Chapter Fourteen: Forced into the Spotlight, Becoming the Center of Attention!

Lin Qiye was just about to explain when, above the Soul Anchorage Square, the principal's figure appeared. He looked somewhat aged, his temples flecked with gray, wrinkles etched into his face, but his stature remained robust and imposing, chest thrust out with a soldier’s bearing.

He raised a testing orb, which emitted a purple glow.

Then, among the three thousand students, eleven beams of light shot up into the sky!

Four of them were white, five blue, and one purple.

The purple beam came from Chen Fan. He had simulated life as a little dog, managing to evade dognappers over thirty times, surviving for eleven years, and becoming beloved by his owner, thus earning an A-grade evaluation.

Although the simulated life had been rather absurd, upon returning to reality, Chen Fan held his head high, beaming with pride.

“Brother Ye, look! I’ve got a purple beam—I can look out for you!”

But when Chen Fan turned toward Lin Qiye, his triumphant smile froze, an expression of shock and disbelief overtaking his face.

“Brother Ye, you… you... you actually have a golden beam?”

“Did you break through the limits of a terminal illness?”

Lin Qiye nodded, a hint of helplessness in his eyes as he glanced at the dazzling golden pillar rising from his own body.

The golden beam blazed like the midday sun—so brilliant that the three thousand students all gasped in awe, their heated gazes converging on Lin Qiye.

His hope to keep a low profile was shattered; Lin Qiye was forcibly thrust into the spotlight. Even the principal’s eyes showed a surge of strong emotion.

“An S-grade genius? Impressive! Not inferior to the younger generation of the ancient clans! In time, our City of Li could have its own Diamond Walker!”

The principal’s lips curled upward uncontrollably. He beckoned, and the eleven newly minted Grand Walkers gathered at his side.

Most students wore tense, restrained expressions—only Lin Qiye remained calm and composed.

With obvious appreciation, the principal patted Lin Qiye’s shoulder.

“Well done. Your future is limitless! According to school rules, you’ll receive a reward of 50,000 Walking Points.”

He pressed his palm to Lin Qiye’s shoulder, as if bestowing hope upon him.

Lin Qiye raised an eyebrow slightly.

Fifty thousand Walking Points? That was a fortune. Although Lin Qiye was already something of a young tycoon, having once amassed 43,850 Walking Points, perfecting and cultivating the ‘Qi Refining Technique’ had cost him a full 20,000 points.

So in the end, he was left with only 23,850 Walking Points.

He had thought he’d need to be frugal, but never expected the school’s reward would be such a windfall.

A surge of secret delight rose in his heart as he smiled calmly, “Thank you, Principal.”

The principal nodded with a cheerful grin. “Keep at it! Our City of Li School Faction needs your rise!”

With that, the principal turned to Chen Fan.

“You received an A-grade evaluation. The school rewards you with 8,000 Walking Points.”

Chen Fan was overjoyed, leaping up in excitement—his reaction several times more intense than Lin Qiye’s. After all, living as a little black dog for eleven years had earned him just under 3,000 Walking Points.

But now, the school had given him nearly three times that amount in one go! He could finally afford a Reincarnation Card.

A wave of warmth filled Chen Fan’s heart.

Afterward, the principal distributed rewards to the others as well. B-grade evaluations received only 2,000 Walking Points, and C-grades just 1,000—paltry sums compared to Lin Qiye’s reward.

Once the rewards were given, the principal led the eleven new walkers to the School Faction’s Floating Island District.

There were seventy-two floating islands, each one a small town complete with lakes, gardens, buildings, and high-rises, inhabited by residents.

When black mist invaded at night, the islands would shine with light, dispelling the darkness.

As such, the floating islands were the safest places to live—no need to fear the black mist.

“Our school has produced more than forty top Grand Walkers of the City of Li,” the principal explained. “Each owns an island. They’ll be coming to offer you their protection. If you wish, you can live on their islands for now. Once you’re strong enough to handle any crisis, you can establish your own island.”

“Typically, veteran Gold Walkers find it safest to open an island. That way, they’re not devoured by the black mist right after founding one.”

Soon, they arrived at the district entrance, where forty-seven Grand Walkers stood waiting with their hands behind their backs. Most were Gold-level; a couple were Platinum. Clearly, Silver-level Grand Walkers lacked the status or strength to own a floating island.

