Xiao Yu?

When Xiao Yi Xian heard Lin Ze say they should wait a few days before taking the Enrollment Assessment, she wasn't convinced.

Lin Ze had no choice but to take Xiao Yi Xian to the square where Jia Nan Academy was holding its enrollment.

Looking at the sea of people, Xiao Yi Xian's mouth fell open in surprise.

She had never seen so many people gathered in one place before.

"Th-this is way too many people!"

"Haha, even though they're holding enrollment in Wutan City, it's not just people from Wutan City who are taking part. There are plenty of people like us who've traveled a thousand miles to get here."

"People from the several cities around Wutan City have to come here if they want to join Jia Nan Academy."

After hearing Lin Ze's explanation, Xiao Yi Xian nodded in understanding.

"So that's how it is. No wonder, then."

Still, Xiao Yi Xian rose onto her tiptoes to look out over the endless crowd.

People were packed shoulder to shoulder, as if not even a needle could squeeze through.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian lost her nerve.

She didn't want to push her way through such a huge crowd.

"Th-then maybe we should come back in a few days?"

"Good idea. The enrollment won't end that quickly. It'll last at least four or five days, and as many as seven or eight. We can wait until there aren't so many people and then come back to line up."

Lin Ze said with a smile.

As he spoke, Lin Ze's gaze suddenly sharpened. He reached out and pulled Xiao Yi Xian closer to him.

Xiao Yi Xian was taken aback, her cheeks turning slightly red.

Thump!

Lin Ze flicked his fingertip, sending a tiny burst of energy into the hand that had been stealthily reaching toward them.

It was a precise application of Mad Lion Chant.

"Keep your hands to yourself!"

Lin Ze said coldly.

A Man with a Lewd Appearance let out a cry of pain.

Under Lin Ze's icy gaze, the man glared fiercely at him.

He left them with a threat, then quickly turned and walked away.

Lin Ze looked at Zhao Qi beside him. He was a Death Soldier with the Management Skill.

Zhao Qi nodded and began arranging for people to follow the man, ready to give him a surprise.

"Lin Ze, thank you."

Xiao Yi Xian had now realized that Lin Ze had been protecting her from those wandering hands.

"You're usually so alert. Why were you distracted today?"

"Maybe I was stunned by the sight."

Xiao Yi Xian said, a little embarrassed.

There was something else she hadn't said: being beside Lin Ze made her feel so safe that she had relaxed her guard without realizing it.

"C-can you let go now?"

Feeling the warmth of Lin Ze's hand, Xiao Yi Xian shifted slightly.

"Sure. Should we go to the barbecue shop, or look around somewhere else?"

Lin Ze readily let go of Xiao Yi Xian's delicate hand.

Seeing how easily Lin Ze released her hand, Xiao Yi Xian actually felt a little disappointed.

She froze for a moment, then came back to herself and said,

"Let's go to the barbecue shop."

"I feel like if you keep eating like this, Xiao Yi Xian, you're going to put on weight around your stomach."

Lin Ze teased her.

"No! I! Won't!"

Xiao Yi Xian's pretty face flushed slightly, and she lightly punched Lin Ze's shoulder.

After Lin Ze walked ahead, Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help lowering her head. But with her chest in the way, she couldn't actually see her stomach.

She couldn't help reaching out to pinch it.

Maybe there really was a little extra there...

"Pfft!"

A quiet chuckle came from ahead. Xiao Yi Xian looked up and saw Lin Ze smiling at her.

Now Xiao Yi Xian's pretty face turned completely red.

"Lin Ze, you..."

Embarrassed and annoyed, she chased after him, her little fists landing repeatedly on his body.

The two of them playfully tussled, drawing envious and jealous looks from the people around them.

Of course, all those looks were aimed at Lin Ze.

For the next few days, Lin Ze had the Death Soldiers keep an eye on the square.

Jia Nan Academy certainly lived up to its reputation. The place was packed for three days straight.

It wasn't until the fourth day that the crowds began to thin.

Lin Ze also found out that Jia Nan Academy's enrollment would last seven days.

So Lin Ze wasn't in a hurry and planned to go on the final day.

By the seventh day, the crowd had dwindled considerably.

Looking at the long line that still stretched across the square, Xiao Yi Xian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Compared with the terrifying crowd on the first day, packed so tightly that not even a needle could get through, this long line was much better.

Xiao Yi Xian took Lin Ze's hand and eagerly joined the end of the line.

Perhaps because Lin Ze had taken her hand on the first day to keep her from being harassed, Xiao Yi Xian had since started taking his hand whenever she got excited.

The line was long, but the two of them chatted quietly, so the wait wasn't boring.

Before long, it was their turn.

The first test was very simple. They only had to place a hand on a crystal ball. If it lit up, they passed.

The Jia Nan Academy student in charge of the assessment asked their ages, then let them into the square.

As she walked down the passage, Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help muttering,

"That's it?"

"Heh, if you meet the requirements, of course it's simple."

Lin Ze chuckled softly.

"But look at that sea of people on the first day. How many of them do you think could actually meet the requirements and pass?"

Xiao Yi Xian nodded.

Inside the square stood rows of tents. Jia Nan Academy's students gathered in small groups, chatting among themselves.

Outside the tents, men and women alike were still standing beneath the blazing sun.

"Tsk! What a lousy atmosphere."

Lin Ze lamented inwardly.

When they saw the newcomers, the Jia Nan Academy students immediately looked over.

Their gazes settled on Lin Ze and Xiao Yi Xian, and everyone looked a little surprised.

So handsome! So beautiful!

The two of them made a perfect match, like a gifted man and a beautiful woman.

Lin Ze glanced at the new students baking beneath the scorching sun. His gaze paused on a tall, slender woman.

She was certainly attractive, but the first thing anyone would notice was her pair of long, shapely legs.

If Xiao Yi Xian's slender waist was what caught Lin Ze's attention, then for this woman it was her beautiful, shapely legs.

After taking a look, Lin Ze had a suspicion. Could this be Xiao Yu?

He then turned his attention back to the person walking toward them.

"You two are the new students?"

The newcomer was a tall man with a buzz cut. He looked far too mature to be a student.

Xiao Yi Xian nodded.

"Then go stand with the others."

The man pointed toward the group of new students baking beneath the scorching sun.

Xiao Yi Xian furrowed her brows.

"Why?"

The man grinned, looking as if he was eager to see what would happen next.

"Of course it's to take the edge off your arrogance, so you don't come to the academy thinking you're better than everyone else. Just like now—you're even daring to talk back to your senior!"

"And what if I say no?" Xiao Yi Xian's expression turned cold.

"Then I'll escort you over myself." The man wore a malicious grin. "Of course, don't blame your senior if I get a little rough."

Xiao Yi Xian reached for the small pouch at her waist, but Lin Ze pressed down on her hand.

He glanced at the badge pinned to the man's chest. It had three gold stars.

A Three Star Dou Practitioner.

He was on par with Lin Ze, and he still had the nerve to pick a fight.

"Sorry, but neither of us is going over there. As for taking the edge off our arrogance, I wonder if you have what it takes, Senior?"

Lin Ze said with a smile.

The man's expression darkened instantly.

"So arrogant? Looks like a little lesson won't be enough!"