Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao walked over quickly, their bright eyes darting between the teacher and the teaching assistant before finally settling on the pink crystal earrings on Han Ruoruo's ears.
A mischievous glint flashed in Wang Dong's eyes, while Xiao Xiao stood obediently to the side, though the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.
Han Ruoruo's blush hadn't faded, but she had already regained her gentle and teacherly demeanor, and said softly, " Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, you've come too."
Lin Ciyan remained expressionless. "We just happened to run into each other."
He looked at Han Ruoruo: " Ruoruo, two students need to see me. Perhaps you could go ahead and..."
Han Ruoruo nodded understandingly. "You guys chat, I'll go take a look over there."
As she turned, her long purple dress swayed gently, her elegant figure receding into the distance, and the shimmering pink crystals by her ears gradually faded into the exhibition area's lights.
"Teacher..." Wang Dong immediately leaned forward, her voice carrying a coquettish tone that she herself was unaware of.
"What's your decision? Our idea of the two of us becoming disciples!"
Xiao Xiao also looked at Lin Ciyan expectantly.
Lin Ciyan raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "Didn't I remember saying later that you would only accept one disciple?"
" Xiao Xiao also wants to become your disciple!" Wang Dong said urgently, his pinkish-blue eyes blinking rapidly.
"She idolizes you! And we're a team, it's great to learn together!"
Xiao Xiao nodded vigorously, her delicate face full of seriousness. " Teaching Assistant Lin, the ' Slacker Cultivation Method ' you taught is really effective! My Soul Power has increased by 30% faster this past month!"
[Ding! Detected that the cultivation philosophy developed by the host has been genuinely recognized and practiced by the students. Your Slacking Value +800!]
Lin Ciyan was secretly pleased, but his face remained languid. "Alright. Since you're all working so 'hard'..."
He deliberately emphasized the word "effort," with a hint of amusement.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao's eyes lit up at the same time.
"However," Lin Ciyan changed the subject.
"Since you're going to become my apprentice, as your teacher, I should at least offer some token of my appreciation."
He raised his hand, and the waiter immediately and respectfully brought over two exquisite wooden boxes.
"I was just browsing around and happened to see some things that might suit you," Lin Ciyan said casually.
The first wooden box was opened, inside lay a piece of warm, lustrous jade with a pure green color, and a spirit jade that shimmered with a faint silver light.
" Ten-Thousand-Year Soul-Warming Jade, Void Spirit Jade." Lin Ciyan looked at Xiao Xiao.
"You're in control; Twin Martial Souls puts a heavy strain on your mental energy."
"These two items, one nourishes the soul and increases the speed of mental energy concentration, and the other enhances the precision of Mental Control. Using them together will yield even better results."
Xiao Xiao was stunned, her mouth slightly agape. "This... this is too precious..."
"This is a gift for your apprenticeship." Lin Ciyan stuffed the wooden box into her hands. "Consider it my investment in you."
Xiao Xiao held the wooden box, her eyes a little red.
Her family was of modest means, and her mother was in poor health; when had she ever seen a treasure of this caliber?
Wang Dong stared longingly at the second wooden box.
Lin Ciyan the box, and a fist-sized golden crystal lay quietly on the velvet cushion, its surface radiating a pure aura of light, as if liquid golden light was slowly rotating inside.
" Light Dragon Crystal," Lin Ciyan, looking at Wang Dong.
"It can purify the Light attribute, which has a remarkable effect on your Light Goddess Butterfly Martial Soul. Wearing it for a long time might even improve the quality of your Martial Soul."
Wang Dong took the wooden box, and the moment his fingertips touched the crystal, his whole body trembled.
She felt her Martial Soul resonating with it.
"Thank you, teacher!" Wang Dong's voice trembled with excitement.
Lin Ciyan waved his hand. "Now that you've taken on a disciple, you should act like a master."
His gaze swept across the exhibition area. "Let's see if there's anything else we need. The teacher's paying today."
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao exchanged a glance, both seeing excitement in each other's eyes.
The three of them began to wander around the exhibition area.
Lin Ciyan was indeed wealthy and powerful; he would buy almost anything that Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao even glanced at.
A " Jade Bone Grass " that can enhance bone resilience?
purchase!
A bottle of " Essence-Congealing Dew " to aid in Soul Power compression?
purchase!
Even a " Crimson Flame Stone " that could slightly increase fire resistance was simply glanced at by Xiao Xiao, and Lin Ciyan immediately had the waiter wrap it up.
"Teacher, this is too..." Xiao Xiao said uncomfortably.
Lin Ciyan said casually, "It's just sitting there anyway. You're weak right now, so it's always good to prepare more."
[Ding! The host spent lavishly on his disciple with a nonchalant attitude of 'too lazy to explain,' gaining +1500 Slacking Value '! 'Master image' stability improved!]
