Mimi

Outside the Labyrinth of Lost Ways.

Ye Qiong arrived beneath a peach tree.

This was the very tree he and Cyrene had leaned against to rest before entering the Labyrinth of Lost Ways together.

Now, the peach tree was covered in pink fruits...

Wait, what was that?

Ye Qiong keenly noticed that among the peaches, there was a pink, square-shaped object.

Could peaches even grow into squares?

That was naturally impossible.

Recalling memories of the past, the corners of Ye Qiong's mouth curled upward.

"Found you."

Ye Qiong immediately leaped up, reaching out to pluck the square "peach."

The "peach" seemed somewhat excited in Ye Qiong's hand, actually jumping around joyfully a few times.

Ye Qiong couldn't help but twitch his lips:

"Even after turning into this, you still love to tease people, don't you?"

This was the Seed of Immaculate Purity that Cyrene had transformed into, actually disguising itself as a peach to play hide-and-seek with him.

Truly, that is just like you.

The seed bounced twice in Ye Qiong's hand, then tried to break free and escape.

Seeing this, Ye Qiong frowned and immediately pinched it tight:

"Cyrene, this time, I won't let you leave my side ever again."

He would never let go, never...

The seed seemed to understand Ye Qiong's words.

It trembled a few times, then went quiet.

It was as if it were saying:

"There's really no helping you, partner..."

Soon, the seed obediently merged into Ye Qiong's body.

A moment later, a small, fluffy creature flew out from behind Ye Qiong.

It was a ball of fluff the size of a head, entirely pink, with a pair of long ears and a fluffy tail swaying gently behind it.

As soon as it emerged, it flew around Ye Qiong twice, excitedly letting out a crisp cry:

"Mi-mi!"

Ye Qiong was stunned for a moment.

Good heavens, that mysterious person didn't lie to me, it really is Mimi, alright!

The next second, the little creature flew directly onto his face, rubbing against him with its furry cheek.

"Mi-mi~"

Seeing this, Ye Qiong couldn't help but smile.

It really was exactly the same as the her in his memories.

Ye Qiong stroked Mimi's little head, feeling the connection between them.

That's right, Mimi had indeed become his Martial Soul.

But before he could check Mimi's information through the system, he felt a violent tremor beneath his feet.

In an instant, the previously bright and sunny weather dissipated, and the sky suddenly darkened.

Ye Qiong instinctively looked up, and the next moment, his pupils constricted.

He saw the once-clear sky instantly crack open, with red and black, eerie patterns spreading across the horizon.

He could feel that deep within those patterns, something was vaguely awakening.

Seeing this, Mimi's ears shot up, and she dove into Ye Qiong's chest.

She buried her face completely, her little claws clutching his lapels tightly, her entire body trembling as if she were terrified.

Ye Qiong's gaze hardened as he looked down at Mimi:

"Mimi, return to my body first."

Mimi let out a cry and immediately transformed into a streak of pink light, diving into his body.

Seeing Mimi return, Ye Qiong pulled out his baseball bat and looked toward the sky with a vigilant expression.

At the same time, he kept calling out to the system in his mind:

"System, help me open the path back to reality."

[Connecting for you, please wait.]

The next second, a white rift unfolded.

Seeing the rift, Ye Qiong's expression brightened, and he immediately walked toward it.

Before leaving, Ye Qiong looked back one last time.

The red and black patterns were spreading faster and faster, having almost completely swallowed the entire sky.

Watching this scene, Ye Qiong's expression turned grave.

Iron Curtain had awakened.

He had taken Cyrene away, so Iron Curtain would wake up and track him down by following the trail.

Fortunately, once he was out, Iron Curtain would be unable to quickly break through the Tidal Belt that separated the two worlds.

He still had plenty of time to prepare and respond.

Back in reality.

It was already the next day, and everyone was standing in two rows on the plaza.

Wang Sheng yawned and asked, "Where on earth did the Dean go last night?"

Bai Chenxiang shook her head:

"I don't know. We didn't even see him at the Soul Fight last night."

Phainon turned to look at the others and spoke up:

"Teacher Tribbie told us to gather and wait first, saying that..."

"The Dean entered the Simulated Reality yesterday as well and hasn't come out yet."

Hearing this, everyone felt incredibly surprised.

"No way, what kind of level did the Dean encounter that it's taking this long?"

(Who knows? Surely he isn't trying to clear A8-40, right?)

After a while, the doors to the teaching building slowly opened.

Everyone looked toward the sound, only to see Tribbie walking out from inside.

As soon as she emerged, she cast her gaze toward the gate of the Simulated Reality.

"The Dean hasn't come out yet?"

The group also glanced at the gate and nodded.

"Then everyone go to training first..."

However, before Tribbie could finish her sentence, a ripple emanated from the gate of the Simulated Reality.

Everyone's attention was drawn by the movement, and they all looked over.

"This is..."

"Teacher, the Dean is coming out!"

Expressions of anticipation immediately appeared on everyone's faces.

Sure enough, the next second, Ye Qiong stepped out from within.

Seeing that he had truly returned, everyone's faces lit up with joy.

But the perceptive Anaxa noticed that Ye Qiong's temperament had changed.

It wasn't a change in Soul Power, but something deeper.

He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Ye Qiong scanned the crowd:

"Why are you all still here?"

Wang Sheng hurriedly ran over:

"Teacher, why did you only just come out? We waited for you for ages last night!"

Hearing this, Ye Qiong was taken aback.

Has it already been a second day?

He waved his hand:

"I was dealing with some matters inside. Today's training will proceed as usual."

As Ye Qiong spoke, he turned toward Tribbie:

"Teacher Tribbie, thank you for your hard work today. Have them gather at the plaza again this evening."

Tribbie nodded.

Seeing this, Ye Qiong turned and walked toward his office building.

Anaxa leaned in at this moment.

"Teacher Tribbie, I can't help but feel that the Dean has undergone some strange changes."

Tribbie watched his retreating figure and frowned as well.

"Indeed, I sense it too. His eyes seem to have become deeper and more mysterious."

Inside the office.

Ye Qiong sat in his chair and called out softly:

"Mimi, come out."

The next second, Mimi flew out.

As soon as she emerged, she landed lightly on the desk, tilted her head, and looked at Ye Qiong with her large, watery eyes.

"Mi, mi?"

Ye Qiong couldn't help but reach out and poke her forehead.

Mimi immediately stretched out her two little paws to hug his finger, a happy smile appearing on her face.

"Mimi~"

Ye Qiong smiled and opened the system to check the information regarding Mimi.

[Host's Second Martial Soul: Mimi.]
[Status: Juvenile Stage.]
[Abilities: Unlocked.]
[Spirit Ring: Vacant, temporarily unavailable for addition.]

Seeing the final line of information, Ye Qiong frowned.

"Temporarily unable to attach a spirit ring?"