Wu Siduo: The Closer a Star Is to the Bright Moon, the Brighter It Shines

"Through this assessment challenge, I believe you now have a clearer understanding of what a true Top Genius is."

Shen Yi stepped forward and spoke softly.

"I hope that from now on, you will put aside that useless arrogance in your hearts, but neither do you need to feel inferior."

"Instead, continue onward along the path of cultivation with a proper attitude—neither servile nor overbearing."

She paused, then dropped another bombshell.

"Besides serving as the chief Examiner for this assessment, Young Master actually has another identity."

"He is also the person in charge of the Inner Court's quota for new students to enter the Inner Court ahead of schedule."

"From now on, Young Master will periodically evaluate everyone based on your progress and performance. Those who meet the standard may bypass the usual assessment process and enter the Inner Court directly, gaining access to Inner Court resources."

The announcement was like a depth charge dropped into still waters.

Entering the Inner Court ahead of schedule?!

To the many students, this was an extraordinarily exciting prospect.

Leaving aside the psychological satisfaction that the lofty status of an Inner Court disciple could bring to teenagers barely into their teens.

The resources available to Inner Court disciples and Outer Court disciples were worlds apart.

After all, only the Inner Court could be considered the true core of Shrek Academy.

And after graduating from the Inner Court, the Federation and major powers would all extend olive branches, offering exceptionally generous terms.

If they could enter the Inner Court early, the benefits would be immeasurable!

Ordinary students were relatively calm.

They knew their own limits.

They knew that even so, they most likely would not meet the standard for early admission into the Inner Court.

But geniuses on the Young Genius Ranking, such as Xu Yucheng and Wu Siduo, were different.

Their gazes visibly grew fervent.

Especially Luo Guixing and Zheng Yiran.

The two of them had even cast aside their earlier frustration at being tricked.

If they could enter the Inner Court early, who would care about being Class Monitor?

The Youth at the center of attention smiled faintly, like a gentle spring breeze.

"I look forward to seeing all of you junior brothers and sisters become members of our Inner Court soon."

His gentle appearance, paired with the overwhelming strength he had displayed earlier, immediately made the eyes of many female students fill with hearts.

Many of the girls clenched their fists, silently resolving to work even harder so they could enter the Inner Court where their senior was as soon as possible!

"Today's circumstances are special, so no other classes have been arranged. You may make your own plans afterward."

Shen Yi softly announced the end of class. After lightly nodding to Wu Changkong and Ling Luo, she carried her handbag out of the training arena.

Ling Luo had no intention of lingering either. He turned and left the training arena, heading toward the Inner Court.

Along the way.

Ling Luo's brows furrowed slightly.

The powerful Spiritual Power of the Spirit Domain Realm allowed him to keenly detect the figure who had been following him from a short distance behind.

Stopping, Ling Luo turned around.

"Wu Siduo, is there something you need?"

Wu Siduo had still been debating whether she should approach him. When Ling Luo suddenly turned around, she failed to react in time and blankly bumped into him.

Ling Luo reached out and gently wrapped an arm around Wu Siduo's slender willow-like waist, steadying her.

Feeling the strange sensation at her waist, two rosy clouds flew onto Wu Siduo's delicate face.

She raised her small face slightly.

At such close range, she was able to properly and carefully observe the Youth who had so effortlessly shattered all her pride for the first time.

She had already known that the person before her was exceptionally handsome.

But at this distance, Wu Siduo understood even more deeply just how flawless he was.

His starry eyes glittered. His lowered lashes cast dense shadows across his eyelids, trembling lightly with each breath like resting butterfly wings.

His cool pale skin seemed almost translucent at such close range, making even Wu Siduo, a girl, feel somewhat ashamed of herself.

But before she could think any further, Ling Luo had already withdrawn his hand and put some distance between them.

As the touch at her waist vanished, Wu Siduo let out a slight breath of relief, yet felt an odd sense of disappointment as well.

"Hmm?"

Seeing that Wu Siduo had not answered, Ling Luo voiced another quiet question.

Only then did Wu Siduo suddenly come back to herself and remember why she had been hesitating in the first place.

She pursed her red lips and struggled for a moment before speaking.

"Senior Ling, how did you become as strong as you are now?"

Wu Siduo's beautiful eyes were filled with curiosity and confusion.

That battle had utterly crushed every shred of pride in Wu Siduo's heart.

She felt as though she were a babbling child.

Their age difference was clearly so slight, yet the gap in their strength was a vast chasm.

She had already gone all out, but Ling Luo had not personally made a move from beginning to end.

The Jade Lightwing Butterfly's suppression of her Soul Spirit alone was like an insurmountable mountain, blocking her completely.

Thus, even though Wu Siduo knew her question was somewhat presumptuous, she still could not restrain her impulse.

She truly wanted to know why there was such a difference between them.

Ling Luo was slightly taken aback by Wu Siduo's question.

Why did he possess his current strength?

Ling Luo disliked saying that bullshit about how it was all the result of his hard work.

Effort was certainly a factor, but talent and background mattered far more!

Those latter two were the most important things in the world.

Looking through the entire history of Douluo Continent, where was there anyone without talent or backing who could become a peak powerhouse through hard work alone?

How was he supposed to explain that to Wu Siduo?

Should he tell her that his current strength came from the full support of Yun Ming, the Sea God Pavilion Master, and his sister Ya Li, as well as a heaven-defying creation like the Twin God King Seeds?

After thinking for a moment, Ling Luo answered more tactfully.

"Um..."

"There are many reasons. My situation is rather special and basically can't be replicated."

Hearing this, Wu Siduo was no fool and could roughly infer what Ling Luo meant.

"I understand."

She spoke softly.

But then Wu Siduo raised her little head again.

"Senior, can I come to you for advice on cultivation matters in the future?"

Wu Siduo tightly clasped her small hands before her, feeling somewhat uneasy and nervous.

Wu Siduo believed that although she had no way of replicating Ling Luo's accomplishments, receiving his help would surely provide her with considerable support.

This was different from teachers and elders.

Ling Luo's talent far surpassed theirs, and his insights might suit her better than theirs did.

And besides...

Wu Siduo actually had a tiny selfish thought of her own.

The closer a star was to the dazzling Bright Moon, the more moonlight it could bask in, right?