This special train, exclusively for Awakened individuals, seemed to have undergone significant modifications. Its speed far surpassed that of an ordinary high-speed rail, and it made virtually no stops along the way.
In less than an hour and a half, it had already departed from Yunxia Province and arrived in the neighboring Yunxia Province.
The provincial capital of Yunxia Province was named Hanshui, a place where a hundred rivers converged.
It was here that the special train finally paused for a moment, collecting a new batch of students from Yunxia Province.
The previously empty carriage suddenly filled with many people. The seat beside Huang Xiu finally welcomed its occupant: a timid, adorable girl whose face seemed to openly declare, ‘I’m easy to bully, come and bully me!’
She wore a white dress, her skin was exceptionally fair, and her eyes were a rare, striking blue, suggesting she was of mixed heritage.
Her voice was soft and sweet, and she carried not a shred of wariness.
Huang Xiu chatted with her briefly.
Not only did she learn her name was Ying Zhiyu, but she also managed to ascertain her family background and even her home address.
She was indeed of mixed heritage; her father was from the Great Xia Nation, and her mother from the Eagle Nation.
Having grown up in the Great Xia Nation, she was a true native of Hanshui.
Sincerity, it seemed, was the ultimate weapon. Ying Zhiyu’s overwhelming honesty left Huang Xiu feeling a little abashed.
“Are you sure it’s wise to tell me even your home address?”
“Sister Xiu, you’re so beautiful and speak so gently; anyone can see you’re a good person,” Ying Zhiyu said earnestly.
‘Oh no, I’ve been friend-zoned!’
Huang Xiu hadn’t expected that even as a girl, she could still receive the ‘good person card.’
Her expression remained neutral; she simply smiled in response.
After fifteen days of what could only be described as hellish training, she had successfully developed an immunity to titles like ‘Sister Xiu’ or ‘Miss.’
Nor would she blush anymore when complimented on her looks.
Reflecting on this, Huang Xiu had to admit that her mother’s training had indeed been effective.
****
The special train slowly departed from Hanshui, continuing its northward journey along the Great Xia Nation’s advanced railway system.
It traversed several large provinces in succession, including Shanchuan Province and Hedong Province.
Each time, the special train only paused briefly in the provincial capital, departing immediately after picking up the local new students.
The scenery outside the window changed repeatedly, transforming from vast plains to lush, rolling hills, and then to towering, continuous mountain ranges.
The magnificent landscapes of the Great Xia Nation unfolded their charm without reservation before Huang Xiu’s eyes.
Huang Xiu and Huang Xiaoxian, two country bumpkins who had never left their province, stared unblinkingly out the window.
They seemed intent on etching every detail deep into their memories.
****
[This branded train, sponsored by Tiangong Group, reminds you: The next stop is Tiandu West Station. Please allow passengers to alight before boarding.]
The automated announcement for the station echoed softly, and the speed at which the scenery outside the window receded began to slow.
On May 15th, at 5:30 PM, the special train, brimming with new students, finally arrived in Tiandu City.
As a Southerner, she had suddenly traversed half of the Great Xia Nation to reach the northern capital.
If Huang Xiu had any distinct sensation, it was the abrupt dryness of the air.
It caused a slight discomfort in her nasal passages.
Though disembarking early or late would make little difference, the impatient new students had already gathered near the train doors.
Huang Xiu, however, was never one to jostle or rush for fleeting convenience.
With a soft ‘ding’ of alarm, the train doors slowly parted. She watched as the new students, carrying their suitcases, streamed out one after another.
Only then did she rise, retrieve her suitcase from the overhead rack, and prepare to disembark.
Yet, just as she approached the doors, the man who had previously taunted her suddenly chuckled.
“S-class, we will meet again,” he stated.
Huang Xiu frowned slightly, then turned to look back.
The man remained seated, showing no intention of getting off the train. Noticing her turn, he even offered a polite nod and a smile.
His previous arrogant and overbearing demeanor had completely vanished.
‘What a strange man,’ Huang Xiu thought, surmising that he was likely targeting her.
