"Exactly because she's young, she's easier to build affection with! I'm not asking you to confess right away—just deepen your bond. When the Sea God Bond ceremony comes, she'll fall for you," Mu En's plan unfolded cleverly.
Beibei shook his head firmly. "No way. I would never abandon Tang Ya." He saluted and stormed out of the Hall of the Sea God.
After Beibei's departure, Dean Yan Shaoze entered and asked Mu En, "Isn't this going too far? Beibei is just a child—and he's committed to Tang Ya…"
Mu En waved dismissively. "Within the Academy, Beibei is the only suitable candidate. Others his age aren't Academy students—and they'll leave someday."
He continued, "Young people always think they're utterly devoted, but true love is proven by enduring together. Infatuation from youth is meaningless. I believe Beibei will understand, for the future of the Academy."
Hearing this, Yan Shaoze shifted the topic. "Master Xuan asked whether Jing Qingtong should also be chosen for the reserve team?"
"Include her—and Beibei too," Mu En decided.
Yan Shaoze nodded and departed.
---
Jing Qingtong remained unaware of Mu En's scheme—but even if she knew, she wouldn't care. Sharing one soul across two bodies, with entwined personalities, she realized she simply couldn't be romantically interested in anyone.
Back in the dorm, as Jing Qingtong opened her door, she met Jiang Nannan stepping out of the shower, towel-wrapped. Hearing the door, Nannan had hastily grabbed clothes—but relaxed upon seeing Qingtong.
Steam enveloped Nannan, her figure fuller than Qingtong's not-yet-developed form.
Qingtong smiled. "I thought you wouldn't come back after returning to the Sun Moon Empire. You're late—are you okay?"
Nannan changed and said, "I'm fine. The try-out is starting—the Continental Elite Competition. I want to make the reserve team! That's the ticket for admission to the inner school."
Qingtong beamed and sent her off with words of encouragement.
Shortly after, a frantic knock came at the door. It was Xiao Xiao lunging in so fast she crashed to the floor.
"Your performance art?" Qingtong laughed, helping her up. Xiao Xiao panted, "I almost hit my face! Qingtong, you dodged me!"
Qingtong helped her to a chair. "Quick—why are you here, classes don't start for another few days?"
Xiao Xiao gasped, "Didn't you know? Every student must go through a post-break evaluation to check if they slackened off. Those absent get expelled!"
Qingtong smiled knowingly—an opportunity to show off her upgraded Spirit Eye skills to the provincial lemmings.
They headed with Wang Dong to the Beast Arena, where teachers had already lined up younger students. The head proctor, 8-ring Soul Douluo Du Weilun, oversaw the evaluation.
Qingtong joined just as Dai Huabin was performing. He saw her and redoubled his effort, passing with top marks. Afterwards, he approached Qingtong, sincerely declaring:
"I've never stopped training to beat you. Next time, we'll duel—I won't lose!"
He saluted and returned, leaving Qingtong bemused.
Wang Dong chuckled. "You don't get it—look at the way they look. We're the stars of the outer school, the newcomers feared across campus."
Qingtong blinked and muttered, "Is he
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