Lin Qiye, however, was an exception...

“Ah, the new walkers this year are as rare as ever. Thirty-six yesterday, just eleven today. And these eleven don’t seem very impressive!” the Gold-level veterans muttered among themselves.

“But it’s been ages since we saw an S-grade genius. Even A-grades are only three.”

“Quality’s not too great, I’d say.”

While the veterans scrutinized Lin Qiye and the others with critical eyes, one asked the principal, “So, what are their evaluations?”

With a mysterious smile, the principal pointed to Lin Qiye. “He’s S-grade. And the one beside him is A-grade.”

What?

The veteran walkers were stunned, their gazes fixed on Lin Qiye with excitement.

“He’s keeping a low profile... Not a hint of arrogance, even with an S-grade evaluation? This kid’s got some steel!”

“Come, young man—join my island. I’ll give you the highest level of protection—and an extra 50,000 Walking Points.”

“I’ll offer 60,000!”

“I bid 70,000!”

Suddenly, the veterans erupted into a bidding war, leaving Lin Qiye somewhat bewildered.

The principal explained at just the right moment, “They’re investing in advance. Their own cultivation has plateaued for years. If you succeed, you can take them with you on walks, helping them break through. It’s a kind of transaction.”

Lin Qiye understood at once.

Investment. A gamble. If they bet right, they soar together.

And a genius like him, who had earned an S-grade evaluation straight away, was a solid bet.

No wonder they were willing to part with their accumulated resources.

Watching the frenzied bidding, Lin Qiye remained unfazed. He paid no heed to the highest offers. After all, with the school reward, his Walking Points had soared to 73,850—more than enough to splurge.

Moreover, he found these so-called investors far too enthusiastic. If he accepted their offers, what would happen when they tried to leverage their generosity? Demanding he form teams, imposing obligations, or even prying into his secrets?

So, after careful thought, Lin Qiye decided to decline their investments.

He had considered establishing his own island, but his strength was insufficient to defend one. Besides, running an island meant dealing with endless trouble and affairs. For now, he simply wanted to focus on growth—nothing else.

His gaze swept over the veteran walkers.

At last, he noticed a cool, aloof beauty with an icy demeanor.

She wore a deep blue training skirt below and a fitted martial top above, her waist lightly cinched, and her long hair tied high in a ponytail, giving her the appearance of a valkyrie—handsome and heroic.

She stood both among and apart from the crowd, her gaze distant no matter whom she looked at, not uttering a word in the bidding, as if merely going through the motions.

Instinct told Lin Qiye that she was the best choice. Her strength was remarkable!

Trusting his intuition, he approached her and bowed slightly.

“I choose you.”

She looked surprised, her eyes flickering as they fell on Lin Qiye.

“I’m not offering you any Walking Points. You really want to choose me?”

The other veterans tried to persuade him otherwise.

“Are you sure about her? Are our offers too low?”

“With over a hundred thousand Walking Points, you could buy a Silver-grade Reincarnation Card!”

“Don’t you know how incredible those cards are?”

“Young man, don’t think that talent alone makes you invincible. A Silver Card can take you three or four years to earn!”

They tried to intimidate him, but Lin Qiye only became more certain of his choice.

“I don’t need Walking Points. I just want to live on the island of this formidable lady.”

The ice-cold beauty frowned slightly. “Why?”

Lin Qiye’s eyes were calm. “I don’t like owing people favors. Freedom suits me better.”

Her expression softened, as though a memory had been stirred, and she nodded almost imperceptibly.

“Very well. You may stay. Anyone else who wishes to come is welcome; otherwise, I’ll be leaving.”

With that, she turned to go.

Chen Fan hesitated. “Brother Ye, I…”

Understanding, Lin Qiye patted him on the shoulder. “I suggest coming to her island. Think it over.”

After a brief pause, Chen Fan quickly caught up, choosing to trust Lin Qiye’s judgment.

Ahead, the ice-cold beauty led them to her floating island.

She stood with her back to Lin Qiye, her silhouette poised and graceful.

“You still have a chance to change your mind. If you do, you can get well over a hundred thousand Walking Points—even buy a Silver Reincarnation Card. For a newcomer, such a card could send you soaring instantly.”

“Are you sure you won’t regret it?”