We're all just friends!

This was actually quite close to a confession, but Chen Ye's face remained expressionless, as if he knew nothing about it.

As a Sea King, Chen Ye was very experienced. When problems arose in his fish pond, the first thing to do was to prioritize and randomly save the most important one.

Then, everyone here was his and Gu Yue's friend.

Publicly expressing his feelings for Gu Yue in front of these people would strengthen their sense of recognition towards him and Gu Yue.

At the same time, subconsciously, they would believe that his relationship with Mu Xi was just that of ordinary friends.

With this preconceived notion, they wouldn't proactively question Mu Xi or say strange things.

Of course, the most important thing was that Wu Changkong directly patted Chen Ye on the head.

"So young, why are you thinking about useless things? The most important thing now is to study hard, get into Shrek Academy first, and then think about other things!"

Wu Changkong glared at Chen Ye, which was rare. The Douluo world, though open, still required one to be 15 years old for a normal relationship.

It was like in Chen Ye's previous world, where dating was only approved by parents after the age of 18.

Chen Ye rubbed his head, a barely concealed smile on his face. "Okay, Teacher Wu, this is my fault. I won't do it again!"

"Besides, I didn't say anything. I was just telling the truth."

Chen Ye blinked, putting on a very innocent look. Wu Changkong glared at him but didn't say anything further.

Getting out of the car, Mu Xi stood there with a somewhat dazed expression. But when she saw Chen Ye approaching, her eyes instantly lit up.

"Xiao Chen, I'm here!" Mu Xi waved at Chen Ye. Chen Ye smiled and quickly walked over.

"Good morning, Senior Sister. These are my classmates, my very good friends."

"This is Gu Yue. She's a student of another teacher of mine and can also be considered my Senior Sister."

Chen Ye had a bright smile on his face. Hearing his words, Mu Xi was stunned for a moment, then nodded, looking at Gu Yue with a gentle gaze.

"Hello, my name is Mu Xi." Mu Xi smiled and extended her hand to Gu Yue. Gu Yue paused for a moment and then shook her hand.

"Let's go. We should enter the Rising Spirit Platform first. Today, I plan to help everyone increase their Soul Ring's age."

"Mm, okay... Then let's go in quickly." Mu Xi nodded. Seeing Chen Ye walk straight inside, she subconsciously followed.

Chen Ye walked ahead. Although his face was expressionless, he let out a long sigh in his heart.

When the fish in the fish pond suddenly met, the best solution wasn't for one person to hide from the other, as that would definitely arouse suspicion.

In fact, the best solution was to let the two fish get to know each other and establish a basic understanding.

Give them a false impression, making them believe that the other person had nothing to do with them.

Then, separate the two, reducing the opportunities for private interaction.

Arriving at the Spirit Transmission Tower, the six people put on their helmets. After a brief explanation from the staff, they lay down in the cultivation pods.

As the cabin doors closed, their consciousness quickly entered the Rising Spirit Platform.

Upon entering the Rising Spirit Platform, since it was a team mode, the six people were together. Feeling the fresh air, their eyes lit up.

"Wow, this is the Rising Spirit Platform! It's my first time here, and it feels so real!" Tang Wulin's eyes scanned around, his face filled with excitement.

The thought of his ten-year Soul Ring being able to increase to a hundred-year one, and his Little Gold being able to attach a second Soul Ring to him, made him exceptionally excited.

Chen Ye glanced at Tang Wulin. He understood Tang Wulin's position clearly.

The latter had the least complicated thoughts and wouldn't realize certain things, making him the easiest to mess up his plans.

Instead, Chen Ye glanced at Xu Xiaoyan, his expression very calm.

"Let's go. I'll lead everyone to hunt some soul beasts first, so everyone can gain enough experience."

As he spoke, Chen Ye didn't give the others a chance to react and directly led the other five towards the soul beast forest.

This place was a one-to-one replica of the Star Dou Great Forest, so it was also very realistic.

After simply hunting some hundred-year soul beasts and allowing everyone to absorb spiritual power to increase their Soul Ring's age, Chen Ye's gaze fell upon them.

"I plan to go deeper into the Rising Spirit Platform. It will be very dangerous inside, and I can't take all of you with me."

"These Soul Rings are old enough for your Soul Rings to reach a thousand years. You can wait here for now."

Chen Ye swept his gaze over a few people, then looked at Gu Yue and Tang Wulin.

"Sister Gu Yue, Tang Wulin, you two come with me!"

"Sister Gu Yue has wind abilities and can help me escape. Wulin is quite durable and can cover our retreat!"

Chen Ye spoke very directly and decisively. However, upon hearing that he was to be used as cannon fodder, Tang Wulin wasn't angry.

Instead, he rubbed his head and smiled. "Sure, Boss. Thanks for giving me this opportunity, Boss."

Entering the deeper parts, although dangerous, it was easier to hunt high-level soul beasts and improve Soul Rings.

Tang Wulin didn't think too much about it, considering it an opportunity for improvement given by Chen Ye.

Chen Ye smiled and nodded, his gaze turning to Mu Xi. As expected, Mu Xi's eyes were also on him.

"I'll go with you. My strength is at Three Rings, so I can help you better."

"No, Sister Mu Xi. There are only two of us at Three Rings here. I still need you to protect these classmates of mine."

Chen Ye looked at Mu Xi with a hint of pitifulness. "Teacher asked me to bring them in for training, but I really want to take a look inside. Please, Sister Mu Xi."

The boy blinked, his delicate face wearing a pleading expression.

Mu Xi was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Okay, let's do that... I'll stay and watch them, and you guys can go ahead..."

Hearing Mu Xi's words, Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan didn't say much.

Xie Xie was quick to react, or perhaps he had the potential to be a scumbag, so he vaguely guessed some of Chen Ye's intentions.

Under normal circumstances, he would definitely call out a scumbag who was deceiving a girl's feelings.

But if this situation happened to his boss, he'd pretend he didn't say anything.

Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoyan's mind was already a bit chaotic, and coupled with Chen Ye's open act of leaving himself behind, it actually made him believe that the two of them had no relationship.

Gu Yue, seeing Xu Xiaoyan being left behind, glanced at Chen Ye, her face showing no suspicion.

If Xu Xiaoyan had been brought along, Gu Yue would most likely have seen through Chen Ye's true intentions, leading to some dislike towards Mu Xi, or even a decrease in her good impression of Chen Ye.

But by leaving Xu Xiaoyan behind, not only were both of them fooled, but the more open he acted, the less anyone would suspect his relationship with the two girls.

After all, they were all just friends now, and before he turned eighteen, he, Chen Ye, would absolutely not be in a relationship!