After fighting in a Beginner Limited-Time Dungeon, Cheng Xiaoyu had gained a rough understanding of his own strength. He could handle a few weaker Servant-level Demons without much trouble.
And with the Demon-Slaying Tool he'd acquired, he had the advantage in the close-quarters combat he was best at these days. Still, his strongest approach was striking from the shadows.
After all, he couldn't spend every day cooped up at home, training for only a little while. When he took commissions from the Hunter Union, he only accepted simple ones, like gathering medicinal herbs. He also tried to find a few isolated Demon Beasts Outside the Safe Zone to practice on.
They might all have been small commissions, but little by little, they added up. Taking on more of them meant more commission money, which helped with household expenses and let him buy his little sister some pretty clothes.
One day, Cheng Xiaoyu had just finished a commission for the Hunter Union and was heading home when he happened to run into someone unexpected.
"Cheng Xiaoyu, right?"
Hearing a pleasant voice, Cheng Xiaoyu turned his head in confusion. A graceful figure stood nearby.
A beautiful woman walked over. Her long hair fell over her shoulders, and her curvy figure was clad in a short black skirt. A pair of slender, snow-white legs stretched beneath it, while the high heels on her feet accentuated her tall frame.
Cheng Xiaoyu studied the mature, alluring woman before him and furrowed his brow slightly. She did seem a little familiar, but he was sure he didn't know her.
Seeing the confusion on Cheng Xiaoyu's face, the Black-Skirt Woman smiled and explained.
"You're right, you don't know me. I'm your new magic practical class teacher. My name is Tang Yue."
"Oh, hello, Teacher."
Cheng Xiaoyu finally remembered her. He seemed to have seen her in the teachers' office at the start of the school year. He nodded to Tang Yue.
Tang Yue took in Cheng Xiaoyu's handsome, resolute face, then glanced at his tall, well-built figure. Pointing toward the Hunter Union not far away, she asked, "You just came from the Hunter Union, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
Cheng Xiaoyu nodded honestly, unsure what his teacher was getting at.
"I'd like to talk with you. Could I borrow a little of your time? Of course, if you're in a hurry, never mind."
Tang Yue gestured toward a nearby Coffee Shop. Cheng Xiaoyu thought it over for a moment, then nodded. He had time and wasn't in any particular rush to get home.
The two walked into the Coffee Shop. A handsome man and a beautiful woman together naturally drew plenty of attention. Tang Yue ordered two coffees and sat down on the sofa. Cheng Xiaoyu wasn't very fond of coffee, so he took a sip and set it aside.
"Teacher Tang... what did you want to ask me?"
"Cheng Xiaoyu, I've looked into your situation, and I know things haven't been easy for you. If you're having any trouble, you can tell me."
Seeing how serious Tang Yue looked, Cheng Xiaoyu didn't think she was lying. He shook his head.
"Thanks for your concern, Teacher Tang, but I don't need any help right now."
"Then... may I ask how far you've gotten in your cultivation?"
Tang Yue felt the question was a bit forward, so she added, "That's not what I meant. The Final Exam is just a month away, and I'm only asking out of concern as your teacher."
Cheng Xiaoyu was speechless at the flimsy excuse. But since she was his teacher, and as long as she wasn't asking about the system, there was no problem telling her about his magic.
"I've cultivated my Shadow Element to the second level. I'll have no trouble passing the Final Exam."
A flicker of delight showed in Tang Yue's beautiful eyes. He had Awakened Magic less than a year ago, yet his progress was already impressive. And he had done it without any resources to help him.
Of course, she didn't think the money Cheng Xiaoyu earned from commissions could have helped much. What could a low-level mage at the second level of the Basic Realm do to earn a large commission?
She began to feel a fondness for the talented young man. She hadn't expected a small place like Bo City to produce such a resilient boy. Even if she couldn't bring him into the Tribunal later, she could still offer him some help.
With that thought, Tang Yue pulled a Bank Card from her pocket and slid it across the table to Cheng Xiaoyu. A radiant smile appeared on her delicate face.
"There's 500,000 in the account. The password is six eights. Consider it a little support from your teacher. I happen to cultivate the Shadow Element too, so if you have any questions about magic, you can come to me."
With that, she stood and left without hesitation, like a woman who'd just paid a client after finishing her business.
"Wait..."
By the time Cheng Xiaoyu came to his senses, Tang Yue had already left the Coffee Shop. He stared at the Bank Card in his hand, at a loss.
What was this... a membership tip?
At a table not far away, a man stared at them in shock. He hadn't heard much of their conversation, but he'd seen her hand over the Bank Card. He couldn't help looking at Cheng Xiaoyu with admiration.
These young guys had it figured out. They'd latched onto a rich woman early and secured their future!
Feeling the strange looks from the people around him, Cheng Xiaoyu hurried out of the Coffee Shop. He had a feeling that even if he returned the Bank Card, the woman teacher probably wouldn't take it back.
What a headache. Now I owed her a favor. I'd just have to find a chance to repay her later...
Days went by, and Cheng Xiaoyu finally returned to school for once. Today was the Final Exam.
Looking at the groups gathered on the athletic field, Cheng Xiaoyu had no idea which one was his class. Then he spotted Mu Bai waving him over.
"Thanks. Otherwise, who knows how long I'd have been looking."
"No problem... By the way, has Mu Ningxue been in touch with you lately?"
Mu Bai smiled faintly, then seemed to remember something. He hesitated for a moment before asking.
Cheng Xiaoyu raised an eyebrow, then nodded. "We were in touch a while ago, but not these past few days. She seems busy with something. Why bring her up all of a sudden?"
"Uh... nothing. You'll get to see her soon anyway."
"Huh?"
Suddenly, the school's poor-quality loudspeakers crackled to life, drawing his attention.
"...Today is also a very special occasion. We've invited Bo City's most outstanding female mage. She was admitted to the Imperial Capital Academy on special recommendation when she was just fifteen. I'm sure many of you have already heard her story... That's right, she's Mu Ningxue!"
Hearing that, Cheng Xiaoyu looked up toward the stage. Sure enough, a beautiful figure stood there, poised like a snow lotus. Her high-waisted, fitted white dress showed off her stunning figure to perfection!
What drew the most attention wasn't just her figure, radiating the allure of a sexy young woman. It was her dazzling, silver-white hair, parted down the middle.
Though the weather was scorching, the girl standing proudly on the stage seemed like a snow fairy who had wandered down from the icy peaks of Tianshan Mountain into the mortal world—so beautiful and otherworldly, yet untouchable!
Xiaoxue... Why was she here?
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