Su Zhou’s expression turned serious. This was the very reason he wanted to go to one of those three professional Extraordinary Academies.

’The Divine Wood World showed me the consequences of abusing power. And the Tang Family’s existence is undeniable proof of just how much harm reckless Transcendents can cause to ordinary people without powerful oversight.’

Images of that vast wasteland and the maniacal laughter of the rampaging Demon Soldiers surfaced in his mind. He then recalled the many Resentful Souls he had seen at the Tang Family’s home just half a day before.

’There’s nothing inherently wrong with Transcendents pursuing freedom, of course. But if they use their freedom to endanger the freedom and safety of others, then that is undoubtedly and utterly wrong.’

’Acting with such impunity—that is evil.’

Su Zhou’s gaze was profound. Yet it would be inaccurate to say he was some kind of "Holy Mother," a lover of Order, or a person with an overblown sense of justice.

His way of thinking was actually much simpler.

’There are those willing to abandon their conscience, killing ordinary people just to gain Extraordinary Power and advance themselves. If any "person" feels such "oppression" is justified, then I’ll become an even greater and stronger Transcendent to oppress those oppressors, using the souls of these Evil People to advance myself.

The cycle of the Celestial Principle brings unerring retribution. I’m no "good person." I don’t waste time reasoning with Evil People.’

After dinner, Su Zhou’s parents enjoyed a rare night of rest at home, only heading off to work the next morning.

When Su Beiluo returned to the station, things were unusually quiet. The snow had been so heavy lately that even criminals, who were human after all, had no reason to be out committing crimes. This was also why he had been able to rest at home the day before.

"Captain Su, the supernatural magazines you ordered are here. Should I leave them on your desk so you can easily take them home this afternoon, or should I stick them in your locker for now?"

Hearing the voice of Old Ma from the mailroom, Su Beiluo paused for a moment. His first instinct was to say, ’Thanks, Old Ma, just leave them on my desk!’ just as he had for the past decade.

But then he remembered Su Zhou’s serious yet eager expression when he had mentioned the Cultivator Academy the day before. The corners of Su Beiluo’s mouth curled up, and he said with a soft laugh, "Don’t worry about it, Old Ma. I’ll come over and get them myself later!"

"I won’t be ordering these magazines anymore, either."

"Oh? Why’s that?" Hearing this, a middle-aged man with graying hair and poor vision in one eye—the man known as Old Ma—walked out from the mailroom carrying half a box of magazines. He looked surprised. "Why stop all of a sudden?"

"Hah." Su Beiluo stepped forward to take the half-full box. He smiled and said, "We don’t need them anymore. I only ever ordered this stuff because my son liked it, you know?"

"With the Spiritual Energy Revival underway, a kid with his kind of Talent, planning to apply to the Cultivator Academy... his life is going to be more fantastic and bizarre than anything these magazines could make up. Why would he need to read them anymore?"

"I always saw you picking which ones to subscribe to so carefully, I figured you and your boy both enjoyed them." Old Ma rubbed his paunchy stomach and laughed heartily. "But Su Zhou’s Talent really is something else. My own son and daughter heard from their professors—he can get into any Academy he wants, no problem!"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Old Ma!"

Time passed. On Thursday, December 18th, 2014, the heavy snow began to subside. The Spiritual Qi turbulence that had affected the entire globe gradually calmed, and the worldwide concentration of Spiritual Qi rose significantly once again.

And so, schools that had been closed for weeks reopened their doors today.

They were finally returning to the campus they had missed for so long!