Returning the Spirit Ring

"A woman's ring?" Fatty Wang looked shocked. "That's impossible. I gave specific instructions; they couldn't have sent the wrong one, could they?"

"Brother Xiao, let me see the Spirit Ring."

Fatty Wang took the Spirit Ring from Ye Xiao, though with his chubby fingers, he certainly couldn't wear it.

"Uh, Brother Xiao, this Spirit Ring does seem a bit small."

"How about this? I'll get you a new one."

Ye Xiao took the Spirit Ring back.

He shook his head. "It'll do."

Although it was a bit tight, it fit on his pinky finger.

It just looked a little strange.

"Fatty, I'm planning to go to the library this afternoon. What about you?"

"Brother Xiao, I'm going to my vocational classes."

Hearing Fatty Wang say this, Ye Xiao realized he had only attended class on the second day.

He hadn't been to a single lecture since.

However, his status was special; as a specially recruited student, he neither enjoyed resource benefits nor was he included in the class assessment lists.

Therefore, whether he attended class or not was entirely up to him; no one would bother him.

And so, the two parted ways.

Ye Xiao headed to the library, while Fatty Wang went to class.

The Jiang University library was located in the very center of the campus.

Opposite it stood the Martial Bell Tower; they stood side by side, one on the left and one on the right, like two guardian deities.

Some said the Bell Tower represented strength, while the library represented wisdom.

Without strength, wisdom is useless; without wisdom, strength is merely that of a beast.

The library was a six-story building with exterior walls of dark gray stone bricks, covered in ivy.

The windows were tall and narrow, like the stained glass of a cathedral, but fitted with transparent bulletproof glass.

The main entrance consisted of two heavy oak doors, featuring bronze reliefs of a book, a sword, and a fist.

Below the doors were stone steps worn smooth, with depressions in the center—marks left by countless feet since the founding of Jiang University.

A line was carved into the lintel:

"Knowledge is another form of power."

At this moment, Ye Xiao stood outside the library.

Students bustled to and fro, some preparing to enter the library to study, others just finishing their sessions.

Jiang University was different from other martial arts schools.

Here, academics and cultivation held equal status and were considered equally important.

Just as Ye Xiao prepared to enter the library, he saw a beautiful young girl on the steps ahead, clutching several books as she emerged from within.

The moment she stepped out, the gazes of all the students nearby, regardless of gender, were drawn to her.

Within a three-meter radius of the girl, no one dared to approach.

She had always been a loner, with no companions by her side.

Whispers broke out all around.

"What a beautiful girl. Is she the rumored new school beauty, Su Muyun?"

"Yes, that's her! I heard she's the youngest Fourth Realm in the history of our school!"

"Not just that, she's the youngest Fourth Realm in the history of our world!"

"She's only eighteen, barely an adult, and she's already reached the Fourth Realm. That cultivation speed is insane!"

"A seat among the future Transcendents is surely hers!"

"Who here dares to go up and chat with Su Muyun?"

"Su Muyun is single, you know! If anyone could win her heart, they'd be hitching their wagon to a future Transcendent!"

"You really dare to dream. Pursue Su Muyun? Without at least an SSS-rank profession, you aren't even qualified to speak in front of her!"

"..."

Su Muyun seemed to have grown accustomed to being the center of conversation.

She heard the various speculations and reckless comments from the people around her.

Her heart remained as still as stagnant water, without a single ripple as she walked down the stairs.

Just then.

Su Muyun saw a familiar face staring at her from the bottom of the steps.

"Is that Ye Xiao?"

When Su Muyun saw Ye Xiao, her state of mind fluctuated in a rare display of emotion.

He has changed significantly since before.

I can feel that his strength has improved.

But his realm is still at the First Realm.

The First Realm...

He is too weak... he cannot face those things...

It is better... to just leave it be.

Su Muyun let out a long sigh in her heart.

She thought about many things and ultimately decided to maintain a relationship with Ye Xiao like that of strangers.

Because only by remaining strangers would Ye Xiao not be dragged into matters related to her.

Just as Su Muyun and Ye Xiao brushed past each other.

Ye Xiao suddenly spoke up.

"Classmate Su, what a coincidence, seeing you here."

Su Muyun's body paused for a moment.

She had not expected Ye Xiao to take the initiative to greet her.

Out of politeness.

She nodded and replied, "What a coincidence. I have matters to attend to, so I will be going now."

Her tone was as cold and detached as ever, devoid of any emotion.

The surrounding crowd stared at Ye Xiao and Su Muyun.

They began whispering to each other once again.

"This guy has some nerve, actually taking the initiative to hit on Su Muyun?"

"He is that E-rank Martialist among the freshmen, Ye Xiao!"

"So it's him, that famous nepotist! Is he dreaming of a toad lusting after swan meat?"

"This guy is so thick-skinned. Can't he see Su Muyun doesn't want to talk to him? Why is he still pestering her?"

"..."

While the people around him attacked and mocked him.

Ye Xiao ignored the noise.

Instead, he opened his palm toward Su Muyun.

In his palm lay a black spirit ring.

Su Muyun was slightly stunned, staring at the black spirit ring in Ye Xiao's palm.

She recognized it immediately.

This was the very black spirit ring she had lent to Ye Xiao previously.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Su Muyun stopped in her tracks and turned back to stare at Ye Xiao.

Ye Xiao smiled and explained, "Thank you for lending me this spirit ring."

"I have obtained a new spirit ring now, so according to our previous agreement, I am returning this one to you."

As soon as these words were spoken.

The surrounding crowd all wore expressions of shock and bewilderment.

"What is happening?"

"Looks like there's some tea!"

"The newly crowned school beauty has an entangled relationship with an E-rank Martialist loser?"

The crowd, who had been walking by, deliberately slowed their pace at this moment, wanting to see what these two were doing.

"So fast? You already obtained a new spirit ring?"

"Yes."

Ye Xiao showed her the White Spirit Ring that Fatty Wang had given him.

By comparison.

The White Spirit Ring was a size smaller than the black one.

It was obvious.

The black ring was a men's style, while the White Spirit Ring was for women.

"Thank you."

Ye Xiao expressed his gratitude once more: "Su Muyun, I have a new spirit ring now, so I'm returning the one you lent me."

But at that very moment.

Ye Xiao noticed a flicker of displeasure on Su Muyun's face, her eyes harboring a hint of suppressed anger.

Though faint and barely perceptible, he still caught it.

"Su Muyun, why are you angry?"

I'm just returning her property, Ye Xiao thought to himself, I didn't do anything to provoke her, did I?