Human Genius? Sorry, I’m a Deviant Chapter 16

"You enjoy the peace of Daxia, walk on safe streets, and live in cities untouched by the Mist. All this exists because someone built walls of flesh and blood at the borders." Wang Mingyuan's gaze burned with intensity: "With great power comes great responsibility—this isn't an empty phrase, but the law of civilization's survival. When the sun sets and the Mist swallows the last city, no one can remain unscathed. If you didn't have an SSS-level Life Soul, no one would force you. But you do! Heaven granted you an SSS Life Soul not for cowardly survival, but to stand up in times of crisis! Facing the apocalypse, no one truly survives alone. Either we resist together or perish together—that's reality. Now, I formally invite you to join Vermilion Bird Academy."

Su Zhan nodded in agreement.

People have selfish motives, and those with such sense of responsibility might not be few. But Su Zhan wasn't that kind of person. He lacked such lofty ideals, noble spirit, or even the faith to die for Daxia. Yet he knew agreeing to Wang Mingyuan and joining Vermilion Bird Academy meant: First, he could punish Doberman. Second, he could grow stronger. These two reasons were enough. "Alright, I agree to join Vermilion Bird Academy." Su Zhan gave his solemn answer.

On the rooftop of a high-rise, two slender figures stood against the wind. Wang Mingyuan suddenly extended his hand. Su Zhan simultaneously raised his arm, and their palms met. "Su Zhan, welcome to Vermilion Bird Academy." Wang Mingyuan's lips curved slightly. Su Zhan withdrew his hand and said calmly, "I hope Vermilion Bird Academy won't disappoint me."

......

The sun shone brightly. On the ring highway outside Jiang City, vehicles were sparse. A black sedan sped toward the city exit at extreme velocity. In the driver's seat, Doberman wore a baseball cap, mask, and sunglasses, completely concealed. His fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly as he periodically scanned his surroundings with vigilance. The speedometer needle approached the red line as the car accelerated further. He had stirred up significant trouble, known to all. Now, he would face the backlash.

With Su Zhan awakening an SSS Life Soul, even his connections would be useless in court. Accusing an ordinary person versus accusing an SSS Life Soul bearer of being an Aberrant were entirely different matters. To avoid disillusioning Daxia's awakened, the state would give him the harshest sentence—death penalty! As long as he left Jiang City, he could escape. As long as he fled, he could start anew. He hadn't lost yet—he still had chances!

Just as the car was about to enter the exit ramp—Boom! A figure suddenly descended from the sky, slamming onto the hood! Doberman stomped the brakes, tires screeching four white streaks on the asphalt. The car swayed violently, nearly flipping over. He looked up, pupils constricting. On the hood stood a young man in an off-white shirt, one hand in his pocket, wearing gold-rimmed glasses—the epitome of scholarly elegance. It was Wang Mingyuan.

"Team Leader Du, in such a hurry?" Wang Mingyuan's voice remained gentle as ever, yet it chilled Doberman to the bone. Doberman's muscles tensed, ready to activate his Life Soul at any moment. Click. The rear door opened. Doberman whirled around to see a familiar face—Su Zhan, already seated in the back with an ambiguous smile. "Doberman, the tribunal is prepared. Did you truly think Daxia would let a corrupt Aberrant Purge Division leader escape scot-free?"

Trapped, Doberman shoved the car door open, breathing heavily, his gilded pupils fixed hatefully on Su Zhan: "Aberrant... you killed my brother, and now you want me dead too?" Su Zhan's eyes turned frosty: "First, I'm no Aberrant. Second, your brother was an Aberrant who deserved death." "Bullshit!" Doberman roared, suddenly drawing a gun: "You murdered him! You damned Aberrant!" Bang! The bullet tore through the air but froze three inches from Su Zhan's forehead. The Time Abyss Eye materialized in his hand, its golden iris slowly rotating. A slender hand plucked the bullet midair—Wang Mingyuan now stood beside Su Zhan. "Doberman, you've crossed the line."

Doberman's pupils shrank: "Wang Mingyuan, you'd really protect this Aberrant?" Adjusting his glasses calmly, Wang Mingyuan replied: "He's no Aberrant. You're the one who deserves death." Doberman's face twisted before he burst into manic laughter: "Hahaha... good! Excellent!" His body began expanding, clothes shredding to reveal bluish-gray fur beneath, fangs protruding—the Hound Life Soul fully unleashed! "You really think... you've got me?" He lunged with speed blurring into afterimages!

Wang Mingyuan's eyes sharpened as he threw a seemingly ordinary punch—yet it pierced straight through Doberman's chest! Thud! Doberman spat blood, crashing down as his beastly form rapidly shrank back to human. Curled on the ground, he still glared at Su Zhan with bone-deep hatred. "Professor Wang, don't kill him yet," Su Zhan reminded while internally assessing Wang Mingyuan's strength—concluding he couldn't perceive its depth. "Don't worry, I avoided vital points," Wang Mingyuan smiled faintly. "A Dew Realm ninth-stage B-rank beast-type Life Soul isn't so fragile."

"Su... Zhan..." Doberman coughed blood, voice rasping: "You've won... but think Daxia... would truly trust... an SSS Aberrant?" Su Zhan loomed over him: "Doberman, your brother was an Aberrant, and you buried the truth. You even framed me because of our feud. Now you face the consequences." He yearned for Doberman's immediate death. Even if others wouldn't doubt an SSS Life Soul bearer... what if? With Doberman alive, he'd never sleep soundly.

Wang Mingyuan pointed casually at a roadside surveillance camera: "Fully recorded, irrefutable evidence. At trial, you'll face additional charges for fleeing justice and attempted murder." Doberman suddenly laughed hysterically: "Su Zhan! You can't escape! One day... you'll end up like me!" A precise chop to his neck rendered him unconscious. "Too much nonsense." Wang Mingyuan wiped his hands disdainfully before turning to Su Zhan: "Let's go. The tribunal awaits." Su Zhan glanced at the comatose Doberman one last time, murmuring: "Thank you, teacher." Wang Mingyuan waved it off: "A trivial matter. This outcome is what you deserved."