Reuniting with Ye Lingling, Everyone Eager for the Gossip

After passing through Heaven Dou City, Chu Chen headed toward Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The area was surrounded by mountains and filled with beautiful scenery. Building an academy in such a place was indeed rather extravagant.

But considering that this was, after all, a Royal Academy filled with noble children, Chu Chen understood.

"A Royal Academy, they said. It's nothing more than a platform for noble children to flaunt their arrogance."

When Chu Chen reached the gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, a young man blocked his path. "You... aren't a student of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, are you? Leave now, or I'll have to throw you out."

Seeing Chu Chen's worn-out clothes, the gatekeeper immediately guessed that the kid was no noble.

"I'm here to find someone."

Chu Chen did not bother arguing with him. He had expected this situation long ago, but he did not care about it.

"Find someone? Who could you possibly know here?" The gatekeeper waved a hand disdainfully. "I think you're trying to sneak in, make connections, suck up to the rich, and curry favor with noble young masters."

"Let me give you some advice—don't get any crooked ideas. Look at your big brother here. I used to want to suck up to rich kids too, and now they've assigned me to guard the gate."

Chu Chen: "..."

Chu Chen could not help rolling his eyes. Just as he was about to say something, he saw a refined young man slowly approaching from behind. The man looked at Chu Chen and said, "Hello. I'm a teacher here, Qin Ming. Who are you looking for?"

"Teacher Qin." The gatekeeper hurriedly bowed, his expression changing slightly.

Qin Ming nodded, while Chu Chen said to him, "Ye Lingling."

"Lingling? You're looking for Lingling?"

Qin Ming frowned slightly, surprise flickering in his eyes. As the leader of the Huangdou Team, he naturally knew Ye Lingling very well. But with Ye Lingling's personality... how could she possibly have a male friend?

Ye Lingling rarely interacted with anyone. The person she spoke to most was Dugu Yan. Even Yu Tianheng and the others on her own team could barely find a chance to exchange a few words with her.

"Is the friend you're looking for really Ye Lingling?" Qin Ming asked to confirm.

When Chu Chen nodded, Qin Ming said, "All right, follow me. This is the first time I've heard that Lingling has a male friend, so I'm rather surprised."

Chu Chen smiled. That was hardly surprising.

He knew Ye Lingling's personality. If they had not happened to meet years ago, their relationship naturally would not have become this close.

Come to think of it... why didn't her family send someone to accompany her when she hunted Spirit Rings? Why did they only send two Soul Elders with her? She nearly got killed by a Ghost Tiger... Chu Chen wondered.

Following Qin Ming, Chu Chen entered Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Most of the disciples here wore extravagant clothes and gathered in groups to chat idly about empty matters.

Though they had no need to worry about anything.

As long as the Heaven Dou Empire existed, the power of these nobles would not collapse. As the second generation of noble families, they would naturally never lack food or clothing.

"As long as the old nobility remains, commoners will never receive truly fair treatment... They treat human lives like grass and wield resources and power to dominate the people. That is the old nobility..."

Chu Chen let out a mocking chuckle.

At this moment, he and Qin Ming arrived near a cultivation ground filled with dense spiritual energy. A young woman walked past them ahead, and when she saw Qin Ming, she waved. "Teacher Qin!"

"Yan'er, where are Lingling and the others?" Qin Ming asked with a smile.

"They're in the cultivation field. Didn't you say that we'd be going to the Great Soul Arena in Suotuo City in a few days? They're cultivating."

Dugu Yan explained, then her gaze fell on Chu Chen. "Teacher Qin, he is...?"

"He's Lingling's friend. He came to see Lingling," Qin Ming replied.

But Dugu Yan's expression immediately became incredibly strange and animated. Whose friend? Ye Lingling's? And a male friend at that?

Dugu Yan even wondered whether she had misheard. Could there be another person named Lingling in Heaven Dou Royal Academy?

"I had the same expression just now, but I already confirmed it. Chu Chen really is Lingling's friend," Qin Ming said with a smile.

Dugu Yan nodded blankly, then could not help looking Chu Chen over from head to toe. He was quite handsome, but...

Led by Dugu Yan and Qin Ming, Chu Chen entered the Mimicry Cultivation Field. At a glance, he spotted Ye Lingling sitting alone in meditation ahead, cultivating her Soul Power.

She wore black, still with that familiar black veil over her face. Her long azure hair hung loosely behind her. She seemed out of place among the others, always alone in a corner.

Even I can't warm up Lingling's personality. I refuse to believe this guy is really her friend. When he gets shut down later, it'll be hilarious.

Dugu Yan thought to herself.

Just then, everyone finished cultivating. After rising to their feet, they all noticed Qin Ming and Dugu Yan. Ye Lingling was the last to stand. Her slightly vacant yet beautiful eyes casually swept over the group.

But suddenly, her gaze shifted and landed on Chu Chen.

"..."

Ye Lingling was moved. Her eyes flickered as she stared blankly at Chu Chen, the red lips beneath her veil moving slightly.

She blinked, as though the moment felt unreal...

Seeing Ye Lingling's reaction, Dugu Yan was utterly stunned. She had never seen Ye Lingling react so strongly before, especially not at the very first sight of Chu Chen!

"Long time no see, Lingling," Chu Chen said with a smile.

"You... Long time no see, Chu Chen," Ye Lingling said after a brief pause, her voice soft and pleasant.

The slight curve of her brows and eyes proved that she was smiling. Several years had passed, and both of their appearances had changed greatly, but that familiar feeling would never change.

"You're already level thirty-five. Impressive," Chu Chen praised after sensing Ye Lingling's current Soul Power.

Support Type Spirit Masters were already difficult to cultivate. For Ye Lingling to reach level thirty-five at her age, how could her talent not be considered outstanding? Not to mention that she possessed a top-tier martial soul like the Nine Heart Begonia.

"No way, Lingling. He really is your friend?"

Dugu Yan stepped forward and leaned close to Ye Lingling's ear to ask.

Ye Lingling nodded, confirming it. Yu Tianheng and the others nearby had already been dumbfounded.

Ye Lingling actually had a male friend? This gossip was far too entertaining.

"Let's go. Give Lingling and her friend some time to talk alone," Qin Ming immediately called to everyone. The others could only suppress their eagerness for gossip as they reluctantly headed off into the distance.

Only after everyone had left did Ye Lingling finally relax. Looking at Chu Chen, she took the initiative to ask, "Chu Chen, do you need my help?"