In the principal's office, Huang Ruichen clasped his hands together as his assistant, Li Nuanqing, laid the challenge letter before him.
"Who sent this letter?"
Li Nuanqing cleared her throat and explained solemnly, "It's from the Phantom Network, Principal. They've vowed to kill Student Su from Prodigy Class 1-B, no matter what."
She summoned a holographic screen from her wristwatch, displaying data analysis.
"The Phantom Network has an entire team of experts. If they succeed, Su Xinyi will be in grave danger!"
Principal Ruichen fell into deep thought.
The Phantom Network was no ordinary adversary. If they assassinated the daughter of Tianxu's wealthiest man, the school would face severe punishment, possibly even execution.
"In that case... summon all the school's experts to defend against them," he said, lighting a cigarette.
"What do you mean, Principal?"
He exhaled a smoke ring and replied, "I mean we'll gather some of our top talents. Given that the Su family is already aware of the assassination plot, they'll undoubtedly tighten their security measures."
Director Nuan understood immediately. Tight security wasn't just about protecting her safety; it was crucial for the academy's reputation.
"Nuan, when is the next Scholarly Alliance Conference?"
"In about two months..."
Huang Ruichen pinched the bridge of his nose. *Messing up is practically inevitable!*
"Feilong City has twenty-two districts. Researchers recently discovered we've only explored six of them. And among the forty-five ordinary universities scattered across Metaverse City... we rank twentieth overall."
"No wonder... What instructions have the higher-ups given?" Director Nuan pressed.
"Their pressure is only complicating matters further..."
"They're saying that if she dies, it will bankrupt Qihua Galaxy Corporation globally. Nearly two million in compensation and fines... I haven't even paid off my damn bills yet! This absolutely cannot fail!"
Huang Ruichen sighed and took another drag of his cigarette. "So here's the plan. We need to move Su Xinyi to the protective classroom and have her monitored by experts around the clock."
...
After this, everyone acted swiftly. They moved Su Xinyi's desk into the shielded classroom and activated the safety protocols.
Su Xinyi was deeply reluctant. This meant she would see Ling Xian even less...
But with no other choice, she ultimately agreed.
Ling Xian never imagined that a simple date at Starfall Park would provoke such fury from the leadership. He had believed erasing parts of Su Xinyi's memory would extinguish her feelings, but it had only intensified them! Because Qionghua Galaxy Corporation had deemed the incident an attempted murder, this "expert" had become her savior.
Su Xinyi, however, felt that his charm should belong solely to her! This stunning woman was now giving Ling Xian a massive headache...
...
...
On the Friday of the second week of the new semester, all students were confined to their classrooms.
Today, the Phantom Network had dispatched multiple top-tier assassins, determined to complete their mission.
Ling Xian created a clone to take his place in the classroom while his true self teleported to the school rooftop to bask in the sunlight.
The rooftop structure was intricately designed... and astonishingly high.
Heard some senior fell here to their death... Ling Xian mused.
He gazed down at the main gate and the courtyard below, watching as the assassins silently breached the security perimeter and began subduing the guards.
They're here...
Wait, are they insane?!
Ling Xian is also at this school! This is practically suicide!
...
The Assassin Leader climbed to the top of the rooftop courtyard, his companions following closely behind.
There, they discussed their plan of action.
"Boss, it's scorching hot today... Why did we even take this job?" one of the assassins grumbled.
Another assassin smacked him hard on the head. "Are you out of your mind? This mission pays ten million and comes with a direct boost to our Net Ranking!"
"Boss, the target's just that girl? This'll be a piece of cake. One stab to the head and we're done."
"The target is indeed the girl, but we need to be cautious. Our reconnaissance suggests she's likely protected by a formidable guardian. The assassins who died before were all killed by that guardian..."
The assassins gasped in unison. "How strong is this guardian exactly...?"
The leader chuckled dryly, scratching the back of his head. "We don't know for sure... but based on the residual traces alone, he can destroy a target's meridians and golden core."
The assassins' hearts sank at this revelation. *Holy shit! Residual traces?!*
"So don't underestimate this mission. Eliminate the target immediately upon sight. Move out."
The assassins nodded and dispersed swiftly.
...
The leader's name was Shen Qing, a Platinum-ranked Dragon Linen Assassin on the Phantom Net's kill leaderboard.
He gazed at the campus, a sinister smile creeping across his lips.
"Heh heh. If I can take out that little girl, I'll get promoted to administration..."
"It's so hot today..." A long sigh suddenly drifted down from above. Shen Qing whipped around to see a purple-eyed youth in the academy uniform lazily basking in the sun.
"What the hell..." Shen Qing stared in disbelief.
Where did this guy even come from?!