Another World: When a Necromancer Possesses the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls

"70 already? That's fast!" Chen Hao also saw the score, clicked his tongue, and then noticed the undisguised fatigue between Li Xingyao's brows. "But judging from your appearance, you must have used up a lot of energy, right? That fierce spike and mud pit looked so annoying. How about taking a break? We can fight again this afternoon? I'm hungry too, let's go to the cafeteria to fill our stomachs first."

He stretched his slightly sore and numb arms and shoulders, feeling as if he had been through a battle himself while watching the game from the sidelines.

Li Xingyao nodded in agreement. After such an intense battle, a hot lunch and a short rest were essential. The two turned and left the arena, intending to find lunch at the cafeteria.

Throughout the journey, Chen Hao kept sharing his views on the morning's battle with Li Xingyao, who would occasionally nod in agreement or offer his own opinions.

However, just as he parted his lips slightly, preparing to answer Chen Hao's previous question—"Buzz—Buzz—"

The smartwatch on my wrist suddenly emitted a short, sharp vibration, not loud, but particularly jarring in the deserted alley. A prominent communication request pop-up appeared instantly in the center of the screen, its edges gleaming with a pale gold light. The contact's profile picture—a bright and captivating profile, long, flowing chestnut-brown hair cascading over her shoulders—was none other than Lin Wei, the campus goddess!

Lin Wei?! Chen Hao saw the screen immediately, his eyes widening instantly, his mouth forming a silent "O" shape, his face filled with shock and disbelief, as if to say, "Holy crap? What's going on?!" He looked at his watch screen, then at Li Xingyao's face, his expression a complex mix of emotions.

Li Xingyao's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly for a moment, his fingertip hovering above the cold answer button. He took a deep breath, calming himself from his discussion with his friend, before his fingertip fell.

"Li Xingyao," Lin Wei's clear and pleasant voice came through her watch, her calm tone carrying a hint of sweetness, yet revealing no emotional fluctuations, "Is it convenient for us to talk?" She went straight to the point, without any formalities.

"Please speak, Lin," Li Xingyao replied, his voice low and hoarse, without revealing his emotions.

"Regarding what I just mentioned about the afternoon sparring suggestion," Lin Wei's voice was crisp and clear, as if stating something that was already confirmed, "I have booked the Lanting Private Room at the Guanlanxuan Restaurant in Cafeteria No. 3."

"If it's convenient for you now, I'd like to discuss the details with you in person." She paused, her tone naturally carrying a hint of invitation, "And how about we grab lunch together? We just finished a match, it'd be good to recharge." The invitation was direct, even carrying a touch of "thoughtfulness." A private room at a self-funded restaurant... the purpose of such an invitation at this time was obvious.

Li Xingyao's mind raced. He was genuinely exhausted, and his stomach was indeed empty. Moreover, Lin Wei's invitation was incredibly tempting. More importantly, was it wise to refuse a "goddess"-level figure with a powerful background, top-tier abilities, and who was actively extending goodwill at this stage?

Li Xingyao felt that she wanted to talk about more than just sparring partners. After all, it was hard to find sparring partners at school, but there were plenty of people in society who could meet the requirements.

Before he could even organize his thoughts to respond, Chen Hao, standing next to him, suddenly snapped out of his shock! His expression instantly shifted from "Holy crap!" to "Brother! Grab this!!" filled with excitement and encouragement.

He quickly gave Li Xingyao a firm, suggestive "Go now!" look, then exaggeratedly clutched his stomach with his other hand, his voice suddenly rising: "Ouch! I can't take it anymore, my stomach is cramping! Xingyao, you're busy!"

"Goddess Lin is calling! I'm going to rest for a bit first! See you this afternoon!" Before the words were even finished, he turned around like a springy rabbit and rushed towards the crowd in the distance at an astonishing speed. In a few flashes, he disappeared around the corner leading to the cafeteria, leaving only a hurried yet "encouraging" silhouette.

Li Xingyao looked in the direction Chen Hao had disappeared, then glanced down at Lin Wei's bright yet distant profile picture on his watch screen. He spoke to his watch with his usual calm voice: "Okay, Lin Wei. I'm going to the Lanting Private Room now."

"Okay." Lin Wei's voice remained calm as she cleanly and decisively ended the communication.

Passing through the noisy and crowded ordinary student cafeteria area, and stepping through a heavy wooden door inlaid with frosted glass, it feels like entering another world.

Canteen No. 3, "Guanlanxuan".

Soft, warm yellow light spills from the uniquely designed crystal chandelier, and the air is filled with a delicate aroma that blends fine wood, fresh flowers, and exquisite food, a stark contrast to the noisy environment and standardized nutritious meals of the restaurant.

Soothing classical music flowed through the air like a stream, while waiters in well-tailored, neatly pressed uniforms stood silently in the carpeted corridor, their faces bearing professional, gentle smiles. The entire ambiance exuded understated luxury and a reassuring tranquility.

