Reuniting with Zhang Lexuan

Zhou Huan's heart suddenly trembled. He immediately rose to his feet and looked toward the source of the voice.

What came into view was that pale blue figure. Her long black hair drifted gently in the breeze blowing from Sea God Lake, while the smile on her face remained as gentle as the moon.

It really was her!

For a moment, Zhou Huan was entranced. His gaze went somewhat blank, his lips parted slightly, yet he forgot to speak.

After two years apart, she was still as beautiful as ever.

Perhaps only a few seconds had passed, or perhaps several minutes. Even with Zhang Lexuan's current composure, Zhou Huan's gaze made her cheeks flush faintly. She could not help but cough lightly. "Ahem, what are you staring at? Don't recognize me anymore?"

"No, no, haha." Zhou Huan, who could usually shamelessly banter away, sometimes acted like a fool in front of her. "Sister Le Xuan, long time no see."

"Mm, it has been a long time." Zhang Lexuan replied.

It truly had been a long time.

That period two years ago had been the most confused and helpless time of her life. The vow she had upheld for ten years had seemed to become nothing more than a meaningless joke, and she had not known where to go from there.

So, she returned to that remote little Back Mountain in the Heaven Dou Empire, intending to see her parents and unburden some of her thoughts.

That was when she met Zhou Huan at the cemetery, an orphan who, like her, had lost both parents at a young age.

Yet Zhou Huan was also different from her. Back then, the Youth had been half a head shorter than her, but his disposition had been unexpectedly mature, while he was also full of optimism and positivity.

Even then, she had sensed that the Youth had a very clear understanding of his path and goals, and that he would press forward without hesitation.

Therefore, when the Youth said that he would go to Shrek to study, she had given him a letter of recommendation without the slightest hesitation. She had not even asked about or investigated his exact Soul Power Level at the time.

She believed that the Youth would not make empty claims.

Besides, a letter of recommendation was only a trivial favor to her. Whether the Youth could truly enter Shrek still depended on his own efforts.

And now, two years later, she had once again seen the Youth beside Shrek's Sea God Lake.

To be honest, she was very happy. She even felt a sense of gratification. She had been right about him after all.

Moreover, the Youth from back then had now grown half a head taller than her. Aside from the faint trace of childishness still remaining on his face, his build was already little different from that of an adult.

It could not be helped. People on Douluo Continent matured relatively early. Soul Masters in particular, due to cultivation and Soul Power, could often grow to an adult's physique by the age of twelve or thirteen.

However, the youthful air on one's face did not fade so quickly, nor could one's mentality become that of an adult at twelve or thirteen—unless one had transmigrated.

"You're quite impressive. You're already a Soul Grandmaster." Zhang Lexuan was actually very satisfied with Zhou Huan as he was now. At least he had not wasted her letter of recommendation or made her feel that she had judged him wrong.

With just a slight sense, Zhang Lexuan knew that Zhou Huan was already a Soul Grandmaster. A freshman who had just enrolled yet already possessed two Soul Rings could be considered outstanding no matter what.

Of course, that was also because Zhou Huan had not completely concealed his Soul Master aura, instead maintaining it at an apparent level of twenty-two.

After all, this was Shrek Academy. If he completely concealed his aura to the point that even a Titled Douluo could not detect it, that would be truly problematic.

And given the special nature of his Second Martial Soul, if he completely concealed his aura, even a Titled Douluo might truly be unable to detect his Soul Power Level unless they personally examined his body.

Faced with Zhang Lexuan's approving gaze, Zhou Huan was embarrassed to praise himself. "I still have to thank Sister Le Xuan for giving me the opportunity. That was how I was able to enroll in Shrek so smoothly."

At that, Zhang Lexuan merely shook her head gently. "With your talent, you were more than qualified to enter Shrek. As for something like a letter of recommendation, there's no need to mention it."

Clearly, Zhang Lexuan also disdained the rule regarding letters of recommendation. Unfortunately, the interests involved were too great. It was not something Shrek could change merely by wanting to.

Naturally, Zhou Huan understood what she meant. He nodded and did not bring up the letter again, instead asking, "Sister Le Xuan, did you come to see me because school started today?"

