Farewell, Notting Academy

Lin Yuan looked at her like this and secretly shook his head.

He turned to gaze at the scattered lights of Nuoding City. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "My condition is simple: while encouraging and keeping an eye on Lin Yi, protect yourself as well."

Xiao Wu was slightly stunned, clearly not expecting such a condition.

She was somewhat happy that Lin Yuan had considered her so thoughtfully, so she nodded with a smile. "Please rest assured, Senior. I will."

Yet Lin Yuan ignored her and continued on his own, "I don't want Lin Yi to be dragged into unnecessary danger because of you."

"After all, your identity is special. Even with a Breath-Hiding Stone, there's no guarantee it will be foolproof."

He paused, a trace of complexity flashing through his eyes. "If one day your existence truly threatens Lin Yi's life, I hope you will leave of your own accord."

His final words were calm, but they made Xiao Wu's heart tremble despite her previously good mood.

But she quickly came to understand.

She understood Lin Yuan's good intentions. As a father, he had to prioritize his son's safety.

"I... understand." Xiao Wu lowered her head, her voice a little tight. "If that day truly comes, I'll leave."

Lin Yuan nodded, his tone softening somewhat. "Of course, I hope that day never comes."

As he spoke, he turned toward the dormitory. "I won't interfere too much in you young people's affairs."

"You should head back as well. Remember, don't tell Lin Yi about tonight."

As his words fell, he raised a hand and gave it a light wave.

Xiao Wu only felt her vision blur. When she came back to herself, she found that she had already returned to the Work-Study Student Dormitory.

On the bed opposite hers, Lin Yi was still sleeping soundly, his breathing even. He clearly had no awareness of anything that had just happened.

Xiao Wu lowered her head and looked at the jade box in her hand. The Breath-Hiding Stone glimmered faintly in the darkness, proving that what had just happened was real.

She took a deep breath, removed the Breath-Hiding Stone, and wore it close to her body.

A cool aura instantly spread through her entire body. She could feel the aura belonging to a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast swiftly being restrained and fading away until it vanished completely.

Now, even if she stood before a Title Douluo, she would only be regarded as an ordinary human Soul Master with decent talent.

"Lin Yi..." Xiao Wu looked at the boy on the opposite bed, her gaze complicated.

Five years ago, she had merely wanted to obtain information from him and change the fate of her sacrifice.

Five years later, without realizing it, she had truly come to regard him as a friend, as someone... important.

And now, she had to take on the responsibility of encouraging him, protecting him, and even leaving him if necessary?

Was all of this really right?

Xiao Wu did not know.

She only knew that from the moment she put on the Breath-Hiding Stone, her fate had become tightly bound to Lin Yi's.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the dormitory through the window.

Lin Yi woke up on schedule and stretched lazily.

Another new day.

Today, I'm leaving Notting Academy. Time really flies.

He sat up and glanced at the bed opposite his.

Xiao Wu was already awake and sitting by the bed, organizing her luggage.

"Morning." Lin Yi greeted her.

"Morning." Xiao Wu looked up with a smile. "I've packed everything. We can set off after breakfast."

Lin Yi nodded and began packing his things as well.

There was not much to pack, really: a few changes of clothes, some dry rations, and the dozen or so Gold Soul Coins he had saved over the years, most of which Xiao Wu had forcibly stuffed into his hands.

After washing up, the two went to the cafeteria for their final breakfast at Notting Academy.

When they left the cafeteria, Director Su, Teacher Li, and the others were waiting at the entrance.

"Lin Yi, Xiao Wu." Director Su walked over and patted Lin Yi's shoulder. "You're leaving?"

"Mm." Lin Yi nodded. "Thank you for taking care of us all these years, Teachers."

He meant it sincerely.

Although he did not know why the teachers had treated him with particular care, he had lived rather comfortably at Notting Academy these past years.

"What are you being so polite for?" Teacher Li smiled, took an ordinary Soul Tool from his robes, and stuffed it into Lin Yi's hand. "This is from the academy. There are twenty Gold Soul Coins and some travel necessities inside. It isn't much, but it's a small token of our regard."

Lin Yi looked at the Soul Tool in his hand, somewhat bewildered.

That much? I don't think Tang San even got this kind of treatment.

Since when was the academy this generous?

Though confused inside, he still politely thanked him. "Thank you, Teacher Li."

"Be careful on the road." Director Su seemed to want to say something, but ultimately only waved his hand. "Go on. I wish you both a bright future."

Lin Yi and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance, gave the two teachers a deep bow, then turned and left.

As they walked out through the academy gates, Lin Yi looked back once.

The plaque of Notting Academy glowed faintly in the morning light. The teaching buildings, training grounds, dormitory area... every place held memories of his childhood.

Farewell, Notting Academy.

He silently said it to himself, then walked forward without looking back.

Xiao Wu followed beside him. She did not look back either, though she occasionally stole glances at him.

To Xiao Wu, Notting Academy had merely been a stop along the journey. What truly mattered was the person at her side.

At that moment, she both looked forward to the road ahead and faintly worried about the possible situations Lin Yuan had mentioned.

Lin Yi noticed Xiao Wu's gaze, turned toward her, and asked with a smile, "Xiao Wu, why do you keep staring at me? Is there a flower on my face?"

This Little Rabbit has been acting strangely since this morning.

Could spring be here already, and it's time to... Ahem. Though I admit I'm a little handsome.

But forget it. She's a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. My tastes aren't that heavy...

Hearing his Heart Voice, Xiao Wu could not help rolling her eyes.

Give me a break. A hundred thousand years is just my cultivation, okay? Whether as a Soul Beast or after taking human form, I'm still a pure, unmarried young lady.

She gave a light cough to hide her inner complaints and said with feigned composure, "Who was staring at you? You narcissist. I was only thinking about where we should go next."

That's good, that's good. You scared the hell out of me.

But speaking of where to go next...

Of course, I should send you back to the Star Dou Forest first. It's out of the way, but it's not like we can't make a detour...

Lin Yi rubbed his chin and put on a thoughtful expression. "Hm... We might pass through the Star Dou Forest on the way to Heaven Dou City. Where should we go first? Besides, you're nearly level thirty, so we can look for a suitable Soul Ring while we're there."

Xiao Wu did not react too strongly upon hearing that.

After all, it was not as if Lin Yi had only been talking about ditching her for a day or two.

But before, she would have been a little worried.

Now, however, she would not give Lin Yi that opportunity.

Still, if you want to take a detour to the Star Dou Forest, then go ahead. I'll play along with you.

Thinking this, she pretended to be innocent and said, "The Star Dou Forest... I've never been there. I heard there are lots of powerful Soul Beasts there. Is it dangerous?"

Never been there? Isn't that where you live?

Tsk, tsk. If I didn't know better, I really would've believed that expression.

But if we're talking dangerous, nothing is more dangerous than having you beside me.

Lin Yi grumbled inwardly, but outwardly he said seriously, "Of course it's dangerous, but with your strength, you should be fine as long as you don't enter the core region."