Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

That afternoon, Xu Xingguang emerged covered in mud from field number 18, only to be stopped by Elder Tan Nan. "The disturbance on Bai Ze Island, you were there these days, weren’t you hurt?"

Even when showing concern, Elder Tan Nan feigned indifference.

"I wasn’t hurt." It’s the others who got hurt.

"You really are lucky." Elder Tan Nan sternly warned Xu Xingguang: "The upheaval on Bai Ze Island is a signal. In the future, unless necessary, don’t wander into the extreme north. The new leader of Bai Ze Island, who knows what kind of demon they could be."

Looking at Xu Xingguang’s delicate face, Elder Tan Nan deliberately scared her: "A delicate girl like you could be captured and made into a captive bride over there."

"A captive bride?" Xu Xingguang pondered seriously, "I’ve heard the new leader of Bai Ze Realm is tall, mighty, and handsome. Being his captive bride might not be bad."

"..." Elder Tan Nan was utterly speechless, "If that day truly comes, you’ll cry."

The little girl doesn’t know how cruelly vicious men can crush flowers with their harshness.

In Elder Tan Nan’s eyes, the new leader who ruled Bai Ze Realm was a super demon.

Such a delicate beauty like Xu Xingguang mustn’t fall into the hands of a big villain.

"I once told you that the Medical College in Medicine King City is going to openly recruit new students. Do you remember this?" Elder Tan Nan had already mentioned this half a month ago to Xu Xingguang.

Xu Xingguang naturally remembered this matter and nodded, "Golden Gate City has obtained 12 spots in total. Considering the timing, the recruitment will be in one and a half months."

"Right." Elder Tan Nan said, "In one and a half months, the final list of 12 admitted students will be determined. Medicine King City has three medical colleges renowned throughout Divine Martial Realm, which are Medicine King Medical College, Divine Martial Medical College, and Wanxiang Medical College."

Having not been in Divine Martial Realm long, Elder Tan Nan worried she wasn’t familiar with the basics of these three colleges and explained patiently: "Medicine King Medical College and Divine Martial Medical College are recognized as the two top medical colleges in Divine Martial Realm. The former specializes in traditional Chinese medicine, while the latter focuses on modern medicine."

"What about Wanxiang Medical College?" Xu Xingguang felt curious seeing Elder Tan Nan didn’t explain Wanxiang Medical College.

Upon hearing the name of the college, Elder Tan Nan, uncertain of what expression to make, said expressionlessly: "It’s a very diverse medical college where they learn everything—traditional Chinese medicine, modern medicine, viral medicine, genetics, witch doctor practices, Gu medicine, Miao medicine... even divination medicine."

Elder Tan Nan said to Xu Xingguang: "The kids who get into Medicine King Medical College and Divine Martial Medical College generally don’t choose Wanxiang Medical College. What about you, which college do you want to go to?"

"I need to think about it carefully."

"Well, with me writing a recommendation letter for you, getting one of the 12 Golden Gate City spots won’t be a problem. But which college you’ll end up in depends on your ability."

"Thank you, teacher."

After returning home, Xu Xingguang opened the Intelligent Brain Terminal to thoroughly investigate information about the three medical colleges.

Just as Elder Tan Nan said, Medicine King Medical College is the ideal college for all Chinese medicine students, Divine Martial Medical College is a top-tier school of modern medicine, while evaluations for Wanxiang Medical College vary greatly.

Xu Xingguang spent some more time researching the official forums of the three major medical colleges and found that Medicine King Medical College had the richest learning atmosphere, but factional cliques were also most evident within the college.

Divine Martial Medical College also had a good academic atmosphere, but students came from all over, and every discussion thread ultimately evolved into a scene of the Three Great Alliances bickering with each other.

As for Wanxiang Medical College, its forum styles were peculiarly quirky. Upon opening the forum, the first post Xu Xingguang saw was—

[Gu Hospital| Discussion: Why did my parent worm hook up with sub-child worm No.2? Isn’t this incest?]

First floor responded: [Although I don’t understand, I respect it. People cannot control their desires, let alone Gu worms.]

Second floor responded: [Perhaps because sub-child worm No.2 is more handsome?]

Third floor responded: [Spring has arrived, all life is reviving, your parent worm is lacking love.]

...

[Divination Institute| Divination signs indicate I am pregnant, but damn it, I’m a man!]

First floor said: [Hahaha, maybe you’re divining something else entirely.]

Second floor said: [Poor skills in divination, blaming the divining signs.]

Third floor said: [Poster, let us know your grade and class info, so we can avoid the risk.]

A month later, the poster wrote again: [Thanks for the concern, classmates. The divination signs weren’t wrong; it turns out I am indeed pregnant and just discovered I am intersex.]

Below that: [Stunned!]

...

