Yan Shaozhe could hardly contain his joy.
You never knew until you tested it—and then the results could knock your socks off.
Long Jinyu wasn't just a treasure. He was practically a pillar holding up Shrek's future! Yan Shaozhe couldn't wait to report this earth-shattering good news to Mu En.
"All right, that's enough sparring."
He suppressed his excitement and kept a stern expression. His gaze swept over the slightly battered Dai Yueheng, Wu Ming, who was still clinging to Long Jinyu, and Ma Xiaotao, whose expression was complicated.
"You now have a clear idea of Jin Yu's strength. You'll all be in the inner courtyard together from now on, so you should spur one another on and improve together."
His gaze lingered on Ma Xiaotao for an extra moment, carrying a certain implication.
"Yes, Dean (Teacher)," they replied in unison.
Yan Shaozhe nodded in satisfaction, then flashed away toward Sea God Pavilion.
Seeing Yan Shaozhe leave, Long Jinyu's thoughts began to stir. He gently jostled Wu Ming, who was pretending to be dead in his arms. "Senior Wu Ming, wake up. Is Senior Zhang Lexuan at the academy? I'm new here, and I'd like to pay her a visit. Could you show me the way?"
The moment he said that, Ma Xiaotao's heart gave a thud.
Here it comes! So he really is interested in someone stronger and gentler, like Senior Zhang Lexuan?
She jumped in before Wu Ming could answer, her voice a little hurried. "Senior Zhang is out on a mission! She's not here! It's a Supervision Group mission, and there's no set return date!"
"Really? What a shame." Long Jinyu sighed, looking a little disappointed. But inwardly, he grumbled, The Supervision Group... What a lousy system. Sigh, I can't change it now, either. When is that useless system of mine going to get moving?
He put the thought aside for the moment and turned his attention back to the present.
"By the way, Senior Wu Ming," Long Jinyu said, feeling her weight in his arms and the way she was squeezing him tighter. He reminded her helplessly, "You... should be recovered by now, right? Shouldn't you get down?"
Wu Ming buried her head even deeper. Her voice came out muffled, with a shamelessly whiny lilt. "I'm not recovered at all! You hit me so hard that cold's seeping out of my bones! I'm still shivering! You have to take responsibility! You're so warm—what's wrong with letting me lean on you a little longer?" As she spoke, she deliberately rubbed against him, happily plotting how to find a "reasonable" excuse to cuddle up to him again next time.
Dai Yueheng stared, dumbfounded. Earlier, when he'd heard Wu Ming call his embrace "comfortable," he'd thought he'd misheard. But seeing her now... Could it really be true? He instinctively recalled what it had felt like when Long Jinyu caught him just now. That warm current... It really had been... pretty comfortable.
Long Jinyu had no choice but to send a little more Ultimate Life and Ultimate Fire her way. What a mess... I shouldn't have frozen her so badly. I hope she hasn't really suffered any lasting damage. She's such a beautiful senior, and she was full of life in the original story. I can't let anything happen to her because of me. If I've actually hurt her, I'll feel terrible.
He softened his tone. "All right, all right. It was my fault. I apologize again. But men and women shouldn't be so physically familiar, and it's not appropriate for me to keep holding you like this. How about you get down, and I'll hold your hand and keep warming you up? It'll work just as well. What do you say?"
Wu Ming's eyes darted around. She figured she shouldn't push her luck too far, especially with Ma Xiaotao looking ready to breathe fire. Better to quit while she was ahead and find another chance for a private "spar" next time. She slid down, but still kept hold of one of Long Jinyu's hands, grinning. "That works~ Little junior, you'd better keep your word!"
Long Jinyu breathed a sigh of relief. She's being this agreeable? That's not like her. Could giving someone a beating really cure everything?
"Stop putting on an act!" Ma Xiaotao finally couldn't take it anymore. She stepped forward and grabbed Wu Ming by the ear. "You look full of energy to me! If you keep clinging to him like a lovesick fool, you can forget about touching him ever again!"
