Golden Crow Blinds the Eye · First Encounter with Living Fire

The environment of Sea God Island was indeed different from the Outer Court; the concentration of soul power was higher, and the architecture was more ancient and imposing, exuding a sense of accumulated majesty.

The white robe Long Jinyu wore, embroidered with nine-colored dragon patterns, flowed with a restrained luster under the sunlight.

Among his waist-length, jet-black hair, several striking white-gold strands hung naturally, swaying gently with his every step.

Compared to Ma Xiaotao, he appeared slightly more delicate and petite. Coupled with his exquisite, flawless, and androgynous face, along with the faint, heart-palpitating dragon might surrounding him, he instantly became the most dazzling sight on the path.

The Inner Court students they encountered, regardless of gender, had their gazes instantly and firmly drawn to him, falling into a brief stupor.

"Hiss... look! Who is that beside Senior Sister Ma?"

"Heavens! Is this a new goddess?"

"This temperament... it's incredible! Does she feel even colder and more elegant than Senior Sister Ling?"

"This beauty is beyond words! Even prettier than Senior Sister Ma Xiaotao! Especially that dragon embroidery on her clothes, so domineering!"

"Ma Xiaotao is actually bringing a junior sister along? And one this... this good-looking? Has the sun risen from the west?"

Whispers continued to drift over, and gazes focused on Long Jinyu like searchlights.

Long Jinyu felt thoroughly uncomfortable under the scrutiny, frowning slightly and subconsciously moving half a step closer to Ma Xiaotao.

Ma Xiaotao naturally heard the chatter, and feeling the subtle movements of the person beside her along with the gazes glued to Long Jinyu, a trace of inexplicable irritation welled up in her heart.

She let out a cold snort, her invisible, scorching aura slightly released, sweeping across the crowd with a warning tone.

Those stunned gazes immediately converged, turning into awe and curiosity.

Long Jinyu followed behind like a quiet little tail, trying hard to ignore the stares that made his scalp tingle, while inwardly smiling bitterly:

Attracting both men and women? This setting is too much of a pitfall... System, can you give me a mask?

[Host, be confident. Your beauty is a 'strategic resource'. The points shop has a 'Low-Profile Veil', priced at 99,999. Do you want it?]

...Profiteer!

Passing through a tree-lined path illuminated by tall soul-guided lamp posts, a massive, heavily-styled building appeared ahead, from which the faint, enticing aroma of food drifted out.

"There, we've arrived. The Inner Court Cafeteria." Ma Xiaotao lifted her chin, her tone finally softening a bit. "It's better than the Outer Court's, with more variety. Just swipe your student card for points. Later..."

Before she could finish, the heavy carved wooden doors of the cafeteria were pushed open with a loud "bang" from the inside!

A figure rushed out with a scorching wind and a hurried, fiery momentum.

The voice arrived before the person.

The volume was loud enough to shake the birds from the treetops:

"Xiaotao—!!!"

"You finally showed up! I'm starving to death! Today, I must make Old Wang add some 'Sun True Fire Roasted Dragon Tendon' for me... Huh?!"

The voice stopped abruptly.

The figure rushed right up to them.

The newcomer was also wearing the red Inner Court uniform, with a tall, athletic build and excellent proportions.

Her bright orange-red hair was as dazzling as a burning flame.

Her fire-red eyes were wide open, filled with undisguised amazement and... incomparably vigorous curiosity?

Her gaze locked onto Long Jinyu like a predator focusing on its prey.

Long Jinyu only felt a scorching aura—more domineering and dangerous than Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Flame, as if it contained the core energy of the sun—rush toward him, causing the Dragon God bloodline within him to resonate with a slight throb.

What made him "break into a cold sweat" even more was the look in this senior sister's eyes—it was an incredibly fiery glow, as if she had seen some rare, priceless treasure!

Holy crap!

Long Jinyu's heart exploded.

Wu Ming!!! The Golden Crow Saintess!

The one known alongside Ma Xiaotao in the original work as the 'Two Living Volcanoes of the Inner Court'! Her temper is every bit as explosive as Ma Xiaotao's!

Living Volcano Number Two! How could I have forgotten this grand dame!

Their attributes are similar, and their personalities are likely 'birds of a feather'; she and Ma Xiaotao must be best friends!

It's over, it's over, this posture...

He swallowed hard, his footsteps frozen, feeling as if he were being targeted by a humanoid female tyrannosaurus...

No, a female Golden Crow!

He had been too busy thinking about the Shrek Seven Devils.

He had completely overlooked this Golden Crow big sister who was known as her equal in the original work, and whose personality might be even more "reckless"!

At the same time, two other names flashed through his mind—

Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo.

These two had gentle temperaments and could at least mediate this deadly 'volcanic' atmosphere...

As a veteran sister-complex, gentle and intellectual big sisters were his exact weakness—

Whether it was the softened version of Zhang Lexuan from his fantasies or Han Ruoruo from the original work, he found himself completely defenseless against them.

But those of Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming's type... while beautiful, they were truly fierce! He could only say they made him feel a mix of love and fear!

Since I've just arrived, getting familiar with these original characters can't hurt! Anyway...

He glanced at Ma Xiaotao's darkening profile beside him.

In the future, all of Shrek will be mine!

Just as Long Jinyu's inner thoughts were in total disarray.

Wu Ming completely ignored Ma Xiaotao, whose expression had begun to freeze over as if she were about to erupt at any second.

