Xiao Mei thought she had misheard.
Before she could open her mouth, Han Zhan had already swept past her, completely ignoring her presence.
Immediately, Han Zhan walked up to where Xia Youwei was sitting.
"Classmate Xia Youwei, are you willing to complete the contract with me and become my exclusive contracted spirit?"
Xia Youwei's eyes widened in disbelief, looking shocked and as adorable as a startled fawn.
Even more shocked than Xia Youwei were all the other teachers and students in the entire school!
They never expected that Han Zhan, a spirit contract master with SSS level talent, would choose Xia Youwei, who only had an E level contracted spirit and whose illusion form was just a broken zither?!
If it were in the past, dozens of people would confess their love daily like Han Zhan.
But ever since Xia Youwei only awakened an E level talent, these people disappeared like vapors, and even her so-called plastic friends stopped pretending.
Slander, isolation, ridicule.
Xia Youwei bore all of these strongly.
She never expected an SSS level spirit contract master, a future infinitely promising prodigy, would come and say such words to her.
Xiao Mei couldn't understand at all.
"Why? She's just an E level contracted spirit, and I am S level!"
"I'm the Green Blood Washed Silver Spear, and she's just a broken zither!"
"Is it just because she looks better and purer than me that you chose her? Han Zhan, you're such a scumbag! You're just thinking with your lower half!"
Xiao Mei's face twisted with excitement. She felt immense defeat, but more importantly, even after she said as much, Han Zhan still chose Xia Youwei, making her an absolute joke!
Han Zhan completely ignored Xiao Mei behind him.
His eyes only stared at Xia Youwei, waiting for her decision.
Xia Youwei opened her mouth, but before she could speak, an unexpected voice rose from the back of the crowd.
"No, I won't allow it!"
"Principal." "Principal."
The crowd parted to make way for the principal of Qingteng Academy, Chen Guangpu, who came jogging over.
His contracted spirit had died in a fierce battle during the Insect Race invasion, and since then, he never remarried but chose to become the principal of Qingteng Academy.
Because of this, Chen Guangpu held high prestige throughout Qingteng Academy.
"Your name is Han Zhan, right?" Chen Guangpu wiped the sweat off his head and spoke to Han Zhan.
"Young man, having an affection for the opposite sex is normal, but contracting a spirit cannot be something done hastily."
"You are the future of Great Xia. Defeating the Insect Race and reclaiming lost lands for humanity is the mission of all spirit contract masters and contracted spirits!"
Chen Guangpu advised with sincere words.
"Classmate Han Zhan, Principal Chen is right. I'm touched that you still sought me out for a contract after I awakened an E level spirit. But forming a contract with me would only harm you."
As Xia Youwei spoke, her head slowly lowered to hide the sadness and disappointment in her eyes.
Han Zhan just wanted to explain something,
when suddenly another cold snort sounded.
Everyone saw a stern middle-aged man, surrounded by others, approaching the field.
He first glanced at Xiao Mei, then his gaze stayed on Han Zhan, his pupils momentarily clouding over before quickly clearing up.
"Godfather!" Xiao Mei in the field exclaimed in surprise, "Why are you here?"
"With such a commotion at Qingteng Academy, how could I, as a City Guardian of Deep Blue City, not come over?"
"Also, I heard someone is bullying my precious goddaughter, taking advantage of their awakened talent, isn't that right?"
"Deputy Zhao, that's not the case, not at all."
Chen Guangpu stepped forward with a smile to smooth things over.
At the same time, he subtly signaled Han Zhan, standing to the side, to quickly say something and state his position.
The newcomer was Deputy Zhao, deputy leader of the City Guardians in Deep Blue City.
In Great Xia, as more spirit contract masters and contracted spirits awakened, the authorities established the City Guardian Organization to maintain stability in each city.
As City Guardians, they wielded significant power.
But Han Zhan still remained silent.
This attitude made Zhao Hu frown unpleasantly, "Young man, do you think just because you awakened an SSS level talent, you're going to soar to great heights?"
"Do you believe that if I wanted, no contracted spirit in Deep Blue City would enter a contract with you? At that point, even if you have SSS level talent, what use is it if you can't contract a spirit?"
"Yeah, better apologize now and contract with me, or my godfather will blacklist you!" Xiao Mei echoed, backing her godfather.
Seeing the disgusting faces of the 'father and daughter' duo fomenting together, Han Zhan felt all the more disgusted.
It's just like the world he came from, still the same familiar tune.
But sorry, weighing 130 pounds and with 310 pounds worth of rebelliousness, rebelliousness is my forte!
Han Zhan remained fixated on Xiao Mei, uttering three words: "Are you worthy?"
"You!" Xiao Mei was furious.
Zhao Hu's eyes bulged with fury, and he was about to order his men to teach Han Zhan a lesson.
Chen Guangpu stepped forward to shield Han Zhan.
"Deputy Zhao, please calm down. He has an SSS level talent. I have reported it to higher authorities."
"If you proceed, what will you say when Captain Yi returns from the frontlines?"
Chen Guangpu subtly reminded him.
"Are you threatening me?" Zhao Hu glared at Chen Guangpu with eyes that could kill. "Fine, I promise not to touch him, but he must contract with this E level spirit, and no one else!"
"Doesn't he look down on my goddaughter? Fine, then let him contract with this useless spirit. Even if the higher-ups blame someone, it won't be me, right?"
Zhao Hu said, sneering repeatedly.
An SSS level spirit contract master only contracting an E level spirit is no different than being crippled.
Zhao Hu's intentions were clear to both Han Zhan and Chen Guangpu.
Chen Guangpu moved his lips, looking troubled under Zhao Hu's stern gaze, unable to say more.
He had done the utmost within his ability to protect Han Zhan.
Han Zhan mimicked Zhao Hu with a cold laugh, boldly declaring, "Fine, I'll contract with Xia Youwei. Today, no one can change my decision!"
Han Zhan's resolute words made the school beauty Xia Youwei lift her head abruptly and gaze at him with a complex expression.
"Fine, fine, fine." Zhao Hu laughed in anger, saying "fine" thrice.
"Tomorrow is the spirit contract master's assessment. If I remember correctly, those who fail the assessment are forcibly exiled to the Lower City District!"
"Principal Chen, I'll personally be there tomorrow. Hope you can still protect him then."
After leaving those words behind, Zhao Hu left with the disgruntled Xiao Mei.
Chen Guangpu looked at Han Zhan, then at Xia Youwei, ultimately sighed deeply and left shaking his head.
Xia Youwei had not yet reacted when her hand was suddenly held by another warm hand.
"Let's go, Xia University Beauty, let's sign the contract."
Han Zhan's voice whispered in her ear.
Xia Youwei's eyes instantly welled up, as if all the grievances endured these past days erupted at this moment.
"Han Zhan, I'm sorry…" she said with a slight sob.
"No apologies needed, because you're worth it!"