The rooftop.
Feeling the wind, the air, and the spiritual energy within it.
Cultivation was an even longer process than schooling.
But most importantly, Lin Mo wanted to fly.
Right now, he didn’t have enough spiritual energy to lift off.
However, among the Seventy-Two Transformations divine abilities, there was one called Wind Riding—a technique that allowed one to soar with the wind.
But as the saying went, if you're weak, train harder.
Lin Mo was a noob at immortal cultivation, so all he could do was practice more.
Just as he was cultivating, footsteps echoed from the stairwell.
Hearing the sound, Lin Mo turned his head.
It was Xie Yuling.
Seeing Lin Mo standing in the corner gazing into the distance, Xie Yuling thought to herself, Just as I expected.
The rooftop door was usually locked, yet Lin Mo somehow managed to open it.
So Xie Yuling asked, "So… you know how to pick locks?"
Lin Mo turned around.
"Sort of. My cousin taught me. Can’t handle the complicated ones, but small ones like this? Easy."
Xie Yuling nodded, then asked, "Where were you last night? You came back so late."
Lin Mo hadn’t expected her to still be awake at that hour.
He shrugged. "Helping my uncle with something. A minor hiccup dragged it out, so I had to take a cab back. But starting tonight, I won’t need to go anymore."
Hearing this, Xie Yuling visibly relaxed.
"Then come over for supper tonight. Mom’s been mentioning it for days."
"Sure. Tell Auntie Zheng to make extra noodles—I eat a lot."
Xie Yuling blinked in surprise.
"How did you know Mom always makes noodles for supper?"
Because most of the times I’ve been to your place, it was noodles.
But to be fair, Auntie Zheng’s noodles were legit delicious.
Lin Mo replied calmly, "I saw the noodle box in your kitchen the other day. Golden Knight, right? I’ve had it before—tastes great."
"Right?! That brand’s the best! You can’t overcook it—just right for the perfect texture."
The usually aloof Xie Yuling was now brimming with excitement, like she’d found a kindred spirit.
It was strange. Back when Lin Mo had tried so hard to get close to her, he couldn’t bridge the gap.
But thinking about it, it made sense—approaching with an agenda made people wary.
The lunch bell rang.
Lin Mo waved. "Let’s go. Nap time. No nap, afternoon crap."
......
Back in class, most students were already slumped over their desks, asleep.
Jiang Yunlu had been staring at the door.
The moment Lin Mo walked in, she straightened up.
As soon as he sat down, she blurted, "Where’d you go?"
"What’s up? Just took a walk, got some air, helped digestion."
Lin Mo flipped open his math notes from the morning, skimming through them to reinforce his understanding.
"Nothing. Just noticed you were gone and got curious."
"I’m not gonna vanish. This is a school, not a mine—hard to get lost here."
Right then—
"You serious right now?!"
"Serves you right!"
A sudden argument erupted in the otherwise quiet classroom.
Two students at the back—Hao Qiang and Jian Lihao—stood up, glaring at each other.
From Lin Mo’s memory, these two were the "talented but lazy" types—barely studied yet still scored 500-plus, scraping in with tuition fees.
Their talent was erratic, occasionally flaring up in bursts of brilliance.
But most of the time? Pure chaos.
The kind that could drag Class 8’s average down by dozens of points.
Lin Mo didn’t care much, though. These two fought often but would be back to being buddies within days.
This time, Hao Qiang threw a punch.
Jian Lihao, a human powder keg, retaliated—
By clawing at him.
Literally.
Jian Lihao was a guy, but his nails were long, often packed with mysterious black gunk under them.
His attacks came with a side of biohazard.
Since it was summer, Hao Qiang raised his arm to block—only to get scratched up.
They were about to go at it again when the back-row crowd jumped in to break it up.
School inspectors patrolled during lunch.
If they caught wind of this, Class 8’s rating would tank.
So class monitor Ma Ruixiang quickly rallied a few backbenchers to separate the two, even swapping their seats to keep them apart.
Jiang Yunlu watched them panting, still tense.
"Good thing they stopped it. Could’ve gotten worse. Ma Ruixiang’s got some skills as monitor."
She hadn’t lowered her voice, so nearby students heard.
Lin Jiajun, seated to Lin Mo’s left, smirked.
"Skills, but not much."
Sure enough, Ma Ruixiang snapped, "Fight all you want—just do it after class somewhere else. Don’t make a scene here, you good-for-nothings."
That instantly redirected the duo’s hostility toward him.
Lin Jiajun scoffed. "And there it is—dug his own grave."
Still, the situation was defused.
No inspectors came, so the matter faded.
But Lin Mo overheard the back-row crew plotting revenge on Ma Ruixiang.
The guy had a habit of flaunting his monitor status, tattling on everyone—
A proper little snitch.
Eventually, he’d get jumped in a back alley with a sack over his head.
But not yet. The time wasn’t right.
......
After school, Lin Mo grabbed his notes and headed out.
Instead of hitting the backstreets, he took a cab straight to Chu Miaomiao’s place.
He breezed into the complex, rode the elevator up, and knocked.
Inside, Chu Miaomiao’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest.
Tiptoeing to the door, she peeked through the peephole—
And yanked it open upon seeing Lin Mo.
"Lin Mo?! What are you doing here?"
"Brought your notes. Got supper plans tonight, so figured I’d drop by early."
"Wait—what about evening self-study?"
Lin Mo handed her the notebook.
"Plenty of time. It’s only past five."
Evening self-study started at seven. Over an hour to spare.
Just then, Chu Lintian walked out.
"Oh! Lin Mo! Here to deliver notes? I just started cooking—since you’re here…"
Classic Chinese hospitality: You’re already here.
But Lin Mo waved it off.
The rice had just gone in—another forty minutes till mealtime.
Cutting it close for his return.
"It’s fine. I’ll just head back."
Chu Lintian insisted, "No worries, I’ll drive you later."
She tried pulling Lin Mo inside, but he didn’t budge.
Instead, she overbalanced—
And Lin Mo caught her by the arms, steadying her.
"No need, I have a big appetite. I'll take my leave first."