Separation, Return Journey

Early the next morning, Meng Hongchen was the first to wake from her slumber. Looking up, she found herself incredibly close to Cao Longyan—so close that his breathing and heartbeat were perfectly audible.

The warmth of leaning against his shoulder last night, his gentle care, and the aroma of the barbecue all flashed through her mind. A crimson flush instantly stained Meng Hongchen's cheeks, and her heart began to race uncontrollably.

She subconsciously held her breath, watching him quietly, the corners of her mouth curling upward of their own accord.

A moment later, Cao Longyan slowly opened his eyes. The sleepiness had just faded from his blue irises, leaving behind a touch of hazy coldness.

Startled by his sudden awakening, Meng Hongchen panicked and instinctively closed her eyes, pretending she was still asleep.

She couldn't bear for this close companionship to end; even if it were just for a little while longer, it would be enough...

Cao Longyan sensed her change in state. His eyelashes fluttered and his brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't speak up to expose her.

Thinking that his movements upon waking had accidentally disturbed her, he feared making her feel awkward. He carefully gathered his soul power, gently cradled her head, and slowly moved it away from his shoulder.

Everything was seen clearly by the Ice Empress, the Sky Dream Ice Worm, and Electrolux within his spiritual sea.

The Ice Empress leaned against the Ice Rock she had fashioned herself, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Tsk tsk, this little girl. Her feigned sleep is so obvious. If she's reluctant to part, she should just say so instead of hiding it."

The Sky Dream Ice Worm wiggled his chubby body, his face full of envy.

"The master's charm is truly immense! If only I had that kind of charisma!"

As he spoke, he snuck a glance at the Ice Empress, his thoughts plain for all to see. He was immediately sent flying by a fierce tail-swipe from her, landing in a corner to draw circles in the dirt, looking utterly aggrieved.

Beside them, the corners of Electrolux's mouth lifted ever so slightly—a rare sight.

Cao Longyan stood up and stretched, then began to pack his things quickly. After carefully checking the perimeter of the ice cave to ensure there were no traces of soul beasts and that the defensive alarms were intact, he walked over to Meng Hongchen and tapped her shoulder lightly. His voice was cold, yet held a gentleness that could not be concealed.

"Hongchen, wake up. It's time to go. Let's try to find your team as soon as possible."

Meng Hongchen snapped her eyes open, meeting Cao Longyan's beautiful blue gaze. The blend of gentleness and coldness in his eyes made her heart tremble. The blush that had finally faded rushed back to her cheeks, and she became so distracted that her breathing turned shallow.

Watching her dazed expression, Cao Longyan closed his eyes, shook his head, and called out helplessly.

"Hongchen? Time to go."

"Ah... right!"

Meng Hongchen snapped back to reality and nodded hurriedly. Her cheeks were so red they looked ready to bleed, and she lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes as she tried to hide her panic.

Cao Longyan sighed, bent down, and turned his back to her.

"Get on. We'll continue toward the outer perimeter."

Meng Hongchen bit her lip and carefully climbed onto his back. She wrapped her arms gently around his neck and pressed her cheek against his back, feeling his warm aura. Her reluctance to leave grew even stronger.

Perhaps their luck had improved, or perhaps Cao Longyan's sense of direction was exceptional; in less than half a day, the two spotted a team dressed in Sun Moon Empire attire, searching the ice plains anxiously.

"Longyan, that's my... my team up ahead!"

Meng Hongchen's eyes lit up as she pointed excitedly, but her gaze dimmed a moment later, and her eyelids drooped once more.

She had finally found them, but that also meant she had to part ways with Cao Longyan.

The teacher leading the Sun Moon Empire team was a female Soul Douluo in a pale purple dress. When she saw Meng Hongchen, her expression turned to one of excitement, and she hurried forward. The heart that had been hanging in suspense for days finally settled.

She knew all too well that if Meng Hongchen hadn't returned to the Sun Moon Empire alive, a catastrophe would have awaited her!

Cao Longyan crouched down and slowly let Meng Hongchen off. The female teacher rushed over to support her, checking her body carefully.

"Little Meng, are you feeling any discomfort?"

"Teacher Xu, I'm fine. I've made you all worry..."

"Sigh, what are you saying? As long as you're safe, that's all that matters."

Seeing that the wound on Meng Hongchen's leg had begun to heal, Teacher Xu breathed a sigh of relief.

She then turned to Cao Longyan and bowed deeply. The enthusiasm in her eyes was undisguised, as if she were looking at a savior.

"Many thanks to you, young friend, for your rescue. Without you, Little Meng would have been in grave danger! May I ask your name? Would you be interested in joining our Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy? We are willing to provide you with the best resources and cultivate you with all our might!"

Teacher Xu's enthusiasm was so direct that it left Cao Longyan at a loss. He stepped forward slightly to help her up, scratching the back of his head.

"It was just a small effort. My name is Cao Longyan. I don't have any plans to join any faction for the time being. My apologies, Senior."