"No." Zhang Lexuan answered decisively.

"Uh..." Zhou Huan was left speechless. Was she really that heartless?

"Pfft." Seeing Zhou Huan's awkward expression, Zhang Lexuan could not help but laugh softly. "I only just returned after finishing some business today. How could I have known that you had enrolled? I merely happened to pass by and saw a freshman slacking off here."

"I was only admiring the sunset over Sea God Lake. The atmosphere here is wonderful. I like this place."

"I believe that if you want to, you will always be able to see Sea God Lake like this."

"Sister Le Xuan has that much confidence in me?"

"Mm. How could I lack confidence in someone who managed to grow into a two-ring Great Soul Master on his own?"

"Then let it be as Sister Le Xuan says." Zhou Huan looked toward Sea God Lake and spoke calmly.

There were no grand declarations, but Zhang Lexuan, standing beside Zhou Huan, saw the unwavering determination in his eyes and could not help but pause.

After a moment, Zhang Lexuan said, "Good."

The two stood quietly beside Sea God Lake, watching the distant sun slowly sink beneath the lake's surface. Neither spoke for a long while, as though they were simply enjoying this brief tranquility.

There were no words, yet neither felt awkward. Just like on that little Back Mountain in the Heaven Dou Empire two years ago, they had silently stood together for a long time.

Night eventually fell.

Zhang Lexuan said, "You should go back and cultivate or rest. Don't forget that the Freshman Assessment Tournament will be held in three months. Try to get a good ranking."

Zhou Huan nodded. "All right. Sister Le Xuan has just returned too, so you should get some proper rest."

"Mm, I'm leaving."

As soon as she spoke, Zhang Lexuan became like a streak of pure moonlight. In the blink of an eye, she vanished over Sea God Lake.

The sight left Zhou Huan clicking his tongue. Sure enough, an expert had to carry herself like one. Even leaving was done with such style.

A moment later, a bright streak of light appeared on Sea God Island.

When the light faded, a pale blue figure emerged. It was Zhang Lexuan, who had just watched the sunset with Zhou Huan.

At that moment, a stooped old man slowly appeared before Zhang Lexuan. "Girl, you're back."

Upon seeing the old man, Zhang Lexuan first gave a slight bow before replying, "Mm, Elder Mu, I'm back."

Mu En suddenly seemed to recall something. Smiling, he asked, "You know that little fellow from earlier?"

Zhang Lexuan nodded. "Mm, we met before. He's a Youth with pretty good talent. I was the one who gave him his letter of recommendation."

Mu En was somewhat surprised upon hearing that, because this was the first time Lexuan had done something like this.

Although both he and Lexuan disliked the rule about letters of recommendation, he no longer had the energy to reform such things.

Perhaps when Lexuan became the Sea God Pavilion Master, she would reform it. After all, relying solely on teachers and Inner Court Students to discover commoner freshmen was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

That freshman seemed to be named Zhou Huan, and he was also the roommate of Xiao Wen's little grandson. That was rather interesting.

Thus, Mu En continued, "That little fellow has quite good insights into combat. He can be given special attention."

Zhang Lexuan's delicate brows furrowed. How could she not understand Elder Mu's implication? "Elder Mu, that wouldn't be appropriate. Besides, he and I do not have the kind of relationship you're imagining."

Mu En chuckled. "All right, all right. We'll do whatever you say, girl."

After all, he felt guilty, and Lexuan truly was outstanding. At his age, he should not meddle in the affairs of the younger generation.

"Elder Mu, let me report on this mission first." Zhang Lexuan changed the subject at the right moment.

"Mm, tell me. What new discoveries have you made?" Mu En became serious as well.

"The Evil Soul Masters do indeed have an organization called the Holy Spirit Cult. However, there is a high probability that this Holy Spirit Cult is not within the Original Three Great Empires of Douluo. Otherwise, we could not have failed to discover it for so long."

"So, it is within the Sun Moon Empire?"

"Mm, that is highly likely."

"A storm is coming. I only hope these old bones of mine can hold on a little longer. The future must ultimately be handed over to you all."

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