"Is the consumption gap really that big?" Li Xingyao knew that there was a huge difference in consumption between the rich and poor in this society, but he had never had the opportunity to go to places where he had to pay for his own expenses. He had always gone to the free areas provided by the government.

Following the signs in the corridor, Li Xingyao walked through the quiet passage and stopped in front of the dark brown wooden door marked "Lanting". The door slid open silently to one side.

Lin Wei was already standing inside waiting, her back to the dining table. Although she was the one who invited the meal, her manners were still impeccable.

She changed out of her fiery red combat gear and into a well-tailored light beige casual outfit. The soft fabric accentuated her well-proportioned figure, softening the fierce edge she exuded on the ring.

Her smooth, chestnut-brown long curly hair cascaded naturally over her shoulders, with a few strands falling across her smooth forehead. She exuded less of the oppressive air of a wealthy young woman and more of a calm, approachable charm. Hearing the door open, a perfectly timed, bright smile appeared on her refined face, like a spotlight carefully adjusted to illuminate the slightly quiet atmosphere of the private room.

There are many rumors and speculations about her on campus. Lin Wei is a name that almost everyone at Tianshui No. 3 Middle School knows. She is like a star on campus, attracting everyone's attention wherever she goes, yet maintaining just the right distance.

According to Li Xingyao, her family wielded considerable influence in Tianjing City, providing resources far exceeding those of ordinary wealthy families. This gave her access to the best private guidance and training conditions even before she awakened, setting her far ahead of her peers.

Her awakened elemental mage (fire) class potential rating is as high as A-, with an initial star energy strength of 78 points, which is already one in a million.

I heard that before she awakened, she learned in advance, through an unknown method, which revealed the profession she was most likely to awaken.

More importantly, she is not just a pretty face. Judging from her previous battles, her control over fire magic is superb, and her fighting style is sharp and efficient. She ranked among the top in the grade's strength rankings on the first day.

Unlike the ethereal, slightly aloof, ice-cold beauty, Lin Wei's beauty is bright and aggressive, just like her eyes—gentle yet captivating, making people afraid to look directly at her yet yearning for her.

That innate, yet subtly aloof, confidence made her the absolute center of attention wherever she went. She was always surrounded by a small circle of friends, including boys and girls from similarly privileged backgrounds or with exceptional talents. Countless boys on campus admired her, including many who had already graduated.

However, Lin Wei seemed to have long been accustomed to this, even somewhat detached. She wasn't arrogant like some rich kids, but she was by no means unapproachable either. She politely accepted the attention and praise of the crowd, yet clearly kept most people at a safe distance.

Her gaze seemed to convey appreciation to everyone, yet it never showed enthusiasm. This aloofness only enhanced her charm.

Li Xingyao didn't think much of it. He knew very well that he and Lin Wei were from completely different worlds. They rarely interacted, and if she hadn't taken the initiative to come to him this time, they probably wouldn't have crossed paths until graduation. His feelings towards her were more of a respect for her beauty; he admired her from afar, without getting close, and had no other thoughts.

"You're here? Please have a seat." Her voice was clear, with a hint of relaxation that was barely perceptible. She gracefully gestured to the window seat. Outside the window was a meticulously designed small rooftop garden, with lush green vines climbing the glass curtain wall and several elegant, exotic plants interspersed among them, isolating it from the noise and prying eyes of the outside world, creating its own little world.

The restaurant must be quite profitable to be able to create such a scene within a school.

Li Xingyao sat down opposite Lin Wei as instructed. The leather chair was exceptionally comfortable, easing some of the fatigue from the battle. The comfortable environment of the private room made him feel slightly dazed; his life in this life had almost made him forget this feeling.

Without any further pleasantries, Lin Wei simply tapped a discreet silver sensor on the edge of the table with her fingertip. Almost silently, a hidden door that blended seamlessly into the wall slid open, and two waiters in pristine white uniforms, moving with light and professional grace, pushed in a trolley covered with a crisp white tablecloth.

They moved gently, silently, and efficiently, placing dishes served in exquisite bone china tableware onto the gleaming table.

The enticing aroma instantly became even richer and more complex:

A small bowl of clear mushroom soup, its color as clear as amber and dotted with a few tender green shoots, exudes the fresh scent of a mountain forest after a rain.

A perfectly seared rhinoceros steak, glistening with an enticing caramel color, boasts distinct muscle texture and evenly distributed fat, releasing a rich and mellow aroma.

A colorful and eye-catching salad made up of several rare alien fruits and vegetables that Li Xingyao had only seen in his encyclopedia, drizzled with a special pale gold sauce.

There was also a small bowl of crystal-clear, plump moon rice, each grain like a pearl, exuding a natural, sweet rice aroma.