"Was it just my imagination? It must have been, just my eyes playing tricks..."
Li Jiayu stood dazedly in the peeing posture until a cold wind blew, making him shiver all over and snap back to reality. He quickly stuffed his dick back, zipped up, and opened the toilet window expressionlessly, overlooking the devastated campus.
The world outside was still gray and gloomy. Faintly, the fresh, cold air carried a light smell of blood. After soaking in rain all night, the corpses lying scattered on the ground were drenched, their limbs twisted like bloated bodies. Li Jiayu could even see patches of red in the accumulated rainwater on the ground – clearly, bloodstains that couldn't be washed away...
Honestly, the scene before him... really resembled a mass grave. If a few tombstones were erected, it would be even more fitting.
And the Red-Crested Beetle corpses soaked by the rain were even more magical. Their originally fiery red carapaces, having lost vitality, had turned grayish-black, like cast metal, resembling hideous and strange bronze statues.
Such lifelike "bronze statues," if placed in the past, would surely be greatly admired by numerous art enthusiasts, definitely worthy of the international art appreciation stage... Unfortunately, today, probably few people would hold any fondness for the "artworks" transformed from Red-Crested Beetle corpses...
On campus, what caught Li Jiayu's attention most was the gymnasium not far away. The battlefield there was still cratered, the marble floor covered in terrifying cracks – the handiwork of the Mummies and Ghouls. Whether it was an illusion or just fragments of marble, Li Jiayu seemed to still see the remains of flesh and brain matter left after the Ghouls self-destructed, smeared stickily all over the ground.
The Female Parasitic Vine, needless to say, this arrogant abyssal monster, now lay sprawled on the ground like a dead dog, its hundreds of demonic vines spread out, like a giant black spiderweb, indescribably spectacular and eerie. As for the "Flying Dragon Louse" killed by Li Jiayu's last ounce of strength, it had long been crushed into a twisted lump of charcoal, lying quietly on the ground, devoid of any of its former sky-reaper menace.
"The Flying Dragon Louse's Insect Crystal is low-Tier 2, very precious at this stage, must get it quickly... With it, I can enhance my sixth sense, making it easier to condense precognition
Li Jiayu forced himself to ponder how to quickly increase his strength, trying his best to ignore the matter of his shrinking dick. But the more he forced it, the more flustered his heart became, like his heart was being squeezed in someone's hand, an indescribable feeling of vexation.
"After enhancing perception... find 'Purple-Blood Centipedes' to enhance poison resistance, then kill 'Demon Blood Butterflies' to improve blood oxygen capacity... Ai, the more I think, the more my head hurts... Perfectly fine, why did it shorten? Am I turning into a girl? Heavens, this joke isn't funny at all..."
Was it a side effect of the Female Parasitic Vine's crystal core... or the Female Parasitic Vine's dying curse?
But... in Li Jiayu's past life, he had heard of a very small number of people who killed Female Parasitic Vines and consumed their crystal cores, yet they didn't experience any changes...
Ugh, it must just be my imagination. Right, it's no big deal... Compared to getting my life back, what's a mere shrinkage of a few millimeters?
Thinking this, Li Jiayu comforted himself: "In any case, I've already died twice. Just being alive is lucky enough. Why care about changes to the physical body... As long as I don't turn into a woman, even shrinking another centimeter doesn't matter. Anyway, there are plenty of spells for physical restoration. If worse comes to worst, I can find a 'Regeneration Bug' Insect Crystal to repair and regenerate..."
That's what he said... but for some reason, Li Jiayu always had a lingering ominous premonition in his heart. However, Li Jiayu's ominous premonitions usually weren't very accurate; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so tragic in his past life.
"Forget it, too lazy to bother with this matter. The priority now is still dealing with the insects..."
Exiting the toilet, he saw several elderly professors and experts already waiting outside. Dressed impeccably, wearing thick glasses, clearly the scholarly type. The moment they saw Li Jiayu, ingratiating smiles piled up on their faces. They nodded appreciatively towards Li Jiayu, seemingly praising his great achievement of saving so many people.
