Chapter 70: A Stranger in a New Land

“Farewell, Texas. Farewell... Your Highness.” Longsilver knew that everything would be different after this journey. The vampiric child he had avoided for so long was now a youth, and compared to the forcefulness of the past, he could only be stronger now.

As for Yuan Shaolin, he would forever be Longsilver’s heartache, an eternal wound, destined to remain unresolved. And Longsilver, in turn, would always be Yuan Shaolin’s thorn—each touch bringing pain anew. When would Yuan Shaolin finally pretend indifference and return to his side as if nothing had happened? Longsilver gazed at the clouds drifting past the window, lost in contemplation.

Little Hammer piloted the aircraft in silence, occasionally glancing back at Longsilver. Over the past years, following him had taught Little Hammer much—so much that, with only ninth-tier strength, he could easily outplay tenth-tier card beasts. Longsilver treated him as a companion, but in Little Hammer’s heart, Longsilver was far more than that. The miracles Longsilver bestowed upon him made it impossible to regard him as ordinary. He couldn’t fathom Longsilver’s silence, nor understand the matters Longsilver kept quiet about; all he could do was worry in vain. But when needed, Longsilver would speak. That was their way.

The aircraft was a gift from the Deman family, a power second only to the Texas Card-making Guild. In repeated struggles, the Deman family had always managed to stay out of trouble, yet somehow recognized Longsilver’s value. Little Hammer admired this family immensely. No wonder Longsilver always said that Texas would always be Texas; the Federation was not a title gained lightly. Later, as Longsilver delved deeper into Texas, he couldn’t help but marvel that he could control Texas both openly and covertly. It was, indeed, a matter of timing, fate, and taking full advantage of circumstances.

After three days, when Longsilver stepped out of the aircraft and beheld the imposing, grand gates of the academy, his expression behind the mask barely changed, but his heart stirred. The Federation Card Comprehensive Academy—he had finally arrived.

As Longsilver took his first step down the stairs, Little Hammer extended his pillar-like arm, hoping to carry Longsilver on his shoulder. Longsilver looked at Little Hammer’s large, expectant eyes and smiled, shaking his head. “Little Hammer, you know how much you mean to me. If I enter the academy gates on your shoulders, it would certainly be intimidating. But from then on, in the eyes of those proud heirs, you’d be nothing more than a pet. That’s not what I want.”

Frustrated, Little Hammer scratched the back of his head and muttered, “Who cares what those proud heirs think? I don’t mind.”

Longsilver patted Little Hammer’s outstretched hand, insisting on descending the steps himself. “I care.”

When Longsilver spoke thus, Little Hammer knew he had made up his mind. Humans were truly troublesome. Annoyed, Little Hammer lowered his hand and waited beside the steps for Longsilver. Longsilver could only shake his head in resignation at Little Hammer’s actions. Little Hammer was determined to establish Longsilver’s image at the Federation Academy, but he couldn’t know that everyone admitted here was either of distinguished lineage or exceptional ability; mere intimidation was far from enough.

Longsilver had never underestimated this academy. The Federation’s premier institute was not a mere boast.

The moment Longsilver stepped through the gates, his senses detected countless gazes sweeping over him, several of them exceptionally powerful. Even now, with his SSS-level mental strength, Longsilver felt a hint of threat. His lips curled slightly—these threatening gazes were mostly curious, probing. There was some hostility, deeply concealed. He couldn’t understand it; he was a newcomer, yet immediately attracted such formidable adversaries. He couldn’t help but admit that he had a knack for stirring trouble. Hoping for a peaceful life here was out of the question, though fortunately he had never expected peace in the Federation’s top academy.

But who was this person with such deeply buried hostility?

Longsilver instinctively turned his gaze toward the source of that hostility. Of course, he saw nothing; he had considered probing with his mental force, but restrained himself. Still, his movement caught the attention of many who were observing him.

“How fascinating, to sense the presence of a rival at first glance? Ha ha ha…” The laughing man turned his camera toward the direction Longsilver had noticed, but alas, it was empty. Duan Shaofeng could only click his tongue in regret. If he could witness that person’s change of expression, it would be a rare experience indeed. Thinking of that lotus-like temperament, Duan Shaofeng lamented not just once—such fine cabbages had all been snatched by that arrogant chauvinist pig. Though he was the master of the Sky Tower, Duan Shaofeng was no less impressive himself; after all, he was the master of the Universe Tower. Why was it that such a remarkable person was only one among hundreds of concubines? Though her status was special, she was still just one among many. Wasn’t it said one would rather be the head of a rooster than the tail of a phoenix? Why did everything good get piled onto that chauvinist pig? Now this new junior, not even officially enrolled, had already been claimed by that chauvinist—anyone who dared touch him would die.

Well then, anyone who touches him dies. Duan Shaofeng was curious how the chauvinist intended to see him die. He was, after all, the master of the Universe Tower; the other was the Young Emperor, while he was the Dark Sovereign. If it truly came to a fight, who would win or lose was anyone’s guess. Others might fear him, but he did not. The other had yet to inherit the bloodline, so could not utterly defeat him.

“In that case, let’s see what this junior looks like!” With that thought, Duan Shaofeng moved. Earlier, he hadn’t caught the Empress-to-be Shen Qingjue’s change of expression—he’d missed the moment. This time, he would make sure to provoke some reactions. A hint of disdain curled his lips—those cowards, all heart and no guts, merely watching one another, waiting for someone else to make the first move. Hmph, by the time they’d finished probing their own, the junior would have already entered the academy unscathed. Useless, all of them—Duan Shaofeng cursed them again.

Recalling the information sent after the Young Emperor’s declaration, Duan Shaofeng had to admit that this junior had an extraordinary journey. Though he hadn’t become the Crown Prince of Texas, his authority surpassed even that of a prince. His relationships with Texas and several major powers were delicate and complex, leaving many guessing—especially about his identity. Even with Duan Shaofeng’s status, he had been unable to uncover the junior’s true identity, which spoke volumes. This was the reason for his personal investigation; curiosity was but a minor motive.