"Nice job, Zi! Looks like you've finally seerue colors," Yue Yang said, giving Jiang a thumbs-up. "I told you, that girl isn't right for you."

  Jiang just smiled without replying, gng around. They were standing on a rge ptform, surrounded by strange, intricate ruhat gave the whole pce a sacred atmosphere and it was as if they'd stepped into a transdent realm.

  "What are you doing back here?" Yue Yang's irritated voice sounded again, pulling Jiang 's attention. He looked over and saw that Liǔ Qīngxiá had e up to them once more.

  "Jiang , I'm sorry! Listen, maybe we could catch that movie together ime? You know this is really important to me— please," She said in a soft, pleading voice, looking pitiful.

  "Heh!" Yue Yang sneered, about to say something more.

  "Liǔ Qīngxiá," Jiang interrupted with a slight smile, "I remember you promised me something st time that you didn't follow through on. And the time before that, you said you'd go out for a te-night snack with me. And then…before that…"

  "Jiang , I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to you this time, I swear. Just please— this means a lot to me." Liǔ Qīngxiá's expressio shifting, but she finally bit her lip and put on a pitiful look.

  In the past, Jiang would have given in immediately. But he wasn't the same person as before. Even if this intelligence wasn't all that critical, he saw no reason to share it with her.

  "Heh! Liǔ Qīngxiá, do you think I'm a fool?" He scoffed. "I'm not giving you any intelligenow, back off. Aren't you the one always worried about people getting the wrong impression? Why are you getting so close?"

  "You!" Liǔ Qīngxiá's face turned pale, then red with anger and embarrassment.

  Ign her, Jiang turned and walked away. As she watched him leave, her expression darkened even more. She stomped her foot in frustration but still chased after him.

  "Jiang ! I made a mistake— 't you five me just this once?" She pleaded. "Why are you being so petty?"

  "Petty?" Jiang raised an eyebrow, mog her. "Petty, huh? How did you get that e? And that new phoell me, Liǔ Qīngxiá."

  Then, spotting someone ahead, Jiang called out, "Lin Shiyun!"

  A young woman turned around, looking at Jiang with curiosity. "Jiang ? What's up?"

  Jiang grinned. "I have some intelligen the Ninja World from DaXia Academy. How about I sell it to you for fifty thousand star s?"

  "DaXia Academy's?" Lin Shiyun's eyes lit up, and she hurried over excitedly.

  "Did your sister prepare this?" She asked, looking visibly eager.

  "Yes, she did. So, what do you think?"

  "I'll take it!" She said quickly. "I trahe amount right now!"

  A moment ter, Jiang 's at chimed with a new deposit. "All set! Thanks so much— this will be super helpful!" Lin Shiyun said enthusiastically. "After this, let me treat you to a meal!"

  Liǔ Qīngxiá stared wide-eyed, stunned by what she'd just witnessed.

  "You see, with this piece of intelligence, I casually sell it to someone a fifty thousand star s, plus a good impression and a free meal. And with you? What do I get— a scowl without so much as a thank you? Do you think I'm a fool?"

  Seeing Liǔ Qīngxiá's expression, Jiang chuckled again. Lin Shiyun g Liǔ Qīngxiá with a thoughtful look, but soon she simply smiled.

  "You…!" Liǔ Qīngxiá finally snapped out of her shock, her face flushing with anger. She wao protest but didn't know what to say. In the end, she could only leave with an embarrassed expression.

  "Hahaha! That riceless!" Yue Yang burst out ughing, thhly pleased by the turn of events. "That was exactly what she deserved!"

  "Alright, let's get ready. The login should be starting soon," Jiang said, shaking his head, already putting the i behind him. He reminded his friend, "Remember what I told you earlier— that's your only ce. If you miss it, it'll be hard to catch up."

  "I got it," Yue Yang nodded.

  After giving Yue Yang the reminder, Jiang thought for a moment and decided to send Lin Shiyun a message.

  "Thanks for helpi. As a thank you, here's ara tip: after choosing the Hyuga , you might want to try visiting the women's bathhouse. There could be a surprising enter there."

  After sending the message, Jiang put it out of his mind. Lin Shiyun had helped him a lot, and even though he was in a new world, Jiang didn't mind giving her a little boost.

  Fur people, the Hyuga was indeed one of the best choices. Although there was the risk of the "caged bird" effe the login world, it wasn't a signifit problem in the main world. As long as one reached the endgame, they could overe it.

  Meanwhile, Lin Shiyun was carefully studying the intelligence Jiang had given her when she received his message.

  Startled, she read it a her cheeks flush slightly. She looked bad forth betweeelligend the message, feeling a bit embarrassed, but it only sted a moment. Thinking it over, she quickly typed out a reply a it.

  But the message vanished into the ether without a response. She sighed, feeling slightly helpless, and was about to approach him when—

  "Buzz!"

  A ripple spread out across the ptform, and all the runes began to light up.

  "All students, please prepare!" The principal's voice echoed through the broadcast. "The login process is about to start. Please remain on your desigform."

  The reminder repeated, making Lin Shiyun halt her steps.

  "It's starting!" someone nearby said excitedly. A collective thrill spread through the crowd, including Yue Yang and Jiang , who were also filled with anticipation.

  Another ripple expanded, and all the runes burst into full illumination. Jiang 's vision blurred, and in the moment, he felt his sciousness rapidly elevate.

  He couldn't tell how much time had passed, but eventually, his awareness suddenly dropped down again.

  (End Of The Chapter)