Ling Luochen's Change, A Tacit Partnership

"However!" Dai Huabin changed the subject.

"I need to make one thing clear first. The Ultimate Ice isn't something I can give to just anyone. It's about finding it that resonates with you. Opportunity, opportunity, fate is crucial."

That's not the case, of course, but Dai Huabin couldn't possibly give a reply so quickly.

Ling Luochen's expression changed slightly, and his tone carried a hint of anticipation:

"So..."

Therefore, I cannot promise you anything.

Dai Huabin spoke frankly, "But I can tell you, senior, that if a suitable opportunity arises in the future, I will not exclude you."

Ling Luochen lowered his head and thought for a while.

"That's enough," she said softly.

Dai Huabin looked at Ling Luochen with some surprise.

I don't need you to make any promises to me now.

Ling Luochen raised his head again, reverting to his usual aloof demeanor.

"All I need to know is that you haven't turned me away. The rest... I'll prove with time."

Looking at her, Dai Huabin suddenly realized that this woman was smarter than he had imagined.

Be neither hasty nor impatient, neither humble nor arrogant.

This showed their stance without pushing themselves into a corner.

He gave Dai Huabin face, but also left himself a way out.

"Okay." Dai Huabin nodded. "That's settled then, senior. It's getting late, I should head back now."

Ling Luochen hummed in agreement.

Dai Huabin turned and took a few steps when he heard Ling Luochen's voice behind him.

"Huabin."

"Um?"

"Thank you for not giving me a perfunctory answer."

Dai Huabin didn't turn around, waved his hand, and continued walking forward.

Ling Luochen stood under the streetlight, watching his figure disappear into the night, and let out a long breath.

Her heartbeat has only now gradually returned to normal.

The conversation just now seemed calm on the surface, but Ling Luochen's back was already soaked with cold sweat. She took a gamble, betting that Dai Huabin wasn't the kind of hypocrite who put on a righteous facade.

At least we won the bet.

It was almost 11 o'clock when Dai Huabin returned to his dormitory in the Outer Academy.

She pushed open the door; the lights were still on. Zhu Lu sat on the bed waiting for Dai Huabin. Hearing the door open, she looked up.

"You're back?"

"Hmm." Dai Huabin changed his shoes and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed.

Zhu Lu closed the book and put it aside, then leaned closer and rested her head on his shoulder.

"How's the suppression of the Evil Fire going?"

"Not bad, I absorbed quite a lot today, so I won't need to suppress it for a while."

Zhu Lu nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Dai Huabin spoke up, "I ran into Ling Luochen on my way back."

"Oh," Zhu Lu responded, without any particular reaction.

"She expressed her feelings to me."

Zhu Lu paused for a moment, then resumed her normal movements.

What stance are we expressing?

Dai Huabin roughly recounted the conversation. After listening, Zhu Lu remained silent for a few seconds, then let out a soft hum.

"She's quite shrewd."

Dai Huabin laughed, "You're not happy?"

"No," Zhu Lu's voice was muffled. "It's your decision. I've said it before, as long as you have me in your heart, that's enough."

Dai Huabin reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him.

"Don't worry, no one can replace you."

Zhu Lu didn't say anything, but she snuggled closer to him, finding a comfortable position to settle down.

A short while later, Zhu Lu suddenly raised her head and looked intently at Dai Huabin:

"So, do you think she's pretty?"

"It looks pretty good." Dai Huabin didn't say it directly.

Zhu Lu stared at him for two seconds, then buried her face back in his chest and muttered, "Hmph, men."

Dai Huabin chuckled but didn't reply.

That night, the two slept in each other's arms.

Early the next morning.

Inner Academy Soul Fighting Arena, daily joint training.

When Dai Huabin arrived, the Main Team players were already warming up.

Ma Xiaotao was in much better condition today; her complexion was rosy, and her movements were brisk. The effect of suppressing the Evil Fire was immediately apparent.

Seeing Dai Huabin come in, Ma Xiaotao gave him a thumbs up from afar.

Dai Yueheng was stretching nearby. He glanced at the interaction, frowned, and said nothing.

Zhu Lu followed behind Dai Huabin, while Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Ning Tian were also beside Dai Huabin.

"Is everyone here?" Du Weilun stood on the sidelines, holding today's training schedule in his hand.

"Where's Xue Qingyao?" Ma Xiaotao looked around.

"She's not coming today," Dai Huabin answered for Snow Empress.

Ma Xiaotao simply said "oh" and didn't ask any further questions.

