Chapter 225: Distinction

Su Mengli’s words made the Empress pause for a moment before she said, “Protecting these people is our duty, even if they have been misled and temporarily stand against the awakened. You must not act recklessly.”

Su Mengli countered, “No, I will act recklessly. Both Ye Xuan and I are geniuses, the hope of China, not to be bullied. Why should we endure?”

The Empress’s tone changed upon hearing this, “It seems like Lin Xu has led you astray. My teacher once said that Lin Xu has a somewhat extreme personality. He is suited to be a fearless hero but not a general. How did you become his disciple? Su Mengli, listen to me, speak openly about this matter, minimize casualties, and consider the bigger picture.”

Su Mengli retorted, “It’s impossible. I believe that currently, the awakened in China are being overly protective. Many ordinary people do not truly understand the importance of the awakened nor give them the respect they deserve. If the protests you mentioned do occur and result in heavy casualties, it might actually be good news. The awakened would then receive the respect and status they deserve!”

Su Mengli’s guess was not wrong. In the Empress’s world, after this incident, the status of the awakened skyrocketed.

Ordinary people no longer held any hostility towards the awakened, accepting their protection obediently and providing various logistical support for them.

Subsequently, in that world, Ye Xuan’s sister encountered trouble because the culprit was an awakened. Therefore, she was directly sent to the front lines to fight against the beasts to atone for her crime.

At that stage, the status of the awakened had completely surpassed that of ordinary people. Even if they committed murder, they only needed to go to the front lines and battle the beasts. As long as they were not anti-social awakened individuals, they were unlikely to be executed.

Currently, the upper echelons valued the awakened greatly. However, in the eyes of the common people, the awakened were merely security guards hired by the state, paid to ensure their safety.

It would only be when a real large-scale bloodshed event occurred that they would realize the awakened were not their security guards and should not be blindly obeyed.

The Empress, puzzled by Su Mengli’s words, asked, “Why do you think this way? Even though we grew up in different worlds, our experiences have differences. Our current strength is also due to the support of the academy. How can you sacrifice so many ordinary people for the sake of respect and status?”

Su Mengli interjected, “Wait a minute. I have indeed grown to my current state with the help of the academy, but I have also contributed a lot to the academy. I have ranked high on the Dragon List, bringing more resources to the academy. Isn’t this a mutually beneficial relationship? If I truly rely on something, it’s only Ye Xuan. Only with him, I am the one who receives without giving back. As for others, it’s all mutual benefit.”

Su Mengli’s growth now was completely different from the Empress’s.

In the current world, with Ye Xuan’s help, Su Mengli had no economic issues after cutting ties with her parents. She went to study at the Awakening Academy of the Magic City University, where she received resources and benefits far beyond what the academy provided. Therefore, she did not feel indebted to anyone.

The Empress, on the other hand, had a different story. At that time, she had fallen out with her parents and had few friends. After arriving at the Awakening Academy in the capital, the academy was her only support. Everything from food, shelter, transportation to cultivation resources was provided by the academy. It could be said that her growth was entirely dependent on the state.

Hence, the Empress did not hesitate to sacrifice herself for the country, showing utmost loyalty.

Ye Xuan had always been worried that Su Mengli would end up like the Empress in her past life, sacrificing herself alongside the legendary bird, which was an overthinking on his part.

In this world, Su Mengli had died once, but not for the people, but for Ye Xuan.

At that time, the three-legged Golden Crow had targeted Ye Xuan and Su Mengli, following them from the Magic City to the deserted wilderness overseas, refusing to let go.

Helpless, Su Mengli chose to consume the Death Fruit and perish with it.

If the three-legged Golden Crow’s target had been the Magic City alone and not the couple, Su Mengli would have readily evacuated with her man.

Moreover, if the current Su Mengli encountered the situation where the legendary bird attacked the Magic City in her past life, she might fight for a while but would eventually flee with her man. How could she sacrifice herself to save the Magic City, when her man was more important than the whole world? This was no joke. She would not sacrifice herself, lest she benefit some cunning fox spirit in the future.

Upon hearing Su Mengli’s words, the Empress chuckled, “Today, I finally understand the vast difference between us. Indeed, we are different people in different worlds. However, even though I will dissipate in a few days, I must uphold my will!”

With that, Su Mengli’s body was controlled by the Empress’s remnant soul. She stepped forward and said to Lin Xu, “Lin Xu, I have something important to tell you. Listen carefully…”

Lin Xu, feeling a bit puzzled, said, “Mengli, you are my student. Even though your strength now surpasses mine, you shouldn’t change your attitude so quickly. Why are you addressing me by my name directly?”

Su Mengli’s power development was rapidly increasing, with the help of the remnant soul, she was about to reach twenty. According to the conversion between different classs, the gap was roughly three times. Su Mengli’s strength had already reached the same class as Lin Xu’s. However, with the Nano Battle Armor and the Flame Red Lotus enchantment, she could now suppress Lin Xu. So, it was not entirely wrong to say that Su Mengli was stronger than Lin Xu.

Before the Empress could say anything, Su Mengli interrupted her and said, “Dean Lin, I’m sorry, I was impulsive just now.”

Lin Xu waved his hand and said, “It’s okay. Both you and Ye Xuan are my proudest students, like my juniors. Tell me, what do you want to discuss with me?”

Su Mengli shook her head and said, “It’s nothing. I have nothing to discuss.”

Lin Xu felt a bit puzzled and said directly, “If there’s nothing, then go back to the academy. Also, you’ve made some friends in the capital, right? They want to come and see you.”

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