“Hmph!” With a furious roar, Lan Ling’s muscles bulged, unleashing terrifying strength that barely resisted the oppressive power of the Restraining Talisman.

“So, you possess great brute force?” Zhang Yu slowly approached Lan Ling, observing the surging qi and blood as he struggled to break free from the talisman.

Waving the Record Book emblazoned with the Patrol Department’s insignia, Zhang Yu chuckled, “The Patrol Department acts with divine authority, divinely sanctioned. Do you dare to rebel? To stand against the Celestial Realm?”

Lan Ling’s gaze sharpened, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes as he stared at the Patrol Department’s Record Book. “This pauper joined the Patrol Department?”

The next moment, he burst free from the Restraining Talisman with a thunderous crash, yet refrained from further action, scrutinizing Zhang Yu with a measuring gaze, as if re-evaluating him entirely.

Seeing that Lan Ling had ceased his attack, Zhang Yu flashed a smug grin at Bai Zhenzhen, inwardly crowing, “This venerable one is absolutely radiating handsomeness today!”

Bai Zhenzhen fixed her gaze on the Record Book in Zhang Yu’s hand, musing, “Where did Yu-zi pick up that Record Book? …I must borrow it to play with.”

The assembled onlookers were astonished by Zhang Yu’s sudden appearance, repelling Lan Ling with a single Restraining Talisman.

He Dayou eyed the scene with uncertainty. “How did Zhang Yu infiltrate a Divine Authority department?”

Zhao Tianxing felt a mixture of apprehension and terror. “Zhang Yu actually bought a Record Book? Could it be that his leave of absence today was to pawn off his organs?”

But he swiftly shook his head, ashamed of his preoccupation.

“Is this the time to dwell on such matters? Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen have somehow provoked a senior from the second year. *That* is the true cause for alarm.”

Despite his words, a hint of envy crept into Zhao Tianxing’s gaze towards Zhang Yu, and an involuntary thought surfaced: “To confront a second-year senior head-on like that… is truly a bit dashing.”

Qian Shen stared intently at the Record Book in Zhang Yu’s grasp, shocked. “Zhang Yu’s Daoist Art exam score is about to skyrocket!”

As Zhang Yu and Lan Ling locked gazes, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense, the temperature of the entire training ground abruptly plummeted.

Even Lan Ling, who had been engaged in strenuous exercise, now emitted a visible cloud of vapor due to the sudden temperature change.

He glared at Zhang Yu, harrumphed coldly, then slowly retreated, turning his gaze toward the entrance.

“President.”

The crowd followed his line of sight.

Accompanying a series of footsteps, Zhou Chechen entered, frost forming with each step.

Zhou Chechen, the Vice President of the Student Council, who delivered the freshman speech, who was constantly featured on the screen and announcements, touted for his excellent marks.

The student of students, the senior of seniors, his appearance instantly silenced the entire arena.

He Dayou was the first to react, bowing towards Zhou Chechen. “Greetings, Senior.”

This seemed to be the trigger, and nearly every freshman bowed in unison, echoing, “Greetings, Senior.”

The second-year students followed suit, bowing and chanting, “Greetings, President.”

Though nominally the Vice President of the Student Council, with the third-year President preoccupied with preparations for the college entrance examination, Zhou Chechen effectively managed the Student Council’s affairs.

In terms of power, academics, wealth, or authority… he was the uncrowned king of the school.

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen watched Zhou Chechen as if witnessing a king receiving obeisance from his subjects, they were the only two students who had not lowered their heads.

Zhou Chechen did not address Zhang Yu or Bai Zhenzhen initially, but focused his attention on the second-year students, the frost surrounding him growing even more intense.

“Shuang Youpeng, you were the top scorer overall and first in practical skills during your freshman year. What is your assessment of the duel between Bai Zhenzhen and Lan Ling?”

From behind the throng of second-year students, a slightly smaller second-year student stepped forward.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, his hands fidgeted, uncertain where to rest, alternately grasping his hair, picking at his ears, his gaze towards Zhou Chechen filled with trepidation.

He spoke cautiously, “Carelessness, underestimation, arrogance, a misjudgment of the disparity in strength.”

Seeing Shuang Youpeng’s timorous demeanor, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen felt as if they were witnessing a dog wagging its tail and begging for scraps before Zhou Chechen.

Shuang Youpeng, once the top-scoring freshman, now bore no resemblance to his former vigorous self.

Zhou Chechen nodded slightly. “It seems to me that this year’s freshmen, even the so-called strongest in practical skills, are not as astute in combat as you were in your time.”

Shuang Youpeng hastily waved his hands. “Flattery, President, excessive flattery.”

Zhou Chechen turned his gaze back to the freshmen, asking blandly, “Have you thanked your senior for his guidance?”

The freshmen promptly bowed. “Thank you for your guidance, Senior.”

Within moments, Zhou Chechen had become the undeniable center of attention, every student’s thoughts and emotions swayed by his every move, every word, every glance.

Only then did Zhou Chechen deign to regard Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, saying mildly, “Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, Lan Ling’s was a normal academic exchange. Why did you attack your senior with a Restraining Talisman?”

As he spoke, he slowly raised his palm, icy blue energy swirling into existence, causing the surrounding temperature to plummet once more.

Zhou Chechen continued, “Whether it is using a Restraining Talisman on school grounds or showing such disrespect towards your seniors, as the Vice President of Songyang High School’s Student Council, I cannot tolerate it.”

Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered as he raised the Record Book. “Zhou Chechen, do you intend to assault a Patrol Department Divine Auxiliary?”

Zhou Chechen lowered his gaze, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

In his eyes, the Divine Eye Talisman had already revealed the assessment above Zhang Yu’s head.

