First Meeting with Ye Guyi

Xiao Hongchen intended to return directly to Hongchen Mansion to practice his metal manipulation abilities.

He had originally planned to continue crafting Soul Tools, but his mood had been ruined by a pest that didn't know its place.

However... this feeling of putting on a show and slapping faces was actually not bad at all.

Although it might seem cliché from an observer's perspective, as the one involved, he found it incredibly satisfying.

Now he finally understood why so many protagonists loved to play the pig to eat the tiger.

If it were him... he would definitely put on an even bigger show.

Xiao Hongchen took a Soul Tool motorcycle out of his storage soul tool belt.

This motorcycle had originally been a small family soul vehicle, which he had boldly modified during his time at Mingde Hall.

After stripping away the bulky carriage and four-wheeled chassis, he forged a lightweight titanium alloy frame and upgraded the power core to a fifth-level high-output soul power engine, transforming the entire vehicle into the style of a sportbike from Earth.

The body was primarily deep black, with dark gold lines extending from the front to the rear, creating a visually striking streamlined shape. The aerodynamic body reflected a cold luster under the sunlight, and the soul power flames spitting from the rear exhaust were a faint golden-red.

Riding on it, Xiao Hongchen's short silver hair whipped back in the wind, and he seemed to merge with the motorcycle, appearing sharp-edged and highly aggressive.

As he roared through the mansion gates, the guards and servants turned to look, their eyes filled with amazement and shock.

The butler, Pin Hongchen, heard the commotion and hurried out to greet him. Seeing the wild-looking motorcycle, he couldn't help but pause, then shook his head with a wry smile:

"Young Master... your flair for modification is truly as grand as ever."

Xiao Hongchen hopped off the bike, patted its body, and a satisfied curve tugged at the corner of his mouth:

"Not bad, right? It's much more exciting than that steady, boring soul vehicle from before. I'll use this for going out from now on. It's fast, highly maneuverable, and most importantly... it's stylish enough."

Pin Hongchen stepped forward and whispered, "Young Master, there is a result regarding the young lady you asked me to investigate last time."

Xiao Hongchen didn't stop walking: "Speak."

"Ye Guyi, a fourth-year student at the Fire Phoenix Advanced Soul Master Academy. She only uses Soul Tools in combat and has never revealed her Martial Soul; she is one of the academy's most outstanding students."

Xiao Hongchen's footsteps faltered slightly, then he continued inside: "Understood. Give me the specific address; I'll handle it myself."

Pin Hongchen acknowledged the order but did not withdraw. Instead, he followed him into the foyer and lowered his voice: "Young Master, there is one more thing. News has come from the Star Luo Auction House."

Xiao Hongchen glanced at him. Pin Hongchen understood immediately and stopped speaking.

It wasn't until the two entered the study and the door was closed that Pin Hongchen continued: "The Soul-Devouring Cursed Blade. In one week, at the Starlight Auction House."

Xiao Hongchen leaned back in his chair, remained silent for a few seconds, and said indifferently: "Understood. You may withdraw."

"Yes." Pin Hongchen bowed and retreated.

Xiao Hongchen checked the time; it was exactly two o'clock in the afternoon. It was still early, so he might as well go and meet this angel.

He rode his motorcycle and left Hongchen Mansion alone.

The Fire Phoenix Advanced Soul Master Academy was located in the eastern district of Ming Capital. The environment was tranquil, and the academy's outer walls were primarily pale gold, faintly exuding a sacred and solemn aura. This was an elite academy in the Sun Moon Empire dedicated to training female Soul Masters, and most graduates went on to join the Fire Phoenix Soul Master Legion, one of the "Hands of the Nation."

Xiao Hongchen arrived at the main gate of the Fire Phoenix Advanced Soul Master Academy, only to be blocked by the guards.

"Apologies, this academy only permits women to enter."

Looking at the prominent sign in front of him that read "No Men Allowed," Xiao Hongchen couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

He had no choice but to retreat a short distance from the gate and stand on the side of the street, trying his best to look like he was just passing by rather than waiting specifically for a girl.

The academy was not entirely closed off, and students could leave at any time. Young female students kept walking out in twos and threes, and the street nearby was bustling with crowds, the shops appearing quite lively.

