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Night fell.
Moonlight filtered through the window curtains, spilling softly into the dormitory.
Wang Dong chattered on excitedly, recounting the battles of the past two days—the crushing victory after encountering Dai Huabin and the uncontrollable joy written on Xiao Xiao's face.
Lying flat on his bed, Su Wen listened quietly, but his thoughts lingered on what Yan Shaozhe had said about the Evil Soul Masters.
Something was not right.
He had seen the solemn look in Yan Shaozhe's eyes. For a Level 95 Super Douluo like him to use the term "an extremely powerful expert," could he be referring to someone like Zhongli Wu, one of the top leaders of the evil cults?
No wonder Yan Shaozhe had stopped him recently every time he'd wanted to visit the Star Dou Forest to search for a suitable soul beast…
"Hey! Su Wen, are you even listening?" Wang Dong's dissatisfied voice cut in.
He waved a hand in front of Su Wen's eyes.
"Hm?"
Su Wen turned his head and saw Wang Dong dressed only in shorts and a light shirt, his long, slender, pale legs exposed to the air. With hands on his hips and a coquettish pout on his face—this was supposed to be an impossibly handsome boy. The sight sent a shiver down Su Wen's spine.
Truly, Wang Dong could captivate both genders.
If Su Wen didn't know his secret, he might have started to question his own orientation.
"I knew it, you were spacing out! So annoying!"
Wang Dong raised a fist the size of a sandbag, pulled Su Wen's blanket over his head, and then straddled his waist, beginning to pound away playfully.
A few minutes later…
The two had "made peace" once again.
This time, an indignant Wang Dong was pinned beneath Su Wen, his arms twisted behind his back and his cheek pressed into the pillow. His face was flushed, though it was unclear if it was from shame and anger or from breathing in the lingering scent of Su Wen on his bed.
"Ow!" Wang Dong cried out.
She knew yelling "pervert" was useless. Since she was currently a boy, Su Wen would ignore it completely. Only begging for mercy ever worked.
Sure enough, the moment she spoke, the weight on her lifted.
Su Wen shook his head helplessly, looking at the ever-playful Wang Dong, who was clearly outmatched but never tired of these games. He did notice, however, that her arms were surprisingly soft—perhaps the only flaw in her disguise.
"Cultivate?"
"Let's go!"
A brilliant light filled the room.
The two embraced as a multicolored cocoon of light enveloped them once more, pulsating in an endless cycle of growth and rebirth.
…
Morning came.
Wang Dong pulled Su Wen by the hand as they sprinted toward the teaching building.
Near the entrance to the freshmen's building, Mu En was reclining on a bench. His eyes were half-open, and a faint smile touched his lips as he shook his head. "This kid's charm… it surpasses even Shaozhe's…"
"R-Reporting!" the two of them panted, having arrived late.
Mu Jin was already standing at the podium.
"Come in," Mu Jin said with a smile, teasing, "Still holding hands? You couldn't even let go in the classroom. It seems you're very satisfied with your new roommate."
"Ah…" Wang Dong gasped, only then realizing she was still clutching Su Wen's hand. Her face flushed crimson as she hastily let go.
The other students just smiled kindly, thinking nothing of it, which only made her face burn hotter.
However, she wasn't the only one with such a reaction. Across the room, Ning Tian's expression was identical.
Dressed impeccably in her academy uniform, with dazzling golden hair and a beautiful face that radiated the flawless etiquette of a highborn lady, Ning Tian's tall, graceful figure had captured the attention of countless freshmen.
But her heart belonged to the "Great Demon King of the Outer Court."
That's right, Su Wen's title had already evolved from the "Freshmen's Demon King" to the "Outer Court's Demon King," a reputation that outshone even the Outer Court's famous Twin Stars, Xu Sanshi and Beibei.
Ning Tian's small hands clenched, her pale skin turning even whiter where her fingers pressed together.
Damn it, I'm the childhood friend! We've known each other since we were eight! I had the head start, so when did this person get ahead of me?!
"Young Mistress?" Wu Feng asked, completely bewildered.
Since when had her Young Mistress become so possessive? And over another boy? Wang Dong was handsome, sure, but Su Wen was straight, wasn't he?
"It's nothing." Ning Tian's face twitched. She had lost her composure. As the young sect master, raised to be a true princess, this behavior was unbecoming. She had to maintain her future husband's dignity in public; jealousy was for behind closed doors.
She could accept others, of course, but what she couldn't tolerate was someone using such a despicable method to get ahead of her! If it were a fair competition, she wouldn't say a word. A girl disguised as a boy? As if her Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect couldn't manage such a technique!
"Teacher, sorry we're late…" Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan gasped as they arrived. They exchanged a glance of relief. Seeing that Su Wen and Wang Dong were fine, they figured this Teacher Mu Jin must be quite gentle…
"Stand at the door," Mu Jin said flatly, not giving them a second glance.
The two stood there, speechless.
"Pfft~" Cui Yajie giggled, covering her mouth. Teacher Mu Jin was usually gentle, but she still punished mistakes. It just depended on who made them.
Meanwhile, Dai Huabin glared venomously at Huo Yuhao in the back row, grinding his teeth. He had just discovered today that the little bastard had been transferred from Class One into his class!
The days are long, he thought. Just you wait.
…
"Ring~"
The class bell rang.
Mu Jin waved the duo at the door to their seats. As she organized her books, she scanned the classroom. "Core disciples and the top three teams who have earned the academy's help in hunting a soul ring, please rise."
Su Wen, Ning Tian, and a few others stood up.
Dai Huabin basked in the envious gazes before turning to sneer at Huo Yuhao, mouthing the words: little bastard.
Huo Yuhao remained expressionless, his gaze flicking to the spot where Dai Huabin's kidneys were.
The latter instantly flushed with rage. If Mu Jin hadn't been there, he would have charged him already.
"In half a month, the academy will organize a soul beast hunting expedition," Mu Jin announced with a smile. "A top-tier expert will personally lead the team, accompanied by several inner court disciples. Anyone who is at a bottleneck or nearing one may sign up."
She added, "Our class monitor, Su Wen, will collect the names. Just give me the list tomorrow."
Hunting soul beasts? Su Wen thought in surprise. Has the issue with the Evil Soul Masters been resolved? In that case, I should definitely go.
As for this top-tier expert… could it be the Elder Xuan that Old Yan mentioned?
If so, that's just perfect.
…
As soon as Mu Jin left, the classroom erupted into chatter.
"Little bastard, you really think I don't have the guts to kill you?!" Dai Huabin roared, charging forward like a tank. Desks and chairs were sent flying as students scrambled out of his way.
He grabbed Huo Yuhao by the collar, pinned him against the wall with his forearm, and slammed him hard.
Huo Yuhao choked back the pain in his throat and rasped, "You can try. Kill someone in the academy, and even the duke's son will be expelled…"
"…"
Dai Huabin's eyes narrowed. With a cold snort, he threw Huo Yuhao to the floor.
"Looks like you've changed a bit over the years. But just wait. I'll get rid of you sooner or later…"
He spat his threat and turned to leave, only to be stopped by another voice.
Dai Huabin's entire body tensed. Now what?
"Put everything back the way it was," Su Wen said, nodding toward the mess behind him.
"Hmph!" Dai Huabin fumed.
Just as everyone expected him to confront Su Wen, he instead began efficiently tidying up the desks and chairs.
Zhu Lu covered her face.
The rest of the students: "…"
(End of Chapter)