Enrollment

Through the conversation between Ye Guyi and Meng Hongchen, Xiao Hongchen quickly learned an important piece of information: Ye Guyi's soul power had already reached level forty. She was only one suitable soul ring away from officially breaking through to become a Soul Ancestor.

Xiao Hongchen felt a slight shock in his heart.

She was truly a genius.

One had to realize that at this point in time, even Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi, known as the "Shrek Outer Court Twin Stars," were merely high-level Soul Elders.

Moreover, this was without the premise of her increasing her cultivation by hunting evil soul masters. If she were provided with sufficient resources and continued to hunt evil soul masters, her growth rate would likely be even more astonishing.

"Grandfather, since Guyi is already at level forty, when we go to Star Luo next week, we can stop by the Star Dou Great Forest on the way to help her hunt a soul ring with light or holy attributes."

Jing Hongchen nodded slightly. "That is acceptable."

"That's great! Sister Guyi, let's go to Star Luo to have fun next week... no, let's go to handle business together!"

The time had also come to head to the academy.

"Let's go, we'll take you to the academy to register. Since you are now a member of our Hongchen Family, there is no need to stay in the student dorms. You can stay on the second floor; there are plenty of vacant rooms there, and Meng and I are right next door."

Meng Hongchen nodded immediately like a chicken pecking at rice, clutching Ye Guyi's arm even tighter.

"Yes, yes! Sister Guyi will live with us from now on! Brother, you are not allowed to bully her!"

Xiao Hongchen was speechless, taking the lead as he walked out of the mansion.

Just as they reached the gate, Meng Hongchen's gaze was drawn to the soul-guided motorcycle parked there. She excitedly circled the cool, black heavy-duty motorcycle again and again.

"Brother! I want to ride this! It's so handsome!"

"There is only one seat. If you want one, I'll have one custom-made for you next time, alright?"

"There's only one seat?" A flash of inspiration struck Meng Hongchen, and she smirked. "If you had to choose one, would you take me or Sister Guyi?"

Xiao Hongchen felt physically and mentally exhausted; he would rather return to the laboratory to carve core arrays for an entire afternoon than be interrogated by his sister like this.

He sighed heavily.

"I will modify the motorcycle on the spot so it can carry three people... are you satisfied now?"

Meng Hongchen couldn't hold it in and burst into laughter. With her hands behind her back, she tilted her head to tease him on purpose.

"That's the behavior of a scumbag! Brother, you'll definitely be two-timing in the future!"

Xiao Hongchen finally couldn't take it anymore and gave his sister a sharp rap on the forehead.

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll leave you at home and take only Guyi to Star Luo."

"No way, then I won't be able to eat... eat the fine melon seeds of Star Luo."

"You two... really have a good relationship."

Ye Guyi watched the lively pair of siblings and ultimately couldn't help but smile.

"Let's go. If we dawdle any longer, you're going to be late. Just a reminder, I don't have classes to attend."

Xiao Hongchen ignored them as they boarded the family's soul-guided vehicle, but they still walked over at a leisurely pace.

"Meng, your brother... is actually very doting toward you."

Meng Hongchen lifted her chin proudly.

"That goes without saying! He's a total sister-con!"

"I can tell."

The soul-guided vehicle drove steadily toward the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy.

In the car, no matter how much his sister teased him, Xiao Hongchen didn't say a single word, making Meng Hongchen lose interest. She pursed her lips, leaned her body toward Ye Guyi, and muttered something, but ultimately didn't speak again to disturb them. Ye Guyi sat quietly on the other side, her eyes occasionally sweeping over Xiao Hongchen's profile before quickly looking away.

The interior of the car fell into a strange silence, with only the low hum of the engine and the occasional bustle of the city streets outside the window.

Upon arriving at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy, Meng Hongchen waved her hand as soon as she got out of the car and said with a grin:

"Brother, Sister Guyi, I'm going to class! Sister Guyi, I'm in Class One of the fifth year, remember to come find me for lunch! And Brother, take good care of Sister Guyi."

In the blink of an eye, only Xiao Hongchen and Ye Guyi remained at the school gate.

The air suddenly grew quiet.

Xiao Hongchen stood where he was, feeling the atmosphere turn somewhat subtle. He cleared his throat.

"Ahem... let's go, I'll take you to Director Lin Jiayi to handle the enrollment procedures."

"Mm." Ye Guyi nodded gently, carrying a hint of imperceptible softness.

The two walked side by side toward the administration building. Xiao Hongchen kept his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed straight ahead, appearing composed on the surface.

He could faintly smell the light, clean fragrance on Ye Guyi. This made him tense up in an instant.

What is this? It's just a girl a little over thirteen years old, what is there to be nervous about?

Ye Guyi was equally uncomfortable. She lowered her head slightly, her long golden hair falling down to cover half of her cheek, also blocking her slightly reddened ears.

