Starforce Warriors

Chapter 391: Met A Ghost

Wang Xiaofan glanced at Li Xiaofei, who sized up the slick-haired young man from head to toe. The young man, in turn, looked over the two of them.

"Two broke, pathetic losers? They think they're good enough to be my neighbors?" The young man with the slick hair continued to grumble, "I want that pretty senior as my neighbor. Get her here immediately, or I'll have my dad pull his sponsorship..."

His guide, a senior wearing a light green blouse, was standing next to him. She had an average face but a slim waist and long legs. She looked troubled at his words, though a deep disdain flashed in her eyes.

Li Xiaofei folded his arms and started laughing. Wang Xiaofan clenched his fists, a look of eager anticipation on his face. He was clearly tempted to make a move, but his fingers brushed the white bear-tooth pendant hanging over his chest, and he visibly restrained his impulse to start a fight. @@novelbin@@

But even so, the slick-haired young man ended up getting hit.

Smack.

A sharp slap landed on his face. The one who had slapped him was Li Junjie, who had just arrived with his luggage.

"You think you can show off like that in front of my boss?" Li Junjie planted a foot on the slick-haired young man who was now sprawled on the ground. "Believe it or not, I'll chop you up right here."

The young man was stunned. When he realized that the one who slapped him was none other than Li Junjie, the top talent from the Eastern Blue-Robe House's admissions, the anger on his face immediately disappeared and was replaced by an unexpected excitement.

"Misunderstanding! It was all a misunderstanding." The young man wiped the dust from his face and bowed respectfully. "Brother, I’m Ximen Piaoxue. This is my first time around here, so if I did something wrong, please, great one, show me some guidance."

"I'm not the boss." Li Junjie walked up to Li Xiaofei and said, "This is my boss. He’s the real deal."

"Yes, yes, yes." Ximen Piaoxue nodded repeatedly, then added with a cheerful smile, "But, what abilities could a small fry like me possibly have to become the little brother of the great one's great one? Being able to be your little brother, Brother Junjie, is already a blessing earned over many lifetimes."

Li Xiaofei and Wang Xiaofan were both speechless. This guy was so cowardly after a single hit. Yet, he was oddly persistent.

"Get lost, get lost." Li Junjie snapped impatiently, "I hate bootlickers like you the most. Don't get in my way."

"Boss, don't be angry. I know the rules."

Ximen Piaoxue gave a sly smile, and pulled out a metal suitcase out of nowhere. When he opened it, he revealed ten shimmering vials of Starforce Reagents, emitting a golden glow that caught Li Xiaofei’s eye.

"These ten vials of fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagents are my token of entry. Please, boss, accept me," Ximen Piaoxue said, bending into a deep ninety-degree bow.

Li Junjie was growing impatient and raised his hand as if to slap him again. "Do you really think I'd be interested in this trash? I..."

Before he could finish, Li Xiaofei interjected, "Actually, you could be interested."

"I..." Li Junjie nearly choked on his words.

Thankfully, he was quick on his feet.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am interested," Li Junjie said, taking the suitcase and accepting his new underling. "You've got a good eye. Stick with me from now on."

Ximen Piaoxue was overjoyed. He had finally latched onto the biggest connection in the Eastern House.

He had been sent to White Deer Academy by his parents to lay low due to some issues. His extensive experience with causing trouble taught him that the first rule in any new place was to find the biggest support he could. So he’d already prepared a welcome gift and chosen his target. Now, he had achieved his goal.

"Haha. Boss, is there anything you need me to do?" asked Ximen Piaoxue as he leaned in, grinning obsequiously.

Li Junjie glanced at this slick-haired young man and said, "Wait at the door."

With that, he accompanied Li Xiaofei into the cave dwelling.

Bang.

When the door closed, Li Junjie quickly turned to him and said, "Boss, I’d like to move in here and live with you."

Li Xiaofei asked, "Isn’t the dorm they assigned you any good?"