"Li Jiayu ah, well done! Truly worthy of being a student I taught! Haha, heroes emerge from the young! You've been in my class for a year, and I never knew you possessed hidden skills... Anyway, thank you very much this time. Come, come, Jiayu, these few are professors from the Biology and Medical departments, very reputable, erudite and talented. You might want to get acquainted with them..." The speaker was Li Jiayu's class advisor, Zhang Zhihong.
"It's the class advisor. Long time no see. Can't you see I'm not interested?" Li Jiayu said coldly.
"Classmate Jiayu, you can't say that... They are authorities in biology, very knowledgeable about researching insects. Talking with them should be helpful for killing insects..."
"I'm more knowledgeable about researching killing people. Are you interested in chatting with me about how to kill people?" Li Jiayu's smile widened, his icy blue pupils inadvertently glowing slightly, carrying an indescribable coldness that chilled the heart.
"Classmate Li Jiayu is joking... Come, come, let's get acquainted. My surname is Hu, given name Yuanliang. You can call me Professor Hu. I have done quite some research on spiders, published several papers internationally..." Saying this, the professor named Hu Yuanliang extended his hand, wanting to shake hands cordially with Li Jiayu.
Li Jiayu's eyebrow twitched, unmoving. If it were the old Li Jiayu, perhaps he would have been flattered and exchanged pleasantries. But today's Li Jiayu was incomparably cold and ruthless. He barely deigned to look at people unrelated to him. These old professors shared neither classmate camaraderie nor any cultivation value with him; they would only drone on about useless nonsense all day. The so-called "knowledge wealth" in their heads was fundamentally a pile of dog shit in the chaotic era of the apocalypse!
"Did I permit you to shake my hand? Get out of the way, don't waste my time." A smile appeared on Li Jiayu's previously expressionless face, yet it contained slow mockery and impatience.
"You..."
The old professors' expressions froze at Li Jiayu's words, faces awkward. They looked pleadingly towards Li Jiayu's class advisor Zhang Zhihong, hoping he would help negotiate again, at least secure an opportunity to communicate with Li Jiayu.
"Jiayu, how can you treat the old professors like this? Although you saved so many people, you can't discard the tradition of respecting the old and loving the young! Arrogance and complacency will make you regret it, looking down on others is unacceptable... Look, this Professor Hu is from Peking University, here to inspect our school, renowned nationwide, a titan in biology, a Tier 2 professor... Countless students are vying to be his apprentice..." The thick glasses of the class advisor reflected light. Li Jiayu truly didn't know what foolish things he was thinking.
"Then you should hurry up and lick his boots. Don't waste my time. Dear class advisor, I suggest you don't try to pull rank on me. If you know what's good for you, obediently find a corner and lie down, lest you lack the stamina to keep up with the group during the great escape." Li Jiayu knocked on the toilet door panel, the expression on his face less mockery and more arrogance – an arrogance that completely disregarded them.
"Classmate Li Jiayu, don't be angry, let's talk nicely. You just need to spare a little time to cooperate with us in dissecting the insects, then you can understand more about the insects' weaknesses. Why not do it? Besides, you are also an Awakened, a great prophet. With great power comes great responsibility, don't you think you should play the role of Xijiang University's savior? The survivors of Xijiang University will all be proud of you!" Professor Hu stared at Li Jiayu's face, speaking with emotion, looking like an advanced educator.
"Dissect insects? Dissect which insect? Venomous Spiders or Acid Bugs? Go ahead and try! See what fate awaits you. Do you really think you can casually touch their corpses? Don't just look at how my Dark Octopus easily scoops out their brains; that's because the Dark Octopus has a natural advantage. You are merely flesh and blood; casually touching them could lead to a fatal end."