She didn't know why she had lowered her head. She hadn't lowered it when looking at Jing Hongchen, nor when talking about her background. Now, walking beside this person, she didn't know where to rest her eyes.

This boy, half a year younger than her, was both powerful and handsome. The words he had said in the teahouse yesterday, "I can give you a future where you no longer need to hide," were still echoing in her ears.

In the ambiguous atmosphere, Director Lin Jiayi's office appeared before them.

"We're here... go on in."

Ye Guyi gave a soft "mm," but stopped suddenly before taking a step, turning her head to look at him.

"Xiao Hongchen."

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

Her voice was very light, yet it landed in Xiao Hongchen's heart like a feather.

Xiao Hongchen froze for a moment, then gave an awkward but sincere smile.

"No need to thank me. From now on... we're family."

As soon as he said those words, both of them realized that the term "family" sounded somewhat subtle at this moment.

Xiao Hongchen's face flushed red, and Ye Guyi slightly averted her gaze, a faint trace of pink appearing on the cheeks that had always remained cold and aloof.

To ease the awkwardness, Xiao Hongchen pushed open the office door directly. Because of his grandfather, he was already very familiar with Director Lin Jiayi.

"Rare guest. What brings Young Master Xiao to my office?"

Lin Jiayi had been about to lose his temper, but upon looking up and seeing who it was, he forcibly swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue. Who in the entire Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy didn't know that this boy was Jing Hongchen's prized treasure?

Xiao Hongchen stepped slightly to the side, and Ye Guyi walked in from behind him.

"I'm here to handle the enrollment procedures for this child. Director Lin, just put her directly into Class 1, Grade 5."

"Since she was brought by Young Master Xiao, there is naturally no need to take the entrance test. However, I wonder if her soul power meets the requirements? Class 1, Grade 5 is full of elite students. If the gap is too large, the child might feel quite a bit of pressure."

Lin Jiayi said, looking troubled. It wasn't that he looked down on her, but this girl was only just over thirteen. Could she really be a Soul Ancestor like the two siblings from the Hongchen family? That would make geniuses seem far too cheap.

"You don't need to worry about that. Ye Guyi is one of our Hongchen family now. She only needs to absorb one more soul ring to become a Soul Ancestor."

Lin Jiayi's eyebrows twitched.

Another Soul Ancestor. Where exactly was the Hongchen family digging these people up from? That old fox Jing Hongchen must be grinning from ear to ear right now.

"Fine." Lin Jiayi pulled a form from his drawer and handed it to Ye Guyi. "Student Ye, just fill in your personal information and you can enroll."

Ye Guyi took the form and picked up a pen. The tip hovered over the "Martial Soul Name" column, pausing slightly.

Xiao Hongchen leaned over and whispered into her ear.

"Just write Light Bird for the martial soul name."

It was better not to leave a record. In any case, Ye Guyi only grew a pair of wings when her martial soul was manifested. If asked, they would say it was a Light Bird martial soul; if asked further, they would say it was a mutation that granted it a holy attribute. Believe it or not, that was their business.

After Ye Guyi finished filling out the information, Lin Jiayi stamped it with the academy's official seal. "Done. Class 1, Grade 5, classes start officially tomorrow. Go to the logistics department to collect your uniform and materials."

"Thanks, Director Lin." Xiao Hongchen stood up, took two steps, and suddenly turned back. "Oh, right. She might need to ask for leave often in the future. Combat missions, you know how it is."

Lin Jiayi's mouth twitched. I know what? I don't know anything. But he nodded anyway.

Xiao Hongchen left the office and noticed the puffed-up face behind him. Ye Guyi was staring at him with an expression that clearly said, "You better explain yourself."

"...What's wrong?"

"What do you mean 'that child'? I'm older than you, you know."

Xiao Hongchen blinked. It took him about a second to realize she was referring to the comment he had made to Lin Jiayi in the office: "I'm here to handle the enrollment procedures for this child."

Then, it took him about 0.1 seconds to decide not to apologize.

"On the Sun Moon Continent, strength is king. As long as you can't beat me, I am your senior, so it is perfectly reasonable to refer to you as a child. Mm."

Xiao Hongchen crossed his arms over his chest, his lips curling into an annoying smirk.

Ye Guyi opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to retort, but realized that according to the rules, there was no flaw in his logic. The soul master world did indeed have this tradition: the strong were respected, and seniority was not determined by age. But she just felt annoyed.

"Hmph, just you wait. Once I obtain my fourth soul ring, I'll challenge you."

Ye Guyi's competitive spirit had been ignited.

"Sure. When you challenge me, I'll go easy on you."

Xiao Hongchen's hidden provocative nature was fully activated.

Ye Guyi's footsteps faltered. "...I don't need you to."

"Are you sure you don't need me to? I am your senior, after all."

"I don't need it!"