The Hidden Evil: Villainous Cultivator

After finishing his meal, Ye Feng wasted no time and dove straight into his training routine. Nine days flew by in the blink of an eye. His days followed a steady rhythm—exercising in the morning, preparing and eating meals, and then focusing on combat training in the evening. It became a cycle, and Ye Feng found comfort in the consistency.

He also took the time to head to the market, purchasing books for his studies, along with his school uniforms and new equipment for his training. Life had settled into a predictable pattern, yet Ye Feng knew that the upcoming day—the first day of school—would bring a change.

Finally, the day arrived. Ye Feng woke up early, the clock reading 5:00 AM. He stretched his limbs, ready to start the day. After an hour and a half of rigorous exercise, he took a refreshing bath and prepared a quick breakfast. With everything in order, he hailed a cab to Qingshan High School. As the cab sped toward the school, he paid the driver and stepped out, heading toward the school gate.

It was 7:45 AM. The school gates were alive with the buzz of students—boys and girls, all dressed in crisp school uniforms. Some arrived in groups, chatting animatedly about the excitement of starting a new school year. Their energy was contagious, but Ye Feng remained calm, his mind focused on what lay ahead.

He walked past the gates, his eyes briefly meeting those of the same security guard he had encountered during his registration. The guard, who had seen countless students come and go, gave Ye Feng a warm smile. Ye Feng returned it, nodding in acknowledgment.

Standing at 5'4", Ye Feng was slightly taller than the average boy in China at his age. With his handsome features, striking black eyes, and the confident rhythm to his stride, he naturally drew attention wherever he went. Girls turned their heads as he passed, their curious gazes following him for just a little too long.

Ye Feng, however, remained indifferent to their attention, his focus firmly set on his goal. He ascended the stairs to the first floor, where his class was located. Class 10A was where he would begin this new chapter of his life.

The door to the classroom was open, and Ye Feng stepped inside, scanning the room. About thirty students were already seated, and he quickly found an empty chair. He made his way to the far right corner, sitting in the last row by the window. It was quiet here, and he preferred it that way.

As he settled into his seat, he noticed the attention he received from his classmates. No one spoke to him directly, but their curious glances were impossible to ignore. The class continued to fill up, and in the next ten minutes, it reached its full capacity of fifty students. Ye Feng's tablemate, a boy who appeared entirely ordinary, took the seat next to him.

The boy, whose name was Shen Wuji, didn't stand out in any way. He was the type of person who would easily be overlooked in a crowd. Ye Feng found himself relieved by this—he wasn't looking for any extra attention, and a low-profile seatmate suited him just fine.

"Hi, my name's Shen Wuji," the boy introduced himself, offering a shy smile.

"Ye Feng," Ye Feng replied, returning the smile.

"Nice name," Shen Wuji commented, looking at him with a bit of admiration.

"Thanks," Ye Feng said, his voice calm.

"Are you from Qingshan City, or somewhere else?" Shen Wuji asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

"Qingshan City," Ye Feng answered.

"Me too," Shen Wuji responded, sounding relieved.

Their brief conversation was interrupted when the teacher walked into the classroom. Everyone quickly stood up in respect.

"Good morning, teacher," the class greeted in unison.

"Good morning," the teacher replied with a smile, motioning for them to sit. "My name is Tang Yong. I'll be your history teacher, as well as your head teacher from today onward. If anyone has any issues or needs assistance, feel free to approach me."

With that, he motioned for everyone to introduce themselves, starting from the first row. One by one, students shared their names, ages, academic scores, father's names, occupations, and any notable achievements.

The introductions were predictable, with some students bragging a little more than others about their accomplishments. After about fifteen minutes, it was Ye Feng's turn. He stood up, making sure his posture remained relaxed and confident.

"Ye Feng, 15 years old. I scored 649 marks in the 9th grade, and I'm from Qingshan City," he said simply.

The room fell silent for a moment. It wasn't the content of his introduction that caused the pause, but the fact that he had left out one crucial detail—his father's name and occupation. In this society, where wealth and social standing were everything, his classmates' curiosity was piqued. They looked at him, waiting for more information, especially about his family.

Tang Yong, sensing the curiosity in the room, asked with a hint of expectation, "What about your father?"

Ye Feng's expression didn't change as he replied, "I grew up in an orphanage."

The room went deathly quiet. No one had expected such a response. Sympathy and awkwardness filled the air. Some students felt sorry for him, while others, particularly those from wealthier families, felt a sense of superiority. They weren't as attractive as Ye Feng, but at least they had the one thing that truly mattered—social standing.

"Okay, then please take your seat," Tang Yong said, trying to move the class forward. Ye Feng sat down without another word, the tension in the air lingering.

The introductions continued, but Ye Feng's mind wandered. He wasn't particularly interested in the other students, but a few of them caught his attention. One was a boy named Chen Hao, whose father was the mayor of Qingshan City. Another was a girl named Bai Shuang. She was cheerful, with black eyes, fair skin, and long hair that reached just below her shoulders. She had a cute, well-defined face, with a hint of softness to her cheeks that added to her overall charm. She seemed to radiate beauty from every angle.

When Ye Feng was introducing himself, Bai Shuang's eyes had briefly flickered toward him, her curiosity evident. But upon hearing that he was an orphan, a look of sympathy crossed her face. Ye Feng didn't notice, as he was too preoccupied with his own thoughts.

As the introductions wrapped up, Ye Feng began to think about Bai Shuang. She didn't seem like the average girl, and the mention of her father's name—Bai Tao—triggered a memory. The Bai family was one of the five most powerful families in China, with a vast influence, especially in Beijing. The question that lingered in his mind was why she was here, in Qingshan City, when she could have easily been in the capital. But for now, he pushed the question aside, deciding it wasn't the time to dwell on it.

The rest of the day passed without incident. There were seven classes in total, four before the break and three after. School ended at 3:00 PM, and Ye Feng made his way back home in a cab.

Once back, he immediately set to work, practicing his combat training. It was a simple routine, but it gave him a sense of purpose. His first day of school had come and gone, and just like that, it was over.