With Gu Lingjun's treatment, Xiao Hongchen quickly regained consciousness. He couldn't help but marvel at how much stronger a soul master's body was compared to that of an ordinary person.
But the moment he opened his eyes and saw Snow Empress standing nearby, he fainted all over again.
This time, Jiang Shengyu was certain—he'd been frightened into unconsciousness by Snow Empress herself.
Gu Lingjun sighed helplessly as she looked down at the once more unconscious Xiao Hongchen. Pressing her fingers to her brow, she summoned her Silver Radiance Heavenly Ring once again, its gentle silver-white glow enveloping his body.
"We should leave," Jiang Shengyu said with a sigh, staring at Xiao Hongchen's tightly shut eyes. "Otherwise he may never wake up."
"I'll stay here and take care of my brother," Meng Hongchen said to the group.
Meanwhile, Jiang Feixin stuck close to Jiang Qingtong. Watching the interactions between Jiang Shengyu and Snow Empress, she quietly tugged Jiang Qingtong away in another direction.
"Qingtong, let's go find a place to train."
"What's wrong?" Jiang Qingtong asked in confusion.
Pointing toward Jiang Shengyu and Snow Empress, Jiang Feixin explained,
"Don't you see? Snow Empress' feelings toward big brother aren't ordinary. I think it's better if we don't disturb the two of them. Besides, that way we'll have space for just the two of us!"
Jiang Qingtong: "…"
Thanks a lot.
Jiang Shengyu sighed helplessly. Snow Empress noticed and asked:
"What is it? Is it tiring being with me?"
"Stop joking," Jiang Shengyu replied, shaking his head.
Snow Empress smiled and asked,
"You're preparing for training soon, aren't you?"
Jiang Shengyu nodded. "Yes."
"Then I'll speak with that Gluttonous Douluo and go with you," she said.
Jiang Shengyu blinked in surprise.
"Will that be alright? You just became a teacher here—if you immediately apply to leave with us for training, won't the Sea God Pavilion grow suspicious?"
Snow Empress nodded calmly, reassuring him.
"Don't worry. I'll find a way to brush them off."
In the Sea God Pavilion, Elder Xuan frowned deeply when he learned of Snow Empress' request.
"Why? I'll need a reason."
"I've taken an interest in Jiang Shengyu," Snow Empress replied matter-of-factly. "His talent is exceptional, and his ultimate attribute is immensely powerful. With my guidance, his future will shine even brighter."
It was, indeed, a reasonable explanation. Still, Elder Xuan didn't immediately agree. After some thought, he asked,
"Teacher Xue, you do know that Jiang Shengyu and the others are exchange students from the Sun–Moon Empire, don't you?"
Snow Empress inclined her head.
"I've already heard of that. But I don't believe that's reason enough to give up on them. Such talent deserves to be guided by the best teachers."
"That's not what I mean."
Elder Xuan shook his head.
"The academy is trying to win them over—to bring them out of the darkness and have them join us. For this, the academy has already invested heavily in them. Their food, their cultivation resources, the soul stones they use—everything has been of the highest grade. I'll allow you to accompany them on training, but I hope you'll also cooperate with the academy in this matter."
Snow Empress thought for a moment, then agreed.
"Very well."
Satisfied, Elder Xuan nodded.
"Good. I'll also have Shaozhe accompany you. He happens to need to travel through the nations on official academy business."
Hearing that Yan Shaozhe would join them, Snow Empress' expression didn't change. She merely nodded.
"Fine."
She had no concerns about his presence. At worst, she could crush him. Perhaps Elder Xuan thought that a level ninety-six Yan Shaozhe could keep watch over a "mere" level ninety-five Snow Empress.
But whether he was level ninety-six or ninety-eight, he was no match for her. She feared no one beneath a Limit Douluo.
On the day of departure, at Shrek Academy's main gates, several inner court students were already leaving for their training journeys. Yan Shaozhe and Snow Empress stood waiting for Jiang Shengyu and his group to arrive.
But before they did, someone else appeared—Wang Dong'er.
"I'm going too!" she declared outright.
Yan Shaozhe frowned deeply.
"Nonsense! Training is a task for inner court students. You're still an outer court student—go back to your class at once!"
But Wang Dong'er lifted her hand, summoning the Haotian Hammer. Behind her, the Goddess of Light Butterfly martial soul unfurled, radiant wings beating softly as a yellow, two purple, and two black spirit rings—five in total—rose beneath her feet.
"Dean Yan," she said firmly, "my cultivation has already reached Soul King. According to academy regulations, I now qualify as an inner court student."
Yan Shaozhe's eyes widened in shock. He stared at her in disbelief, brows furrowed.
"How is that possible? Weren't you only at the fourth ring last semester? It's only been two or three months—how could you already be at five?"
His expression turned stern as he added,
"Wang Dong'er! I must remind you—cultivation cannot be rushed! If you've used some crooked method to force a breakthrough—"
Wang Dong'er shook her head firmly.
"No, Dean Yan. This is the secret of the Haotian Sect. My breakthrough has no problems whatsoever."
Her serious expression gave Yan Shaozhe pause. After a long silence, he said,
"Wang Dong'er, our academy has deep ties with the Haotian Sect. So I must warn you—the inner court's training is not merely sightseeing. You'll also be tasked with surveillance missions."
"I understand," Wang Dong'er nodded. "Didn't we already do such a mission before the Soul Master Tournament? I'm not afraid."
Seeing her determination, Yan Shaozhe finally nodded his consent.
Not long after, Jiang Shengyu and the others arrived at the academy gates.
When Jiang Feixin and Wang Dong'er laid eyes on each other, both froze in shock.
"Impossible!" Jiang Feixin stared at her in disbelief. "Why do you look exactly like me?"
"I should be asking you that!" Wang Dong'er frowned, glaring back. Then she turned to Jiang Shengyu.
"Brother Shengyu, what's going on here?"
Jiang Shengyu blinked and said lightly,
"This is all just fate."
He couldn't very well explain that the two of them shared half of the same soul, and that was why they looked identical. Who would believe that? Even Tang San likely wouldn't permit him to speak such a thing aloud.
To everyone else, the only explanation for such uncanny resemblance between two otherwise unrelated people was fate.
Wang Dong'er kept her eyes locked on Jiang Feixin until Yan Shaozhe announced their departure, only then finally looking away.
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