Chapter 58

Listen, listen, listen, listen... Support me again in the Three Rivers... I need more recommendations and votes for the Three Rivers...

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"You!" Anya was also provoked by Ji Ran's words. However, it was clear that the logic was not on her side, so even though she gripped her sword tightly, she did not draw it.

After all, this girl, though fiery-tempered, still had some sense.

Ji Ran ignored her. He had already decided not to continue the fuss and naturally intended to leave.

He walked forward, and although Anya still blocked his path, she could not stop his steps.

Just like that, Ji Ran moved forward step by step, getting closer and closer to the girl. When he was near her, he slightly turned his body and walked past Anya.

Throughout this process, Anya held the slender sword tightly in her hand, her eyes fixed on Ji Ran, but she never drew the sword.

Ji Ran seemed to completely ignore her, his steps light and rhythmic. Each step seemed to be the result of careful thought, and although he did not slow down, his steps were solid.

Anya's gaze followed Ji Ran's movements, and her body remained facing him. The somewhat timid boy behind her looked at Anya with surprise and occasionally glanced at Ji Ran.

It wasn't until Ji Ran turned a corner and was out of sight that Anya's grip on the sword slowly relaxed. If one observed closely, one would notice that her muscles were also gradually relaxing.

"Phew..." Although Anya's body relaxed, her eyes did not. She still stared in the direction Ji Ran had left. However, she finally let out a breath she had been holding.

"Very strong?" The timid boy asked, coming closer.

Anya nodded: "Very strong. I was looking for an opportunity to attack, but Ji Ran didn't give me any chance. He wasn't without flaws, but he concealed them well. With my strength, even if I forced an attack, I might not have the upper hand. His steps were very peculiar, completely bypassing my attack routes... In that situation, I couldn't attack."

The timid boy drew a sharp breath: "Is his swordsmanship really that strong?"

Anya finally turned her gaze away and looked into the distance: "Indeed, it's very strong, but not to the point where I have to look up to him. He actually intimidated me with his aura first, which gave him the opportunity to gradually force me into a position where I couldn't attack. If I had attacked from the start, he would have had to face me head-on. Then, who would win or lose would be uncertain."

Anya's words were somewhat conservative, but they also revealed a hint of confidence. However, the timid boy was already shocked—when had this arrogant young lady ever shown such uncertainty?

"A very interesting guy, no wonder the old man took a liking to him. But I won't give up... I will force out his true strength!" Anya clenched her fist, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.

The timid boy shrank back: "Well, Ji Ran, you're in trouble..."

Ji Ran, who had forced the girl Anya to leave, also breathed a sigh of relief. The girl's strength also made him feel threatened.

That girl said she was from the Lawrence family? Then she must be a relative of Professor Lawrence. Knowing about his situation wasn't surprising. Moreover, it was clear that the girl's swordsmanship was outstanding, not inferior to his. Unfortunately, she didn't jump out to fight directly but chose to argue with him first.

Who from the internet age would be afraid of a verbal spat? Ji Ran had also been active in gaming forums in the past. He wasn't the sharpest, but he had the skill to make those who constantly challenged him choke.

He had used the "Leisurely Walk" technique to force back Anya's aura and successfully escaped, but it had cost him a lot of energy. The matter was temporarily resolved, but whether there would be any further developments was uncertain... No, it was almost certain there would be. That girl wasn't the type to give up easily.

But who cared? He would deal with it as it came. Right now, dinner was more important.

The first day of class ended like this. The next day, the routine continued: having breakfast with Lydia and then going to class together.

"Big Brother Ji Ran, the buns you brought back... my dorm mates really liked them!" Lydia had become much more cheerful and lively in recent days. After all, relaxed and pleasant interactions with peers were more likely to bring out a young girl's vitality than a tough adventure life.

"Really? Then let's have dinner together again. I'll make some more for you to take back." Ji Ran was also happy to see Lydia getting along well with her dorm mates. He hoped Lydia could have a normal, happy school life.

It would be very difficult to have such feelings again after leaving school.

As someone who had been through it, Ji Ran couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The sense of沧桑 (cāngsāng, meaning "vicissitudes of life") made him feel like he was already middle-aged.

