The Adorable Xiao Zhuo

On the surface, Godwind Academy had warmly invited everyone from Blazing Academy over for an exchange during this period. But in reality, rather than saying Godwind Academy had invited everyone from Blazing Academy, it would be more accurate to say that Feng Xiaotian had been eagerly hoping to invite Huo Wu over alone.

The others from Blazing Academy who had come along were nothing more than background decorations in Feng Xiaotian's eyes.

As for the friendly exchange matches held afterward, Jia Youcai could clearly tell that the people from Godwind Academy had not used their full strength at all.

They appeared serious in the arena, but they were actually holding back. Blazing Academy's victories had not been difficult at all, and the matches were nowhere near as fierce and evenly matched as he had imagined.

Still, Godwind Academy had extended the invitation, arranged food and drink with great enthusiasm, and treated them attentively. Even if Jia Youcai had his own thoughts on the matter, he was too embarrassed to criticize them.

These days, Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang had been incredibly busy. Huo Wu in particular seemed like a clockwork machine, and it was almost impossible to catch her with any free time.

He had no idea whether someone had deliberately arranged for her to take part in all these events, or whether she had helplessly been dragged into them herself. In any case, she was constantly rushing between meetings, activities, and gatherings, so busy that she was completely dizzy.

Jia Youcai had no interest in worrying about any of that. With nothing to do, he decided to leave Godwind Academy and wander around to see if there was anything fun nearby.

He opened the system map, and his eyes lit up when he discovered that there was actually a Dou Hun Arena nearby. Jia Youcai immediately grew interested. He thought he could go take a look and perhaps satisfy his itch for a fight.

As Jia Youcai strolled leisurely around a corner, a familiar figure suddenly came into view. Whether it was coincidence or fate, he had actually run into that little girl Yan Lingzhuo again.

When Jia Youcai saw that it was her, he deliberately teased, "I don't have any proof, but I strongly suspect you've been following me."

The moment Yan Lingzhuo heard that, she was instantly annoyed. Her brows shot up as she snapped back angrily, "Who's following you? Why don't you look in a mirror first? Hmph! What could you possibly have that would make me want to follow you?"

Seeing that Yan Lingzhuo refused to concede, Jia Youcai stepped forward, folded his arms, and said teasingly, "No? Then why do I keep running into you? Doesn't that prove something?"

Yan Lingzhuo's little face turned bright red. She stamped her foot and shouted, "You're obviously the one following me! Stop falsely accusing people."

Jia Youcai smiled and continued teasing her. "Oh? Still refusing to admit it? Could it be that we're just kindred spirits?"

Yan Lingzhuo rolled her eyes in irritation. "Kindred spirits, my ass. You're just a huge bad guy!"

"Ah, yes, yes. So what does a huge bad guy like to do most?" Jia Youcai asked.

Yan Lingzhuo glanced at Jia Youcai, then looked at herself before saying indignantly, "If you dare bully me, do you believe I'll beat you up?" As she spoke, she clenched her fists and struck a pose that said she was not to be messed with.

Jia Youcai could not help laughing at Yan Lingzhuo's adorably fierce appearance. "Oh? With those tiny fists of yours, how much strength could you possibly have? You want to beat me up?"

Yan Lingzhuo's cheeks puffed up like an adorable little pufferfish. She raised her chin and said stubbornly, "Try me and you'll find out."

Jia Youcai raised an eyebrow and said with interest, "Oh? Really? Then why don't we find somewhere to spar? Let me see what you're really capable of."

"I can knock you flat right here," Yan Lingzhuo said without showing any weakness.

After fooling around for a while, Jia Youcai's eyes shifted as he suggested, "Want to go have some fun at the Dou Hun Arena?"

Yan Lingzhuo turned her head away and replied decisively, "No. I'm not interested."

Jia Youcai did not mind her refusal. He simply turned around and headed toward the Dou Hun Arena on his own, saying as he walked, "Go or don't go. Miss this chance, and there won't be another."

Seeing that Jia Youcai was really leaving, Yan Lingzhuo grew anxious and shouted, "Hey, wait..." As she spoke, she jogged over, caught up to Jia Youcai, and angrily punched him once with her little fist.

Not only that, Yan Lingzhuo directly jumped onto Jia Youcai's back and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Jia Youcai asked once he reacted.

"I don't care. I want you to carry me there," Yan Lingzhuo said stubbornly.

Jia Youcai helplessly grabbed her legs with both hands. "All right, all right, my dear young miss."

"Hmph, being this young miss's mount is an honor. You should be satisfied," Yan Lingzhuo said with a smile. Then she pointed ahead. "Hurry, hurry! Run!"

Jia Youcai pretended to sigh helplessly, but his feet obediently quickened. Carrying Yan Lingzhuo on his back, he dashed toward the Dou Hun Arena.

The wind howled past their ears, and Yan Lingzhuo giggled excitedly.

Before long, the two arrived at the bustling Dou Hun Arena. At that moment, an intense Soul Master duel was taking place inside. The light produced by colliding Soul Power flashed without end, while the cheers and shouts of the audience were deafening.

Jia Youcai carried Yan Lingzhuo to the outer viewing area.

"Young miss, can you get down now?" Jia Youcai asked.

"No, no. That's not sincere enough. You have to say 'please,' understand?" Yan Lingzhuo said.

"All right, all right. Please get down, okay?" Jia Youcai said.

"That's so perfunctory!" Yan Lingzhuo said.

Jia Youcai took a deep breath and struggled to suppress the urge to smack her. "Gentle, kind, adorable Miss Yan Lingzhuo, could you please get down now?"

Only then did Yan Lingzhuo nod in satisfaction.

"That's more like it!" With that, she slid down from Jia Youcai's back.

The two continued strolling around the outskirts. There was more than one fighting stage here.

"Look at that Soul Master in blue. His soul skill is so cool!" Yan Lingzhuo tugged at Jia Youcai's sleeve and pointed at a nimble Soul Master in the arena.

Jia Youcai looked in the direction she was pointing. Blue water currents swirled around the blue-clad Soul Master, and every attack carried powerful water-element force, driving his opponent back step by step.

"Yeah, he's pretty good. But his opponent isn't weak either. Look at that defensive soul skill—it's protecting him tightly from head to toe," Jia Youcai analyzed.

Yan Lingzhuo listened with great interest, staring unblinkingly at the arena. Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, she turned to Jia Youcai and asked, "Youcai, if the two of us fought in this Dou Hun Arena, who do you think would win?"

Jia Youcai replied directly, "Do you even need to ask? Of course I would. You're no match for me."

Yan Lingzhuo immediately became unhappy. Her little face stiffened as she said, "Hmph, keep bragging. I'll go sign up later, and we'll go up there to fight. Then we'll see who's really stronger."

Jia Youcai had not expected Yan Lingzhuo to mean it. He froze for a moment, then smiled. "Sure, I'm ready anytime. Just don't cry when the time comes."

"I won't cry!" Yan Lingzhuo said angrily with her hands on her hips.

Then Yan Lingzhuo grabbed Jia Youcai and ran toward the registration desk. "Come on, let's hurry up and sign up."