Volume 1, Chapter 11: The Return of Flash Step: Liu He’s Adventure in the Ruined World

"We must tread carefully," Liu He advised. "Notify me immediately the moment there are any new developments."

As night fell and everything seemed to settle into a calm, a sudden premonition struck Liu He. He jerked his head up, instinctively looking out the window. Sure enough, Han Kun, accompanied by several unidentified figures, was quietly closing in on the academy.

"They arrived sooner than I expected," Liu He murmured, his mind racing to formulate a countermeasure.

Meanwhile, in the academy’s reception hall, the dim, yellow lights illuminated several figures appearing at the entrance. Han Kun stepped forward, his gaze icy. "Liu He, you really do hide deep, but today, I will make you regret standing in my way."

Liu He smiled faintly, having already made his calculations. "Is that so? Then let us see who ends up with more regrets."

He shifted his hand slightly, and suddenly, the situation around him began to shift; he could perceive every potential danger in his vicinity. The tension between the two was like a bowstring drawn taut, ready to snap at any moment. Lu Na quickly pulled the curtains to ensure the outsiders could not see the specific activity inside, then stood firmly by Liu He’s side, ready to assist him at any time.

Han Kun sneered, sensing that Liu He possessed some extraordinary power, yet he remained confident. "Though you have some ability, it is still not enough to matter."

"We shall see," Liu He replied, his tone resolute.

Just then, other teachers and security personnel from the academy, led by Principal Lu, gathered around. "Han Kun, what are you doing?" Lu Caiyuan rebuked him.

"You will all regret this," Han Kun’s face darkened, but he knew this was not an opportune moment for an all-out fight. Suppressing his rage, he signaled his men to retreat.

Once Han Kun had left, the others surrounded Liu He, their eyes filled with admiration and awe. Liu He let out a sigh of relief. Thanks to the help of his "Entry System," he had temporarily defused the crisis, but he understood that the battle had only just begun. In the future, he would have to be even more cautious to face the challenges ahead.

Students were sweating through their training on the field, and as Liu He watched them, an infinite number of plans brewed in his mind. He walked to the center of the training ground and clapped his hands. "Alright, students, gather round. I have an important announcement."

The students quickly converged, their eyes focused intently on him. He smiled slightly and cleared his throat. "The municipal round of the National League will be held next month. This is a great opportunity to showcase our strength."

As soon as he finished speaking, whispers immediately broke out among the students.

Lu Na stood in the front row, a gleam of eagerness in her eyes. "Teacher, can we win?" she asked directly, her gaze unwavering.

"Of course," Liu He replied solemnly. "However, we must give it our all first. Our opponents are not to be underestimated."

"Is it White Jade Capital University, Shendu University, and who else?" asked Xiao Zhang, a student in the back row, clearly filled with anticipation for the tournament.

"Western Wilderness Military Academy and the Snow Kingdom Domain," Liu He added, his tone tinged with gravity. "The Snow Kingdom Domain, in particular—their leader is extremely mysterious."

Hearing this, Lu Na nodded and exchanged glances with the other students. "We have already found several clues about them. Shall we discuss them tonight?"

"A good idea," Liu He nodded in approval. "Information sharing is one of the keys to our victory."

As training concluded and the students gradually dispersed, Lu Na sidled up to Liu He and whispered, "We won't let our guard down regarding Han Kun, either. Teacher, he must be plotting something even now."

Liu He gave a bitter smile. "It is expected that Han Kun would not be reconciled, but as long as we are strong enough, he can do nothing to us."

At that moment, Principal Lu walked over quickly. "Teacher Liu, there seems to have been some movement from Han Kun’s side just now. He still hasn't given up."

Liu He frowned. An invisible pressure welled up from deep within, though it vanished in an instant. "I will continue to prepare. Whether on the tournament field or in the academy’s defenses, we will not let them succeed."

Principal Lu patted Liu He on the shoulder. "With you here, I am at ease."

In the evening, the campus twilight was gentle and serene. The lights shining from the classroom windows looked like scattered starlight, and the students continued their daily training. Liu He walked toward his dormitory, contemplating the next step in utilizing his Entry System. For the upcoming tournament and the potential threats, he had to be fully prepared. This was not just for himself, but for the entire responsibility he carried on his shoulders.

Liu He stood alone in a closed training facility at the academy, where the atmosphere was gloomy and stern. The equipment was covered in dust, as if it had not been used for a long time. He took a deep breath, pulled out his phone, and thought silently, "Entry System, give me something good."

With a flash of light, the entry interface unfolded before his eyes.

"Flash Step skill, duration thirty minutes."

The corners of Liu He’s mouth curled upward; this was a rather useful ability. Just as he was about to test it, he suddenly felt a tearing sensation, and the scenery around him instantly blurred.

When his vision stabilized, he found himself transported to a strange and dilapidated world. The surroundings were desolate; abandoned buildings and broken walls made the place feel exceptionally oppressive.

"This place is truly no better," Liu He muttered to himself, trying to stay calm. He looked around, noting that this world seemed to overlap with the parallel universe he inhabited.

While pondering this, he discovered many students from other academies gathered on a high ground, seemingly planning some sort of operation. "It seems this is a joint attack plan," Liu He whispered to himself, his brow furrowed. "Must handle this carefully."

He quickly adjusted his mindset, preparing to use the newly acquired Flash Step skill. Just as he was about to move, a disturbance erupted behind him. Liu He turned instantly, only to find a student transformed into a beast, rushing toward him with an overbearing aura.

"What a nuisance," he sighed with resignation, then dodged without hesitation. The Flash Step skill allowed him to move rapidly, like smoke or mist, easily avoiding the beast's pounce. In the process of his nimble evasions, he calmly countered with a series of fast and precise strikes.

His opponent was stunned by his agility and power, clearly having not expected such a response. However, Liu He did not give the opponent a chance to catch their breath; he struck them back with a powerful punch, successfully securing a brief moment of safety.

"That should give me some peace of mind for now," he muttered, relaxing his body and mind appropriately while remaining vigilant.

This battle made him clearly realize that in the strange world he was currently in, unknown enemies and immense dangers were lurking. He understood that he had to use the temporary abilities granted by the system even more cautiously; otherwise, once they were exhausted, he might be trapped in this mysterious world forever.

Thinking rapidly of his next plan, he decided to use the remaining duration of his skill to find clues that would lead him back to the academy while avoiding potential threats as much as possible.

Liu He did not hesitate any longer. He turned into a streak of light and sprinted toward the distant horizon. Every step was calculated and as swift as the wind, as if this broken world were merely a chessboard beneath his feet.

When Liu He stepped through the gates of Cloud City Academy, the sun was just right and a gentle breeze blew, as if this brief tranquility were a reward for his hard-fought battle. He quickened his pace, heading straight for Principal Lu Caiyuan’s office.