Seven-colored brilliance flowed from the cracks, illuminating the entire dormitory like a dream.
The light cocoon shattered completely, dissipating into specks of starlight.
A figure, more slender and elongated than before, looking as if carved from white jade, lightly "flew" out from the brilliance.
Yes, it was flying.
The Little White Snake.
No, perhaps it was time for a new name.
Although its body had shrunk a bit, it appeared even more exquisite and perfect.
Its entire body was a translucent white, with a warm luster flowing over it under the light.
Most striking was its abdominal area; on a few special scales, seven-colored light shimmered faintly, as if a tiny rainbow were contained within.
At this moment, it was defying common sense by floating in mid-air, its posture elegant and composed.
"Ha~"
The little fellow didn't seem quite used to this brand-new state yet; it twisted its body curiously and then immediately locked onto Li Yuan, letting out an affectionate little call.
It flew in front of Li Yuan and rubbed its cool, smooth little head against his cheek.
Although Little White Snake's appearance looked even more juvenile than before—one could even call it "cute"—
Only Li Yuan, who was connected to it in heart and mind, could clearly sense what kind of vast and ancient power was now contained within that tiny body.
After all, this was a juvenile Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python!
Its Bloodline had just undergone Awakening, and its power was already beginning to show its prominence.
Li Yuan held out his finger, letting it perform its Binding around him.
He was surprised to find a pair of nearly translucent tiny wings behind the little fellow's ears.
If one didn't look closely, they might even be overlooked.
Li Yuan couldn't help but laugh, gently tapping its little head with his finger:
"Hehe, Little White Snake, this evolution direction... why does it feel a bit like the juvenile form of 'Queen Medusa'?"
"Do you think you might actually be able to transform into a human later? Wait, in that case, wouldn't I become Xu Xian?"
At the thought of that image, Li Yuan quickly shook his head.
But in his mind, he couldn't help but think of the Queen Medusa from his memories, who possessed peerless beauty and elegance, with a pair of legs in black silk stockings that were longer than a person's life.
"Ha?"
Little White Snake tilted its head, its pale gold vertical pupils filled with pure confusion.
It didn't understand what "Medusa and Xu Xian" were, but it could clearly feel the happiness and affection in its master's tone, so it affectionately rubbed against him again.
Just as Li Yuan was still immersed in the joy of his Spirit's evolution, the door was suddenly pushed open, and someone sneakily walked in.
Li Yuan turned around and found the visitor was Xiao Wu: "Why are you here?"
His relationship with Xiao Wu wasn't bad, but they were only friends.
After all, whether in his past life or this one, he had always... cough, not liked them small!
Xiao Wu kept her hands behind her back and strolled in with light steps. She didn't answer directly, but instead flashed a sly smile: "Hee hee hee, Xiao Yuan~ you wouldn't want your secret to be known by others, would you?"
"What secret could I possibly have?"
Li Yuan's heart skipped a beat, but he feigned composure.
Could it be that his identity as the chat Group Owner had been discovered?
That shouldn't be possible; he always sent messages in secret.
Xiao Wu wore an "I've seen through everything" expression, leaned in closer, and lowered her voice: "Stop pretending, I understand everything~"
Li Yuan frowned slightly: "What do you understand?"
Xiao Wu's eyes grew even brighter, her whole being completely immersed in the excitement of finding a fellow countryman in a strange place:
"It's the Spirit Beasts! I saw everything. You're also a 100,000-year Spirit Beast in human form, right? Hehe, I really didn't expect your original form's Aura to be so strong. Just a moment ago, from quite a distance, that Vicious Beast pressure made my legs go weak."
Xiao Wu patted her budding chest: "But don't worry, I won't tell anyone. After all, we're in the same boat now!"
Hearing this, Li Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.
So it was the Vicious Beast Aura that leaked during Little White Snake's evolution that had caused her to misunderstand.
Fine, he would play along. Having the cover of a "transformed Spirit Beast" would actually help hide his identity as the chat Group Owner even better.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly as he cooperated by putting on a helpless "you caught me" expression, his tone carrying a bit of gratitude: "Then... thank you for keeping the secret."
"Hehe, no need for thanks!"
Xiao Wu waved her hand, then remembered something and said a bit shyly:
"Speaking of which, I should thank you too. A few years ago when I first came to the academy, if you hadn't reminded me that I could apply for the exclusive dormitory for high-talent students, I almost ended up in that communal bunk in Room 7!"
"I heard dozens of people are squeezed into one room. The smell in the summer..."
She wrinkled her small nose with a look of disgust.
"Oh?"
Li Yuan lowered his head slightly and took a small step forward, closing the distance between them, his voice carrying a hint of teasing: "Then how do you plan to thank me?"
"Ya!"
Xiao Wu was startled by his sudden approach.
Because they were so close, she could even feel his warm breath brushing against her cheek.
Especially from her perspective.
Li Yuan, at 188cm tall, stood before her, requiring her to look up slightly.
With his white hair flowing, his handsome face, and a hint of roguish charm between his brows, the frontal impact was truly significant!
Xiao Wu's face instantly turned red, her heart skipped a few beats for some reason, and she subconsciously took half a step back, stammering: "W-what are you doing? Suddenly getting so close..."
However, Li Yuan simply reached out with his large hand expressionlessly and gently pushed her small head aside: "Why are you blushing? Move aside, you're blocking me from getting something."
