Sending a Letter, Joining the Team

The moment Qian Yuxi heard that he could send a letter home, his eyes immediately lit up. He pulled out the sheet of paper he had only half finished writing from his Soul Tool and continued putting pen to paper. As the number of words grew, the corners of his lips rose higher and higher.

Dipping his pen tip into the ink he had prepared beforehand, Qian Yuxi continued writing on the white paper:

—To the most beautiful, cutest, gentlest, kindest Sister Xue in the entire world!

Your Little Xi has already been in Death City for four days. Haha, I'm still as invincible as ever—no one can beat me! And I've even mastered some fine cooking skills. Hehe, once I'm back, I'll definitely show you, Grandpa, Master, and the others what I can do. In this damned place, I miss home and Sister so much. When will we meet again?

I've been gone for four days. Four days without seeing you... To me, these mere four days have felt as long as four years. I finally understand what the ancients meant when they said that one day apart felt like three autumns.

Every day, my longing for you crashes over me like a raging tide, leaving me unable to sleep night after night. You are the most beautiful Angel in my heart. The spring waters by Star Dou Lake cannot compare to you, nor can the glazed flowers of the Seven Treasures Sect. No mountains, rivers, or scenery across Douluo can compare to Angel in red makeup; no season or sight beneath heaven and earth can compare to Angel's appearance!

Every glance and smile of yours dances in my heart. If I could only miss you for four days, I would wish for spring, summer, autumn, and winter. If only three days, then they would surely be yesterday, today, and tomorrow! If only two days, then day and night. Even if there were only one day, I would want it to be every day!

I miss those carefree days we spent together more than anything. Whether you are by my side or at the edge of the world, knowing that there is a you somewhere in this world makes the whole world feel gentle and peaceful.

In the end, all these thousands of words could only come together into one sentence for you...

At this point, Qian Yuxi paused his pen. After several seconds of silence, he decided it would be better to be a little more subtle.

ich liebe dich

After spending roughly half a quarter-hour choosing his words and racking his brains, Qian Yuxi nodded in satisfaction. Then he read the letter over from beginning to end, and even he could not help but smile.

That was right—he had once said all these things to Qian Renxue... Ahem!

Enough. He could not say any more.

He carefully folded the letter he had worked so hard to write and placed it into a blank envelope. Then he picked up his pen and wrote four large words on the front: For Sister Xue to Open!

Qian Yuxi handed the sealed letter to Instructor Long, then walked to the door and opened it. The attendant who had delivered the letter was still standing outside with his head slightly lowered, quietly waiting. Every time a letter arrived, Yunchuan would send a reply before long. This attendant had learned from experience and simply waited at the door.

"Instructor Long, please arrange for someone to deliver this letter to Spirit City."

"Spirit City..." Instructor Long took the letter without opening it in front of him, merely responding indifferently. He then summoned a man in black, gave him a few instructions, and five spirit rings lit up around the man's body. In a flash, he vanished from the spot.

But it was not Teleportation—just an illusion caused by his extreme speed.

After finishing the letter, Qian Yuxi reined in his restless thoughts, took several gulps from his waterskin, and headed to a rather upscale-looking restaurant in Death City.

He had money now, after all. No matter what, he had to treat himself to a good meal. Otherwise, he would truly be letting down the past three days of facing spirit beasts with his back to spirit masters.

"Boss, bring me your four best dishes." Qian Yuxi pulled two purple Soul Tickets from his clothes and handed them to the attendant.

"Right away, young customer. Please wait a moment." The moment the attendant received the currency, a fawning smile bloomed across his face. He then hurried off to give instructions to the kitchen.

While waiting, Qian Yuxi took out that book, Personal Conduct and Team Awareness, and began reading it again.

It was still early. He had another hour and a half, so he could even take his time eating.

His pale red pupils stared at the pages. As he looked over the densely packed text and illustrations, Qian Yuxi occasionally furrowed his brows, but he did not back down. Instead, he read even more attentively.

"Eh? Brother Qian Yuxi."

It was a very familiar voice.

"Brother Yuetian, little sister Tuoba." Qian Yuxi greeted them with some surprise. Before he could say anything else, Jin Yuetian brought Tuoba Yun over and sat across from him.

