Stronger with Crimson Modifier-Chapter 57: Shexin Sect

Looking up, he peered through the bus window.

He could vaguely make out that some people had already boarded and taken their seats.

Lin Tong was among them, but he didn’t see the Second Senior Sister.

Seeing Hu Qi and the others, Lin Tong waved them onto the bus.

Since he was the closest, Hu Qi was the first to get on.

Once on board, his gaze swept across the interior.

He saw that most of them were young men and women in their twenties, predominantly men.

They wore black and red Martial Arts Uniforms. With their straight backs and vibrant energy, it was clear none of them were weak.

Just like Hu Qi and his group, they were students from the other branches in Qirong City.

Anyone who could stand out from hundreds of people was naturally no weakling.

As Hu Qi was sizing up the people on the bus, they were also secretly sizing up his group.

But with Lin Tong present, no one spoke.

Hu Qi walked to a window seat at the very back and sat down.

Shortly after he sat down, Ye Li, who was right behind him, scanned the bus. Perhaps because they were both from Class Two, she also came over to Hu Qi’s row.

She pointed to the seat.

"Do you mind if I sit here?"

"Of course not. Be my guest," Hu Qi said with a nod after glancing at her.

Soon after, the bus started up and headed toward the next branch.

A short while later, after picking up five more people from another branch, the bus finally began its journey out of Qirong City.

During the ride, Hu Qi did a quick headcount.

Excluding Lin Tong, the driver, and a few others, there were twenty-five people on the bus, including himself.

’Five spots per branch... That means there are five Red Scale Club branches in Qirong City.’

As for the core class, it wasn’t in Qirong City, but in Anshan City, a hundred kilometers away.

Compared to Qirong City, Anshan City was larger and more developed—a true provincial capital.

The gentle rocking of the vehicle, combined with the sunlight streaming in, made one feel a little drowsy.

About an hour later.

The bus reached a wide road.

On one side of the road was the silhouette of a bustling city, with skyscrapers of varying heights and glass curtain walls reflecting the dazzling sunlight.

On the other side were yellow sands, reefs, and the boundless, surging sea.

Waves crashed relentlessly against the reefs on the shore, sending up white spray and creating a continuous roaring sound.

The blue waves, the soaring seabirds, the faint outlines of distant islands—a sea breeze carrying a salty tang blew in.

This beautiful scene captured the attention of many students on the bus.

Anshan City was located in the eastern core region of the Xia Federation’s territory.

Surrounded by the sea on three sides, it boasted a long coastline and numerous ports. Its transportation network was extremely convenient, with light rails and subways extending in every direction.

At that moment, they were driving on the coastal highway that circled the city’s outskirts.

As the bus continued onward, the blue coastline disappeared from view, and they entered Anshan City.

The closer they got to the urban center, the more prosperous the scenery on both sides of the road became.

Finally, the bus arrived at the foot of a mountain.

Although Anshan City was surrounded by the sea on three sides, it was not without its share of large mountains.

Located just beside the city center was a massive mountain range named Anshan, from which the city derived its name.

Soon, the bus slowed down and finally drove into a place called Anshan Academy. At the entrance, he could even see armed guards standing watch.

"We’re finally here... Shexin Sect!"

Just then, Ye Li, who had sat off to the side and remained silent after her initial greeting, suddenly spoke up.

A rare, excited flush appeared on her face.

"Shexin Sect? What’s that? Aren’t we joining the Red Scale Fighting Club’s core class?"

Seeing this, Hu Qi’s eyes flickered. He recalled that Lin Tong had mentioned the Shexin Sect when introducing Helinta, but he hadn’t asked for details then, as they were preoccupied with the matter of the Black Blood Species.

Hearing this, Ye Li turned to look at Hu Qi, a surprised expression on her face.

She blinked.

"You don’t know?"

She wasn’t stunningly beautiful, just average, but she was the type of girl who grew on you. That, combined with her slightly chubby baby face, made the gesture look quite cute.

Seeing Hu Qi shake his head, she gave him a strange look and explained in a low voice.

"The Shexin Sect *is* the Red Scale Fighting Club—that is, the core class.

"You can think of the Red Scale Fighting Club as just an outer branch of the Shexin Sect. Only those who successfully join the core class are considered true students of the Sect."

Hu Qi’s heart stirred slightly. ’This isn’t far from what I guessed.’

Just as he was about to ask something else, the bus lurched.

A "PSSH" of air brakes followed, and the bus came to a complete stop.

"Alright everyone, we’re here. Let’s get off!"

Lin Tong, who was sitting at the front, called out.

Everyone quickly got up and lined up to exit the bus.

Since Hu Qi and Ye Li were sitting in the back, they weren’t in a hurry. They just grabbed their luggage and waited in their seats for the people in front to get off first.

"This is my Paper Crane number. If you have any questions, you can ask me anytime."

Ye Li said, shaking the phone in her hand, which displayed a QR code for adding a contact.

"Okay, I will."

Hu Qi took out his phone, scanned her QR code, and added her as a friend. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Soon, the two of them followed the stream of people off the bus.

Hu Qi noticed that several other, identical buses were parked next to theirs.

"Those must be core class students from other places, just like us."

Ye Li, walking ahead, seemed to notice his gaze and explained.

"The Red Scale Fighting Clubs under the Shexin Sect aren’t just in Qirong City; they’re spread across more than ten nearby cities."

"I see."

Hu Qi nodded.

...

"Alright, you all wait here for now. Someone will be over to get you shortly. If you need anything, you can call me."

Lin Tong, who was walking at the front, turned around and clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention.

With that said, he turned and hurriedly left.

Faced with this rather irresponsible behavior, everyone exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before someone noticed a group of young men and women in black and red Martial Arts Uniforms approaching from a distance.

Although their Martial Arts Uniforms were also black and red, a closer look revealed some differences from the ones worn at the Red Scale Fighting Club.

A small red snake was embroidered on the back and chest of each uniform. However, some had two snakes, while others had three.

The group was led by a brawny, bald man built like a black bear. His bare head gleamed in the sunlight like polished marble.

His facial features were sharp and rugged. Beneath two thick eyebrows, his tiger-like eyes shone, and his gaze was so sharp it felt like it could pierce right through a person.

According to his self-introduction, his name was Wang Luo.

He would also be the teacher instructing them in the Limit-Breaking Technique for the foreseeable future.