Chapter 71: What Has He Been Through

For a brief moment, perhaps only a fraction of a second, Lin Ruoyan's shocked gaze met Liam's.

What kind of eyes were those?

They were calm yet carried a hint of savagery, a look of indifference toward both his own life and his enemy's.

Why isn't he dodging? Why isn't he blocking?

Why is his first reaction to take my sword head-on and then stab me in return?

Lin Ruoyan had been enrolled for over three years and had fought against divine servants before. But even when facing those fanatic zealots, none had been like Liam.

He couldn't stop. The chain around his waist pulled him toward Liam as if it wasn't his intention to thrust his sword but rather Liam's intent to be stabbed.

"Stop! Hold!"

In that instant, Cain called off the match. The space around them distorted, freezing Lin Ruoyan's sword and Liam's blade in the air, unable to move. The scene was telling enough—a bronze sword halted at Liam's abdomen, while Liam's blade was a hair's breadth from Lin Ruoyan's throat.

Had Cain been even half a second late, there would have been bloodshed—one wounded, one dead.

"Liam... wins!" Cain announced.

Lin Ruoyan stood stiffly on the platform, drenched in cold sweat, his eyes barely daring to glance at the blade near his neck.

Just a little more... so close!

Years of hard training and relentless discipline, growing stronger day by day, dreaming of one day becoming a protector of the world. And yet, just now, he realized how close he had come to death.

Too close!

Hearing Cain's voice, the clarity slowly returned to Liam's eyes, bringing him back to his usual demeanor.

"Sorry, I got caught up in the moment. Didn't hold back," he said, lowering his blade and offering Lin Ruoyan a slightly apologetic smile.

It was almost like a form of battle aftershock. Once Liam entered combat mode, he reverted to the state he was in while defending the stadium—no room for holding back. Those three hours of brutal combat had etched their lessons deep into his bones.

Lin Ruoyan watched Liam transition from a cold, ruthless combatant back to his lazy, friendly self in a second. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Lin Ruoyan forced a strained smile.

"It's alright... I just wasn't as good as you. You're... very strong."

After speaking, Lin Ruoyan naturally took a few steps back, putting distance between himself and Liam, as if standing too close to him was dangerous.

Comparing Liam's relaxed demeanor now to the cold, violent eyes during the fight, Lin Ruoyan almost thought Liam had a split personality.

He had only one thought in his mind: This guy is too dangerous. Never cross him in the future.

The fight, though seemingly long, happened in a flash. To the students in the audience, it looked like Liam and Lin Ruoyan exchanged a few polite words, and then the fight was suddenly over. Many didn't even catch what happened, feeling a bit let down. They had hoped for a spectacle of flashy abilities clashing but were disappointed by how quickly it ended.

But clearly, there were some sharp-eyed individuals present. On the stands, many senior students who had clearly seen the fight felt a chill run down their spines.

"This kid... freshman chief? Seriously? His killing intent is terrifying."

"Where did Dean Mo find this monster? Is this even a student? I'd believe you if you told me he was a serial killer."

"Better not provoke him... Seriously, don't. What did we get ourselves into this year?"

On the stands, the senior students fell into a hushed silence. From now on, they etched Liam's laid-back face into their minds.

This is definitely a wolf in sheep's clothing!

As the crowd gradually dispersed, this year's freshman celebration ended in a rather strange way. Many students recorded the final match, and over the next few days, the footage would be all over the campus forums.

Liam, the freshman chief, had firmly established his position. At this point, Ryan approached Liam to chat, shaking his hand in the process...

And of course, Liu Peng, the odd one out, came over as well.

"Big bro! You saved me that day! Wahhh, I'm so grateful! From now on, if you ever need anything, just let me know!" Liu Peng exclaimed, clutching Liam's hand, tears and snot running down his face.

Liam: ...

"I'd appreciate it if you acted normal. And don't call me big bro…"

Liu Peng: "Sure thing, boss. Anything you need me to do?"

Liam: "Just stay out of the way."

Liu Peng: "But boss, it's really hot outside. The only way to cool off is to go inside and turn on the AC."

Liam: "Then go inside!"

Liu Peng: "Alright, boss. Should I bring you breakfast tomorrow?"

...

And thus continued the antics of this persistent pest.

Meanwhile, Vice Dean Tang Jinyi grabbed Cain's sleeve, her expression severe as she held him back.

"What's with this child? What has he been through?"

"He's so young! How could he have such intense killing intent? You said he made significant contributions a few days ago. What kind of contributions?"

Cain was silent for a few seconds before responding, "Due to special circumstances, he had to defend a place alone, fighting divine servants for over three hours."

"All in all... there were at least a hundred bodies. That battle pushed him into the Fifth Realm. Even I didn't expect him to manage so well."

Hearing this outrageous number, Tang Jinyi gasped, gritting her teeth, "How could you let this happen? He's still so young. His mental state isn't fully developed. How could you...!"

"We had no choice. At the time, none of us could stay there..."

"Still, there must have been another way. You..." she began, but Cain suddenly glanced toward the student crowd and quickly pulled away from Tang Jinyi.

"Let's talk later. I need to find someone first! I'm worried they might stray off course."

With that, before Tang Jinyi could react, Cain disappeared from her sight.

As she moved further away from the noisy field, Lila walked alone toward the dormitory building. In a dark corner, she clenched her fists.

Her right fist pressed hard against the wall, scraping it to the point of drawing blood, but she didn't even feel the pain.

When she had hidden in the basement that day, she clung to the ceiling, listening to Liam's every move in his battle. Today, sitting in the front row, she had watched Liam's cold gaze utterly suppress the senior students of the Eastern Academy.

She didn't know why, but she felt that her goal was becoming increasingly distant.

Now, whenever she thought about what she had said and thought when she first met Liam, she felt like a fool, tormented by a sense of regret.

What now? Why is it so hard to catch up? How can I ever surpass him?

I want to surpass him, so why do I still need his protection when danger arises!?

Ever since the assessment, she had spent every waking moment developing her abilities and training herself, allowing herself only six hours to sleep and an hour to eat.

But why does it feel like the gap is only widening?

Is it impossible for a B-rank to catch up with those geniuses? But I'm not just any B-rank!

And he was just an E-rank back then!

Thinking this, Lila punched the wall hard, but the pain in her hand couldn't compare to the anxiety and anguish in her heart. Tears slowly welled up in her eyes.

Just then, a voice spoke behind her.

"Child, what are you thinking?"

"Does your hand hurt? Don't be in such a rush."