The comments said I was deeply affectionate, I just added points by using an alternate account.

His voice was steady and powerful, carrying his innate sense of righteousness.

A faint hint of approval flashed across Situ Ming's eyes, but he remained noncommittal and gestured for An Changqing to sit down.

Thinking back to many years ago, a man who looked just like An Changqing today also stood in this place, delivering a passionate speech.

Time has passed, and now even his son stands here.

Then, students stood up one after another to give their reasons, which varied widely.

When it was Long Ao's turn, he remained concise: "Become stronger, and then defeat everything that stands in your way."

His words were filled with a pure, undisguised desire to conquer. Situ Ming nodded and gestured for him to sit down. It seemed that all members of the Long family shared a single brain, so he was not surprised by Long Ao's answer.

Soon, Situ Ming's gaze fell on the silent boy in the back row, who was leaning against the black coffin.

"Chen Guan," he called directly, his voice flat and emotionless. "And you?"

All eyes in the classroom turned to him like spotlights.

A mix of emotions swirled, but most were dismissive.

Those present were mostly young masters and ladies, such as my chairman father, my speaker mother, and my general grandfather...

It's perfectly normal to look down on a freak like Chen Guan who was specially recruited.

Chen Guan slowly stood up.

He could feel the weight of those gazes, and he could also feel the cold touch of the coffin beside him.

He met Situ Ming's gaze, and it was as if he were looking through him at the coffin, at another version of himself sleeping inside.

After a few breaths of silence, he spoke, his voice not loud, but exceptionally clear, echoing in the quiet classroom.

"So that I could stand up and carry him on my back."

"So that no matter how high we go or how badly we fall, we'll have the strength to pick ourselves up again."

"Also so that...maybe one day, I can hear what he has to say."

It's not even for a specific goal.

Just to stand.

For Chen Guan, the purpose of this disguise was simply to support the old man inside the coffin.

This answer once again surprised everyone.

Strange, obscure, and even somewhat incomprehensible.

Situ Ming's eyes flickered slightly.

He stared intently at the coffin, as if trying to see through its calm surface to the undercurrents beneath.

The classroom was silent. Some people frowned in confusion, some seemed thoughtful, and some found it absurd and ridiculous.

Liu Feiyu sneered without any attempt to hide his laughter, muttering, "Playing tricks."

An Changqing looked at the coffin, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Su Yuehe blinked her big eyes, seemingly touched by the persistence in the answer.

Long Ao's gaze fell on him, this time lingering longer. He could feel the will contained in Chen Guan's simple words.

Determined and stubborn.

He closed his eyes again. Although there was no fluctuation of spiritual power, he was not exactly a waste.

Situ Ming still didn't comment, he just nodded: "Sit down."

He stopped on that topic and began to explain in detail the specific rules and regulations, curriculum, resource allocation, task system, and other practical aspects of the Tian Shu Class.

Chen Guan sat down, his expression remaining calm.

He knew his answer was probably not a very ambitious one, but it was indeed his truest thought at that moment.

He doesn't need to be understood by everyone.

All he needed to do was grip the shoulder straps and keep going.

Who exactly is the person in the coffin? Did they save Chen Guan's life?

[It wasn't just saving lives, it saved the whole family.]

[Who understands the line, "To keep standing, I carried him on my back"? Whether it's a close friend or a wife, I can judge for myself!]

[And the line, "So that no matter how high we climb or how hard we fall, we'll have the strength to lift him up again," is also brilliant. It feels like the motivation for Chen Guan to live comes from the person inside the coffin...]

[I second the comment above; I'm becoming increasingly curious about their past.]

Looking at the rising popularity score on the back-end panel, a slight smile appeared on Chen Guan's lips.

The afternoon session ended with Situ Ming's lecture.

After announcing the end of get out of class, Situ Ming left with the words: "Chen Guan, stay a moment."

The other students got up and left, but each of them glanced at Chen Guan as they went.

Leaving something behind alone is something that makes one's imagination run wild.

As An Changqing walked by, he nodded to him and gave him a thumbs-up.

Long Ao glanced at it expressionlessly, but didn't linger, and followed An Changqing away.

Liu Feiyu deliberately walked past him and said to his companion in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, "Special recruitment? I think it's a case of connections, just some pretentious tricks."

His companions laughed in agreement.

Su Yuehe wanted to come over and say something to Chen Guan, but An Changqing gently pulled her away.

Soon, only Chen Guan and Situ Ming on the podium remained in the classroom.

Situ Ming stepped down from the podium and came to Chen Guan. He didn't look at the coffin; his gaze fell directly on Chen Guan's face, his deep eyes seeming to see right through people's hearts.

"I've seen your test records." Situ Ming cut to the chase, his tone calm yet carrying an invisible pressure: "You bravely confronted the beast tide, using your coffin as a shield—commendable will. In the underwater maze, you calmly found your way—your temperament is acceptable. Before the ancient stele…"

He paused. "The coffin is moving strangely, resonating with your lingering spirit. I shouldn't ask, but... I'm sorry, I must go through with this. What exactly is this coffin? And what is its connection to you?"

What's meant to come will come.

Moreover, it was more direct than expected.

Chen Guan's heart tightened slightly, but he remained calm on the surface. He raised his head to meet Situ Ming's gaze, his eyes showing no evasion.

"The student doesn't know. I only know that this coffin is made of ten-thousand-year-old black iron." Chen Guan frankly said what he knew: "As for the person in the coffin... that is my close friend who is unconscious. I couldn't bear to see him alone in the boundless darkness, sleeping in the cold, so I took care of him closely."

Situ Ming stared at him quietly for a few breaths, his gaze seemingly able to penetrate his skin and reach the depths of his soul.

The oppressive aura of someone who has long held a high position and the unfathomable strength made this silent gaze seem exceptionally long.

After a long silence, Situ Ming finally spoke, his voice still calm, but seemingly less scrutinizing and more carrying an indescribable meaning.

"Deeply affectionate and righteous, with an iron will, though lacking obvious abilities, you can find alternative paths, using tools to convey the Way and your heart to control things, carving out a way to survive in desperate situations. Your special recruitment into the Heavenly Pivot is not an exception, but rather because you truly deserve this position."

"However," he changed the subject, his tone slightly hardening, "Huaqing is ultimately an academy for superhumans. You can be special, you can take unconventional paths, but your foundation must never be neglected. Otherwise, you will face obstacles and find it difficult to move forward."

"I understand," Chen Guan replied respectfully.

He does need to systematically learn the knowledge system of this world, even if the alternate identity cannot cultivate, it is the same as simply adding points to become stronger.

"Furthermore," Situ Ming's gaze finally fell on the silent black iron coffin, but he only glanced at it lightly, "this object is extraordinary and easily attracts covetousness, which will also bring unnecessary trouble. Within the academy, I can ensure your safety, but the outside world is vast and people's hearts are treacherous. In the end, you will have to rely on your own strength to deal with it. Improving your strength as soon as possible is the fundamental solution."