Just as the two were caught in an awkward predicament, the door was gently pushed open.
A warm, life-giving aura instantly filled the room. Bi Ji, with her long, emerald-green hair, walked in with a smile. She looked at the two disheveled, exhausted girls on the bed, paused for a moment, then seemed to see through everything and smiled mischievously.
"Senior Bi Ji!" Ye Lingling cried out in shame as if she had grasped a lifeline upon seeing her savior, "When... when did you get back?"
Bi Ji walked to the bedside and, seeing the two women's slightly sluggish meridians due to overexertion, couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, "You just got back and already witness such a spectacular scene. What, even if the two of you together, you can't beat Xiao Tian alone?"
Dugu Yan was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear into the ground. "Senior, please stop making fun of us. Please help us, or we really won't make it this morning!"
Bi Ji shook her head, and with a slight lift of her right hand, a pair of pure white emerald wings appeared behind her.
" Life Baptism "
A soft, emerald-green divine light enveloped the two women on the bed. Under that ultimate healing power, all fatigue, aches, and discomfort vanished instantly, and even their skin became more rosy and translucent than before.
"Alright, go on now." Bi Ji withdrew her Soul Power and urged him with a smile.
The two women felt as if they had been granted a pardon. Forgetting all shame, they hurriedly tidied their clothes and rushed out of the villa with their heads down.
At this moment, Gu Tian also woke up from his deep sleep and saw Bi Ji sitting by the bed. He stretched and looked at this gentle older sister. "Sister Bi Ji, why are you back? How is the Star Dou Great Forest? Has Sister Zi JI woken up?"
Bi Ji turned her head, her eyes revealing an undisguised joy. "Don't worry, everything went smoothly. Zi JI has awakened successfully, and the lord now has a truly capable general."
Upon hearing this, Gu Tian's eyes flashed with a sharp light. The Hellfire Dragon King, Zi JI, was a true warrior of the dragon race. He then went to the master bedroom and woke Gu Yue and Na'er, who were still lazing in bed. Looking at the two girls' adorable faces, rubbing their sleepy eyes, Gu Tian couldn't help but chuckle, "Sister Bi Ji just brought back a message; the Hellfire Dragon King Zi JI, in the Star Dou Great Forest has successfully awakened."
"Really? Sister Zi JI is awake!"
To Gu Tian's surprise, the two usually proud and arrogant girls cheered in unison, their faces filled with genuine joy.
Gu Yue tidied her slightly messy black hair and explained to the somewhat surprised Gu Tian, "Brother Zi JI's reputation as the Hellish Purple Demon King in the outside world, where she's ruthless and decisive. Actually, within our Dragon Clan, everyone gets along very well. Sister Zi JI is very gentle with her clansmen, especially towards us younger ones; she takes care of us like a real older sister."
Na'er nodded repeatedly, her purple eyes filled with longing. "Yes, back in the Star Dou Great Forest, Sister Zi JI loved to take us to gather spirit fruits. Brother Gu Tian, when can we go back to see her?"
Gu Tian stroked his chin thoughtfully, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. What kind of person was this Demon King, whom these two young dragon ancestors called gentle?
"I also want to see her. But..." Gu Tian glanced at the calendar on the wall and shrugged helplessly. "My schedule is already full this weekend. I have to meet with Huo Wu from the Blazing Academy on Saturday. Although I don't know if she will actually show up, an appointment is an appointment. On Sunday, I have to deal with a challenge from the Godwind Academy. Feng Xiaotian specifically asked me to spar. If I don't go, I'm afraid the newspapers in Heaven Dou City will be reporting that I backed out of the fight because I was cowardly. It seems that I can only discuss visiting Zi JI next week."
At this moment, Bi Ji came over with the prepared breakfast and gave Gu Tian a reproachful look.
" Xiao Tian, you'd better learn to be more considerate of women in the future." Bi Ji covered her mouth and chuckled, her tone teasing. "When I was treating Yanzi and Lingling just now, they almost couldn't walk straight."
Gu Tian blushed slightly and awkwardly touched his nose. "I've never seen them react this strongly before... It's probably because the divine power Aria gave me after waking up yesterday was too strong, causing my physique to leap forward again. It seems I really need to consider getting a few more people to share the burden in the future, so they won't keep complaining to me."