Students like him who lived a two-point-one-line life between academy and home were in the minority; most of the girls were dressed beautifully and were enjoying their campus life.

The female students walking out of the academy looked at him as if their gazes were being pulled by a magnet.

A girl with short hair tugged at her companion's sleeve, lowering her voice, but he heard it clearly: "Look over there... that silver-haired one, so handsome."

"And he has heterochromia!"

"Why is he standing at our school gate? Waiting for someone?"

"Don't tell me he's waiting for a girlfriend..."

Xiao Hongchen's ears grew slightly warm.

He stared straight ahead at a street tree in the distance, pretending to study the shape of its canopy.

He had been standing there for less than two minutes, but the gazes cast his way were already enough to make the back of his neck tingle.

In his past life, he would never have dared to stand alone at the gate of a girls' school waiting for someone. Now, not only was he standing there, but he was being scrutinized by a group of girls as if he were a rare soul beast.

This intense sense of dissonance made him feel ridiculous.

"Forget it... I'll just ask directly. Standing here any longer will make me look even more like an idiot."

Xiao Hongchen took a deep breath and, with slightly stiff movements, walked toward a group of girls who had just exited the academy.

"Excuse me, do you happen to know Ye Guyi?"

He tried to make his voice sound as natural as possible.

The girls were stunned for a moment, then exchanged surprised glances. One of the young girls with shoulder-length hair blinked and asked curiously:

"Ye Guyi? Of course we know her; she's one of the most outstanding students in our grade. Why are you looking for her?"

Under the gaze of so many people, Xiao Hongchen felt his earlobes heat up slightly, yet he forced himself to remain calm as he spoke:

"I have something I'd like to discuss with her... May I ask if she is currently on campus? Or do you happen to know when she usually comes out?"

Another girl with long hair covered her mouth and giggled, looking him up and down before teasing:

"Wow, this is the first time I've seen a boy come to our school specifically looking for Ye Guyi. Are you a friend of hers? Or... a suitor?"

Xiao Hongchen nearly choked on those words. His mouth twitched, and just as he was about to explain, he heard a cold, clear voice tinged with a hint of surprise from not far away:

"You're looking for me?"

Xiao Hongchen whipped his head around to see a blonde girl walking from the direction of the academy's side gate. Her soft, golden hair shimmered with a holy luster under the sunlight, and her blue eyes held a trace of wariness amidst their calm.

Her white dress, adorned with blue and gold accents, was sharp and well-fitted, while her white stockings accentuated the straight lines of her legs, fully displaying a divine yet sharp demeanor.

It was indeed Ye Guyi; oh yes, it was the manga version of the little angel.

She noticed the situation and frowned slightly as she walked toward them.

Xiao Hongchen squeezed out a smile that was as natural as he could manage and nodded at Ye Guyi:

"Classmate Ye Guyi... I have some matters I would like to discuss with you in private, if that's alright?"

Ye Guyi stopped in her tracks, looking at him with a look that was neither a smile nor a frown:

"Now? Right here?"

"Of course not here." Xiao Hongchen shook his head quickly. "Let's find a quiet place."

He just wanted to leave this "place of trouble" as quickly as possible, clearly feeling that at least a dozen pairs of eyes were staring at him with great interest.

"Then lead the way," Ye Guyi said indifferently.

Only then did Xiao Hongchen realize that he had just arrived and knew nothing about the surrounding environment.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet, turn around, and lead Ye Guyi toward the bustling street next to the academy, silently praying that he could quickly find a relatively quiet café or teahouse.

Walking along the lively street, the two moved side by side. Xiao Hongchen clearly felt they were attracting a great deal of attention—a silver-haired boy with heterochromatic eyes walking with a blonde, blue-eyed girl was indeed a bit too eye-catching.

He couldn't help but quicken his pace.

"You seem very nervous?"

Xiao Hongchen's steps faltered, but he forced a calm smile:

"I'm just... not used to it, that's all."

He pointed casually toward a teahouse on the corner that looked relatively quiet:

"Let's go there; it shouldn't be too noisy."

Ye Guyi did not object, simply nodding slightly and following him inside.