"Brother Fan?" Zhuo Tairan stared at Zhang Fan. "Since when did you become the big brother of these delinquents? What exactly did you go through this summer? I feel like you're becoming more and more mysterious."
"I think so too," Qiao Ruxin agreed.
"I dealt with the leader of those flat-tops, that's why they're so respectful to me," Zhang Fan explained.
"You can even beat their leader? I heard that 'Brother Leopard' is supposed to be a really formidable figure," Zhuo Tairan said.
"Not bad. Beating a hundred guys your level wouldn't be a problem," Zhang Fan chuckled.
...
Night fell, and the summer breeze was cool.
On the rooftop of a teaching building at Donghai Seventh Middle School, Zhang Fan sat cross-legged, his eyes closed. As the cultivation technique within his body circulated, the pores on his skin rhythmically contracted, slowly absorbing the not-so-dense spiritual energy from the surroundings.
In fact, Zhang Fan had already reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage, with the next step being the Foundation Establishment stage. To enter the Foundation Establishment stage, simply absorbing and refining the faint spiritual energy in the air was far from enough.
Although this bit of spiritual energy was like a drop in the bucket for crossing the threshold of Foundation Establishment, Zhang Fan still persisted in absorbing it. After all, a tower is built from heaps of earth, and a fur coat is made from many pieces of fur. With long-term persistence, the effects would still be quite noticeable.
Therefore, during the first few days of school, Zhang Fan hadn't returned to the dormitory to sleep. Every night, he would come to the rooftop to cultivate. Although the iron door on the rooftop was locked, to Zhang Fan, that barrier was as good as nonexistent.
As he was now, he only needed to sleep for two hours during classes each day to maintain his peak condition.
"It all depends on whether I can find a suitable spiritual medicine at this classical auction," Zhang Fan thought hopefully. Xu Tianlei had mentioned the classical auction was just a few days away.
He knew very well that given the current spiritual energy levels on Earth, he would need the assistance of a Foundation Establishment Pill to enter the Foundation Establishment stage. Of course, another method was to find a place with abundant spiritual energy, set up a spiritual gathering array, and continuously provide himself with spiritual power. Otherwise, without a large supply of spiritual energy, even he would find it difficult to break through that barrier.
Zhang Fan pondered. The first method seemed more reliable. After all, finding a spiritual cultivation treasure land on Earth was probably no easier than finding a hundred-year-old spiritual herb.
Although the Qi Refining stage and the Foundation Establishment stage were separated by only a thin line, they were vastly different. Once one entered the Foundation Establishment stage, they would have officially stepped through the gates of immortal cultivation and would possess various divine abilities.
Walking on water and killing enemies with a flying sword would no longer be mere aspirations.
...
The next day at school, Zhang Fan again sensed strange looks from his classmates. After a moment's thought, Zhang Fan understood. It was probably his actions on the basketball court yesterday that had shocked these students.
After all, he was now a man who could crush a basketball with his bare hands. Even Lin Zihao had become much more subdued after yesterday's events, his eyes darting away when they met Zhang Fan's.
Zhang Fan arrived at his seat and ignored Zhuo Tairan, who was reading a comic book beside him. He immediately slumped onto his desk and started to sleep. Through the classes of the past few days, Zhang Fan found that the curriculum seemed to have become much simpler for him. He could easily learn by himself from books, so he no longer paid attention in class.
...
"Classmate Zhang Fan, come to the office with me!" While Zhang Fan was sleeping, he vaguely heard a voice. It was Brother Chest Hair. After sleeping for several days, he had finally been caught by Brother Chest Hair today.
Zhang Fan raised his head and scanned the classroom. He saw that his classmates were all looking at him with sympathetic expressions. Being called to the office by Brother Chest Hair was truly a sad affair.
He estimated he wouldn't be free from an hour of nagging, like a tightening golden fillet, and moreover, everyone could sense on the first day of school that Brother Chest Hair seemed to be deliberately targeting Zhang Fan.
"Brother, see you this afternoon," Zhuo Tairan patted Zhang Fan's shoulder with a sympathetic look.
Zhang Fan waved dismissively and followed Brother Chest Hair towards the office.
In the past, being called to the office by Brother Chest Hair would have been a terrifying experience for Zhang Fan. However, for the current Zhang Fan, it didn't stir any emotional ripples; it was as mundane as going to the cafeteria for a meal.
As soon as he entered the office, besides Brother Chest Hair, there were a few other teachers, one of whom was an acquaintance of Zhang Fan – Si Youyou.
She was wearing a neat black business suit that hugged her full and slender figure. Her long, shoulder-length hair was tied into a ponytail. Her ample bosom was extremely alluring. Even though she sat upright, diligently grading homework, it still couldn't conceal her seductive charm.
Zhang Fan noticed that the other teachers in the office, while trying their best to appear focused on their work, were occasionally stealing glances at Si Youyou.
This seductive little vixen was making it difficult for us, the teachers of the people, to concentrate on our work, Zhang Fan muttered to himself.
Brother Chest Hair led Zhang Fan into the office and his gaze, too, fell upon Si Youyou first. He gave her a slight nod and smiled at her with what he thought was a gentle look.
Si Youyou responded with a polite, slight smile, which instantly made Brother Chest Hair's heart bloom. His old face lit up like a blooming chrysanthemum.
Then, Si Youyou's gaze fell on Zhang Fan, and she looked somewhat surprised and curious. "Why is classmate Zhang Fan here? Do you have any questions you need to ask the teacher?"
Brother Chest Hair put on a heartbroken expression and said, "This Zhang Fan, his grades are poor, and he has no ambition. He has no desire to learn. He just sleeps all day. He's truly a headache."
Zhang Fan acted as if he hadn't heard their conversation. He pulled out a stool and sat directly opposite Brother Chest Hair.
"Who allowed you to sit down?" Brother Chest Hair's eyes widened in fury.
Zhang Fan leaned back on the stool leisurely, glancing at Brother Chest Hair without a hint of fear. "I injured my foot playing basketball yesterday. Are you planning to make me stand the whole time, teacher?"
Brother Chest Hair knew about the basketball game yesterday but saw no sign of injury as Zhang Fan had walked with him.
"I watched yesterday's basketball game too. It was indeed very exciting, especially the part where classmate Zhang Fan crushed the basketball with his bare hands. I still remember it vividly," Si Youyou suddenly said.
The air in the office suddenly fell silent. The teachers couldn't help but turn their gazes to Zhang Fan. Crushing a basketball with bare hands? This young man was too violent.
Even Brother Chest Hair, who was about to scold Zhang Fan, choked on his words. Zhang Fan looked slender, but he had such great strength. Of course, Brother Chest Hair was puzzled as to why he would crush a basketball with his hand.
Was it because of a conflict during the game, and he was venting his frustration? Or did he have violent tendencies?
Whichever it was, this classmate Zhang Fan was a bit dangerous.