An Zhen was under surveillance.
Wang Dong'er would not tolerate even a sliver of opportunity.
How could she let Xiao Xiao steal her man?
"Wang Dong, you must believe that pure friendship exists between men and women!"
"I might believe that for others—but for you, it's more like lip friendship!" Wang Dong'er retorted, unconvinced. "I'd believe you more if you'd let go of my leg."
Pervert!
An Zhen's fingertips gently traced her slender, fair calf, his expression solemn. "This is a massage."
He'd studied the technique, after all.
In An Zhen's dorm, the pink-blue-haired girl lay lazily on the soft bed. An Zhen sat beside her, his ten fingers skillfully massaging her delicate calves and rosy feet.
"Mmm~"
Wang Dong'er melted into relaxation, finding it surprisingly pleasant.
Months later.
The final day of the first semester.
Nine Treasures Pavilion
An extraordinary group of youths gathered.
The Tang Sect Leader.
The Young Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
The heiress of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect and her companions.
A record-breaking quasi-Level 3 Soul Engineer (rank not yet official).
The Young Master of the Clear Sky Sect.
A twin Martial Soul possessor.
The Sun Moon Empire sleeper agent—no, Shrek Academy's honorary ancestor.
"Take a seat, take a seat!" An Zhen beckoned warmly as a couple entered. "No need for formality. Tang Ya, though by seniority you should call me 'Great-Grandfather,' I'm easygoing—just call me An Zhen."
"..."
Tang Ya glared at him, teeth gritted, then looked away.
She couldn't refute it—he really had become Elder Xuan's disciple. Sometimes she even saw them by the dorms... though she had no idea what they did.
Noticing Wang Dong'er and Huo Yutong, Tang Ya's eyes sparkled mischievously. "If I call you Great-Grandfather, what should your disciples call you, venerable elder?"
Wang Dong'er: !
The handsome youth bolted upright, a fair fist hovering threateningly near An Zhen's face, her little canine teeth bared.
"Don't!" An Zhen raised his hands in surrender, his tone suddenly earnest. "Wang Dong, a golden opportunity lies before you."
"What?"
"Become Tang Ya's grandfather's generation. Imagine—leap from student to elder! Tempting, right?"
He thought it was a brilliant proposal.
"Tempting my foot!"
Wang Dong'er "forcefully" stuffed a fruit into An Zhen's mouth. If not for the setting, she'd have used her foot to silence him. You're her great-grandfather, and you want me to be her grandfather? That's basically saying you want to be her father!
Nearby, Xiao Xiao watched their intimate banter with envy. Is this how 'close brothers' act?
Over the months, she and An Zhen had progressed from acquaintances to... slightly closer acquaintances. Mainly because a certain pair of oversized, sparkling eyes monitored them relentlessly.
Huo Yutong stepped in, expertly separating the two and sitting between them. Across her, Wang Dong'er shot An Zhen a look of feigned fierceness. "Only for Yutong's sake. You're spared—this time."
For Huo Yutong, these eight months had been transformative.
Just over a month after the freshman assessment, her soul power had reached level 20. But following Tianmeng Iceworm's advice—and An Zhen's agreement—she delayed absorbing a soul ring.
An Zhen supported this:
Energy absorption could continue without a ring.
Huo Yutong's future "simulated soul skill" was game-changing.
He'd prepared a full... growth plan to make her soar when the time came.
Huo Yutong proved herself through sheer effort. One month prior, under Fan Yu's disbelieving gaze, she engraved a Level 3 core formation. Qian Duoduo immediately granted her core disciple status in the Soul Tool Department, terrified she might leave. He even offered to personally hunt a top-tier spiritual soul beast in Star Dou Forest—but Huo Yutong declined, having already arranged plans with her Martial Soul Department mentor.
A hint of pride softened the girl's still-youthful cheeks. Her radiant eyes shone with confidence. Huo Yutong had earned her place in this elite circle through genuine effort—bolstered by the virtual world and the 17th-ranked Listed Carving Knife: "Frostwhisper."
Meanwhile, the golden-haired heiress Ning Tian discussed sponsoring the Tang Sect's revival with Tang Ya, reminiscing about their sects' historic ties. Ning Tian sensed potential in the Tang Sect's resurgence—though privately, she doubted it. Among its members, only Bei Bei and Wang Dong'er showed promise of reaching Title Douluo rank. It felt more like children playing "sect" than a true revival. Still, whether for An Zhen's sake or that sliver of hope, she invested 500,000 gold soul coins.
No business venture guaranteed success. Cast a wide net—this sum was trivial compared to her resources.
Bei Bei watched his excited girlfriend fondly. He knew what this meant to her—not pity, but investment. He'd fallen for this girl precisely because of her unwavering devotion to rebuilding the Tang Sect.
"Cheers!"
Food, drinks, and laughter flowed freely.
Later, An Zhen supported a tipsy Wang Dong'er and Huo Yutong.
The girls had indulged a little in the festive atmosphere. An Zhen stuck to juice—he disliked the loss of control that came with intoxication.
He could've sobered them instantly... but after a grueling semester, they deserved to unwind.
Back at the dorm:
"An Zhen~ Hug me~"
Wang Dong'er, cheeks flushed, rested her chin on his shoulder. Her dazed eyes fixed on his face as she leaned in instinctively.
Huo Yutong was calmer, stumbling along drowsily until An Zhen scooped her into his arms, her breathing steadying against his familiar scent.
An Zhen's Dorm
Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan awaited in a sheer black gown. An oversized obsidian bow graced her neckline, its ribbon trailing over her curves—a gift that would ignite desire in most men. One tug would unravel it all.
Thud!
The door swung open. Having sensed their approach, Zhang Lexuan watched as An Zhen entered with a girl clinging to each arm.
"They won't let go," An Zhen explained helplessly—Wang Dong'er had locked her arms around his neck; Huo Yutong gripped his sleeve like a lifeline. Forcing them off risked hurting them.
"Tonight's plans are canceled."
Zhang Lexuan glanced at her carefully prepared attire and sighed. "Fine."
But she still demanded to sleep holding An Zhen.
Dawn
"Mmm..."
A pair of dazzling sapphire eyes fluttered open. Pink-blue hair filled her vision—along with a familiar chest.
"An Zhen... ge? Wang Dong?!"
Huo Yutong jolted awake.
(To be continued...)
(End of Chapter)