Chapter 2

Zhang Yifeng was not clear about the situation in Kyoto. He knew that his father had arranged a marriage for him, but now that the Zhang family had fallen apart, he did not even think about this marriage.

Moreover, he already had someone in his heart.

However, that person was in another world. Although he did not know if they would ever meet in this life, he could not easily accept anyone else at the moment.

Love was not that easy.

In the days that followed, Zhang Yifeng spent his days reading books at the library and secretly practicing cultivation at night. He only occasionally attended classes and did not care whether he would get a certificate or not.

He persisted like this for a month.

One night, Zhang Yifeng practiced cultivation as usual in the small forest near the library, where the earth's spiritual energy was the most concentrated.

At this moment, Zhang Yifeng had completely lost his patience.

"A month has passed, and I haven't even entered the first stage of Body Tempering. Could it be that this world is truly unsuitable for cultivation?"

A month of cultivation had left Zhang Yifeng feeling powerless. Entering the Body Tempering stage meant becoming a cultivator, and the spiritual energy in the body would form a simple cycle. The circulation of spiritual energy would allow for further Body Tempering.

"The sky is about to brighten; it's time to leave."

Looking at the sky, Zhang Yifeng stood up with a somewhat gloomy expression. But as he took a few steps, his body suddenly trembled.

In the middle of the small forest, he saw a flower. Strictly speaking, it was not a flower but more like a weed.

Zhang Yifeng's expression was one of surprise. As he approached, he was overjoyed.

Without hesitation, he ate the weed.

If someone had seen this, they would have thought the boy had gone mad from hunger.

After eating the weed, Zhang Yifeng immediately sat cross-legged and continued his cultivation.

A strange scene unfolded. From his body came a series of popping sounds, as if explosions were occurring inside.

But this was not an explosion; it was Zhang Yifeng's body undergoing tempering.

Five minutes later, a faintly glowing meridian appeared in Zhang Yifeng's body. The meridian did not carry blood but a white aura.

Clearly, Zhang Yifeng had successfully tempered his body and entered the first stage of Body Tempering.

"Who would have thought that in a place with such sparse spiritual energy, the Iron Spirit Grass would grow."

Zhang Yifeng smiled. The grass he had just taken was called Iron Spirit Grass, which could absorb the earth's spiritual energy. As long as it was not uprooted, even if pesticides were sprayed, it would not die.

Although the Iron Spirit Grass contained only a small amount of spiritual energy, it had successfully helped Zhang Yifeng enter the Body Tempering stage. Now, he was a true cultivator.

He felt a surge of strength throughout his body. Dealing with ordinary thugs was no longer a problem. Even special forces would not be his match.

Standing up, Zhang Yifeng quickly returned to his dormitory. Having just become a cultivator, his body had suddenly become stronger, and his physical functions were not yet adapted. After all, this was a turning point from an ordinary person to a cultivator, and he needed to rest for a few days.

When he returned to the dormitory, it was still empty. Zhang Yifeng's three roommates had almost all moved out to rent their own places, either to live with their partners or to enjoy a carefree life.

If Zhang Yifeng had not been left with nothing, he would not have stayed in the school dormitory.

Zhang Yifeng slept for three days. Fortunately, there was no one else in the dormitory; otherwise, his roommates would have thought he was dead. How could an ordinary person sleep for three days?

After waking up, Zhang Yifeng only wanted to do one thing: eat.

This was the first time Zhang Yifeng had openly appeared in the school cafeteria. Before his advancement, he did not want to draw too much attention, as his reputation at school was not good. The nickname "Zhang Xiaowei" was a source of shame. But now that he was a cultivator, he did not need to hide anymore. If anyone insulted him, he would simply fight back!

When someone is bullied, only a strong fist can bring justice! Only a strong fist can earn respect and make others fear.

It was mealtime, and the school cafeteria was crowded. However, most of the people there were ordinary students. Truly wealthy and influential students would not eat in the cafeteria.

The old Zhang Yifeng would not have come to the school cafeteria either; he usually ate out. But things were different now. Zhang Yifeng was penniless, and the money in his card was almost gone. He needed to find a way to earn some extra money to ensure his basic daily needs.

Zhang Yifeng had not been there long when someone recognized him.

"Look, isn't that Zhang Yifeng eating in the corner?"

"Zhang Yifeng? The one who was publicly humiliated by the class beauty from the Economics Department a while ago? I heard he even attempted suicide."

"Yeah, he looks a bit like him. I've seen him before. Back then, he was the young master of the Zhang family, surrounded by followers. But now, he's all alone, eating in the corner."

Many people pointed at Zhang Yifeng, some laughing, others sighing. Zhang Yifeng felt the gazes of those around him. He lifted his head and glanced at the nearby people, his eyes cold and sharp like a sword. The people who had been looking at him immediately lowered their heads, feeling a chill run through their bodies. This was truly bizarre.

