Eve of Departure

"Tell me, can you two be a little more serious?"

Xue Xiao Ran's calm tone carried a trace of helplessness. He was clearly starting to lose patience.

He looked at the two girls staring each other down, then sank back into the soft sofa, obviously giving up his right to speak.

The five of them were seated in the packed canteen, enjoying their final lunch before setting off for the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Go ahead." He gestured to Xiao Hong Chen.

Xiao Hong Chen's expression twitched. Looking at his sister Meng Hong Chen and Yan Yuyan, who were glaring at each other for no apparent reason, he sighed in heartfelt sympathy.

The long-haired girl was Yu Ling Lin, the one who could perform Martial Soul Fusion with Yan Yuyan. Although her name contained two characters related to water, her Martial Soul was actually fire-attributed.

She tugged on Yan Yuyan's arm, signaling that Xue Xiao Ran was speaking.

Yan Yuyan snorted and withdrew her gaze.

She felt that Xue Xiao Ran, who had defeated their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, was the only person here worthy of her attention.

She was a true believer in strength.

"We're leaving soon. Can you take this seriously?"

Xiao Hong Chen frowned. He exchanged a glance with Meng Hong Chen, then shook his head.

"This time, we'll be acting as a group. Our main goal is to prove ourselves before the teachers." Xue Xiao Ran fiddled with the Rank 2 Soul Tool bracelet on his right wrist as he spoke indifferently.

Nana Senior Sister had given it to him for self-defense. By pouring in a certain amount of Soul Power, he could deploy a moderately sized shield in front of himself to block a Soul Master's attacks.

Xue Xiao Ran had accepted it gratefully, though he felt he would probably never need this Rank 2 Soul Tool.

What a joke. Anyone trying to fight Xue Xiao Ran at close range would be lucky not to get utterly crushed.

The fist and leg techniques he knew, enhanced with Soul Power, were enough to send opponents of the same level flying.

And he was not even an Assault System Soul Master.

"Although we don't know exactly what the teachers will be scoring, it's probably nothing more than a few things: teamwork, how we handle Soul Beasts, and competition against our peers."

Xue Xiao Ran nodded.

Xiao Hong Chen thought for a moment before saying, "The dean has already informed Shrek Academy. It seems a clash with them will be unavoidable."

He never called Jing Hong Chen his grandfather in front of outsiders. At Sun Moon Royal Academy, he was simply a student.

"That's for certain. Shrek will definitely respond when Sun Moon Royal Academy comes knocking to slap them in the face. Their teachers probably won't try to intimidate us, but their students will likely show up and compete with us." Xue Xiao Ran agreed.

Yan Yuyan nodded. She had always been sparing with words, treating them like gold.

Yu Ling Lin clapped her hands. "How about this? We're all on the same team now, so why don't we introduce ourselves?" Her smile was gentle enough that even Yan Yuyan could not bring herself to object.

"I'll go first. My name is Yu Ling Lin. My Martial Soul is Crimson Flame Thorn, and I'm a Level 25 Control System Soul Master."

After speaking, she gently tugged Yan Yuyan.

The latter glared helplessly at her friend, sighed, and said succinctly, "Yan Yuyan. Martial Soul: Flame Demon King. Soul Power Level 28. Assault System Soul Master."

Meng Hong Chen returned to her usual elegant demeanor. Lowering her eyes, she said, "Meng Hong Chen. Martial Soul: Vermillion Eye Ice Toad. Level 26 Control System Soul Master."

"Xiao Hong Chen. Martial Soul: Three-legged Golden Toad. Soul Power Level 30. Control System Soul Master."

"Xue Xiao Ran. Extreme Poison. Level 29. Control System Soul Master."

Xiao Hong Chen and Xue Xiao Ran exchanged a glance. This team was far too unbalanced.

One Assault System Soul Master and four Control System Soul Masters—were they planning to control their enemies to death?

"Xue Xiao Ran, are you sure you're Control System?" Yan Yuyan crossed her arms, her black eyes blinking. "You were so powerful in close combat during the competition, and your swordsmanship is excellent too. Aren't you an Assault System Soul Master?"

Xue Xiao Ran's face twitched slightly. The poison from both of his current soul skills was offensive, while his only support option was the stimulant he had mixed himself, which was far weaker than a soul skill.

"Then I suppose I can barely count as Assault System too, but I won't be on the front line." Xue Xiao Ran nodded.

Xiao Hong Chen and Meng Hong Chen exchanged another look. Their team now possessed two Martial Soul Fusion Skills. Even if they encountered opponents several levels stronger than themselves, they should have nothing to fear.

Besides, they had Xue Xiao Ran—the top freshman of this year.

"Who will be the captain?"

Yan Yuyan asked directly.

Xue Xiao Ran looked away. He had no interest whatsoever in a superficial position like that. Rather than compete over it, he would rather earn more academic credits and rewards to exchange for goods at the auction house within Sun Moon Royal Academy.

Besides trading with Gold Soul Coins, the auction house at Sun Moon Royal Academy also accepted academic credits. For commoner Soul Masters or Soul Engineers who could not afford that much money, it was the best possible benefit.

Some items could only be purchased with academic credits.

Seeing that no one spoke, Xue Xiao Ran could not help asking, "What's wrong? I think Xiao Hong Chen would be a good choice."

"I object." Yan Yuyan raised her hand. She glanced at the silver-haired, blue-eyed Xiao Hong Chen and said flatly, "We can talk after he beats me."

Xiao Hong Chen looked at Yan Yuyan speechlessly. Why was this girl always thinking about fighting?

However, after meeting Xue Xiao Ran, his worldview had clearly changed. Though he remained equally proud, he was no longer the little brat who wore every emotion on his face.

After that battle and their conversation, Xiao Hong Chen had grown.

"Then let it be Xue Xiao Ran. I have no objections." Meng Hong Chen smiled at Xue Xiao Ran.

Yan Yuyan remained silent as well and did not object.

"I agree too." With Xiao Hong Chen and Yu Ling Lin's agreement, Xue Xiao Ran's position as captain was settled.

Xue Xiao Ran nodded. Since things had come to this, he would simply accept it. Turning to Xiao Hong Chen, he said, "You'll be the vice-captain. If I lose my ability to fight, you'll lead the team."

"Alright." Xiao Hong Chen nodded solemnly.

After deciding on their captain, the five quickly began eating and drinking. They might not be able to return to this canteen for several months.

Traveling from Sun Moon Royal Academy to the Star Dou Great Forest would take at least ten days. A round trip would take over half a month, and cultivation in the Star Dou Great Forest would also require time. They would definitely be gone for several months.

Xue Xiao Ran sighed and apologized to Teacher Xuan in his heart. It's not that I don't want to attend class. The circumstances simply won't allow it.

The Star Dou Great Forest...

He had heard his father and Father-in-law mention it before. It seemed to contain ferocious beasts and Soul Beasts with cultivation exceeding Hundred-Thousand-Year levels. He only hoped they would not encounter any.

If they did, the five of them would probably be dead before the teachers could arrive.