8:00 AM, Emperor Class Classroom.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were the first to arrive. They went back to their dormitory early to change into neat Heaven Dou school uniform skirts, which concealed their fatigue. However, their occasional small movements when they sat down still revealed a hint of awkwardness and soreness.
A short while later, Yu Tianheng and Osler walked into the classroom together. Seeing that Dugu Yan was already sitting in her seat, they walked towards her.
Yu Tianheng had been restless these past few days. As Dugu Yan's boyfriend, he keenly sensed that Dugu Yan had become somewhat distant from him; she spoke less and even avoided eye contact. Desperate to salvage the relationship, Yu Tianheng took a deep breath, walked to Dugu Yan's desk, and spoke sincerely:
" Yanzi, we don't have classes this Saturday. I was thinking of taking you to that newly opened Western restaurant in the Heaven Dou City for dinner, and we can also go shopping at some clothing stores while we're at it. What do you think?"
Dugu Yan's body stiffened slightly. She had planned to go to Gu Tian's place for extra training on Saturday. She opened her mouth, but found that she couldn't find a decent reason to refuse. She subconsciously looked to Ye Lingling beside her for help.
At the crucial moment, Ye Lingling spoke up in a cool voice, " Tian Heng, I'm afraid Yanzi won't be able to go."
Yu Tianheng was taken aback. "Why?"
Ye Lingling began to fabricate a story without changing her expression, her tone extremely natural. "Although the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Poison in Yanzi's body has been largely cleared, it has accumulated in her meridians for six years. This venom is deeply toxic and cannot be eradicated overnight; it is currently in an unstable and recurring phase. Grandpa Dugu Bo instructed that she needs to rest quietly and use specific medicinal herbs to regulate her emotions during this period. The distance you feel is actually the negative interference of that toxic hormone on her emotions; what she needs now is solitude and meditation."
"Relapse/relapse period? Hormonal influence?"
Although Yu Tianheng was extremely talented, he was a complete novice when it came to such complex toxicology. Hearing Ye Lingling speak so professionally, most of his doubts instantly disappeared, replaced by a deep sense of guilt.
"So that's how it is... Yanzi, I'm sorry, I misunderstood you. I shouldn't have thought of asking you to play with me at a time like this." Yu Tianheng rubbed his hands awkwardly.
Osler chimed in, "That's right, boss. Sister-in-law Yanzi's health is the most important thing. Once the poison is completely cleared, when can't we go on a date?"
Yu Tianheng repeatedly agreed, gave a few words of concern, and then went back to the back row. Dugu Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, turned her back to Yu Tianheng, and quietly gave Ye Lingling a big thumbs up.
A short while later, Qin Ming walked steadily into the classroom, and Gu Tian and the others also pushed open the door and entered just as the bell rang.
Qin Ming patted the podium, gesturing for everyone to look at the formation diagram on the blackboard. "I've finalized the participant roster for this Sunday's team battle against the Godwind Academy."
He wrote the names of the participants on the blackboard one by one:
" Gu Tian, Na'er, Gu Yue, Ning Rongrong, Yufeng, Osler, Zhu Zhuqing."
Upon hearing this list, a murmur of surprise rippled through the class. Yu Tianheng, the captain, was not in the starting lineup, and Dugu Yan, the control core, had also been replaced.
" Teacher Qin, isn't this lineup... a bit too much of agility-based characters?" Shi Mo asked somewhat naively.
Qin Ming smiled slightly. He had long anticipated that a student would ask this question, "The greatest strength of the Godwind Academy lies in the extreme speed brought by the wind attribute. They are known as the most difficult team to catch on the entire continent. Therefore, my intention is clear—we will use their most prized domain to defeat them!"
"This lineup boasts three top-tier agility attackers: Zhu Zhuqing, Osler, and Yufeng; Na'er possesses Spatial Teleportation, allowing for instantaneous movement and attacks; Gu Yue manipulates wind elements, enabling her to reverse the opponent's wind field advantage; and Ning Rongrong's second Soul Skill provides a speed boost."
Qin Ming looked at Gu Tian, his tone becoming impassioned. "We must crush their arrogance in the Great Soul Arena, with a speed even faster than Godwind Academy! Let's tell all the Soul Master of Heaven Dou City —before ultimate speed, Shenfeng is nothing but slow motion!"