"Really? That would be great! There are also very pretty girls in my dorm. Do you want me to introduce you?" Lydia looked at Ji Ran with big eyes, a hint of nervousness hidden deep in her gaze.

Ji Ran smiled and patted her head: "Why introduce me? Can they be cuter or prettier than our Lydia? Even if they are, I don't care. You are my sister."

Lydia immediately smiled, her round eyes now crescent-shaped: "I'm not cute or pretty... my classmates are much prettier. But if Big Brother Ji Ran doesn't like, then it's fine." Saying this, she reached out and hugged Ji Ran's arm, pressing her whole body against him.

As a sister, it's okay to be a bit spoiled with her brother, right?

And Ji Ran naturally enjoyed this feeling... which young, vibrant girl wouldn't make a man in his prime enjoy? Well... there are indeed some who wouldn't, but they are no longer considered ordinary men...

The next day's class went smoothly. Ji Ran got to know a few classmates, but they were just acquaintances who could chat a bit. Ji Ran wasn't particularly interested in cultivating classmate relationships... unless they got along really well.

The swordsmanship class had more boys than girls, as girls had a natural disadvantage in physical strength. Interestingly, the magic class also had more boys than girls... rational thinking was more of a male forte.

So, a group of boys in their teenage years, with excess hormones, naturally talked about what was expected.

"I heard that in the second-year swordsmanship class, there is a very powerful senior!" Classmate A boasted about his extensive sources of information.

"Oh?" A group of boys naturally gathered around to listen.

"I heard that this senior is so strong that even third-year seniors rarely defeat her. And she is very beautiful, with a great figure, making her one of the school beauties." Classmate A spoke with enthusiasm.

"Oh, oh!" The surrounding classmates looked like hungry wolves, their eyes green with envy.

"However, this senior is said to have a fiery temper. A boy once pursued her, and she stripped him with a few sword strikes, humiliating him in front of many classmates. He almost never appeared in public after that." Classmate A continued to boast about his information.

"Whoa!" The boys drew sharp breaths. Being stripped in public, even for a boy, would be hard to handle.

"But, that senior, though she can defeat most third-year seniors, there must be some she can't defeat, right? What about the fourth-year seniors?" A classmate raised a doubt.

"Hmph, do you think Tianlanzhi is a bandit stronghold where the strongest can take the prettiest girl as their wife?" Classmate A snorted, and the other classmates burst into laughter.

"I'm strong, so this woman should be mine!" This kind of talk has never disappeared, but most people know that things are not that simple.

Since everyone is in human society, they must follow certain social rules to some extent. A man's strength is an important factor for women to choose a partner, but it is not decisive.

There are definitely students in the academy stronger than that senior, but they may not all like her, and even if they do, they may not join the competition... or they may not be qualified.

If the woman doesn't want it, can you really knock her out and drag her to your room? Apart from a few real scoundrels, no one would take such a risk—of being expelled or even imprisoned.

"This senior is not only strong but also has a powerful background. I heard she is the granddaughter of our academy's swordsmanship master, Professor Lawrence... who would dare to mistreat her? Pursuing her is fine, but if you use improper means... how many people would dare to face the swordsmanship master?" Classmate A proudly announced another piece of explosive news.

"Oh..." With a background, that made sense.

Ji Ran, listening on the side, felt increasingly uneasy. When he heard that she was Professor Lawrence's granddaughter, he confirmed his suspicions. This second-year senior was indeed the one who had come to him a few days ago.

This was not good. Being entangled by a celebrity would definitely cause a lot of trouble. Some hot-headed guys might even challenge him to a duel...

Why is it so hard to be low-key in this world? Ji Ran now regretted getting a perfect score in the swordsmanship exam.

If he had held back a bit and just lasted ten minutes, he would have both humiliated Juan and Odi and met the admission requirements without drawing too much attention.

I'm still too young, Ji Ran reflected.

After reflecting for a while, he looked up again, and the topic had already shifted. Classmate A, as the main source of information, had taken center stage.

However, this had nothing to do with Ji Ran.

The swordsmanship class ended, and it was lunchtime again. The midday break was not very long, so Ji Ran usually only made simple food to fill his stomach. Therefore, after class, he headed towards the old dormitory.

Then, he was blocked on the way again.