Li Jiayu shook his head contemptuously, as if looking at a group of hopelessly stupid people:
"Moreover... these insects aren't even Earth species at all! Their physiological structure and functions differ greatly from Earth insects. It's fundamentally impossible to research anything valuable in a short time... If you really want to do something for others, then hurry up and hang yourselves or jump off a building. Saves wasting food. Anyway, in the cruel environment of the apocalypse, your aging bodies will find it difficult to survive..."
By the time he finished the last sentence, Li Jiayu had already strode away, leaving these highly educated intellectuals fuming silently.
"Zhang Zhihong, is this the student you taught? Is this the good student you taught?"
"Such a student, even with great ability... is not a qualified leader..."
"Professors, please calm down. Li Jiayu is just arrogant and complacent, temporarily lost his head. He'll come to his senses soon..."
"This child will sooner or later suffer greatly because of this personality... But after all, he does indeed have the capital for arrogance. Don't forget, our lives were also saved thanks to Li Jiayu."
"Ai, students nowadays, truly young and reckless, so arrogant, completely disregarding teachers. Is being slightly polite that difficult? As a person, one cannot discard propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. Otherwise, what's the difference between them and beasts..."
If Li Jiayu heard that sentence "cannot discard propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame," he would definitely laugh his head off. Some people truly don't shed tears until they see the coffin. What chaotic era is this, yet they still harp on about such worthless things? Utterly ridiculous.
The living space for propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame is peaceful times. When society becomes chaotic and the human race faces potential extinction at any moment, who would care about propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame?
Encountering insects, talk law and feelings with them, will they not dare eat people?
Meeting crazed human flesh trafficking organizations, preach scriptures and praise God to them, will that stop them from skinning you, digging out your heart?
Even when teaming up with companions, if you still dare to bind your teammates with propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame, forbidding them from stealing this or robbing that, maybe your companions will soon stab you in the back!
The apocalypse has its own laws of survival. Those who dare not abide by the laws are either the small handful of powerhouses above the law, or foolish cannon fodder!
Taking a few steps, he reached Hall Two. The moment Li Jiayu walked in, all the classmates inside widened their eyes, gazes focusing on Li Jiayu with pleasant surprise, expressions filled with irrepressible fervor!
Yesterday, Li Jiayu annihilated all the Acid Bugs on the thirteenth floor, displaying astonishing strength before everyone, already winning over all the students, becoming their idol, their hero. Later, Li Jiayu killed even more Red-Crested Beetles with unparalleled dominance, liberated the student supermarket, rescued the girls' dormitory, further earning the utmost admiration of eyewitnesses. Finally, Li Jiayu summoned Mummies, Ghouls, and the Hellfire Bull to kill the Female Parasitic Vine, and just now even summoned the phantom of a Frost Dragon, shaking the entire Xijiang City! This was enough for the classmates to regard Li Jiayu as a god of war!
A god of war is omnipotent, invincible!
"It's Li Jiayu!"
"Jiayu, are your injuries okay?"
"Li Jiayu, you're amazing!"
"How did you learn summoning? Can you teach me?"
"So cool! Really so cool! Those living corpses that only exist in legends, how did you create them? Are you the legendary Dark Summoner? Or a Necromancer? That Frost Dragon was summoned by you too, right? It must be!"
"Yeah! With that Frost Dragon... what else does Li Jiayu need to fear? Insects and stuff are just trash in front of Li Jiayu!"
"Li Jiayu, just accept us as your disciples! No matter how hard or tiring, we're not afraid! As long as we can learn half your skills, we're willing to pay any price!"
The hall instantly exploded into a hubbub, exceptionally lively. Even people from other halls crowded in, staring fervently at Li Jiayu. However, except for a few who were particularly familiar with him, the others didn't dare get too close, because the icy, indifferent aura emanating from Li Jiayu was too strong, sending a clear message: "strangers keep away."