Even when faced with Teacher Xu's enthusiastic recruitment, he remained calm and unshaken.

Seeing this, Teacher Xu did not force the issue.

She could tell from Cao Longyan's temperament that the more she pressured him, the more it would cause him to recoil. It was better to let things take their natural course and look for an opportunity to recruit him later.

She smiled and nodded.

"Since your mind is made up, I won't force you. If you ever have any needs in the future, the Sun Moon Empire will always welcome you."

"Mm, thank you for your kindness, Senior."

After a few polite exchanges, Cao Longyan took the bottle of healing medicine from his bag and handed it to Meng Hongchen.

"Hongchen, this bottle of medicine is enough for you to apply until the wound is completely healed. Remember to apply it once a day; the wound should be fully recovered in three days. Remember to avoid strenuous exercise... Goodbye."

Meng Hongchen reached out and took the medicine bottle tightly. Her eyes turned red. She held back her tears, forced a smile, and spoke with a hint of imperceptible choking in her voice.

"I understand. Thank you, Longyan... you take care of yourself, too."

She dared not say more, fearing that if she uttered another word, her tears would inevitably fall, and even more so, that she would be unable to stop herself from begging him to stay.

Cao Longyan nodded, turned, and prepared to leave.

But just then, a youth of about sixteen in the group stepped out quickly, his eyes filled with jealousy and provocation, blocking Cao Longyan's path.

This youth was named Gu Yan, also a student of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy. Having advanced to a five-ring Soul King at sixteen, he had long harbored feelings for Meng Hongchen.

He had clearly seen the look in Meng Hongchen's eyes when she gazed at Cao Longyan—a tenderness and reluctance he had never seen before—as well as the enthusiastic way Teacher Xu tried to recruit Cao Longyan, treatment he had never received himself.

All of this caused him to lose his head instantly, his jealousy clouding his judgment.

In his eyes, Cao Longyan was nothing more than a brat of eleven or twelve. Even if he had some strength, how strong could he really be?

How could he possibly defeat him, a newly promoted five-ring Soul King?

He sneered, pointed at Cao Longyan, and spoke with an arrogant tone.

"Brat, you think you're worthy of getting involved with Miss Meng Hongchen? A kid who hasn't even grown his hair out, and you deserve Miss Meng Hongchen's special attention? I am the five-ring Soul King Gu Yan, with the Cold Ice Python martial soul. Do you dare to spar with me and let me see exactly what you're made of?"

Meng Hongchen's face darkened, and she hurriedly stepped forward to stop him.

"Gu Yan, don't be ridiculous! Don't go too far!"

But as soon as she stepped forward, she was blocked by Teacher Xu.

Teacher Xu leaned into her ear and whispered.

"Little Meng, don't be anxious. Don't you want to know the true strength of the person you like? Gu Yan is arrogant by nature; if he doesn't hit a wall, he won't give up. Letting him try is for the best."

Meng Hongchen bit her lip, looking at Cao Longyan's back. Her heart was full of worry, yet she was also curious—she only knew Cao Longyan was strong, but she didn't know just how strong he truly was.

Seeing Meng Hongchen blocked and the teacher on his side, Gu Yan became even more arrogant. His soul power erupted, his Cold Ice Python martial soul instantly possessed him, and pale blue scales covered his entire body.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—five soul rings gradually emerged from beneath his feet.

A standard five-ring Soul King configuration, interesting... then I shall test this move on him...

Cao Longyan didn't even spare him a glance, his expression remaining indifferent. He slowly raised his hand, and a phantom of an ice dragon condensed in his palm.

"Wrath of the Ice Dragon King!"

As the words fell, the ice dragon phantom roared outward. Instead of attacking Gu Yan directly, it transformed into a majestic wave of bloodline pressure that swept toward him.

Under the bloodline suppression of the Ice Dragon King, the Cold Ice Python martial soul on Gu Yan's body instantly let out a shrill, mournful cry. His martial soul possession collapsed instantly, and his five soul rings dimmed into nothingness.

Gu Yan felt a sharp pain throughout his body, as if struck by an invisible force. His body flew backward uncontrollably, crashing heavily onto the snow. He spat out blood, lacking even the strength to crawl back up.

The others gaped, rubbing their eyes repeatedly.

Those soul rings aren't right, are they? Why are they all black, ten-thousand-year soul rings?!

Cao Longyan glanced down at him from above, his tone icy as he delivered a domineering parting shot.

"Trash, you think you're worthy of provoking me?"

With that, he stopped lingering, turned without looking back, and walked toward the outer perimeter of the Extreme North.

Watching his receding figure, Meng Hongchen felt as if her heart had been tightly squeezed. Her tears finally fell, and she gripped the medicine bottle in her hand tightly.

Longyan... will they ever meet again?

She did not know if this parting would be a brief separation or a permanent loss.

The aura of Ultimate Ice that Cao Longyan had just unleashed caught the attention of a black-haired, blue-eyed girl in the Shrek Academy group not far away.

This aura is... is it Ultimate Ice?!