"Special communication method…"
Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong scratched their heads, trying to figure out how to explain things to Jing Hongchen.
Admit they share a soul in two bodies? Both were created by some mysterious force as separate soul vessels—no blood ties—but spiritually, they're one person?
Then over the years, each body developed its own personality through a sort of shared soul and practiced coordination. Their dual-personality, one-soul system isn't something Jing Hongchen would easily believe—nor even Kong Deming! How could one soul really support two bodies independently?
It was best to keep the truth to themselves—it'd be far too complex to explain.
So Jiang Shengyu nodded: "Yes, we do have a special way of communicating."
Jing Hongchen perked up. "What kind of special communication? Could we replicate it using soul‑guiding tech? If you're already using something like that, you should've introduced it before—it'd be invaluable to our Sun and Moon Empire…"
Shengyu and Qingtong glanced at each other, sighing. Now they had no choice but to say something.
Shengyu turned serious. "Have you ever heard of… a mobile phone?"
"A mobile phone?" Jing Hongchen blinked. "Never heard of it. So that's your communication method? A handheld machine?"
Shengyu nodded and briefly explained how phones work.
Jing Hongchen's eyes lit up in realization. "No wonder you're pushing the Mind‑Virtue Hall to launch soul‑guided satellites. Without satellites, phones are useless."
Shengyu continued: "It's not just satellites—you also need ground‑based soul‑guide towers for full coverage. So, Master, your mission is even tougher than we thought!"
Jing Hongchen coldly scoffed. "Enough! No satellites up yet, no towers built—how are you two using phones? You can't even cover your own lies! Do you take me for a fool?"
Shengyu and Qingtong stiffened.
Master carried on, clearly tired of fishing: "Next time you lie, think harder! Especially you, Qingtong—you're in a complex environment alone at Shrek Academy. Don't lie as easily as your brother."
"Master's right!" Shengyu quickly agreed.
Jing Hongchen waved them off: "Now scram—go train! Qingtong's already at three soul rings, and you're still at two. Hardly shameful!"
Shengyu mumbled: "I'm refining the time on my soul ring…"
Jing Hongchen raised a hand to rap his head as Shengyu jumped up and grabbed Qingtong's hand, laughing, "We'll go—don't bother Master!"
They dashed out.
Outside, face-to-face, both sighed, mouthing, "That old fox is too clever!"
"Who's the old fox? You brat!" Jing Hongchen called after them from inside.
Shengyu peeked back. "Hey, why are you scolding me?"
"Don't corrupt your sister!" Jing Hongchen barked.
Shengyu and Qingtong exchanged looks. Their clear, bright eyes reflected the same resigned thought—and they left.
Inside, Jing Hongchen shook his head, realizing perhaps they indeed shared some mental link—but he didn't dig deeper and dismissed any notion of a shared soul.
Later, they reunited in their room. Lying side by side, heads touching, they stared at the ceiling. The soul‑guide lamp's soft warmth and the hum of the heater filled the silence, broken only by their breathing.
After a long moment, both sighed in unison:
"I can't tell anymore if I'm one person or two."
Over the years, their independent personalities had solidified. They weren't quite a single soul split—they'd become two individuals sharing thoughts and senses.
Their minds spinning, they glanced at each other. Qingtong sat up… only to pull free Shengyu's long hair pinned under her, and both yelped in pain.
They held their heads, watching themselves in mirror vision—silent, then shrugging.
"Forget it." They decided. Who cares about soul vs. dual souls? He's Shengyu; she's Qingtong. That's enough.
Relieved, their earlier tension melted away.
---
Master Jing Hongchen, still uneasy, insisted they stay and recuperate at the base for another two weeks. When the time came, he personally escorted the three—Shengyu, Qingtong, and Huo Yuhao—back to the Sun & Moon Empire.
It wasn't just concern for Huo Yuhao's safety—the priceless ten‑thousand‑year soul‑beast embryo Shengyu carried also weighed heavily on his mind.
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