"Zhang Yifeng, you're eating here too?"

At that moment, a voice came from behind Zhang Yifeng. He turned his head and saw a thin man with glasses, Zhao Long, who had saved him and was his classmate.

Next to Zhao Long stood two others. Zhang Yifeng had a vague impression of them; they seemed to be his classmates, but he had no interaction with them and could not even remember their names.

Seeing Zhao Long, Zhang Yifeng rarely smiled. As people around him had discussed, when he was the young master of the Zhang family, he was surrounded by followers. But now, who was still by his side? No one. Only Zhao Long would still greet him. Whether he was wealthy or in trouble, Zhao Long remained the same, neither greedy nor mocking.

"Yeah, let's eat together."

Zhang Yifeng nodded slightly. Zhao Long was slightly taken aback, not expecting Zhang Yifeng to say such a thing. Then he understood; Zhang Yifeng must be very lonely and isolated. After all, he was all alone, with no family and no friends.

"Then let's eat here."

Zhao Long said this to the two friends beside him. They sat down across from Zhang Yifeng.

Although they were seated, no one spoke. Zhang Yifeng did not know what to say, and Zhao Long was not a talkative person, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

Suddenly, an unpleasant voice broke the silence.

"Four-Eyes, there you are! Damn it, I've been looking for you everywhere. Hurry up and sign the papers with me."

Zhang Yifeng looked up and saw a tall, muscular youth walking toward Zhao Long, his expression unfriendly. Two henchmen, also muscular, followed the youth.

Seeing the youth, Zhao Long's eyes immediately showed fear. "I... I don't want to borrow anymore, can't I?"

The youth became furious upon hearing this. "Damn it, you came to me asking for a loan, and now you don't want to borrow? Do you think I'm easy to bully?"

Before the youth's words had even finished, he picked up the tray on Zhao Long's table and slammed it onto Zhao Long's face without a word.

With a dull thud, Zhao Long's thin body fell to the ground, his face covered in grease and food scraps, and blood dripped from his nose onto his pants.

This scene made the previously noisy cafeteria fall silent. All the college students looked at the scene, their expressions complex, seemingly very angry, but no one dared to intervene.

The youth's name was Yu Chao, a local who was involved in the underworld.

These out-of-town college students were most afraid of local thugs. As the saying goes, a strong dragon does not suppress a local snake, and they were not even strong dragons.

A year ago, an incident had occurred. A thug was pursuing a female college student. During a class dinner, the thug happened to be eating there as well. He pestered the female student, asking her to drink and chat. The class president, seeing the female student being harassed, kindly said, "Sir, we are having a class dinner. Could you...?"

Before the class president could finish his sentence, the drunk thug smashed a bottle on his head. This scene shocked the entire class and frightened everyone.

At that time, with so many people in the class, no one dared to step forward. They could only secretly call the police and an ambulance. But what could they do? The class president had been hit, and even if someone was angry, they did not dare to take revenge for him! Taking revenge would only result in more bloodshed.

This was a real incident that happened at Zhang Yifeng's university.

Zhao Long's nose was bleeding, and his glasses had fallen to the ground, shattered.

At that moment, he felt extremely helpless, leaning against the wall like an injured bird.

What does it feel like to be bullied?

Despair, helplessness.

Perhaps Zhao Long had the intention to resist, but like most people, he lacked the courage to do so!

He knew he could not resist. His thin body could not match the tall and muscular Yu Chao, let alone the two henchmen beside him.

He looked at the two classmates who had come with him, as if seeking help.

One of the classmates clenched his teeth and, gathering his courage, said, "This is the school cafeteria, you..."

But before he could finish, Yu Chao suddenly turned his head and said fiercely, "Who the hell are you? Get lost! Say another word, and you'll get a beating."

Yu Chao's henchmen immediately stepped forward.

The two classmates fell silent, holding their trays and stepping back a few steps. They wanted to help Zhao Long, but their abilities were limited.

"Ha, cowards."

Yu Chao laughed and turned to Zhao Long again.

"So, do you know what to do now?"

"I... I..."

"Damn it, what do you mean by 'I'? Just come with me and sign the papers. Damn, even a female college student holding an ID and taking nude photos is more straightforward than you. Are you even a man, being so cowardly?"

"Brother Chao, I don't want to borrow... I really don't want to borrow."

Zhao Long did not cry, but his eyes were red, and he was almost hysterical.

"Damn it, looks like you want another beating!"

Yu Chao grabbed Zhao Long's collar, and his fist, as big as a sandbag, was raised again.

"Enough, take your hand off my friend."

At that moment, a cold voice rang out. Zhang Yifeng finally spoke. He put down his chopsticks, his eyes cold.