Inside the training room.
Everyone fell silent after Hu Jia's words.
Their gazes kept shifting back and forth between Hu Jia and Xiao Xun'er.
Some of the girls even imagined what it would be like if Hu Jia and Xiao Xun'er got together.
Two peerless beauties together—just imagine how wonderful that would be to look at.
Xiao Ze chopped the black-haired girl on the head, making her clutch it and cry out.
"Even when we're sparring, we try to make it as realistic as possible. Losing focus in battle could cost you your life!"
"Yes, Xiao Ze!"
The black-haired girl quickly answered, but hesitated for a moment before asking, looking a little concerned,
"Aren't you going to check on Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Ze?"
"It's a small matter. Xun Er can handle it herself!"
Seeing how curious the black-haired girl was, Xiao Ze frowned slightly and struck straight at her unguarded opening!
The girl hurriedly crossed her arms over her chest to protect herself.
Thump!
The black-haired girl stumbled backward, unable to resist rubbing her chest.
It was already so flat—could that blow have caved it in?!
Tears glimmered in the corners of her eyes as she glared at Xiao Ze, both embarrassed and angry.
"My strike just now was much slower than the ones before. If you hadn't been distracted, you could definitely have dodged it instead of taking it head-on!"
Xiao Ze ignored the tears in her eyes and explained in an even tone.
"Fights outside the academy won't be this peaceful and orderly. Enemies will often stop at nothing!"
"As a girl, you have more things to worry about, and enemies will take advantage of that!"
"What you need to do is stay more alert and learn to adapt, not shed tears in battle and beg your enemy for mercy."
After Xiao Ze's reprimand, the black-haired girl pursed her lips, wiped her tears, and charged at him again.
The fight here was thrilling, but the next development between the two beauties on the other side was just as captivating.
The other students were left torn. Which side should they watch?
Some chose to focus on Xiao Ze's sparring match, since it might well be his last one with the class!
But most of the students chose to watch what would happen between the two beauties.
Would they defy worldly conventions and become a couple?
Or would one of them be coldly rejected by the other?
Those possibilities held most of the students' attention.
After her brief astonishment, Xiao Xun'er had regained her composure and was smiling lightly.
"We haven't met before, have we? May I ask who you are?"
"My name is Hu Jia. I'm also a new student this year."
Hu Jia kept chewing on the flower as she spoke indistinctly.
In fact, Hu Jia's grandfather hadn't planned to let her enroll this year.
Because of her talent and her grandfather's considerable influence as the Vice Dean, some people at Jia Nan Academy had taken an interest in Hu Jia.
In a small circle, a name that wouldn't catch on until the future had even begun to spread: the Little Enchantress.
Hu Jia's grandfather was the Vice Dean of the Outer Academy, so she was free to roam around Jia Nan Academy.
During the earlier class rankings, the Little Enchantress Hu Jia had unexpectedly seen Xiao Xun'er and been struck by her beauty at first sight. She'd fallen in love at once.
To make it easier to get close to Xiao Xun'er, Hu Jia had pestered her grandfather until he agreed to let her enroll this year!
In the end, Hu Gan had been so worn down by Hu Jia's pestering that he let her enroll.
It didn't actually break the rules. Hu Jia's strength met Jia Nan Academy's admission requirements.
Aside from the regular admissions period, some people also traveled thousands of miles to bring their children to Jia Nan Academy.
As long as they met the requirements, Jia Nan Academy would let them enroll.
Xiao Xun'er carefully searched her memories, but she really had no information about Hu Jia.
The title of Little Enchantress had only spread in a small circle, after all.
Besides, after enrolling, Xiao Xun'er had spent time with Xiao Ze training in the back mountains, except for the beginning.
She had barely interacted with students in her year.
"Hu Jia, never mind whether I like girls or how long we've known each other. I only want to ask you one question."
Xiao Xun'er tapped her chin with a jade finger, the corners of her mouth lifting in a mischievous smile.
Hu Jia still hadn't realized how serious the question was. She quickly said, "Go ahead and ask, Xun Er!"
"On the Dou Qi Continent, strength comes first. Would you consider being with someone weaker than you?"
As Xiao Xun'er spoke, she held out her palm between them, blocking the view of the others.
A faint veil of Dou Qi gathered in her palm.
Hu Jia's eyes widened. Having grown up at Jia Nan Academy, she was fairly knowledgeable.
Of course she recognized the mark of a Dou Master: Dou Qi made visible as a veil!
Xiao Xun'er, who was about her age, had actually become a Dou Master!
Hu Jia's mouth fell open, and she didn't even notice the flower slip from between her teeth.
This time, Hu Jia was the one who stood stunned for a moment before coming back to her senses.
Putting herself in Xiao Xun'er's shoes, she imagined some boy coming after her despite being weaker than her!
Hu Jia knew she would turn him down without hesitation—and might even beat him up.
"I-I understand. I'll work hard to catch up to you! Just you wait, Xun Er!"
Hu Jia turned and ran out of the training room.
Xiao Xun'er picked up the flower from the floor and put it in her Storage Ring. The flower seemed rather rare.
At last, she understood the pleasure of being a whole level ahead in cultivation.
Following Xiao Ze had completely robbed Xun Er of that pleasure.
Her talent was clearly outstanding, but she still never got to experience that feeling.
Of course, Xiao Xun'er had other considerations too.
Turning Hu Jia down for this reason would put a stop to her pursuit as effectively as possible.
If she used either of the two reasons she'd mentioned earlier, Hu Jia might keep bothering her.
If she said she didn't like girls, Hu Jia would try every possible way to change her mind. Just thinking about it seemed like endless trouble.
And a short acquaintance would be even less of an obstacle for Hu Jia. She might start following Xiao Xun'er around every day.
But if Xiao Xun'er used the gap in their cultivation as her reason for refusing,
she could not only put an end to Hu Jia's harassment but also spur her to cultivate even harder.
Xiao Xun'er thought she had handled the matter beautifully.
As for whether Hu Jia could really catch up with her cultivation?
The moment the thought crossed her mind, Xiao Xun'er couldn't help laughing to herself.
Xiao Ze struck straight at the black-haired girl's chest once more!
This time, she didn't take the blow head-on. She dodged in advance and immediately countered.
Xiao Ze easily defused her move and sent the black-haired girl staggering back.
"All right, that's enough sparring for today."
The black-haired girl was reluctant to stop, but she still sincerely thanked Xiao Ze.
"Thank you for your guidance, Xiao Ze!"
Xiao Ze waved his hand to show that she needn't be so formal.
Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian were already waiting nearby. The other students watched as the three of them left.
Xiao Ze had been fighting, but he'd also seen how Xiao Xun'er handled things.
Refusing Hu Jia for that reason had struck him as novel.
They hadn't gone far when Instructor Ruolin hurried after them.
"Wait a moment, you three. Since you happened to come to class today, I might as well tell you about the Monster Hunting Tournament."
Ruolin stopped and looked over the three of them, speaking with some exasperation. "That way, I won't have to go looking for you again later."
Xiao Ze stopped, looking puzzled. "The Monster Hunting Tournament?"
Before you continue