Still, she paid him no mind.
‘When soldiers come, block them; when water comes, stem it with earth.’
Carrying her luggage and backpack, she slowly stepped out of the carriage. Chi Xue was already waiting outside.
“Over here, over here!” she called, waving with a smile. Bu Chenghua stood quietly beside her, offering a faint smile of his own.
Tiandu University’s arrangements were quite meticulous.
Upon the special train’s arrival at Tiandu West High-speed Rail Station, students could take school-arranged buses to the university.
Recalling the details from the registration guide, Huang Xiu looked around and indeed spotted a volunteer holding a welcome sign not far away.
However…
For some reason, the volunteer looked rather miserable, standing alone on the platform, holding a massive sign.
He was indeed wearing a school uniform emblazoned with the Tiandu University emblem, but his white short-sleeved shirt was marred by numerous stains and grease marks.
Not only was his hair a chaotic mess, resembling a bird’s nest, but he also had a snot bubble forming at his nose.
“He looks so pathetic. Is he the only one here?” Huang Xiu couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity.
“Is this for extra innovation and entrepreneurship credits?” Chi Xue mused, tapping a finger thoughtfully against her cherry-red lips.
As an academic ace, she never fought a battle unprepared.
Even though Tiandu University was different from ordinary universities, there should still be some similarities, right?
With this in mind, before coming to Tiandu University, she had scoured dozens of so-called ‘university guides.’
Among these, the concepts of ‘GPA’ and ‘innovation and entrepreneurship credits’ were her primary focus.
“Perhaps!” Huang Xiu nodded with a heavy expression. To volunteer even while sick? It seemed the internal competition at Tiandu University was incredibly fierce.
If she hoped to secure a first-class scholarship, she might have to join the rat race herself.
“Junior students, over here, over here, *achoo!*” The Senior Male Student forced a smile upon seeing Huang Xiu and her companions, then punctuated his words with a loud sneeze.
“Senior Male Student, would you like a tissue?” Huang Xiu pulled a packet of tissues from her pocket and offered it.
She never used to carry tissues with her… but now, circumstances demanded it!
“Oh, thank you, Junior Female Student!” The man was so moved that tears and snot streamed down his face—literally.
Wiping his face, he grumbled.
“I played games too late last night. I never thought I’d wake up with a cold this morning.”
“Senior Male Student… aren’t you an Awakened individual?” Huang Xiu asked.
Even if an Awakened individual didn’t possess physical enhancement abilities, their physical constitution was still superior to that of ordinary people.
A mere cold seemed utterly impossible.
“Hahaha, of course not. Aren’t you all not…” The Senior Male Student burst into laughter, but as he spoke, his expression suddenly shifted upon looking at Huang Xiu and the other two.
“Wait, are you all Awakened individuals?” He widened his eyes in disbelief.
“That’s right!” The three nodded, and the other new students, who had been watching the scene unfold, also nodded in agreement.
“Hold on, what’s today’s date?” The Senior Male Student’s face was filled with shock. He quickly pulled out his phone to check.
“Isn’t today May 16th?!”
“No, it’s May 15th!” Huang Xiu turned and showed him her phone.
“Damn it! I got the date wrong!” The Senior Male Student exclaimed, his face etched with chagrin.
The Exploration Department’s new students were meant to register today, but the Research Department’s new students were for tomorrow!
Immediately, he slumped down, burying his head in his hands, and began muttering rapidly to himself.
His ramblings were interspersed with a dialect from an unknown province.
Even with Huang Xiu’s heightened Awakened senses, she could only catch a few keywords.
He spoke of how he had misremembered the date, wondering why the Exploration Department volunteers hadn’t shown up or reminded him. He lamented having finally secured a volunteer spot, only to find his plans of ‘tricking some junior female students into becoming his slaves’ thwarted.
First, the teachers, then the principal, then the Exploration Department students proved unreliable. Was it finally the turn of Tiandu University’s Research Department?
‘Tiandu University is doomed!’ Huang Xiu quipped inwardly.