Mu Xi lowered her head to look at Xu Yue, who lay on her lap with his eyes closed. Her beautiful eyes held nothing but tenderness and love.
She had watched that face grow from childhood into adulthood, becoming increasingly mature. No matter how long she looked at it, she never grew tired of it.
Her slender, fair hands rested gently on either side of Xu Yue's head.
Her soft fingertips kneaded his temples, soothing the mental exhaustion caused by his comprehension of Spear Intent.
Those hands that usually gripped a forging hammer tightly were now unexpectedly gentle.
"A-Yue, was that because of Tang Wulin?"
Xu Yue kept his eyes closed. After hesitating for only a moment, he smiled and replied, "No. I just suddenly comprehended something, and it made my emotions a little unstable."
"Don't I look fine now?"
There was no need to mention Tang San.
Perhaps Mu Xi would believe him.
But it would bring nothing but needless worry.
As time slowly passed, Xu Yue's spiritual power gradually grew stronger under the feedback from his Spear Intent.
At that moment, he opened his eyes and looked through the gap in her raised clothing at Mu Xi's profile, asking softly.
"Sister Mu Xi, do you have something you want to tell me?"
At his words, the hands massaging him stopped, and Mu Xi spoke somewhat reluctantly.
"What? Don't overthink it..."
"Really?" Xu Yue pressed. "I can tell that something has been off with you these past few days."
"If you don't want to say it, then I'll get up."
As he spoke, Xu Yue slightly raised himself, intending to sit up.
But before he could truly move, Mu Xi hurriedly pressed him back onto her lap.
"Don't! I'll tell you..."
Seeing that Xu Yue was about to get up, Mu Xi panicked.
She quickly used both hands to push him firmly back onto her thighs.
Looking at Xu Yue lying back down, she bit her lower lip lightly and finally voiced the words she had kept bottled up for days.
"It's... about applying to Shrek."
"Applying to Shrek?" Xu Yue froze and immediately looked at Mu Xi. "Is Shrek's admissions period for this year about to begin?!"
Shrek Academy was still the continent's number one academy, but its admissions had changed from once every year to once every three years.
"That's right." Mu Xi lowered her beautiful eyes slightly and nodded. "Principal Yu told me that my strength and talent are enough for me to apply to Shrek this time."
"If I'm willing, he'll give me a recommendation slot."
Xu Yue nodded inwardly upon hearing that.
Mu Xi was only fourteen now, yet she was already a peak Rank 37 Soul Elder and had just successfully advanced to become a Level 4 Blacksmith.
She was far stronger than the Mu Xi from the original timeline, who had needed a Blacksmith Association slot just to enroll.
Even Xu Xiaoyu, the prominent figure of Eastsea Academy's Advanced Division, did not have much higher Soul Power than her now.
With talent like hers, applying to Shrek would be all but guaranteed.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
Xu Yue looked at Mu Xi and smiled gently. "As the continent's number one academy, Shrek must have far more to teach than Eastsea Academy. Why wouldn't you want to go?"
He paused before asking, "Is it because of me?"
Mu Xi silently nodded, her voice very soft.
"A-Yue, you're still part of the Xu Family..."
"The Xu Family usually applies to Sun Moon Royal Academy. Hardly anyone chooses Shrek, and I'm afraid..."
Her voice grew even quieter. "I'm afraid that once I go to Shrek, I won't be able to see you for a long time."
Xu Yue looked steadily at Mu Xi for a moment before suddenly smiling and reaching out to touch her pretty face. "Silly Xi'er, have you forgotten my relationship with the Xu Family?"
"Besides, my teacher is Sky Phoenix Douluo. The Spirit Pagoda headquarters is right near Shrek City. How could we possibly go that long without seeing each other?"
"Who knows? Maybe I'll apply to Shrek too."
"Really?" The worry on Mu Xi's pretty face instantly vanished as she looked at him in delight.
"You're not lying to me? You'll really apply to Shrek?"
"Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you?" Xu Yue replied with a smile, while inwardly he could not help marveling at Shrek's status.
Having stood for more than twenty thousand years, Shrek's influence had long permeated every aspect of the continent.
The title of "Shrek graduate" alone earned preferential treatment in most places.
Just like Wu Zhangkong—even Principal Yu Zhen had to treat him with great courtesy.
It was precisely because of this that the Federation's upper ranks feared Shrek so greatly. Of course, its matching military strength was also crucial.
"However, Xiao Yan still doesn't meet the standards for applying, so we may have to wait until the next admissions cycle."
Hearing Xu Yue's answer, Mu Xi gave a soft snort.
"Hmph, I knew it!"
"You feel better now, right?" Xu Yue smiled. The hand stroking her cheek was tightly grasped by Mu Xi.
Mu Xi nodded happily, but her expression quickly changed as she warned him, "But A-Yue, don't think that just because I'm going to Shrek, you can recklessly get close to other girls."
"When the time comes, I'll have Xiao Yan keep an eye on you."
"Cough, cough." Xu Yue felt a little guilty. "When have I ever?"
"Really?" Mu Xi narrowed her golden eyes and said faintly, "Did you think I didn't know about the deal between you and Zixin?"
Xu Yue's expression stiffened, and he chuckled awkwardly. "Xi'er, you already knew?"
"Hmph." Mu Xi sneered. "For the past two years, Zixin has been going on and on about 'Xiao Yan this' and 'Xiao Yan that' in my ear, beating around the bush to hint at it. Did you think I couldn't tell?"
"If it weren't for you, did you think I'd be willing to share Xiao Yan?" By the end, her voice was filled with grievance.
"Xi'er, it's wonderful that I met you." Xu Yue looked at Mu Xi, deeply moved.
"Hmph, what else could I do?"
Mu Xi rolled her eyes at him irritably.
Suddenly, as if she had noticed something, her beautiful eyes widened. "Wait... Xi'er? Xu Yue, you've gotten bold. You don't even dare call me Sister anymore!"
Mu Xi suddenly opened her rosy lips and bent down to bite him, as though she wanted to vent all the little grievances she had accumulated over the years.
"I'll bite you to death!"
"Hiss! Xi'er... Sister Mu Xi... easy! If you keep this up, don't blame me for fighting back!"
"Wait, A-Yue, you... mmph..."
After encountering Tang Wulin once at the Blacksmith Association Building, Xu Yue did not run into him again.
Even though all of First Grade attended classes in the same teaching building, the chances of meeting by coincidence were not high unless one deliberately looked for the other.
Two months passed in a flash.
Xu Yue once again settled into his established training routine.
Inside the Class One classroom.
As the final class ended, Ye Yingluo remained standing on the podium instead of leaving immediately.
"Students, the Class Promotion Tournament has officially begun."
"However, today's match will be Class Five challenging Class Four. If any of you are interested, you may go watch."
"Of course, your teacher has seen all your efforts. I believe that in this Class Promotion Tournament, you will certainly achieve good results and bring honor to the class!"
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