Huo Wu Takes the Initiative

The first day of the Exchange Tournament soon came to an end.

The crowd gradually left, discussing the day's thrilling matches in small groups.

Ji Xuan and the Godwind Team also left the Skywater Fighting Arena, preparing to return to Godwind Academy.

Just as they were about to exit Skywater Academy's gates, a graceful figure in red suddenly blocked their path.

"Feng Xiaotian, can we talk alone?"

Huo Wu stood at the entrance, her fiery red hair gently fluttering in the breeze.

She seemed to have been waiting there for quite some time, and the injuries she had sustained that morning had already healed.

The pride that usually filled her expression was gone, replaced by an indescribably complicated mix of emotions.

Feng Xiaotian's heart suddenly skipped a beat as he looked at Huo Wu.

He had not expected Huo Wu to truly come looking for him on her own.

Suppressing his excitement, he instinctively looked toward Ji Xuan beside him.

Ji Xuan calmly glanced at Huo Wu, then gave Feng Xiaotian a slight nod. "We'll head back first."

With that, Ji Xuan and the others from Godwind continued onward.

As they walked away, the Godwind Team members began whispering among themselves:

"Oh my god! Huo Wu actually came to find the captain herself!"

"Did the sun rise in the west?"

"Could it be that she wasn't willing to accept her defeat after the captain beat her today, so she came to cause trouble?"

Once the others had gone far away, Huo Wu suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Feng Xiaotian's wrist.

"Come with me."

Without waiting for his response, Huo Wu pulled him toward the academy gates.

Feeling the warmth of her hand around his wrist and watching her back, Feng Xiaotian's heartbeat involuntarily quickened.

This was the first time he had ever been this close to Huo Wu.

This intimate gesture immediately caused the Godwind Team members who had turned back to sneak a look from afar to erupt:

"Am I seeing things? Huo Wu is holding the captain's hand!"

"After all these years, is the captain finally going to succeed?"

Huo Wu led Feng Xiaotian into a secluded alley and only released his hand after confirming that no one was around.

"Feng Xiaotian, tell me honestly. Did you use some method that overdrafts your potential to increase your strength?"

Huo Wu turned and stared directly at Feng Xiaotian, her tone serious.

Feng Xiaotian froze for a moment, then laughed. "Do you really think I would do something like that?"

"Then explain it." Huo Wu stepped closer. "You reached Rank 44 in such a short time, and your fourth Soul Ring is nearly Ten-Thousand-Year. Is that reasonable?"

Looking at Huo Wu so close before him, Feng Xiaotian could clearly smell the delicate fragrance in her hair, and he unconsciously swallowed.

Feng Xiaotian forcibly suppressed the stirrings in his heart, trying his best to maintain a calm exterior.

"Sorry, I can't tell you." Feng Xiaotian shook his head.

He could not reveal Ji Xuan's identity, nor could he disclose the secrets of the Immortal Herb and Whale Rubber.

"Feng Xiaotian, why have you changed so much all of a sudden? You weren't like this before."

"Could it be... you don't like me anymore?"

Huo Wu lowered her head, her voice growing softer as her fingers unconsciously twisted together.

"No." Feng Xiaotian immediately denied it. Looking at Huo Wu, he said earnestly, "You are still very important to me."

"Really..."

"Yes. My feelings for you have never changed. It's just that I've come to understand one thing: only by becoming strong yourself can you earn others' respect."

Hearing this, a trace of guilt flashed through Huo Wu's eyes as she spoke softly.

"Actually... after today's match, I thought about a lot. Seeing who you are now, I'm really happy for you."

"But." Huo Wu suddenly raised her head, a stubborn glint flashing in her eyes. "I'll definitely win next time!"

"I'll be waiting."

Seeing her suddenly return to her haughty, tsundere self, Feng Xiaotian could not help but smile.

"Hmph, walk me back to the academy!"

Huo Wu clasped her hands behind her back and took the lead toward the alley's exit.

Feng Xiaotian looked at Huo Wu's back and shook his head slightly.

Huo Wu was clearly trying to make up with him, yet she still had to put on such a tsundere act.

"Alright."

Feng Xiaotian quickly followed, keeping just the right distance from her.

The two walked along the street in silence, the setting sun stretching their shadows long behind them.

"Walk me no farther."

As they neared Blazing Fire Academy, Huo Wu suddenly stopped.

She turned to face Feng Xiaotian. After hesitating several times, she suddenly said, "Xiaotian, we can try..."

Having said this with a flushed face, she immediately turned and ran into the academy like a startled deer.

Huo Wu... she agreed?!

Feng Xiaotian stood rooted to the spot, watching her retreating figure as the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up.

He had not expected Your Highness's method to really work.

A deep sense of admiration for Ji Xuan rose within him.

When Feng Xiaotian returned to Godwind Academy, Ji Xuan was drinking tea in the courtyard.

"Looks like the conversation went well," Ji Xuan said lightly.

Feng Xiaotian rubbed his nose. "Y-Yes, Your Highness."

Ji Xuan set down his teacup. "Remember what I told you before."

"Don't worry, Your Highness." Feng Xiaotian nodded solemnly.

Just then, Feng Qingyang suddenly entered the courtyard.

"Grandfather."

"Xiaotian, you're here too. You performed well today!"

Feng Qingyang patted his grandson's shoulder approvingly.

He then walked up to Ji Xuan and respectfully bowed.

"Your Highness, this Subordinate has fulfilled your request. The deans of Skywater and Blazing Fire wish to meet you in person."

"I understand. Tell them I will go after tomorrow's matches."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The next day, the morning sun had just risen.

Blazing Fire Academy had a bye today, so Huo Wu had gotten up especially early and carefully dressed herself up.

She wore a fiery red dress and light makeup, looking entirely different from her usual bold and valiant self.

She also carried an exquisite food box, waiting quietly outside the gates of Godwind Academy.

When the Godwind Team emerged from the academy, Huo Wu immediately went up to them and walked straight to Feng Xiaotian.

Ji Xuan was not accompanying them today. He would head directly to Skywater Academy later.

"This is for you." She stuffed the food box into Feng Xiaotian's hands, her tone still carrying a hint of tsundere pride. "Don't overthink it. I just happened to make extra."

Feng Xiaotian accepted the food box and smiled knowingly. "Thank you."

"You'll be facing Elephant Armor Academy today." Huo Wu's tone carried obvious disgust. "They were far too arrogant yesterday. You have to teach them a proper lesson!"

Before Feng Xiaotian could answer, the Godwind Team members beside him started teasing him.

"Captain, Miss Huo Wu came all this way to cheer you on!"

"Looks like the captain was so handsome yesterday that he completely won her over!"

"Shouldn't we start calling her sister-in-law?!"

Huo Wu's pretty face instantly turned crimson. She shot the heckling team members an embarrassed, angry glare, yet for once, she did not speak up to refute them.

"Why don't you rein them in?"

She lightly tugged on Feng Xiaotian's sleeve and spoke in a low voice.

Seeing Huo Wu display such a rare girlish manner, the amusement in Feng Xiaotian's eyes deepened.

He turned to the team members and said, "Alright, enough fooling around. It's time to head to the arena."

The group exchanged knowing smiles before finally restraining themselves somewhat.