Ning Shu held onto the desk with one hand to prevent it from falling. Her eyes were wide as she watched the blue-eyed, blond teacher deliver the lesson in rapid-fire English. Confused, she felt a deep sense of frustration; from start to finish, she understood not a single word. Having been confined to a hospital since middle school, her grasp of the language was limited to only a few simple phrases.
As she looked around, it became painfully clear that she was the only student who appeared lost. Her gaze shifted to the back of the classroom, where Ling Xue sat, radiating an aura of peerless magnificence even from behind.
Ling Xue's keen senses quickly picked up on the fact that someone was watching her. She turned around, locking eyes with Ning Shu. Alarmed at being caught, Ning Shu decided to keep staring confidently, rather than look away in embarrassment.
This boldness irked Ling Xue. To her, it felt like being provoked by an insignificant ant. In the world of cultivation, such glances could spark conflict, and she now felt offended by Ning Shu's audacity. Her expression chilled as she recalled how this woman, Lin Jiajia, had gone around speaking ill of her, even attempting to persuade Leng Ao to keep his distance.
Ling Xue smiled coldly. She had always been the one to discard others, never the other way around. Since coming to this world, her arrogance had only intensified, and she projected an unyielding aura that commanded respect. Other students likely interpreted this as strong self-confidence, allowing her to push aside even the most impressive ladies of prominent families, solidifying her position as the school's unshakeable goddess.
Ning Shu felt a spark of anger at Ling Xue's disdainful gaze, which made her feel as if she were nothing more than a bug. Yet, she knew that she couldn't afford to engage in a direct confrontation with Ling Xue at this moment.
She turned her thoughts back to the task ahead. She needed to bring Ling Xue down from her pedestal, which meant altering how the other students viewed her. This would require transforming the goddess, adored by everyone, into someone despised. Such a feat sounded easier in theory than practice, and Ning Shu had no idea where to begin.
She realized that Ling Xue had probably already encountered the male lead and was likely immersed in a stage of mutual admiration and conflict. Soon, the narrative would shift to "people of talent appreciating one another," further elevating Ling Xue's influence, making Ning Shu's task that much more challenging.
Ning Shu massaged her temples, feeling overwhelmed. This task resembled striking a stone with an egg; it seemed impossible at every turn. If only she had the ability to cultivate as well, she could confront Ling Xue directly, making the process far more straightforward and efficient.
Ling Xue's power relied on the fact that no one else in this world could cultivate. Then it struck her: perhaps she could ask the system for a cultivation item. Given the limited spiritual energy in this realm, it was likely that Ling Xue wasn't very strong. If Ning Shu could cultivate, she might actually have a fighting chance.
"System, can I obtain a cultivation manual?" Ning Shu called out to the system in her heart, filled with hope and determination for a solution.