I can receive unlimited protection; my parents handed me over to the state.

The First Sports Center in Beijing has been transformed into a huge open-air exhibition today.

Dozens of the top Star Envoy Academies in China have set up recruitment booths here.

Huge holographic projections illuminated the sky above the sports center, playing promotional videos from various colleges.

There are dragon knights riding giant dragons soaring through the clouds, warriors chanting forbidden spells that level entire mountain ranges, and mech warriors piloting massive mechs to fight star beasts hand-to-hand...

Every scene is full of power and passion, making viewers' blood boil.

The sports center was packed with people. Prodigies from all over the country who had performed exceptionally well in the awakening ceremony, accompanied by their families, moved between the various booths, their faces filled with anticipation for the future and a touch of nervousness.

Lu Yuan was dressed in ordinary casual clothes, blending into the crowd and going unnoticed.

He didn't ask Zhao Qingxuan to accompany him, nor did he disturb anyone. He was just like an ordinary tourist, curiously looking around at everything.

"Is this the recruitment fair in the capital? It's definitely different from a small place like Jianghai City."

As Lu Yuan walked, he silently evaluated the situation in his mind.

The atmosphere here is noticeably more elitist and professional.

In front of each academy's booth stood several teachers with calm demeanor and sharp eyes. Most of them were senior Star Envoys above level 40, and some were even B-level powerhouses.

They won't be like the admissions officers in small towns, enthusiastically pulling you aside and giving you endless introductions.

They simply stood there quietly, scrutinizing each student who walked past the booth with a critical eye.

They will only extend an invitation when they discover that a student's talent or potential meets their standards.

"Hey kid, I see you have a high affinity for psionic energy. Would you be interested in learning more about our Vermilion Bird Magic Academy? We're the best cradle of elemental mages in China."

In front of a booth, a female teacher dressed in a red mage's robe called out to a passing red-haired boy who was radiating intense fire elemental energy.

"【Azure Dragon Star Envoy Academy】? Is that the academy that produced an idiot like Li Tianhao?"

As Lu Yuan passed by the most luxuriously decorated booth, he saw the familiar dragon-shaped badge and couldn't help but smile with amusement.

In front of the booth, an elderly man who looked like a hermit was stroking his beard and talking eloquently to a group of students who looked at him with admiration.

"Our Azure Dragon Academy boasts a long and rich history. If you pass our assessment and enter Class S, the academy will provide you with top-tier resources, guaranteeing you will reach at least level 35 upon graduation!"

These words drew gasps of amazement from those around them.

Reaching level 35 upon graduation is already at the level of many second-rate college teachers.

Lu Yuan simply shook his head.

In his view, this kind of hierarchy built on resources is unstable, flashy but impractical, just like Li Tianhao, all show and no substance.

He continued walking, gradually losing interest in these so-called top academies.

Just as he was about to find a place to sit down and have a drink, he suddenly heard a series of hurried footsteps and a commotion behind him.

"Young Miss! Don't run away! Master said you must come back with us today!"

"Get away! Don't touch me!"

A clear and stubborn female voice rang out.

Immediately afterwards, a girl in a white dress, like a startled fawn, rushed out of the crowd and bumped directly into Lu Yuan's arms.

A faint, sweet fragrance wafted into the air.

Lu Yuan instinctively supported her.

The girl raised her head, revealing a delicate face as pretty as a porcelain doll.

She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with long, glossy black hair that fluttered in the wind, willow-leaf eyebrows, almond-shaped eyes, a delicate nose, cherry lips, and skin so white it was almost translucent.

Each of her features is perfect on its own, and when put together, they create a breathtaking beauty.

Especially her large, clear black and white eyes, now misty with fear, made her look pitiful enough to evoke pity in any man.

However, before Lu Yuan could speak, the girl did something he didn't expect.

She suddenly stretched out her slender arm and hugged Lu Yuan's arm tightly, then raised her head and loudly announced to the several burly men in black who were chasing after her:

"Stop following me! I already have a boyfriend! It's him!"

She pointed at Lu Yuan, who looked bewildered, her voice filled with unwavering determination.

The men in black were stunned by what they saw.

The onlookers, who were watching the spectacle, also started to cheer and shout.

Lu Yuan's brows furrowed instantly.

What the hell?

I was just out shopping, how did I suddenly become someone else's boyfriend?

What kind of melodramatic romance drama plot is this?

"Boy, who are you? How dare you mess around with our young lady? You're asking for trouble!" The leader, a burly man in black, stared at Lu Yuan with hostile eyes, and a powerful aura belonging to a level 35 warrior pressed down on Lu Yuan.

If it were Lu Yuan from half a month ago, he probably wouldn't even be able to stand up under this aura.

but now……

Lu Yuan felt as if a gentle breeze had blown by him, and he didn't even bother to raise his eyebrows.