Looking at those eager boys, fantasizing about becoming peerless powerhouses, Li Jiayu wanted to laugh. Ignorance truly breeds fearlessness. Ordinary people could become unnaturally Awakened through Insect Crystals and Demon Souls, but that was merely the cruel beginning. Once becoming an unnaturally Awakened, it meant being pushed onto the battlefield, fighting humans, fighting insects, facing endless dangers, potentially becoming sacrifices at any moment, either devoured by insects or buried by competitors.
However... this drive and foolishness... seemed familiar, just like his own foolish self back then. Knowing nothing, yet stepping onto the battlefield. Who could have predicted that after fighting to the end, he would actually become the Dark Grand Summoner who terrified Tianchao? If he hadn't taken that first step, perhaps he would have been enslaved for a lifetime?
Facing so many requests, Li Jiayu smiled faintly, a very sunny and brilliant smile, but his tone remained icy:
"Am I your nanny?"
"Uh..."
These words instantly doused most of the boys like a bucket of cold water, leaving them speechless. The large hall fell silent for several seconds before a boy, blushing red, managed to stammer out:
"But... but you're so strong, teaching us shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"But I have no obligation to teach you... I saved you once, even the breakfast you ate was mostly food retrieved after I liberated the supermarket. Without me, you would have starved for three whole days, nearly wiped out... Remember, I am not your nanny. What I can do for you is limited. Don't pin all your hopes on me; that will only lead to disappointment in the end, because I am not your guardian deity... Relying on oneself is better than relying on others. Instead of focusing on me, better figure out how to kill insects. Human wisdom is infinite; with good planning, ordinary people can also kill high-level insects... Besides, wanting to become stronger, apart from Insect Crystals, can also be achieved through killing skeletons, awakening halos, Devil Fruits, Yang Soul inheritance, and other paths..." Li Jiayu spoke unhurriedly. For someone like him to patiently explain so much was already commendable. But in fact, Li Jiayu's inner thoughts were very dark.
These people... have no idea what Li Jiayu is thinking.
The reason Li Jiayu told them so much was actually just to slightly consolidate their morale, making it easier to command them later. As long as there were over a thousand people, Li Jiayu could use them as cannon fodder, letting them attract the insects' firepower. Then protecting relatives and friends like Xiao Wanqing, his cousin, and cousin-in-law would be much easier.
Of course, if some talents worth cultivating could be selected from this group, that would be even better. No need for too much control over them, just having them become his faction at the appropriate time would suffice. Otherwise, when reaching Yong City later, how could his lone self contend against the numerous powerful factions?
Hearing Li Jiayu resolutely refuse their requests, the boys' hearts sank. Much of their initial excitement dissipated. However, they could more or less understand. Li Jiayu was just Li Jiayu, not their provider. He absolutely wouldn't care excessively about their lives or deaths. He was merely a passerby to most of them. If it weren't for Xiao Wanqing being at Xijiang University, perhaps the first thing Li Jiayu would have done after rebirth was rush out of the university. Why would he stay behind and play the role of a saint?
"You're right... Relying on oneself is better than relying on others. You've done enough for us, Li Jiayu. Those skeletons, halos, Devil Fruits, Yang Souls you mentioned just now, what are they? Can you explain them to us..."
"No rush for that. Anyway, it's not time yet. Telling you now is useless since you have no chance to encounter them..."
Li Jiayu ignored them, walked straight to the other side, where his classmates were gathered, including Sun Weiwei, Hua Xiaolu, Lin Zhibin, and others.
"Hey, Sun Weiwei, I've wanted to say this to you for a long time..."
Li Jiayu approached Sun Weiwei, a playful, wicked smile on his face, his tone carrying a sense of great satisfaction:
"Remember what I told you yesterday..." Li Jiayu leaned close to Sun Weiwei's smooth, rounded ear and said with a grin:
"That senior student who was supposed to violate you died on the battlefield! Feel quite sad for him... But for you, I can only say congratulations, congratulations! Class Monitor Sun Weiwei, congratulations on preserving your virginity! Maybe in the future of this trajectory, you won't become a mistress, haha."