or twenty-eight. Her skin was as tender as a peeled, smooth egg, truly ice muscles and snow skin. Her beauty needed no further description; to be renowned for beauty in Xijiang City, how could she possess ordinary looks?

"Red-Crested Beetles..."

Xiao Wanqing's gentle, water-like eyes suddenly dimmed, clouded with worry. She sighed:

"You mean those red beetles larger than fighting bulls? There must be nearly a hundred of them... They must be very difficult to deal with. If they charge up here, the consequences would be unimaginable. Benefactor, you..."

"Don't call me Benefactor. Mm... if possible, just call me Jiayu." Li Jiayu tried to soften his voice. Facing Xiao Wanqing, he didn't dare be as cold and fierce as he was towards Ran Hongxia.

"Jiayu? Strange name... You, are you female? The name Jiayu sounds very feminine."

"..."

Li Jiayu's face frosted over. He rolled his eyes imperceptibly, wailing inwardly:

"I knew it! I knew it! White hair makes it easier for people to misunderstand me! One day I'm going to rob a hair salon! Dye my hair black again! Anyone who doubts my manhood again, I'll blast them until not even dregs remain!"

Just then, a girl beside him exclaimed:

"What? Jiayu? Are you really Li Jiayu? Liar! Li Jiayu that sissy isn't nearly as handsome as you!"