T/N: "A special bonus chapter for my sister's birthday today—celebrating you and all the joy you bring into our lives!"
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Chapter 77 – The Young Brother-in-Law
Afternoon.
"All right, that's enough for today's lesson. Class dismissed. Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuena, you two, come with me."
After clapping her hands to signal the end of class, Zhang Lexuan led the two of them out of the classroom, leaving the rest of the students staring at each other in silent bewilderment.
They walked in silence for a short distance before Zhang Lexuan finally spoke, explaining the situation.
"At noon, I submitted an application, and the academy has approved an internal assessment for both of you. The assessment involves fighting the two other pre-selected team members. They should already be waiting on the Spirit Battle Arena."
"Huo Yuhao, because you only have a two spirit ring and your Spirit is oriented towards control type, your assessment is simply to survive twenty minutes against one of the pre-selected members. That will count as passing."
"Gu Yuena, your power is highly valued by the academy. Since your Spirit is offense-type, you must win your battle against one of the pre-selected members to pass."
Huo Yuhao's expression twisted oddly. Wait… they were sending them to fight Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi?
For an ordinary Spirit Grandmaster, achieving even a stalemate against Spirit Masters of Bei Bei's or Xu Sanshi's caliber would be nearly impossible. But for him and Gu Yuena? It was practically effortless.
Thinking this through, Huo Yuhao instinctively turned to Gu Yuena, lowering his voice as he reminded her,
"The two we're fighting will eventually be our teammates. Keep your attacks light, and stay low-key."
He couldn't not say it—he worried that if Gu Yuena unleashed the full power she used when sparring with him, she might accidentally annihilate them. And that would be a disaster.
Gu Yuena nodded, seemingly understanding, though faintly.
"Got it."
Huo Yuhao tilted his head, skeptical. "Really got it?"
Gu Yuena blinked and said, "Hug me and I'll promise."
"?"
Huo Yuhao felt his brain twitch, hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked,
"Uh… can we do a trial before payment?"
"Sure," she nodded calmly. "But double the pay."
".…Alright then."
A few steps ahead, Zhang Lexuan could no longer contain herself. Hearing their strange exchange, her shoulders twitched as she finally burst out laughing.
There was no denying it: when interacting with Huo Yuhao, whether dealing with serious matters or joking, she always felt a sense of comfort she couldn't quite describe.
At that moment, the Spirit Broadcasting System nearby emitted a crackling, electric static.
"Zzz—"
"Attention, all outer academy students! Attention all outer academy students! Today in the Shrek Academy, first-year students Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena will challenge fifth-year students Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi!"
"What!?"
The outer academy students nearby immediately erupted, faces filled with disbelief.
"Someone actually dares to challenge the outer academy twin stars? And they're first-years! Did I hear that right?"
"Aren't first-years forbidden from using the Spirit Battle Arena?"
"Don't know. Since the broadcast said it, we should go see."
Watching the crowd surge crazily toward the Arena, Huo Yuhao hesitated and glanced at Zhang Lexuan.
"Sister Lexuan, isn't this a bit… flashy?"
"You're worried about that?"
Zhang Lexuan's lips curved into a faint smile, and she lightly patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder.
"Relax. This is standard procedure for pre-selected backup members. Though we can't reveal the pre-selection, your strength must be visible to the entire outer academy so that they acknowledge it. That's why Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi earned the title of the Outer Academy Twin Stars."
Huo Yuhao nodded, saying nothing further. Soon, under Zhang Lexuan's guidance, the two of them entered the Spirit Battle Arena's waiting room. But besides Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi, another unexpected figure was already present.
The Outer Academy Battle Spirit Department's Director, Du Weilun.
Zhang Lexuan's eyes flickered, but she kept her composure as she asked,
"Director, what brings you here?"
Du Weilun's expression was visibly awkward. He cleared his throat and stammered,
"Lexuan… I think there's no need to make such a big scene for this assessment. It could have been done privately. Maybe just… forget about it today?"
He felt like he was about to explode.
Last night, Yan Shaozhe had instructed him not to publicize Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena's situation, yet today Zhang Lexuan had completely bypassed him and staged this grand spectacle.
The outer academy students were clueless, but he knew the truth. If Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena's strength were revealed, the Spirit Guidance Department would surely make a move.
The freshmen assessments hadn't even started, and the academy hadn't yet granted Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena their status as core students in the Battle Spirit Department. If the department learned of their capabilities, they would inevitably try to claim them.
Add Tang San from last night into the mix, and these three prodigies—far beyond their era—might end up being split among the departments.
It was like carving flesh off the Director himself. And with Yan Shaozhe absent due to investigating Tang San, Du Weilun was desperate.
Zhang Lexuan narrowed her eyes slightly. She had already guessed the Director's intentions.
"No need, Director Du. The broadcast is already out, and so many students are waiting to watch the match. We can't just let them leave."
She reached out to ruffle Huo Yuhao's hair, smiling warmly.
"And besides, for geniuses, a bit of showmanship isn't bad. I trust Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena won't let it make them arrogant."
In truth, Zhang Lexuan herself leaned slightly toward Huo Yuhao joining the Battle Spirit Department. Even a layperson could see how terrifying his two Spirits were.
But recalling how Huo Yuhao had displayed Spirit Engineering techniques when facing the Blood-Corrosion Dragon Lizard, she hesitated.
After much deliberation, she opted to apply for the pre-selected assessment, attracting attention from both the Spirit Master and Spirit Guidance departments, leaving the choice to Huo Yuhao.
With the two departments competing for him, Huo Yuhao could play them against each other and secure maximum resources.
Xu Sanshi raised an eyebrow as he observed Gu Yuena and Huo Yuhao, muttering under his breath,
"So these are the juniors coming for the pre-selected assessment? A handsome young man and a beautiful girl…"
"Heh, peeking at other girls again. I'll tell your girlfriend," Bei Bei said mischievously.
Xu Sanshi shivered and growled, "I only glanced!"
Bei Bei smiled mysteriously.
"Fine, I'll just tell her you only glanced."
"You're deliberately messing with me, aren't you!?"
While scolding him, Xu Sanshi glanced at his mischievous friend and noticed Bei Bei thoughtfully observing Huo Yuhao and Zhang Lexuan.
"What are you thinking? Every time you show that expression, it's never good."
Bei Bei didn't tease him. Instead, he hesitated before asking,
"I suddenly thought of a question for you."
"Hm?"
Xu Sanshi raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Even you have questions you can't figure out? Speak, and let Grandpa Xu enlighten you!"
"Well… uh…"
Bei Bei hesitated for a long moment before finally gathering his words and asking,
"I'm just giving an example. Suppose—just suppose—your sister got a boyfriend younger than you. What would be the proper way to address him?"
"...What?"
(End of Chapter)