With a single bound, she darted in front of Long Jinyu. Her bright orange-red hair danced with excitement, and her fiery eyes sparkled. With 120,000 percent enthusiasm and a natural, easygoing air, her voice remained as booming as ever:

"Wow! Xiaotao! Where, where did you kidnap this fairy-like little sister from?!"

"My heavens! Look at this face! She's even prettier than the fairies in paintings!"

"This temperament! This figure! Wow! This hair! And the icy-cool soul power and... Dragon Might surrounding 'her'?! She's exactly my type!"

"She's the perfect partner tailor-made for us fire-attribute soul masters! What's your name, little sister? What's your martial soul? Come hang out with big sister!"

As she spoke, she reached out with natural ease, aiming directly for Long Jinyu's smooth, fair cheeks that made countless others feel inferior.

She seemed intent on verifying for herself whether the texture was as flawless as it appeared.

Long Jinyu's pupils underwent a magnitude-ten earthquake: "!!!"

Fairy-like little sister?! Perfect partner?! Hang out with big sister?!

Help! Big sister, don't come over here, ahhh!

He felt as if he were about to be ignited by this enthusiasm in the next second.

If this were on Blue Star, Wu Ming would definitely be a social butterfly!

System!!!

[Ding! Detected ultra-high-energy enthusiastic impact! Golden Crow Saintess locked! Host's charm value is off the charts! Consolation prize: Points +23333]

Consolation my foot! Hurry up and think of a way!

[Um... Host's current soul power is below 5%... unable to resist, suggest obediently 'accepting fate'...] "Nuwa!"

Ma Xiaotao's face turned completely black, the veins on her forehead throbbing as a scorching wave of soul power uncontrollably leaked out.

She slapped away Wu Ming's wandering "devilish claws" and stepped in front of Long Jinyu like a mother phoenix protecting her chick, her voice laced with shards of ice:

"Wu Ming! Have your eyeballs been scorched blind by the Golden Crow?!"

"Look closely! He is a man! My new junior! Long Jinyu! Not some little sister! Take those claws of yours back!"

The entire entrance to the cafeteria fell silent, quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

Several students who were about to exit stopped in their tracks, silently retreating to sit back down, looking like they were ready to watch a massive drama.

Wu Ming's hand froze in mid-air, and she blinked.

She first looked at the murderous Ma Xiaotao, who seemed ready to pounce and bite someone at any moment.

Then, she tilted her head, her gaze crossing over the "human wall" of Ma Xiaotao to land on Long Jinyu, who was only half-visible behind her.

The sunlight happened to hit that panicked yet overly exquisite profile, and combined with that aura of Dragon Might, the impact was simply staggering!

"Huh?!"

Wu Ming let out a short exclamation, followed by an even louder burst of laughter. She slapped Ma Xiaotao's shoulder so hard it made her stagger:

"A man?!"

"Hahaha!!"

"Xiaotao, are you teasing me?"

"You tell me someone this pretty is a junior? But then again..."

She rubbed her chin and scanned Long Jinyu from head to toe once more.

Her gaze was like that of someone evaluating a rare treasure. Finally, she grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, and said something that nearly made Long Jinyu crack on the spot:

"A man is even better! Such a top-tier, spirited junior—Xiaotao, you can't hog him all to yourself!"

"Junior! From now on in the Inner Court, big sister has your back! If anyone dares to bully you, just report the name of the 'Golden Crow Saintess' Wu Ming! See if I don't burn them to ash!"

Long Jinyu: "???"

Burn them to ash...?

Emmm... although... Wu Ming is as enthusiastic as fire and her drive is a bit terrifying, she sounds... actually quite bold and loyal?

At least compared to that person... who almost burned me to death upon our first meeting, fed me fireballs, and later pushed me down... well, she's much gentler?

He glanced at Ma Xiaotao, who was blocking his path. Of course, he wouldn't dare say that out loud even if he were beaten to death.

Seeing Ma Xiaotao so angry that her hair seemed to be moving without wind, and the phoenix phantom behind her flickering restlessly, the temperature at the cafeteria entrance soared rapidly:

"Wu! Ming!! You--"

"Senior Wu Ming!"

Long Jinyu's voice rang out before Ma Xiaotao could erupt, his face wearing a gentle, slightly bashful smile.

He bowed slightly, performing a flawless student salute.

The DNA of a liberal arts "nerd" instantly kicked in! Almost blurting it out, he spoke with sincere admiration and a hint of urgency to ease the tension:

"'The Golden Crow spreads its wings to burn the eight wildernesses, Raging Flames Shine Upon the Nine Suns'!"

"To witness the might of Senior's martial soul and the grandeur of your spirit today, I finally know that the rumors are true! Your passion is boundless, and your timely aid is something Jinyu is deeply grateful for! I look forward to your guidance in the Inner Court!"

His words successfully caught Wu Ming's enthusiasm, expressed his gratitude, and maintained the proper decorum.

Wu Ming was stunned by the majestic verse that so precisely captured the essence of her martial soul, then she beamed, her eyes curving into crescents as she slapped Long Jinyu on the shoulder with great force; this time, Ma Xiaotao did not stop her:

"Hahaha! Good! A truly excellent 'Golden Crow spreads its wings to burn the eight wildernesses'! Little junior has a sharp eye! And culture! Sister likes you! If you need anything in the future, just ask!" She was clearly very pleased by Long Jinyu's "savvy" nature.

Ma Xiaotao: "..."

Ma Xiaotao remained silent. Long Jinyu's "appropriate response" to Wu Ming and his eloquent, high-flown praise felt like a tiny thorn, pricking her ever so slightly and leaving her feeling inexplicably... stifled.