Volume One: First Steps on the Path Chapter Eighty-Two: History Is Always Astonishingly Similar

Before Li Ling had even finished speaking, Fang Lin was already applauding. “Very good. Now, everyone, let’s give Li Ling a round of applause and some encouragement.” Upon hearing this, the others nodded in agreement and promptly applauded Li Ling.

Seeing this, Li Ling smiled, and when the applause faded, he continued, “Honestly, there’s not much to say about me. I have many hobbies, but I rarely stick with any of them. There’s nothing particularly special about me—if I must say, it’s that I come from an unusual family. How unusual? Well, perhaps you’ll find out in time. I may not have many strengths, but I certainly have plenty of weaknesses: lazy, unmotivated, aimless, fond of idle living, and so on. Yet, for all these faults, there is one thing I do not lack—money. I know some of you might scoff at that, thinking, ‘So what? Just another spoiled rich kid.’ There’s nothing I can do if you think so, because it’s the truth. I have money, and that’s all there is to it.”

Everyone burst into laughter at this, none showing the disdain Li Ling mentioned. Even Fang Lin was smiling, and several others, including Ye Junze, couldn’t help but laugh at such a nonsensical introduction. After all, who wouldn’t laugh at such an illogical self-introduction?

Li Ling paid no mind to the laughter and continued, “That concludes my introduction. I believe I’ve met the teacher’s request for everyone to know my name and remember me, haven’t I?”

Fang Lin, hearing herself referenced, smiled again. “Li Ling, I agree you’ve done just that. I know I’ll remember you, and I imagine your classmates will too. Don’t you all agree?” The others smiled and nodded their agreement.

“Well then, let’s give Li Ling another round of applause for getting our self-introductions off to such a great start,” Fang Lin said, clapping once more.

The class applauded again. Thanks to Li Ling’s boldness, the awkwardness from before seemed to dissipate, and many students now felt eager and confident to introduce themselves.

Seeing this, Li Ling smiled, knowing he’d played his part. Now, it was up to the others. With that, he quietly returned to his seat.

As Li Ling sat down, Ye Junze grinned at him and joked, “Not bad, Li Ling. I didn’t expect you to be a rich kid. Since you’re so wealthy, I won’t be shy about it in the future.”

“That’s right! Ever since I was young, my dream has been to rob the rich and help the poor. From now on, I’ll be taking from you, the rich, to help my own poverty,” Yun Tianhan chimed in, laughing.

Fan Yan’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she seemed to think of a good idea. She cooed sweetly, “Oh, Brother Li Ling, I’ve been eyeing a set of cosmetics lately, but I just don’t have the money to buy them. Could you help me out, Brother Li Ling?”

Lu Renjia, not to be outdone, joined in, “Exactly, exactly! Look at me, Brother Li, I’ve been poor since childhood. I’ve never even seen what money looks like. Can you lend me a hand?”

Li Ling laughed, realizing they were all joking, and wasn’t offended. He replied with a smile, “Sure, how much do you need? Just swipe my card, don’t be shy.”

Everyone laughed and called out, “All right, then we won’t hold back—hand over your card!”

“Of course, of course, but for now, let’s focus on class. By the way, who’s going up next for the self-introduction?” Li Ling asked, grinning.

The group stopped their banter and thought seriously for a moment.

“I’m fine with going,” Ye Junze said.

“Me too,” replied Yun Tianhan.

“I don’t mind either,” said Fan Yan.

“If everyone’s fine with it, so am I,” Lu Renjia added.

As they discussed this quietly, Fang Lin addressed the room, “Now that our first student, Li Ling, has finished his introduction, who would like to go next? With such a strong start, I’m sure many of you are eager to introduce yourselves.”

The room immediately fell silent, the playful atmosphere replaced by quiet discussion. Many students bowed their heads, debating whether or not to step forward.

Just then, as everyone was considering, another student walked up to Fang Lin and said, “If that’s the case, Teacher, let me be the second.”

