Jiang Huoer was once again the center of attention.
He was probably an extraordinary person.
Last week, he became famous right after transferring for his "hobby of cannon fire." Now, he was back in the spotlight for being challenged by Shu Xingfeng, one of the Four Kings.
Many thought he was the type who couldn’t stand staying unknown.
But they also knew this fame wasn’t what he wanted. It was just that everyone connected to him was incredibly powerful—famous figures in the War God Mark Cultivation Realm.
That meant he could never be ordinary.
"I gotta say, kid, you really hide your true strength," a Class D student laughed.
"You didn’t tell us about such power! Who did you beat? That was someone from Class A! Someone with Stage Two Rank Nine power! And you just defeated them."
The speaker was extremely excited—how could he not be?
This was huge news that would cause a massive uproar if spread.
"Well—"
Huor didn’t know how to respond. Should he tell the truth?
Honestly, that was the right answer. He had no idea what happened—it was all Little Black’s doing. He hadn’t expected the opponent to have zero defense against Little Black. It was baffling.
"Huor’s just being low-key," another chimed in. "Isn’t that what they say? Truly powerful people stay humble. Huor’s that kind of top-tier, low-key master."
"Hey Huor, why not beat Shu Xingfeng tomorrow too? Then you’d become the new one of the Four Kings at GCD Divine Mechanism Academy."
"Exactly! If Huor really went all out, the Four Kings would be nothing. He’d crush them effortlessly."
That was a bit of an overstatement, so the whole class burst into laughter.
Defeating a Four King? At GCD Divine Mechanism Academy, only the Four Kings themselves could do that. Only a King could beat a King.
Huor defeating Zhao Meng was impressive enough to brag about. Beating a Four King? That was just talk for laughs.
Pang Dun and Zhu XiuRong hadn’t spoken. Huor was constantly surrounded, so they couldn’t get close. But that was normal—they were a team. When one beat a Class A student, it felt like a victory for all.
It was a moment of pride for Class D.
"Good thing Shu Xingfeng stepped in. Otherwise, who knows what those Class A guys would’ve done," Zhu XiuRong sighed.
"I wonder how he managed it..."
She paused.
"Could it really be related to that black cannon barrel?"
"Must be. Otherwise, Zhao Meng wouldn’t have reacted only to that black thing and ignored Jiang Huoer completely."
"Should we ask him later where it came from? But more importantly, what his Contracted Deity is."
Classmates rarely knew each other’s Contracted Deities. Keeping it secret was protection—Contracted Deities varied in rarity. Also, they hadn’t faced opponents requiring both Contract Weapons and Contracted Deities yet. That was for higher-level foes, like GCD Divine Mechanism Academy teachers often encountered. Students, even the Four Kings, weren’t at that level. Though they secretly trained with both, it was all confidential.
"Do you think he’ll tell us?" Zhu XiuRong countered.
"He probably... will. Huor’s not the scheming type."
"But this kind of thing is supposed to be secret."
It was a forbidden secret.
Something not meant to be public.
"Let’s try later. I don’t know why, but I feel like Huor will tell us."
"—"
Zhu XiuRong didn’t understand Pang Dun’s mindset. Yet, she felt the same—she also believed Huor would tell them. It was intuition, like how first impressions often decide everything. That’s probably why they felt this way about Huor.
"The school will definitely summon Huor too," Pang Dun continued.
"This isn’t trivial. The news media will probably report it. And tomorrow..."
Tomorrow was the real worry. If things got out of hand, who knew what would happen.
"I—" Zhu XiuRong shook her head.
"Pang Dun, don’t you find it strange? Why do we feel this way about Huor?"
This sense of familiarity, this confusing feeling.
"Strange? I think others feel it too," Pang Dun said. He recalled the scene—the expressions on Zhuo Wentian, Xie Tianai, Shu Xingfeng, and Yi Polai’s faces. Their looks weren’t just surprise at Huor beating Zhao Meng.
"Should we ask them too?"
"Them?"
Zhu XiuRong hadn’t noticed the Four Kings’ expressions.
"The Four Kings."
Pang Dun replied. "Their expressions were similar to ours. And—"
"And?"
"They must have felt that same familiarity. Otherwise, why would Shu Xingfeng speak up for Huor like that? That alone proves a lot."
"True. The Four Kings rarely stick up for anyone. And Class A’s arrogance—thinking they’re superior—isn’t new. It’s always been like that." Zhu XiuRong nodded.
"Do you think we should contact the Four Kings?"
"We must."
"This connection among us—if we all feel this way about Huor, we should consult someone knowledgeable. The Four Kings have wide connections. They could reach those ‘experts.’ Maybe we’ll learn something."
"You have a point."
"Let’s wait until after Huor’s fight with Shu Xingfeng tomorrow. Bothering them now might annoy them. We’ll go during a break and talk."