"Not really," Li Junjie replied honestly. "It’s ten times bigger than yours and even has a lake view."

Li Xiaofei was speechless.

So, this is what it feels like to be treated differently.

"I want to keep a low profile, so don’t call me boss anymore..."

Before Li Xiaofei could finish, Li Junjie dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Boss, please don’t kick me out."

His face was full of panic.

Li Xiaofei, both amused and exasperated, replied, "I mean, don’t call me boss in front of others. I didn’t come to the academy to make a scene. This time, I need to keep a low profile. But you should work hard to secure your position as the best first-year in Eastern Blue-Robe House. If I ever need something, I might have to count on you to handle it."

"Don’t worry, Boss." Li Junjie patted his chest, assuring him.

After some discussion, Li Xiaofei solidified his plan to stay under the radar at White Deer Academy.

Li Junjie left the fifth-generation pure Starforce Reagents with Li Xiaofei and stepped outside. He gave some stern instructions to his new underling, Ximen Piaoxue, "Your two neighbors are my good friends. Treat them with respect, or I’ll finish you off."

Ximen Piaoxue smacked his chest and promised, "Boss, your friends are my friends. I might not have much else, but I’m definitely loyal to friends."

Only then did Li Junjie reluctantly leave.

The first three days of the new term were busy as both teachers and students settled in. Li Xiaofei, already fond of ancient-style clothing, was more than satisfied with the green academy robes.

However, he had a strange feeling while sleeping the past two nights. His sleep was extraordinarily restful, as if he were breathing in pure, fresh air from a natural oxygen bar. Even his cultivation of the Nine Yang Divine Art was more efficient than ever before.

This White Deer Academy is peculiar. A practically unknown third-rate academy, unnoticed even in Xiajing, and almost unheard of beyond it, yet it occupies such a mountainous campus. Moreover, this mountain area, with its water, trees, and stunning scenery—it looks just like a legendary sanctuary.

Li Xiaofei had strolled around his small courtyard several times over the past couple of days. He couldn’t shake the feeling that White Deer Academy was hiding some kind of secret. So, he wandered around aimlessly, exploring every chance he got.

At noon on the third day,

"Halt! Who are you, and what are you doing in the cemetery?" At the entrance of the cemetery in the back mountain, an old man in a gray robe appeared like a specter, blocking Li Xiaofei’s path with a sharp gaze, his voice booming with authority.

"Senior, please don’t misunderstand. I’m a new student at the academy. I’m just wandering around to get familiar with the campus," Li Xiaofei explained.

This gray-robed elder radiated a powerful presence.

"The Cemetery of the Ancestors is restricted. You must leave immediately."

The old man’s expression softened slightly.

"Restricted?"

Li Xiaofei looked thoughtfully at the rusty, weathered bronze gate of the cemetery, then at the lush forest and distant mountains within. After a final glance, he took the elder’s advice and turned to leave.

For some reason, he felt as if something beyond that bronze gate was drawing him in. It was a strange sense of familiarity. Yet, that very night, something unusual happened.

"You’ve finally arrived." A white-bearded, white-robed ghostly figure appeared by Li Xiaofei’s bedside, looking down at him with a broad smile.

Li Xiaofei let out a startled cry as he bolted upright. But when he looked again, there was no ghostly figure to be seen. The dorm room was spotless and perfectly quiet, the stone door sealed shut with formation lines, and not a soul was present.

I actually had a nightmare.

Li Xiaofei was taken aback. He wiped his forehead and found himself sweating coldly.

Given his physical and cultivation level, it seemed impossible for him to have a nightmare, let alone break into a cold sweat. Li Xiaofei sensed something wasn’t quite right. However, he was brave and highly skilled, so he dismissed the thought and lay back down. Soon, he fell asleep again.

"You’ve finally arrived." Once more, the white-bearded, white-robed ghostly figure appeared beside his bed, smiling down with a look of intense joy, like a madman consumed by happiness.