Xiao Wu Enrolls, Ye Lingling

Early the next morning, Lin Chen brought Xiao Wu to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

"Is this Heaven Dou Royal Academy? It's so big!" Xiao Wu stood at the academy gates, looking up at the stone stele engraved with the academy's name, her face full of amazement.

"It's more than ten times the size of Nuoding Academy, and it has Mimicry Training Rooms that simulate cultivation environments. You'll be studying here from now on." Lin Chen smiled and nodded, leading Xiao Wu toward the Junior Division's Academic Affairs Office.

Xiao Wu followed behind Lin Chen, her eyes darting everywhere. One moment she looked at the Silverleaf Trees lining the path, the next at the students training on the grounds, and then she ran over to sniff the flowers in a roadside bed. She was like a rabbit just released from its cage.

"Lin Chen, Lin Chen, look at that person over there! Their Martial Soul is so strange—it's actually a flower!"

"That's a Plant-type Martial Soul. You can find all kinds of Martial Souls at Heaven Dou Academy."

"Lin Chen, Lin Chen, is that teacher over there really strong? I feel like his presence is stronger than Xiao Chenyu's dad's."

"Isn't that Teacher Qin Ming? He's probably here to train the Imperial Fighting Team."

Lin Chen answered Xiao Wu's questions as the two walked, accompanying her on a partial tour of the academy. It took them twice as long as usual to reach the Academic Affairs Office.

Inside the Academic Affairs Office sat Zhao Mingyuan, whom Lin Chen had met last time. When he saw Lin Chen enter, his manner immediately became more respectful. "Your Highness Lin Chen, are you here to complete the enrollment procedures? His Highness the Crown Prince has already informed us."

Sister Xue really was quick. After muttering to himself, Lin Chen nodded to Zhao Mingyuan. "Yes. Sorry for the trouble, Teacher, but could you handle Xiao Wu's enrollment?"

When Xiao Wu heard that, she immediately stepped forward and introduced herself with a grin. "Hello, Teacher! My name is Xiao Wu—the Wu in dancing!"

Zhao Mingyuan glanced at Xiao Wu, then at Lin Chen. Without asking anything else, he lowered his head and began filling out the form. "What's your Martial Soul?"

"A rabbit," Xiao Wu answered.

"And your Soul Power Level?"

"Level 19." As Xiao Wu said this, she proudly puffed out her chest.

Zhao Mingyuan's hand paused over the form, and he looked up to take another look at Xiao Wu.

A little girl who looked only six or seven had already reached level 18 in Soul Power. Even at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, that was already an outstanding level. Why were there so many geniuses in Nuoding City?

Although surprised, he didn't ask any more questions. He silently finished filling in the information, then handed Xiao Wu a uniform and a class schedule.

"The paperwork is done. You can start classes tomorrow. As for today, you can take a look around the academy with His Highness Lin Chen."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Xiao Wu took the uniform and excitedly waved it at Lin Chen, her face full of smiles.

The two had just left the Academic Affairs Office when they ran into Dugu Yan coming around the corner of the corridor.

"Lin Chen? When did you get back?" A delighted smile appeared on Dugu Yan's face when she saw him, and she hurried over.

"I only got back yesterday. Haven't I come to school already?" As Lin Chen spoke, he stepped aside to reveal Xiao Wu and introduced her with a smile. "This is Xiao Wu, a friend I brought back from Nuoding City. Yanyan, you two can get to know each other."

"Hello! My name is Xiao Wu!" Xiao Wu greeted her openly.

Dugu Yan glanced at Xiao Wu, her gaze lingering for a moment on the pink sachet at her waist. Then she smiled and nodded. "I'm Dugu Yan, a friend of Lin Chen's. If you need anything at the academy, you can come to me."

"Thank you, Sister Yanyan!" Xiao Wu called her sweetly, a smile on her face.

The corners of Dugu Yan's mouth curved upward. Then, as if remembering something, she turned to Lin Chen. "Oh, right, Lin Chen, you're back just in time. There's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"Do you know Ye Lingling? The one from the Nine Heart Begonia Family." Dugu Yan lowered her voice. "She came to see me a while ago and asked me several times when you'd be back."

Hearing this, Lin Chen recalled Qian Renxue's request and spread his hands helplessly. "I know her name, but I'm not close to her. What does she want with me?"

Dugu Yan shook her head. "I asked, but she didn't say. From the look of her, though, it didn't seem like anything bad. It was more like she wanted to ask you for help with something."

She paused, then added, "Ye Lingling and I are on pretty good terms. She's rather reclusive and rarely seeks people out. The fact that she asked about you several times in a row means this is pretty important to her."

"And she also found out about my Martial Soul Evolution. Lingling really is a good person, but she's just far too reclusive. She's always by herself, all alone."

Lin Chen thought for a moment, then nodded. "All right, I'll find time to see her. Where is she now?"

"She lives at the Nine Heart Begonia Villa in the east of Heaven Dou City. She doesn't go out much. Apart from going to and from school every day, she doesn't go anywhere else." As Dugu Yan spoke, she pulled a small slip of paper from her clothes and handed it to Lin Chen. "This is the address. Here, take it."

"Thanks." Lin Chen took the slip and put it away, then said a few more words to Xiao Wu, telling her to follow Dugu Yan and get familiar with the academy first. Then he left the academy alone.

East of Heaven Dou City, at the Nine Heart Begonia Villa.

Following the address, Lin Chen found a secluded courtyard. Its walls weren't high, and a nine-petaled begonia was carved on the plaque above the entrance. There were no guards at the entrance, only two wooden doors standing slightly ajar.

He pushed the doors open and walked in.

The courtyard was filled with begonias in full bloom: white, pink, and red.

A stone path stretched from the entrance all the way to a pavilion at the far end of the courtyard. A girl sat inside, looking twelve or thirteen years old and wearing a plain white dress. Her head was lowered as she looked at a pot of flowers on the stone table.

She heard his footsteps and raised her head.

It was a very quiet face, with delicate features but little expression. Her pale gray eyes rested on Lin Chen, as though sizing him up, yet also as though she were lost in thought.

"Are you Ye Lingling?" Lin Chen stopped in front of the pavilion, looking a little curious.

Ye Lingling nodded and stood up to look at Lin Chen. She forced a strange smile onto her otherwise impassive face. "You're here?"

"You'd better not smile. It's kind of creepy." Lin Chen waved his hand and spoke in distaste.

"Okay." Ye Lingling nodded, and her face instantly returned to its impassive state.

After a long while, Lin Chen found the atmosphere a little awkward and asked helplessly, "Did you need something from me?"

Ye Lingling was silent for a few breaths before she spoke. "I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"What favor? I'm only a Soul Elder. I'm afraid I won't be able to help you much." Lin Chen asked casually.

"Phew..." Ye Lingling took a deep breath, a trace of melancholy appearing on her impassive face. "I hope to join the Crown Prince's Residence and protect my Nine Heart Begonia Family."