Long Ao

After a quick wash, Chen Guan performed the usual basic cleaning for his original body, then began changing into the standard uniform the academy had distributed yesterday along with his dorm keys.

The navy blue tailored jacket, white shirt, and dark trousers looked much better than his old high school uniform. Embroidered on the left chest was the crest of Huaqing Academy: an ancient tree entwined with lightning and stars.

It was also very comfortable to wear. The fabric had a unique feel, interwoven with flexible fibers that supposedly provided a certain degree of protection—a massive upgrade from those cheap fishnet-like school uniforms.

He looked at himself in the mirror. The youth reflected back was on the leaner side, but his back was straight. His eyes and brows carried a hint of fatigue, though mostly, they exuded a quiet calmness.

Short black hair, striking features, paired with those green eyes and the silent dark iron coffin strapped to his back, gave him an inexplicably unique aura.

"Host, a new day has begun. Today's main plot nodes: freshman assembly and class placement tests. It is expected that attention levels will rise significantly. Please be prepared, Host."

The system broadcasted with boundless energy.

After all, this little system didn't know the meaning of fatigue. The only one who got tired was Chen Guan.

He might be immortal, but he wasn't immune to exhaustion. If anything, his immortality only meant he could swing on a hammock indoors when he was dead tired.

"Got it."

Chen Guan straightened his collar and fastened his personal terminal around his wrist. The terminal screen lit up, displaying the time, date, and a pinned assembly notification.

He secured his original body inside the coffin, strapped it onto his back, took a deep breath, and opened his door.

Almost simultaneously, the door to Room 302 next door opened as well.

An Changqing walked out, similarly dressed in a brand-new uniform that accentuated his tall, straight posture and extraordinary handsome looks.

Seeing Chen Guan, he smiled and nodded in greeting. "Morning, Chen Guan. How did you rest?"

"Morning, An. I rested alright."

Chen Guan replied, noticing a tall young man following behind An Changqing. The youth had wild red hair and sharp, eagle-like orange eyes.

His bulging muscles stretched the uniform tight, and he faintly exuded an untamed, rebellious aura. This must be the person mentioned in the bullet comments—An Changqing's roommate, Long Aotian. Oh, wait, it was Long Ao.

"This is Long Ao, my roommate," An Changqing introduced simply. "Long Ao, this is Chen Guan from Room 304."

Long Ao's gaze swept over Chen Guan like a physical weight, lingering for a moment on his somewhat frail frame before glancing at the striking black coffin on his back. He raised an eyebrow and let out an ambiguous scoff through his nose, which served as his greeting.

His attitude wasn't exactly friendly, but there was no obvious malice either. Clearly, he didn't find anything interesting about Chen Guan. To him, a weakling wasn't worth paying attention to; he was only acknowledging him out of respect for An Changqing.

Regardless of how others viewed him, Chen Guan maintained a polite smile. "Hello, Long Ao."

"Let's go. We'll grab breakfast at the cafeteria first, then head to the grand auditorium," An Changqing suggested in a mild tone, seemingly already accustomed to Long Ao's attitude.

"Alright." Chen Guan had no objections. He wasn't familiar with the academy's layout yet, and following An Changqing meant he wouldn't get lost.

The three of them went downstairs together.

Long Ao strode at the very front, An Changqing walked in the middle, and Chen Guan trailed half a step behind.

Along the way, Long Ao barely spoke, only occasionally exchanging a few low-voiced words with An Changqing about rumors regarding the placement tests, to which An Changqing responded gently.

Chen Guan was happy to enjoy the peace and quiet. He silently observed the early morning campus and the passing students, while keeping an eye on the bullet comments that began to sparsely appear before him:

Morning friends, a new day starts with watching our little An.

That muscular hunk next to him must be Long Ao, right? He really looks like someone you shouldn't mess with. But hey, redheads are always tsunderes.

Since ancient times, red and blue make a couple. Red hair and blue eyes count as red and blue, right? Living together is just too ambiguous.

A trio... feels a bit weird. Not sure yet, let's keep watching.

Today is the placement test. I wonder how the coffin guy will perform. It's been a day already, has any insider leaked who is inside the coffin?

The bullet comments scrolled by sporadically, though most lacked any substantial content. Chen Guan watched them casually.

There were already quite a few students in the cafeteria.

An Changqing expertly led them to a counter and quickly got their breakfast.

It was the usual spirit grain porridge, side dishes, and spirit beast eggs—simple but highly nutritious.

Chen Guan noticed that many students were casting glances at their table, their eyes lingering particularly on him and Long Ao. An Changqing, who had the highest status, actually received the least attention. After all, not many people knew his true identity. The An family's traditions strictly forbade throwing their weight around, so both father and son kept a very low profile.

Long Ao drew attention because of his conspicuous physique and aura, while Chen Guan's attention likely stemmed from the fact that his reputation as the coffin carrier had already spread within a small circle.

Long Ao couldn't care less about the stares, devouring his portion like a whirlwind sweeping away scattered clouds.

An Changqing ate gracefully, while Chen Guan took his time, unhurriedly eating as he listened to the excited and nervous chatter of the surrounding freshmen, mostly discussing the upcoming class placements.

"...I heard there are only twenty spots in the Tianshu Class."

"What exactly is the test? Combat? Theory?"

"Who cares, just fight it out! I'm from the Enhancement system!"

"My Elemental system isn't weak either!"

An atmosphere of determination filled the air.

Chen Guan silently finished his last mouthful of porridge.

He had no special abilities. His only reliance was this immortal alternate body, that sturdy coffin, and... the system and himself.

Without a doubt, he wanted to enter the Tianshu Class. Only by doing so could he secure more screen time. Screen time meant popularity, which in turn meant opportunities to show his worth.

But... could he really do it?

Weighed down by his thoughts, he finished his meal and followed the crowd toward the grand auditorium located in the central area of the academy.

It was a magnificent domed structure built entirely of stone as white as jade. A faint luster flowed across its surface, giving it a solemn and mysterious appearance.

Upperclassmen were already at the entrance maintaining order, guiding the freshmen to enter in sequence. Li Yuqing, whom he had met yesterday, was among them. Upon seeing Chen Guan, she blinked at him as a form of greeting.

The interior of the auditorium was incredibly vast, capable of holding thousands of people.

The freshmen took their seats in the designated areas according to the instructions.

Chen Guan, An Changqing, and Long Ao were not seated together; they were scattered across different sections, evidently arranged at random.

Chen Guan found his seat and sat down, flanked by unfamiliar faces on both sides.

He sat up straight, his gaze calmly fixed on the massive stage at the very front.

The stage was completely empty, save for a projection of the academy's crest slowly rotating in the air.