The qualification to enter the inner courtyard was determined by each semester's final exam scores. With a zero score for their first semester, in the future, Ning Yue and Yu Longheng would need to put in several times the effort to close the gap with others and gain the qualification to enter the inner courtyard...
After thinking for a moment, Shen Yi said nothing. She simply led the two toward Eastsea City's soul-powered train station.
It was also at this moment that she spotted a familiar figure.
It was a man — lean in build, with sharp eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips. His entire bearing was straight and tall. His lake-blue hair reached down to his waist. A gentle breeze passed, and his hair lightly swayed, showing off his unique charm.
This was... Senior Apprentice Brother Wu Changkong?
"Senior Apprentice Brother!"
Wu Changkong, who had been walking toward the Spirit Transmission Tower, heard a somewhat familiar voice coming from behind. He looked in surprise toward where Shen Yi was.
"Shen Yi?"
He and Shen Yi were senior and junior apprentice siblings — both disciples of Shrek Academy's Crimson Dragon Douluo.
"It is you. I heard you were in Eastsea City. I wanted to come find you, but I was caught up with the assessment task — I put it off."
Shen Yi walked over, looking Wu Changkong up and down, and smiled. "It's good to see you well."
"Yes." Wu Changkong faintly. He looked at Ning Yue and Yu Longheng not far away. "Are they the ones caught by the Spirit Transmission Tower during the assessment?"
"...You're still so blunt." Shen Yi sighed helplessly. "Yes — they're the students who were caught by the Spirit Transmission Tower for assaulting passersby."
Wu Changkong looked away at this. After hesitating for a moment, he still reminded her: "The academy's assessment — it should be changed."
"I'll make the suggestion." Shen Yi asked curiously: "Speaking of which — how do you know about this?"
Only a few people knew about this at the time. Could it be...
Wu Changkong said expressionlessly: "They are students of Eastsea Academy. I am their teacher. Lately, Xie Xie has been telling everyone in the class about the rudeness of Shrek students."
How to put it... he couldn't refute it, which made him feel somewhat complicated.
From a different perspective — Shrek's assessment... incurred some hatred.
"They are your students?" Shen Yi's eyes lit up. "Then do they have any inclination to join Shrek?"
"They are from the Spirit Transmission Tower. They are my students, not my disciples."
Wu Changkong shook his head, causing Shen Yi's once-bright eyes to dim. She sighed.
"I see. What a pity. With talent like that, if they entered the academy, they would surely become figures who stir the world in the future."
Wu Changkong knew who she was talking about. He didn't pick up the thread. He simply asked: "Since you've picked them up, when do you plan to leave?"
"I've received word that the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition is already being prepared. This time, they plan to invite us Shrek students to play an exhibition match. The academy wants me to go discuss it. I'll be staying here for a while longer."
Shen Yi explained, then asked in return: "Still not planning to return to the academy?"
"No."
Wu Changkong looked in a certain direction and gently shook his head.
"Well... alright." Shen Yi sighed helplessly. She was about to leave when something occurred to her. "Will they be participating in the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition?"
Wu Changkong nodded. "This year's class is the strongest in history. Eastsea Academy wants to make a name for itself. They won't let this opportunity pass. And as young geniuses, they need a stage to show their talents. In Eastsea, the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition is a good choice."
Yu Longheng, who had been quietly keeping silent all this time, suddenly looked sharply at Wu Changkong. His fists were clenched so tightly they creaked. His nails dug deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain.
That guy — would he also be participating?
"Longheng — what's wrong?" Ning Yue beside him noticed his abnormality.
Yu Longheng did not answer. His mind kept replaying the scene from that day.
The pain of being suppressed by bloodline — he would return it with his strength. Definitely!
In the Spirit Transmission Tower lobby, Gu Yuena took out her soul tool light screen, somewhat hesitant whether to contact him.
Today was the 81st day Yuhao had been away. Should she ask again?
Gu Yuena tapped on the light screen a few times, then finally put it down.
Yuhao said "soon." She would wait a little longer.
Xu Xiaoyan bounced into the lobby that had been assigned to their Class Zero. She noticed Gu Yuena. "Na'er — what are you looking at?"
"Nothing."
Gu Yuena calmly put away her soul tool light screen, stood up, and walked to the window.
Xu Xiaoyan came over, a puzzled look on her face. "Why hasn't Student Yuhao come back yet? Dean Yu has come to ask several times. He seems really worried."
As she asked, Xu Xiaoyan quietly observed Gu Yuena's expression.
But the latter maintained a cool expression and answered:
"He's with his teacher. It might be a while longer..."
Gu Yuena stopped mid-sentence. She looked in the direction a few hundred meters away and the corner of her mouth lifted slightly. She said no more.
Xu Xiaoyan noticed this. Her gaze followed, and there she saw a familiar figure.
So Student Yuhao was back... Speaking of which — how did Na'er seem to have a induction with Yuhao?
She noticed the moment he returned...
On the first floor of the Spirit Transmission Tower, Huo Yuhao exchanged a few words with a staff member and arranged a place for the Abyssal Demon Whale.
That Abyssal Demon Whale had followed him all the way back to the Eastsea coast. If he didn't arrange for it, it might be hunted for its spirit ring.
As he turned to leave, Huo Yuhao felt a connection approaching. His footsteps paused.
"Yuhao!" A clear, bell-like voice came from the elevator direction. Huo Yuhao turned and saw Gu Yuena walking toward him. Her black hair was like a waterfall, her black eyes like water. A white long dress outlined her perfect figure. Her were steps slow and calm.
But Xu Xiaoyan, following behind and out of breath, knew the truth.
"Na'er, wait for me!"
Xu Xiaoyan hurried after her on her short legs, muttering under her breath, "You were in such a rush just now… why are you acting so calm all of a sudden…"
The tips of Gu Yuena's ears twitched slightly. She had clearly heard Xu Xiaoyan's quiet complaints, but chose to ignore them. Her gaze remained fixed on Huo Yuhao.
"You're back." Gu Yuena walked up to Huo Yuhao, looking him up and down. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Yuhao seemed to have changed a lot...
Xu Xiaoyan caught up and also noticed the change. "Student Yuhao — you seem... a lot better looking."
The young man standing before she was tall and straight. A simple white training outfit outlined his well-proportioned figure. His shoulders were much broader than before, yet his waist was still slim and powerful. Most striking of all was his face — his once plain features were now angular and distinct. His nose was as high as a mountain peak. Between his brows was both a boyish freshness and a mature reticence.
But the most striking of all were still his eyes — his irises had grown deeper, clearer, a blue that seemed to hide the entire starry sky.
Had Student Yuhao gotten plastic surgery these days? The effect was that good?
Xu Xiaoyan blinked, somewhat confused.
What kind of place was it? Could she try it?
***
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