"You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not." Qian Yuxi was slightly surprised, but this was exactly what he wanted.

"What a coincidence. I didn't expect us to run into each other at the same restaurant." Qian Yuxi smiled faintly.

"Yes, it really is quite a coincidence." Tuoba Yun glanced around. "Brother Qian Yuxi, do you like this place too?"

"Mm, I suppose so."

Jin Yuetian and Tuoba Yun exchanged a look, and both had faint smiles on their faces.

Before long, the four dishes Qian Yuxi had ordered were served, and the tableware was set out. Qian Yuxi began eating first.

As he ate, Qian Yuxi observed Jin Yuetian and Tuoba Yun. Seeing that they were still somewhat reserved, he smiled. "Eat. Consider it my treat. I can't finish all this by myself anyway."

"Then we'll gladly accept."

The three of them were not old enough to drink yet, but Death City had plenty of fruit drinks. Qian Yuxi had already decided to find a team to join, so he seemed rather familiar in both speech and manner, hoping to draw closer to them.

They were all family anyway. The Grand Elder's godson and the Second Worship's grandson—family did not need formalities.

"Brother Yuetian, do you think you and little sister Tuoba can endure the training ahead?" Qian Yuxi took a sip of his drink, his tone casual.

At his words, a trace of bitterness crossed Tuoba Yun's face. "Chief Instructor Jiang Xiruan's fierce reputation is no empty boast. Those three days in Misty Trace Grand Canyon may have only been the tip of the iceberg. Death Camp changes its Chief Instructor every year, but students who failed to graduate in the previous class can only remain here until they pass the Ultimate Assessment..."

"What exactly is the Ultimate Assessment?"

"Lasting the time it takes an incense stick to burn against an instructor at the level of a five-ring Soul King fighting at full strength." Jin Yuetian took over from Tuoba Yun.

The time it takes an incense stick to burn... A Soul King...

Qian Yuxi muttered to himself, finally understanding why the two of them had remained here for three years without being able to leave.

To last the time it took an incense stick to burn against a Soul King fighting at full strength, they would probably need to form a team of Soul Elders.

"Brother Qian Yuxi, I know that with your strength, completing this assessment is only a matter of time..." Jin Yuetian's expression turned serious. "But I still hope you can join us."

"Mm." Tuoba Yun nodded heavily as well. "So please, don't turn us down again this time."

"Alright." Qian Yuxi agreed without hesitation.

Jin Yuetian and Tuoba Yun clearly had not expected him to be so straightforward. They exchanged a look, their faces full of excitement.

"Why are you so excited?" Qian Yuxi chuckled before speaking slowly. "Brother Yuetian, whose grandson did you say you were?"

"Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Second Worship of Spirit Hall."

Qian Yuxi pointed to himself again. "Then whose godson am I? Whose disciple am I?"

"You are Grand Elder's godson and Senior Guang Ling's disciple."

"Then why should family talk like strangers?" Qian Yuxi smiled and raised his cup.

As Tuoba Yun watched the two of them rise to clink cups, her eyes revealed an unprecedented envy.

That was right. She was merely a fugitive from a fallen sect. How could she possibly call herself sister to the disciples, children, and grandchildren of such important figures in Spirit Hall? Much less the descendants of those old monsters of Spirit Hall.

Seeing the flash of loss on her face, Jin Yuetian immediately looked displeased and pulled Tuoba Yun to her feet. "Little White Dragon, don't always be like this. You need to pull yourself together. From now on, no one in this team can be left behind!"

"Th-thank you... Brother Yuetian." Tuoba Yun's heart warmed, and she was the last to raise her cup.

"Then I have one final condition." Qian Yuxi smiled. "I'll be the captain."

"No problem!"

The sound of clinking cups rang out, and everything seemed settled.

In that small restaurant, the three young spirit masters made a promise to advance and retreat together, to share hardship and adversity from then on.

No one could have imagined that eleven years later, at the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament held once every five years—

Qian Yuxi, Jin Yuetian, Tuoba Yun!

Those three names would shake the entire continent.