"What is the essence of life?"
That's what comes to mind when a 17-year-old student sits on one of the seats in the school library. Wang Yuan, a black-brown haired man with dark pupils, a height of 181 cm (7 ft) and an ordinary face —not in the handsome type that many girls are attracted to.
A book was clutched in his hand, titled The Flow of Mortal Life. It wasn't the kind of book people his age were fond of, they would rather read comics, fantasy novels, or watch movie series instead of reading old literature they didn't understand.
Page after page he slides through the book, that thick book —500 pages— was enough for Wang Yuan to finish in one session. He absorbed all the information in the book within three hours, having missed the entire class.
Then what about his studies? Wang Yuan didn't worry about that, you could say he had learned what the class teacher was explaining to all of them right now.
"In the past, strength and morality were the essence of life for a human being. Those who could survive and maintain good morals were said to be winners in life," Wang Yuan revealed, speaking a monologue at the place.
"Honesty, justice, responsibility, and empathy. These four are the basic aspects in maintaining the good values of life, as defined by God's will and desire," Wang Yuan explained.
He opened the last page of the literature, noticing a sentence that caught his attention from all the paragraphs in the 499-page book.
[Understanding the essence of life is a long and winding road. Those who understand it will achieve true peace. Those who fail, will sink into the abyss of despair and confusion.]
"Huft."
"Comparing the current situation to the past is irrelevant. Power in this period means money, and morality means nothing."
"As long as there is money, they have everything. They can buy justice, honesty, even responsibility."
"Hope and good morality belong to the poor," Wang Yuan replied.
He ended his reading moment with a heart-wrenching conclusion, but Wang Yuan couldn't argue with it as it was a fact.
Wang Yuan reached for his phone and saw that it was two o'clock in the afternoon. He had been in the library chair since 11 o'clock —lunch break.
"I skipped Teacher Wu's history lesson. It seems like I have to go to her office after class," Wang Yuan complained.
He got up from his seat, stretching his body until every joint in his bones cracked, like they were about to break and fall.
It was enough to read today in the library, at least the book was enlightening enough for him, although Wang Yuan wasn't completely satisfied with the conclusion given by the author of the book.
"Again, you left your class, Wang Yuan," called a girl.
She came after the library door opened. Wang Yuan turned his head and smiled, he rose from the seat and stepped over to put the book on its shelf.
"Li Mei," Wang Yuan greeted.
Li Mei was Wang Yuan's childhood friend. The two were inseparable until high school. This year being their last year, Li Mei had said that she would apply to medical university while Wang Yuan chose another university with a major in literature.
"I know you're smart, but at least come to class," Li Mei said, annoyed as she pointed at Wang Yuan.
"Why would I come if I already know what Teacher Wu is going to explain?" asked Wang Yuan, glancing slowly to the side.
Li Mei sighed, her eyes closed as she shook her head. She didn't know how many times Wang Yuan had said this, but it wasn't about the lesson they were explaining, it was about respecting them.
"If you're really that smart, why don't you go straight to university? Why are you still trapped in this place?" complained Li Mei.
Li Mei's words made Wang Yuan pause as he was about to pick up another book. He knew that to graduate from this school, grades weren't enough, attendance and good attitude mattered.
Li Mei saw him about to take another book. Annoyed, she held the book back from Wang Yuan. The girl's hands held both of Wang Yuan's cheeks, directing him to her front until their eyes locked each other.
"You are smart, I admit that. But your presence in class is also important. I don't want to graduate alone without you," Li Mei whispered, her cheeks flushed red as the two exchanged a thoughtful glance.
'She's right. What have I done all this time?' Wang Yuan asked.
'I let her get lost in sadness whenever I wasn't in class. I caused her a lot of trouble,' Wang Yuan revealed, feeling guilty.
"There are three months left before the final exam. Teacher Wu might be able to forgive you if you show up for the rest of her lessons. Can you do that, Yuan?" asked Li Mei, confirming with teary eyes.
Wang Yuan was taken aback, then responded by clearing his throat and nodding. It was easy for him to be in class, although the learning would feel repetitive to him. Seeing Wang Yuan's response, Li Mei smiled and wrapped her arms around him.
The 172 cm (6 ft) girl had long hair that flowed down her back, with a natural curly texture, giving a sense of volume and movement.
Her hair looks shiny and healthy. In some parts, her hair was given a touch of prominent gray highlights, creating an elegant and modern contrast.
Her face was pretty white with large tanned pupils, thin pink lips and a slightly upturned nose adding an aesthetic feel to her facial structure.
At a glance, young men might fall in love with her, but somehow Wang Yuan always thought of her as a mere childhood friend.