“Songyang City Patrol Team Outsourced Employee (Expand for Details)”

“The Patrol Team, a mere outsourced operation, a position of minuscule authority, dares to run wild in Songyang High School?”

Just as the frigid energy in Zhou Chechen’s palm was about to erupt, a warm breeze suddenly swept in from all directions, dispersing the chill that clung to the training ground and restoring the temperature to normal.

Zhang Pianpian and another man walked into the training ground.

“Do you intend to attack a temporary worker under my command?”

Zhou Chechen whirled around, his gaze hardening as he recognized Zhang Pianpian’s face. “Zhang Pianpian? What is she doing here? Is she here to support Zhang Yu?”

“Zhang Pianpian? Zhang Yu? They share the same surname… are they relatives?”

But Zhou Chechen remembered having investigated Zhang Yu’s background. Zhang Yu had no such powerful relatives.

If Zhang Yu truly had such powerful kin watching over him, how could he have been so easily dealt with?

Zhou Chechen further pondered, “Or perhaps… Zhang Yu has found himself a master who offered a higher price, becoming Zhang Pianpian’s dog?”

Seeing the frigid energy that still lingered in Zhou Chechen’s hand, Zhang Pianpian continued to stride towards the center of the arena. “Hmm? Did you not hear what I said?”

“Or… do you seek to make an enemy of me?”

As Zhang Pianpian spoke, her right index finger lightly lifted, the Record Book floating naturally to the tip of her finger.

The next moment, Zhang Pianpian’s fingertip moved swiftly across the Record Book.

Bai Zhenzhen stared in astonishment, her gaze sweeping over Zhang Pianpian’s uniform. “White Dragon High School? What is she going to do? Is she going to fight Zhou Chechen?”

Zhang Yu was equally startled. “Is she going to attack right away? Which talisman is she going to use? Could it also be a Restraining Talisman?”

Under the crowd’s tense scrutiny, Zhang Pianpian completed her incantation, a surge of magic emanating from within.

“Aura of Authority Talisman – Activate!”

Suddenly, two lines of text appeared above Zhang Pianpian’s head.

The first line read:

“White Dragon High School Third Year Monthly Examination Total Score: 699 points”

The assembled students’ eyes widened, and they were instantly rendered speechless.

“Third year monthly exam, 699 points?” Qian Shen roared inwardly. “This is a god! The future God of the College Entrance Examination!”

Before the crowd could recover from their shock at this score, the second line of text above Zhang Pianpian’s head began to materialize.

“Bank Balance: 2”

Initially, it was merely a 2, but soon a 5 appeared after the 2.

In this way, each subsequent second brought the appearance of another digit.

25,000?

250,000?

2.5 million?!

By the time the number reached 25 million, the students present began to breathe heavily.

At this point, the students gradually understood what talisman Zhang Pianpian had employed.

“Aura of Authority Talisman – Inviting the display of godly power, namely one’s scores and savings, to intimidate others.”

When the number finally settled at 2.5 billion, coupled with the 699 points in the previous line, the crowd felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down upon them, like a mountain pressing against their chests.

This was merely her bank balance!

The sheer thought of the assets represented by this number, the power that it gave, filled them with passion.

Even He Dayou was shocked by the figure. “Two and a half billion in bank balance alone? What level of wealth does this woman possess?”

He couldn’t help but take out his own Record Book and activate the Divine Eye Talisman to discern her true identity.

But the result was merely five characters floating above her head.

“You are not worthy to know.”

She had concealed her roots with a talisman, rendering him completely unable to examine them.

Upon seeing these five characters, He Dayou shuddered, his face paling, as if struck by lightning. It was as though he had seen a chasm, stretching endlessly between him and Zhang Pianpian, that he could never hope to cross.

Zhao Tianxing stared intently at the string of numbers above Zhang Pianpian’s head, counting and recounting, but he kept losing track.

When he finally confirmed the amount was 2.5 billion, he couldn’t help but gasp.

“So rich, truly so rich! The aura of authority emanating from a rich person is truly terrifying!”

In that moment, Zhao Tianxing felt ashamed of his own poverty. He felt unworthy to even stand in the same room.

Zhang Yu was equally stunned. Is this my wealthy elder sister?

“No, I don’t remember my family being wealthy at all!”

“On the contrary, it should be called a family of paupers! Where did Zhang Pianpian get so much money?”

“Something’s not right… something is very, very wrong…”

“What has Zhang Pianpian been through in the years since she was separated from Zhang Yu?”

The questions that began at the start of the Divine Auxiliary Examination has now reached a crescendo.

“How did she go from a pauper to a tycoon?”

“I… I want to learn how, too.”

Zhang Yu couldn’t understand the reason, but no matter what… Elder sister, why did you leave us? Mom and I are your own children!

On the other side, Zhou Chechen slowly dissipated the cold energy in his hand.

His gaze swept over the score and the bank balance above her head, and the ‘You are not worthy to know’.

Finally, he courteously regarded Zhang Pianpian, “Senior Zhang, you misunderstand. I did not know that Zhang Yu was under your command. Had I known, why would I make things difficult for him?”

Seeing that her Aura of Authority Talisman had intimidated the entire crowd, Zhang Pianpian nodded in satisfaction. “Very well. I hope you remember what you said today.”

“Do not let me hear of you making trouble for someone under my command. Otherwise, I will use the spare change to buy your brains.”

“Your father should be very happy to make that money.”

Hearing these words, Zhou Chechen’s eyes twitched, at a loss for words.

As the arena fell silent in the wake of Zhang Pianpian’s remarks, the man who had entered alongside Zhang Pianpian chuckled, “Pianpian is just joking. Senior Zhou, don’t take it to heart.”

The man who spoke was precisely Chu Chengxuan, Songyang High School’s top student, the true President of the Student Council.