All eyes turned to the front—it was Ye Junze.

“Is it him?” some whispered.

“He hardly needs an introduction. Is there anyone here who doesn’t know him?”

Reactions varied, but Li Ling and his friends, already aware that Ye Junze would go next, simply looked on with anticipation.

Fang Lin, unconcerned with the murmurs, looked at Ye Junze and said, “White hair? I think I know who you are.”

“Ah? I haven’t even introduced myself yet, and you already know?” Ye Junze asked, puzzled.

Fang Lin smiled. “You’re Ye Junze, aren’t you?”

He nodded. “That’s right, that’s me. I didn’t expect you to know already.”

Fang Lin waved her hand. “You’re already quite famous among us teachers. Still, even though I know, you should introduce yourself. I am quite curious about you.”

Ye Junze hadn’t expected his reputation to precede him, but after a moment’s thought, he supposed his actions over the past few days had drawn attention. He shook his head helplessly, thinking, “Some experiences really do keep repeating themselves.”

He was reflecting on always drawing teachers’ attention throughout his life, and now, even in university, he was still the focus, all in just a few short days.

Fang Lin, noticing his expression, asked with concern, “Ye Junze, is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Her words snapped Ye Junze out of his thoughts. He shook his head. “I’m fine, Teacher. May I begin my introduction?”

“If you’re all right, then please go ahead,” Fang Lin replied, smiling.

Ye Junze nodded and looked at the class. “I suppose I hardly need to introduce myself. After these past few days, I think you all probably remember me.”

Before anyone could respond, he added, self-deprecatingly, “Not just because of my decent grades on the last assessment, but with this head of white hair, it’s hard not to stand out.”

Everyone smiled knowingly. It was true—no one could miss Ye Junze with his striking white hair. Coupled with his performance in class, his name and face were already well remembered, fulfilling Fang Lin’s requirement.

Seeing their reactions, Ye Junze continued, “So it seems I’ve met the teacher’s request. But since she asked, I’ll go through the motions. Forgive me if I’m a bit clumsy—I’m not much of a speaker.”

His genuine words prompted another round of laughter, for though he spoke the truth, being so blunt can easily leave one friendless.

Don’t believe it? Just look at Fang Lin’s expression—she was half amused, half exasperated.

Indeed, at first she’d found his introduction quite proper, but as he went on and laid things out so directly, she couldn’t help but be both amused and slightly annoyed. Still, she chalked it up to his personality, thinking, “They say geniuses are always a bit eccentric. Perhaps this one is too?”

With that, her mood improved, and she looked at Ye Junze even more kindly.

Oblivious to these thoughts, Ye Junze went on, “My name is Ye Junze. As for what makes me unique—well, there’s nothing much, except for my long hair.” He ran his fingers through his white locks for everyone to see, which drew another round of laughter.

He gestured for quiet. “As for my other characteristics, compared to Li Ling before me, I come from an ordinary family—healthy parents, peaceful life, steady relationships. Not a rich kid by any means. My one strength from childhood to now has been my studies, as I think you’ve all noticed. I honestly didn’t expect that being a good student would still serve me well in a school for cultivators, but I’m grateful for the recognition, and I’ll continue to do my best. There’s one more thing—I’m always happy to help. So if you run into trouble in your cultivation studies, you can come to me. I can’t promise I’ll solve your problem, but one thing’s certain: if you don’t ask, I definitely won’t solve it.”

What had begun as a formal introduction became increasingly boastful, and the class burst into laughter at his final line. Some couldn’t resist shouting, “Shameless!” “I, Wang Jingze, would rather starve than ever ask you for help!”

In the midst of the uproar, Ye Junze brought his introduction to a close. “That’s all I have to say. Seeing everyone so cheerful is satisfaction enough for me.”

And with that, he left the podium and returned to his seat before Fang Lin could say another word.