Chapter 647: Ascension

After parting ways with Zhong Ling, Li Xiaofei returned to the school. Red Flag High School was still rebuilding itself. Many students and teachers had perished during the devastation of war. The population of Liuhe Base City had dwindled, and the number of students had plummeted. The once-lively campus now felt desolate and empty.

"Old Qin, have you heard from Old Chen recently?" Li Xiaofei asked directly.

Ever since that old bandit had left Liuhe Base City on some so-called secret mission, he had never returned. It was as if he had vanished into thin air. No matter how hard they searched for him, there was no sign anywhere.

Did he die in the war?

Holding onto a sliver of hope, Li Xiaofei decided to ask Qin Dewei.

Qin Dewei shook his head and said, "Sigh, no news at all. I have no idea where he went. He’s probably dead by now. Damn bastard didn’t last long at all."

Li Xiaofei was speechless. If he didn’t know that these two were actually close, he might have suspected Old Chen had stolen Qin Dewei’s wife based on that comment alone. Wait, but Old Qin didn’t even have a wife.

Since there was nothing more to be learned, Li Xiaofei left behind some cultivation resources before taking his leave.

"This kid... Why does it feel like he's settling his affairs before leaving?" muttered Qin Dewei as he watched Li Xiaofei's departing figure, a trace of doubt surfacing in his mind.

A few minutes later, Li Xiaofei arrived at Cloudy Sky Youth Academy, the school run by the Cloudy Sky Gang. The academy had once been meticulously planned and even had its moments of glory, but like everything else, it had suffered from the war. Now, it carried a sense of desolation.

Fortunately, the elementary and middle school students had been well-protected by the government. Very few of them had been sent to fight, so there had only been minimal casualties among them. The school still had a decent number of students. However, many of these children had lost their parents and relatives in the battles to defend the city. Orphaned by the war, the school had become their only home.

Li Xiaofei stood by the window and looked outside. The sight of these children, diligently studying and cultivating, was deeply moving to him. Their perseverance, despite everything, left a lasting impression on his heart.

Muffled sounds came from below as Principal Hu exerted herself with great effort. Li Xiaofei let go of Principal Hu's hair and helped her up. The atmosphere in the principal’s office grew increasingly heated.

"You seductive fox..." Li Xiaofei said while performing the Yin-Yang Resonance of Great Sorrow, "Your physique has strengthened again. You've already become a Grade Eight Beast Emperor. At this rate, you might just ascend in broad daylight."

"Who said it would be in broad daylight?" Principal Hu panted heavily, twisting her waist with effort. "I’ve put in my share of effort too, haven't I? You’ve obtained the innate divine ability of my Heavenly Fox Nine-Tailed Lineage and gained nine lives. Isn’t that a sufficient reward?"

"That’s true." Li Xiaofei replied, "But I’m only giving you one day. Make the most of it while you can. By tomorrow, I’ll be gone, and there won’t be another chance."

"So fast?" Principal Hu spoke reluctantly, "I really want to ascend. When my bloodline awakens, I will gain additional memories. The Heavenly Fox Nine-Tailed lineage has almost never ascended from the lower realm, but if one can rise from below, the future will be limitless."

"So eager to ascend?"

"Yes, yes! My lord, can't you stay a few more days?"

"No."

"Then how am I supposed to ascend?"

"Aren't you already floating with ecstasy?"

"No."

"Hmm?"

"Ah, be gentle... Ah, I'm flying, I'm flying!"

The next day. Li Xiaofei pulled up his pants and walked out of the principal’s office.

Sigh, life is so damn meaningless.

He couldn't quite understand why so many people in this world were obsessed with affairs between men and women. Was there really anything enjoyable about it? It was nothing special. He rubbed his waist before transforming into a streak of sword light and left without hesitation.

***

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Two days later, a small asteroid, hidden and isolated by mystical formations, slowly rotated in outer space, beyond the solar system. The asteroid was less than one-twentieth the size of the Moon and was composed entirely of a massive metallic-iron meteorite.

Its deep black surface was incredibly smooth, with a total of one hundred and eight specially crafted super-tier formation monuments that supported an advanced array. The advanced array provided invisibility, gravitational adjustments, and defense mechanisms.

The asteroid had been hollowed out and meticulously sculpted. Thus, a remarkable four-dimensional city was born.

Li Xiaofei walked through the streets, curiously observing his surroundings. Three hours ago, he had followed his aunt’s arrangements and publicly ascended before an audience of tens of millions worldwide. The sky was filled with celestial phenomena, drawing countless gazes. It had been quite the spectacle, as drums roared, firecrackers exploded and banners fluttered. An endless sea of people had gathered, clouds billowed, and celestial maidens scattered flowers from the heavens...

Little Aunt, Tan Zhenwei, and his daughter had ascended alongside him . Old Tan had lost his heart, yet, thanks to Little Aunt’s secret arts, he still clung to life, with a glimmer of hope for resurrection. The young lady had mostly recovered, though the corpse energy within her body would take more time to fully dissipate.

The entire world had witnessed this four-person ascension. There was no doubt; the news would soon reach the so-called celestial gods beyond the heavens. Those seeking to seize divinity would now have to track down the Tan father and daughter, shifting their focus away from Earth.

Little Aunt had taken them to Heaven. Meanwhile, Li Xiaofei had ascended to the Star Council's Super Headquarters, the legendary city known as Chongque.

This was a holy city. But it was also a city of sin. This metropolis that had been carved into the interior of a planet served as the central command hub for a hundred thousand Earth-based cities and functioned as the transfer station connecting Earth and Heaven.

It was a bizarre and fantastical city, where ancient traditions intertwined with modern technology, and mechanical civilization coexisted with martial arts cultivation. Dreamlike architecture filled every corner.

Li Xiaofei stood by the glass façade of a towering building, gazing at his own reflection. The handsome young man of the past had completely vanished. In his place stood a pale, plump figure.

His black, shoulder-length hair, coarse facial features, and stocky, 1.82 meter-tall build exuded an air of lecherous cunning and timid shrewdness. There was not a single trace of his former appearance.

"Little Aunt’s methods are truly miraculous." Li Xiaofei couldn't help but marvel.

His transformation wasn’t a simple disguise, nor was it a result of muscle or skeletal adjustments that he controlled. Instead, during her final massage session, his aunt had planted hidden forces within his body. The moment he crossed over, his physique automatically morphed into this pudgy form.

There were no detectable traces of artificial alteration, making it immune to any perception or insight techniques while leaving his strength completely unaffected. The disadvantage was...

Why couldn’t she have made me a handsome guy?!

Li Xiaofei looked at his reflection with a hint of regret. But after a moment of thought, he realized he was probably on the most-wanted kill list across multiple factions. Taking on an unremarkable, cowardly, and sleazy appearance at least meant he wouldn’t attract too much attention.

"Better find my contact as soon as possible."

Li Xiaofei quickened his pace as he recalled her instructions.

What kind of person will the contact be?

He was curious.