Wang Dong then completely let loose, pulling Xiao Xiao around in front of various display cases, occasionally turning back to ask Lin Ciyan for his opinion.
Lin Ciyan followed lazily behind, occasionally nodding or shaking his head, but his eyes remained gentle.
As they wandered deeper into the exhibition area, they encountered Jiang Nannan.
Jiang Nannan was wearing a simple white dress today, which perfectly accentuated her graceful figure. Her long hair was draped over her shoulders, making her look beautiful and charming.
Jiang Nannan was slightly taken aback when she saw Lin Ciyan with Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao.
" Teaching Assistant Lin." Jiang Nannan nodded politely.
Her gaze swept between Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, lingering especially on Wang Dong's face, which was even more delicate than a girl's.
Lin Ciyan nodded. "Let's broaden their horizons."
Jiang Nannan glanced at the wooden boxes Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were holding, then at Lin Ciyan's "buy whatever you want" attitude, a complex look flashing in her eyes. "Junior Xiao Xiao, Teaching Assistant Lin is so good to you!"
Xiao Xiao nodded shyly.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Jiang Nannan left.
The girl sighed softly as she left, her mind completely blank.
He's so kind to his students. Why did he help me before...?
Her figure disappeared around the corner of the exhibition area.
Lin Ciyan withdrew his gaze and continued to accompany Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao on their stroll.
As he passed a display case, his gaze suddenly stopped.
The display case contained three items: a piece of " Spirit-Nourishing Wood " that could nourish the spiritual sea, a bottle of " Soul-Cleansing Dew " that was said to enhance the purity of spiritual power, and an ancient notebook that recorded techniques for using spiritual power.
All three items were quite expensive, costing over two million Gold Soul Coin in total.
Moreover, they were placed in the same display case, like a specially assembled set.
A thoughtful look flashed in Lin Ciyan's eyes.
"Teacher, are you interested in this?" Wang Dong asked curiously.
Lin Ciyan shook his head. "I don't need it."
He already knew the answer in his heart...
This must have been specially arranged by Qian Duoduo for Huo Yuhao from the Soul Guidance Department.
After all, Huo Yuhao is currently focusing on Soul Tool, and his mental strength is his greatest advantage.
These three things can perfectly amplify his advantage.
"They really put a lot of thought into it," Lin Ciyan thought to himself.
This is normal, though. Even without Second Martial Soul, Huo Yuhao's talent with his Soul Tool makes it only natural for the academy to invest resources in him.
"Let's go," Lin Ciyan, pulling himself out of his thoughts. "Is there anything else you'd like to see?"
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao shook their heads at the same time.
They had already bought so much today that they felt embarrassed to buy anything more.
"Then let's go back." Lin Ciyan turned around and led his two young apprentices toward the stairs.
Wang Dong carried the wooden box containing the Light Dragon Crystal with light steps, his short, light blue hair shimmering under the lamplight.
Xiao Xiao carefully held her two wooden boxes, as if they were the most precious treasures in the world.
The three of them went downstairs and walked through the golden hall.
The girls in gold dresses on both sides bowed again.
This time, both Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were much more at ease.
Stepping out of the Treasure Appreciation Pavilion, a cool night breeze was blowing.
The streets of Shrek City remained brightly lit and bustling with people.
"Teacher," Wang Dong suddenly spoke, his voice unusually earnest, "I will definitely work hard and live up to your expectations."
Xiao Xiao nodded vigorously.
Lin Ciyan smiled as he looked at his two young apprentices' earnest expressions.
"No need to be so serious." He reached out and ruffled Wang Dong's hair, then patted Xiao Xiao's shoulder.
"When it comes to cultivation, the most important thing is to be happy."
"Remember what I taught you... Relaxation Domain, but don't let your guard down."
Wang Dong felt the warm touch coming from above his head, and his heart inexplicably quickened.
She quietly looked up at Lin Ciyan's profile.
Under the moonlight, his handsome face wore a lazy smile, but his eyes were as deep as the starry sky.
"Yes!" Wang Dong responded forcefully.
Xiao Xiao smiled as well.
The three walked side by side toward the Shrek Academy.
The moonlight cast long shadows on them.
On the second floor of the Treasure Appreciation Pavilion, next to the display case showcasing the mental power set, a figure quietly appeared.
It was none other than Elder Lin, who had appeared behind the counter earlier.
She looked in the direction Lin Ciyan and the other two had left, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.
"This little guy... he's really willing to give up his student... now that he's his apprentice."
She muttered to herself, then shook her head and chuckled softly.
"Fine, once he becomes a disciple, we're all family here at the academy. He can spend it however he wants."
The figure slowly disappeared into the shadows, as if it had never been there.