Parting Approaches

"Level twenty-seven... I wonder if I can reach level thirty before enrolling in the Intermediate Division of Eastsea Academy." Yun Chen muttered to himself as he emerged from meditation.

"Come on, Little Chen, seriously? Didn't they say Body Martial Souls cultivated more slowly in the early stages? You've been splitting your attention to learn forging too, yet you're almost a Soul Elder already?" Xu Xiaoyu looked utterly incredulous. He was only level thirty-one himself, despite being three years older than Yun Chen. Yun Chen was practically catching up to him.

"Pfft, that's only because you don't work hard enough. Even if you're still a few levels above Brother Chen, can't you still not beat him?" Xu Xiaoyan stuck her tongue out at Xu Xiaoyu.

"Xu Xiaoyan, I can't beat Little Chen, but you think I can't deal with you!?" Xu Xiaoyu exploded in anger.

"Brother Chen, save me!" Xu Xiaoyan flashed behind Yun Chen in an instant, using him as a shield. Her little head poked out from the crook of his arm as she continued making faces at Xu Xiaoyu.

The sight made the Xu Family burst into laughter. Seeing the children grow up happily was exactly what they wished for.

Perhaps because of Yun Chen's influence, Xu Xiaoyan had also been cultivating diligently. Though she had not kept pace with Yun Chen, she was now a level-twenty-two Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster. Father Xu and Mother Xu were quite satisfied with such progress. After all, they knew their daughter's temperament very well.

"The Intermediate Division isn't like the primary academy. You need to keep an eye on Xiao Yan. She's soft-hearted, so don't let anyone bully her." After the laughter died down, Xu Xiaoyu earnestly reminded Yun Chen.

"Of course. Besides, don't we have a senior from the Advanced Division like you? If anyone really bullies us, I'll just go find you in the Advanced Division." Yun Chen replied with a grin.

"No problem. Whoever bullies you, come find me. I'll beat them up for you." Flattered by his words, Xu Xiaoyu's mood immediately soared.

"Can't even beat Brother Chen. Shame on you." Yet Xu Xiaoyan continued twisting the knife from the side.

"Xu Xiaoyan, don't run! Just wait and see how I deal with you!" The enraged Xu Xiaoyu chased after Blue Little Dinosaur Xu Xiaoyan's retreating figure, bringing this family dinner to an end.

Three months later, Yun Chen and Xu Xiaoyan, led by Xu Xiaoyu, completed their enrollment procedures at Eastsea Academy. Given their talent, they naturally entered Class One of Eastsea Academy's first year. However, just as they enrolled in the Intermediate Division, something else happened.

One evening, Yun Chen had just finished cultivating and was about to return to his room to rest when he saw a white figure standing outside his door.

"Na'er? What are you doing here so late?" Yun Chen walked over and rubbed Na'er's head.

Ever since being brought back to the Xu Family, Na'er had been well cared for. Though she had not awakened her Martial Soul, no one in the Xu Family had ever bullied the poor little girl. Mother Xu had even given her extra motherly affection, afraid that Na'er might dwell on her troubles.

But Na'er was the Silver Dragon King, after all. She could not hide forever in the gentle comfort of the Xu Family in East Sea. In the end, she would still have to shoulder the great cause of the Spirit Beasts' revival.

Yun Chen had long expected this day to come. He simply had not expected it to arrive so soon.

"Brother, I came to say goodbye," Na'er said softly.

For some reason, Na'er became very timid whenever she saw Yun Chen. It seemed that from the first time they met, she had developed an instinctive fear of him. Although years of living together had erased that fear, it still affected her somewhat whenever they were together.

Upon hearing Na'er's words, Yun Chen knew that Di Tian and the others had likely found her. Perhaps they had known where she was all along, only choosing now to take her away.

Yun Chen brought Na'er into his room. After she sat down, he asked, "Did your family find you?"

"Mhm." Na'er answered softly, "My family found me earlier. They wanted to take me back."

"Have you said goodbye to Xiao Yan?" Yun Chen continued.

Na'er shook her head. "No. I'm afraid Xiao Yan will cry."

Hearing that, Yun Chen nodded. Given Xu Xiaoyan's personality, she might truly cry when facing such a farewell. But if Na'er left without a word, she might cry even harder.

"I left Xiao Yan a letter. I'll come visit her in the future too," Na'er said.

"I understand." Yun Chen responded, "Get along well with your family after you return. We'll meet again when there's a chance."

Yun Chen knew Na'er's identity, but he only regarded her as a younger sister. To him, she was no different from Xu Xiaoyan. As for what their relationship might become in the future, even he did not know.

After Gu Yuena split apart, Gu Yue would fall in love with Tang Wulin. Perhaps it was because of her wager with Na'er. But at its root, wasn't it still because Tang Wulin possessed the Golden Dragon King Bloodline? Without the Golden Dragon King Bloodline, the Fierce Beasts behind them might have chopped Tang Wulin into pieces long ago.

Yun Chen did not possess any Golden Dragon King Bloodline. He did not believe that if he became an obstacle to the Spirit Beasts' revival, Gu Yue and Na'er could restrain those Fierce Beasts from coming to kill him. Though the remaining Fierce Beasts did not meet good ends, Yun Chen would not sympathize with them simply because they were pitiful. If they truly became enemies one day, he would kill them without mercy.

Yun Chen's response left Na'er somewhat disappointed. She had thought Yun Chen would be just as reluctant to part as she was, but he did not seem to feel that way.

As if sensing Na'er's emotions, Yun Chen raised a hand and rubbed her head. "No matter what, you and Xiao Yan are both my younger sisters. No matter what happens in the future, that will never change."

Hearing Yun Chen say that, Na'er's emotions eased considerably. Yet Yun Chen let out a quiet sigh inwardly.

He understood clearly that he had already been drawn into the whirlpool of this conspiracy from the moment he encountered Na'er. Perhaps he had been entangled in it from the very day the Xu Family took him in.

Yun Chen had indeed considered avoiding Tang Wulin and those protagonists, lying low and developing quietly. If he ever gained the chance to stand at the pinnacle, he would then consider whether to do anything. But in reality, with his relationship with Xu Xiaoyan, how could he possibly avoid them?

He had neither a cheat nor the resources of a famous teacher. Every decision had to be made carefully. Now that he had this bond with Na'er, the future had become even more unpredictable.

After comforting Na'er and seeing her back to her room, Yun Chen stood before the window and sighed as he looked at the pitch-black Eastsea City outside. "Looks like I need to find a way to obtain more cultivation resources and guidance. The Blacksmith Association in Heaven Dou City..."