One More Time? Become an Exchange Student?

"Cough, cough—let me take a call first!"

A flicker of apology crossed Lin Yu's face before he turned and walked away from the spot.

Still, he didn't leave Mu Nu Jiao's line of sight.

"Hello, who's this?"

Lin Yu answered the phone with a broad smile, clearly in a good mood.

"Lin Yu! Once you've rested up, come to the Dean's office."

A vigorous voice came through the phone without delay.

"Huh? Dean Xiao?"

"How did you get my number?"

Lin Yu asked, a look of disbelief in his eyes.

"Was it that hard to get your number?"

"Alright, just come over. There's something good waiting for you."

Dean Xiao said directly.

"You're not planning to sell me off, are you?"

Lin Yu asked cautiously.

"What are you worth? Enough joking around."

Dean Xiao's tone was dismissive, as if Lin Yu's hundred-plus pounds of flesh weren't worth a second thought.

"Alright."

With that, Lin Yu hung up the phone.

But the moment he turned around, Mu Nu Jiao startled him.

"What are you doing?"

"Planning to pull the same stunt again?"

Lin Yu stepped back a few paces, staring at her warily.

Mu Nu Jiao's face flushed. Was this guy still thinking about what just happened?

How infuriating!

"What did Dean Xiao want?"

Mu Nu Jiao asked, looking at him with displeasure.

"Probably about that assessment the other day. The Level Five Fierce Fist?"

Lin Yu mused for a moment before answering.

He figured that was the most likely reason—nothing else was as attention-grabbing as that Level Five Fierce Fist.

"Huh?"

Mu Nu Jiao's irritation shifted to concern.

She knew Dean Xiao was a respected teacher who wouldn't do anything shady.

But it never hurt to stay alert.

"Don't worry. Haven't you heard the buzz?"

"The exchange student program between the country's major academies is starting. That's probably it."

"Dean Xiao finally got a student as outstanding as me—why else would he call?"

Lin Yu said confidently, looking straight at Mu Nu Jiao.

Mu Nu Jiao wanted to retort, but seeing his assured expression—

and recalling the terrifying Fire magic he'd unleashed last night—even she had to admit it was probably true.

Dean Xiao really was calling him for that.

"Alright, anything else?"

Lin Yu asked, turning back to Mu Nu Jiao.

"?"

Mu Nu Jiao's face darkened. So he was just going to pretend nothing happened?

That was her first kiss!

"What, you want payback?"

"Want me to kiss you? Sure—close your eyes and take it in."

Lin Yu's voice dripped with temptation.

And somehow, Mu Nu Jiao actually closed her eyes.

But after a moment, she snapped back to reality.

She blushed and opened her eyes directly.

There she saw that bastard Lin Yu already about to step out the door.

"Not kissing anymore."

"That one just now counts as payment for giving you two a chance at the Three-Step Tower."

After saying this, Lin Yu laughed and left the place.

Mu Nu Jiao's face burned red, thirty percent from anger—anger that that wretched Lin Yu had teased her again.

Another thirty percent was shyness, because she had actually closed her eyes just now, had actually been expecting it.

The remaining forty percent was pure embarrassment.

"Just you wait!"

Mu Nu Jiao said directly at Lin Yu's retreating figure.

After calming herself down, she sat cross-legged again and began Nether Cultivation.

There was no choice; Lin Yu's terrifying cultivation from yesterday had truly shaken her.

He was the same age as her, yet that bastard Lin Yu's Fire Department had already broken through to the third level of the mid-tier.

But her? Her main Plant Element was still far from breaking through to the second level.

The gap was simply too huge!

In the Dean's office.

"Hehe, Dean Xiao, you called for me!"

Lin Yu smiled as he looked at Dean Xiao sitting in his office chair.

"Level Five Fierce Fist? Not bad at all!"

"Quite a few people in the Main Campus have heard your name by now."

Dean Xiao said directly to Lin Yu.

"It's nothing, nothing at all. I still have a lot to learn from you, Dean Xiao!"

Lin Yu flattered Dean Xiao on the spot.

"Strong in Fire, and your tongue is just as smooth."

Dean Xiao looked at Lin Yu, his eyes growing more and more satisfied.

"Many have Innate Talents, but few geniuses make it to the end."

"I hope you can stay steady, neither arrogant nor impatient, and walk your own path of magic."

Dean Xiao said directly to Lin Yu.

"Well—"

"Alright, Dean Xiao, I won't waste my talent!"

Lin Yu saw the deep look in Dean Xiao's eyes and instantly understood.

If Lin Yu had a lot of Spirit Essences, anyone could try to snatch them.

But if it was called an Innate Talent, it would cause far fewer problems.

"You're someone I personally brought out of the Magic Market, and your Innate Talent was also set by me."

"On the surface, some people won't dare to mess with you."

"But in the shadows, you'll have to handle things yourself!"

Dean Xiao then continued speaking to Lin Yu. Saying something like this already meant he was willing to protect Lin Yu.

The reason was simple: Lin Yu was strong, and his sense of responsibility was greater than that of some mages.

He fully matched the words Dean Xiao had said to those freshmen at the start of the semester.

A heart that forever pursues the ultimate magic!

"Thank you, Dean Xiao!"

Lin Yu directly expressed his gratitude to Dean Xiao.

He knew what these words meant. Dean Xiao was offering to be the umbrella shielding him as he grew!

"Alright, no need to say more."

"I do have something I need you to do."

But then Dean Xiao smiled at Lin Yu, his expression changing far too quickly!

"Uh."

Lin Yu was a bit helpless about this. He knew it.

There was no such thing as a free lunch; he had to earn his keep!

"What is it? Go ahead and say it."

Lin Yu could probably guess what it was about.

But he still asked.

"Every year, academies across our Yan Xia Country hold exchanges. This time, it just so happens that our Pearl Institute and the Imperial Capital Academy were drawn against each other!"

"You'll lead the team and go to the Imperial Capital Academy as exchange students to participate in the training."

Dean Xiao looked at Lin Yu and said directly.

"Alright, Dean Xiao, rest assured!"

"I'll be number one no matter where I go!"

"The Imperial Capital Academy is no exception. Just wait and watch the show!"

The corners of Lin Yu's mouth lifted slightly, a full smile spreading across his face.

There was also a look of anticipation in his eyes.

"Hearing you say that, I can rest easy!"

"To be honest, that Level Five Fierce Fist—Dongfang Lie hasn't been able to sleep well these past few days!"

"It's a good thing you'll be away for a while as an exchange student, or else the pressure on him would probably be too much!"

As Dean Xiao spoke, there was still a hint of amazement on his face.