Tianshui Academy, I'm Here! (Seeking Your Support)

"The God-Slaying contestant has successfully challenged a higher rank once again!"

"Congratulations to him..."

Gu Yena stood at the entrance as she always did, watching Yang Teng stroll out from amidst the fanatical crowd and fearful gazes.

He weighed the heavy pouch of gold spirit coins he had just won in his hand, the habitual, cynical smirk on his lips remaining unchanged.

Qian Renxue followed half a step behind him, a sense of determination in her golden eyes.

The silent Space Strangling and the Space Lock—Yang Teng had only ever used these two techniques, and they had left her deeply shaken.

This kind of ability could no longer be described simply as "gifted," and when considering his rank as a Spirit Master, it appeared even more shocking.

"Your strength is always capable of exceeding my expectations."

Qian Renxue's voice rang out; beneath her calm tone lay undisguised admiration and a desire to secure him for herself.

"Challenging those of higher ranks seems as simple as eating or drinking to you. Your reputation in the Guda City Spirit Fighting Arena has completely spread over these past few days."

Yang Teng stuffed the money pouch into his storage spirit tool and chuckled upon hearing this.

"Reputation is just empty talk; these are what really matter."

As he spoke, there was no longing for fame in his eyes, only a sense of self-satisfaction regarding the "hard-earned money" inside.

Qian Renxue stopped in her tracks and turned to face Yang Teng directly.

She had been lurking in the Heaven Dou Empire disguised as Xue Qinghe for many years, and calculating the time, it was indeed time for her to return.

At this moment, her desire to recruit him had reached its peak.

Qian Renxue flipped her wrist, and a token appeared in her palm.

The token was neither gold nor jade, feeling cool to the touch. A clear "Xue" character was engraved on the front, set against a lifelike relief of a Six-Winged Angel spirit that radiated a faint, sacred aura.

"Yang Teng!"

Qian Renxue handed the token over, her expression unusually solemn.

"This is my token. Under certain circumstances, it can grant you a certain degree of convenience within Spirit Hall."

She paused. "My offer always stands. The doors of Spirit Hall are always open to you. I hope that when we meet again, I will hear good news."

This was an overt olive branch, as well as the highest-level personal token she could bestow as the Young Mistress of the Elder Hall.

Yang Teng took it, smiling as he carefully stored it away.

"Alright, I'll accept the token. Take care, Beauty Renxue!"

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, then stopped after walking a few steps. "That feels awkward. Just call me Xiao Xue!"

Yang Teng was stunned. Do I really have that much charm? She's already letting me call her Xiao Xue!

Over the next few days, Yang Teng continued to frequent the various spirit fighting arenas in Guda City, specifically picking opponents at the Spirit Ancestor level, maintaining a perfect winning record.

Returning from the arena one day, Gu Yena watched him count his spoils with satisfaction once again and finally spoke, her cold, clear voice echoing in the quiet inn room.

"What are your plans for the future?"

There was a clear sense of urgency in her tone.

Yang Teng carefully put away his spirit tool and stretched, making no attempt to hide his intentions.

"I'm going to register at Tianshui Academy, then participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament."

His eyes brightened as he said this.

"Tianshui Academy..."

Gu Yena repeated the name and nodded slightly.

Tianshui Academy was located within the borders of the Balaque Kingdom.

When they set off for the Balak Royal City, Yang Teng showed a considerate side.

He hired a spacious and comfortable carriage, choosing not to endure a grueling journey.

Along the way, he also bought many famous local delicacies, various pastries, and candies that smelled enticing.

At first, Gu Yena only glanced indifferently at the colorful sweets, her silver eyes calm and maintaining the cold, detached demeanor befitting the Silver Dragon King.

To think that Yang Teng, the son of a God King, is always so fond of these nutritionally void things, she thought.

But Yang Teng was truly a wicked one.

He deliberately ate with great relish in front of Gu Yena, occasionally exaggerating how the sweets were not cloying, melted in his mouth, and tasted absolutely divine.

He even waved the snacks near Gu Yena, letting the sweet aroma drift incessantly toward her nose.

Gu Yena frowned and turned her head away.

Finally, when Yang Teng once again held out a piece of osmanthus cake that looked crystal clear, Gu Yena's gaze lingered on it for a moment.

She extended a slender finger, extremely carefully and extremely quickly, and picked up a tiny crumb from the edge of the cake, bringing it to her pink lips.

The movement was so fast it was almost impossible to see, as if she had merely brushed past it casually.

Then, her long silver eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.

Yang Teng held back a laugh, pretending not to notice, and picked up another piece for himself.

After a while, he noticed that the piece of osmanthus cake Gu Yena had "tasted" had somehow lost a small corner.

Pretending!

Yang Teng muttered to himself.

From then on, the consumption rate of the desserts kept in the carriage noticeably increased.

Gu Yena still didn't speak much, and her demeanor remained cold and aloof, but when Yang Teng handed her a snack, she no longer refused. Instead, she would take it and finish it in small, extremely elegant bites.

The relationship between the two, without them realizing it, seemed no longer separated by the invisible wall of ice that had existed at the beginning, drawing just a little bit closer.

Balak Royal City.

As one of the four vassal kingdoms of the Heaven Dou Empire, its level of prosperity was truly eye-catching.

Although it might be slightly inferior to the Heaven Dou Imperial City, it could definitely be described as magnificent and bustling.

After settling down in the royal city, Yang Teng and Gu Yena headed straight for their destination.

Tianshui Academy was located in the quiet northern district of the royal city; viewed from afar, the academy walls were a pale blue and white.

The entrance to the academy was quite quiet.

At this moment, a woman stood at the school gate. She looked to be in her thirties, still possessing a charming grace, and was wearing a well-tailored sky-blue tight-fitting dress that outlined her mature and graceful curves.

She was leaning against the gatepost, holding a glass of iced fruit juice, drinking it leisurely while her gaze scanned the street casually.

Yang Teng immediately put on his most practiced, approachable smile and stepped forward quickly, his voice clear and enthusiastic.

"Hello, big sister! May I ask, is this Tianshui Academy?"

The woman drinking the juice turned her head at the sound, seeing a youth with fair features, clear eyes, and a sunny, roguish smile waving at her.

She was slightly stunned, then immediately revealed a polite smile and nodded.

"Yes, this is Tianshui Academy."

She looked Yang Teng up and down, her smile unchanged, but her tone carried a clear set of rules.

"However, little brother, our academy only recruits female students who possess water or ice attribute martial souls. You..."

Her gaze swept over Yang Teng, the meaning obvious: you are a male, and your attributes are likely wrong as well.

Caught instantly, the smile on Yang Teng's face stiffened for half a second.

"Is it that obvious?"

The corner of his eye caught sight of Gu Yena, who was standing quietly a few steps behind him.

Silver hair, cold, stunningly beautiful, and most importantly, the Silver Dragon King, a natural elemental controller!

All elements in the world were under her control; water or ice attributes were naturally no exception.

Why not let Gu Yena enter Tianshui Academy first? As long as she could get in, having an acquaintance inside would make everything easier to handle!

The smile on Yang Teng's face immediately bloomed again, becoming even brighter as he turned sharply toward Gu Yena and gave her a look.

Then, he enthusiastically introduced her to the woman in the blue dress.

"Big sister, you misunderstood! It's not me, it's her! Her name is Gu Yena, and her martial soul is elemental control!"

The Silver Dragon King, Gu Yena, rarely showed a look of shock, her silver hair drifting in the wind.

"I still need to study?"