"Th-this is..." Yue Shen felt the surging power inside her, as if it had opened an entirely new gateway. Especially the spiritual power, nearly overflowing within her—it was several times stronger and purer than it had been at the peak of her Yin-Yang arts!
Her left hand unconsciously pressed against her chest. Her voice trembled uncontrollably. "This power... Is it really not just a dream?"
"Time will give you the answer." Zhao Linchuan's voice came calmly. "Now, it's Yan Fei's turn."
At his words, Yue Shen's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
She slowly stepped out of the golden light, and the jade-white disc and phantom image of a brain faded away with her.
As she stepped down from the Awakening Stone, she couldn't help glancing at Yan Fei again, especially at the book in her hands. Her teeth clenched without her realizing it.
Why... Why did she get the same opportunity without doing anything at all?!
Yan Fei naturally noticed Yue Shen's complicated, inscrutable gaze. The corner of her mouth lifted ever so slightly, as if snow had just begun to melt.
She carefully set the book in her hands on a nearby chair, then walked gracefully into the Awakening Stone formation.
Golden light surged once more.
Yan Fei raised her right hand. A clear, melodious cry rang out, as if echoing faintly from the primordial past. A magnificent divine bird, its entire body wreathed in golden flames and bearing three legs, appeared above her palm, spreading its wings as if to take flight.
A noble, scorching aura spread through the hall, and the temperature seemed to rise several degrees!
At the same time, her left hand rose involuntarily. A golden wheel phantom slowly took shape, its edges burning with golden-white flames and its center seeming to contain a blazing sun. It shone in harmony with the phantom Three-Legged Golden Crow.
"Excellent." A hint of approval appeared in Zhao Linchuan's eyes. "The Three-Legged Golden Crow and the Great Sun Golden Wheel; the Lunar Jade Disk and the spiritual body... All are foundations for divine-grade Martial Souls with limitless potential."
"With enough time and diligent cultivation, you may well reach the summit of this world and glimpse the path to immortality."
He waved his hand, dismissing the light of the Awakening Stone. "That's all for today. There are plenty of rooms in the residence. Choose whichever you like, and take some time to get used to the powers and rules of this new world."
Feeling the two powerful Martial Souls within her, so different yet calling to one another, Yan Fei was shaken, but a sense of anticipation unlike any she had ever felt welled up inside her as well.
She gave Zhao Linchuan a slight nod in acknowledgment, then turned and walked steadily out of the hall, beginning to explore the residence that would become her new starting point.
Yue Shen, however, remained where she was.
She watched Yan Fei's back disappear through the doorway. A flicker of inner conflict crossed her eyes, but at last she took a deep breath and walked slowly over to Zhao Linchuan. She bowed slightly,
performing a more precise and respectful courtesy than she had ever offered before. Her voice, too, had grown much gentler. "Young Master."
Zhao Linchuan raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
The Yin-Yang School's Right Protector, who had once looked down on everyone in her old world and whose thoughts were impossible to read, had actually lowered herself to address him that way.
He showed no reaction. "Hmm? What is it?"
Yue Shen maintained her bow, her voice growing softer still. "Young Master, I... I would also like to learn the rules of this world as soon as possible, so I can serve you better."
"Would you... be willing to lend me that book, General Knowledge of Spirit Masters, for a little while?"
"I promise I'll return it as soon as I've finished reading. I won't delay Sister Yan Fei's studies."
Looking at her lowered lashes and respectful posture, Zhao Linchuan easily understood the competitive streak behind her little request.
He stood up and spoke evenly. "It's no secret manual, just a basic book."
"Very well. Come with me. There's something I need you to take care of."
"If you do it properly, I'll give you another copy. That way, you two won't have to fight over it."
A spark of delight flashed in Yue Shen's eyes, but she quickly restrained herself.
She hurriedly replied, "Yes! Thank you, Young Master!" Her voice could barely hide her excitement.
About a quarter of an hour later, outside the dean's office at Notting Junior Spirit Master Academy.
Yue Shen held a brand-new copy of General Knowledge of Spirit Masters, identical to Yan Fei's. Her fingertips gently stroked its smooth cover, and her heart brimmed with a satisfaction and drive she could hardly put into words.
Yan Fei... This time, I won't fall behind you again.
Now she couldn't wait to start exploring this entirely new world.
The evening glow spilled over the eaves. Zhao Linchuan sauntered along the corridor outside Dorm Seven.
The floor had already been cleaned, and the broken door had been replaced with a new one.
He looked inside Dorm Seven and saw Yu Xiaogang and Tang San sitting side by side on a bed. Both looked pale and solemn, their eyes fixed on the entrance as if waiting for someone to arrive.
Zhao Linchuan understood at once, but his face immediately took on a look of surprise and concern as he walked in.
"Oh? Grandmaster? Xiao San, you're back too?"
His bright voice rang out. He looked Tang San up and down. "Are you all right? I heard you fell off the bed and knocked yourself unconscious. You gave me quite a scare!"
Tang San had bandages wrapped around his chest, and his breathing was somewhat labored. At Zhao Linchuan's words, his expression darkened further. He pressed his lips together and said nothing, but his gaze raked over Zhao Linchuan like a blade.
Yu Xiaogang was much more direct. He sprang to his feet, his eyes sharp as a hawk's. His voice rasped with anger.
"You're so young, yet your heart is this cruel! You struck him so viciously! If you aren't properly disciplined, you'll become a menace before long!"
"What do you mean, I struck him viciously?" Zhao Linchuan blinked, looking appropriately confused and aggrieved. "Grandmaster, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
"You still dare to play dumb?!" Yu Xiaogang's fingers trembled with anger. "Tell me, did you cause the fractured ribs and internal injuries in Xiao San's chest?!"
"No! Grandmaster, how can you slander an innocent person like that?"
Indignation at being misunderstood immediately appeared on Zhao Linchuan's face, and his voice rose a little. "Xiao San's injuries clearly came from him accidentally crashing into the door!"
Wang Sheng and the others from Dorm Seven all saw it! What does that have to do with me?"
"You—!!!"
Tang San was so furious that he gasped for breath. His chest heaved, tugging at his wounds, and he sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth before saying:
"I... Why would I run into the door myself?! Would I... Would I have to be crazy?!"
"You're asking me?" Zhao Linchuan spread his hands, his expression innocent but faintly exasperated. "Did you have... um, what's the word? How would I know? Maybe it really was an accident."
"You little brat!" Yu Xiaogang slammed a hand against the bed. His face was livid as he shouted, "It seems I'll have to teach you a proper lesson on behalf of your parents!"
"Teach me a lesson?" Zhao Linchuan immediately took half a step back, his face contorting in exaggerated terror. Then he threw back his head and shouted at the top of his lungs, loud enough to carry through half the dormitory.
"Someone help!!! Someone, come quick!!!"
"That Theory Master who freeloads at the academy and boasts all day is about to beat up a student!!! He's bullying a work-study student!!!"
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