As Lu Yuan's gaze followed,
a graceful figure stepped out of the bushes before him.
She had delicate features and flowing hair.
She wore a light black battle suit.
Since women's battle suits were usually designed to hug the body, her flawless figure was showcased to the fullest.
Perched on her shoulder was a little deep blue dragon cub.
That's right. The graceful figure who had emerged from the bushes was none other than Xia Qingyin, who lived in the dormitory across from Lu Yuan's.
Ever since she'd asked him a question last time, he didn't think he'd seen her around school again...
But that wasn't the point.
The point was, what was Xia Qingyin doing here?
Lu Yuan wasn't the only one frozen in surprise. Xia Qingyin herself was just as stunned.
A few seconds later, Xia Qingyin blinked her lively eyes and asked, "What a coincidence, Lu Yuan. What are you doing here?"
Lu Yuan told her the truth. There was nothing to hide, after all.
He said, "This is the Underground World, a paradise for vicious beasts. I'm here to hunt them."
Then Lu Yuan asked in turn, "What about you, Xia Qingyin? What are you here for?"
Ordinary people came to the Underground World for only one reason: to make money!
After all, the Underground World was dangerous. One careless mistake could cost you your life. If you couldn't make more money here than you could at an ordinary job, who would come?
Lu Yuan was different. Besides making money, he had another goal: earning Evolution Points!
But Xia Qingyin was the heiress of the Xia Family in Kuandong Province. Her family had prepared a rare Deepwater Demon Dragon Cub as her Companion Beast. How could she need the paltry sum she'd make hunting vicious beasts in the Underground World?
Besides, she definitely hadn't awakened a system like he had.
Xia Qingyin told him half the truth. "I'm here to train with Xiao Lan and improve our teamwork through actual combat."
Training together in actual combat was often more effective than training in the practice room.
Besides, anyone with eyes could see that the school had sealed off its Underground World to prepare for the Freshman Tournament a month from now.
Coming to the Underground World to familiarize herself with the terrain beforehand was a great idea!
Of course, the other half of the truth was that Xia Qingyin suspected Lu Yuan's terrifying rate of improvement might have something to do with his having visited the Underground World.
So a few days ago, Xia Qingyin had entered the Underground World for the first time.
The Underground World connected to the passage at the Jiangzhan City Otherworld Base was suitable not only for Lu Yuan, but for Xia Qingyin as well.
Although Xia Qingyin hadn't gained any insights into cultivation during her first visit and had left in a hurry because of the Bloodthirsty Qi,
she had still chosen to enter the Underground World a second time.
That was because she loved the feeling of roaming freely through the wilderness.
It was something she couldn't experience in the practice room.
No matter how realistic the simulation, it could never compare to the real thing.
"Xiao Lan?"
Hearing Xia Qingyin's answer, Lu Yuan caught onto an unfamiliar name.
"Xiao Lan is this lazy thing lying on my shoulder. Come on, say hello~"
Xia Qingyin smiled faintly, her red lips moving as she introduced the Companion Beast perched on her shoulder.
"Hello,"
the Deepwater Demon Dragon Cub said lazily, then settled back onto Xia Qingyin's shoulder.
It was clear that the cub was really sleepy.
Or maybe Deepwater Demon Dragon Cubs were just prone to dozing off...
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Lu Yuan's mind.
He couldn't take on those two Second Order Upper Rank Gale Demon Wolves by himself,
but things were different now. If Xia Qingyin was willing to help him, those two Gale Demon Wolves would be nothing to worry about!
"There are two Second Order Upper Rank Gale Demon Wolves up ahead. I can't handle them by myself. Could you help me out?"
Lu Yuan asked.
At his words, Xia Qingyin furrowed her willow-like brows. A hint of worry appeared on her fair face as she said, "Xiao Lan and I can probably handle one Second Order Upper Rank Gale Demon Wolf. But Lu Yuan, you..."
She wasn't worrying needlessly. Lu Yuan was only First Order Middle Rank, while the Gale Demon Wolves were Second Order Upper Rank.
Even if his awakened ability was S-rank, surely it couldn't make up for the gap of an entire major rank and one minor rank.
Hearing the concern in Xia Qingyin's voice, Lu Yuan's expression turned strange.
Was she saying he couldn't cut it?
A man couldn't be told he couldn't cut it!
Lu Yuan patted his chest and smiled confidently. "I'll handle the other Gale Demon Wolf. No problem at all."
Seeing the confident smile on Lu Yuan's face, Xia Qingyin's worries gradually faded.
Then the two of them crouched down at Lu Yuan's original spot.
As they drew closer, Lu Yuan caught a faint fragrance, like the sweet scent of flower petals, drifting into his nose.
Perhaps it had something to do with Xia Qingyin's awakened plant-type ability.
Before you continue