[Genetic Department| Known fact: Green Blood Clan has no superpower awakeners. Do they have inferior genes or eternally perfect genes?]

[Virus Department| In-depth discussion: Is the awakening of superpower users akin to genetic mutation, or is it exhibited after a virus parasitizes?]

...

After seeing the posts on Wanxiang Academy’s forum, Xu Xingguang had her answer.

She was going to the Wanxiang Medical College.

In both traditional and modern medicine, she had achieved remarkable success. Even Medicine King Ying Chong, who was the pride of the Divine Martial Realm, could be considered half her apprentice.

Wanxiang Medical College offered a wide range of departments, not to mention the rich academic discussion atmosphere. The students there were focused on research, daring to question things, daring to acknowledge the uniqueness of their own bodies, and embracing the special traits of others.

This was exactly what Xu Xingguang expected from a qualified and excellent college.

What is a college?

Not only a place to acquire knowledge, but also a place to learn how to conduct oneself.

She really liked the personalities of the students at Wanxiang Medical College, each of them was peculiar, but they all respected every unique person.

So, by joining there, she, being someone not quite normal, would fit right in.

The next day, Xu Xingguang informed Elder Tan Nan of her decision.

Upon learning that she wanted to go to Wanxiang Medical College, Elder Tan Nan was not too surprised. "I guessed a long time ago that you would choose this college."

Xu Xingguang raised an eyebrow, "What makes you say that?"

"Because the Virus Department of this college can take pride in itself in the Divine Martial Realm, even the Virus Department of Dongyang Medical College must defer to it as second place." Qu Yanling was once an elite student of Dongyang Medical College’s Virus Department.

Elder Tan Nan understood Xu Xingguang’s mission, she said: "Going to Wanxiang Medical College is good, there are many peculiar people there, maybe you can find a group of like-minded friends there."

With the support of Elder Tan Nan, Xu Xingguang was even more motivated.

When Dongfang Yi heard that Xu Xingguang was going to Medicine King City to study, he pondered briefly, then said, "Then I’ll go with you."

"What are you going for?"

Dongfang Yi lowered his head slightly, blushing, and shared his life plan with Xu Xingguang. "I want to join the Ming Family Army, to strengthen myself on the battlefield. Before that, I want to stay by my master’s side and learn Ancient Martial Arts seriously for a while."

He’s still a rookie, going to the battlefield rashly would only lead to certain defeat.

Xu Xingguang asked him: "You are studying at a cultural college, right? What is your major?" Children who were not Super Power Users could only study at cultural colleges and art colleges.

Xu Xingguang only knew that Dongfang Yi was studying at a cultural college in Wuyuan Town, but she didn’t know his major.

Dongfang Yi pursed his lips and said, "I major in economic management."

The heavy chains at his feet dragged on the ground with a heavy sound, while his hands reached high as if trying to touch the white clouds above his head. "The Family Head said that having a clever mind, being able to earn some money for the family, is the only way not to be considered a complete waste. So in the Dongfang Family, ordinary civilians who can’t earn money are just trash."

"Then what do you truly want to study?"

Dongfang Yi tiptoed to pick leaves above his head, as if he hadn’t heard Xu Xingguang’s question.

Xu Xingguang walked on in silence, Dongfang Yi, dragging his heavy chains, caught up and placed a fallen leaf on Xu Xingguang’s head.

Xu Xingguang took off the oval leaf and suddenly heard Dongfang Yi say: "Oil painting, I want to be a painter."

But in the Dongfang Family, this was a forbidden dream.

Nodding, Xu Xingguang said: "You give me a painting, I’ll take you to Medicine King City."

Dongfang Yi scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said: "I haven’t learned formally, I’ve only learned secretly from online bloggers, you might not even like it."

"Give it a try."

"Alright."

In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.

During these ten days, the international situation changed drastically.

Above the Jile Hall in Bai Ze Realm, a red flag rose, with a black Hidden Python lifting a brilliant silver star, fluttering freely under the bright sun.

Soon, a short video went viral across the internet.

In the video, a man wearing a black coat with hidden python embroidery led over twenty thousand ’sinners’ from Bai Ze Realm, standing on the Heavenly Ascension Ladder of Jile Hall, officially announcing the existence of Bai Ze Realm to the Divine Martial Realm.

From then on, Bai Ze Realm declared itself an alliance, becoming the Fourth Alliance outside the Three Great Alliances of the Divine Martial Realm.

The final frame of the video froze on the back of the man holding the Divine Hidden Sword high, pointing it domineeringly at the sky.

This was a promotional video personally filmed by Huo Wen’an.

Once released, the video caused a sensation across the Divine Martial Realm.

Bai Ze Realm’s move openly challenged the authority of the Three Great Alliances, marking the beginning of a restructuring in the Divine Martial Realm.