Thump, thump!
After Su Yunlin and Wang Dong released their Martial Souls, both of their hearts began pounding rapidly. As they looked at each other, a peculiar sensation arose—along with a faint, indistinct connection.
Following the release of their Martial Souls, their Spirit Rings also appeared.
Wang Dong: Yellow, Purple.
Su Yunlin: Yellow, Purple, Purple.
The Spirit Ring configurations of the two instantly stunned the surrounding onlookers. A thousand-year second Spirit Ring? That had already exceeded the common understanding of Spirit Masters.
Mu En raised his brows slightly. "Oh? These two kids are quite capable. A thousand-year second Spirit Ring isn't something you can achieve with resources alone. Even I fell just short back then.
"That girl's cultivation is a bit lax, though. As for the boy with the Dark Night Sovereign Moth… quite outstanding. Level 36, and his Spirit Power is extremely solid—clearly the result of diligent cultivation."
In just a moment, Mu En had already grasped the essentials of both of them.
Wang Dong looked at Su Yunlin, his heart sinking. He had originally thought he was dealing with a soft target, but instead he had run into solid steel. If it were an ordinary Spirit Elder, he wouldn't have been afraid.
But Su Yunlin, like him, had absorbed Spirit Rings beyond his level—and even had one more thousand-year Spirit Ability. The advantage was simply too great.
Whether it was total Spirit Power or Spirit Abilities, Wang Dong held no advantage. Even in terms of Martial Souls, he couldn't claim superiority. He could clearly sense that Su Yunlin's Martial Soul was on the same level as his—and there was even a special connection between them.
While Wang Dong was still thinking of a countermeasure, Su Yunlin had already pinpointed the source of the strange stirring in his heart. His eyes narrowed as he moved at incredible speed, arriving before Wang Dong and striking out with a palm.
This palm strike wasn't particularly fast. Wang Dong reacted in time and responded with a palm of his own. When their hands met, both were instantly shocked—their Spirit Power showed signs of merging.
"Still want to fight?" Su Yunlin's palm trembled slightly, forcing Wang Dong back a step.
"Not fighting, not fighting! This lord doesn't have a habit of getting beaten up. Let's leave it at that—I acknowledge you as my roommate!"
Wang Dong immediately withdrew his Martial Soul, shaking his hand before turning and heading back toward the dormitory on his own.
Su Yunlin also withdrew his Martial Soul, rubbing his chin as he stood there for a moment before following back. On the way, he passed Mu En and gave him a slight smile and nod before returning to the dorm.
Mu En smiled faintly as well, then leaned back into his chair.
"Radiant Goddess Butterfly, Dark Night Sovereign Moth… heh, two interesting little fellows."
The surrounding students who had been watching were left somewhat unsatisfied.
"That's it? It's over already? I thought they'd decide a winner."
"Exactly!"
Over at Dormitory 110, Huo Yuhao and a burly youth leaned over the railing, watching the two return.
"Brother Yue, those two are really strong!"
The youth called "Brother Yue" stood about 1.7 meters tall, his build second only to Su Yunlin among the freshmen.
"They are strong. Don't worry, Yuhao—Brother Yue's got your back from now on! No one's going to bully you!"
The burly youth patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder, causing him to stagger slightly due to the difference in their builds.
Huo Yuhao's new big brother—Xie Huanyue! Martial Soul: Pipi Elephant. Level 31 Spirit Elder!
...
Inside the dormitory—
Wang Dong lay directly on his bed. His bedding was covered with thick fur—unknown what kind of soul beast it came from, but it looked both soft and luxurious, paired with a plush quilt.
He stared at his right hand, recalling the earlier fight. To be precise, he had been the one toyed with—but something about it had indeed been different.
Their Martial Souls seemed to resonate with each other, and their Spirit Power had shown signs of merging!
Coming from a powerful background, Wang Dong naturally understood what this meant. Spirit Power fusion and Martial Soul resonance—it meant they could possibly form a Martial Soul Fusion Skill!
And both of their Martial Souls were insect-type, both capable of flight—one of light attribute, the other of darkness. For such opposites to fuse… it could only be described as a miracle!
Not long after, Su Yunlin entered as well. Seeing Wang Dong lying there staring at his hand in a daze, he closed the door and sat down in a chair.
"Lost in thought? Losing to me isn't embarrassing." Su Yunlin stroked his chin, smiling.
Wang Dong immediately sat up, his face puffing up in indignation. "Who said I lost?! You just have slightly higher Spirit Power! Once I train properly, I'll knock your head crooked!"
Su Yunlin narrowed his eyes, his expression clearly saying two words—Don't believe it.
"I don't believe you."
"Damn it!"
Wang Dong grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Su Yunlin—but missed, as Su Yunlin easily dodged.
"Don't make a mess. I just cleaned this place. If you dirty it, I'll throw you out."
Su Yunlin picked up the pillow and tossed it back, hitting Wang Dong square in the face—though not with much force. Wang Dong caught it, silently adding this to his mental tally before lying back down, ignoring him.
Su Yunlin chuckled softly, then lay down on his own bed, stretching lazily before drifting off to sleep.
The next day, 7:30 AM—
Su Yunlin and Wang Dong woke up at the same time. They glanced at each other, and Wang Dong immediately snorted, turning his head away.
Su Yunlin got up, tidied his clothes, and took out a mirror, mounting it on the wall before fixing his hair. After a night's sleep, it had become a bit messy.
"A grown man fussing over his looks like that?" Wang Dong muttered from behind him.
Su Yunlin snorted lightly. "This is called maintaining an image. You wouldn't understand, kid."
"Who says I don't understand? Move aside—I want to use it too!"
After Su Yunlin finished, he stepped aside. Wang Dong really did start checking himself in the mirror. After a while, he couldn't help but admire himself.
"This lord is truly born with natural beauty."
Su Yunlin looked at him speechlessly. "That phrase is used for girls."
As if realizing something, Wang Dong's face instantly flushed red.
Su Yunlin smiled faintly. Trying to outtalk me? Not happening.
"Let's go—breakfast."
Wang Dong crossed his arms. "Who wants to eat with you?"
"Suit yourself. I'm going."
Watching Su Yunlin leave, Wang Dong stomped his foot before quickly following after him.
At the cafeteria, after breakfast—
"So we're actually in the same class?" Wang Dong said in surprise.
Su Yunlin nodded. "Don't worry—big brother's got you covered. If anything happens, call me Brother Lin. I can handle anything in the outer courtyard."
Wang Dong curled his lips. "Yeah right, I'm not calling you that! I can handle things myself."
"Don't believe it. With your level? Come back when you're a Spirit Elder."
Wang Dong huffed angrily. "I'll be a Spirit Elder very, very soon!"
"Oh? What level are you now?"
Wang Dong's expression stiffened. He stammered, "T-twenty-one…"
Su Yunlin paused for a moment. "…And you call that 'very soon'?"
Wang Dong exploded in embarrassment. "Ahhh! Su Yunlin, I'm going to fight you!"
Su Yunlin easily dodged Wang Dong's "pouncing attack," even flicking his forehead in the process, leaving him flushed with anger.
That night, Dormitory 108—
"Classes start tomorrow. I heard our homeroom teacher is a grumpy old lady," Wang Dong said, sitting leisurely while sipping tea.
Su Yunlin, meanwhile, was reading a book. "What, scared?"
Wang Dong lifted his chin. "As if. This lord doesn't even know how to spell 'fear.' Just an outer courtyard teacher—I'm not afraid at all."
Su Yunlin glanced at him and stood up. "You're the bravest. I'm going to wash up and sleep."