After staying in the library for a while, the two walked away. Li Mei said that Teacher Wu was still in class, purposely waiting for the smart Wang Yuan to arrive.
Sure enough, Teacher Wu's greeting was very firm when Wang Yuan arrived in the classroom with Li Mei, "Welcome, Professor Wang Yuan. Are you studying something?"
"Your greeting overestimates me, Teacher Wu. I'm sorry I didn't attend your class, again," Wang Yuan stated, bowing his head in apology.
"Again? You've done it so many times, I don't think 'again' is a good word for you," stated Teacher Wu, a 27-year-old single woman dressed in an all-black teacher's uniform like a slim fit dress.
"I apologize."
"I promise to be in class for the rest of the school year," Wang Yuan explained.
Someone from behind spoke loudly, a young man with an athletic body who was popular among the girls.
His handsome face and maroon hair were quite striking, he was famous for his excellent sports skills —the captain of the basketball team.
He was also the one who always looked down on Wang Yuan, calling him a nerd and stuff. He didn't feel comfortable when someone else attracted all the attention of the school, Wang Yuan was famous for his three-year parallel champion streak.
"Just let him skip class, it would be better if he gets kicked out so he knows his intelligence is going to waste!" threatened Jin Su.
"In the end, let me take care of Li Mei at university," Jin Su stated, drawing laughter from the crowd.
There was no denying it, Jin Su had liked Li Mei since they arrived at this school. As luck would have it, he was in the same class as Li Mei.
Yet, the girl rejected Jin Su's love and continued to stay close to Wang Yuan. Jin Su knew the two were childhood friends.
"Li Mei is planning to enter medical university. From the grades you've achieved so far, it seems that it will be difficult for you to pass the admission exam," Wang Yuan revealed, Jin Su couldn't hold back his anger, causing him to slam the table.
"I don't care about the exam. I can get in there because of money. My father will make sure of it!" insisted Jin Su.
"And you? You'll be lost like a loser reading those stupid books!"
"You're wasting your time, you fucking idiot!" snapped Jin Su.
Wang Yuan squinted and looked at the young man with eyes full of anger. He tried to walk over there to fight Jin Su —even though he knew he would lose badly.
Li Mei held Wang Yuan's body, while Teacher Wu held Jin Su back. The fight that almost broke out was stopped, both of them still staring at each other in different kinds of anger.
"Your obsession is terrible. Li Mei will never want to stay with a man like you!" threatened Wang Yuan, while pulling Li Mei's hand and bringing her into his arms, "Li Mei is mine."
Receiving such a surprising treat didn't make Li Mei angry, but instead happy and delighted. Although the interpretation of Wang Yuan's words was different. To Li Mei, it was a sign that Wang Yuan wanted her.
"Damn you, Wang Yuan! I'll beat you up after—"
BUZZ!
A loud buzzing sound happened in that place, startling many people and making them cover their ears, as the buzzing sound was very loud.
Wang Yuan felt the same. He looked below and saw a mysterious circle with ancient script patterns appearing and glowing brightly.
Wang Yuan thought something was going to happen inside the class and it wasn't something good.
Immediately, Wang Yuan took Li Mei's hand and led her out of the room. But before he opened the door, a flash of golden light startled them and turned the whole area into a vast field with a forest to the south.
There were 30 students who transmigrated from Earth to this unfamiliar world. Wang Yuan opened his eyes after the blinding golden light faded, he and the rest of the students saw five groups of people dressed in weird, traditional suits standing in a circular floor pattern.
'What exactly is going on?' asked Wang Yuan, cautiously.
"What is this? What's going on? Why are we here, Yuan?" asked Li Mei, worried.
"They have the answers to your questions."
A man walked up to the group of students. He introduces himself as Huang Tian, an envoy from the Wei Kingdom.
His face looked like a middle-aged man with a long white beard covering his entire jaw and chin, there was a circular ornament that seemed to float behind his back.
"Welcome to the Wei Kingdom. All cultivators warmly welcome you here," Huang Tian greeted the group of students with a smile.
Wang Yuan tried to look for Teacher Wu's whereabouts, as he was sure she was also affected —being in the classroom with the students.
However, he couldn't find her. It was really strange to him, did the circle choose who should go and stay?
"Wei Kingdom? I'm sorry if I'm being presumptuous, but what's happening? Where is the Wei Kingdom?" asked Sun Wei, the leader of the class.
"You're their leader?"
Sun Wei nodded when the man with the white beard asked him. Huang Tian started to explain everything, Wang Yuan began to understand the meaning of Huang Tian's words gradually.
'Damn! Strength and morality. Both have a big role in this world,' Wang Yuan explained.
"Those with strength will survive, and those with weak will perish!"