Whether Xue Qingyao comes to training or not has always been decided by Dai Huabin, something everyone is used to.

The main reason is that Xue Qingyao's strength is simply too great; training cannot fully demonstrate her power.

Du Weilun announced today's training schedule: the Main Team and Reserve Team will be mixed and matched, with the original lineups disrupted and reassembled. The aim is to allow members of both teams to familiarize themselves with each other's fighting styles and prepare for the major competition.

When the teams were divided, Ling Luochen was assigned to Dai Huabin's side.

She walked over and stood beside Dai Huabin, expressionless, a stark contrast to the woman who confessed her love under the streetlight last night.

Dai Huabin glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, but Ling Luochen didn't look at him; she simply waited quietly for the training to begin.

Cui Yajie leaned close to Zhu Lu's ear and whispered something:

"Why does it seem like Ling Luochen is standing much closer today than she was yesterday?"

Zhu Lu said expressionlessly, "You've misunderstood."

Cui Yajie raised an eyebrow and wisely kept quiet.

Training has officially begun.

In the first round of the mixed team competition, Dai Huabin's team consisted of himself, Zhu Lu, Ling Luochen, and Ning Tian. Their opponents were Dai Yueheng, Ma Xiaotao, Wang Dong'er, and Xiao Xiao.

Four against four, a game that combines offense and defense.

At Du Weilun's command, both sides moved simultaneously.

Ma Xiaotao took the initiative, releasing her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul and activating her second Soul Skill, Bathing Fire Phoenix. She was enveloped in flames and charged straight at Dai Huabin.

Dai Huabin did not retreat. He activated the Ice Soul White Tiger, instantly maxing out his third Soul Skill, White Tiger Vajra Transformation.

But just as Ma Xiaotao was halfway there, the air beside her suddenly froze.

A halo of ice-blue light rose from the ground, cutting off Ma Xiaotao's path.

It's Ling Luochen.

Third Soul Skill: Ice Prison.

Ma Xiaotao was forced to change direction, and the flames collided with the ice prison, emitting a piercing screech.

Although Ling Luochen's ice-type Soul Skill couldn't truly trap Ma Xiaotao, who was at level 67, this slight delay was enough for Dai Huabin to complete his charge.

Dai Huabin and Ling Luochen exchanged a glance.

They worked well together.

Ling Luochen nodded slightly, then released his fourth Soul Skill, Ice Mist Ghost Chill, enveloping the battlefield in a white mist.

This was the first time she had actively coordinated with Dai Huabin's rhythm during training.

Zhu Lu roamed the flanks at high speed, while the afterimages of the Ice Shadow Spirit Cat weaved through the mist. Ning Tian steadily unleashed a triple boost from the rear: Strength, Speed, and Soul, enveloping Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu in a radiant glow.

On the other side, Wang Dong'er unfolded the wings of the Light Goddess Butterfly and took to the air, attempting to survey the situation in the fog from above.

Xiao Xiao's Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron hovered in front of her, ready to defend at any moment.

Dai Yueheng immediately activated the White Tiger Vajra Transformation, forced his way through the icy mist, and charged towards Dai Huabin.

The two met in the icy fog.

Dai Yueheng unleashed a punch, and the White Tiger Intense Light Wave tore through the ice mist.

Dai Huabin dodged to the side, gathering the power of ice in his right hand, and struck Dai Yueheng's shoulder armor with a palm.

The chill of the Ultimate Ice instantly penetrated, and Dai Yueheng's right shoulder muscles stiffened for a moment.

"Here we go again!" Dai Yueheng roared, unleashing his Soul Power to force back the chill.

But in that instant of opening, an icy blue chain shot out from the mist and precisely wrapped around Dai Yueheng's right ankle.

Ling Luochen's First Soul Skill is the extended control of the Ice Staff.

Dai Yueheng paused, and Dai Huabin's second strike had already arrived.

This time, Dai Huabin didn't use his full strength; he only pushed Dai Yueheng three steps away.

It's just training; we'll stop here.

But this scene had a different meaning in everyone's eyes.

Ling Luochen's cooperation was precise, timely, and seamless.

Ma Xiaotao broke free from the flames, glanced at the battlefield situation, and raised an eyebrow.

Interesting.

How come Ling Luochen, who barely interacted with Dai Huabin yesterday, is suddenly cooperating so well today?

Ma Xiaotao glanced in Ling Luochen's direction, then looked at Zhu Lu.

Zhu Lu's expression remained indifferent as always, revealing no emotion.

But Ma Xiaotao always felt there was more to the story.