"Dean, I haven't forgotten the money you lent me. The first thing I'll do once I start earning is pay you back."
Lin Yan was rather surprised that Flender hadn't brought up the loan himself. Afraid the man might try to be clever about it, he decided to mention it first.
To his even greater surprise, however, Flender's face broke into a kind smile. He smiled warmly and said,
"No rush, no rush."
"Come back and visit the Academy whenever you can."
Flender's attitude left Lin Yan a little baffled, but things had come to this. Since the other man didn't seem to mean any harm, Lin Yan couldn't be bothered to think too deeply about it.
Then he turned to Zhao Wuji.
"Teacher Zhao, thank you for helping me obtain a Soul Ring during our trip to the Star Dou Forest. I'll repay you someday, when I get the chance."
At the word "repay," Zhao Wuji burst into hearty laughter.
"Ha ha ha!"
"Just knowing you feel that way is the best repayment I could ask for."
He didn't actually expect Lin Yan to give him anything. He was simply glad to see that Lin Yan was the kind of person who repaid every kindness.
Unlike Flender, Zhao Wuji's smile was plainly sincere.
Lin Yan turned to Ma Hongjun next.
"Fatty, eat a little less, or you'll have trouble finding a partner later."
"And make time to practice your Soul Skill, too, so you don't end up missing your shots."
Ma Hongjun scratched the back of his head sheepishly and replied with an awkward smile,
"Hehe, got it."
At last, Lin Yan glanced at the girls' dormitory in the distance.
The old wooden door stood slightly ajar. In the narrow gap was a shadow—that was Wen Ruan, unable to bear saying goodbye to Lin Yan, hiding in the dormitory.
Lin Yan couldn't even tell whether there was anyone behind the door, but he still waved at the empty space.
His inexplicable gesture caught everyone's attention, and they all turned to look at the girls' dormitory.
Lin Yan said,
"Once I'm settled, I'll send a letter to the Academy."
"When my junior sister needs her third Soul Ring, be sure to let me know. I'll hunt it for her myself."
Everyone turned back to him, finally understanding the relationship between the two.
Flender quickly agreed.
"You little rascal! Ha ha ha..."
"Go out there and make your mark. Your little girlfriend will be protected by us old codgers. Nothing will happen to her at the Academy."
Those words put Lin Yan's mind at ease.
Wen Ruan wasn't leaving with him, and her safety was what worried him most.
As for what might put her in danger, given how Wen Ruan always kept out of trouble, the only real risk was when she went hunting for a Soul Ring.
Now that Flender had promised to protect her, a great weight lifted from Lin Yan's heart.
"See you!"
"I'll come back when Wen Ruan reaches level 30."
Lin Yan waved, and the others exchanged smiles.
And so, they parted.
Inside the girls' dormitory, Wen Ruan watched the boy's figure recede into the distance and quietly clenched her fists.
"Lin Yan, I'll wait for you to come back..."
One month later.
Heaven Dou City, the Crown Prince's Mansion.
"Your Highness, a young man is waiting outside to see you. He says he has long admired your reputation as a virtuous Crown Prince and wishes to join your service."
The main hall of the Crown Prince's Mansion was quiet.
A bronze incense burner sat beside the desk, its smoke curling lazily into the air. Xue Qinghe was reviewing a memorial when a guard standing before him abruptly interrupted.
He furrowed his brows slightly. A few traces of impatience showed on his refined, affable face.
"Why report something like this to me? Just send him away."
Xue Qinghe hadn't given the matter a second thought. Instead, he felt the guard lacked proper judgment: he couldn't even handle a trivial matter without bothering him.
But to maintain the Crown Prince's gentle image, he said no more.
However, today the guard seemed utterly oblivious. Even after Xue Qinghe spoke, he made no move to leave. Instead, he hesitated before saying,
"But..."
The guard didn't explain the situation outright. He lowered his head and watched Xue Qinghe's expression.
Xue Qinghe's brows drew together even more tightly.
"If there's something to say, then say it!"
Only then did the guard continue.
"Your Highness, that young man has been standing outside the gate for the entire afternoon."
"We also tested his Soul Power while he was waiting. His bones are only six years old, yet the testing crystal showed that he has... level 16 Soul Power."
"What?"
Meanwhile, outside the Crown Prince's Mansion.
Out of respect for the imperial authority, Lin Yan stood politely to one side of the entrance, waiting for the guards to announce him.
"This should go fine, right?"
"In the original story, the little angel was famous for seeking out talented people. With talent like mine, there's no way she'd turn me away."
As he thought this, his mind wandered further and further.
After leaving Shrek Academy a month ago, he had headed straight for Heaven Dou City. His goal was to pledge himself to "Xue Qinghe"—that was, Qian Renxue.
There was no other reason. Her background was powerful enough to provide him with resources and protection as he grew.
Whether she took him in as the Heaven Dou Crown Prince or recruited him under the name of Spirit Hall, he would have the backing he needed to grow quickly.
As for why he hadn't chosen another faction...
Ning Fengzhi was insufferable, Yu Yuanzhen was too weak, and the Clear Sky Sect was impossible to find. As for Bibi Dong...
That madwoman was mentally ill. Who knew when the Rakshasa Divine Power might trigger another episode and send him to her secret chamber?
Lin Yan didn't dare stay around a madwoman.
"Are you Lin Yan, young friend?"
As he was thinking, a warm, slightly excited male voice suddenly came from nearby.
Lin Yan looked up. A man dressed in pale-gold robes had come into view.
He wasn't especially handsome, but his features were well-proportioned. With his warm, gentle air, he easily gave others the impression that they could grow close to him.
This had to be Xue Qinghe, disguised as Qian Renxue.
Lin Yan's heart lifted. He nodded and gave a slight bow in greeting.
"Yes. Greetings, Your Highness."
Xue Qinghe hurriedly reached out with both hands and helped Lin Yan upright by the shoulders.
"No need to bow!"
"It's the guards' fault for not knowing their place. They only informed me so late. Otherwise, I would never have made you wait so long."
"You must be exhausted!"
Lin Yan smiled faintly. "Not at all. I'm in good shape."
"Ha ha ha!" Xue Qinghe chuckled. Lin Yan had made an excellent first impression: polite, composed, and well-mannered.
If the guard's report was true, then he had really stumbled upon a treasure.
Eager to confirm his suspicions, he tentatively asked,
"I heard from the guard that you're only six years old, yet your Soul Power has already reached level 16?"
"That's right, Your Highness. You can check for yourself."
Lin Yan didn't hesitate. That was exactly what Xue Qinghe had hoped for.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Xue Qinghe smiled and raised a hand. "Someone, bring me a Soul Power testing crystal."
The same guard hurriedly pulled out the testing crystal he had prepared earlier.
Lin Yan naturally placed his palm on it.
A flash of white light appeared, and Xue Qinghe's eyes brightened.
"It really is level 16! Then, young friend..."
Lin Yan knew the other man wanted to check his age, so he held out his wrist.
"Here you go."
Xue Qinghe didn't hesitate. In front of all the guards, he carefully ran his fingers over the boy's fair wrist.
He examined it closely, afraid of overlooking even the smallest detail.
Only after checking it again and again did he finally confirm the result. He drew in a sharp breath.
"Hiss..."
He stared at Lin Yan, utterly astonished.
"Come, come inside the residence with me..."