Volume One, Chapter Five: The Otherworldly Challenge

The spectators whispered among themselves, while Chen Jiang began to grow restless, his expression flickering with panic.

At that moment, Chen Jiang’s phone rang. Upon answering it, his complexion shifted dramatically. On the other end of the line, his accomplices had been apprehended by the police, and he was warned that any further trouble would result in severe legal consequences. Faced with the pressure and the reality of the situation, Chen Jiang finally fell silent, signaled to his men, and left quietly.

Liu He let out a long sigh of relief. Seeing the gratitude in Lu Caiyuan’s eyes, he knew this crisis had been temporarily averted. Calm returned to the campus, yet Liu He understood that this disturbance was merely the beginning of something more. He was filled with fighting spirit and confidence regarding future challenges, knowing he had companions by his side who supported him. He gazed into the distance and whispered to himself, "No matter what, I will not back down."

Liu He looked up at the summer sky, where sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows. He examined the "Trait System" still glowing on his wrist; the symbol for "Flash Step" was gradually fading. He sighed, a mix of two conflicting emotions rising within him: curiosity and anticipation for his newly refreshed skill, and a lingering fatigue from the incident that had just concluded.

"Teacher Liu, are you alright?" Lu Caiyuan walked over from the other side of the playground, her eyes filled with concern.

"I'm fine. I was just wondering what the next challenge might be," Liu He said with a faint, resolute smile.

Lu Caiyuan patted his shoulder, joking, "For you, challenges are just a piece of cake, right? Regardless, we can't have our celebration tonight without you. You promised to relax a little."

Liu He nodded. "Alright, I'll be there."

As he finished speaking, he glanced back at the students training in the early summer sun. They were shouting cadences, their sweat glistening with the glow of hard work. Just as he prepared to leave the playground, an strange gravitational pull suddenly yanked him backward. His heart raced, and in an instant, he was enveloped by an invisible force, and the world around him began to warp.

By the time he regained his senses, he was in an entirely different world. It was vast and boundless, the sky a dull, dusty yellow, and the air filled with the scent of dirt and decay. He shook his head vigorously, feeling dazed by the desolate scene before him.

"Where is this?" Liu He muttered to himself.

Just as he was filled with doubt, a student’s voice called out from afar: "Hey, were you teleported in too?"

Liu He followed the voice and discovered a group of equally terrified students huddled together, clearly at a loss as to how to handle this sudden change.

"Everyone, don't be afraid. I am Liu He, and I will lead you out of here," he announced loudly. Although he had his own doubts, he knew this was a responsibility he had to shoulder.

The students began to whisper; some were skeptical, while others looked on with hope.

"This world may be dangerous," Liu He continued. "We must stand united and not attack one another without cause."

Just then, he keenly sensed a disturbance in the air, and a figure lunged at him. He reacted quickly, using his "Flash Step" skill to narrowly evade the strike. However, the attacker suddenly transformed in mid-air, morphing into an elephant as large as a house, exuding a ferocious aura.

"My god, to think such an ability exists!" a student screamed.

"Don't panic, leave this to me." While contemplating a strategy, Liu He tested his opponent using solid combat techniques. Relying on the skills granted by the system, he weaved nimbly through the elephant’s attacks until he seized an opportunity to deliver a powerful blow to the creature's vital point. Despite the beast's attempt to counterattack, it collapsed from the heavy injury and reverted to human form.

The group sighed in relief at Liu He’s actions and broke into applause.

"We will definitely make it back," Liu He assured them. His gaze was firm, and a new sense of resolve ignited within him. Though in an unfamiliar environment, he felt an invisible strength supporting him. In the distance, it seemed as though he caught a glimpse of Lu Caiyuan, though he knew it was not a physical manifestation, but rather the trust and sense of responsibility he carried.

"The journey is unknown, but no matter what, I will not retreat." He told himself silently, then turned to lead the group in exploring this unknown realm, searching for a way out of the danger.

Liu He stood in the center of the playground, the afternoon sun bathing him in light. The students around him were still noisy, heatedly discussing the thrilling scene that had just unfolded. He thought to himself, "It seems this is only the beginning; we have a long way to go."

At that moment, a tall, dark-skinned youth walked to the front—it was Yang Yong.

"Teacher Liu, I want to challenge you!" Yang Yong’s voice rose sharply, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

"Another one," Liu He chuckled inwardly. He had seen many such challenges, but he respected everyone who was willing to work hard to become stronger.

"Fine, but there’s no need for a real fight. I’ll give you some advice," he said candidly.

Yang Yong was stunned for a moment, but his fighting spirit quickly returned. "Please, enlighten me."

Before the words were even out, Yang Yong charged at Liu He with explosive force, attempting to suppress him with sheer brute strength. Liu He stepped lightly to the side, parrying the assault with ease. Seizing the moment, he spoke in a tone that balanced instruction and encouragement: "Yang Yong, your strength is impressive, but it lacks precision. You cannot win on brute force alone."

Yang Yong stood frozen for a moment. Liu He looked at him, smiled, and patted his shoulder. "Practice hard, and come back next time."

The students murmured, but Liu He continued, "There is nothing wrong with challenges, but they must be tempered with reason. From now on, each of you must find your own rhythm."

Just then, several teachers appeared in a corner of the school, watching Liu He with hostile expressions. They were the "squad" that Han Kun had gone to great lengths to assemble, secretly deciding to find an opportunity to teach Liu He a lesson. However, they were unaware that Liu He had already noticed their little scheme.

"It’s fine, I’ll observe the situation for now," Liu He thought. He knew Han Kun was not a man to be trifled with, but he did not fear him.

Elsewhere, in the hospital, Han Kun awoke. His room was quiet, save for the ticking of medical equipment. He leaned against his bed, his face showing a mixture of anger and reluctance.

"This Liu He... to think he could force me to this point," he muttered to himself, filled with resentment. He clenched his fists, determined to start over. "I haven't lost yet. I will become stronger."

Meanwhile, Liu He continued to lead his students, addressing every challenge that came their way. At sunset, he stood atop the school wall, overlooking the entire campus. He knew he not only had to face the petty schemes of Han Kun but also lead his students forward in this unpredictable, high-martial arts world.

"More challenges lie ahead. I must also find new possibilities for the Trait System," he said firmly, a boundless drive surging within him.

In the school's main playground, the rays of the setting sun fell upon Yang Yong. He squinted slightly, feeling the power surging through his muscles. Recent training had made his control over his strength more adept, and he felt a natural sense of coordination. After a grueling practice session, Liu He walked over, smiled, and nodded. "Your performance today was excellent. Remember, strength and technique are like yin and yang in this world—they must be constantly harmonized."