Forbidden Zone of the Human Race

Xiang Xiaoyu had barely learned anything about cultivation, so when she saw Uncle Zhao was controlling the chopsticks, she thought he was a god. As for how strong he was, she had no idea. What she didn’t know was that Uncle Zhao was old, yet he was a spiritual cultivator. A spiritual cultivator could only initiate their training if they awaken their Mental Power before the age of twenty-four. Those who awakened after twenty-four didn't have enough talent and would have a difficult time increasing their Mental Power. Uncle Zhao, who was a spiritual cultivator, was already in his thirties. His strength wasn’t normal, but there was no way she could know that.

“Now, why do you want to increase your strength?” Uncle Zhao knew that she had her reasons, and as a guardian, he wanted to guide her properly.

“No reason why…” she stuttered and continued eating.

“You must be very popular at school right?” Uncle Zhao smiled.

“I don’t think so?” She thought about how all the girls distanced themselves from her while the boys always pranked her. She didn’t think that she was popular. Except for Chen Zixin, no one wanted to be her friend.

Uncle Zhao shook his head and smiled. While on the surface it did seem like she wasn’t popular, those were the natural actions of teenagers trying to deal with their popular peers. In any class, the most beautiful and talented girl would attract all the boys, but Xiang Xiaoyu was only thirteen and most of the boy’s mentality hadn't matured yet. That was why they played pranks on her; it was so that she would pay attention to them. But she disliked those pranks, just chalking it up to them bullying her.

As for the girls, it was fairly simple. Usually, girls loved it when someone they love was attracted to them, but if everyone was attracted to the prettiest girl, they would naturally distance themselves from her due to frustration.

After eating, the two walked outside and stood under a large tree. Uncle Zhao was teaching her about the basics of a spiritual cultivator.

“Spiritual cultivators are individuals who cultivate Mental Power. We can control the spirits that reside in everything in this world. Just like how we use our hands to manipulate objects, we turn our Mental Power into a physical force to control the physical world.”

Xiang Xiaoyu was earnestly listening to his teachings. Uncle Zhao realized that she was a diamond in the rough. She was able to grasp some of the more difficult concepts even though he only said them once. It seemed that she would be extremely powerful in the future.

Uncle Zhao didn’t hold back and taught her everything that he knew. He started from the basics, then moved on to the advanced concepts and even his secret techniques. Xiang Xiaoyu was steadily increasing her Mental Power.

At ten o’clock, before Uncle Zhao left, he gave her a piece of advice. “Have patience. You must be able to hold in your emotions and endure solitude, that way your brother won’t worry about you.” He left after saying that.

Xiang Xiaoyu bowed toward him as his silhouette grew further and further away.

As time went on, she kept hearing rumors of her brother not helping those in need or being extremely malicious. There were even those that called him a ‘delinquent’ and a ‘rubbish part-time student’. The entire school was talking about him. Xiang Ning was now a renowned person in both the junior and senior divisions.

“Hmph! To think that I once thought of him as someone charismatic.”

“I think my eyes are blind! We really can’t judge people based on their looks.”

“Our Qiling Academy has lost all of its honor!”

Xiang Xiaoyu merely stayed silent. It wasn’t her turn to speak yet. Everything would be revealed when her brother returned.

During this period, Chen Zixin was extremely worried about her as well. There were too many rumors; even the teachers wanted her to go home. The rumors were too much for her to endure. Xiang Xiaoyu was their best student. Ignoring her brother, her personality was without question.

Chen Zixin was worried and suggested, “Xiaoyu, why don’t I take a break with you?”

Xiang Xiaoyu silently ate her lunch as she calmly answered, “No need, I trust my brother. I’ll wait for him to come back. Everything will be alright.” She, who was always smiling and laughing, had been reduced to this state in just a few days. Chen Zixin was furious, but didn’t have the power to silence everyone.

Xiang Xiaoyu stared at the sky, missing her brother. Brother, you must come back safely.

......

In Fortress Three, every single headmaster was in an unpleasant mood. Since earlier that morning, Xiang Ning’s squad had been stealing and killing every single beast that they encountered as if they were possessed.

“Qi Jiuming, don’t you have anything to say? Look at what your students are doing. I don’t think my students have wronged them,” the Second School’s headmaster pouted.

Qi Jiuming was in a dilemma as well. It would be fine if Xiang Ning were only targeting Hanwu Academy and the First School, but to think he would so indiscriminately attack everyone! Xiang Ning had stolen all of the beasts from the students of the nine largest academies.

“Hoho, don’t you forget. We’re reaching the final hour of the training. Even your students are doing the same thing. I think there aren’t enough beasts left to be hunted in this region,” Qi Jiuming tried to explain in an attempt to divert their animosity. Even though the region was large, the number of beasts would naturally fall as hundreds of squads were sent in to hunt them. That was even more apparent if they looked at the top ten rankings. Every single one of them had hunted five million dollars worth of beasts! That meant they had to kill at least two hundred tier one beasts above six-star. Even if the beasts were numerous, they wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer without reinforcement.

“The only place with beasts left is the city center. Look at your own students, they’re doing the same thing even though they’re stronger,” Qi Jiuming scoffed. Don’t you dare try taking advantage of me!