"Ow, ow! Xiaotao, go easy! I was wrong, I was wrong!" Wu Ming cried out dramatically, taking the opportunity to let go.
Long Jinyu hurried to smooth things over. "All right, all right. It's getting late. You seniors worked hard sparring with me today, so it's my treat. Let's go eat! It's the least I can do to show my gratitude!"
"Long live our little junior!" Wu Ming cheered first.
Dai Yueheng also collected himself and replied politely, "Then... thank you, Junior."
Ma Xiaotao grabbed Long Jinyu. "Come on, come on. I know a place with amazing food. You're sure to like it."
Long Jinyu ventured, "Um... it isn't Green Wave Cottage again, is it?"
Ma Xiaotao feigned surprise as she looked at him. "Huh? How did you know? Hehe, you guessed right!"
The four of them had a fairly pleasant meal. Wu Ming remained lively, teasing Long Jinyu and Ma Xiaotao from time to time. Dai Yueheng didn't say much, but he was clearly more respectful than before. Ma Xiaotao occasionally bickered with Wu Ming, but she was obviously in a good mood.
After the meal, they said their goodbyes. Dai Yueheng and Wu Ming went their separate ways, while Long Jinyu and Ma Xiaotao walked side by side toward Sea God Island.
The setting sun stretched their shadows long. After several days of living together and getting used to one another, the initial awkwardness and probing had faded considerably, and a comfortable familiarity had grown between them.
"Hey, runt." Ma Xiaotao lightly nudged Long Jinyu with her elbow. Her voice was softer than usual. "How much were you holding back when you fought me?" Her tone carried a hint of reproach, but curiosity outweighed her displeasure.
Long Jinyu tilted his head toward her and deliberately blinked his mismatched eyes, putting on a cute act. "Senior~ What are you talking about? You're so strong, and your attacks were so fierce. I really couldn't beat you. How was I holding back?"
"Don't try that on me! You're not telling the truth, are you?" Ma Xiaotao pretended she was about to punch him. Long Jinyu laughed and deftly dodged to the side, his movement smooth and effortless.
As they joked around, Ma Xiaotao suddenly thought of something and asked, "Then... if you really went all out, how many moves could you withstand from a Super Douluo like my teacher?"
Long Jinyu's smile faded as he gave the question some serious thought. "Dean Yan? If it were just a spar to test each other, then with my Martial Soul's traits, I might be able to hold my own for a few moves. But if it were a fight to the death..." He shook his head, his voice edged with a clear-eyed understanding of his own limits. "I'm still nowhere near strong enough. My Soul Power Level is a real weakness, and I need more practical experience and... suitable Soul Rings."
Right, do I need to find my own Soul Rings? That stupid system never explains anything properly. I swear...
Ma Xiaotao nodded. His answer didn't surprise her. If anything, she thought it showed how grounded he was; victory hadn't gone to his head.
Remembering what she'd come to say, she spoke up. "By the way, I'm going into the city tomorrow to buy some medicinal ingredients for cultivation, as well as a few... things girls use." Her cheeks reddened slightly, though she tried to sound casual. "You're sensitive to energy. Come with me and help me take a look..."
"Of course!" Long Jinyu's eyes lit up, and he agreed at once. "I'll be your personal appraiser, Senior. It's my duty!"
At the same time, he silently said, System, scan Shrek City's largest medicinal herb shop and auction house in advance. Flag high-quality fire-attribute and dragon-related treasures, and any clues about... others like me.
While you're at it... He glanced at Ma Xiaotao's fiery red hair. Mark the best pastry shop in the city, especially one that sells red bean cakes!
"That's more like it." Ma Xiaotao gave a soft snort, but the corners of her mouth curved into a lovely smile. Her mood brightened.
The winding path led toward Sea God Island, and toward the next day's ordinary life, full of unknowns and possibilities.
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