Xiao Wu clutched her head where it had been pushed aside and watched as Li Yuan picked up a key from the table behind her, only then realizing the situation.
He wasn't trying to do anything at all; she was simply in the way!
Xiao Wu immediately pouted, her exquisite pink eyes looking at Li Yuan with resentment: "Ow~ what are you doing! Couldn't you be a bit gentler?"
She puffed out her chest, which wasn't actually very prominent, trying to regain some Aura: "I'm the recognized number one beauty of Nuoding Academy, after all! In your eyes, am I not even as important as a key?"
Hearing this, Li Yuan stopped his movements and truly looked her up and down.
Her waist was thin, her legs were long, and wrapped in pink stockings they were indeed eye-catching, and her skin was fair... unfortunately, as his gaze swept over a certain spot, he shook his head almost imperceptibly.
A pair of A's, I'll pass!
Xiao Wu keenly caught that flash of "contempt" in his eyes and instantly became like a rabbit whose tail had been stepped on. She covered her chest with both hands and said huffily: "Hey, hey, hey! What kind of look is that?"
"Tsk tsk tsk..."
Li Yuan didn't speak, but that meaningful clicking of his tongue and the way his gaze drifted over again said everything.
Xiao Wu followed his gaze down to herself and understood instantly, her cheeks turning even redder.
However, this time it was from anger.
She gritted her silver teeth and muttered in a low voice, carrying a bit of indignation: "Dammit... Sister Xiao Wu will still grow, okay!"
By the time she snapped out of her self-consolation, she found that Li Yuan had already walked to the door with the key.
"Li Yuan, wait for me!"
Xiao Wu quickly chased after him and followed by his side.
Li Yuan glanced at her sideways: "Why are you following me? You're not even thanking me."
Xiao Wu's face immediately fell, and she said honestly: "Fine, then what kind of thanks do you want?"
Clearly, she still wanted to stay on good terms with this fellow countryman she had finally encountered in the human World.
Li Yuan thought for a moment and pointed to the Little White Snake peering curiously from his shoulder: "Let's go to the Nuoding Restaurant in the city and treat me to a good meal. Little White Snake is hungry too."
After all, Spirit evolution was a very energy-consuming task.
After the whole morning, he felt like he was about to starve to death.
"Ah? Nuoding Restaurant?"
"That place is so expensive! Any random dish costs several silver coins!"
Xiao Wu's voice rose significantly in shock, and she subconsciously clutched the small purse at her waist containing her gold coins.
Li Yuan curled his lip: "Just say whether you're treating or not."
Xiao Wu looked at the Little White Snake on Li Yuan's shoulder, which also seemed to be looking at her expectantly, and then at Li Yuan's "take it or leave it" expression. Her heart went through a battle between heaven and man.
Finally, she gritted her teeth and stomped her foot as if making a major sacrifice: "Fine! I'll treat you! At worst, Sister Xiao Wu's entire stipend for this month will be spent."
"Alright, then let's go."
Li Yuan hadn't expected her to agree, and a smile played on his lips.
According to his and Little White Snake's appetites, a meal at Nuoding Restaurant would likely cost at least ten or even twenty gold coins. This time, Xiao Wu was truly going to take a big hit.
Afterward, the two of them walked toward the academy gate.
As they walked, Xiao Wu stroked Little White Snake's little head while muttering: "Little White Snake, oh Little White Snake, it's all your master's fault for insisting on eating somewhere so expensive, forcing me to lose so much blood today."
Just then, an urgent shout came from not far away: "Xiao Wu! Xiao Wu!"
The two of them turned around and saw Tang San running toward them out of breath, holding something high in his hand.
Tang San ran up to Xiao Wu and immediately handed the exquisitely made card to her.
On it was clearly written: [Qixi Special — Nuoding Restaurant 100 gold coin Voucher, Today Only.]
Tang San looked excited and said as if presenting a treasure: "Xiao Wu, look what I brought you!"
"I remember you saying before how much you wanted to eat at Nuoding's largest restaurant. Look, this is a voucher I finally managed to buy after saving gold coins for a full six months and asking my teacher for help."
"Today is the expiration date!"
After speaking, Tang San looked at Xiao Wu with a face full of expectation.
He had prepared for a long time for this day.
Although Xiao Wu hadn't stayed in Room 7 because of Li Yuan's reminder, Tang San had still fallen in love with Xiao Wu at first sight.
One could only say Tang San is a real pervert!
A six-year-old kid, falling in love at first sight.
Xiao Wu, who had been dejected just a moment ago because she was about to go bankrupt, saw this voucher and her eyes instantly lit up: "Wow, Tang San, you're such a good person."
"Hehe, of course. Xiao Wu, everyone in Nuoding Academy knows that I'm the best to you!"
Being praised like this by Xiao Wu, the God King Tang San, who had been single since birth for decades in his past life, suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. He scratched his head with a silly laugh, feeling wonderful inside.
Now she wouldn't have to pay out of her own pocket.
At the thought of this, Xiao Wu was instantly all smiles, full of Origin Qi.
She happily took the voucher, waved her small hand at Tang San, and said in a light tone: "Okay, Tang San, thank you! You can head back first then, I'm going to Nuoding Restaurant to eat with Xiao Yuan."
After saying that, she carelessly linked arms with Li Yuan next to her, looking like she couldn't wait to go eat.
Tang San was dumbfounded: "Ah?"