He glanced down at the girl who was still clinging tightly to his arm, her face saying "go along with me," and felt utterly speechless.

What he hates most is people who are self-righteous and like to use others as tools.

So, to everyone's astonishment, Lu Yuan expressionlessly pulled his arm out of the girl's soft embrace, little by little.

Then, he took a step back, creating distance between himself and the girl, and waved sincerely to the group of burly men in black.

"I don't know her."

"You can arrest or take away those who need to be arrested, it has nothing to do with me."

"Really, it has absolutely nothing to do with it."

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

The air seemed to freeze.

The beautiful girl in the white dress froze instantly.

Her large eyes, which had previously held a hint of smugness and cunning, were now wide open, filled with disbelief.

She had imagined countless possibilities.

She thought that this seemingly ordinary boy would be flattered and overjoyed to be "chosen" by a beautiful girl like herself, and would stand up for her at all costs in order to impress her.

Even if he were a coward, under the other party's coercion, he would at least hesitate or be at a loss.

But she never dreamed that the other party would... reject her so decisively!

Moreover, his expression and tone made it seem as if he were some kind of plague god to be avoided at all costs!

"You..." The girl's cheeks flushed red instantly, not from embarrassment, but from anger.

This was the first time she had ever encountered such a situation in her entire life!

The surrounding crowd of onlookers also erupted in a low murmur of laughter.

"Haha, this guy's such a straight man! He's turning down a beautiful woman who's practically handed to him?"

"Awesome! This is truly a role model for us all!"

"That woman is so arrogant! Does she really think she can do whatever she wants just because she's pretty?"

The whispers were like needles pricking the girl's heart, making her feel utterly ashamed.

The burly men in black also looked bewildered. They exchanged glances, each seeing confusion in the other's eyes.

This script... something's not right?

"Ahem." The burly man at the head of the group coughed, breaking the awkward silence. He looked at Lu Yuan again, his eyes now scrutinizing him. "Kid, you really don't recognize our young lady?"

"I don't know her," Lu Yuan answered decisively. "I was just passing by when she bumped into me. If you don't believe me, you can check the security footage."

As he spoke, he pointed to a floating surveillance camera not far away.

Now everyone believed it.

The girl was so angry at Lu Yuan's innocent look, which made him seem completely absolved of all responsibility, that she almost ground her teeth to powder.

She took a deep breath, as if she wanted to say something to salvage the situation.

But those burly men in black didn't give her a chance.

"Young Miss, please forgive me." The burly man at the head of the group waved his hand. "Please 'escort' the young lady back!"

Two burly men immediately stepped forward, one on each side, and grabbed the girl's arms.

"Let me go! Let me go! I don't want to go back!" The girl struggled violently, but her meager strength was nothing compared to that of the two battle-hardened warriors.

She was forcibly dragged away from the crowd.

As she was being dragged away, she turned back unwillingly and glared at Lu Yuan with an extremely resentful look.

That look seemed to say: You just wait! I'll remember you!

Lu Yuan didn't care at all; he even waved to her and gave her a friendly smile.

That expression seemed to say, "You're welcome. Helping others is the right thing to do."

Seeing his expression, the girl was so angry she almost fainted.

The farce has come to an end.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Lu Yuan shook his head, preparing to leave this place of trouble.

"Wait a minute, young man."

A voice called out to him.

Lu Yuan turned around and saw the old man with the ethereal and otherworldly air from the Azure Dragon Academy.

The old man walked up to him with a smile, stroked his beard, and said approvingly, "Young man, you did well just now. Unmoved by beauty and unyielding to power, you have a calm and steady temperament. You are a promising young man."

Lu Yuan rolled his eyes inwardly.

Was I defying authority? I was just afraid of getting into trouble.

"Young man, I see you have extraordinary talent and remarkable physique. Would you be interested in developing your career at our Azure Dragon Academy?" The old man changed the subject and began his recruitment pitch. "If you're willing to come, I can guarantee you a spot in Class A, enjoying the same resources and benefits as Class S!"

The students who hadn't gone far nearby looked on with envy when they heard this.

A spot in Class A of Qinglong Academy! That's a place that countless people would kill to get into!

However, Lu Yuan only glanced at him indifferently.

"Not interested."

After saying that, he turned and left, not bothering to say another word.

The old man's smile froze.

This was the first time in all his years of recruiting students that he had been rejected so decisively.

"Hey, young man, don't go! We can still discuss the terms! Or... we can discuss S-class too!" the old man called out urgently from behind him.

But Lu Yuan didn't even turn his head.

Azure Dragon Academy?

He had no interest in a place where even someone like Li Tianhao was treated like a treasure.