Xuan Zi Unbanned, Wang Dong's Hesitation

Seeing Xuan Zi's reaction, Mu En sighed once more.

He felt as if he had contracted some sort of illness; his heart grew weary the moment he laid eyes on Xuan Zi.

When on earth will I finally be able to retire...

"That's enough. You've been confined for months now. If you have nothing else to do, go out and wander around."

Mu En waved his hand, signaling for the other to leave.

Rather than letting him continue to cause trouble here, it was better to lift the confinement order.

He truly did not want to say another word to Xuan Zi.

Xuan Zi's eyes widened abruptly. The dissatisfaction he had been nursing vanished the moment he heard his confinement was lifted, his aged face blooming like a chrysanthemum.

Finally, I can go find something good to eat... I was about to be stifled to death!

Humming a little tune and saying nothing more, he turned and walked toward the door.

As Xuan Zi passed by Zhang Lexuan, his footsteps faltered.

"Lexuan, how are your injuries?"

"They are no longer an issue," Zhang Lexuan replied indifferently.

"That's good. Your eighth ring is already a hundred-thousand-year one; the future of the Sea God Pavilion rests on you." Xuan Zi patted Zhang Lexuan on the shoulder with his greasy palm and smiled.

With that, he walked out the door.

Watching his retreating figure, a trace of coldness flashed through Zhang Lexuan's eyes.

Why... how can Elder Xuan still smile?

Are those junior students really worth less than a single hundred-thousand-year soul ring?

Just then, her gaze fixed on Xuan Zi's back was suddenly interrupted by Long Yaochen's flawless, handsome face.

He seemed to have blocked Zhang Lexuan's line of sight on purpose, flashing her a wide grin.

In an instant, the emotions rising in Zhang Lexuan's heart dissipated significantly.

"Teacher, Elder Mu. You two continue your chat; if there's nothing else, we'll be heading off." Long Yaochen withdrew his gaze from Zhang Lexuan and spoke up.

"Hmph, I have nothing to discuss with this old thing." Long Xiaoyao let out a cold snort, flicked his sleeves, and walked toward the door without looking back. "I knew it—once you brat have a wife, you'd forget your teacher. This old man is leaving."

As soon as the words fell, Long Xiaoyao's figure vanished from the entrance of the Sea God Pavilion.

This trip to the Far North had finally put his mind at ease.

At the very least, the plan that brat proposed was feasible. Even if life and death were uncertain, it was still better than a ten-percent chance of survival.

Now, he could accompany Xishui in peace.

It was just that...

Those disgusting things under her command seemed to be getting restless again lately.

Dormitory 108.

The twilight sun had already set, leaving the room in dim darkness.

Wang Dong hadn't turned on the lights; she sat alone on her bed, head bowed, lost in thought.

"Honestly... leaving without even telling me. I knew that sudden cultivation of yours was never a good sign." Wang Dong grumbled with dissatisfaction.

It had been eight full days.

If she hadn't asked Senior Sister, she wouldn't have even known that guy had left the school!

"You jerk, do you even have me—your roommate—in your eyes?" Wang Dong gritted her teeth, though her voice deflated by the end of the sentence.

She was tired. She really didn't want to keep pretending anymore.

Should I just switch back to my female form?

No—

At least finish out this semester.

Wang Dong didn't want to admit that her disguise had failed so soon.

Just then, the door creaked.

"Yo, long time no see!" Long Yaochen squinted his eyes and greeted Wang Dong.

Seeing that familiar figure, Wang Dong was stunned for a moment.

Then, she abruptly stood up and rushed in front of Long Yaochen.

"Yo your head!" Wang Dong stood on her tiptoes and grabbed Long Yaochen by the collar. "You jerk! You left without even telling me!"

Long Yaochen raised an eyebrow. "So concerned about me?"

"Who's concerned about you? I was just afraid..." Wang Dong glared at Long Yaochen, but as she spoke, a pair of warm hands suddenly covered her own, causing her to pause.

With a faint smile on his lips, Long Yaochen pressed down on the hand clutching his collar and said, "I just saw how hard you were cultivating and was afraid of disturbing you."

Wang Dong quickly pulled her hand back, feeling her ears grow hot. "You—what are you doing! I'm telling you, I'm not into guys."

"I know you aren't, of course." Long Yaochen looked at Wang Dong with a smirk.

Wang Dong felt his gaze was simply too scorching.

Does he know I'm... Should I just come clean?

She opened her mouth, bracing herself to speak, but was interrupted by Long Yaochen first.

"I've been out for so many days, I'm exhausted. I'm starving, Little Dongzi, hurry up and go get me some food."

As he spoke, Long Yaochen flopped face-first onto his bed.

Huh?

Why does it smell like Wang Dong?

"What?" Wang Dong froze, unable to believe what she had just heard.

"What? Haven't seen you in a few days and you've gone deaf?" Long Yaochen shot her a look of disdain before continuing with his infuriating remarks: "I can't get you any special subsidies, so if you don't want to go, I'll just use 'that' to make you go."

"You bastard!"

Wang Dong stomped her foot hard and turned to leave the dormitory without looking back.

She had finally realized that any concern for this jerk was completely wasted!

Still, it was good that he was back...

Half an hour later.

"Did you leave that night?" Wang Dong watched Long Yaochen devouring his meal and couldn't help but ask.

"Of course." Long Yaochen said without a blush or a skip in his heartbeat.

He had indeed left the dormitory that night, though he had just crashed at Ma Xiaotao's place for the night.

Wang Dong nodded and said nothing more. She watched Long Yaochen's profile, her eyes gradually losing focus.

Should I invite this jerk to the Clear Sky Sect during the break?

No! Absolutely not!

With the way Big Uncle and Second Uncle are...

Wang Dong was startled by the thought that had suddenly popped into her head.

Seriously, I'm so pathetic. It's only been how long?

Even if this guy is a bit handsome and a bit strong, that doesn't mean—

It must be that Mark of Sun Chasing thing this bastard used!

Thinking of this, Wang Dong snuck a few more glances at Long Yaochen.

"What are you being so shifty for?" Long Yaochen put down his chopsticks and turned his head.

Wang Dong: "..."

"I haven't done any automatic cultivation in a long time. Let me use that messy technique of yours tonight." Wang Dong crossed her arms and turned her head away.

"Is that the attitude you use when asking for a favor?" Long Yaochen pinched Wang Dong's delicate, flawless cheek.

"Mmph... what else? You want this young master to beg you?" Wang Dong said, her words muffled.

"Heh, haven't seen you in a few days and you've gotten quite arrogant. Take this!" Long Yaochen suddenly reached out to tickle Wang Dong's waist, intending to teach her a lesson.

"Hahahaha, what are you doing! Hahahaha, you bastard!" Wang Dong laughed while cursing him.

"Hmm? Still not convinced?" Long Yaochen immediately increased his efforts.

"Hahahaha, I give up, I give up! I was wrong!"

Dormitory 108 was instantly plunged into a sea of laughter.

But neither of them noticed that a faint trident mark on Wang Dong's forehead was flickering in and out of existence.